cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Net energy benefits of carbon nanotube applications

Abstract Implementation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in various applications can reduce material and energy requirements of products, resulting in energy savings. However, processes for the production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are energy-intensive and can require extensive purification. In this study, we investigate the net energy benefits of three CNT-enabled technologies: multi-walled CNT (MWCNT) reinforced cement used as highway construction material, single-walled CNT (SWCNT) flash memory switches used in cell phones and CNT anodes and cathodes used in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. We explore the avoided or additional energy requirement in the manufacturing and use phases and estimate the life cycle net energy benefits for each application. Additional scenario analysis and Monte Carlo simulation of parameter uncertainties resulted in probability distributions of net energy benefits, indicating that net energy benefits are dependent on the application with confidence intervals straddling the breakeven line in some cases. Analysis of simulation results reveals that SWCNT switch flash memory and MWCNT Li-ion battery cathodes have statistically significant positive net energy benefits ( α = 0.05) and SWCNT Li-ion battery anodes tend to have negative net energy benefits, while positive results for MWCNT-reinforced cement were significant only under an efficient CNT production scenario and a lower confidence level ( α = 0.1).
Implementation of the of Farmland Returned to Forest Land and its Effect on Farmer Livelihood

In order to adapt to the world's sustainable development strategy,the Party and the government enact the strategy of developing the western region and returning farmland to forest and improving the population's living environment and narrowing the economic development gap between East and West.And the development of the western region is regarded as the fundamental point and the starting point.Since the implementation of farmland returned to forest land,the western part of the ecological environment has been improved.But there still exist problems in practice.The Linyou County Jiuchenggong town in Shaanxi being taken as an example,the implementation of farmland returned to forest was surveyed.Some measures were put forward aiming at solving the problems and acting as the economic development of a certain reference.
Diet quality indices and breast cancer survival in postmenopausal women.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A152 Background: Limited information exists on the role of diet in breast cancer survival. Most research has been restricted to investigating single nutrients or foods, with the focus on dietary fat, fruits and vegetables, fiber, and alcohol. Therefore we examined diet quality indices in relation to survival among women diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: Using the Nurses' Health Study cohort, we calculated the cumulative average of diet quality scores from prospectively completed food frequency questionnaires from 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998. We evaluated 4 dietary quality scores: Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Diet Quality Index-Revised (DQIR), Recommended Food Score (RFS), and the alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMed). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the associations between diet quality scores and death from any cause, death from breast cancer, death from non-breast cancer causes, and breast cancer recurrences. We also stratified our analysis by estrogen receptor status of the primary tumor. Results: We documented 3058 invasive stage I-III breast cancer cases between 1984 and 2004 in postmenopausal women. In age and multivariate adjusted analyses, diet quality scores were not associated with breast cancer mortality, or with breast cancer recurrences. Furthermore, association between diet quality scores and breast cancer mortality or recurrences did not differ by estrogen receptor status of the primary/original tumor. However, higher AHEI score was associated with lower mortality from non breast cancer causes. In multivariate analysis, the RRs compared to the lowest quintile were 0.81, 0.84, 0.65, and 0.65 (95% CI, 0.41 - 1.02, P trend = 0.02). There was a similarly lowered risk of mortality from non breast cancer causes for the highest quintile of DQIR and aMed score compared with the lowest, although the linear trends were not significant. The RR comparing the highest to lowest quintiles for DQIR was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.40 - 1.02, P trend = 0.17), and for aMed was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.44, 1.07, P trend = 0.16), respectively. Women who did not die from breast cancer were most likely to die from heart, vascular, and lung disease. AHEI was also marginally associated with a lower total mortality. After multivariate adjustment; the RR comparing the highest to lowest quintiles was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.60 - 1.17, P trend = 0.04). Conclusion: Our results suggest that diet quality after breast cancer diagnosis does not change the risk of breast cancer recurrence or death. However, healthy dietary choices are important for women after breast cancer, because they are linked to risk of death from other causes.
Optimization of Transfection Conditions for siRNA Screening

RNAi screening of mammalian cells is often performed using siRNAs and cationic lipids as transfection reagents. Efficiency of transfection depends on growth characteristics of the cells and the cationic lipid used. With a large selection of cationic lipids available, it can often be difficult to select the optimal lipid and lipid:siRNA (vol:wt) ratio. Here, we describe the process of optimizing siRNA transfection conditions for efficient reverse transfection of mammalian cells using specific positive and negative siRNA controls.
Fragmented centralization and the organization of the police

Drawing on literature on institutionalized organizations, this paper presents a set of propositions regarding municipal police in the United States. This paper looks at how fragmented authority and funding in the institutional environment of American police affects organizational structure and behavior. Fragmentation is associated with increases in organizational complexity and may contribute to loose coupling both among organizational units and between management and line personnel. Community policing is presented as a special case of fragmentation in institutional authority and funding.
HPHT In-Situ Strain Measurement of Polymer Composites for Oilfield Applications

In recent years composite materials have been used extensively for drillable and other tools in oilfield operations because of their light weight, longer fatigue life, corrosion resistance and cost effectiveness. This requires determining their mechanical properties in such downhole conditions. Downhole tools are typically exposed to hot-wet environments above 93 °C (200 °F) and 34 MPa (5000 psi). Conventional environmental test methods conduct post-conditioning mechanical tests in dry conditions under ambient pressure, where the test condition is untrue and often giving misleading results. A previous publication presented an in-situ strain-gage measurement method using conventional resistive strain gages to determine the tensile strain and modulus of the composites in immersed hot-wet environment. However, satisfactory results were obtained only up to 93 °C (200 °F). This paper presents a new in-situ strain measurement technique, where an AC excited Wheatstone bridge with inductors is used. Thus, the sensor can operate as long as the inductors can resist the environment. Materials for the inductors were carefully selected to withstand how-wet conditions. The objective is to obtain the high-pressure-high-temperature (HPHT) in-situ tensile strain and tensile moduli of selected composite materials without discontinuing the hot-wet exposure cycle. Effect of the hydrostatic pressure on the tensile properties of the composites in hot-wet condition is presented.
The Multi-fidelity Multi-armed Bandit

We study a variant of the classical stochastic $K$-armed bandit where observing the outcome of each arm is expensive, but cheap approximations to this outcome are available. For example, in online advertising the performance of an ad can be approximated by displaying it for shorter time periods or to narrower audiences. We formalise this task as a \emph{multi-fidelity} bandit, where, at each time step, the forecaster may choose to play an arm at any one of $M$ fidelities. The highest fidelity (desired outcome) expends cost $\costM$. The $m$\ssth fidelity (an approximation) expends $\costm < \costM$ and returns a biased estimate of the highest fidelity. We develop \mfucb, a novel upper confidence bound procedure for this setting and prove that it naturally adapts to the sequence of available approximations and costs thus attaining better regret than naive strategies which ignore the approximations. For instance, in the above online advertising example, \mfucbs would use the lower fidelities to quickly eliminate suboptimal ads and reserve the larger expensive experiments on a small set of promising candidates. We complement this result with a lower bound and show that \mfucbs is nearly optimal under certain conditions.
Binge Ethanol Consumption Increases Inflammatory Pain Responses and Mechanical and Cold Sensitivity: Tigecycline Treatment Efficacy Shows Sex Differences

Background Physicians have long reported that patients with chronic pain show higher tendencies for alcohol use disorder (AUD), and AUD patients appear to have higher pain sensitivities. The goal of this study was to test 2 hypotheses: (i) binge alcohol consumption increases inflammatory pain and mechanical and cold sensitivities; and (ii) tigecycline is an effective treatment for alcohol-mediated-increased pain behaviors and sensitivities. Both female and male mice were used to test the additional hypothesis that important sex differences in the ethanol (EtOH)-related traits would be seen. Methods “Drinking in the Dark” (DID) alcohol consuming and nondrinking control, female and male, adult C57BL/6J mice were evaluated for inflammatory pain behaviors and for the presence of mechanical and cold sensitivities. Inflammatory pain was produced by intraplantar injection of formalin (10 μl, 2.5% in saline). For cold sensation, a 20 μl acetone drop was used. Mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured by an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer. Efficacy of tigecycline (80 mg/kg i.p.) to reduce DID-related pain responses and sensitivity was tested. Results DID EtOH consumption increased inflammatory pain behavior, while it also produced sustained mechanical and cold sensitivities in both females and males. Tigecycline produced antinociceptive effects in males; a pro-nociceptive effect was seen in females in the formalin test. Likewise, the drug reduced both mechanical and cold sensitivities in males, but females showed an increase in sensitivity in both tests. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that binge drinking increases pain, touch, and thermal sensations in both sexes. In addition, we have identified sex-specific effects of tigecycline on inflammatory pain, as well as mechanical and cold sensitivities. The development of tigecycline as an AUD pharmacotherapy may need consideration of its pro-nociceptive action in females. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism underlying the sex-specific differences in nociception.
Vocational Formation: Navigating Leadership Disorientation

Disorienting dilemmas appear as frequent experiences in the Christian leader’s vocational formation. Such events are depicted in virtually every leader found in Scripture, along with those in our contemporary era. Whether referred to as a “leadership crucible,” an “optimal conflict,” a “conflict in context,” or the “dark night of the soul,” contemporary leadership literature provides insight into the impact of these events on a leader’s perspective of life and vocation. Recovery from these events is often arduous. Therefore, a generative framework for vocational formation and a Christian leader’s response to disorienting events, in particular, is needed to integrate a theological consideration of the Holy Spirit’s role in the Christian leader’s vocational formation, while considering how transformative learning theory contributes to understanding leadership disorienting dilemmas.
Identification of cancer-related genes that are alternatively spliced at high frequency in lung adenocarcinoma using whole genome exon arrays

LB-217 Genomic analysis has demonstrated that alternative splicing occurs in up to 60% of human genes with the majority reported to be associated with tissue-type or with normal development. Some individual gene studies have found that alternative splice variants are associated with cancer and play important roles in apoptosis, transformation, motility, and metastasis of tumors. We present an exploratory genome-wide study using Affymetrix Human Exon arrays to identify splice variant expression differences between normal lung and lung adenocarcinoma. 40 paired tumor-normal specimens from 20 patients (14 female and 6 male) with lung adenocarcinoma were used for the study. RNA from each sample was labeled and hybridized on GeneChip Human Exon 1.0 ST Arrays according to Affymetrix protocols. Analysis was focused initially on the 19,076 RefSeq genes for which there are ~285,000 probe sets on the arrays. Probe-level analysis with RMA and alternative splicing analysis with ANOVA were performed using the Partek Genomics Suite. Putative alternately spliced genes were entered into the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software and genes reported to be associated with cancer were chosen for more detailed examination. >2051 genes were identified as alternately spliced between tumor and normal with p We have demonstrated that alternative splicing in a high frequency occurs in lung adenocarcinomas. Two genes may also have gender-specific alternate splicing in tumors; an interesting finding given the epidemiologic and survival differences between men and women with lung adenocarcinoma. If these findings can be verified, alternate splice events could prove useful for lung cancer diagnosis and as novel targets for therapeutic development.
Selected Experiments on Fleet Utilization for a Planned Personal Rapid Transit System

Abstract The principle objective of this paper is to report on the application of a discrete event digital simulation model to selected experimentation with one aspect of fleet utilization in a PRT, namely, empty vehicle management. In this context a given empty vehicle management strategy was conceived as a combination of three different factors and the way in which each was to be implemented for a given test. Each factor was actually implemented in either one of two ways, and from an experimental viewpoint these alternatives were viewed as levels of the respective factor, or substrategies. Therefore, the results are expressed as the outcome of a 2 factoral fixed effects experiment.
Novel Targets for Developing Antiseizure and, Potentially, Antiepileptogenic Drugs:

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder caused by abnormal changes in the functions of neuronal circuits and manifested by seizures. It affects patients of all age, substantially worsens the quality of life for the patients as well as their families, and imposes a huge economic burden on the healthcare system. Historically, efforts for discovering and developing antiseizure therapies have been focused on modulating the functions of receptors, transporters, and enzymes expressed by neurons. These drug development efforts have paid off, as we have over 25 antiseizure drugs available in the clinic. However, these drugs mainly provide symptomatic relief from seizures and often cause serious adverse effects. Importantly, almost one-third of patients with epilepsy do not have their seizures adequately controlled by available drugs. To address this problem, researchers are investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms fundamental to the optimal function of neuronal circuits. Evidence shows that disruptions in these mechanisms cause impairment in neuroglial interactions, uncontrolled inflammation, aberrant synaptogenesis, and neurodegeneration in genetic and acquired epilepsies. Many novel therapeutic targets have been identified to target these mechanisms for developing new antiseizure drugs. In addition, the field is exploring new drug targets which may impede the development of epilepsy. We have summarized some of these novel targets in this brief review.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Subacute Low Back Pain: a Systematic Review.

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a major source of physical and psychiatric morbidity and mortality, and the current overreliance on opioid analgesics has contributed to a burgeoning epidemic in the USA. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for CLBP, but little information exists regarding its potential efficacy for CLBP’s precursor condition, subacute low back pain (sALBP), defined here as having a 7–12-week duration. Earlier intervention with CBT at the sALBP stage could produce larger clinical benefits. This systematic review was undertaken to characterize and highlight this knowledge gap. Of 240 unique articles identified by comprehensive database searches, only six prospective, sALBP-focused, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published within the past 20 years met criteria for inclusion in this review. These studies varied widely in their sample sizes, precise definition of sALBP, nature of CBT intervention, and outcome measures. Five of the six showed significant improvements associated with CBT, but the heterogeneity of the studies prevented quantitative comparisons. CBT has not been adequately studied as a potential early intervention treatment for sALBP patients. None of the six identified papers studied US civilians or leveraged innovations such as teletherapy—able to reach patients in remote or underserved areas—underscoring critical gaps in current back pain treatment. Given the severity of the US opioid epidemic, non-pharmacologic options such as CBT should be rigorously explored in the sALBP population.
Nation After World: Rethinking “The End of Postcolonial Theory”

This article explores anxieties about the status of the “postcolonial” and the rise of the “global,” “world,” and “transnational” as vogue categories of analysis and identification in scholarly dis...
Child Development and Enculturation

This chapter elaborates how the cultural environment produces different early life experiences in children, which, in turn, contribute to their later thought and behavior. In order to investigate how early in the lives of infants, and in what ways, cultural differences become manifest in behavior, an American cultural anthropologist, William Caudill, undertook a cross-cultural investigation of maternal care and infant behavior in Japan and America. Caudill's method of investigation, which directive observation of behavior at the microscopic level, offered support for the theory that child-rearing patterns had a close relationship to the formation of basic personality in adulthood. The new subject of child temperament has gained considerable attention and provoked investigation among scholars in the field of child development. It has been discovered that, even in infancy, a baby demonstrates a certain temperament. As early as 1969, Freedman and Freedman compared the behavior of Chinese-American and Caucasian-American newborns in New York. They reported that although newborn infants of both racial backgrounds had similar levels of central nervous system development at the time of their observation, the Chinese-American infants, in contrast to the Caucasian-American infants, were found to be calm, stable, without too much variation in their responses. These different patterns of temperament attributed to the babies influence the way the baby is cared for by caregivers, and possibly continuously affect the formation of adult behavior.
On the 2-Central Path Problem

In this paper we consider the following 2-Central Path Problem (2CPP): Given a set of m polygonal curves \(\mathcal{P} =\{P_1,P_2,\ldots,P_m\}\) in the plane, find two curves P u and P l , called 2-central paths, that best represent all curves in \(\mathcal{P}\). Despite its theoretical interest and wide range of practical applications, 2CPP has not been well studied. In this paper, we first establish criteria that P u and P l ought to meet in order for them to best represent \(\mathcal{P}\). In particular, we require that there exists parametrizations f u (t) and f l (t) (t ∈ [a,b]) of P u and P l respectively such that the maximum distance from {f u (t), f l (t)} to curves in \(\mathcal{P}\) is minimized. Then an efficient algorithm is presented to solve 2CPP under certain realistic assumptions. Our algorithm constructs P u and P l in O(nmlog4 n 2 α(n) α(n)) time, where n is the total complexity of \(\mathcal{P}\) (i.e., the total number of vertices and edges), m is the number of curves in \(\mathcal{P}\), and α(n) is the inverse Ackermann function.Our algorithm uses the parametric search technique and is faster than arrangement-related algorithms (i.e. Ω(n 2)) when m ≪ n as in most real applications.
From donorship to ownership? Evolving donor-government relationships in Rwanda

Over the course of the last decade there has been an increasing emphasis on recipientcountry ownership, or the “effective exercise of a government’s authority over development policies and activities, including those that rely...on external resources” (OECD 2007), within the international development community. This new emphasis is not only rhetorical but has resulted in a host of new aid programs promising increased ownership. Broadly speaking, these aid programs are supposed to change the institutional relationships between donors and recipient-country governments and allow aid beneficiaries to have a say over the development policies that impact their daily lives. However, despite their prevalence, we know relatively little about how such aid programs affect donor-government relationships and the policy decision-making process in aid-dependent states. In the following dissertation project, I analyze four “ownership” aid programs in postgenocide Rwanda: the poverty reduction strategy program; budget support; the aid coordination, harmonization, and alignment framework; and the Rwandan Joint Governance Assessment. In each case study, I look for evidence that the aid program has resulted in the outcomes predicted by their proponents: increased government and citizen influence, and decreased donor influence. Data largely come from fieldwork I conducted in Rwanda during 2009 and 2010. My analysis suggests that key Rwandan government officials use the idea of ownership to seek influence over decision-making processes. However, the aforementioned aid programs have not resulted in the outcomes predicted by proponents of the ownership approach in two key ways. One, donors have not retreated nor given control over development policy to recipient countries. Rather they have sought alternative ways of influencing the policy process. Two, what we see emerging in Rwanda is not broad national ownership. Instead, donors work with an elite group of government policymakers. I call this type of aid relationship “centralized collaboration,” meaning that multilateral and bilateral donors work with a small group of domestic actors to design and implement socio-economic development strategies. I conclude by arguing that this outcome is largely the result of three things: donor preferences, the amount of leverage the GoR is able to exert over donors, and existing statesociety relationships. These three factors provide a framework for assessing and analyzing donor-government relationships and ownership aid programs in other aid-dependent states.
Optical Timing of the Crab Nebula Pulsar NP 0532

Accurate pulse arrival times have been measured for NP 0532 during the period 15 December 1969 to 3 May 1970, and have been fitted to simple models of the pulsar braking mechanism. A good fit could not be obtained to all the data at once, because of deviations on a time scale of several days. However it was possible to divide the observing period into four shorter intervals in such a way that the data within each deviated only slightly from smoothly varying functions. The difference in the parameters of these four functions may indicate sudden events in the pulsar producing changes of order of 1 part in 109 in the pulsar frequency and 4 parts in 109 in the rate of change of frequency. In each case the difference in frequency from one interval to the next implies a slowdown of the pulsar.
Using Garden Cafés to engage community stakeholders in health research.

Science Cafes, informal venues to promote bidirectional dialog, inquiry and learning about science between community members, scientists, healthcare and service providers, hold promise as an innovative tool for healthcare researchers and community members to improve health outcomes, especially among populations with health disparities. However, the process of optimizing science cafes is under-studied. We describe the pilot evaluation of a series of Science Cafes, called Garden Cafes (n = 9), conducted from September 2015 through April 2016 in Olmsted County, MN and Duval County, FL to connect Mayo Clinic researchers and local service providers with the community. Selection of discussion topics was guided by a county health needs assessment, which identified community priorities. Before leaving the events, community participants completed a brief anonymous survey assessing sociodemographics and their knowledge of research benefits, readiness to participate as a partner in health research, and health and science literacy confidence. Of the 112 attendees who responded, 51% were female and 51% were Black. Respondents reported that participating in the event significantly improved (all at p<0.001) their understanding on all three measures. Preliminary findings suggest that Garden Cafes are an effective forum to increase community understanding and disposition to collaborate in health research, especially in members from diverse backgrounds.
Sharing the Responsibility for Teacher Preparation

This case story describes the collaborative development and use of a teaching observation rubric to support and scaffold evidence-based changes in the focal educator preparation program (EPP). The case highlights the power of EPP-district collaborations for improving the teaching and coaching practices for both stakeholders while strengthening trust. Additionally, this case demonstrates how the focal EPP worked with districts to ease preservice-to-inservice transitions for novice teachers, through development of a feedback instrument that spans the transition, thereby decreasing teacher attrition within the first three years on the job.
Development of a novel human vestibular schwannoma xenograft model in SCID mice

5923 Vestibular schwannomas arise from Schwann cells comprising the myelin sheath of the vestibular nerve - a cranial nerve controlling balance functions. Vestibular schwannomas are the cause of significant morbidity, particularly when expressed bilaterally with neurofibromatosis type 2, a highly penetrated autosomal dominant disorder. Currently, chemotherapeutic agents effective in the treatment of these tumors are not known. Our objective in this study was to develop a novel murine xenograft model in which the efficacy of potential chemotherapeutic agents against human vestibular schwannoma could be tested. Accordingly, we sought to develop a model, which would support the growth of schwannoma tissue sufficient for such testing. Fresh human schwannoma blocks were implanted subcutaneously in two groups of SCID mice (ho702 and ho713). From each group, two mice (ho702a, ho702b, ho713a and ho713b) underwent follow-up MRI studies using a 4.7T/cm MRI system (Bruker) after two months. Axial and coronal T1 and T2-weighted images were acquired. The weighted images showed that 702a and 702b did not experience a significant increase in tumor volume, while the tumor volume of 713a increased by 146% (from 0.105 cm3 to 0.153 cm3) and that of 173b by 343% (from 0.102 cm3 to 0.350 cm3). The results of this preliminary study indicate the need for further analysis of this xenograft model. While a potential for sustained tumor growth was demonstrated, only half of the mice displayed such. Furthermore, compared to a previous study in which we showed that inoculation of 2-5 x 105 rat schwannoma cells induced tumor growth to greater than 0.5 cm two weeks after injection, tumor volumes of human schwannomas increased at a slower rate and to a lesser extent. Significantly, these rat schwannoma cells demonstrated much higher telomerase activity than the human schwannomas. In future studies, we will observe the affect of telomerase overexpression in human schwannoma cells as a possible means of enhancing tumor growth in the xenograft model. In addition, we plan to image tumors over a more extensive time period for a more comprehensive observation of tumor growth. We believe that further investigation will lead to a valuable model for the study of potential chemotherapeutic agents. We are hopeful that testing of novel agents in this model will lead to clinical trials and ultimately, improved treatment options.
A novel oxidative cyclization of 2′-hydroxychalcones to 4-methoxyaurones by thallium (III) nitrate

Abstract An unusual oxidative cyclization of chalcones by thallium (III) trinitrate (TTN) to 4-methoxyaurones has been studied. A key feature of this reaction is the introduction of a methoxyl group into the aurone skeleton. Several reactions have been performed to understand the mechanism and regiochemistry of cyclization.
Cutaneous composite small lymphocytic lymphoma and primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma.

![Figure][1] A 79-year-old woman with a 2-decade history of “treated” chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented with an 8-mm erythematous plaque with telangiectasia on the right breast. Histopathologic examination of shave biopsy showed nodular lymphoid aggregates containing atypical
The subversive dreams of Alice in Wonderland

This article examines the specific features of dreaming found in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, using current dream research as a guide. These features include falling, magical animals, metamorphoses, wordplay, bizarreness, memory distortions, moral ambiguities, metacognition, curiosity, empathy, existential questioning, and freedom. When Carroll’s stories are viewed through the lens of the current dream research, it becomes clear that he has provided a surprisingly accurate and comprehensive accounting of human dream experience. Drawing on historical and biographical evidence, this article goes on to argue that Carroll intentionally made dreams a central part of the stories because he wanted to give his young readers a tool for resisting the oppressive normality of adulthood in Victorian England, at the peak of the British empire. By subtly teaching his young listeners about the true nature of dreaming, Carroll was cultivating their critical capacity to look beyond the status quo of supposedly “civilized” Imperial reality.
Insights on Bloom Forming Jellyfish (Class: Scyphozoa) in the Gulf of Mexico: Environmental Tolerance Ranges and Limits Suggest Differences in Habitat Preference and Resistance to Climate Change Among Congeners

Jellyfish are important components of marine foodwebs and form problematic blooms that negatively impact human enterprise. Jellyfish of the genus Aurelia (Class Scyphozoa) are common bloom-formers in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Aurelia have a multi-modal lifecycle where the perennial polyp produces seasonal medusae. Abiotic tolerance ranges and limits strongly influence the distribution of marine species but are unknown for most jellyfish species. Tolerance limits for survival are crucial to understanding present polyp distribution and how distribution may change in climate change scenarios. We sampled and barcoded two Aurelia species from the GoM, namely Aurelia sp. 9 and a possible new species found offshore (Aurelia sp. new). Planulae obtained from one medusa of Aurelia sp. new, and five medusae of Aurelia sp. 9 were used to establish laboratory cultures. Polyps of Aurelia coerulea, a species native to Japan but introduced in North America, Australia, and Europe, were obtained from a local aquarium, barcoded, and used to establish laboratory cultures. Using controlled laboratory experiments, we determined the temperature and salinity limits for polyp survival of the two GoM species and A. coerulea. We find that A. sp. 9 and A. coerulea were tolerant of a broad range of temperatures and salinities, but differed in tolerance limits, suggesting potential differences in habitat and resistance to climate change. A. sp. 9 was most tolerant of high temperatures and low salinities, such as those found in the estuaries of the GoM. Summer high temperatures in the coastal GoM exceed the upper thermal tolerance limit of A. sp. new and A. coerulea, suggesting that A. sp. new is an offshore species and that the coastal GoM waters may not be a suitable environment for A. coerulea. Based on the upper thermal limits identified in this study, the 4°C ocean temperature increase projected for the GoM by the next century may negatively impact Aurelia sp. 9 and Aurelia sp. new populations and is expected to deter Aurelia coerulea from invading the GoM. This is the first account of Aurelia sp. new and the first report of temperature and salinity ranges and tolerance limits for Aurelia species.
Hospital performance standards and medical pricing: The impact of information disclosure in cardiac care

A policy concern is that the initiation of Hospital Compare (HC) reporting in Medicare provided leverage to insurers in price negotiations for lowering private sector prices without regard to hospital performance. Using the sequential Nash bargaining framework we provide economic intuition to the contrary: while average hospital prices decline under quality disclosures, hospitals with above‐average quality are able to exert a stronger bargaining position, consequently capturing prices above the market rate. To explore this issue empirically we estimate variants of difference‐in‐difference models, examining the effects of the three main scores (heart attack, heart failure, and combined mortalities) on transaction prices of related hospital procedures. States which had similar mandated reporting systems in place before the initiation of HC form the control group. Analyzing claims data of privately insured patients, we find that HC exerted downward pressure on prices. However, hospitals rated “above‐average” captured higher prices, thereby offsetting the overall policy effect fully or partially. Leads and lags analysis lends further support for our difference‐in‐difference approach. We find that highly ranked hospitals received a quality premium of 8–14%, comparable to price effects found in other health care markets. We conclude that HC was effective at constraining prices without penalizing high performers.
Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment after Intravitreal Injection.

Purpose To describe the clinical features and outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after intravitreal injection of pharmacologic agents. Design Retrospecitve case series. Participants Patients diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment within 3 months of receiving an intravitreal injection of a pharmacologic agent for treatment of macular disease. Methods Retrospective case series of reported cases of RRD in patients with prior intravitreal injection who underwent subsequent surgical repair at a university referral center. Main Outcome Measures Visual acuity (VA), single surgery anatomic success rate (SSAS) and retinal reattachment at last follow-up. Results Thirteen patients were identified to have RRD within 3 months of intravitreal injection. Injection was performed in the inferotemporal quadrant in 12 of 13 eyes (92%) with a 31- or 32-gauge needle. Additional risk factors for RRD other than intravitreal injection were present in 5 of 13 eyes (38%), including prior pars plana vitrectomy (3 eyes), history of retinal tear (1 eye), and history of RRD in the fellow eye (1 eye). Average duration from time of injection to diagnosis of RRD was 27 days (range, 5–43 days). Retinal reattachment was achieved in 12 of 13 eyes (92%). Visual acuity returned to baseline in only 3 of 13 eyes (23%) at the last follow-up visit. Conclusions Although RRD after intravitreal injection is rare, prior retinal surgery and alternate risk factors for RRD may predispose to RRD after intravitreal injection. Surgical outcomes were generally favorable, but VA outcomes were limited by the high rate of macula-off RRD and the underlying macular disease.
Lumpy Investment, Business Cycles, and Stimulus Policy

I study the aggregate implications of micro-level lumpy investment in a model consistent with the empirical dynamics of the real interest rate. The elasticity of aggregate investment with respect to shocks is procyclical because more firms are likely to make an extensive margin investment in expansions than in recessions. Matching the dynamics of the real interest rate is key to generating this result because it disciplines the interest-elasticity of investment and avoids counterfactual behavior of the model that would otherwise eliminate most of the procyclical responsiveness. Therefore, data on interest rates place important discipline in aggregating micro-level investment behavior.
Crime and Growth Convergence: Evidence from Mexico

Scholars have often argued that crime deters growth, but the empirical literature assessing such effect is scarce. By exploiting cross-municipality income and crime data for Mexico -- a country that experienced a high increase in crime rates over the past decade -- this study circumvents two of the most common problems faced by researchers in this area. These are: (i) the lack of a homogenous, consistently comparable measure of crime and (ii) the small sample problem in the estimation. Combining income data from poverty maps, administrative records on crime and violence, and public expenditures data at the municipal level for Mexico (2005-2010), the analysis finds evidence indicating that drug-related crimes indeed deter growth. It also finds no evidence of a negative effect on growth from crimes unrelated to drug trafficking.
TeleSimBox: A perceived effective alternative for experiential learning for medical student education with social distancing requirements

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended that medical students not be involved with in-person patient care or teaching, necessitating alternative learning opportunities Subsequently we developed the telesimulation education platform: TeleSimBox We hypothesized that this remote simulation platform would be feasible and acceptable for faculty use and a perceived effective method for medical student education Methods: Twenty-one telesimulations were conducted with students and educators at four U S medical schools Sessions were run by cofacilitator dyads with four to 10 clerkship-level students per session Facilitators were provided training materials User-perceived effectiveness and acceptability were evaluated via descriptive analysis of survey responses to the Modified Simulation Effectiveness Tool (SET-M), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and Likert-scale questions Results: Approximately one-quarter of students and all facilitators completed surveys Users perceived that the sessions were effective in teaching medical knowledge and teamwork, though less effective for family communication and skills Users perceived that the telesimulations were comparable to other distance learning and to in-person simulation The tool was overall positively promoted Conclusion: Users overall positively scored our medical student telesimulation tool on the SET-M objectives and promoted the experience to colleagues on the NPS The next steps are to further optimize the tool
Does Telemedicine Transcend Disparities or Create a Digital Divide? Evidence from the COVID-19 Pandemic (preprint)

We examine telemedicine utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates have argued that telemedicine can overcome barriers in accessing healthcare and protect patients from contracting COVID-19. Rural and poor patients, for example, would not need to make expensive and time-consuming trips to healthcare facilities when using telemedicine. Conversely, telemedicine adoption may depend on broadband access and technology skills, which could create a digital divide and exacerbate disparities. We study these questions using data on virtual and conventional care from a large commercial insurer. Telemedicine utilization soared during the pandemic. We further find that telemedicine utilization was concentrated in urban and affluent markets. We attribute this to two factors. First, telemedicine use was correlated with broadband penetration. Second, telemedicine adoption was much higher for patients with an established healthcare provider relationship (i.e., received care in the same health system in the previous year). We also find that telemedicine utilization was lower among older patients and comorbidities; cohorts with the greatest risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. Without further intervention, telemedicine could exacerbate existing health care disparities.
12-Lipoxygenase governs the innate immune pathogenesis of islet inflammation and autoimmune diabetes

Macrophages and related myeloid cells are innate immune cells that participate in the early islet inflammation of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The enzyme 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) catalyzes the formation of proinflammatory eicosanoids, but its role and mechanisms in myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of islet inflammation have not been elucidated. Leveraging a model of islet inflammation in zebrafish, we show here that macrophages contribute significantly to the loss of β cells and the subsequent development of hyperglycemia. The depletion or inhibition of 12-LOX in this model resulted in reduced macrophage infiltration into islets and the preservation of β cell mass. In NOD mice, the deletion of the gene encoding 12-LOX in the myeloid lineage resulted in reduced insulitis with reductions in proinflammatory macrophages, a suppressed T cell response, preserved β cell mass, and almost complete protection from the development of T1D. 12-LOX depletion caused a defect in myeloid cell migration, a function required for immune surveillance and tissue injury responses. This effect on migration resulted from the loss of the chemokine receptor CXCR3. Transgenic expression of the gene encoding CXCR3 rescued the migratory defect in zebrafish 12-LOX morphants. Taken together, our results reveal a formative role for innate immune cells in the early pathogenesis of T1D and identify 12-LOX as an enzyme required to promote their prodiabetogenic phenotype in the context of autoimmunity.
Constructal Theory Modeling of Colloidal Particle Assembly

The assembly of colloidal particles into ordered structures is of great importance to a variety of nano-scale applications. Here, we use constructal theory to develop a theoretical model to describe the assembly mechanism with respect to van der Waals and double layer interactions.
Dielectric Properties Models for Grain and Seed

The dielectric properties of grain and seed are of particular importance because of their use in the electrical measurement of grain moisture content. Various factors that influence the dielectric properties of grain and seed have been studied, and frequency of the applied electric field, moisture content of the grain, bulk density of the grain, and temperature have been identified as the most important variables. Development of mathematical models providing the dielectric constant as a function of frequency, moisture content, and temperature is explained in detail, and models are presented for corn, barley and rice. A composite model for cereal grains provides both the dielectric constant and loss factor values at 24°C. Models for the microwave dielectric properties at 23°C of many cereal grains and oilseeds, including peanuts, are presented for calculation as functions of frequency and moisture content.
CELLULAR ORIGIN AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MEMBRANES INDUCED DURING POLIOVIRUS INFECTION

Poliovirus RNA replicative complexes are associated with cytoplasmic membranous structures that accumulate during viral infection. These membranes were immunoisolated by using a monoclonal antibody against the viral nonstructural protein 2C. Biochemical analysis of the isolated membranes revealed that several organelles of the host cell (lysosomes, trans-Golgi stack and trans-Golgi network, and endoplasmic reticulum) contributed to the virus-induced membranous structures. Electron microscopy of infected cells preserved by high-pressure freezing revealed that the virus-induced membranes contain double lipid bilayers that surround apparently cytosolic material. Immunolabeling experiments showed that poliovirus proteins 2C and 3D were localized to the same membranes as the cellular markers tested. The morphological and biochemical data are consistent with the hypothesis that autophagy or a similar host process is involved in the formation of the poliovirus-induced membranes.
Silicon in synthesis—17

Abstract Treatment of chloromethyltrimethylsilane 1 with sec-BuLi in THF at -78° produces chloromethyl(tri-methylsilyl)lithium 4. Treatment of 4 with a wide range of aldehydes and ketones gives ⇌,β-epoxytrimethylsilanes 5–28, which on acidic hydrolysis give homologated aldehydes.
Transforming arbitrary data flow graphs to synchronous data flow graphs

In many practical algorithms data dependencies are necessary, and the question arises as to how to avoid excessive runtime overhead. The authors propose transformations to data-independent graphs for the case where the number of tokens consumed and generated is data-dependent. The proposed approach is consistent with packet communication in multiprocessor systems, and allows static scheduling of a class of algorithms with data dependencies. >
Optimizing resection for “responding” hepatic metastases after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

Fifty percent of patients with colorectal cancer will develop metastases at some time during their disease, with the liver being the most common site. Recent advances in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer have led to a change in treatment paradigm. What follows is a review of the surgical management of hepatic colorectal metastases responding to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, the complexity of treating patients with "disappearing" colorectal liver metastases is discussed.
Histological Prognostic Factors

In 1970, Breslow proposed a simple method for gauging melanomas according to the neoplasm’s vertical thickness. With all its limits, this measurement remains by far the best single factor to predict the clinical behavior of a malignant melanoma. We advocate limiting the embellishment of the pathological report of most melanoma to this measurement.
Delayed Ejaculation and Orgasm

Delayed ejaculation is a condition characterized by difficulty achieving orgasm and extended ejaculatory latency. For many men and their partners, this condition results in a significant reduction in sexual satisfaction and psychological well-being, contributing to anxiety, distress, poor confidence, and low self-esteem, among other issues. As a whole, there is a paucity of research in this area, and few reports provide systematic analysis or data from controlled studies. Despite this, there are a number of researchers who have provided new insights, treatment pathways, and potential treatment options. The review of this literature suggests it is important to take a biopsychosocial approach to assessment and treatment of delayed ejaculation. The potential causes of delayed ejaculation include a range of possibilities such as neurological damage, hormonal imbalance, and psychosexual issues. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment may be multifaceted in approach.