cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physico-Chemical Responses of Fraser Fir Induced by Balsam Woolly Adelgid (Homoptera: Adelgidae) Infestation

The balsam woolly adelgid, Adelges piceae (Ratzeburg) (Homoptera: Adelgidae), is a major pest in Fraser fir, Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir, Christmas tree plantations in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Shortly after eclosion, A. piceae larvae insert their stylets into intercellular bark tissue to ensure a constant feeding source from cortical parenchyma cells (Balch 1952, Can. Dept. Agric. Publ. No. 867, 76 pp.). Thereafter, the developing adelgid is attached at that site for the remainder of its life (Balch and Carroll 1956, Can. Dept. Agric. Publ. No. 977, 7 pp.). Insects that use a piercing-sucking mode of feeding, such as adelgids, elicit a response similar to that of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens (Walling 2000, J. Plant Growth Regul. 19: 195–216; Bernards and Spohr 2008, Pp. 189–211, In Schaller, A. (ed.), Induced Plant Resistance to Herbivory, Springer Science, Stuttgart, Germany). The synthesis of new compounds or structural barriers after herbivore-induced damage occurs, including the accumulation of proteins and secondary metabolites, are characteristics of induced defenses (Bernards and Spohr 2008). For example, the formation of cell wall modifications can be induced by wounding and herbivory (Ginzberg 2008, Pp. 131–146, In Schaller, A. (ed.), Induced Plant Resistance to Herbivory, Springer Science, Stuttgart, Germany). Host resistance mechanisms include rapid accumulation of monoterpene and juvabione-related compounds, the production of secondary periderm (Mullick 1975, Can. J. Bot. 53: 2443–2457; Hain et al. 1991, Pp. 271–287, In Baranchikov, Y.N., Mattson, W.J., Hain, F.P., Payne, T.L. (eds.), Forest Insect Guilds: Patterns of
Broadly tunable DBR-free semiconductor disk laser

We report a DBR-free semiconductor disk lasers centered at 1160 nm with a tuning range of 78 nm, and ongoing effort on our DBR-free SDL centered at 1040 nm. Compared with conventional semiconductor disk lasers, DBR-free SDLs have a broader effective gain bandwidth. In CW operation, 2.5 W output power at 1160 nm and 6 W at 1055 nm were collected from the two lasers without thermal-rollover. Intracavity loss mitigation, currently underway, should improve power scaling and efficiency in these systems.
Sequential Injection of Cationic Liposome and Plasmid DNA Effectively Transfects the Lung with Minimal Inflammatory Toxicity

A major hurdle to lipoplex-based systemic gene delivery is acute inflammatory toxicity. In this study, a safe, simple, and effective alternative to lipoplex administration, specifically, sequential injection of cationic liposome and plasmid DNA, was evaluated. When plasmid DNA was injected into the tail vein of mice 2–5 min after the injection of cationic liposomes, 50–80% lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-12, and IFN-γ, were observed compared to lipoplex injection. The sequential injection technique yielded a two- to fivefold higher level of transgene expression in the lung and was more effective in repeated dosing than lipoplex. Other types of lipoplex-associated toxicities, such as neutropenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and complement depletion, were also significantly reduced with sequential injection. The reduction in cytokine release was observed with several different liposome formulations and appeared to be a general phenomenon.
Abstract 86: Role of autophagy in lymphoma treatment: Autophagy manipulation in lymphoma therapeutic cell killing

Manipulation of autophagy to augment cancer treatment is an area of active research. We sought to determine the role of autophagy in lymphoma treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapeutics alone and in combination with both genetic and pharmacologic manipulation (activation and inhibition) of autophagy. We found that cellular responses to certain chemotherapeutic agents are altered by autophagic manipulation whereas others are not. Using single cell microscopic assays and flow cytometry we have found that manipulation of autophagy has an effect on a subset of lymphoma cells in culture altering their response to cell death stimuli. The overall magnitude, kinetics and mechanistic aspects of apoptosis are altered in this subset of cells. This finding that there are differences in the response to autophagy manipulation between cancer cells in a population has implications for the treatment of lymphoma and other cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 86.
Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Endovascular treatment options for dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) have vastly expanded and become progressively safer in the last several years. Angiographic imaging systems have improved, catheter technology has advanced, and liquid embolic and coil options have increased. As a likely result, an increasing proportion of DAVFs are treated via an endovascular approach. In addition to allowing physicians to appreciate and treat lesions better, varied approaches have been developed. The "plug and push" technique and the new availability of dimethyl sulfoxide--compatible dual lumen balloons have allowed safer and more thorough transarterial treatments. Transvenous treatment has proved to be a valuable technique for some lesions. Hybrid approaches with surgical assisted access to vascular structures have been successfully used to treat more challenging fistulas.
Synergism of Insecticides with DEF in Sweetpotato Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Adults of sweetpotato whitefly (SPWF), Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), from susceptible (S) and field (R) strains were treated in the laboratory with cypermethrin, permethrin, methyl parathion, and sulprofos, alone or in combination with S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF). Females were significantly less sensitive than males to all insecticides tested, the difference being greatest (20-fold) with permethrin. The highest level of resistance in females (63.2-fold) was found with permethrin, while a moderate level (13.3-fold) was found with suiprofos. High synergism was obtained with cypermethrin and permethrin. In the S strain, the synergism ratio of cypermethrin/DEF (1:1) was 31.2 for females and 18.2 for males, while that of permethrin/DEF (1:5) was 15.8 for females and 1.8 for males. In the R strain, DEF synergized cypermethrin and permethrin, causing almost complete elimination of resistance to both pyrethroids. This synergistic effect suggests that esterases are involved in the mechanism of pyrethroid resistance in SPWF. The link between arrhenotoky and resistance in SPWF is discussed.
Influence of sufentanyl on the activity of superoxide dismutase and the level of malondialdehyde of myocardium in myocardial ischemic reperfusion rats

Objective To explore the protective effect of sufentanyl on myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury in rats. Methods Fifty-six Wistar male rats were randomly divided into control group(n=8),ischemic reperfusion group(n=24) and sufentanyl pretreatment group(n=24).The rats of ischemic reperfusion group and sufentanyl pretreatment group were sacrificed after reperfusion 30 minutes,1 hour and 2 hours(8 rats at each period of time in each group).Myocardium of rats were harvested to determine superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondiadehyde(MDA) level. Results Reperfusion 30 minutes,1 hour and 2 hours,the SOD activities in ischemic reperfusion group and sufentanyl pretreatment group were significantly lower than those in control group(P0.05),while the MDA levels were significantly higher than those in control group(P0.05);the SOD activity in sufentanyl pretreatment group was significantly higher than that in ischemic reperfusion group(P0.05),while the MDA level was significantly lower than that in ischemic reperfusion group(P0.05). Conclusion Sufentanyl pretreatment has certain protective effect on myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury in rats.
Venous Shunting Procedures for Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Cancer

Introduction Contemporary vascular resection and reconstruction during pancreatectomy is done when the surgeon cannot safely separate the portal vein (PV), superior mesenteric vein (SMV), or the SMV-PV confluence from the tumor. A temporary mesocaval shunt provides a safe way to deal with cavernous transformation of the portal vein. This technique also allows wide exposure of the mesenteric root, greatly enhancing exposure of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and/or celiac artery when dissection directly on the peri-adventicial plane is challenging due to tumor-artery abutment. Splenic vein (SV) ligation facilitates resection/reconstruction of the SMV–PV confluence and also enhances exposure of the SMA and celiac origin. However, if the IMV does not provide for retrograde decompression of the SV, sinistral hypertension may occur. A distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) can prevent this complication.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma). Current diagnosis and treatment.

The diagnosis of gastrinoma is made by a combination of high serum gastrin levels and acid hypersecretion; provocative testing with secretin is sometimes necessary. Initial therapy should focus on control of acid secretion and the possibility of tumor resection. Acid secretion can be controlled with high doses of H2 receptor antagonists (that is, more than 1200 mg of ranitidine per day). Although complete excision of tumor will be possible in only 20 per cent of patients, an attempt should be made to locate and stage the tumor with CT scan and transhepatic portal venous sampling in all patients with gastrinoma without multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, and exploratory celiotomy should be performed to resect the tumor if possible.
Sublobar Resection: Ongoing Controversy for Treatment for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Despite a prospective randomized trial that reported decreased locoregional recurrence for the intentional use of sublobar resection for stage IA non-small cell lung cancer, it continues to be a point of considerable debate. Improved imaging techniques have introduced a large group of smaller and more indolent tumors than what was studied 20 years ago by the Lung Cancer Study Group. Multiple single-institution and population-based analyses suggest that sublobar resections may have equivalent outcomes to lobectomy in well-selected patients with small (<2 cm) resections, and in whom an adequate resection margin can be achieved.
Mobile Ravin: Intrusion Detection and Tracking with Organic Airport Radar and Video Systems

Currently, airport perimeter intrusion detection primarily relies on visual surveillance by security personnel and is often augmented with video cameras. This approach is limited to day light hours and degrades with bad weather. We are developing a proof of concept system, Mobile RAVIN, I that detects intrusions as small as a human, works at all hours and all weather conditions, and provides rapid situational awareness to security personnel. The Mobile RAVIN (Radar and Video Integrated on Mobile Object architecture) System has been installed and tested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac) in February 2006. It uses the Airport Security Display Processor (ASDP)?an integrated radar signal processor, track processor, and display processor system that derives threat information from the FAA's Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-3) ground surveillance radar systems. This approach leverages existing airport assets to provide a cost effective suite of security sensors. The Mobile RAVIN system performs filtering and tracking on the ASDE-3 radar data, initiates and maintains video tracks of objects, and fuses radar and video tracks for operator display. It also allows operators to slew a video camera to a radar track location which reduces false alarms and nuisance alarms. Finally, we developed a display to show the radar and video tracks overlaid on a map of the airport.
The management of hyperthyroidism. A surgeon's perspective

Surgery for the treatment of hyperthyroidism is rapid and permanent, highly safe, and highly successful and has an important and complementary role with medical therapy and 131I. In Grave's disease cases total thyroidectomy, performed only if parathyroid glands are preserved, prevents recurrent hyperthyroidism. Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy or total lobectomy with contralateral subtotal lobectomy are done if at least one parathyroid cannot be preserved on each side. In terms of recurrent laryngeal nerve preservation, all three operations are equally safe if the nerve is positively identified and traced throughout its course.
Why Chemical Risk Assessment can Learn from Radiation Risk Assessment

Abstract The biological models for radiation and many chemicals have been seen as having some substantial differences. Radiation has no lowest exposure at which adverse health effects result and the dose–response curve has been assumed to be linear from levels at which it can be measured to the no exposure level. In contrast, some chemical exposures have been assumed to have threshold effects, exposure levels below which for a chemical taken in isolation no adverse health effects occur. Recent research reveals that the assumptions for toxicological risk assessment should be modified to more closely resemble risk assessments for radiation. In short, the presumptions for toxicological risk assessment should be modified.
Measuring Grit Among First-Generation College Students: A Psychometric Analysis

The concept of grit is of interest in the field of education, particularly as it pertains to persistence to a 4-year college degree. This study offers an IRT analysis of the Grit Scale when used among first-generation college students (FGCSs) as well as recent first-generation college graduates and non-FGCS recent graduates. The Grit Scale was included in surveys administered as part of an array of other research projects within The Finish Line Project—a US Department of Education First in the World grant-funded project that seeks to improve FGCS access to, persistence in, and completion of postsecondary education through rigorous research into various programs and supports for FGCSs. The reliability and validity of the Grit Scale have not yet been analyzed for use with FGCS or overall with students at large, research universities. By comparing enrolled students and recent graduates, the psychometric analysis in this study offers insight into the measurement of student grit for use in program development and policy-making to improve student retention. Item response theory (IRT) analyses, analysis of differential item functioning (DIF), reliability analyses, convergent and discriminant validity analyses, and known groups validity analyses were used to examine the Grit Scale.
Exploring Lifetime Accumulation of Criminal Justice Involvement and Associated Health and Social Outcomes in a Community-Based Sample of Women who Use Drugs

Among people who use illegal drugs, engagement with the criminal justice (CJ) system often involves an ongoing, intermittent series of arrests, incarcerations, and periods of community supervision. The potential associations between the lifetime accumulation of CJ involvement and social and health outcomes is largely unexplored. In a cross-sectional sample of women who use crack, heroin, and/ or methamphetamine recruited from communities in Oakland, CA (N = 624), we developed an approach to characterize CJ accumulation. We used latent class analysis (LCA), a multivariate person-centered method that assumes an unobserved categorical variable that divides a population into a small number of mutually exclusive and exhaustive classes. Using observed measures of incarceration and community supervision as indicator variables, we developed a model of CJ accumulation that elucidates patterns of involvement as lived by the women in the sample. Based on model fit statistics, we selected a three-class model and labeled the classes “low,” “medium,” and “high.” We then explored associations between the classes of CJ accumulation and health and health-related outcomes using logistic regression. The odds of homelessness (p for trend = 0.004), transience (p for trend = 0.017), and recent victimization (p for trend = 0.023) were higher among women in higher accumulation classes. Higher class of CJ accumulation was associated with higher odds of reporting unmet need for physical health care (p for trend < 0.001) and mental health care (p for trend = 0.002). The odds of physical health conditions, such as hepatitis C infection (p for trend < 0.001) and mental health conditions, such as depression (p for trend = 0.003), also increased with higher class of accumulation. While the findings described here are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study, they suggest that CJ accumulation is a potentially meaningful concept for assessing associations between the CJ system and health-related issues.
Combinatorics: A Very Short Introduction by Robin Wilson, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2016, xviii + 158 pp., ISBN 978-0-19-872349-3, $11.95 paperback, $7.99 electronic. Infinity: A Very Short Introduction by Ian Stewart, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017, xvi + 144 pp., ISBN 978-0-19-875523-4, $11.95 paperback, $7.99 electronic.

How do you learn about an unfamiliar field? Supposing you want more than an encyclopedia entry but less than an introductory textbook, you should hope that the topic is treated by one of Oxford Uni...
Drosophila tafazzin mutants have impaired exercise capacity

Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial phospholipid that helps maintain normal structure of the inner mitochondrial membrane and stabilize the protein complexes of the electron transport chain to promote efficient ATP synthesis. Tafazzin, an acyl-transferase, is required for synthesis of the mature form of CL. Mutations in the tafazzin (TAZ) gene are associated with a human disorder known as Barth syndrome. Symptoms of Barth syndrome often include muscle weakness and exercise intolerance. Previous work demonstrates that Drosophila Taz mutants exhibit motor weakness, as measured by reduced flying and climbing abilities. However, Drosophila TAZ mutants' baseline endurance or response to endurance exercise training has not been assessed. Here, we find that TAZ mutants have reduced endurance and do not improve following a stereotypical exercise training paradigm, indicating that loss of TAZ function leads to exercise intolerance in Drosophila. Although cardiac phenotypes are observed in human Barth syndrome patients, TAZ mutants had normal resistance to cardiac pacing. In the future, endurance may be a useful screening tool to identify additional genetic modifiers of tafazzin.
A system dynamics model of the auto industry: Case study on sustainability of Iran's car market

The economy of oil-exporting Middle Eastern countries is heavily dependent on the oil market. Therefore, any fluctuation of the oil market impacts their economy, often, causing volatile conditions. Iran as one of the important and influential countries in the Middle East has suffered the most from these volatilities. As a member of the Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Iran's oil production is roughly four percent of the world's daily production. Although the economy of Iran has been under severe sanctions for years, the intensified sanctions on Iran's oil and energy sector between 2012 and 2016 caused extreme volatility in all its economic sectors due to the large oil-dependency in the entirety of the econ­omy. Manufacturing companies of Iran, such as car producing companies, which are among the largest of their kinds in the Middle East, were no exception. During the sanctions period, the prices jumped rapidly and kept increasing continuously. The price volatility forced companies to start investing on sustainable solutions and rely mostly on domestic producers. Besides, the government started negotiations to relieve from the sanctions on industries which lead to the agreement with P5+1 that is referred as JCPOA. These strategies have recently shown its effectiveness in stabilizing the prices and making sustainable production. In this paper, we first investigate the details of the mechanisms involved in all these transitions and explain the causal loops governing the changes. Then, we propose a system dynamics based model for a car industry including the necessary parameters specific to Iran's car industry. Then we simulate the model to investigate the effects of various parameters on the car prices changes. In a scenario, we inspect the effect of JCPOA on the long-run stabilization of the prices. This paper's results can be used in evaluating the effect of regulatory policies on the sustainability of an auto industry, in particular, Iran's car market.
Biological Control of Thrips tabaci on Tobacco Seedlings in Ukraine

The predatory mite Amblyseius mckenziei Schuster & Pritchard (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was used to control populations of Thrips tabaci, onion thrips, on tobacco seedlings grown in hotbeds in the Crimea (Ukraine). T. tabaci is the only known vector of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in this region. When TSWV is transmitted to seedlings in the hotbed, subsequent mortality of the plants in the field after transplanting may reach 100%. One augmentative release of A. mckenziei into hotbeds (3–6 females per leaf) controlled thrips and TSWV as effectively as conventional pesticides.
Use of Artificial Neural Networks in Precipitation Forecasting

The purpose of this paper is to study the potential uses of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in estimating monthly precipitation for the City of Memphis, Tennessee. One of the popular models, the backpropagation algorithm (BP), was developed and installed in an internal program. Annual precipitation data from the City of Memphis provides the basis data to train the networks. The trained networks were then used to verify and predict precipitation for the City of Memphis. The results indicated that ANNs can recognize the precipitation pattern and provide an analogous precipitation trend to the existing precipitation data. One of the major advantages of this method is that its performance does not require a large quantity of data in the trend analysis.
Invited Lecture Coronary Artery Surgery — Current State of the Art

Direct revascularization surgery utilizing bypass graft techniques is in its 13th Year and has become one of the most common forms of elective surgery performed in the USA. From a technical standpoint the concept of bypass graft surgery is basically simple. Many surgeons believe that cardioplegia, hypothermia, coronary artery perfusion, and intraaortic balloon assist are essential for this type of surgery — the author disagrees.
A Glance at Ancient India and the Decimal System of Numeration

If we trace the ancient history of India, the ancient Indians were far ahead of any other people on any nation during that period. “Vedas” are the scripture of Hindus in India. The derived meaning of the very word “Veda” is that it is the fountain head and illimitable repository of all knowledge. The Vedas are widely known as four in numbers. Vedas are appended by four upavedas and six ancillary branches of knowledge called Sad-vedangas.
Sufficient Conditions for a Relaxed Optimal Control Problem

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses sufficient conditions for a relaxed optimal control problem. Thew sufficiency theorem applies to deterministic and relaxed control problems, and includes several known sufficiency results as special cases. Consequently, the proof demonstrates that useful sufficiency results can be derived without highly sophisticated mathematics. The chapter presents hypotheses with respect to transversality; the costate, or Euler–Lagrange equations; and a strengthened maximum principle.
Influence of various concentrate-to-roughage ratios on dietary intake and nutrient digestibilities of weanling horses.

The objective of this study was to compare the feed intake and the apparent digestibilities of three different diets varying in concentrate-to-roughage ratios in weanling horses (n = 24) at 5 and 8 months of age. Horses were stratified by breed, gender, birth date and body weight and assigned to one of three dietary treatments containing the following concentrate-to-roughage ratios on an as-fed basis: 70:30 (High Con), 50:50 (Equal) and 30:70 (Low Con). All horses were fed their respective diets for a 10-day adaptation period and a 4-day collection period at 5 and 8 months. There were no differences in BW or daily feed intake among treatments during both trials. The horses consuming Low Con had a greater amount of faecal output than High Con at both 5 and 8 months (p < 0.01). At 5 months, High Con had the highest crude protein (CP) digestibility (p < 0.05). At 8 months, High Con had a higher CP digestibility than Low Con (p < 0.01) and tended to be higher than Equal (p = 0.07). Acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility did not differ among treatments; however, horses fed the Low Con tended to digest a higher percentage of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than both the Equal and High Con treatments (p = 0.09). Horses in the High Con treatment tended to digest a higher percentage of energy than those in the Low Con treatment (p = 0.06). Weanlings seem to digest protein more thoroughly when fed high-concentrate diets and may digest fibre more efficiently when fed diets higher in fibre.
Insights into Moral Injury and Soul Repair from Classical Jewish Texts

This article explores how Jewish biblical, rabbinic, and liturgical texts can be used to broaden and deepen an understanding of moral injury. To date, the literature on moral injury has been written from secular, Christian and Muslim perspectives. The primary purpose of our research was to find concepts and language that could speak specifically to Jewish clergy members, expand their awareness of moral injury, and enhance their pastoral work with those suffering from such injury, however derived. To do so, we surveyed a broad spectrum of Jewish literature. We found a rich body of writings that address moral injury, offer new ways of thinking about guilt and responsibility, and prescribe a methodology for healing. While these biblical texts, prayers and legal writings speak in a particular Jewish idiom, they can be utilized by clergy of all faiths.
A Compact Frozen-Spin Refrigerator Design

A dilution refrigerator design is proposed that could be used as an insert to a pre-existing Oxford Instruments 1 K $$^4\hbox {He}$$ evaporation refrigerator with a 5 T magnet. This insert is designed such that all dilution components fit within the geometric constraints presented by the Oxford cryostat. This system will be used in frozen-spin studies where the sample material is polarized using dynamic nuclear polarization and then cooled to well below 100 mK. The polarization can be monitored using a continuous wave nuclear magnetic resonance coil coupled to the material during the polarization process and under frozen-spin mode.
Transcultural Diversity and Health Care

The need for cultural competence is increasingly recognized by health-care providers and health-related organizations in the United States and globally. The social ideology of a melting pot has been replaced by recognizing that people deserve respect within their cultural framework and as individuals. The literature on health and health-care disparities across ethnic, social, and economic groups continues to demonstrate compelling evidence for health-care providers and health-care organizations to be attentive to cultural diversity and inclusion as well as cultural competency. Major goals of Healthy People 2020 that impact on health disparities, with culture being one force to help eliminate them, are to (a) attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death; (b) achieve health equity, eliminate disparities, and improve the health of all groups; (c) create social and physical environments that promote good health for all; and (d) promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages.
Regulatory focus and choice: The impact of control perceptions on advertising effectiveness

Consumers experience different degrees of control in their daily lives. However, control perceptions have not attracted the necessary attention in advertising research. Across two experiments, we i...
Clinical trials participation among African Americans and the ethics of trust: Leadership perspectives

Summary Background Assuring health equity throughout the US continues to challenge the public and private research enterprise. Even with some progress, racial and ethnic health disparities continue, particularly among African Americans. Health equity for African Americans is improbable unless participation in clinical trials is measurably increased. Method To inform efforts to enhance participation, interviews were conducted with three African American leadership groups from across the country to document their perceptions of why the research community is unable to engage African Americans effectively in clinical trials. The results of thirty-five interviews, conducted from three leadership groups, were analyzed and are reported in this article. The leadership groups include health/education, faith, and civic society. Ethical considerations This research was conducted based upon the ethical protocols of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care, research ethics, and confidentiality. Results Findings indicate that trustworthiness must precede trust; both are essential in enhancing African American participation in research, especially in less understood clinical trials. Conclusion Respondents agreed that the research community must demonstrate trustworthiness before trust can be established. They also indicated the importance of increasing the number of African American researchers in leadership roles. Also, suggestions were made regarding the need to develop short and long-term positive relationships between the research community and the African American population, at various levels, if increases in participation in clinical trials are expected. With the likely development of new clinical research and the attention to increasing excess deaths among African Americans, there must be representative numbers of African Americans and other underserved populations in leadership roles if health disparities are to be eliminated and health equity is to be achieved.
Adverse Cutaneous Reactions of Common Biologic Medications for Rheumatic Diseases

Within the last two decades, the application of biologic medications for rheumatic diseases has greatly expanded. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to be knowledgeable about potential adverse reactions of this medication class. The goal of this review is to discuss the current understanding of cutaneous adverse reactions that may occur with common biologic medications utilized in the management of rheumatic diseases. A variety of cutaneous reactions have been reported in association with biologics commonly used to treat rheumatic diseases. Here, we review cutaneous reactions reported with tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, abatacept (co-stimulation blockade), CD20 inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, and IL-6 inhibitors. The side effects, in most cases, can be managed without discontinuation of the associated biologic medication. However, there are identified reactions that warrant discontinuation or adjustments in order to prevent additional and possibly permanent patient morbidity. While causation is often difficult to prove when cutaneous side effects are observed in relation to biologic therapies, it is important for clinicians to be aware of characteristic or distinguishing cutaneous reactions in order to treat patients with rheumatic diseases safely and effectively.
Pathological consequences of the unfolded protein response and downstream protein disulphide isomerases in pulmonary viral infection and disease

Protein folding within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exists in a delicate balance; perturbations of this balance can overload the folding capacity of the ER and disruptions of ER homoeostasis is implicated in numerous diseases. The unfolded protein response (UPR), a complex adaptive stress response, attempts to restore normal proteostasis, in part, through the up-regulation of various foldases and chaperone proteins including redox-active protein disulphide isomerases (PDIs). There are currently over 20 members of the PDI family each consisting of varying numbers of thioredoxin-like domains which, generally, assist in oxidative folding and disulphide bond rearrangement of peptides. While there is a large amount of redundancy in client proteins of the various PDIs, the size of the family would indicate more nuanced roles for the individual PDIs. However, the role of individual PDIs in disease pathogenesis remains uncertain. The following review briefly discusses recent findings of ER stress, the UPR and the role of individual PDIs in various respiratory disease states.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE ON FILM: AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS By Paul Meehan. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., Inc. Publishers, 2020. $45.00 paper

The haunted house has been a perennial horror genre staple going all the way back, according to Paul Meehan, to the tale of an uneasy spirt recorded by Pliny the Younger (61–112 CE) in Ancient Rome...
Poaching the personal vote: How shadowing behaviour shapes constituent impressions

There are well-documented tensions between regional and constituency members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). Much of this friction stems from regional MSPs competing over constituency casework t...
The Dimension Spectrum Conjecture for Planar Lines.

Let $L_{a,b}$ be a line in the Euclidean plane with slope $a$ and intercept $b$. The dimension spectrum $\spec(L_{a,b})$ is the set of all effective dimensions of individual points on $L_{a,b}$. The dimension spectrum conjecture states that, for every line $L_{a,b}$, the spectrum of $L_{a,b}$ contains a unit interval. In this paper we prove that the dimension spectrum conjecture is true. Let $(a,b)$ be a slope-intercept pair, and let $d = \min\{\dim(a,b), 1\}$. For every $s \in (0, 1)$, we construct a point $x$ such that $\dim(x, ax + b) = d + s$. Thus, we show that $\spec(L_{a,b})$ contains the interval $(d, 1+ d)$. Results of Turetsky , and Lutz and Stull, show that $\spec(L_{a,b})$ contain the endpoints $d$ and $1+d$. Taken together, $[d, 1 + d] \subseteq \spec(L_{a,b})$, for every planar line $L_{a,b}$.
Generation of pathogenic TPP1 mutations in human stem cells as a model for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 disease.

Abstract Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2 (CLN2 disease) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder generally with onset at 2 to 4 years of age and characterized by seizures, loss of vision, progressive motor and mental decline, and premature death. CLN2 disease is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) gene leading to deficiency in TPP1 enzyme activity. Approximately 60% of patients have one of two pathogenic variants (c.509-1G > C or c.622C > T [p.(Arg208*)]). In order to generate a human stem cell model of CLN2 disease, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in technology to introduce these mutations in a homozygous state into H9 human embryonic stem cells. Heterozygous lines of the c.622C > T (p.(Arg208*)) mutation were also generated, which included a heterozygous mutant with a wild-type allele and different compound heterozygous coding mutants resulting from indels on one allele. We describe the methodology that led to the generation of the lines and provide data on the initial validation and characterization of these CLN2 disease models. Notably, both mutant lines (c.509-1G > C and c.622C > T [p.(Arg208*)]) in the homozygous state were shown to have reduced or absent protein, respectively, and deficiency of TPP1 enzyme activity. These models, which we have made available for wide-spread sharing, will be useful for future studies of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying CLN2 disease and for therapeutic development.
Telemedicine for contraceptive counseling: Patient experiences during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

Abstract Objective During theCOVID-19 pandemic, many clinicians increased provision of telemedicine services. This study describes patient experiences with telemedicine for contraceptive counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Study design This is a mixed-methods study which includes a web-based or phone survey and in-depth phone interviews with patients who had telemedicine visits for contraception. Results A total of 169 patients had eligible telemedicine visits between April 1 and June 30, 2020. Of these, 86 (51%) responded to the survey, and 23 (14%) participated in the interviews. We found that 86% of survey respondents were very satisfied with the telemedicine visit, and 63% said it completely met their needs. A majority (73%) strongly agreed that these visits should be maintained after the COVID-19 pandemic, and half (51%) would be very likely to choose them over in-person visits. In-depth interviews highlighted the convenience of telemedicine, especially for those with work or parenting responsibilities. Although some patients had in-person visits after telehealth, many appreciated the counseling they received remotely, and found the subsequent in-person visits more efficient. Patients identified visits that do not require physical exams as ideal visits for telehealth, and some hoped that all or most of their future visits would be telehealth visits. Many patients (43%) expressed a preference for phone over video visits. Conclusions Patients reported an overall positive experience with telemedicine visits for contraceptive counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic. They appreciated the convenience of telemedicine visits and valued the virtual counseling experience. Implications Health care providers who initiated or expanded telemedicine services for contraceptive counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic should consider continuing to offer them after the pandemic. At the policy level, these findings favor expanding access to telemedicine and providing reimbursement for virtual visits, including telephone visits.
A review on correlations of bubble growth mechanisms and bubble dynamics parameters in nucleate boiling

The benefits of nucleate pool boiling phenomena and their potential applications on thermal management of various microelectronic devices have triggered the development of new approaches that augment the magnitude of heat transfer rate. To implement these approaches, an accurate estimation of the boiling heat transfer coefficient between the fluid and the heated surface is often required. The acquisition of the boiling heat transfer coefficient must follow a better understanding of the bubble ebullition cycle because of its inherent coupling with heat transfer mechanisms involved in this cycle. Bubble ebullition occurs by periodic bubble nucleation on a boiling surface, bubble growth, and subsequent bubble departure from the surface. Different parameters related to the dynamics of the bubble ebullition cycle, including bubble departure diameter, bubble waiting period, active nucleation site density, bubble growth period, bubble departure frequency, and bubble growth rate govern the heat transfer rate in the nucleate pool boiling. Thus, numerous empirical correlations that determine the boiling heat transfer coefficient have been proposed by many researchers according to different bubble dynamics parameters. To accurately predict the boiling heat transfer coefficient and boiling heat flux based on the bubble ebullition cycle, understanding bubble growth mechanisms and associated dominant parameters is crucial. In this review, different bubble growth mechanisms during nucleate pool boiling are thoroughly reviewed. Then, bubble dynamics parameters used in different correlations for determining the boiling heat transfer coefficient are discussed. Semi-empirical and empirical correlations for determining these parameters are also extensively provided. Additionally, a detailed review of factors affecting bubble dynamics parameters is provided. Next, different applications of nucleate boiling in cooling systems are reviewed. Overall, this review includes various correlations from experimental and numerical data, which can be used to better predict the heat transfer during nucleate boiling.
Justifiable discrimination? on Cameron et al’s proportionality test

With increasing inoculations and emerging coronavirus variants, governments worldwide are challenged to adopt proper liberty-restricting measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and minimise grave consequences for liberty and well-being caused by over a year-long pandemic. Cameron et al ’s proposal of a selective strategy addresses this pressing issue.1 Following Savulescu and Cameron, they argue for limiting the liberty of the elderly. But, instead of claiming not doing so is an instance of wrongful levelling down equality, they argue this discriminative strategy is morally acceptable.2 I argue against the selective liberty-restrictive measures after proposing a revision of the five-limb proportionality test that plays a pivotal role in supporting their argument. The following is a reconstruction of Cameron et al ’s central argument: (P1) It is ethically acceptable to promote the best outcome. (P2) One way to promote the best outcome is to maximise utility at the population level without imposing unreasonable costs on the most vulnerable individuals. (p7) (P3) All else being equal, adopting selective liberty-restricting measures in the COVID-19 pandemic is the best way to maximise utility at the population level without imposing unreasonable costs on the most vulnerable individuals. (P4) If it is ethically acceptable to …
Reliability and Manufacturing Demonstrations of a New Photovoltaic Module Architecture and Streamlined Approach to Encpasulation

New photovoltaic module encapsulation technology is under development that can help achieve Department of Energy SunShot utility solar cost goals of $0.03/kWh by lowering manufacturing cost and improving module reliability. Vacuum lamination-based encapsulation can take up to 20 minutes to complete, has high operating cost, and requires a large factory footprint. Current encapsulation architectures are the source of several module degradation issues. A new module architecture and streamlined process is demonstrated to show under 30 second cycle time for each process and improved reliability. Modules are fabricated on industry ready tools and undergo several accelerated tests.
Gender and quality signals: How does gender influence the effectiveness of signals in crowdfunding?

Combining signaling theory and gender role congruity theory, this study examines if the quality signals of entrepreneurs and their ventures are perceived differently because of their gender, which,...
Data-driven Clustering and Feature-based Retail Electricity Pricing with Smart Meters

We consider an electric utility company that serves retail electricity customers over a discrete-time horizon. In each period, the company observes the customers' consumption as well as high-dimensional features on customer characteristics and exogenous factors. These features exhibit three types of heterogeneity—over time, customers, or both. Based on the consumption and feature observations, the company can dynamically adjust the retail electricity price at the customer level. The consumption depends on the features: there is an underlying structure of clusters in the feature space, and the relationship between consumption and features is different in each cluster. Initially, the company knows neither the underlying cluster structure nor the corresponding consumption models. We measure the company's performance by its average regret, i.e., the profit loss per period per customer, relative to a clairvoyant who knows the underlying cluster structure and the consumption model in each cluster. We design a data-driven policy of joint spectral clustering and feature-based pricing, and show that its average regret converges to zero at the fastest achievable rate. We conduct case studies based on real-life smart meter data from Texas and simulation experiments. Relative to the company policy, our policy increases company profits by 146% over a three-month period.
The philosophy of modeling and futures research: A guide to different models

Abstract The concept of inquiry systems as originally formulated by Churchman is an exceedingly powerful one. Each inquiry system can be construed as an archetypal or generic kind of model structure that applies generally throughout all of the sciences. Recent development in the logic of argumentation and symbolic logic show how, paradoxically enough, the model structure of each inquiry system can itself be modeled in terms of the first-order predicate calculus. The result is a “model of models.” More important and more fundamental still, the effort shows the tremendous assumptions that must be bought if one is to warrant belief in any particular inquiry model.
Thermal profile measurements of a Luneberg lens

A Luneberg lens provides a low profile antenna design for 20 and 44 GHz BLOS communications on an aircraft. Measurements and analyses have been performed to quantify the thermal profile that a polystyrene Luneberg lens would experience when exposed to radiation at 44 GHz. Polystyrene, an excellent thermal insulator, is cured at a low temperature and could potentially experience permanent physical deformation after the lens has been "soaked" of temperature levels greater than 180/spl deg/F (82/spl deg/C). Not only must the antenna system operate while exposed to ambient surrounding temperatures up to 63/spl deg/C to 71/spl deg/C but it also must be able to accept additional RF heat loads due to radiation from the feed. This work includes the analyses and measurements of the lens thermal response and profile during operation at 44 GHz. The lens construction is defined and the test methodology outlined. Measurements and analyses are presented and compared. This information could be utilized for extrapolation to predict the thermal profile as a function of input thermal load that would be observed under potential operational conditions and environments.
MIXED GROUP PRACTICE

In Order to deal with the question1 in an intelligent manner it will be necessary to define both "new pediatrics" and "mixed group." It will be further illuminating to ask why the question should be asked: Can the new pediatrics be practiced?" It seems fair to state in answer that the question is asked chiefly because of the discrepancy between the type of patient who is seen in pediatric residency and the type of patient encountered in everyday pediatric practice. It should be pointed out that implicit in this discrepancy is a known change in the character of pediatric practice in general; the pediatrician of today sees few of the diseases considered both common and serious in the practitioner9s office a generation ago. The ex-resident entering practice today may find that the knowledge gained from the more difficult periods of his residency training is not put to frequent use. He might further find that he is at a loss to cope with some of the many questions a mother can ask regarding her child, which do not seem related to the child9s organic illness; her attention may be focused on something which appears minor in the eyes of the pediatrician. He finds himself often in the position of health counselor and practitioner of preventive medicine rather than a physiologist delving into the newly-known metabolic disturbances or the fine techniques of cardiac catheterization. He must learn the truth of Dr. Wyman C. C. Cole, Sr.9s statement that, "We must think of the pediatrician as the child9s physician, not merely as one who treats the diseases of childhood."2