cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors Influencing Cholesterol Nucleation in Bile

Dilution induces structural alterations (i.e., vesicle formation) in the lipid particles of supersaturated human hepatic bile and in dilute model bile systems of comparable composition. These alterations strikingly increase both the degree and duration of metastable supersaturation. Concentrated normal human gallbladder bile also shows an increased but less striking degree and duration of metastability compared to comparable model biles. These differences, particularly with respect to gallbladder bile, cannot be attributed solely to compositional or lipid structural differences between native and model systems. They imply that additional factors are responsible for metastability. Furthermore, recent data suggest that biliary proteins may be involved. A limited number of these unidentified proteins have been shown to have the capacity to prolong metastability in supersaturated in vitro model systems. Thus, these recombined systems more nearly resemble the behavior of native bile. The mechanism of the nucleation inhibitory effect of these proteins is not clearly established.
Coupled noise estimation for distributed RC interconnect model

With the increase in signal speed and the development of process technology, distributed RC line model is found to be more suitable for on-chip interconnects than lumped RC model, especially for interconnects around and below 0.25 /spl mu/m. In this paper, we first describe a new explicit form for crosstalk approximation for coupled RC lines. Then we introduce a novel passive model order reduction technique for distributed RC lines. These two parts serve as two steps in static noise analysis of full on-chip interconnect networks called pruning process and static analysis process.
A Bias Towards Business? Assessing Interest Group Influence on the U.S. Bureaucracy

We test the proposition that the federal bureaucracy exhibits a “bias toward business” during notice and comment rulemaking. We analyze over 30 bureaucratic rules and almost 1,700 comments over the period of 1994 to 2001. We find that business commenters, but not nonbusiness commenters, hold important influence over the content of final rules. We also demonstrate that as the proportion of business commenters increases, so too does the influence of business interests. These findings contrast with previous empirical studies and generally suggest that notice and comment procedures have not succeeded in “democratizing” the agency policymaking process to the extent sometimes suggested in the normative rulemaking literature.
Specializing object-oriented RPC for functionality and performance

Remote procedure call (RPC) integrates distributed processing with conventional programming languages. However traditional RPC lacks support for forms of communication such as datagrams, multicast, and streams that fall outside the strict request-response model. Emerging applications such as Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and Internet video require scalable, reliable, and efficient communication. Applications are often forced to meet these requirements by resorting to the error-prone ad-hoc message-based programming that characterized applications prior to the introduction of RPC. In this paper we describe an object-oriented RPC system that supports specialization for functionality and performance, allowing applications to modify and tune the RPC system to meet individual requirements. Our experiences with functional extensions to support reliable multicast and specializations to support streaming of performance-critical RPCs indicate that a wide range of communication semantics can be supported without resorting to ad-hoc messaging protocols.
Outcomes in endocrine cancer surgery are affected by racial, economic, and healthcare system demographics.

Objectives/Hypothesis Surgeon experience has been recognized in several clinical fields as a significant element of superior management outcomes. In this study, we seek to assess the association between surgeon volume and patients' community health status with the outcomes of thyroid and parathyroid surgery indicated for primary malignancies. Study Design A cross-sectional study utilizing the State Inpatient Databases, 2010–2011, for Florida, New York, and Washington was merged with the County Health Rankings database. Methods International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes were used to identify adult (≥18 years) patients who underwent thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy indicated for primary malignancies. Results A total of 6,347 records were included. Compared to high-volume surgeons, patients treated by low-volume surgeons were more likely to develop postoperative complications in the 1-month period after the operation (odds ratio: 4.34, 95% confidence interval: 3.31-5.70, P 2 days) and a higher risk of admission to the intensive care unit (P $10,254.66) for patients treated by low-volume surgeons (P < .001). Patients who lived in communities of poor health measures had a higher risk of postoperative complications (16.3% vs. 11.8%, P = .030) independent of the clinical presentation and management type. Patients living in high health-risk communities and those of black and Hispanic backgrounds were more likely to be treated by low-volume surgeons (P < .001 each). Conclusions The surgeon's volume and the patient's living conditions are crucial and independent factors in multiple aspects of endocrine cancer management. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 126:775–781, 2016
The tracker: a threat to statistical database security

The query programs of certain databases report raw statistics for query sets, which are groups of records specified implicitly by a characteristic formula. The raw statistics include query set size and sums of powers of values in the query set. Many users and designers believe that the individual records will remain confidential as long as query programs refuse to report the statistics of query sets which are too small. It is shown that the compromise of small query sets can in fact almost always be accomplished with the help of characteristic formulas called trackers. Schlorer's individual tracker is reviewed; it is derived from known characteristics of a given individual and permits deducing additional characteristics he may have. The general tracker is introduced: It permits calculating statistics for arbitrary query sets, without requiring preknowledge of anything in the database. General trackers always exist if there are enough distinguishable classes of individuals in the database, in which case the trackers have a simple form. Almost all databases have a general tracker, and general trackers are almost always easy to find. Security is not guaranteed by the lack of a general tracker.
The Structure of the Potassium Channel: Molecular Basis of K+ Conduction and Selectivity

The potassium channel from Streptomyces lividans is an integral membrane protein with sequence similarity to all known K+ channels, particularly in the pore region. X-ray analysis with data to 3.2 angstroms reveals that four identical subunits create an inverted teepee, or cone, cradling the selectivity filter of the pore in its outer end. The narrow selectivity filter is only 12 angstroms long, whereas the remainder of the pore is wider and lined with hydrophobic amino acids. A large water-filled cavity and helix dipoles are positioned so as to overcome electrostatic destabilization of an ion in the pore at the center of the bilayer. Main chain carbonyl oxygen atoms from the K+ channel signature sequence line the selectivity filter, which is held open by structural constraints to coordinate K+ ions but not smaller Na+ ions. The selectivity filter contains two K+ ions about 7.5 angstroms apart. This configuration promotes ion conduction by exploiting electrostatic repulsive forces to overcome attractive forces between K+ ions and the selectivity filter. The architecture of the pore establishes the physical principles underlying selective K+ conduction.
Thermal Cycling Induced Plastic Deformation in Solder Joints—Part I: Accumulated Deformation in Surface Mount Joints

When an electronic package is subjected to thermal cycling, the solder joint interconnects are subjected to a complex stress system. If the stress is sufficiently large, the solder joint will show evidence of plastic flow along with microstructure coarsening and possible fatigue crack initiation and propagation. Plastic flow has not been studied as thoroughly as the later two phenomena although it is often observed at surface mount or through-hole solder joints. The thermal expansion mismatch between different materials in the package is responsible for the plastic deformation which accumulates with thermal cycling. In this study, the accumulated plastic deformation process is modelled with finite element (FE) methods and compared with experimental results. Lead-frame solder joints have been analyzed with a nonlinear FE program using temperature and time-dependent properties. Steady-state creep is considered using data for eutectic lead/tin solder which is described by a hyperbolic sine creep law: e = A(sinh Bσ)n dm exp(−Q/RT) . The analysis correctly simulates the large plastic flow found experimentally in a lead-frame solder joint. The resulting stress and strain distributions indicate possible failure modes which are not anticipated on the basis of uniform shear assumptions or predictable from an FE analysis of the initial geometry.
Real-time eye, gaze, and face pose tracking for monitoring driver vigilance

This paper describes a real-time prototype computer vision system for monitoring driver vigilance. The main components of the system consists of a remotely located video CCD camera, a specially designed hardware system for real-time image acquisition and for controlling the illuminator and the alarm system, and various computer vision algorithms for simultaneously, real-time and non-intrusively monitoring various visual bio-behaviors that typically characterize a driver's level of vigilance. The visual behaviors include eyelid movement, face orientation, and gaze movement (pupil movement). The system was tested in a simulating environment with subjects of different ethnic backgrounds, different genders, ages, with/without glasses, and under different illumination conditions, and it was found very robust, reliable and accurate.
Earliest Remembered Dreams

The earliest remembered dreams (ERDs) of childhood occupy a unique position in the study of dreams. They are evidence of the psychological processes by which dreaming dawns in human consciousness. By means of such dreams, the waking self is initiated into a new dimension of reality, a reality in which the individual experiences unusual variations of awareness, knowledge, feeling, and volition. ERDs are not synonymous with the beginning of the brain/mind activation patterns underlying the ebb and flow of REM and non-REM sleep. The origin of these patterns stretches back into prenatal development, and it remains a mystery whether fetuses and very young children have genuine dreams prior to their ability to verbalize their experiences. What we do know is that, at a certain point in childhood—as early as ages 3 to 4 years, though usually a couple of years later—most individuals have specific dreams (or a series of
Inhibition of the NMDA response by pregnenolone sulphate reveals subtype selective modulation of NMDA receptors by sulphated steroids

1 The neurosteroid pregnenolone sulphate (PS) potentiates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mediated responses in various neuronal preparations. The NR1 subunit can combine with NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, or NR2D subunits to form functional receptors. DiAerential NR2 subunit expression in brain and during development raises the question of how the NR2 subunit influences NMDA receptor modulation by neuroactive steroids. 2 We examined the eAects of PS on the four diheteromeric NMDA receptor subtypes generated by co-expressing the NR1100 subunit with each of the four NR2 subunits in Xenopus oocytes. Whereas PS potentiated NMDA-, glutamate-, and glycine-induced currents of NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B receptors, it was inhibitory at NR1/NR2C and NR1/NR2D receptors. 3 In contrast, pregnanolone sulphate (3a5bS), a negative modulator of the NMDA receptor that acts at a distinct site from PS, inhibited all four subtypes, but was approximately 4 fold more potent at NR1/NR2C and NR1/NR2D than at NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B receptors. 4 These findings demonstrate that residues on the NR2 subunit are key determinants of modulation by PS and 3a5bS. The modulatory eAects of PS, but not 3a5bS, on dose-response curves for NMDA, glutamate, and glycine are consistent with a two-state model in which PS either stabilizes or destabilizes the active state of the receptor, depending upon which NR2 subunit is present. 5 The selectivity of sulphated steroid modulators for NMDA receptors of specific subunit composition is consistent with a neuromodulatory role for endogenous sulphated steroids. The results indicate that it may be possible to develop therapeutic agents that target steroid modulatory sites of specific NMDA receptor subtypes. British Journal of Pharmacology (2002) 135, 901‐909
Preoperative Chemoprophylaxis Is Safe in Major Oncology Operations and Effective at Preventing Venous Thromboembolism

Background We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of adding preoperative chemoprophylaxis to our institution's operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis policy as part of a physician-led quality improvement initiative. Study Design Patients undergoing major cancer surgery between August 2013 and January 2014 were screened according to service-specific eligibility criteria and targeted to receive preoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis. Bleeding, transfusion, and VTE rates were compared with rates of historical controls who had not received preoperative chemoprophylaxis. Results The 2,058 eligible patients who underwent operation between August 2013 and January 2014 (post-intervention) were compared with a cohort of 4,960 patients operated on between January 2012 and June 2013, who did not receive preoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis (pre-intervention). In total, 71% of patients in the post-intervention group were screened for eligibility; 82% received preoperative anticoagulation. When compared with the pre-intervention group, the post-intervention group had significantly lower transfusion rates (pre- vs post-intervention, 17% vs 14%; difference 3.5%, 95% CI 1.7% to 5%, p = 0.0003) without significant difference in major bleeding (difference 0.3%, 95% CI −0.1% to 0.7%, p = 0.2). Rates of deep venous thrombosis (1.3% vs 0.2%; difference 1.1%, 95% CI 0.7% to 1.4%, p Conclusions In patients undergoing major cancer surgery, institution of a single dose of preoperative chemoprophylaxis, as part of a physician-led quality improvement initiative, did not increase bleeding or blood transfusions and was associated with a significant decrease in VTE rates.
Macular thickness analysis for glaucoma diagnosis and management

There is increasing literature regarding the role of macular imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in glaucoma care. Spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT) has allowed for high resolution imaging of the total macula and macular segments. With the use of asymmetry analysis, macular thickness is a measurement that can be used for the detection and progression of glaucoma. Some artifacts seen on retinal nerve fiber layer (rNFL) scans may be overcome by macular SD-OCT imaging. Also, nonglaucomatous optic neuropathies may be more easily identified on macular thickness plots than rNFL scans. Special populations, such as children or myopes, may also have improved glaucoma surveillance using macular SD-OCT. In this review we explore the advantages and pitfalls of macular OCT in glaucoma care and offer an approach on how to use macular thickness scans in clinical practice.
Equilibrium and Dynamic Behaviors of Cubic Ce3+ Systems with Anisotropic Coqblin-Schrieffer and Crystal Field Interactions

The cerium and light actinide monopnictides and monochalcogenides show many similar and striking ordering and phase transition properties.1 The occurrence of the series of modulated magnetic structures in CeBi2 and CeSb3, in UAs4,5 and possibly in USb5, including the noncolinear structures observed5 in uranium monopnictides, points to the existence of a strongly anisotropic exchange interaction which dominates the behavior of these systems.
The elements of surprise: assessing Burma's double-edged détente

If anything is more surprising than Burma's recent adoption of democratic reforms, it is that military rule lasted so long without such reforms in the first place. This article considers this parad...
Gynecology in Adolescents

What problems is the gynecologist likely to encounter in adolescents? Most common are vaginitis and vulvitis, pelvic infection, pregnancy, pain during menstruation, and nonovulatory uterine bleeding. Usually he can examine patients of this age vaginally. If infection is present, he should culture for gonorrhea.
Recovery effect of constraint-induced movement therapy on upper extremity activity of stroke patients with hemiparasis

Objective To explore the rehabilitation effect of constraint-induced movement therapy(CIMT) on upper extremity motor function of stroke patients with hemiparasis.Methods 20 chronic stroke patients were divided into 2 groups: CI group(10 cases),the patients were treated with CIMT for 3 weeks,3 h per day;control group(10 cases),the patients were treated with repetitive occupational therapy for 3 weeks,3 h per day.MAL score and WMFT score were measured in two groups before treatment and 1 week,6 months and 12 months after treatment.Results There were improvement of MAL score in both CI group and control group 1 week after treatment compared with pre-treatment(P0.01),and the scores of MAL on post-treatment 6 months and 12 months were higher than those of pre-treatment in CI group(P0.05,P0.01),but no significant difference in MAL score between post-treatment 6 months and 12 months and pre-treatment in control group;there was no significant difference in WMFT between pre-treatment and post-treatment 1 week,12 months in CI group and control group(P0.05).Conclusion CIMT can significantly increase the use ability on the upper extremity of hemiplegic patients after stroke,but can not improve the motor function of upper extremity in stroke patients.
Durable Response of a Carcinoma in Situ of the Renal Pelvis to Topical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin

The first long-term remission of high grade, flat carcinoma in situ of the renal pelvis treated with topical bacillus Calmette-Guerin is presented.
Atomic-Scale View of VOX–WOX Coreduction on the α-Al2O3 (0001) Surface

The catalytic activity of oxide-supported vanadium oxide is improved by the presence of tungsten oxide for the selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxides. We propose a mechanism for V–W synergy through studies of the reduction–oxidation behavior of near-monolayer VOX and WOX species grown by atomic layer deposition on the α-Al2O3 (0001) single crystal surface. In situ X-ray standing wave measurements reveal an overlayer of W6+ species that is correlated with the substrate lattice as well as a redox-reversible shift from uncorrelated V5+ to correlated V4+. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations show a partial reduction of W6+ in the presence of V4+, improving the Bronsted acidity in mixed V–W catalyst systems. This mechanism of V–W synergy suggests that control of W d-states might be used as a design parameter for Bronsted acid sites in multicomponent oxide catalysts.
Optical and morphological characteristics of zinc selenide-zinc sulfide solid solution crystals

Abstract Experiments were performed to study the effect of point defects on the optical and morphological characteristics of zinc selenide-zinc sulfide ZnSe-ZnS (ZnSexS(1-x)) solid solution crystals grown under terrestrial (1-g) condition. We used the composition ZnSe0.91S0.09 and ZnSe0.73S0.27 for the detailed studies. Crystals of 8 mm and 12 mm diameter were grown using physical vapor transport methods. These crystals did not exhibit gross defects such as voids, bubbles or precipitates. The photoluminescence spectra indicated strong red emission for the 610–630-nm wavelength region in both crystals. This emission could be explained on the basis of high energy irradiation of Zn selenide. For the ZnSe0.73S0.27 crystal, absorption starts at a lower wavelength range (300 nm) when compared to the ZnSe0.91S0.09 crystal presumably due to the much higher bandgap of ZnS than that of ZnSe. Sharp peaks at 451 and 455 nm were observed for both samples corresponding to the band edge transitions, followed by a strong peak at 632 nm. These results were consistent with the observations based on Raman spectroscopy studies. Under 532-nm laser illumination both transverse optical (TO) and longitudinal optical (LO) phonon peaks appeared at Raman shifts of 220 and 280 Δcm−1, respectively. These peaks are similar to those observed for pure ZnSe Raman spectra for which TO and LO occur at 200 and 250 Δcm−1 for the x-axis (first order) polarization.
Conceptual Foundations of Strategic Planning in the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence

Although the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence (CPE) have played a significant role in the practice of quality management, researchers have been slow to embrace the CPE framework...
GE MW SiC PV inverter development

Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices can operate at higher temperatures, higher voltages and higher switching frequencies compared to existing silicon devices, resulting in greater power converter efficiency, smaller size and improved bandwidth. The SiC power device development at GE was launched in 2005 and is now starting transition from pilot production to high volume manufacturing. This talk will highlight GE's ongoing efforts to develop MW class PV inverter with best-in-class CEC efficiency approach 99%. The challenge of using SiC in those power applications is that the emphasis on reliability, ruggedness and cost is significantly higher. The extensive internal and external reliability testing of GE SiC MOSFETs has demonstrated reliability comparable to mature silicon power devices. In addition, extensive stress testing has mapped-out the device's safe operating area, such as: avalanche capability, short circuit ruggedness, body diode stability, and terrestrial cosmic radiation hardness.
Differential Regulation of Myeloid Leukemias by the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Abstract 1245 Normal hematopoiesis is influenced by constituents of the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) and is regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) via its actions on osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone remodeling. The role of the niche in the biology of leukemic stem cells (LSC), frequently not eliminated by current therapies, however, is unclear. Targeting of the LSC niche is a novel concept aimed at eradication of LSC, the origin of relapse and progression of myeloid leukemias. Using genetic and pharmacological murine models of BCR-ABL1 + chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and MLL-AF9 + acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we show that PTH treatment increased transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in the BMM and attenuated CML-like myeloproliferative neoplasia (MPN) without affecting engraftment, while leukemic cell-specific knockdown of the receptor for TGFβ1 (TGFβRI) exacerbated the disease. CML-like MPN is also exacerbated by treatment of mice, which have constitutively active receptor for PTH and PTH related protein, by osteoprotegerin, which inhibits osteoclasts and bone remodeling. In contrast, AML was accelerated by the PTH-modified BMM, which was reversed by overexpressing TGFbetaRI. PTH treatment reduced CML LSC frequency and cycling and, combined with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, significantly prolonged survival of mice with CML-like MPN versus imatinib alone. PTH-treatment also reduced BCR-ABL1 transcript levels in a xenotransplantation model of human CML. In summary, our results suggest that LSC niches in acute and chronic myeloid neoplasms are distinct and differentially modulated by PTH via TGFβ1. Combinations of TKIs with BMM-modulating agents may be a therapeutic strategy for LSC reduction and cure of CML. Disclosures: Lin: Ferrumax Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Patents & Royalties.
Burkholderia thailandensis: Genetic Manipulation

Burkholderia thailandensis is a Gram-negative bacterium endemic to Southeast Asian and northern Australian soils. It is non-pathogenic; therefore, it is commonly used as a model organism for the related human pathogens Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. B. thailandensis is relatively easily genetically manipulated and a variety of robust genetic tools can be used in this organism. This unit describes protocols for conjugation, natural transformation, mini-Tn7 insertion, and allelic exchange in B. thailandensis. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reduced Perception of Safety for Cyclists on Multi-Lane, One-Way and Two-Way Streets: Opportunities for Behavioral Economics and Design

Many studies have noted that more dense and accessible environments with higher level of service (LOS) tend to encourage higher levels of walking and bicycling activity. That said as streets are increasingly designed to facilitate safe cycling through built environment interventions, little has been done to evaluate perceptions of safety on different typologies, particularly one vs. two-way corridors. Theory would suggest that many frame their commutes based in-part on the perceived safety of the environment, yet little research looks at varying street design and this perception. This study uses a moving camera approach to evaluate the perceived cycling comfort for drivers and cyclists on different roadway designs (multi-lane, one way; two-way, bidirectional street; singe-land one-way). Results show that perceived safety can influence comfort and potentially modal choice—particularly for parents. If parents perceive routes as unsafe they are reticent to allow their children to walk or bike. Furthermore, we show both drivers and cyclists have different perceptions of speed and relative safety of varying street designs; with those in a driving role perceiving multi-lane corridors as faster traveling and those cyclists perceiving them as less safe. This finding has implications for continued investment in built environment solutions that include street reconfigurations, as well as for increased programs to education and reduce psychological/socio-cognitive barriers that may impede cycling behavior.
The Role of Natalizumab in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Natalizumab is an alpha(4)-integrin antagonist, the first in its class for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although multiple mechanisms have been proposed for the efficacy of natalizumab in MS, the most likely explanation is that it interferes with the migration of immune cells into the central nervous system. It does this by binding to the alpha(4) subunit of alpha(4)beta(1)-integrin and preventing leukocyte adhesion to endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The efficacy of natalizumab in relapsing-remitting MS has been demonstrated in several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Natalizumab has been shown to slow the progression of disability in relapsing-remitting MS significantly better than placebo, and to reduce the number of new and enlarging T2 hyperintense and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging lesions. In a post hoc analysis, the proportion of patients with relapsing-remitting MS free of disease activity was significantly greater with natalizumab compared with placebo. Due to the rare risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy as a complication, natalizumab is primarily recommended in patients who fail, or cannot tolerate, treatment with interferon (IFN) beta or glatiramer acetate (GA). Stratification of those patients most likely to benefit from natalizumab treatment--such as those with highly active disease, severe disease, or extensive functional loss, or those who have failed or cannot tolerate IFN beta or GA therapy--would help define natalizumab's appropriate place in therapy.
Behavioral Psychology in Medicine: An Introduction

Ever since the end of World War II, there has been a working professional and scientific relationship between clinical psychology and psychiatry. The understanding and acceptance of psychotherapeutic approaches predicated on behavioral and social learning principles has been a more recent phenomenon, however. Although professional recognition of the legitimacy of behavior therapy practices in psychiatry was given by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973, the development, application, and evaluation of behavior modification procedures in psychiatric settings antedates by several years this professional acknowledgment.
Health-related quality of life in consequences from frequency-quantity measures of alcohol consumption patterns

This study examines the effect of frequency and quantity measures of alcohol consumption patterns on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The data, a cross-sectional state-level survey, is obtained from the behavioural risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) collected by the centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) from 2004 to 2014. The cross-sectional time series multiple regression analyses are conducted for the analyses. The empirical results indicate respondents who are current drinkers regardless of their alcohol consumption patterns are less likely to have physically unhealthy days than respondents who are non-drinkers. The results also suggest HFLQ drinkers are the biggest beneficiary from their alcohol use for physical health. Contrarily, this study observes that alcohol consumption has a negative association with mental health outcomes except LFLQ drinkers. Low-quantity alcohol drinkers have no significant differences in mentally unhealthy days from non-drinkers regardless of alcohol consumption frequency.
Adjustable gastric band surgery or medical management in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity: three-year results of a randomized trial

Abstract Background Few randomized trials have compared surgical versus lifestyle and pharmacologic approaches for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with mild to moderate obesity. Objectives This study examined resolution of hyperglycemia (A1C Setting University medical center, United States. Methods Forty T2D patients (mean ± SD: age, 51.3 ±10.0 yr; weight 109.5 ± 15.0 kg; body mass index [BMI] 36.5 ± 3.7 kg/m2; HBA1C 8.2% ± 1.2%) were randomized to LAGB (n = 18) or DWM (n = 22). Results At 3 years, 13% of 16 patients in LAGB and 5% of 17 patients in DWM achieved resolution of hyperglycemia (P = .601), with a modestly greater reduction in antidiabetic medications in the surgical group (P = .054). Reductions from baseline in A1C were sustained at 3 years in LAGB (−.82% [95% CI: −1.62 to −.01], P = .046) compared with DWM (+.23% [95% CI: −.57 to 1.03], P = .567). The surgical group had greater weight loss (−12.0 kg [95% CI: −15.9 to −8.1] versus −4.8 [95% CI: −8.6 to −.9], P = .010). HDL-cholesterol increased more after surgery (P = .003), but changes in triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure did not differ between treatments. Diabetes- and obesity-specific quality of life improved comparably with both therapies. Conclusions Achievement of American Diabetes Association targets for glucose, lipids, and blood pressure was similar with both treatment strategies. LAGB leads to greater sustained weight loss and higher HDL cholesterol compared with a DWM program. These findings may help guide patients with T2D and obesity when exploring options for diabetes and weight management.
Constrained Labour as Instituted Process: Transnational Contract Work and Circular Migration in Late Capitalism

The paper proposes a critical understanding of contemporary “low-skilled,” transnational contract work/circular migration as a guest-worker regime. Rather than approach circular migration as an instrument of development, or a human rights problem, this paper situates it within the larger, historical debates over the status of labour that emphasise questions of surplus extraction. Drawing on ethnographic research among Bangladeshi male migrants in Singapore and return workers in Bangladesh, the paper explores two crucial moments in the life of migrants—of choosing overseas contract work, and of leaving. In each moment, it highlights certain mechanisms that push migrants along the porous line between free and un-free work, incrementally toward the latter.
Featured Article: Gender Bias in Pediatric Pain Assessment.

Objective Accurate assessment of pain is central to diagnosis and treatment in healthcare, especially in pediatrics. However, few studies have examined potential biases in adult observer ratings of children's pain. Cohen, Cobb, & Martin (2014. Gender biases in adult ratings of pediatric pain. Children's Health Care, 43, 87-95) reported that adult participants rated a child undergoing a medical procedure as feeling more pain when the child was described as a boy as compared to a girl, suggesting a possible gender bias. To confirm, clarify, and extend this finding, we conducted a replication experiment and follow-up study examining the role of explicit gender stereotypes in shaping such asymmetric judgments. Methods In an independent, pre-registered, direct replication and extension study with open data and materials (https://osf.io/t73c4/), we showed participants the same video from Cohen et al. (2014), with the child described as a boy or a girl depending on condition. We then asked adults to rate how much pain the child experienced and displayed, how typical the child was in these respects, and how much they agreed with explicit gender stereotypes concerning pain response in boys versus girls. Results Similar to Cohen et al. (2014), but with a larger and more demographically diverse sample, we found that the "boy" was rated as experiencing more pain than the "girl" despite identical clinical circumstances and identical pain behavior across conditions. Controlling for explicit gender stereotypes eliminated the effect. Conclusions Explicit gender stereotypes-for example, that boys are more stoic or girls are more emotive-may bias adult assessment of children's pain.
M100907 and BD 1047 attenuate the acute toxic effects of methamphetamine

Abstract There are no Food and Drug Administration approved pharmacotherapies for methamphetamine (METH) overdose, thus identifying novel drug targets to prevent this devastating adverse event is a public-health imperative. Previous research suggests that serotonin and sigma receptors may contribute to the adverse effects of METH. The present study assessed whether pretreatment with the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 or the sigma 1 (σ1) receptor antagonist BD 1047 attenuated METH-induced lethality, hyperthermia, convulsions, and seizures. Male, Swiss-Webster mice received intraperitoneal injections of M100907 (1 and 10 mg/kg), BD 1047 (10 mg/kg), or a combination of M100907 (1 mg/kg) and BD 1047 (10 mg/kg) prior to treatment with METH (78 mg/kg). Convulsions and lethality were assessed by observation, core body temperature was assessed by surgically implanted telemetric probes, and seizures were assessed by electroencephalography. M100907 reduced METH-elicited lethality from 67% to 33%, BD1047 reduced METH-elicited lethality from 67% to 50%, and combined administration of both agents eliminated lethality in all mice tested. Similarly, both agents and their combination reduced METH-elicited seizures and convulsions. None of the treatments decreased METH-induced hyperthermia. This research suggests that reducing METH-induced seizures is an important factor in reducing lethality associated with METH overdose. However, future studies should examine whether M100907 and BD 1047 modulate METH-induced hypertension and other adverse effects that may also contribute to METH overdose. Our data support the continued investigation of compounds that target 5-HT2A and σ1 receptors in METH-induced overdose, including their potential to yield emergency reversal agents.
Small Area Estimates of Populations With Chronic Conditions for Community Preparedness for Public Health Emergencies.

Objectives. To demonstrate a flexible and practical method to obtain near real-time estimates of the number of at-risk community-dwelling adults with a chronic condition in a defined area potential...
Analysis of Toxic Metals in Electronic Cigarette Aerosols Using a Novel Trap Design.

Since 2006 the domestic popularity and sales of electronic cigarettes (i.e., electronic nicotine delivery systems or ENDS) have grown rapidly. Although the constituents of the aerosol produced by ENDS have been previously investigated, differences in puff regimens and aerosol trapping schema in published literature often complicate result comparisons and data interpretation. As the ENDS product designs continue to evolve, there is a critical need to develop and validate robust methodologies for laboratory testing, appropriate aerosol generation and trapping media required for accurate determinations of ENDS aerosol metals deliveries. A simple, high metals purity, fluoropolymer trap was developed and validated that meets standard machine puffing regimen (CORESTA Recommended Method 81) specifications and exhibits negligible acid extractable metal backgrounds. Using a standard machine puffing regimen in combination with a fluoropolymer condensation trap, aerosol was generated and collected from select ENDS devices for analysis of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin, and lead with triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Devices tested spanned a range of commercial products, including flavored variants of JUUL pods, refillable tank systems, rechargeable cartridges, and single-use ENDs devices. Results showed that for aerosols generated under a fixed puffing regimen (50 puffs/collection), metal concentrations ranged from below the detection limits (LOD) to 614 ng copper and 339 ng zinc per 10 puffs. Cadmium concentrations were below LOD for all devices tested. Device specific aerosol levels of Sn and Pb ranged from below LOD to low nanogram levels. Cr and Ni were transported in aerosols at levels equivalent to, or slightly higher than in mainstream cigarette smoke using a standard smoking regimen. The generally lower levels of specific metals, Cd and Pb, transmitted in ENDS aerosols compared to mainstream cigarette smoke reflect possible reduction of harm for smokers who substitute the use of ENDS as cessation devices in place of smoking cigarettes.
Hydrospheric modulation of stress and seismicity on shallow faults in southern Alaska

Abstract Shallow (≤40 km), low magnitude ( M ≥ 2.0 ) seismicity in southern Alaska is examined for seasonal variations during the annual hydrological cycle. The seismicity is declustered with a spatio-temporal epidemic type aftershock sequence model. The removal of aftershock sequences allows detailed investigation of seismicity rate changes as water, snow and ice loads modulate crustal stresses throughout the year. The GRACE surface loads are obtained from the JPL global land and ocean mass concentration blocks (mascon) solutions. The stress changes at a depth of 10 km are calculated using a 1D spherical layered Earth model. To evaluate the induced seasonal stresses of ∼10 kPa, we use >30 yr of earthquake focal mechanisms to constrain the tectonic background stress field orientation and assess the seasonal stress change with respect to the principal stress orientations. The background stress field is assumed to control the preferred orientation of faulting, and stress perturbations are expected to increase or decrease seismic activity on the faults. The number of excess earthquakes is calculated with respect to the background seismicity rates for discrete stress intervals. The results indicate a ∼25% increase in regional seismicity rates that correlate with a ∼3-month time lag following failure-encouraging annual mean-normal-stress, differential stress, and least principal compressive stress. No immediate earthquake rate variations are observed in this region-wide analysis. The correlation with a 3-month time lag suggests increased mobility of preexisting fluids at seismogenic depths is varying the pore pressure within fault zones to modulate the seismicity rates throughout the seasonal loading cycle.
The Quest for Security: Sovereignty, Race, and the Defense of the British Empire, 1898–1931

The British Empire entered the twentieth century in a state of crisis, with many in the legal establishment fearing that the British constitution could no longer cope with the complexity of imperial institutions. At the same time, the military establishment feared the empire was becoming impossible to defend from multiplying threats. In this innovative study, Jesse Tumblin shows how Britain and its largest colonies, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, and South Africa, were swept up in a collective effort to secure the Empire in the early twentieth century. The hierarchy of colonial politics created powerful incentives for colonies to militarize before World War I, reshaping their constitutional and racial relationships toward a dream beyond colonial status. The colonial backstory of a century of war and violence shows how these dreams made 'security' the dominating feature of contemporary politics.
Sociodemographic and gun possession factors contributing to gun policy attitudes among undergraduate students

Objective: Examine the sociodemographic and gun possession factors associated with gun policy attitudes among undergraduates.Methods: Undergraduates at a west coast university (N = 1,474) completed...
Elimination of Calm1 long 3'-UTR mRNA isoform by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing impairs dorsal root ganglion development and hippocampal neuron activation in mice.

The majority of mouse and human genes are subject to alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA), which most often leads to the expression of two or more alternative length 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) mRNA isoforms. In neural tissues, there is enhanced expression of APA isoforms with longer 3'-UTRs on a global scale, but the physiological relevance of these alternative 3'-UTR isoforms is poorly understood. Calmodulin 1 (Calm1) is a key integrator of calcium signaling that generates short (Calm1-S) and long (Calm1-L) 3'-UTR mRNA isoforms via APA. We found Calm1-L expression to be largely restricted to neural tissues in mice including the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and hippocampus, whereas Calm1-S was more broadly expressed. smFISH revealed that both Calm1-S and Calm1-L were subcellularly localized to neural processes of primary hippocampal neurons. In contrast, cultured DRG showed restriction of Calm1-L to soma. To investigate the in vivo functions of Calm1-L, we implemented a CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing strategy to delete a small region encompassing the Calm1 distal poly(A) site. This eliminated Calm1-L expression while maintaining expression of Calm1-S Mice lacking Calm1-L (Calm1ΔL/ΔL ) exhibited disorganized DRG migration in embryos, and reduced experience-induced neuronal activation in the adult hippocampus. These data indicate that Calm1-L plays functional roles in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
A thermodynamics-based damage model for the non-linear mechanical behavior of SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites in irradiation and thermal environments:

A damage model is developed and validated with experimental data for the non-linear mechanical behavior of SiC/SiC composite materials in nuclear applications. Cyclic thermal and mechanical loading...
Between Imperial Rule and Sovereignty: Rethinking Afghanistan Studies

This review examines the analytical interventions of three new books on Afghanistan released in 2020. Each book uniquely traces the ways in which knowledge around Afghanistan has been intimately ti...
Incidental Diagnosis of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Post-Inguinal Hernia Repair.

This report discusses the case of an 83-year-old male who was incidentally found to have a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer on pathology from elective inguinal hernia repair. The medical rec...
Constraints on the Precambrian paleogeography of West African Craton

Abstract This chapter reviews the Precambrian paleogeography of West African Craton (WAC), which is critical for understanding the plate tectonics on early Earth and the configurations of Proterozoic supercontinents. We have summarized the geological history and paleoclimate indicators of WAC, and thoroughly evaluated the available paleomagnetic data. Although we found that WAC has essentially no highly reliable paleomagnetic data of pre-Ediacaran age, ubiquitous mafic dyke swarms could be promising targets for paleomagnetism. In this context, we compiled all high-precision ages pertaining to the mafic intrusions recognized in WAC, and constructed a magmatic barcode for global comparisons. Finally, various paleogeographic reconstruction models regarding the position of WAC in supercontinents Nuna/Columbia and Rodinia were presented and discussed. Because of the lack of robust data, WAC is poorly constrained paleogeographically in Proterozoic supercontinents. We hope this review can provide a basic introduction with regard to the paleogeography of WAC in the Precambrian and advocate future studies.
Imaging the early zebrafish embryo centrosomes following injection of small-molecule inhibitors to understand spindle formation.

Summary During the earliest division stages, zebrafish embryos have large cells that divide rapidly and synchronously to create a cellular layer on top of the yolk. Here, we describe a protocol for monitoring spindle dynamics during these early embryonic divisions. We outline techniques for injecting zebrafish embryos with small-molecule inhibitors toward polo-like kinases, preparing and mounting embryos for three-dimensional imaging using confocal microscopy. These techniques are used to understand how the early zebrafish embryo’s centrosome constructs the mitotic spindle. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Rathbun et al. (2020) .
Behavioral Pharmacology of Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anxiolytics

The purpose of this chapter is to review the behavioral pharmacology and abuse liability of commonly prescribed anxiolytics and hypnotics. More specifically, this chapter reviews the behavioral pharmacology and abuse liability of commonly prescribed benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, estazolam, lorazepam, temazepam, and triazolam) and nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytics-hypnotics (e.g., buspirone and zolpidem). The behavioral pharmacology and abuse liability of the benzodiazepines is not exhaustively reviewed since such a review is beyond the scope of this chapter, and comprehensive reviews have previously been published (Woods, Katz, & Winger, 1987, 1992). Instead, this chapter focuses on studies that attempted to determine putative differences between benzodiazepines. This chapter then reviews the behavioral pharmacology and abuse liability of two nonbenzodiazepine compounds marketed for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders: buspirone and zolpidem, respectively. Buspirone was the first pyrimidinylpiperazine derivative marketed for the treatment of anxiety disorders, while zolpidem was the first imidazopyridine derivative marketed for the treatment of sleep disorders. Only studies that directly compared these drugs with a benzodiazepine are reviewed in an attempt to determine if these nonbenzodiazepine compounds have an improved abuse liability profile. Both nonhuman and human studies are reviewed.