cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sturm—Liouville Theory

This chapter elaborates Sturm–Liouville theory applicable to second-order linear ordinary differential operators. Many of the differential equations of mathematical physics are Sturm–Liouville equations. Sturm–Louville equations arise naturally, for instance, when separation of variables is applied to the wave equation, the potential equation or the diffusion equation. The chapter also defines the Sturm–Liouville operator. The differential equation with boundary conditions − ( x 2 y ′) ′ = 0; u (l) = 0; u ( e ) = 0 for x ∈ [1, e ] is a regular Sturm–Liouville problem with unmixed boundary conditions, so the eigenfunctions are complete. The chapter highlights that the regular Sturm–Liouville equation, written in the form d 2 z / dt 2 − r ( t ) z + λz = 0 with the boundary conditions z (0) = z ( L ) = 0 has the asymptotic eigenvalues and eigenfunctions.
Ingenol Mebutate vs. Daylight Photodynamic Therapy in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient who had received a first renal transplant at 36 years and a second one at the age of 55 years. He is currently under immunosuppression with everolimus 2.5 mg/day and prednisone 5 mg/day. The patient presented with multiple actinic keratoses on both cheeks and the forehead and received treatment by ingenol mebutate 150 µg/g gel daily on 3 consecutive days on his right cheek and methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) photodynamic therapy activated by daylight (MAL-dPDT) on the forehead and the left cheek. MAL-dPDT treatment proved a feasible, repeatable, physician-directed method of treating field cancerization with limited morbidity for a period of 6 days. Treatment with ingenol mebutate gel was a feasible, possibly self-directed method of treating field cancerization with limited morbidity for 10 days in this immunosuppressed patient. Both treatments showed similar efficacy. At the time of treatment, the MAL daylight PDT ran at 3 times the cost of ingenol mebutate gel.
Monitoring and Attestation of Virtual Machine Security Health in Cloud Computing

Cloud customers need assurances regarding the security of their virtual machines (VMs) operating within an infrastructure-as-a-service cloud system. This is complicated by the customer not knowing where the VM is executing and by the semantic gap between what the customer wants to know versus what can be measured in the cloud. In this article, the authors present an architecture for monitoring a VM's security health. Their architecture can communicate this to the customer in an unforgeable manner. The authors show a concrete implementation of property-based attestation and a full prototype based on the OpenStack open source cloud software.
10 – High-temperature latent heat storage for concentrating solar thermal (CST) systems

This chapter focuses on latent heat storage (LHS) technology that involves storing thermal energy in the form of latent heat of fusion of phase change material (PCM). The chapter begins with a brief introduction to some of the fundamental properties, advantages and limitations of LHS system. The general challenges for LHS such as PCM selection, corrosion and containment compatibility, system integration and performance requirements are discussed for the different configurations of LHS that are applicable to Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) systems. The approaches to overcoming the challenges are presented. The chapter concludes with an example system-level study that analyzes the techno-economic feasibility of different configurations of LHS integrated with a CST power tower plant.
Pawn to Save a Chariot, or Drawbridge Into the Fort? Firms' Disclosure During Standard Setting and Complementary Technologies Within Ecosystems

Research summary: Within an ecosystem, standard setting coordinates development of complementary technologies across firms. But each firm can itself own multiple of these complementary technologies. We study how a firm's own complementary technologies influence its disclosure inclination during standard setting. We identify a tradeoff: disclosure increases value-creation of the firm's non-disclosed complementary technologies, but also heightens expropriation risk. Using data on the U.S. communications equipment industry 1991–2008, we show that the firm's complementary technologies increase its disclosure inclination when its technological areas are less crowded, but decrease such inclination when there are SSO members with strong expropriation abilities. Findings stress that disclosure involves but a piece of the firm's portfolio; a systemic perspective of the entire portfolio provides a more comprehensive picture of value-creation during standard setting. Managerial summary: Why should a firm disclose its key technology to participate in standard setting within an ecosystem? We urge managers to think beyond “disclosing to ensure compatibility with other firms' complementary technologies within the ecosystem” as a motivation, to also consider how disclosure affects the firm's own complementary technologies within its portfolio. Disclosure in one technological area makes the firm's nondisclosed complementary technologies in other areas more valuable to itself, especially with fewer rivals competing in these other areas. But disclosure also renders the firm susceptible to losing these complementary technologies to rivals, especially when rivals have strong expropriation abilities. Analyzing disclosure decisions by communication equipment firms, we show that this tradeoff is indeed a relevant consideration in managers' strategic calculations when participating in standard setting. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistance of superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor (SNS) junctions

It is shown that the conductance of a superconductor-normal-metal-superconductor (SNS) junction can exhibit a significant dependence on the phase of the superconducting order parameter in the situation where the size of the normal region of the junction is much larger than the normal-metal coherence length, so that the critical current of the junction is exponentially small. The period of the conductance oscillations as a function of the phase can be equal to π or 2π, depending on the parameters of the system.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa increases MUC1 expression in macrophages through the TLR4-p38 pathway.

Abstract Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play a critical role in the clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) from the airways. However, hyper-activation of macrophages can impair bacterial clearance and contribute to morbidity and mortality. MUC1 mucin is a membrane-tethered, high molecular mass glycoprotein expressed on the apical surface of mucosal epithelial cells and some hematopoietic cells, including macrophages, where it counter-regulates inflammation. We recently reported that Pa up-regulates the expression of MUC1 in primary human AMs and THP-1 macrophages, and that increased MUC1 expression in these cells prevents hyper-activation of macrophages that appears to be important for host defense against severe pathology of Pa lung infection. The aims of this study were to elucidate the mechanism by which Pa increases MUC1 expression in macrophages. The results showed that: (a) Pa stimulation of THP-1 macrophages increased MUC1 expression both at transcriptional and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner; (b) Both Pa- and LPS-induced MUC1 expression in THP-1 cells were significantly diminished by an inhibitory peptide of TLR4; and (c) LPS-stimulated MUC1 expression was diminished at both the mRNA and protein levels by an inhibitor of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, but not by inhibitors of ERK1/2, JNK, or IKK. We conclude that Pa-stimulated MUC1 expression in THP-1 macrophages is regulated mainly through the TLR4-p38 signaling pathway.
Nature of Sideband Generation

The serious investigation of sidebands (SBs), which are the result of nonlinear processes, began in the late 19th century when research was being conducted on amplitude modulation (Panter, 1965). In 1875, A.M. Mayer experimentally proved the existence of SBs. In 1886, M. Leblanc was likely the first to amplitude modulate a carrier signal with speech. Later, in 1894, Lord Rayleigh theoretically demonstrated the existence of SBs.
Is There Still a Role for Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS)?

Laparoscopy has been widely adopted for a variety of abdominal operations, and laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been shown to be oncologically equivalent and superior in terms of perioperative pain, length of stay, and decreased complications compared to traditional open surgery. However, laparoscopic colon surgery is fraught with a steep learning curve, longer operative times, and high conversion rates compared to traditional open surgery. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is an alternative to laparoscopic colon surgery which has been shown in several randomized controlled trials to have similar perioperative outcomes with decreased operative times and lower conversion rates. While some consider HALS an intermediate option for those developing the skills or volume in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, this chapter discusses how HALS colorectal surgery can be utilized as an effective first option with advantages over open surgery and similar short-term benefits seen with straight laparoscopic colorectal surgery. This is especially the case in the context of complicated operations, extended resections, and operations conducted in overweight or obese patients. The authors firmly believe that the HALS approach is a valuable technique for the minimally invasive colorectal surgeon.
Parameters of interferon action: I. Immunological effects of whole cell leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha) in phase I-II trials.

The antitumor mechanisms of the interferons (IFN) have yet to be fully elucidated. Augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro and in vivo by IFN has regularly been assessed in clinical trials. We have measured NK activity against K562 target cells at various effector-to-target ratios, in patients receiving leukocyte IFN-alpha (HuLeIFN) in various schedules, as well as T-cell subsets determined by indirect immunofluorescence using Leu series monoclonal antibodies (Becton-Dickinson). The effect of HuLeIFN on the endocrine system has also been examined in selected trials. The preliminary results of these studies reveal that NK activity rose during the first 8 days of HuLeIFN therapy in patients with initially low levels of target cell lysis (less than 50% NK activity at either 50:1 or 25:1 ratios). Tachyphylaxis, with a decremental effect of HuLeIFN on NK activity, ensued during treatment, whether at the same or escalated doses. NK activity rose repeatedly during intermittent schedules of i.m. HuLeIFN given daily x 5 every 21 days with escalation cycles. A decreasing trend in the ratio of Leu 3a to Leu 2a (helper phenotype/suppressor phenotype) was also seen overall. Of the endocrine parameters evaluated, the only remarkable finding was an increase in serum cortisol level following ACTH stimulation following HuLeIFN. Intramuscular HuLeIFN has been shown to augment NK activity, to perturb the T-cell-lymphocyte balance, and to affect the pituitary-adrenal axis in vivo.
Identification of HCV-associated antigen(s) in hepatocytes

HCV-associated antigens (HCAg) were localized morphologically using immunofluorescence methods. Fluorescence was found in the cytoplasm of individual liver cells or in groups of cells. Nuclear fluorescence was not observed. Blocking and absorption studies suggest that HCAg is related to nucleocapsid or envelope proteins.
Assurance of Learning: The Impact of Business Core Course Reviews on Students' Scores on the Comprehensive Business Exam for Both Internal and External Comparative Purposes.

AbstractThis study is the first to explore how business core course review sessions impact standardized test results. A statistically significant improvement in students’ overall scores of 16.5% wa...
Application of Group I Metal Adduction to the Separation of Steroids by Traveling Wave Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

Steroids represent an interesting class of small biomolecules due to their use as biomarkers and their status as scheduled drugs. Although the analysis of steroids is complicated by the potential for many isomers, ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) has previously shown promise for the rapid separation of steroid isomers. This work is aimed at the further development of IMS separation for the analysis of steroids. Here, traveling wave ion mobility spectrometry (TWIMS) was applied to the study of group I metal adducted steroids and their corresponding multimers for five sets of isomers. Each set of isomers had a minimum of one dimeric metal ion adduct that exhibited a resolution greater than one (i.e., approaching baseline resolution). Additionally, ion-neutral collision cross sections (CCSs) were measured using polyalanine as a calibrant, which may provide an additional metric contributing to analyte identification. Where possible, measured CCSs were compared to previously reported values. When measuring CCSs of steroid isomers using polyalanine as the calibrant, nitrogen CCS values were within 1.0% error for monomeric sodiated adducts and slightly higher for the dimeric sodiated adducts. Overall, TWIMS was found to successfully separate steroids as dimeric adducts of group I metals.
Procedure-Specific Volume and Nurse-to-Patient Ratio: Implications for Failure to Rescue Patients Following Liver Surgery

The effect of various hospital characteristics on failure to rescue (FTR) after liver surgery has not been well examined. We sought to examine the relationship between hospital characteristics and FTR after liver surgery. The 2013–2015 Medicare-Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) database was used to identify Medicare beneficiaries who underwent liver surgery. The effect of various hospital characteristics on FTR was compared among the highest mortality hospitals (HMH) and the lowest mortality hospitals (LMH). Among 4902 patients undergoing hepatectomy, patients treated at HMH had a higher risk of FTR (OR 3.08, 95% CI 2.03–4.66). Hospital factors such as total number of beds (OR 0.80, 95% 0.56–1.15), operating rooms (OR 0.81, 95% 0.57–1.14), and overall hospital surgical volume (OR 0.88, 95% 0.61–1.25) were not associated with FTR (all p > 0.05). In contrast, hospitals with a greater nurse-to-patient ratio had a markedly lower risk of FTR following a complication (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.91; p = 0.007) (Table 3). As volume of liver operations and nurse-to-patient ratio decreased the risk of FTR increased (p > 0.001). After risk-adjusting for patient characteristics, both the effect of surgical volume (adjusted OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46–0.94; p = 0.022) and nurse-to-patient ratio (adjusted OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51–0.90; p = 0.008) remained strongly associated with FTR. FTR rates varied considerably among hospital performing hepatectomy. Higher procedure-specific hepatectomy volume, as well as a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, accounted for a reduction in the FTR rates. These data highlight the importance of not only procedure volume, but also adequate nurse staffing in reducing FTR and improving mortality following complex procedures such as hepatectomy.
Yb~51In13H27: A complex metal hydride grown from Yb/Li flux

Abstract Molten mixtures of ytterbium and lithium metals can be used as fluxes for the synthesis of metal hydrides. Reactions of indium and lithium hydride in Yb/Li flux produce Yb~51In13H27 (cubic, Im-3; a = 16.218(6) A, Z = 2). Yb~51In13H27 is an analog of previously reported Ca54In13H27 which was grown from Ca/Li flux. The compound features In@Yb12@H20@Yb30 Bergman-like clusters at the corners and body centers of the cubic lattice. The clusters are connected by a hydride site and disordered ytterbium sites. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the ytterbium is divalent; the compound shows diamagnetic behavior with a Curie tail at lower temperatures attributed to impurities such as traces of Yb3+ that form on crystal surfaces due to slight oxidation.
Genitourinary Foreign Body in United States: Incidence, Patient Characteristics, Treatments and Economic Burden

AbstractIntroduction:Genitourinary foreign bodies are uncommon, have only been reported in single center case reports or series and little is known about national incidence. Commonly cited risk fac...
(242) Stress-Induced Bladder Hypersensitivity, Hind Paw Allodynia, and Depression-Like Behavior in an Anxiety-Prone Strain of Mice

An estimated 80% of Americans suffer from at least one stress-related symptom during a month's time and co-morbidity of chronic pain and mood disorders is very common. Stress activates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and subsequently initiates and/or exacerbates symptoms related to both chronic pain and mood disorders. The impact of stress on allodynia and anhedonic behaviors in highly-anxious individuals has not been well studied. Here, we are testing the hypothesis that chronic stress exposure can increase somatic and visceral sensitivity and induce anhedonic behaviors in an anxiety-prone mouse strain. Female, 12-week-old A/J mice were exposed to repeated foot shock stress for 10 continuous days and tested after 1 (acute) or 28 days (persistent) for mechanical hind paw sensitivity, sucrose preference, nest building behavior, visceromotor response (VMR) during urinary bladder distension (UBD), mast cell degranulation, serum corticosterone (CORT) levels, and HPA axis-related gene expression. The VMR during UBD was significantly higher in the shock group, compared to the sham group, at both time points. The shock-exposed groups also had significantly decreased nest building scores and mechanical withdrawal thresholds in the hind paw at 1 and 28 days post-shock. Decreased sucrose preference was observed during the shock paradigm and both groups had high mast cell degranulation rates in the bladder. Stress-induced increases in HPA axis output were also observed, evidenced as significantly elevated serum CORT levels and pro-inflammatory gene expression in the bladder of the shock group compared to sham. In summary, widespread hypersensitivity and anhedonia-like behavior were observed both acutely and persistently following foot shock stress exposure in A/J Mice. Future studies will include investigating potential physiological or pharmacological intervention to mitigate these negative outcomes.
Do Solar Proton Events Reduce the Number of Faults in Supercomputers?: A Comparative Analysis of Faults During and without Solar Proton Events

Cosmic rays causing faults on computers is well-established within the reliability community. However, during Solar Proton Events (SPEs), the Earth's magnetic field compresses, which can shield the Earth from the effects of cosmic rays. In our paper, we use a statistical analysis to quantitatively assess if differing flux levels from SPEs lead to significant changes in the number of faults observed on Cielo, a supercomputer at Los Alamos National Laboratory. From our analysis, we found that as flux levels increase during SPEs, there is an overall decrease in the number of faults on Cielo. Better understanding about how SPEs affect fault rates allows the high performance computing reliability community to more accurately compare cosmic ray induced faults from different time periods.
U.S.–China economic tensions: origins and global implications

America’s levying of punitive tariffs on China in 2018 triggered the possibility of an escalating global trade war. The forces that led to these disruptive events have been building up for more than a decade. America’s concerns are driven by its huge bilateral trade deficits with China and alleged unfair trade and investment practices. The basis for these concerns, however, is often misunderstood. Developing an enduring solution will require follow-up commitments and adjustments that will supersede any agreement likely to be forged in 2019. Trade tensions will persist until a more institutionally grounded solution is developed for which a revamped World Trade Organization and a bilateral investment treaty are possible options. The pressure on China to reach a lasting trade agreement with the U.S. is also pushing Beijing to strengthen its regional alliances and develop its soft power approaches. East Asia and Europe have the most to gain economically in helping the two major powers to reach an agreement, but the key players in both regions are not yet in a position or motivated enough to play such a role without a major shift in China’s strategy.
Capsaicin-induced visceral deafferentation does not attenuate flavor conditioning by intragastric fat infusions in mice

The postoral actions of sugar and fat can rapidly stimulate the intake of and preference for flavors associated with these nutrients via a process known as appetition. Prior findings revealed that postoral glucose appetition is not attenuated following capsaicin-induced visceral deafferentation. The present experiment determined if capsaicin treatment altered fat appetition in C57BL/6 mice. Following capsaicin (Cap) or control (Con) treatment, mice were fitted with chronic intragastric (IG) catheters. They were then given 1-h sessions with a flavored saccharin solution (CS-) paired with IG water infusion or a different flavor (CS+) paired with IG 6.4% fat infusion. IG fat stimulated CS+ intakes in both Cap and Con mice, and the groups displayed similar preferences for CS+ over CS- in two-choice tests. These results confirm prior reports of normal fat conditioning in rats exposed to capsaicin or vagal deafferentation surgery. In contrast, other recent findings indicate that total or selective vagotomy alters the preference of mice for dilute vs. concentrated fat sources.
The Healthcare Simulation Technology Specialist and Healthcare

The complexities of the human body whether demonstrating normal function or pathologic disease are difficult to reproduce in a simulation environment. Creating mimics of the subtle features and patient cues within a manikin, that an experienced clinical care provider expects, is also no simple task. This chapter will provide a broad overview of the role medical simulation plays in healthcare education. It will review aspects of healthcare training, healthcare principles related to anatomical terms, healthcare instruments, tools, medical abbreviations, common medications, and treatments for some of the more commonly encountered diseases. No single chapter could replace clinical experience gained from training in healthcare. However, familiarity with healthcare team principles, medical management expectations, medical equipment, and general pharmacologic and physiologic parameters will help healthcare simulation technology specialists (HSTSs) to create engaging scenarios to allow for more effective learning.
Bank Audit Fee Pressure During the Financial Crisis

This study examines the pressure on bank audit fees during the height of the financial crisis. I employ a prior year benchmark audit fee method and compare to the actual audit fee to determine the ...
Surgical management of non melanoma skin cancer of the head and neck

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy in the world and is reaching epidemic proportions. The most common types of NMSC include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The head and neck is the most common site for NMSC, and surgery remains the mainstay of treatment. We review the etiology, risk factors, pathogenesis as well as the preoperative, operative, and postoperative considerations in the management of NMSC. Multidisciplinary evaluation and attention to each of these phases is imperative for favorable oncologic and functional patient outcomes.
Robot-Assisted versus Freehand Instrumentation in Short-Segment Lumbar Fusion: Experience with Real-Time Image-Guided Spinal Robot.

Objective Increasing patient demand for minimally invasive surgery and increased payer emphasis on quality-based payment schema have created a need for technologies that provide consistent, high-quality outcomes for patients undergoing spine surgery. Robotic assistance is one such technology. We report our early experience with a novel real-time, image-guided robot system for use in short-segment lumbar fusion in patients diagnosed with degenerative disease. Methods A consecutive series of patients undergoing robot-assisted 1-level or 2-level lumbar fusion procedures were compared with matched controls who underwent freehand surgery. Screw accuracy, intraoperative outcomes, and 30-day outcomes were compared. Results We identified 56 patients who underwent 1-level or 2-level lumbar fusion during the study period: 28 who underwent robot-assisted procedures and 28 matched controls who underwent freehand instrumentation placement. No significant differences were found between the robot-assisted surgery cohort and the freehand surgery cohort with respect to matched variables. Patients who underwent robot-assisted surgery had less intraoperative blood loss (266.1 ± 236.8 mL vs. 598.8 ± 360.2 mL; P Conclusions Patients undergoing robot-assisted fusion experienced less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospitalizations. The results of this initial experience suggest that an image-guided robotic system may provide similar short-term outcomes compared with freehand instrumentation placement.
Why is low body fat rarely seen in large-sized male athletes?

Objectives It is unknown why low body fat is rarely seen in large-sized athletes (>100 kg body mass). The aim of this review was to examine the relationship between body mass and body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass) in elite male athletes, and to discuss the possible reasons why low body fat is rarely seen in large-sized male athletes. Methods A search using two electronic databases was conducted. Eighteen studies estimated body composition in elite athletes by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, totaling 2249 elite male athletes and 72 data points. Results Our results indicated that low body fat (eg, less than 10% body fat) was rarely seen in large-sized male athletes over 100 kg body mass. The larger the body mass, the higher the fat-free mass, with fat-free mass leveling off when body mass exceeds approximately 120 kg. Conclusion Possible reasons for this are unknown but we provide some ideas for why this might occur. The two different stages to consider with respect to skeletal muscle growth: the amount of growth during development and the amount of growth as a result of long-term resistance training. In certain sporting events, a large body mass may be favored. However, the large-sized athletes have to balance any potential positive influence of body mass on sports performance with the potential negative factors associated with body fat accumulation. Further research is warranted, as there is currently limited evidence on this topic.
The health care cost of palliative care for cancer patients: a systematic review.

Several delivery models of palliative care are currently available: hospital-based, outpatient-based, home-based, nursing home-based, and hospice-based. Weighing the differences in costs of these delivery models helps to advise on the future direction of expanding palliative care services. The objective of this review is to identify and summarize the best available evidence in the US on cost associated with palliative care for patients diagnosed with cancer. The systematic review was carried out of studies conducted in the US between 2008 and 2018, searching PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane library, CINAHL, EconLit, the Social Science Citation Index, Embase, and Science Citation Index, using the following terms: palliative, cancer, carcinoma, cost, and reimbursement. The initial search identified 748 articles, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies (50%) were inpatient-based, four (25%) were combined outpatient/inpatient, two (12.5%) reported only on home-based palliative services, and two (12.5%) were in multiple settings. Most included studies showed that palliative care reduced the cost of health care by $1285–$20,719 for inpatient palliative care, $1000–$5198 for outpatient and inpatient combined, $4258 for home-based, and $117–$400 per day for home/hospice, combined outpatient/inpatient palliative care. Receiving palliative care after a cancer diagnosis was associated with lower costs for cancer patients, and remarkable differences exist in cost saving across different palliative care models.
Heat transfer enhancement in laminar flow heat exchangers due to flapping flags

Heat transfer enhancement due to flapping flags in a heated duct flow is studied using three-dimensional (3D) fully coupled fluid–structure–thermal simulations. Following prior work, which was limited to two-dimensional models, we examine the mechanisms and the heat transfer performance for a more realistic, 3D model of a flag in a rectangular duct heat exchanger. We then examine the role of the flag aspect-ratio and spanwise confinement, which are key design parameters for this device. We find that the narrow flags do not exhibit sufficiently energetic flapping to generate any meaningful heat transfer enhancement. We also find that the wide flags significantly increase heat flux and an increase in the width of the flag can further increase the thermal enhancement factor.
Social Media and Credibility: Civil Society Organizations in Mongolia

This study aims at conveying an understanding and perception of the potentials and pitfalls of social media by Mongolians who work in not-for-profit organizations. By speaking to the experts in civil society institutions the researcher analyzed why the participants use social media, and how they assess the credibility of information. This exploratory study documents journalists’, educators’, and civil society experts’ accounts in relation to political campaign and mobilization tactics on social media. The participants' accounts to a great extent speak to communicative and deliberative potentials and affordances of social media use for civic discourses posited by the scholars in the tradition of the expanding “deliberative sphere.” They also speak to the platform-specific affordances that either constrain or enable different potentials and possibilities.
Fracture mechanics technology applied to individual aircraft tracking

The paper presents a crack growth analysis approach to individual aircraft tracking that will meet the intents and objectives of the U.S. Air Force requirements. The structural life definitions are discussed in terms of definitive crack sizes for both the durability and damage tolerance of the structure. Instituting a tracking program for a specific aircraft fleet requires a background of data relating to baseline spectra, critical structural locations, and expected airplane usage. The sources of such data are outlined. The body of the paper presents a cost-effective crack growth integration technique which makes tracking for durability feasible even if the life is as much as 100 000 h. Closely linked with the crack growth analysis technique is the method of collecting the flight data. The presentation considers two distinct approaches, a pilot form system and a structural loads measuring system. The methodology is being incorporated into the overall tracking system for the USAF T-39 Utility Trainer which will be the first to use the crack growth principle for both durability and damage tolerance tracking. Some T-39 data are presented for explanatory and demonstration purposes.
Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Non-US-Born Persons by Country of Birth-United States, 2012-2017.

BACKGROUND Most tuberculosis (TB) disease in the United States (US) is attributed to reactivation of remotely acquired latent TB infection (LTBI) in non-US-born persons who were likely infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in their countries of birth. Information on LTBI prevalence by country of birth could help guide local providers and health departments to scale up the LTBI screening and preventive treatment needed to advance progress toward TB elimination. METHODS A total of 13 805 non-US-born persons at high risk of TB infection or progression to TB disease were screened for LTBI at 16 clinical sites located across the United States with a tuberculin skin test, QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube test, and T-SPOT.TB test. Bayesian latent class analysis was applied to test results to estimate LTBI prevalence and associated credible intervals (CrIs) for each country or world region of birth. RESULTS Among the study population, the estimated LTBI prevalence was 31% (95% CrI, 26%-35%). Country-of-birth-level LTBI prevalence estimates were highest for persons born in Haiti, Peru, Somalia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Bhutan, ranging from 42% to 55%. LTBI prevalence estimates were lowest for persons born in Colombia, Malaysia, and Thailand, ranging from 8% to 13%. CONCLUSIONS LTBI prevalence in persons born outside the US varies widely by country. These estimates can help target community outreach efforts to the highest-risk groups.
Abstract 15870: External Validation of a Risk Score for Heart Failure in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Introduction: HF is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in AML patients. This study was designed as an external evaluation of a risk score to determine the risk of HF in patients treated with ...
Compartmentation of β2 -adrenoceptor stimulated cAMP responses by phosphodiesterase types 2 and 3 in cardiac ventricular myocytes.

Background and purpose In cardiac myocytes, cyclic AMP (cAMP) produced by both β1 - and β2 -adrenoceptors increases L-type Ca2+ channel activity and myocyte contraction. However, only cAMP produced by β1 -adrenoceptors enhances myocyte relaxation through phospholamban-dependent regulation of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2). Here we have tested the hypothesis that stimulation of β2 -adrenoceptors produces a cAMP signal that is unable to reach SERCA2 and determine what role, if any, phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity plays in this compartmentation. Experimental approach The cAMP responses produced by β1 -and β2 -adrenoceptor stimulation were studied in adult rat ventricular myocytes using two different fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors, the Epac2-camps, which is expressed uniformly throughout the cytoplasm of the entire cell and the Epac2-αKAP, which is targeted to the SERCA2 signalling complex. Key results Selective activation of β1 - or β2 -adrenoceptors produced cAMP responses detected by Epac2-camps. However, only stimulation of β1 -adrenoceptors produced a cAMP response detected by Epac2-αKAP. Yet, stimulation of β2 -adrenoceptors was able to produce a cAMP signal detected by Epac2-αKAP in the presence of selective inhibitors of PDE2 or PDE3, but not PDE4. Conclusion and implications These results support the conclusion that cAMP produced by β2 -adrenoceptor stimulation was not able to reach subcellular locations where the SERCA2 pump is located. Furthermore, this compartmentalized response is due at least in part to PDE2 and PDE3 activity. This discovery could lead to novel PDE-based therapeutic treatments aimed at correcting cardiac relaxation defects associated with certain forms of heart failure.
Recommendations and Nutritional Considerations for Female Athletes: Health and Performance

Optimal nutrition is an important aspect of an athlete’s preparation to achieve optimal health and performance. While general concepts about micro- and macronutrients and timing of food and fluids are addressed in sports science, rarely are the specific effects of women’s physiology on energy and fluid needs highly considered in research or clinical practice. Women differ from men not only in size, but in body composition and hormonal milieu, and also differ from one another. Their monthly hormonal cycles, with fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, have varying effects on metabolism and fluid retention. Such cycles can change from month to month, can be suppressed with exogenous hormones, and may even be manipulated to capitalize on ideal timing for performance. But before such physiology can be manipulated, its relationship with nutrition and performance must be understood. This review will address general concepts regarding substrate metabolism in women versus men, common menstrual patterns of female athletes, nutrient and hydration needs during different phases of the menstrual cycle, and health and performance issues related to menstrual cycle disruption. We will discuss up-to-date recommendations for fueling female athletes, describe areas that require further exploration, and address methodological considerations to inform future work in this important area.
JIA patient T cells differentiate into Th1, Th17 and Th1.17 effector cells under Th1 polarizing conditions

Objective. T helper cells develop into discrete Th1, Th2 or Th17 lineages that selectively express IFN-gamma, IL-4/IL-5/IL-13, or IL-17, respectively and actively silence signature cytokines expressed by opposing lineages. Our objective was to compare Th1, Th2 and Th17 polarization in cell culture models using JIA patient samples. Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from JIA or healthy prepubescent children. T cell naive and memory phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. T cell proliferation was measured using a fluorescence-based assay. Th cell cultures were generated in vitro and IFN-gamma, IL-17, and TNF-alpha measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results. JIA Th1 cells produced increased IFN-gamma and inappropriately produced IL-17. JIA Th17 cells produced increased IL-17. JIA Th1 cell cultures develop dual producers of IFN-gamma and IL-17, which are Th1.17 cells. JIA Th1 cultures expressed elevated levels of both T-bet and ROR-gamma-T. RNA sequencing confirmed activation of immune responses and inappropriate activation of IL-17 signaling pathways in Th1 cultures. A subset of JIA patient samples was disproportionally responsible for the enhanced IFN-gamma and IL-17 phenotype and Th1.17 phenotype. Conclusions. This study reveals that JIA patient uncommitted T cell precursors, but not healthy children, inappropriately develop into inflammatory effector Th1.17 and Th17 cells under Th1 polarizing conditions.
Evaluation of a modified void descriptor function to uniquely characterize pore networks and predict fracture-related properties in additively manufactured metals

Abstract Subtle differences among additive manufacturing (AM) processing parameters lead to variations in pore networks and complicate the prediction of void-sensitive mechanical behaviors, including location of fracture. The current work expands upon a recently developed pore metric, the void descriptor function (VDF), by accounting for interactions among neighboring pores and stress concentrations induced by non-spherical pores or voids. The modified VDF is evaluated against 120 computationally generated fracture simulations and six physical tensile specimens of as-built laser powder bed fused IN718. The latter set of experiments, which include X-ray computed tomography measurements before and after deformation, enables evaluation against pore populations that are representative of defects commonly observed in AM metals. The modified VDF accurately predicts fracture location (within ± 5% tolerance) for 94 out of 120 simulated specimens, representing 3.3%, 62.1%, and 59.3% increases in the number of accurate predictions in comparison to predictions based on the original VDF, the location of maximum cross-sectional area reduction, and the largest-pore location, respectively. In the experimental data set, the modified VDF accurately predicts the location of fracture in five out of six specimens compared to only two out of six using the original VDF, maximum cross-sectional area reduction, or largest-pore location. Also, the maximum value of the modified VDF was found to be more highly correlated than fraction porosity, pore size, reduced-cross section area, and total number of pores to the ultimate tensile strength, elongation to failure, and toughness modulus, suggesting that the modified VDF presented in this work could serve as a promising metric to assist with characterizing unique pore networks and predicting fracture-related properties in AM components.
Discovery of the pancreatic basal cell: a new candidate for an adult stem cell emerges.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease and the seventh cause of cancer-related death worldwide.1 Notably, clinical characteristics, response to chemotherapy and progression of PDAC can vary among patients. Thus, huge efforts on the molecular profiling of cancer specimens have been undertaken during the last decade. Large-scale gene expression studies defined two main PDAC subtypes with either a ‘classical’ or ‘basal-like’ transcriptional signature, with patients with the basal-like subtype having a significantly poorer overall survival.2–4 Basal cells are a cell type predominantly located in the basal layer of stratified and pseudostratified epithelia in several tissues, including the skin, oesophagus, lung and breast. Common basal cell markers include keratin5 ( KRT5 ) and tumour protein P63 ( TP63 ), a member of the TP53 transcription factor family. In the pulmonary airway, the oesophagus and the mammary gland, basal cells serve as multipotent stem cells or progenitor-like cells which can give rise to organ-specific, terminally differentiated cells and thus have an important role in tissue regeneration on injury.5 6 Though basal cells have been found in several glandular organs, the pancreas is …
Engineered coastal berm-dune renourishment in New Jersey: can coastal communities continue to hold the line?

Following the significant coastal changes caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, engineered berm-dunes were constructed along the New Jersey coastline to enhance protection from future storms. Followin...
Atopic Dermatitis and a Major Depressive Disorder

Ms. Reed is a 45 year-old woman with a history of chronic atopic dermatitis, which started when she was in college. At first, she reportedly experienced episodes of patchy, itchy red bumps on the extensor aspects of her arms, legs, and such episodes would get worse during exam periods. After college, she had ten blissful years without any significant atopic dermatitis episodes. However, the disease has been making a return in the past 12–13 years, gradually at first but then picking up speed in terms of frequency and viciousness of each episode. Today, the patient comes in with both arms and legs studded circumferentially with eczematous papules, which appear beefy red and noticeably warm to the touch. She reports still using her triamcinolone acetonide 0.1 % cream and emollients to the affected areas daily. You have never observed such inflammatory intensity with her skin disease before.
Defining Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in An Aging Population

By 2020, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is projected to become the 5th and 3rd leading cause of disability and death worldwide, respectively.1 Given their advanced age and high prevalence of multimorbidity, older persons with COPD are particularly vulnerable to adverse outcomes.2 The Journal has recently published two comprehensive reviews regarding COPD in older persons.3,4 Together, these reviews provide an excellent summary of current practice guidelines regarding the diagnosis, staging, and management of COPD.3,4 These guidelines have largely been informed by the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) and a combined task force from the American Thoracic and European Respiratory Societies (ATS/ERS).5,6 Although a consensus has emerged regarding principles of COPD management, the applicability of these guidelines to the diagnosis and staging of COPD in older persons is uncertain.7–11 The primary problem is that the diagnostic and staging criteria espoused by GOLD and the ATS/ERS do not adequately address key aging-related changes in pulmonary function, leading to frequent misidentification of COPD and misclassification of COPD severity.7–11 Consequently, current practice guidelines for COPD may lead to inappropriate pharmacotherapy in older persons, as well as delays in the consideration of other diagnoses. In this commentary, we discuss the age-related limitations inherent in existing diagnostic and staging criteria for COPD and, in response, provide alternative strategies.
Initial algebra semantics for lambda calculi

Ordinary and polymorphic typed lambda calculi are constructed as initial algebras for suitable endofunctors. The semantics is realized as the unique morphism from the initial algebra to an appropriate semantic algebra. In the case of the polymorphic lambda calculus, this semantic algebra is constructed from the category bPER* of pointed partial equivalence relations.
Gene mapping in zebrafish using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis as a powerful tool to map cDNAs in the zebrafish. SSCP applied for the purpose of gene mapping requires the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated amplification of short DNA fragments derived from genomic sequences. For SSCP analysis, a PCR is performed to amplify fragments between 150 and 350 bp. To design PCR primers for SSCP analysis, at least 150 bp of unique sequence from less conserved regions such as 3’UTR, 5’UTR, or intron must be available. To assess the polymorphism frequency of expressed sequences in commonly used zebrafish strains, over 150 primer pairs derived from 3’UTR were tested. Every primer pair was initially tested for the presence of a polymorphism in the 3’UTR in parental DNA before mapping analyses with a reference cross DNA panel was performed. The chapter discusses the strain distribution pattern of 17 polymorphic loci in zebrafish mapping crosses. On the MGH Reference Cross corresponding to the SSLP map, 6 loci polymorphic between AB/India were mapped, and 3 loci polymorphic between C32 and SJD were localized on the Oregon mapping cross. In the polymorphism screen, 36 primers derived from partially characterized cDNA clones from kidney and embryonic cDNA libraries were analyzed. In 13 of these expressed sequence tags (ESTs) polymorphisms were detected, and two have been mapped. This demonstrates the feasibility of using ESTs for gene mapping in the zebrafish, which could be employed to generate a dense transcript map.
Recent Advances in Porous Coordination Polymers

Porous coordination polymers (PCPs), also known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), are a unique family of porous materials that combine the benefits of both inorganic and organic components to afford an immense amount of diversity for structures and applications. Here we will discuss some of the terminology and representative examples, with a large focus on the contribution of MOFs. In addition, we will put forth examples that involve the diverse range of their applications in areas such gas storage, gas separation, catalysis, sensing, magnetism, and florescence. The aim, in this article, is to review the significant history and tremendous development of MOFs in the past quarter century. The introduction of this extraordinary field will hopefully help readers to grasp the fundamentals and versatility of this upincoming area of science and technology. Keywords: porous coordination polymer; organic framework; porous materials; gas storage