cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
White matter hemisphere asymmetries in healthy subjects and in schizophrenia: a diffusion tensor MRI study

Hemisphere asymmetry was explored in normal healthy subjects and in patients with schizophrenia using a novel voxel-based tensor analysis applied to fractional anisotropy (FA) of the diffusion tensor. Our voxel-based approach, which requires precise spatial normalization to remove the misalignment of fiber tracts, includes generating a symmetrical group average template of the diffusion tensor by applying nonlinear elastic warping of the demons algorithm. We then normalized all 32 diffusion tensor MRIs from healthy subjects and 23 from schizophrenic subjects to the symmetrical average template. For each brain, six channels of tensor component images and one T2-weighted image were used for registration to match tensor orientation and shape between images. A statistical evaluation of white matter asymmetry was then conducted on the normalized FA images and their flipped images. In controls, we found left-higher-than-right anisotropic asymmetry in the anterior part of the corpus callosum, cingulum bundle, the optic radiation, and the superior cerebellar peduncle, and right-higher-than-left anisotropic asymmetry in the anterior limb of the internal capsule and the anterior limb's prefrontal regions, in the uncinate fasciculus, and in the superior longitudinal fasciculus. In patients, the asymmetry was lower, although still present, in the cingulum bundle and the anterior corpus callosum, and not found in the anterior limb of the internal capsule, the uncinate fasciculus, and the superior cerebellar peduncle compared to healthy subjects. These findings of anisotropic asymmetry pattern differences between healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia are likely related to neurodevelopmental abnormalities in schizophrenia.
Interferon-Γ inhibits DNA synthesis and insulin-like growth factor-II expression in human neuroblastoma cells

Interferon-? (IFN-y) is known to be an antiproliferative, differentiating agent in many cell types, including neuroblastoma. In this study, we determined the effects of IFN-y on cellular growth and expression of insulin-like growth factor I1 (IGF-11) and IGF receptors in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Incubation of SH-SY5Y cells in IFN-y (20-100 U/ml) induced the formation of long neuritic processes. IFN-y treatment also induced decreases in [3H]TdR incorporation, as well as serum-dependent changes in cell number. Treatment with IFN-y reduced cell number 33% in the presence of serum but had no effect on cell number in the absence of serum. IGF-I1 mRNA content was 60% inhibited by IFN-y, and was not serum dependent. The concentration of immunoreactive IGF-I1 in SH-SYSY conditioned medium was also reduced in the presence of IFN-y, to less than half of control levels. In contrast, type I IGF receptor mRNA content was increased more than three-fold after treatment with IFN-y and serum. Co-incubation in IFN-y (20-100 U/ml) and IGF-I1 (3-10 nM) prevented the inhibitory effects of IFN-y on [3H]TdR incorporation in serum-free media. Our results suggest that IFN-y may inhibit DNA synthesis and cell growth by interfering with an IGF-II/type I IGF receptor autocrine growth or survival mechanism.
STIMULATION OF PROTEIN KINASE C RAPIDLY REDUCES INTRACELLULAR NA+ CONCENTRATION VIA ACTIVATION OF THE NA+ PUMP IN OK CELLS

Na+ reabsorption is regulated in proximal tubules by hormones that stimulate protein kinase C (PKC). To determine whether stimulation of PKC causes a reduction in intracellular Na+concentration ([Na+]i) that might link Na+ pump activation to increased Na+reabsorption, [Na+]i was measured in kidney cells loaded with the Na+-sensitive fluorescent indicator SBFI. Rapid digital imaging fluorescence microscopy determinations were performed in epithelial kidney cells transfected with the rodent Na+ pump α1 cDNA. In 42 determinations, the basal [Na+]i was 19.7 ± 2.4 mm. Stimulation of PKC reduced the [Na+]i to 5.6 ± 0.6 mm in ∼10 sec. This drastic change in [Na+]i requires a transient 74–120-fold increase in Na+ pump activity. After the new steady state [Na+]i is reached, the Na+ pump is 58% activated. The entry of Na+ into the cells is not affected by stimulation of PKC; therefore, the reduction in [Na+]i is exclusively dependent on activation of the Na+ pump. Accordingly, PKC stimulation does not affect the [Na+]i of cells expressing a mutant Na+ pump that is not stimulated by PKC. The decrease in [Na+]i observed in cells transfected with the rodent Na+ pump α1 cDNA is large and sufficiently fast that it is expected to stimulate rapidly passive Na+-influx into the cells, thereby accounting for the observed PKC-induced stimulation of Na+ reabsorption.
Particle-size analysis.

Book Chapter describing methods of particle-size analysis for soils. Includes a variety of classification schemes. Standard methods for size distributions using pipet and hydrometer techniques are described. New laser-light scattering and related techniques are discussed. Complete with updated references.
Improvements to a Markerless Allelic Exchange System for Bacillus anthracis.

A system was previously developed for conducting I-SceI-mediated allelic exchange in Bacillus anthracis. In this system, recombinational loss of a chromosomally-integrated allelic exchange vector is stimulated by creation of a double-stranded break within the vector by the homing endonuclease I-SceI. Although this system is reasonably efficient and represents an improvement in the tools available for allelic exchange in B. anthracis, researchers are nonetheless required to “pick and patch” colonies in order to identify candidate "exchangeants." In the present study, a number of improvements have been made to this system: 1) an improved I-SceI-producing plasmid includes oriT so that both plasmids can now be introduced by conjugation, thus avoiding the need for preparing electro-competent cells of each integration intermediate; 2) antibiotic markers have been changed to allow the use of the system in select agent strains; and 3) both plasmids have been marked with fluorescent proteins, allowing the visualization of plasmid segregation on a plate and obviating the need for “picking and patching.” These modifications have made the process easier, faster, and more efficient, allowing for parallel construction of larger numbers of mutant strains. Using this improved system, the genes encoding the tripartite anthrax toxin were deleted singly and in combination from plasmid pXO1 of Sterne strain 34F2. In the course of this study, we determined that DNA transfer to B. anthracis could be accomplished by conjugation directly from a methylation-competent E. coli strain.
Growth and intensity of integration through postnatal growth in the skull of Sigmodon fulviventer

We examined the degree to which measurements of the skull and jaw are interdependent at six ages of Sigmodon fulviventer . The extent to which measurements are interdependent varies throughout growth, generally increasing until puberty, when it declines to pre-pubescent levels. Growth and other factors explain variable proportions of integration. Our measurements do not sample only longitudinal and transverse axes of the skull, thus factors other than growth contribute significantly to the overall interdependence of our measurements. The skull does not appear to be a single integrated unit. Characters of the orofacial complex often were integrated more highly than those of the neurocranial region and than those of the skull as a whole.
Imagining Europe: East and West

We live in an “age of memory” (Nora 2002), in which the “politics of regret” is commonplace. In the previous chapter, we analyzed the role that collective remembrance played in the construction of a minimal core of European identity, with a focus mainly on Western Europe. There, we highlighted acts of collective remembrance for the Second World War. How have things changed after the 2004 and 2007 enlargements? Is post-enlargement Europe still united by its memory? Is Europe the same when seen from an Eastern or Western perspective? Has the expansion of the European Union (EU) created conducive conditions for the emergence of a shared “politics of regret” across the whole continent? To speak in terms of “East-West” establishes the problematic dichotomy that evokes the different historical realities and trajectories of Europe. The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall was a turning point for a “reunified” Europe but also cast a long shadow on Europe. Continuing to speak in these dichotomous terms clearly illustrates that the Cold War division continues to permeate the mindset of most (Western) Europeans. Not surprisingly, European citizens of the former Soviet bloc prefer to speak of “Central and Eastern Europe” to evoke internal differences within the former Comecon zone. In this chapter, we try to problematize this difference through a discussion of divided memories but, given the path dependency from the Cold War period, the phrase “East-West” is used consciously here, precisely to refer to such long-term influences.
Propagation and attenuation characteristics of stress waves generated by explosion in high-gas coal-beds

Deep-hole pre-splitting explosion is an important way to intensified improve permeability of high-gas and low permeability coal-beds. Based on continuum mechanics,explosion dynamic damage constitutive model of coal under the impact of explosion was established and embedded into nonlinear finite element program LS-DYNA,and propagation and attenuation characteristics of stress waves generated by explosion in coal of different modulus was numerical simulated. Through the monitor of on-site blasting vibration of specialty explosive,propagation and attenuation characteristics of stress waves generated by explosion in high-gas coal-beds was acquired. Simulation results is basically coordinate with results of explosion experiments,and the reasonableness and correctness is verified. The researching results show that: when propagating distance is less than 4. 8 m,the explosion stress waves have high peak values and sharply attenuate;when propagating distance is larger than 4. 8 m,the explosion stress waves have low peak values and attenuation rate gradually going flatten.
Energy Harvesting for GaAs Photovoltaics Under Low-Flux Indoor Lighting Conditions

GaAs photovoltaics are promising candidates for indoor energy harvesting to power small-scale ( $\approx 1$ mm2) electronics. This application has stringent requirements on dark current, recombination, and shunt leakage paths due to low-light conditions and small device dimensions. The power conversion efficiency and the limiting mechanisms in GaAs photovoltaic cells under indoor lighting conditions are studied experimentally. Voltage is limited by generation–recombination dark current attributed to perimeter sidewall surface recombination based on the measurements of variable cell area. Bulk and perimeter recombination coefficients of 1.464 pA/mm2 and 0.2816 pA/mm, respectively, were extracted from dark current measurements. Resulting power conversion efficiency is strongly dependent on cell area, where current GaAs of 1-mm2 indoor photovoltaic cells demonstrates power conversion efficiency of approximately 19% at 580 lx of white LED illumination. Reductions in both bulk and perimeter sidewall recombination are required to increase maximum efficiency (while maintaining small cell area near 1 mm2) to approach the theoretical power conversion efficiency of 40% for GaAs cells under typical indoor lighting conditions.
Improved detection of myocardial damage in sarcoidosis using longitudinal strain in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Background Cardiac infiltration is an important cause of death in sarcoidosis. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has limited sensitivity for the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to diagnose CS but has limitations of cost and availability. We sought to determine whether TTE-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS) may be used to identify individuals with CS, despite preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and whether abnormal GLS is associated with major cardiovascular events (MCE). Methods We studied 31 patients with biopsy-proven extra-cardiac sarcoidosis, LVEF>50% and LGE on CMR (CS+ group), and 31 patients without LGE (CS− group), matched by age, sex, and severity of lung disease. GLS was measured using vendor-independent speckle tracking software. Parameters of left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function were also studied. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to identify GLS cutoff for CS detection, and Kaplan–Meier plots to determine the ability of GLS to predict MCE. Results LGE was associated with reduced GLS (−19.6±1.9% in CS− vs −14.7±2.4% in CS+, P<.01) and with reduced E/A ratio (1.1±0.3 vs 0.9±0.3, respectively, P =.01). No differences were noted in other TTE parameters. GLS magnitude inversely correlated with LGE burden (r=−.59). GLS cutoff of −17% showed sensitivity and specificity 94% for detecting CS. Patients who experienced MCE had worse GLS than those who did not (−13.4±0.9% vs −17.7±0.4%, P=.0003). Conclusions CS is associated with significantly reduced GLS in the presence of preserved LVEF. GLS measurements may become part of the TTE study performed to screen for CS.
Impact of Postoperative Hypothermia on Outcomes in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Patients

Objectives To determine the impact of postoperative hypothermia on outcomes in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients. Design A retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent isolated CABG between 2011 and 2014. Setting Single-center study at a university hospital. Participants All patients who underwent isolated CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass between 2011 and 2014. Interventions Patients underwent isolated CABG on cardiopulmonary bypass. Measurements and Main Results Patients were propensity-score matched based on the likelihood of being hypothermic ( Conclusions Hypothermia at ICU admission after CABG was not associated with increased adverse outcomes, possibly suggesting that complete rewarming before separation from cardiopulmonary bypass may not be essential in all patients.
Chapter 9 Memories of Shock Wave Research at Sandia

These individual recollections present a window into the personal experiences of people who participated in the shock wave research program at Sandia. We made a strong effort to contact and encourage as many people as possible to participate. Over 80 people were contacted and about 40 provided recollections of their personal experiences. Each contributor was asked to provide a summary of their role in shock wave research at Sandia, bringing out any interesting events or anecdotes that happened along the way
Auditing as a means of detecting waste

There can be numerous sources of waste in the transfusion service. The most obvious source is wastage of the blood products themselves, either by expiration on the shelf of the blood bank, or else after they have been issued to a patient location in the hospital but not used and not returned to the blood bank in time to be returned into the general inventory. Reducing expiration due to the former mechanism is the sole responsibility of the transfusion service – to make sure that its inventory is commensurate with the volume of transfusions performed at the hospital(s) that it serves. Audits of clinical practice, and the practices in the transfusion service itself, are essential to identify whether these sources of waste are occurring. For example, evaluating the crossmatch:transfusion (C:T) ratio for the various clinical services can identify those that order far more crossmatches compared to the number of red blood cell (RBC) units that they transfuse. Addressing and correcting this issue with the services with high C:T ratios can reduce the workload on the transfusion service by when fewer crossmatches are ordered, and the RBC inventory can be more easily managed if fewer RBCs are reserved for specific patients. Auditing the transfusion service can reveal wasteful practices, too. For example, the crossmatch:issue (C:I) ratio can indicate whether the transfusion service is optimizing their process (i.e. method and timing) of performing RBC crossmatches.
ITALC: Interactive Tool for Application-Level Checkpointing

The computational resources at open-science supercomputing centers are shared among multiple users at a given time, and hence are governed by policies that ensure their fair and optimal usage. Such policies can impose upper-limits on (1) the number of compute-nodes, and (2) the wall-clock time that can be requested per computational job. Given these limits on computational jobs, several applications may not run to completion in a single session. Therefore, as a workaround, the users are advised to take advantage of the checkpoint-and-restart technique and spread their computations across multiple interdependent computational jobs. The checkpoint-and-restart technique helps in saving the execution state of the applications periodically. A saved state is known as a checkpoint. When their computational jobs time-out after running for the maximum wall-clock time, while leaving their computations incomplete, the users can submit new jobs to resume their computations using the checkpoints saved during their previous job runs. The checkpoint-and-restart technique can also be useful for making the applications tolerant to certain types of faults, viz., network and compute-node failures. When this technique is built within an application itself, it is called Application-Level Checkpointing (ALC). We are developing an interactive tool to assist the users in semi-automatically inserting the ALC mechanism into their existing applications without doing any manual reengineering. As compared to other approaches for checkpointing, the checkpoints written with our tool have smaller memory footprint, and thus, incur a smaller I/O overhead.
Aid Reduction and Local Civil Society: Causes, Comparisons, and Consequences

Questions about aid reduction and its implications are crucial to understanding the future of civil society in many low- and middle-income countries and in post-conflict states. Local civil society in these contexts is often heavily influenced by foreign donors. This article provides an introduction to this theme issue about aid reduction and local civil society. The objective of the introduction and issue articles is to examine the causes of aid reduction and donor withdrawal, the impacts on local civil society organizations (CSOs), and any resulting change in local civil society. We ask: What are the global trends in aid reduction? What impacts does aid reduction have on local CSOs? How do local CSOs respond and adapt? The contributions in this issue demonstrate that aid reduction is indeed global in scale and that impacts and adaptations are often strikingly similar across countries and regions. These similarities form the basis for building new theory but also prompt new questions about the global effects of aid on civil society.
Detection of Bacteria-Specific Metabolism Using Hyperpolarized [2-13C]Pyruvate.

The differentiation of bacterial infection from other causes of inflammation is difficult in clinical practice and is critical where patient outcomes rely heavily on early interventions. In addition to physical exam and laboratory markers, several imaging modalities are frequently employed, but these techniques generally target the host immune response, rather than the living microorganisms themselves. Here, we describe a method to detect bacteria-specific metabolism using hyperpolarized (HP) 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This technology allows visualization of the real-time conversion of enriched 13C substrates to their metabolic products, identified by their distinct chemical shifts. We have identified the rapid metabolism of HP [2-13C]pyruvate to [1-13C]acetate as a metabolic signature of common bacterial pathogens. We demonstrate this conversion in representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and its absence in key mammalian cell t...
Cross-cultural validity of integrity assessments for lower-level and higher-level jobs

This research brief examines the cross‐cultural validity of two multi‐dimensional integrity assessments, one for lower‐level jobs and one for higher‐level jobs. Job applicants for a global company completed the assessments as a part of the hiring process in three countries: the United States, South Africa, and Mexico. U.S. applicants tended to score higher (i.e., higher integrity) on these assessments and make fewer admissions of counterproductive work behaviors than applicants from South Africa and Mexico. The overall scores for these assessments (and most of the individual scales) were correlated significantly with, for each country separately and globally, three composites of self‐reported counterproductive work behavior criterion measures (Theft, Counterproductivity, and Overall Risky Behavior). Construct validity evidence was examined with a measure of Collusion Avoidance (tolerance for colluding with external organized criminals). Overall, the results of this research highlight the importance of including an integrity assessment in the hiring processes for lower‐level and higher‐level (i.e., professional and managerial) jobs globally. Integrity assessments appear to have practical value in countries with higher prevalence of crime and corruption. The results also bolster previous research indicating that integrity assessments are valid outside of the U.S. context in which they were initially developed over 60 years ago.
Modeling the impact of folic acid fortification and supplementation on red blood cell folate concentrations and predicted neural tube defect risk in the United States: have we reached optimal prevention?

Background The US CDC and the Institute of Medicine recommend that women capable of becoming pregnant consume ≥400 µg synthetic folic acid/d to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs). The United States has 3 sources of folic acid: fortified enriched cereal grain products (ECGPs), fortified ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals, and dietary supplements. Objective Our objectives were as follows: 1) to estimate the usual daily folic acid intake and distributions of red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations among women consuming folic acid from different sources; 2) to assess the usual daily total folic acid intake associated with optimal RBC folate concentrations for NTD prevention; 3) to predict NTD prevalence; and 4) to estimate the number of preventable folate-sensitive NTDs. Design NHANES data (2007-2012) for nonpregnant women of reproductive age (12-49 y) were used to estimate usual daily intakes of synthetic folic acid and natural food folate. We applied existing models of the relation between RBC folate concentrations and NTD risk to predict NTD prevalence. Results Based on the distribution of overall RBC folate concentrations (4783 women), the predicted NTD prevalence was 7.3/10,000 live births [95% uncertainty interval (UI): 5.5-9.4/10,000 live births]. Women consuming folic acid from ECGPs as their only source had lower usual daily total folic acid intakes (median: 115 µg/d; IQR: 79-156 µg/d), lower RBC folate concentrations (median: 881 nmol/L; IQR: 704-1108 nmol/L), and higher predicted NTD prevalence (8.5/10,000 live births; 95% UI: 6.4-10.8/10,000 live births) compared with women consuming additional folic acid from diet or supplements. If women who currently consume folic acid from ECGPs only (48% of women) consumed additional folic acid sources, 345 (95% UI: 0-821) to 701 (95% UI: 242-1189) additional NTDs/y could be prevented. Conclusions This analysis supports current recommendations and does not indicate any need for higher intakes of folic acid to achieve optimal NTD prevention. Ensuring 400 µg/d intake of folic acid prior to pregnancy has the potential to increase the number of babies born without an NTD.
Growth Performance and Ultrasonic Scan of Purebred Berkshire Pigs Housed in Hoop Buildings in Iowa (Trials 3 and 4)

A certified Berkshire program continues to lead niche pork production markets based on its meat quality advantage over commodity-based pork. This economic advantage is especially valuable for smaller, more traditional pork producers. The disadvantages of Berkshire pigs are fatter carcasses, slower gains, and less efficient feed conversion compared with commodity pork production. Consequently, these pigs are often a better fit for less intensive or lower production systems.
HYDROGENATION OF AMORPHOUS SILICON NITRIDE

A relationship between hydrogen and the equilibrium positive charge in silicon nitride films has been confirmed by rehydrogenation of annealed films using a hydrogen plasma. The primary relation between hydrogen and silicon-nitride charge is associated with Si-H formation.
Toward a Taxonomy of Diversity at Work: Developing and Validating the Workplace Diversity Inventory

The purpose of this research was to develop a taxonomy of workplace diversity and examine its implications for understanding and predicting diversity at work. A 7dimension taxonomy was originally developed by reviewing contemporary literature on diversity in the workplace. The taxonomy is grounded in Social Identity Theory. Preliminary research found that each of the seven dimensions of the taxonomy were present in 78 critical incidents describing work-relevant diversity dynamics. The current study reports the development and administration of an instrument, the Workplace Diversity Inventory (WDI), which was used to empirically examine the 7-factor model of the taxonomy in over 20 different industries. Exploratory factor analysis using data from 209 respondents supported a six-dimension taxonomy, with one factor from the proposed taxonomy (Leadership) collapsed into two of the included WDI dimensions (Diversity Climate and Organizational Justice). Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate to good fit for the six-factor model, with the WDI reduced from 47 to 24 items. Results and implications for theory and practice are discussed. Taxonomy of Workplace Diversity ii
Molecular Biology of Inward Rectifier and ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels

Many different types of K+ channels are involved in cardiac electrical activity (Noble, 1965). Various depolarization-activated K+ channels (Kv channels) determine the shape of the cardiac action potential. Cardiac cells also contain Kir channels (Fig. 1) that are open at very negative potentials but show a reduced conductance at positive membrane potentials, a phenomenon termed inward, or anomalous, rectification (Fig. 2A; Katz, 1949). Work over the past 30 years has described three main types of Kir channel in cardiac tissue. (1) The classical inward rectifier, I K1, present in atrial and ventricular myocytes, shows “strong” inward rectification. Essentially no current flows through these channels at potentials positive to —40 mV (Noble, 1965; Vandenberg, 1994). (2) The KATP channel is found in ventricular, atrial, and nodal cells. KATP channels display “weak” rectification, allowing substantial outward current to flow at positive potentials (Noma, 1983; Nichols and Lederer, 1991). (3) The muscarinicreceptor-activated K + channel, K(ACh), is a strong inward rectifier found predominantly in atrial tissue (Bond et al., 1994). K(ACh) channels open in response to acetylcholine released from the vagus nerve and underlie the resultant slowing of the heart rate.
Ferroelectricity in Di-Glycine Nitrate ( N H 2 C H 2 C O O H ) 2 ·HN O 3

${(\mathrm{Glycine})}_{2}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{HNO}}_{3}$ is ferroelectric below -67\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The room-temperature phase is monoclinic, space group $\frac{P{2}_{1}}{a}$, with $a={9.49}_{6}$ A, $b={5.10}_{7}$ A, $c={9.35}_{0}$ A, $\ensuremath{\beta}=98.8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$, ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{\mathrm{obs}}={1.581}_{0}$ g/cc, and $Z=2$. The nitrate groups must be disordered or rotating in this phase, since they are at centers of symmetry. The symmetry of the ferroelectric phase is $\mathrm{Pa}$, as established from systematic absences and the fact that spontaneous polarization appears along the room-temperature [101] direction below -67\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The dielectric constant ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{[101]}$, at 10 kc/sec and 5 v/cm, is 14 at room temperature, rises to a sharp peak of \ensuremath{\sim}600 at -67\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, and falls to \ensuremath{\sim}12 at -180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The transition appears to be of second order. At -77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C the spontaneous polarization is 0.60 \ensuremath{\mu}coul/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, and the coercive field is 400 volts/cm. A specific heat anomaly similar to that in ${(\mathrm{glycine})}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$S${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and ${(\mathrm{glycine})}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$Be${\mathrm{F}}_{4}$ is observed, with $\ensuremath{\Delta}E=0.15$ kcal/mole and $\ensuremath{\Delta}S=0.74$ cal/mole deg.
The Courtship of Plethodontid Salamanders

Studies of the behavior patterns used by animals in courtship and mating have a long and respectable history, which includes work by the “founding fathers” of ethology (Lorenz, 1941; Tinbergen, 1953). One reason for this interest is surely the fact that sexual behavior patterns are so often extravagant and conspicuous. A second reason is that these behavior patterns truly lie at the connection between generations, ensuring the transmission of genetic material and so facilitating anagenetic evolutionary change. And finally, through their effects on the spatial dynamics of gene flow, courtship and mating are crucial processes that influence, if not determine, patterns of diversification among populations, even to the extent that speciation may occur. We believe that sexual behavior patterns are among the most important activities in which animals engage. Furthermore, we contend that plethodontid salamanders offer excellent opportunities for understanding both the function and evolution of sexual behavior patterns. We note here that proximate studies of courtship and mating in plethodontids are lagging behind those of other vertebrates, although efforts are underway to redress this imbalance (e.g., Houck, 1998).
Effect of Block Immiscibility on Strain-Induced Microphase Segregation and Crystallization of Model Block Copolymer Elastomers

Main-chain liquid crystalline elastomers (LCE) of ABA block copolymer chains are simulated using a polymer bead–spring model to understand how their sawtooth tensile behavior is affected by changes...
Acute noncontrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging predicts chronic radiofrequency ablation lesions.

BACKGROUND Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to visualize radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions but the relationship between volumes that enhance in acute MRI and the chronic lesion size is unknown. OBJECTIVES The main goal was to use noncontrast (native) T1-weighted (T1w) MRI and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)-MRI to visualize lesions acutely and chronically and correlate the acute area of enhancement with chronic lesion size in histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a canine (n = 9) model RF ablation lesions were created in both ventricles. Native T1w MRI and LGE-MRI were acquired acutely after the ablation procedure. After 8 weeks, another set of RF ablations was performed, and the MRI study was repeated. Volume and depth of enhancement in native T1w MRI and LGE-MRI acquired after the initial ablation procedure were correlated with chronic lesion volume and depth in histology. RESULTS Thirty-three lesions were analyzed. Native T1w MRI visualized the acute lesions but not the chronic lesions. LGE-MRI showed both acute and chronic lesions. Acute native T1w MRI volume (average of 102.1 ± 48.5 mm3 ) and depth (4.9 ± 1.2 mm) correlated well with chronic histological volume (105.9 ± 51.8 mm3 ) and depth (4.8 ± 1.3 mm) with R2 of 0.881 (P < 0.001) and 0.874 (P < 0.001), respectively. Acute LGE-MRI had a significantly higher volume of enhancement of 499.7 ± 214.4 mm3 (P < 0.001) and depth of 7.5 ± 1.8 mm ( P < 0.001) when compared with chronic histological lesion volume and depth. CONCLUSIONS Native T1w MRI acquired acutely after RF ablation is a good predictor of chronic lesion size. Acute LGE-MRI significantly overestimates the chronic lesion size.
Destaining Coomassie Brilliant Blue-Stained Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Polyacrylamide Protein Gels Using a Household Detergent

We report here a one-step method using the household detergent Vim Ultra to destain sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide protein gels stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue. This method, originally described by Pal and group, uses a 5% suspension of the detergent to destain gels efficiently. This method is cheap and user-friendly compared to the commonly used methanol-acetic acid-water containing destaining solvent.
A viral trigger for celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune enteropathy that occurs in genetically susceptible individuals exposed to dietary gluten. CD occurs in approximately 1 in 133 persons in the United States [1], although most are undiagnosed. Young children with CD present with diarrhea and malabsorption, but CD is also associated with extraintestinal autoimmune disorders, infertility, miscarriages, and cancer [2]. Ingestion of gluten is the most important environmental factor that correlates with CD [3]. Accordingly, current treatment strategies are centered on maintaining a gluten-free diet, which is challenging for many with CD [4]. Because of the increasing prevalence of CD [5] and the consequences of misdiagnosis, it is essential to better understand CD pathogenesis.
Abstract A26: De novo epigenetic programming restrains PD-1 blockade-mediated T cell rejuvenation

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB)-mediated rejuvenation of exhausted T cells has emerged as a promising approach for treating various cancers and chronic infections. However, T cells that become fully exhausted during prolonged antigen exposure remain refractory to ICB-mediated rejuvenation. Given that many of the impaired effector properties of terminally exhausted CD8 T cells appear to be heritably maintained even in the absence of antigen, we investigated the role of de novo DNA methylation programming as a cell-intrinsic mechanism for establishing the ICB-nonresponsive state of T-cell exhaustion. We report that blocking de novo DNA methylation in activated CD8 T cells allows them to retain their effector functions despite chronic stimulation during a persistent viral infection. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of antigen-specific murine CD8 T cells at the effector and exhaustion stages of an immune response identified progressively acquired heritable de novo methylation programs that restrict T cell expansion and clonal diversity during PD-1 blockade treatment. Moreover, these exhaustion-associated DNA methylation programs were acquired in tumor-infiltrating PD-1hi CD8 T cells. Therapeutic approaches to reverse these programs can enhance ICB-mediated T cell rejuvenation and ultimately facilitate the control of chronic viral infections and tumor growth. These data establish de novo DNA methylation programming as a regulator of T cell exhaustion and barrier of ICB therapy. Citation Format: Hazem E. Ghoneim, Yiping Fan, Ardiana Moustaki, Hossam Abdelsamed, Pradyot Dash, Pranay Dogra, Robert Carter, Walid Awad, Geoff Neale, Paul G. Thomas, Ben Youngblood. De novo epigenetic programming restrains PD-1 blockade-mediated T cell rejuvenation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2017 Oct 1-4; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2018;6(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A26.
Common ELF1 deletion in prostate cancer bolsters oncogenic ets function, inhibits senescence and promotes docetaxel resistance

ETS family transcription factors play major roles in prostate tumorigenesis with some acting as oncogenes and others as tumor suppressors. ETS factors can compete for binding at some cis-regulatory sequences, but display specific binding at others. Therefore, changes in expression of ETS family members during tumorigenesis can have complex, multimodal effects. Here we show that ELF1 was the most commonly down-regulated ETS factor in primary prostate tumors, and expression decreased further in metastatic disease. Genome-wide mapping in cell lines indicated that ELF1 has two distinct tumor suppressive roles mediated by distinct cis-regulatory sequences. First, ELF1 inhibited cell migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by interfering with oncogenic ETS functions at ETS/AP-1 cis-regulatory motifs. Second, ELF1 uniquely targeted and activated genes that promote senescence. Furthermore, knockdown of ELF1 increased docetaxel resistance, indicating that the genomic deletions found in metastatic prostate tumors may promote therapeutic resistance through loss of both RB1 and ELF1.
Hostile sexism and Right-Wing Authoritarianism as mediators of the relationship between sexual disgust and abortion stigmatizing attitudes

Abstract Abortion rates in the United States have declined from 2008 to 2014. However, these figures might not account for all abortions; studies have estimated that less than half of abortion procedures performed are reported. Abortion stigmatizing attitudes are one reason for the lack of disclosure about abortion. Additionally, increased stigma is related to negative mental and physical health outcomes among individuals seeking abortion. As such, a more refined understanding of factors related to abortion stigmatizing attitudes is necessary. The present study examined relationships between sexual disgust and abortion stigmatizing attitudes, and the mediating effects of hostile sexism and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA). These relationships were examined in two samples, culled online via Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Controlling for age and gender, both studies found that increased disgust was linked to increased abortion stigmatizing attitudes, with significant, independent indirect effects of both hostile sexism and RWA. Importantly, in both samples, hostile sexism and RWA mediated the connection between sexual disgust and abortion stigmatizing attitudes. Specifically, increased sexual disgust was related to more sexism, which was connected to increased RWA; in turn, more RWA was linked to more stigmatizing abortion attitudes. These findings provide numerous pathways for better understanding and combating abortion stigma.
Detecting GAN-Generated Imagery Using Saturation Cues

Image forensics is an increasingly relevant problem, as it can potentially address online disinformation campaigns and mitigate problematic aspects of social media. Of particular interest, given its recent successes, is the detection of imagery produced by Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), e.g. ‘deepfakes’. Leveraging large training sets and extensive computing resources, recent GANs can be trained to generate synthetic imagery which is (in some ways) indistinguishable from real imagery. We analyze the structure of the generating network of a popular GAN implementation [1], and show that the network’s treatment of exposure is markedly different from a real camera. We further show that this cue can be used to distinguish GAN-generated imagery from camera imagery, including effective discrimination between GAN imagery and real camera images used to train the GAN.
A 900/1900-MHz Band-Switchable CMOS Power Amplifier

This paper presents a band-switchable RF power amplifier (PA) fully-integrated in 130nm CMOS process. A two-stage power amplifier with switchable input and output matching networks is designed in order to tune the center frequency in use. The proposed CMOS PA can operate at 900MHz and 1900MHz as lower and higher operating bands, respectively. Thus, Long Term Evolutionadvanced (LTE-a) and quad-band GSM standards for cellular applications can be covered. As a result, the designed band-switchable power amplifier obtains small-signal gain (S21) of 31.2dB/32.0dB, saturated output power (Psat) of 22.72dBm/ 23.36dBm, and power added efficiency (PAE) of 23.0%/ 26.5% at the lower and higher frequency bands, respectively, showing promising advancement compared to the state-of-the-art.
Cost-Effectiveness of Operative Versus Nonoperative Management of Patients With Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures.

Objective To assess the costs, health gains, and cost-effectiveness of operative versus nonoperative treatment of calcaneal fractures over a 5-year time horizon from both US societal and payer perspectives. Methods The societal perspective analysis included both direct medical costs and costs for missed work, whereas the health care payer perspective analysis included only direct medical costs associated with treatment and complications. A decision tree simulation model was developed to estimate the direct medical and indirect costs (2018 US$) and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for treatment of patients sustaining intra-articular calcaneal fractures fixed with an extensile lateral approach. Direct medical costs were obtained from a large US health care system in Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, and indirect costs from the literature. Utility and probability parameters were also derived from the literature. Parameter uncertainty was explored using both one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Results From a US societal perspective, operative treatment costs less ($35,110 vs. $39,870) and yielded more QALYs (3.89 vs. 3.51) over 5 years compared with nonoperative treatment. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000 per QALY, operative fixation had an 89% probability of being cost-effective. From a health care payer perspective, operative management remained cost-effective as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY. Conclusion From both US societal and health care payer perspectives, operative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures utilizing an extensile lateral approach is cost-effective at commonly accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds compared with nonoperative treatment over a 5-year time horizon. Patient variability may impact cost-effectiveness and should be explored in future research. Level of evidence Economic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Thermal analysis of a spiral solar receiver for a small central receiver system: an experimental and numerical investigation

An analytical model is shown in the present study to evaluate the outlet temperature of the spiral receiver for nine numbers of the mirrors. An external receiver was designed, manufactured and expe...
Bioassay guided isolation of mosquito biting deterrent compounds from Strumpfia maritima

Background In our natural products screening program against mosquitoes, we screened ethanolic extract of Strumpfia maritima Jacq. which showed high biting deterrent activity in Klun and Debboun (K&D) bioassays against Aedes aegypti L. Through bioguided fractionation we isolated six compounds from the active fractions. The extract and pure compounds were evaluated for larvicidal and biting deterrent activity against Aedes aegypti. Results Ethanolic extract with proportion not biting (PNB) value of 0.8 ± 0.08 provided biting deterrent activity similar to N,N-dimethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) (PNB = 0.9 ± 0.05) against Ae. aegypti. Five out of eight fractions, prepared through bioassay-guided fractionation, showed biting deterrent activity similar to DEET. Six compounds were isolated from active fractions and characterized as squalene, ursolic acid, betulonic acid, cabraleone, ursolic acid acetate, and 27-p-E-coumaroyloxyursolic acid. The biting deterrent activity of ursolic acid acetate (biting deterrence index, BDI = 0.85), cabraleone (BDI = 0.79), and ursolic acid (BDI = 0.78) was similar to DEET against Ae. aegypti. Strumpfia maritima extract did not show larvicidal activity at the highest screening dose of 125 ppm in the larvicidal bioassay. Conclusion The ethanolic extract and pure compounds showed biting deterrent activity against Ae. aegypti. The high biting deterrent activity of ursolic acid acetate and cabraleone indicated a great potential for these natural compounds to be developed as mosquito repellents. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of Office-based Opioid Treatment on Emergency Visits and Hospitalization in Adolescents with Opioid Use Disorder.

Objective To determine if engagement in office-based opioid treatment decreases emergency department, urgent care visits, and hospitalizations for acute opioid-related events (OREs) among adolescents with opioid use disorder. Study design This retrospective cohort study identified all emergent and outpatient visits among adolescents, age 10-19 years, referred for office-based opioid treatment between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016. Patients were dichotomized into 2 cohorts: those who did and did not engage in office-based opioid treatment. The primary end point was the difference in the proportion of visits over the study period for acute OREs between cohorts and within the office-based opioid treatment cohort before and after referral. Secondary end points assessed change in the proportion of outpatient visits for treatment unrelated to opioid use disorder. Results Four hundred five emergent and outpatient visits were identified: 285 (70.4%) in the office-based opioid treatment cohort and 120 (29.6%) in the non–office-based opioid treatment cohort. After office-based opioid treatment engagement, 27.8% of visits in the office-based opioid treatment cohort were for acute OREs vs 80.8% in the non–office-based opioid treatment cohort (OR, 0.092; 95% CI, 0.052-0.160; P Conclusions The absolute decrease in emergent visits for acute OREs was 53% in adolescents engaged in office-based opioid treatment, representing a relative decrease of 65.6% compared with adolescents not engaged. An analysis of visits before and after office-based opioid treatment demonstrated similar decreases, suggesting that office-based opioid treatment has a significant impact in decreasing acute OREs in the adolescent population.
Acoustic response for nonlinear, coupled multiscale model containing subwavelength designed microstructure instabilities

Nonperiodic arrangements of inclusions with incremental linear negative stiffness embedded within a host material offer the ability to achieve unique and useful material properties on the macroscale. In an effort to study such types of inclusions, the present paper develops a time-domain model to capture the nonlinear dynamic response of a heterogeneous medium containing a dilute concentration of subwavelength nonlinear inclusions embedded in a lossy, nearly incompressible medium. Each length scale is modeled via a modified Rayleigh-Plesset equation, which differs from the standard form used in bubble dynamics by accounting for inertial and viscoelastic effects of the oscillating spherical element and includes constitutive equations formulated with incremental deformations. The two length scales are coupled through the constitutive relations and viscoelastic loss for the effective medium, both dependent on the inclusion and matrix properties. The model is then applied to an example nonlinear inclusion with incremental negative linear stiffness stemming from microscale elastic instabilities embedded in a lossy, nearly incompressible host medium. The macroscopic damping performance is shown to be tunable via an externally applied hydrostatic pressure with the example system displaying over two orders of magnitude change in energy dissipation due to changes in prestrain. The numerical results for radial oscillations versus time, frequency spectra, and energy dissipation obtained from the coupled dynamic model captures the expected response for quasistatic and dynamic regimes for an example buckling inclusion for both constrained and unconstrained negative stiffness inclusions.