cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Polymers on the Crystal Growth Rate of Felodipine: Correlating Adsorbed Polymer Surface Coverage to Solution Crystal Growth Inhibition.

The bioavailability of orally administered drugs that exhibit poor aqueous solubility can be enhanced with the use of supersaturating dosage forms. Stabilization of these forms by preventing or inhibiting crystallization in solution is an important area of study. Polymers can be used to stabilize supersaturated systems; however, the properties that impact their effectiveness as crystal growth rate inhibitors are not yet fully understood. In this study, the impact of various polymers on the crystal growth rate of felodipine and the conformation of these polymers adsorbed to crystalline felodipine was investigated in order to gain a mechanistic understanding of crystal growth inhibition. It was determined that polymer hydrophobicity impacted polymer adsorption as well as adsorbed polymer conformation. Polymer conformation impacts its surface coverage, which was shown to directly correlate to the polymer’s effectiveness as a growth rate inhibitor. By modeling this correlation, it is possible to predict polym...
Water and oil permeability of poroelastic potato discs

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to determine the permeability of water and oil through porous potato discs by developing an engineering model using Darcy’s law relation, mass balance equation, and poroelasticity relations at temperatures between 25–80°C. A finite element package was used to solve these equations in order to obtain the flow velocity at different pressure levels. The water permeability values were in the range of (2 to 4) × for the temperature range from 70–80°C, and the oil permeability values were in the range of (2 to 12) × for the temperature range from 25–70°C under the applied pressure range of 138 to 345 kPa. The moisture and oil content of the potato discs were measured experimentally both before and after each permeability experiment. An Arrhenius model was used to represent permeability as a function of water or oil content, and temperature. The velocity-pressure gradient data of oil and water through the potato discs exhibited a threshold pressure gradient, which needed to be o...
Quick clustering algorithm for wargaming data based on density

A clustering algorithm named quick density based spatial clustering of applications with noise(QDBSCAN) is proposed for the analysis and application of wargaming data.By detecting the isolated points,the QDBSCAN is used to determine the vulnerability of ground units' deployment rapidly.Compared with density based spatial clustering of applications with noise(DBSCAN),the QDBSCAN makes some improvements in such aspects: Define the shortest viable path as the similarity measurement to make the clustering algorithm more coincident with the rules of computer wargames,set the density parameters dynamically instead of statically,choose a small number of representative objects to expand the cluster,which reduces the execution frequency of region query;groups the whole dataset by divisiory regions to reduce the scale of clustering.Experimental results indicate that the QDBSCAN is more effective and efficient than the DBSCAN in clustering large datasets.
Guide Economic Development with the Scientific Development Concept

Scientific development concept is a milestone of CPC's important theory innovation achievement and also the action guide which is directing China to correctly progress on the socialist broad road with Chinese characteristics and quicken the reform and opening-up and the significant process of socialist modernization construction. By exerting scientific development concept we can analyze and grasp the economic development trend and take the scientific development road so that we can fulfill the development aim of better and faster economy.
Internal oxidation mechanism for non-tracking organic materials

Two years ago a paper was presented at this Conference describing the development of organic insulations which will not form carbonized tracks upon exposure to surface electrical arcs. The present paper discusses in detail the proposed internal oxidation mechanism and shows that hydrated alumina compounded with organic materials in specific quantities, is wholly effective in preventing carbonization under all test conditions.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: The Role of Hospitalists and the Emergency Department

Purpose of Review The use of potent broad-spectrum antibiotics has led to the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance and Clostridium difficile infections worldwide. Multidrug-resistant infections account for a significant portion of hospital-acquired infections, having a major negative impact on clinical outcomes and healthcare costs.
Switchable and Tunable BAW Duplexer Based on Ferroelectric Material

A switchable and tunable bulk acoustic wave (BAW) duplexer for RF applications is presented in this paper. The fabricated BAW duplexer was built on sapphire substrate using solidly mounted resonators. A metal-organic solution deposition technique was used to form resonators with barium strontium titanate (BST) thin film and six layers of silicon dioxide and tantalum oxide as Bragg reflector. By applying dc bias, the BST thin film shows an electrostrictive effect, and the two filter paths of the BAW duplexer switch to a bandpass response with center frequencies at 4.635 and 4.878 GHz, showing a bandwidth of 119 and 154 MHz for the transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) filters, respectively. Further, the BAW duplexer was simulated using the circuit, Butterworth-van-Dyke, and electromagnetic models. The simulated results are in agreement with the measurements and show the response of bandpass filters at center frequencies of 4.633 and 4.876 GHz for Tx and Rx, respectively.
A 2.5-3.2GHz CMOS differentially-controlled continuously-tuned varactor-less LC-VCO

The design and implementation of a 2.5-3.2 GHz LC-VCO incorporating a varactor-less tuning technique is presented. The VCO's oscillation frequency is tuned differentially by varying the effective inductance of the oscillators. Fabricated in a 0.18 mum CMOS process, the prototype VCO achieves 24% continuous tuning range without varactors. The circuit draws 7-15 mA current from a 1.8 V power supply. The measured phase noise is varying between -102 dBc/Hz and -111 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset across the tuning range.
Reaction Rates and Mechanisms

The time evolution of the components in a chemical system is approached at three levels. The primary level is the experimental determination of the overall rate of change in the concentrations of the components of the reaction. The power laws are for the individual components, the molecularity of the reaction, the overall reaction rate, and the order of the reaction. The secondary level is to propose one or more reaction mechanisms that are in agreement with the results of the primary level. It is at this stage the imagination can run wild. The principles of microscopic reversibility and detailed balancing are instrumental at this stage. The third level is to try to prove the proposed mechanism by performing critical experiments. Nuclear reactions, however, have no reversible steps in which the identity of the parent nucleus is recovered by reversing the reactions involving the daughter nuclei. The rate of a nuclear reaction covers the widest of ranges, from virtually instantaneous to the lifetime of the Universe itself.
Design and implementation of a Sliding Mode Pseudo-MRAS speed and load torque estimator for the induction motor

The paper discusses the problem of speed and load torque estimation for the induction motor drive. Estimation is done considering that the motor fluxes in the stationary frame are available - these have been obtained using a Voltage Model Observer. With known fluxes, the paper designs a sliding mode observer that estimates both the speed and load torque. The observer is designed using an extended model of the motor. The method uses a different approach and is a significant improvement over the classic Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) method (which only estimates the speed). Simulations show that, owing to the sliding mode high-gain feedback, the speed estimate is robust and accurate both at steady-state and during transient; the estimate of the load torque is also accurate.
The Relation between Market Value, Past Performance and Extreme Returns of Common Stocks in the United States, 1926-2012

We study the interrelation between the size and winner-loser effects in U.S. stock re-turns, including their response to extreme returns. We find that size effect and winner-loser effect are present in data up to 2017. These are related but separate effects. How-ever these effects are due to presence of a small number of extreme return observations in the sample. The size effect and winner-loser effects are non-existent after ex-treme returns are removed from the sample. Our results question the existence of size and winner-loser anomalies in the market efficiency literature.
High-speed link analysis with system identification approach

An alternative high-speed link modeling and analysis methodology is suggested based on the system identification approach, instead of using industry standard models. This approach is especially beneficial for the system design/analysis in that the steps are simple and the methodology is well established in other discipline. The modeling of link components like Tx/Redriver/Rx is performed with the identification techniques only using the input/output waveforms. The link analysis is performed with the pre-computed collection of the models, thus significantly reducing the simulation time. The optimal settings of Tx/Rx and the link performance are easily identified and evaluated.
Breast cancer recurrences in elderly patients after lumpectomy

Approximately half of breast cancers occur in women 65 years or older. Some studies suggest that breast cancer may be a more indolent disease in this group of patients. Debate exists over the appropriate treatment of these women as they are significantly underrepresented in breast cancer research studies. As a result of comorbid conditions and patient refusal many are often treated less aggressively than their younger counterparts. This study investigated the recurrence rate in elderly breast cancer patients who had undergone lumpectomy as their primary treatment at our institution. A chart review was conducted on breast cancer patients treated from January 1, 1995 through September 26, 2000 with lumpectomy performed at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Study criteria included female gender and age greater than 65 years, first incidence of breast cancer, no evidence of distant disease at presentation, and availability follow-up assessed by clinical examination and mammogram records. Clinical and pathological features and treatments were evaluated. The Cox proportional-hazards model, Fisher's exact test, and analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. One hundred thirteen patients met study criteria. The stage distribution was as follows: stage 0 (T(IS)), 16 per cent; stage I, 56 per cent; stage IIA, 24 per cent; and stage IIB, 4 per cent. With a median follow up of 30 months six (5%) patients developed locoregional recurrence, four (4%) developed contralateral cancer, and two patients (2%) developed distant disease. Mean time to recurrence was 21 months. No patient has died of breast cancer, but one patient died of a second malignancy. Radiation therapy and tamoxifen decreased recurrence as compared with no adjuvant treatment or with adjuvant radiation only (P < 0.05). We conclude that patients treated with tamoxifen and radiation therapy had a significantly smaller risk of recurrences than those treated with lumpectomy only or those receiving radiation alone. This supports similar treatment patterns recommended for younger patients. Women over 65 years of age should be carefully evaluated for adjuvant therapy.
Problems with Lack of Compactness

In this chapter and the next we will present two examples of situations in which the variational problem under consideration lacks some desirable compactness properties. Typically, lack of compactness is due to the action of a group under which the pertinent functional is invariant. For example, an autonomous semilinear elliptic equation in the whole space ℝ N , $$ - \Delta u + u = h\left( u \right), $$ (1.1) is invariant under the group of translations u(·) ↦ u (· + z), z ∈ ℝ N . We will be considering one such situation in this chapter.
Reduced sensory and motor conduction velocity in 25-week-old diabetic [C57BL/Ks (db/db)] mice.

Abstract Motor and sensory conduction velocities were measured in sural and tibial nerves of 25-week-old genetically diabetic ( db db ) mice and their nondiabetic littermates. For motor conduction velocity determination, the sciatic nerve was stimulated at the hip and the tibial nerve subsequently stimulated at the ankle while recording interosseous muscle potentials from needle electrodes placed in the foot. Sensory conduction velocities were determined by recording compound action potentials directly from sural and tibial nerves at the ankle after sciatic nerve stimulation. Control and diabetic conduction velocities were compared by Student's t test. The motor conduction velocity was reduced by approximately 20% from the control, and the distal motor latency was increased in db db mice by 22% more than the control latency. Conduction velocity was also reduced in some sensory fibers, an observation not previously reported in the db db mouse. Sensory fibers most severely affected were the faster-conducting fibers of the sural nerve, whose conduction velocity was decreased by 18% from the control. Slower-conducting sensory fibers in sural and tibial nerves were only midly affected, whereas fast-conducting sensory fibers of the tibial nerve appeared to remain normal. These data suggest that not all nerve fibers react alike to the diabetic state in the genetically diabetic ( db db ) mouse.
Aristotle’s Meteorologica

Aristotle (384–322 B.C.) was born at Stagira, a Greek colony a few miles from the present monastic settlement of Mount Athos. He moved to Athens and at seventeen became a pupil of Plato. Following his master’s death in 347 B.C., he settled in Lesbos, an island off the coast of Asia Minor. His rising reputation as a scholar resulted in an appointment as tutor to the young prince Alexander of Macedon, the future Alexander the Great. Returning to Athens in 336 B.C., Aristotle became one of the most noted public teachers, writers, and philosophers of all time. Included among his many works is the treatise Meteorologica, the inspiration for the growth of meteorology into a science.1
The impact of cognitive reserve on neurocognitive performance in Major Depressive Disorder

Abstract Cognitive reserve may mitigate the degree of cognitive deficit observed in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), confounding attempts to fully characterize the nature of these deficits. In this study, cognitive reserve was examined as a potential moderator of neurocognitive deficits in MDD. Unmedicated, currently depressed patients with MDD (n = 269), and healthy volunteers (n = 143) were compared on measures assessing psychomotor speed, interference processing, verbal memory, visual memory, and executive functioning. Moderating effects of education level and estimated intelligence level were examined as interactions, along with age, in a regression model for each test. Differences between patients and non-patients were found with most measures, and sustained in regression models as main effects. However, the interaction of estimated intelligence and patient status was significant for processing speed, verbal memory, visual memory, and executive functioning, with patient/non-patient differences diminishing with higher estimated intelligence. Neither estimated intelligence nor education level impacted interference processing differences, which were reduced with increasing age. Better intellectual ability moderates the effect of MDD on neurocognitive test performance. This effect may confound attempts to characterize these deficits in higher functioning samples. More challenging tasks may be needed, given the potential predictive value of neurocognition for differential therapeutic and clinical outcomes.
Layered manganese oxides as electrodes for water desalination via hybrid capacitive deionization

This work explores the ion removal performance of Na-birnessite and Mg-buserite during extended cycling in NaCl and MgCl2 solutions in a hybrid capacitive deionization (HCDI) cell. These two layered manganese oxides (LMOs) contain two-dimensional diffusion pathways and thus present the potential for enhanced ion diffusion and higher performance in HCDI. Correlation between stabilizing ions and ions removed from solution are investigated. In NaCl solution, Mgbuserite shows the largest ion removal capacity of 37.2 mg g-1 while the reverse is true in MgCl2 solution, where Nabirnessite delivers a capacity of 50.2 mg g-1. Furthermore, ex-situ XRD after 200 cycles revealed the changes in the structures of the two materials after repeated ion removal-ion release. These results demonstrate that materials with twodimensional crystal structures can demonstrate high capacities in HCDI and show that interlayer content and spacing can dramatically impact material stability in electrochemical water desalination.
A Global Atlas of Tropical Precipitation Extremes

Abstract Record rain events in 1998–2016, for 27-hour and 75-hour periods and on spatial grids from 0.25 to 4 degrees spacing, are offered in a clickable online atlas. Events are based on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 3B42 rainfall data. One case is illustrated here. Selecting any location on the atlas creates a small script that users can open into a detailed case study. Case study resources include meteorological analyses in standard bundles of data + displays that draw from large online reanalysis and satellite data aggregations. Multisource comparisons of 1-degree daily rainfall estimates also help bracket rainfall data uncertainties. The example here is a nearshore Bay of Bengal event in June 2006 associated with a developing mid-level monsoon cyclone. Its adequate analysis in the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 allows a dynamical discussion. If similar efforts (and deeper work such as modeling) can be made easy enough, many more cases from this atlas could be assembled into improved knowledge of the nature of extreme rain events more generally.
Sr3MCrO6 (M = Sc, In, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Y) : The first chromium-containing A3A'BO6 oxides

The first chromium-containing members of the A3A‘BO6 family of pseudo-one-dimensional oxides, Sr3MCrO6 (nominal composition; M = Sc, In, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Y), have been synthesized by stoichiomet...
Leaning Into Browser Extensions

An array of browser extensions has been developed to help researchers locate full-text content, whether that full text is available in an institutional repository, on a publishers site, or in an op...
Descriptive analysis and consumer acceptability of locally and commercially grown spinach.

The consumer demand for locally grown fresh produce is continuously increasing in the United States. The high tunnel systems have been successfully utilized by small acreage growers for local production. Consumers are typically assessing appearance, freshness, flavor and aroma when purchasing produce. A common perception is that locally grown produce tastes better than nonlocal. However, there is not much evidence for supporting this claim. The objective of this study was to identify consumer acceptability and the sensory characteristics/differences of locally grown spinach in open field or in high tunnel and nonlocal commercially grown spinach. Spinach, Spinacia oleracea cv. "Corvair" was grown in open field and in high tunnel at Kansas State Univ. Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center (OHREC) in spring 2017 and the commercially grown spinach was purchased at a local retail store. A consumer study (n = 205) was conducted at Kansas State Univ., Olathe campus, and a descriptive sensory analysis was conducted by a highly trained descriptive analysis panel in the Center for Sensory Analysis and Consumer Behavior at Kansas State Univ., Manhattan campus, in spring 2017. The consumer test showed that high tunnel spinach scored significantly higher in overall liking (P < 0.0001), flavor liking (P < 0.0001), and texture liking (P < 0.05) when compared to open field and store purchased spinach. Descriptive analysis showed that locally grown spinach had higher intensity of attributes that indicate premium quality, such as green color and green/spinach flavors. Our results indicate that locally grown spinach was preferred from the consumers for its high organoleptic quality. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Locally grown spinach demonstrated high intensity in a set of sensory attributes that suggest a product with premium organoleptic quality. Correspondingly to these results, consumers liked spinach produced locally in high tunnels the most. The results of this study can be used for developing marketing strategies that are aiming specifically to the consumer niche that is seeking fresh produce of high organoleptic quality.
The Impact of Frailty on Changes in Physical Function and Disease Activity Among Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Author(s): Andrews, James S; Trupin, Laura; Wysham, Katherine D; Hough, Catherine L; Yelin, Edward H; Katz, Patricia P | Abstract: Objective:Reduced physical function and frailty are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, relationships between frailty and changes in physical function and disease activity over time in RA are unknown. We tested whether frailty is a risk factor for worsening patient-reported physical function and disease activity in RA. Methods:Adults from a longitudinal RA cohort (N = 124) participated. By using an established frailty definition, individuals with three or more of the following deficits were considered frail: 1) body mass index less than or equal to 18.5, 2) low grip strength, 3) severe fatigue, 4) slow 4-m walking speed, and 5) low physical activity. Individuals with one to two or zero deficits were considered "pre-frail" or "robust," respectively. Physical function and RA disease activity were assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI), respectively, at baseline and follow-up 2 years later. Regression analyses modeled associations of frailty status with change in HAQ and RADAI scores between baseline and follow-up with and without controlling for covariates. Associations of individual frailty components with change in HAQ and RADAI scores were also examined. Results:Among adults with RA, baseline frailty status predicted significant increases, or worsening, in HAQ (β: 0.4; 95% confidence interval: 0.1-0.8; P l 0.01) but not RADAI scores (β: 0.5; 95% confidence interval: -0.4 to 1.5; P g 0.05) between baseline and follow-up in fully adjusted models. Fatigue was an important contributor to this effect. Conclusion:Frailty may be an important risk factor for reduced physical function over time in RA. Future studies should address whether interventions to reduce frailty improve physical function in RA.
Relevance of medical comorbidities for functional mobility in people with limb loss: retrospective explanatory models for a clinical walking measure and a patient-reported functional outcome

Abstract Objectives Various modifiable and non-modifiable factors affect functional mobility, but subjective patient-reported and objective performance-based measures are rarely combined in explanatory analyses of functional mobility in people with limb loss. This study determined separate explanatory models for patient-reported function using the Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire Mobility Subscale (PEQ-MS), and performance-based 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT). Design Retrospective cross-sectional observational analysis. Setting Wellness-walking program. Participants Three hundred five volunteers with lower limb loss participated. Sixty nine percent were men, mean age 56 (15) years. Fifty two percent had vascular amputation causes, 42% had surgical levels above the knee, and 82% had medical comorbidities. Walking levels included limited-household (21%), limited-community (30%), and independent-community (49%). Outcome measures included patient-reported PEQ-MS, Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) and Houghton scales; and performance-based balance and walking. Main outcomes Separate PEQ-MS and 2MWT multiple regression models fit using backward deletion. Results Modifiable (balance ability, ABC, Houghton score; P Conclusions Both modifiable and non-modifiable factors explained prosthetic functional mobility. Performance-based walking was explained by modifiable factors including balance ability and confidence, prosthesis and walking aid use. Patient-reported function was also explained by prosthesis and walking aid use, walking speed and medical comorbidities. Modifiable factors for objective and subjective prosthetic mobility may provide a clinical roadmap for rehabilitation.
Establishing the Omics Nursing Science & Education Network.

PURPOSE To establish a website to advance nursing research and education involving omics technologies and methodologies through facilitating collaborations, use of existing data and samples, mentoring, and access to training opportunities. METHODS The Omics Nursing Science & Education Network (ONSEN) website was established following identification of gaps in omics nursing infrastructure and resources that could be addressed via a concerted, collaborative effort. ONSEN content was created using input from a workgroup of experts in genomics and other omics, education, practice, and nursing research. Alpha testing was conducted with workgroup members, followed by website refinements and enhancements, and subsequent beta testing by potential end users. ONSEN was launched in August 2018. FINDINGS ONSEN has three main sections. The Education and Training section provides information on mentoring and pre- or postdoctoral opportunities in addition to a knowledge matrix to advance education and skills in genomic nursing science. The Research Collaborations section promotes awareness of ongoing omics nursing research in order to foster collaborations and sharing of samples or data among investigators with programs in omics nursing research or an interest in developing such programs. The Common Data Elements (CDE) section provides information on the benefits of incorporating CDEs into nursing science as well as links to National Institutes of Health resources to facilitate use of CDEs. CONCLUSIONS ONSEN provides opportunities for nurse scientists and trainees to leverage samples and datasets, locate mentors and pre- or postdoctoral positions, further the use of CDEs, and enhance education and skills for integrating omics into nursing science. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Advancing omics nursing science via ONSEN resources will accelerate the elucidation of the molecular underpinnings of disease and associated symptoms as well as inform the development of rapidly translatable, personalized intervention strategies, grounded in biological mechanisms, for improved health outcomes across populations and the lifespan.
Assessing Physical Activity Using Accelerometers in Youth with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND Physical activity, assessed by accelerometers, has been proposed as a quantitative outcome measure for patients with DMD, but research is limitedObjective:To assess the total amount and patterns of physical activity in patients with DMD using accelerometers. METHODS Physical activity was assessed in patients with DMD (n = 49, 13.6±4.0-year-old) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 15, 14.0±2.3-year-old) using wrist- and ankle-worn accelerometers. To assess the amount of activity, accelerometer recordings were converted into acceleration estimates (counts/min). Patterns of activity were assessed as the time that participants spent in sedentary, low-intensity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity categories. The sedentary category was divided into three (sedentary -1, -2, and -3) and the low-intensity into two (low-intensity-1, and -2) subcategories. RESULTS Physical activity across intensity categories differed between study groups (p < 0.001). Patients with DMD spent on average 98.8% of their daytime in the sedentary and low-intensity categories. Compared to non-ambulatory, ambulatory patients spent more time in sedentary-3 and low-intensity-2 subcategories (p < 0.001). Amount of activity was lower in all patients than controls (p < 0.05) and in non-ambulatory than ambulatory patients and controls (p < 0.001), but similar between ambulatory patients and controls. Activity measures in patients were significantly affected by age and ambulation status (p < 0.05) but not corticosteroid use. CONCLUSION Patients with DMD spent most of their daytime in sedentary and low-intensity activities. Dividing these intensities into three and two subcategories, respectively, allows better characterization of activity patterns in DMD. Ambulation status and age but not corticosteroid use affected activity measures in patients with DMD.
Elementos para a interpretação de Tempo de Espalhar Pedras, de Estevão Azevedo

Este artigo analisa a poetica da obra Tempo de Espalhar Pedras, de Estevao Azevedo, lendo nela estruturas de violencia colonial presentes em praticas sociais brasileiras. A partir de uma reflexao sobre os arquivos cognitivos tocados pela narrativa, um exercicio de dialogo com obras de diferentes genealogias da literatura brasileira do seculo XX e proposto, em especial com o que se passou a chamar de romance regionalista. Por fim, possiveis vertentes da obra de Azevedo surgem, num passeio por eixos tematicos do horizonte literario contemporâneo nacional. Palavras-chave: Literatura brasileira. Estudos culturais. Estudos brasileiros.
An Iterative Approach to Qualitative Data Analysis: Using Theme, Cultural Models, and Content Analyses to Discover and Confirm a Grounded Theory of How Gaming Inculcates Resilience:

We present a qualitative data analysis framework that integrates perspectives from theme analysis, cultural models analysis, grounded theory, and content analysis. We demonstrate how these research...
Revisit once more the sensory storage account of visual working memory

Recent work has highlighted the role of early visual areas in visual working memory (VWM) storage and put forward a sensory storage account of VWM. Using a distractor interference paradigm, however...
Psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior in patients with acne prescribed oral antibiotics versus isotretinoin: Analysis of a large commercial insurance claims database.

Background The association between isotretinoin and psychiatric disturbance, including depression and suicidal behavior, is controversial. Objective To investigate whether acne patients prescribed isotretinoin or antibiotics were more likely to have psychiatric disorders and/or engage in suicidal behavior. Methods Retrospective cohort study using the IBM MarketScan Research Databases, which contain commercial insurance claims in the United States, to identify acne patients who were prescribed isotretinoin or oral antibiotics between 2011 and 2017 and who were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders or suicidal behavior. Results A total of 72,555 patients were included in the study. Patients in the general population were 1.47 times more likely to be diagnosed with suicidal ideation or attempt compared to acne patients prescribed isotretinoin (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.47; confidence interval [95% CI], 1.27, 1.70; P Limitations The study excluded individuals with public insurance and those who were uninsured, and the data in the study relied on the accuracy of the medical coding. Conclusions Compared to the general population, acne patients prescribed isotretinoin were less likely to engage in suicidal behavior. Further exploration into the slight increase in suicidal behavior seen in isotretinoin patients 1 year after therapy is warranted.
Mixed‐frequency Bayesian predictive synthesis for economic nowcasting

We develop a novel framework for dynamic modelling of mixed‐frequency data using Bayesian predictive synthesis. The proposed framework—unlike other mixed‐frequency methods—considers data reported at different frequencies as latent factors, in the form of predictive distributions, which are dynamically synthesized and updated to produce coherent forecast distributions. Time‐varying biases and interdependencies between data reported at different frequencies are learnt and effectively mapped onto easily interpretable parameters with associated uncertainty. Furthermore, the proposed framework allows for flexible methodological specifications based on policy goals and utility. A macroeconomic study of nowcasting two decades of quarterly US GDP using monthly macroeconomic and financial indicators is presented. In terms of both point and density forecasts, our proposed method significantly outperforms competing methods throughout the quarter, and is competitive with the aggregate Survey of Professional Forecasters. The study further shows that incorporating information during a quarter, and sequentially updating information throughout, markedly improves the performance, while providing timely insights that are useful for decision‐making.
Do physical activity and social cognitive theory variable scores differ across symptom cluster severity groups in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Background Persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience co-occurring symptoms termed “symptom clusters” that can be distinguished based on mild, moderate, or severe symptom severity termed “symptom cluster severity.” Physical activity (PA) may be an approach for improving co-occurring symptoms. Objective To examined if PA and social cognitive theory (SCT) variables differed by symptom cluster groups, and if associations between SCT variables and PA were moderated by symptom cluster groups. Methods Secondary analysis of participants with MS (N = 205) enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Trend analyses were conducted to determine if device-measured and self-reported PA and SCT variables (i.e., social support, self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goal setting, planning, and impediments) decreased with increased symptom cluster severity. Spearman rho rank-order correlations were conducted between PA measures and SCT variables within each symptom cluster group. Results Linear trend analyses indicated that self-reported PA declined with increased symptom cluster severity groups (F = 4.90,p = 0.03). Linear trend analyses indicated significant differences among symptom cluster severity groups in social support (F = 31.43,p = 0.001), exercise self-efficacy (F = 22.55,p = 0.001), barrier self-efficacy (F = 11.48,p = 0.001), outcome expectations (F = 6.98,p = 0.009), and impediments (F = 34.41,p = 0.001). There were differential associations of moderate magnitude in correlations, such that three SCT variables were associated with PA in the mild group (i.e., self-efficacy, goal setting and planning), two in the moderate group (i.e., social support and goal setting), and four in the severe group (i.e., self-efficacy, outcome expectations, planning, and social support). Conclusions Further research is warranted examining the use of SCT-based behavior change techniques for promoting PA and improving symptom clusters in persons with MS.
Disrupting the closet: radically recontextualizing sexuality and wildness

Halberstam’s new book, Wild Things: The Disorder of Desire, traces its lineage to Sedgwick’s Epistemology of the Closet (2008), which utilized ‘the closet’ as an epistemological site to explore sex...
Undergraduate students’ approaches to learning biology: a systematic review of the literature

For decades, biology education researchers have made efforts towards engaging undergraduate students in the process of science and assisting students in their development of deep approaches to lear...
Alterations in bioenergetic function induced by Parkinson's disease mimetic compounds: Lack of correlation with superoxide generation

In vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease (PD) suggest that increased oxidant production leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in dopaminergic neurons and subsequent cell death. However, it remains unclear if cell death in these models is caused by inhibition of mitochondrial function or oxidant production. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidant production in response to multiple PD neurotoxicant mimetics. MPP(+) caused a dose-dependent decrease in the basal oxygen consumption rate in dopaminergic N27 cells, indicating a loss of mitochondrial function. In parallel, we found that MPP(+) only modestly increased oxidation of hydroethidine as a diagnostic marker of superoxide production in these cells. Similar results were found using rotenone as a mitochondrial inhibitor, or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) as a mechanistically distinct PD neurotoxicant, but not with exposure to paraquat. In addition, the extracellular acidification rate, used as a marker of glycolysis, was stimulated to compensate for oxygen consumption rate inhibition after exposure to MPP(+), rotenone, or 6-OHDA, but not paraquat. Together these data indicate that MPP(+), rotenone, and 6-OHDA dramatically shift bioenergetic function away from the mitochondria and towards glycolysis in N27 cells.
The Correlates of Rentier Returns in OECD Countries

This paper examines the correlates of rentier returns – returns to the ownership of financial assets – in a sample of OECD countries between 1960 and 2000. The authors develop a simple bargaining model among three classes – industrial capitalists, rentiers and workers – and show that rentier income returns increase when domestic and foreign real interest rates rise, costs of capital mobility fall, and the power of labor declines. Using an unbalanced panel dataset, the paper also econometrically investigates the impacts of proxies for these variables on rentier incomes. The authors find that interest rate liberalization, reductions in the unionization rate of labor, and increased returns from foreign financial investments increase rentier returns. These results provide support both for the simple model and for common Post-Keynesian and Marxian stories of the impact of financialization and neo-liberal policy changes on income shares.
ASEAN's Next Biggest Improvement in its Business Environment in Next…5 years

The principal objective of this paper is to demonstrate the capability in Malaysia and its Governance to improve its business environment among ASEAN countries. This document contains comparative and statistical analysis of various parameters necessary to set up business in ASEAN countries under 3 main area:-Geography & Sociopolitical scenario-Economical Strength and future perusal to remain in top-Business Offerings & OpportunitiesBased on this study it shows a positive upswing trend for Malaysia, which will facilitate Malaysia to be in the driver's seat in future business growth. Provided that it pursue the national economic strategy consistently in coming years.
Are cucumber viruses 3 and 4 strains of tobacco mosaic virus? A review of the problem.

Abstract An attempt is made to deal with the questions of what is a virus strain, and which are the critical criteria of strain relationship, by examining specifically the relationship of cucumber viruses 3 and 4 to tobacco mosaic virus. In scrutinizing this relationship, various existing criteria are applied and three new chemical standards are introduced and applied. It is finally concluded that cucumber viruses 3 and 4 are probably not strains of tobacco mosaic virus.
James Wilson and the Drafting of the Constitution

Scholars of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 have long recognized the importance of James Wilson to the framing of the Constitution. He is generally acknowledged to have been one of its principal architects, second in importance only to Madison. This view of Wilson was stated in 1913 by the great scholar of the Convention, Max Farrand, who in an influential analysis called him “Madison’s ablest supporter,” 1 and Farrand’s view has been widely accepted by historians of the Convention ever since. However, perhaps partly because of this “ablest supporter” characterization, Wilson has tended to be viewed as an adjunct to Madison, his thought subsumed under the thought of his great colleague. The Constitution, especially in popular accounts, is treated as “Mr. Madison’s Constitution,” 2 and Wilson is reduced to a mere tactical follower. It is difficult to find a connected account of Wilson’s role at the Convention, and, in particular, a detailed analysis of exactly what he was attempting to accomplish and of his similarities and differences from Madison. As I argue below, however, although Wilson and Madison were natural allies, and although they frequently voted together, their similar voting patterns mask the fact that their underlying reasons were often quite different. Wilson, indeed, possessed a constitutional theory comparable in sophistication to those of Madison, Jefferson, or Hamilton, and it deserves to be disentangled from the views of his better-known colleagues. The principal source for his theoretical ideas is the Lectures on Law he delivered at the College of Philadelphia (later the
The costs of rent seeking: A metaphysical problem

It is well known that one of the reasons that Congressmen vote for such things as protective tariffs and the farm subsidy program is that they think it will attract votes. Economists are almost always opposed to these items because they think that they injure the voters. Technically speaking, what happens is that the voters specialize their vote, i.e., concentrate their entire preference function on one particular issue (or a few issues) which has considerable importance to them. Other voters, concentrating their voting decision on other special issues, ignore the well-being of the first voter.
Conformational stability, r0 structural parameters, ab initio calculations, and vibrational assignment for cyanocyclopentane

Abstract The infrared spectra (3200–400 cm −1 ) of the gas, xenon solutions, and solid and the Raman spectrum (3200–100 cm −1 ) of liquid cyanocyclopentane, c-C 5 H 9 CN, have been recorded. From infrared spectra of xenon solutions at 10 different temperatures, the enthalpy difference between the more stable axial conformer and the equatorial form has been determined to be 109 ± 37 cm −1 (312 ± 106 cal/mol). The percentage of the equatorial conformer present at ambient temperatures is estimated to be 41 ± 7%. The ab initio MP2(full) average predicted energy difference from a variety of basis sets is 182 ± 23 cm −1 (520 ± 66 cal/mol) whereas the energy difference obtained from the corresponding density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method predict the equatorial conformer to be more stable by 164 ± 11 cm −1 (469 ± 31 cal/mol). By utilizing previously reported microwave determined rotational constants for both conformers combined with ab initio MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) predicted structural values, adjusted r 0 parameters have been obtained. The determined heavy atom structural parameters for the axial[equatorial] conformer are: the distances C 1 –C 2 = 1.542(5)[1.543(5)], C 1 –C 3 = 1.542(5)[1.543(5)], C 2 –C 4 = 1.542(5)[1.544(5)], C 3 –C 5 = 1.542(5)[1.544(5)], C 4 –C 5 = 1.559(5)[1.564(5)], C 1 –C 6 N 8 = 1.467(5)[1.462(5)], C 6 N 8 = 1.156(5)[1.159(5)] (A) and angles in degrees ∠C 3 C 1 C 2 = 102.0(5)[102.3(5)], ∠C 1 C 2 C 4 = 103.6(5)[103.2(5)], ∠C 1 C 3 C 5 = 103.6(5)[103.2(5)], ∠C 2 C 4 C 5 = 105.7(5)[105.8(5)], ∠C 3 C 5 C 4 = 105.7(5)[105.8(5)], ∠C 6 C 1 C 2 = 111.5(5)[113.1(5)], ∠C 6 C 1 C 3 = 111.5(5)[113.1(5)] (°) and τ C 1 C 2 C 4 C 5 = 25.8(5)[−26.1(5)], τ C 1 C 2 C 4 C 5 = 0.0(5)[0.0(5)] (°). Vibrational assignments have been provided for most of the observed bands which have been supported by MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations to predict harmonic force fields, frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities and depolarization ratios for both conformers. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding properties of some similar molecules.
Inhibition by 6-fluoromevalonate demonstrates that mevalonate or one of the mevalonate phosphates is necessary for lymphocyte proliferation

The sterol synthesis inhibitor 6-fluoromevalonate (Fmev) was used to explore the role of mevalonate products in lymphocyte proliferation. Fmev blocks the synthesis of isopentenyl pyrophosphate and all more distal products in the sterol pathway. When cells were cultured in lipoprotein-deficient medium, Fmev (200 microM) completely inhibited mitogen-stimulated human lymphocyte proliferation, quantified by measuring DNA synthesis. The addition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) restored lymphocyte responses to normal, whereas mevalonate was totally ineffective. Similar results were obtained with concentrations of Fmev up to 1 mM. These results contrast with those observed when sterol biosynthesis was blocked with lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. When lymphocyte proliferation was blocked with lovastatin (5 microM), either high concentrations of mevalonate or LDL together with low concentrations of mevalonate was required to restore responses. In contrast, neither LDL nor low concentrations of mevalonate when alone was able to restore lymphocyte DNA synthesis in cultures blocked with 5 microM lovastatin. The effect of Fmev on the capacity of exogenous mevalonate to restore proliferation of lovastatin-blocked lymphocytes was directly examined. Fmev had no effect on the capacity of LDL plus low concentrations of mevalonate to restore DNA synthesis to lovastatin-blocked lymphocytes, indicating that the synthesis of the necessary factor from mevalonate was unaltered by Fmev. Fmev profoundly blocked lymphocyte endogenous sterol synthesis, decreasing incorporation of radiolabeled acetate into digitonin-precipitable sterols by up to 98%. LDL did not alter the capacity of Fmev to block sterol synthesis. The possibility that Fmev allowed shunting of endogenous mevalonate into essential lipid products was assessed by examining the incorporation of radiolabeled mevalonate. Fmev (200 microM) inhibited the incorporation of mevalonate into all lipids, including ubiquinone, dolichol, and other non-sterol lipids by up to 98%, and this was not altered by LDL. Furthermore, Fmev (200 microM) suppressed the incorporation of radiolabeled mevalonate into protein by up to 97%. These data confirm that a product of mevalonate is essential for cell proliferation. However, the results indicate that the required product is directly synthesized from mevalonate or mevalonate phosphates rather than from a more distal isoprenoid metabolite.
Nonprofits as “Schools of Democracy”: A Comparative Case Study of Two Environmental Organizations

This article presents a comparative case study of two nonprofit organizations that do community organizing in the environmental field and asks how do nonprofits school citizens in democracy? Although the literature suggests the importance of social capital, a practice approach surfaces important political dimensions that have not been sufficiently explored. We find that distinct organizational practices create contexts for participants to exercise specific ways of being and doing—called “subject positions”—vis-a-vis the state and their political community. These practices support member participation by serving to construct “citizens”—rather than customers or clients—who develop skills in critical thinking and who exercise agency in the organization and the policy field they seek to influence. These practices represent key mechanisms for schooling citizens in democracy in these nonprofit organizations and link participation in the organization with broader political participation. We discuss implications ...