cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonatal acid base balance and disturbances.

Maintaining acid base balance presents a considerable challenge to the growing neonate. The infant must ingest protein for growth and development. The metabolism of sulfur containing amino acids leads to the production of protons that must be secreted by the kidney. In addition, the formation of hydroxyapatite for the mineralization of growing bone also leads to acid production. Thus, the growing infant must excrete approximately 2 to 3 mEq of acid per kilogram of body weight per day to avoid becoming acidotic. The mechanisms for excreting acid undergo complex maturational changes that predispose the neonate, and the premature neonate in particular, to a great risk for the development of acidosis. In addition, infants are susceptible to gastrointestinal disturbances that can lead to acidosis due to acute loss of bicarbonate in the stool. The kidney is then responsible for the production of new bicarbonate to restore the body’s acid base balance. There are also a number of inherited disorders in the kidney that affect acid secretion and lead to acid base disturbances in neonates. This review discusses the mechanisms by which the kidney is capable of excreting acid as well as the developmental regulation of these processes and the basis of inherited disorders of acidification.
Performance analysis of complementary coded radar signals in an AWGN environment

The authors investigate the performance of PN (pseudonoise) codes and complementary codes in an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) environment from a detection standpoint, and they provide a comparison of the performance of these two coding methods in a pulsed radar context. A general method of choosing a cost function is proposed to compare the two coding schemes. Simulation results are presented which demonstrate that, for the AWGN channel model used, the complementary coded signals can provide improved performance over PN coded signals in practical pulsed radar systems. >
Electron donor-acceptor interactions of fullerenes C60 and C70 with triethylamine

Abstract The absorption spectra of C 60 and C 70 undergo dramatic changes from a neat toluene solution to a neat triethylamine (TEA) solution. It is shown that the observed spectral changes are due to the bleaching of the C 60 and C 70 monomer absorptions and the absorption contributions of fullerene-TEA reaction products, not due to C 60 (C 70 )-TEA complexes. Dependencies of the chemical reactions on TEA concentration and time are examined. The electron transfer quenching of C 60 and C 70 monomer fluorescence intensities at low TEA concentrations is discussed.
Multimedia versus Traditional Course Instruction in Introductory Social Psychology

We compared grades and course evaluations in an undergraduate social psychology course taught using 3 different instructional formats: traditional, traditional with a course guide, and multimedia w...
Implementation of a scalable and statistical VBIC model for large-signal and intermodulation distortion analysis of SiGe HBTs

This work examines for the first time the utility of the VBIC model for the analysis of 2-tone intermodulation distortion behavior of SiGe HBTs. The model takes into account all important effects for accurate modeling of large signal behavior including self-heating, weak-avalanche multiplication, quasi-saturation effects, and all device capacitances. Periodic-Steady State and Harmonic Balance simulations are performed and the model is validated by load-pull measurements.
SOME STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE MITOTIC APPARATUS IN SEA URCHIN EMBRYOS

The mitotic figures in dividing cells of sea urchin embryos, from first division to the onset of cilia formation, were studied with regard to the filament system and its relation to kinetochores, chromosomes, and poles, as well as to fixation conditions which would best preserve these structures. With regard to fixation, variations in the salt concentration and pH of the fixative indicated that an extraction effect on the chromosomes noted in earlier work was probably due to a combination of neutral pH and salt concentration equivalent to sea water. The presence of the 15 mµ filaments depended on the presence of either of two stabilizing conditions: pH 6.1 or presence of the salts of sea water, presumably the divalent cations of Ca and Mg. Kinetochores and centrioles were unaffected by the fixative variations. The 15 mµ filaments, reported earlier in the central spindle, are also found in great numbers in the asters of early cleavage divisions. However, with successive divisions and reduction in cell size, the aster disappears at about the 32 to 64 cell stage, and the 15 mµ filaments are entirely associated with the central spindle. This disappearance of the aster suggests that it may be, in fact, merely a specialization of large cells for cytokinesis.
Using Photovoice to Examine and Initiate Youth Empowerment in Community- Based Programs: A Picture of Process and Lessons Learned

Photovoice is a creative, participatory action research method that puts cameras in the hands of people whose voice is often hushed by the power elite, such as youth, to document issues and concerns as perceived by that group. Adult society provides youth few opportunities to positively influence the laws and regulations that govern their lives or the policies of programs in which they participate. Communitybased programs are one channel for youth to gain skills and opportunities for changing the community context in which they live. Mechanisms to facilitate youth empowerment in these programs, however, are currently vague and imprecise. Photovoice was implemented in two community-based youth programs in South Carolina to examine and initiate youth empowerment in those communities. This article details the process and lessons learned from conducting Photovoice with youth in out-of-school, community-based youth program settings. While roadblocks appeared for both the youth researchers and the universitybased investigative team, the Photovoice method was embraced by the youth who participated in the research process. Some challenges the investigative team experienced for implementation included geographic distance between the Photovoice project facilitator and the youth, challenges of working with youth and their competing commitments, an uncertainty of youth expectations, and underestimation of time and other resources.
Retinoids and rexinoids in cancer prevention: from laboratory to clinic

Early in the age of modern medicine the consequences of vitamin A deficiency drew attention to the fundamental link between retinoid-dependent homeostatic regulation and malignant hyperproliferative diseases. The term "retinoid" includes a handful of endogenous and a large group of synthetic derivatives of vitamin A. These multifunctional lipid-soluble compounds directly regulate target genes of specific biological functions and critical signaling pathways to orchestrate complex functions from vision to development, metabolism, and inflammation. Many of the retinoid activities on the cellular level have been well characterized and translated to the regulation of processes like differentiation and cell death, which play critical roles in the outcome of malignant transformation of tissues. In fact, retinoid-based differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia was one of the first successful examples of molecularly targeted treatment strategies. The selectivity, high receptor binding affinity and the ability of retinoids to directly modulate gene expression programs present a distinct pharmacological opportunity for cancer treatment and prevention. However, to fully exploit their potential, the adverse effects of retinoids must be averted. In this review we provide an overview of the biology of retinoid (activated by nuclear retinoic acid receptors [RARs]) and rexinoid (engaged by nuclear retinoid X receptors [RXRs]) action concluded from a long line of preclinical studies, in relation to normal and transformed states of cells. We will also discuss the past and current uses of retinoids in the treatment of malignancies, the potential of rexinoids in the cancer prevention setting, both as single agents and in combinations.
NetLogo HotLink Replay : a tool for exploring, analyzing and interpreting mathematical change in complex systems

Some of the most important patterns of change that we encounter in our everyday world -- global warming, fluctuations in the unemployment rate, voter trends -- are produced by the interactions and accumulation of many different individuals and events. This interactive poster will demonstrate NetLogo HotLink Replay, a computational tool designed to provide students a context to reconcile large-scale patterns of mathematical change with the interactions and events that contribute to and are reflected by that change.
Abstract 1415: Anti-metastatic properties of tumor-entrained neutrophils

Metastasis represents the final stage in cancer progression and is the primary cause of cancer related mortality. Disseminated cells that are capable of colonizing distant organs and forming metastases therefore present an important therapeutic challenge. In recent years, primary tumors have been shown to prepare distal organs for later colonization of metastatic cells by stimulating organ-specific infiltration of bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs). Here, using mouse models of breast cancer, we demonstrate that neutrophils accumulate in the lung prior to the arrival of metastatic cells. In contrast to other BMDCs that promote metastatic colonization, tumor-entrained neutrophils (TENs), but not control neutrophils, inhibit seeding of metastatic tumor cells in the lungs. TENs protect the pre-metastatic lung by initiating physical contact, generating H2O2 and killing tumor cells. While tumor secreted CCL2 has a pro-tumorigenic effect at the primary site, our data show that it is both required and sufficient for optimal anti-metastatic entrainment at the metastatic site. As tumor-secreted TGFβ blocks cytotoxicity at the primary site, TENs cytotoxicity is limited to the pre-metastatic site where TGFβ levels are low. Additionally, we find that TENs are also present in the peripheral blood of human breast cancer patients prior to surgical resection but not in healthy individuals. Several chemokines known to be increased in the circulation of breast cancer patients have the capacity to induce a cytotoxic phenotype in naive human neutrophils, providing a possible mechanism for neutrophil entrainment in cancer patients. Taken together, our data show that while tumor-secreted factors contribute to tumor progression at the primary site, they concomitantly induce a neutrophil-mediated inhibitory process at the metastatic site. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1415. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1415
Evidence for function of aberrant thyroid tissue in thymus of rats.

SummaryAberrant thyroid follicles have been found in the thymi of female Sprague-Dawley rats. The accumulation of I131 by such follicles, shown autoradiographically, indicated their functional nature.
“Do you think I can’t read between the lines?”: Discourse of the unsaid in J. M. Coetzee’s Diary of a Bad Year

This article examines J. M. Coetzee’s use of intuitive and interpretive exchanges within and across the tripartite structure of Diary of a Bad Year (2007). It argues that Coetzee rejects strict und...
Characterization of quadrupole mass filters operated with frequency-asymmetric and amplitude-asymmetric waveforms

Abstract Since their introduction, digital quadrupole mass spectrometers have described by analogy to traditional sinusoidal devices. However, digital quadrupoles exhibit unique behaviors and simplify many complex ion handling operations due to their uniquely flexible control over the frequency, duty cycle and amplitude of applied potentials. Matrix solutions to the Hill differential equation are used to explore the effects of these additional degrees of freedom on ion stability. Two parameters are explored: varying the frequency ratio of the applied potentials introduces a predictable number of bands of instability to the stability diagram. Varying the amplitude ratio of the applied potentials tunes the width of those unstable bands. Stability diagrams governing a digital mass filter employing asymmetric driving potentials to generate an arbitrary number of pass bands of adjustable width are systematically described.
214 LYMPHOMA PRESENTING AS ACCELERATED HYPERTENSION AND RENAL FAILURE

Learning Objective Recognize uncontrolled blood pressure and acute renal failure (ARF) as unusual presentations of non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL). Case A 56-year-old WM with a seven-year history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was referred to nephrology for poorly controlled hypertension (HTN). At the time of referral he was on 6 different ant-hypertensive medications with BP being 150/80 mm Hg. Lab data: Hb 13.5 g/dL and serum creatinine 1.5 mg/dL. A workup for a secondary cause for HTN was recommended. He was subsequently lost to follow-up. A year later, he presented with fatigue, arthralgias, early satiety, and weight loss of 70 lbs. On evaluation his BP was 220/120 mm Hg, Hb 9.6 g/dL, MCV 83.2 fl, WBC 5.5 K/mm3 (N65%, L21%, M12.6%), serum creatinine 2.6 mg/dL. Multiple urine analyses done earlier were unremarkable. Over the next few days, he developed oliguric renal failure with serum creatinine increasing to 6.4 mg/dL, LDH 569 U/L, and uric acid 9.8 mg/dL. Renal imaging revealed a lobulated right kidney measuring 14 cm and the left measuring 12 cm without obstruction. A renal biopsy was performed which revealed lymphomatous infiltration of the kidney with acute tubular necrosis. Subsequently, infiltration of the gastric mucosa and bone marrow were also demonstrated. A diagnosis of NHL was made and chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, hydroxydoxorubicin, Oncovin, and prednisone (CHOP) along with hemodialysis was started. Over the next 2 weeks, his renal function recovered and hemodialysis was discontinued. The BP control also improved requiring only 2 antihypertensive medications. Several months later, the patient died of CNS complications of lymphoma. Discussion ARF in NHL is rare, although renal involvement may occur with widespread extranodal disease. In this patient, tumor infiltration caused compressive alteration of tubules and impaired renal vascularization resulting in ARF and uncontrolled HTN. As seen in this case, BP tends to normalize with chemotherapy along with concomitant improvement in renal function.
Clinical aspects of CRNA practice. General anesthesia

General anesthesia is a state of reversible, descending depression of the central nervous system that is induced by inhalational or intravenous drugs. Components of general anesthesia include hypnosis, analgesia, amnesia, and muscle relaxation. Recognized anesthesia providers include CRNAs and anesthesiologists. Improvements in pharmacologic agents, technology, and education of providers have sharply reduced morbidity and mortality associated with anesthesia.
Saturated Absorption in Ternary Alloys Using Mode Locked Laser Pulses

Saturation of the optical absorption near the bandedge in the ternary semiconductor alloy systems InAsxPl−x and Gal−yIny As been studied using mode locked pulses frog a Nd:glass laser. Transmission levels exceeding the linear value by more than 4 orders of magnitude have been observed. Time dependent measurements show that the absorption can recover in times of the order of 30 psec, indicating that these materials may be useful as mode locking saturable absorbers for infrared lasers.
An Activity to Introduce the Geoscience Perspective

A role-playing activity designed to be used the first day of class in an introductory-level geoscience course guides students to infer, from class-generated data, the concept that the earth can be viewed with equal validity from a variety of perspectives. Against this background the scientific method of understanding the earth can be introduced in a way that is accessible to students of diverse backgrounds and is non-threatening to the science-phobe and fundamentalist student alike. The structure of this lesson plan is also an example of an active-learning format that can be used for presenting other geoscience topics to a class of as many as 75 students
Experimental analysis of using examples and non-examples in safety training.

Abstract Introduction The effects of training content consisting of examples and/or non-examples was studied on the acquisition of safety-related skills. Method Participants (N = 160) were randomly assigned to first receive computer-based training on office ergonomics that included either no examples of safe or at-risk postures, safe examples only, at-risk examples only, or both safe and at-risk examples. Participants then attempted to classify as safe or at-risk various postures depicted in short video clips and demonstrate with their own posture the range of safe postures. Results Groups that were trained with both safe and at-risk examples showed greater classification accuracy and less error in their demonstration of safe postures. Training with only safe or at-risk examples resulted in a moderate amount of error and a consistent underestimation of risk. Conclusion Training content consisting of both examples and non-examples improved acquisition of safety-related skills. Practical applications The strategic selection of training content may improve identification of risks and safe work practices.
Invasive pneumococcal infections in children following transplantation in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era

Background Pediatric recipients of hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplants are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal infections (IPI). Data on IPI in this population is scarce. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the epidemiology of IPI among pediatric transplant recipients in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) era. Methods We identified transplant recipients with IPI at 8 children's hospitals in the U.S. from our surveillance database (2000-2014). Pneumococcal isolates were collected prospectively. Serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility were performed in a central laboratory. Categorical variables were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and continuous variables with nonparametric tests. Indirect cohort study design was used to calculate vaccine effectiveness. Results We identified 65 episodes of IPI in transplant recipients. Recurrent IPI was observed in 10% of transplant recipients. The IPI crude incidence rate in solid organ transplant recipients was higher than in the general population. Most IPI episodes occurred > 6 months after transplantation. Bacteremia and pneumonia were the most common presentations. Meningitis was unusual. No case fatalities were observed. Serotype 19A was the most common serotype (n=10), followed by 6C (n=7). In 2010-2014, 37% of IPI was caused by PCV13 serotypes. Four cases of vaccine breakthrough were identified. Most isolates were susceptible to penicillin and ceftriaxone. Pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide immunization rates were low. Conclusion Pediatric transplant recipients remain at increased risk of IPI in the vaccine era. Most cases presented as a late post-transplant infection. The interval between transplantation and IPI may allow adequate time for pneumococcal immunization. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Role of Queries in Ranking Labeled Instances Extracted from Text

A weakly supervised method uses anonymized search queries to induce a ranking among class labels extracted from unstructured text for various instances. The accuracy of the extracted class labels exceeds that of previous methods, over evaluation sets of instances associated with Web search queries.
Role of phase separation on the biological performance of 45S5 Bioglass

We analyzed the biological performance of spinodally and droplet-type phase-separated 45S5 Bioglass® generated by quenching the melt from different equilibrium temperatures. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells attached more efficiently to 45S5 Bioglass® with spinodal than to the one with droplet morphology, providing the first demonstration of the role of micro-/nano-scale on the bioactivity of Bioglass®. Upon exposure to biological solutions, phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and cell culture medium (α-MEM), a layer of hydroxyapatite (HA) formed on both glass morphologies. Although both Bioglass® varieties were incubated under identical conditions, and physico-chemical characteristics of the HA layers were similar, the adsorption magnitude of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA, an abundant blood serum component) and its β-sheet/β-turn ratio and α-helix content were significantly higher on spinodal than droplet type Bioglass®. These results indicate that: (i) a protein layer quickly adsorbs on the surface of 45S5 Bioglass® varieties (with or without HA layer), (ii) the amount and the conformation of adsorbed proteins are guided by the glass micro-/nano-structure, and (iii) cell attachment and proliferation are influenced by the concentration and the conformation of attached proteins with a significantly better cell adhesion to spinodal type 45S5 Bioglass® substrate. Taken together, our results indicate that the biological performance of 45S5 Bioglass® can be improved further with a relatively simple, inexpensive fabrication procedure that provides a superior glass micro-/nano-structure. A simple modification to the fabrication procedure of classic 45S5 Bioglass® generates spinodal (A(a)) and droplet (A(b)) varieties and has a significant impact on protein adsorption (B) and cell adhesion (C).
Simultaneous Interpolation and Norm-Preservation

A geometric characterization of property SIN is given. This property is more general than property SAIN but is equivalent to it in a strictly convex space.
Thermodynamic modeling of HCl-H2O binary system with symmetric electrolyte NRTL model

Abstract A comprehensive thermodynamic model is developed for the HCl-H2O binary system based on the electrolyte nonrandom two-liquid activity coefficient model. Partial dissociation of electrolyte HCl to hydronium cation and chloride anion is incorporated to account for the true species in solution. Regressed from extensive thermodynamic data, the model parameters include molecule-molecule and molecule-electrolyte binary interactions parameters, as well as the chemical equilibrium constant parameters of the partial dissociation solution chemistry. The model accurately calculates all phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties including calorimetric properties with the concentration range from pure water to pure HCl and temperatures from 273 up to about 400 K.
Influence of the aryl spacer in 2,5-dialkoxyphenylene and diaryl substituted thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione copolymers

Polymerization conditions for direct arylation polymerization (DArP) now allow for the preparation of conjugated polymers, such as donor–acceptor copolymers, where undesired couplings (donor–donor, acceptor–acceptor, or branching defects) are undetectable. This allows for the pursuit of more complex polymer architectures with multiple sites for potential C–H activation, which were previously avoided. Using these conditions, a series of 2,5-dialkoxyphenylene and diaryl substituted thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) copolymers were prepared in order to study the effect of the aryl substituents on the polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cell performance using PC61BM as the acceptor. A material design methodology is investigated, where distancing the sterically incumbered phenylene donor from the TPD acceptor using an aryl spacer is shown to provide improved solar cell performance. The aryl groups incorporated on TPD include bithiophene (BT), thienothiophene (TT), thienylene-vinylene-thienylene (TVT), and ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT). The BT based copolymer was shown to have the highest performance with a short-circuit current (Jsc) of 10.54 mA cm−2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.74 V, and a fill-factor (FF) of 0.61 affording a power conversion efficiency of 4.76%, which is the highest reported efficiency for a 2,5-dialkoxy phenylene copolymer prepared using DArP to the best of our knowledge.
The Determination of the Chemical Species of Some of the “Hydride Elements” (Arsenic, Antimony, Tin and Germanium) in Seawater: Methodology and Results

A number of elements in the fourth, fifth and sixth group of the periodic system form hydrides upon reduction with sodium borohydride, which are stable enough to be of use for chemical analysis (Ge, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Se, Te). Of these elements, we have investigated in detail arsenic, antimony, germanium and tin. The inorganic and organometallic hydrides are separated by a type of temperature-programmed gas-chromatography. In most cases it is optimal to combine the functions of the cold trap and the chromatographic column in one device. The hydrides are quantified by a variety of detection systems, which take into account the specific analytical chemical properties of the elements under investigation. For arsenic, excellent detection limits (≅40 pg) can be obtained with a quartz tube cuvette burner which is positioned in the beam of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. For some of the methylarsines, similar sensitivity is available by an electron capture detector. The quartz-burner/AAS system has a detection limit of 90 pg for tin; for this element much lower limits (≅10 pg) are possible with a flame photometric detection system, which uses the extremely intense emission of the SnH molecule at 609.5 nm. The formation of GeO at the temperatures of the quartz tube furnace makes this device quite insensitive for the determination of germanium. Excellent detection limits (≅140 pg) can be reached for this element by the combination of the hydride generation system with a modified graphite furnace/AAS.
Supervisors’ Schemas: Influence on Newcomers’ Adjustment During Organizational Socialization

Organizations spend considerable efforts and resources on ensuring that new employees (or newcomers) adjust to the organization quickly and start performing. Newcomer adjustment research suggests t...
DYT2, Autosomal Recessive Generalized Dystonia

DYT2 refers to primary generalized dystonia inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. To date, only a few families have been described in which this pattern of inheritance is suspected based solely on the appearance of the pedigree: affected offspring from unaffected and usually consanguineous parents. However, no locus has been identified yet, and history has demonstrated that even isolated sibling pairs have autosomal dominant dystonia with reduced penetrance. Further, the cases suggested as DYT2 in the literature most likely represent a heterogeneous group, some of which do not meet criteria for primary dystonia, that is, there are neurological signs in addition to dystonia and tremor.
Extended Edge-Weighted Centroidal Voronoi Tessellation for Image Segmentation

In this paper, we extend the basic edge-weighted centroidal Voronoi tessellation model (EWCVT) for image segmentation to a new advanced model, namely fuzzy and harmonic EWCVT model. This extended model introduces a fuzzy and harmonic form of clustering energy by combining the image intensity with cluster boundary information. Compared with the classic CVT and EWCVT methods, the fuzzy and harmonic EWCVT algorithm can not only overcome the sensitivity to the initialization and noise, but also improve the accuracy of clustering results, as verified in several biomedical images.
Integrating Language Variation into TESOL: Challenges from English Globalization

Although the globalization of English underscores the range of English language variation world-wide, most models for TESOL assume an idealized, monolithic version of English. ESOL learners confront great variation in the English of their everyday lives, including many non-mainstream, vernacular varieties of English. This paper argues for the integration of language diversity into both teacher training and student materials in ESOL, offering a rationale and some representative, illustrative activities that might be considered in a curriculum.On a theoretical level, instructors and students understand the systematic nature of the English language in all its variation, regardless of social valuation. On a descriptive and applied level, students can understand local, community norms as they acquire English, including some of the vernacular community models spoken by those around them. Teachers and students also are exposed to attitudes about language variation that play a central role in how speakers view themselves and other speakers of the language.
Effects of gamma-interferon on human trabecular meshwork cell phagocytosis.

PURPOSE: Gamma-interferon (G-IFN) regulates a variety of immune responses including the modulation of the phagocytic response and induction of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens. Because human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells in culture are known to be actively phagocytic and have been shown to express class II major histocompatibility complex antigens, the effects of G-IFN on HTM cells were examined. METHODS: Confluent HTM cells were incubated in media (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium +10% fetal bovine serum) containing 0, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, or 5000 units/ml of recombinant human G-IFN for 72 hr. After incubation, the cultured HTM cells were challenged with 5 ml of media containing 1 x 10(8) fluorescein labeled microspheres/ml. Phagocytic uptake was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis of microsphere uptake shows that G-IFN inhibited HTM cell phagocytosis of microspheres in a dose-dependent fashion. At 5000 units/ml of G-IFN, phagocytosis of microspheres was inhibited by 64.5 +/- 2.4% compared to control (P < 0.007). The half maximal dose of phagocytic inhibition is < 10 units/ml. Increasing the time of G-IFN exposure from 24 to 72 hr at 10 units/ml increased the level of phagocytic inhibition from 39 to 49%, respectively. The rate of microsphere uptake was also reduced in a dose-dependent fashion. Morphologic examination after G-IFN incubation showed that HTM cells became enlarged and flattened compared to the control. Actin cytoskeletal immunofluorescence staining showed that parallel actin beams of the control cells were changed to a radical, spokelike arrangement when incubated in G-IFN. CONCLUSIONS: G-IFN is a potent inhibitor of HTM cell phagocytosis in vitro. G-IFN's effect on the actin cytoskeleton suggests that G-IFN may be disturbing the cytoskeletal organization necessary for phagocytosis.
Heterogeneity of weight loss after gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding all lead to substantial weight loss in obese patients. Long-term weight loss can be highly variable beyond 1-year postsurgery. This study examines and compares the frequency distribution of weight loss and lack of treatment effect rates after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Methods A total of 1,331 consecutive patients at a single academic institution were reviewed from a prospectively collected database. Preoperative data collected included demographics, body mass index, and percent excess weight loss. Postoperative BMI and %EWL were collected at 12, 24, and 36 months. Percent excess weight loss was analyzed by the percentiles of excess weight lost, and the distribution of percent excess weight loss was evaluated in 10% increments. Lack of a successful treatment effect was defined as Results Of the 1,331 patients, 72.4% (963) underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 18.3% (243) laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and 9.4%(125) laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Mean percent excess weight loss was greatest for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, followed by laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and then by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding at every time point: at 2 years mean percent excess weight loss was 77.9± 24.4 for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 50.8 ± 25.8 for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and 40.8± 25.9 for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (P Conclusion This study emphasizes the existing variability in weight loss across bariatric procedures as well as in the lack of a treatment effect for each procedure. Although laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has the greatest rate of a lack of a successful treatment effect, the rate remained stable over 3 years postoperatively. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy showed a doubling in the rate of a lack of a successful treatment effect every year reaching 25% at year 3. The rates for lack of a successful treatment effect for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass remained stable at about 1% for the first 3 years postoperatively.
Polyandry and Polygyny in a Social Rodent: An Integrative Perspective Based on Social Organization, Copulations, and Genetics

Animal mating systems have fascinated biologists for thousands of years. Accurate descriptions of mating systems are nonetheless elusive, because social organization can be difficult to quantify, documentation of copulations is often challenging, many copulations do not produce offspring, and genetic assignments of parentage are usually expensive. From a 7-year study of colonial white-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys leucurus) living under natural conditions in Colorado USA, we estimated the frequencies of polyandry (i.e., copulation with >2 males) and polygyny (i.e., copulation with >2 females) from three independent approaches: (1) determination of the number of males and females living in the same territory (social organization); (2) observations of copulations; and (3) genetic assignments of paternity from seven polymorphic microsatellites. For polyandry, behavioral observations and genetics indicate similar overall percentages (27%), but social organization indicates a much lower percentage (2%). For polygyny, behavioral observations indicate the highest overall percentage (84%), then social organization (59%), then genetics (46%). All three approaches show striking annual variation in the frequencies of polyandry and polygyny. Long-term studies that integrate behavioral and genetic insights provide a detailed view of a mating system, but feasibility will depend on ease of capture, visibility of copulations, length of mating season, research objectives, genetic variation, and finances.
Risk Stratification of Inotropic Therapy for Heart Transplant Candidates in the Era of Ventricular Assist Device Support

Purpose Although LVADs are widely used as bridge to transplant (BTT), recent studies suggest improving outcomes with inotropic support (IS). We describe contemporary outcomes of IS for HT candidates and stratify patients on IS who may benefit from LVAD vs. continuation of medical therapy. Methods We analyzed the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database to identify adult HT recipients, listed Status 1B on IS, across 4 different eras from 2000 to 2017. For patients in the current era (2010- 2017, n=8907), variables at time of listing that were associated with death or delisting in the first waitlist year were identified. Secondary endpoints were time to LVAD, time to HT, and post-HT mortality. Results Patients in earlier eras experienced worse outcomes than those in the current era, with 1-year survival of 62.4% (2000-2004) vs. 80.9% (2015 - 2017) (p 60 years old (HR:1.36, p = 0.001), BMI 1.5 (HR: 2.39, p 30 mmHg (HR: 1.61, p Conclusion Outcomes of IS in waitlisted patients have improved in the current era. While high risk patients may require LVAD to decrease waitlist mortality, low-medium risk patients have an acceptable 1-year waitlist survival on IS and may avoid longer waitlist times and poorer post-HT outcomes associated with LVAD.
Nuclear Rocket Propulsion - The Past is Prelude

The planning for ambitious manned space missions has renewed interest in nuclear propulsion. During the late 1950s and into the 1970s substantial effort was devoted to nuclear propulsion, primarily...
Molecular Adsorption and Transport at Liposome Surfaces Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Second Harmonic Generation Spectroscopy

A fundamental understanding of the factors that determine the interactions with and transport of small molecules through phospholipid membranes is crucial in developing liposome-based drug delivery systems. Here we combine time-dependent second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements with molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the events associated with adsorption and transport of the small molecular cation, malachite green isothiocyanate (MGITC), in colloidal liposomes of different compositions. The molecular transport of MGITC through the liposome bilayer is found to be more rapid in 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-l-serine (DOPG and DOPS, respectively) liposomes, while the molecular transport is slower in 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) liposomes. Interestingly, MGITC is observed to neither adsorb nor transport in trimethyl quinone-1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (QPADOPE) liposomes due to shielding by the quinone group. The modified Langmuir adsorption isotherm model is used to determine the free energy of adsorption for MGITC, which is found to be less negative in DOPC than in DOPG and DOPS, caused by lower electrostatic interactions between the positively charged dye and the zwitterionic DOPC liposome surface. The results are compared to our previous investigations, which showed that malachite green (MG) adsorbs and transports in DOPG and DOPS liposomes but not in DOPC and QPADOPE liposomes. Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the adsorption and transport properties of MG and MGITC in DOPC and DOPG liposomes using umbrella sampling to determine the free energy profiles and interfacial molecular orientations. Together, these time-resolved SHG studies and corresponding molecular dynamics simulations characterize the complicated chemical interactions at different lipid membranes to provide key molecular-level insights for potential drug delivery applications. The results also point toward understanding the role of chemical functional groups, in this case isothiocyanate, in controlling molecular adsorption at and transport through lipid bilayers.
Herbert Simon's two research directions in his lost years

Newell,Show and Simon's “logic theorist”(LT)was the only tangible(programmed)example of artificial intelligence(AI)at the Dartmouth workshop in June 1956,which declared the birth of artificial intelligence and was the central event celebrated at this meeting.In this article,we discuss two of Herbert Simon's research directions during his last years—learning from examples and multiple representations.The authors were involved in these researches as his students,colleagues and friends.This paper was dedicated as a memorial to Herbert Simon(1916-2001).
Malpractice Law and Psychiatry: An Overview

Fortunately, psychiatrists are less likely to be sued for malpractice than most physicians in other specialties. However, once sued, psychiatrists must navigate a complicated and nonintuitive legal process. This article reviews the major elements of a malpractice claim, the litigation process in medical malpractice cases, and the common allegations of negligence that are encountered in such cases. The major types of malpractice insurance coverage are reviewed, and recommendations about liability prevention and how to best respond to a malpractice action are presented.
Trans-Planckian Censorship and $k$-inflation

We propose a more general version of the trans-Planckian censorship conjecture (TCC) which can apply to models of inflation with a varying speed of sound. We find that inflation models with ${c}_{S}l1$ are, in general, more strongly constrained by censorship of trans-Planckian modes than canonical inflation models, with the upper bound on the tensor-to-scalar ratio reduced by as much as 3 orders of magnitude for sound speeds consistent with bounds from data. In particular, models which satisfy the TCC, and, therefore, the de Sitter swampland conjecture, can still violate the more general condition for nonclassicality of trans-Planckian modes. As a concrete example, we apply the constraint to Dirac-Born-Infeld inflation models motivated by string theory.
Voice user interfaces (VUIs) emerge

Human beings use speech as the primary means of communication. Therefore, voice user interfaces (VUIs) represent a natural way for people to interact with computers (Fournier, 1996; Hyde, 1979; Teja and Gonnella, 1983; Witten 1982). Voice input facilitates a much higher computer input rate than keyboard or mouse driven input. Voice output permits com­ puter generated output in devices when output screens are not available (e.g., most phones) or in situations where the user's eyes are busy elsewhere (e.g., driving a car, assembling a product, etc.). Thus, VUIs are viewed as the logical next generation in computer interfaces. Forecasts call for a rapid expansion of voice technology within our work environments over the next few years (Cone, 1997; Schwartz and Brier, 1997). This paper discusses the current state of and potential future of VUIs. INTRODUCTION Systems using VUIs and specialized natural language processing systems (i.e., narrow knowledge and contextual domains) are being successfully applied in a wide variety of business environments. In the next few years, experts predict that the majority of business transactions will take place between a person and an automated personality (Markoff, 1998). "Speech is not just the future of Windows, but the future of the computer itself" according to Microsoft Chair­ man William H. Gates III (Gross, et al., 1998). Through September 1997, U. S. voice recognition software retail sales grew nearly 3000% over the year-ago period (Wirthman, 1997). Greg Tap­ per, an analyst of Giga Information Group, expects that the beginning stages of speech recogni­ tion technology as the impending user interface will be seen in 1998 or shortly thereafter (Schwartz & Brier, 1997). By the year 2001, Jackie Fenn, a Gartner Group Inc. analyst, estimates that "more than 30% of general office workers will use some form of voice recognition software" (Cone, 1997). Businesses find voice technology very attractive because speech is the easiest form of communication for most people. As voice technology improves, voice input may become the most common form of computer input (Nickerson, 1998). A fully functional VUI could give speech as an output (speech synthesizer) and recognize speech as an input (speech recognition).
Attention Please: Your Attention Check Questions in Survey Studies Can Be Automatically Answered

Attention check questions have become commonly used in online surveys published on popular crowdsourcing platforms as a key mechanism to filter out inattentive respondents and improve data quality. However, little research considers the vulnerabilities of this important quality control mechanism that can allow attackers including irresponsible and malicious respondents to automatically answer attention check questions for efficiently achieving their goals. In this paper, we perform the first study to investigate such vulnerabilities, and demonstrate that attackers can leverage deep learning techniques to pass attention check questions automatically. We propose AC-EasyPass, an attack framework with a concrete model, that combines convolutional neural network and weighted feature reconstruction to easily pass attention check questions. We construct the first attention check question dataset that consists of both original and augmented questions, and demonstrate the effectiveness of AC-EasyPass. We explore two simple defense methods, adding adversarial sentences and adding typos, for survey designers to mitigate the risks posed by AC-EasyPass; however, these methods are fragile due to their limitations from both technical and usability perspectives, underlining the challenging nature of defense. We hope our work will raise sufficient attention of the research community towards developing more robust attention check mechanisms. More broadly, our work intends to prompt the research community to seriously consider the emerging risks posed by the malicious use of machine learning techniques to the quality, validity, and trustworthiness of crowdsourcing and social computing.
Effects of Nitrite Source, Reducing Agents, and Holding Time on Color Development in a Cured Meat Model System

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of nitrite source, the addition of reducing agents, and holding times prior to cooking on color development in a cured meat model system.Materials and MethodsEmulsified beef sausages were manufactured using 4 different combinations of nitrite sources and reducing agents: 1) sodium nitrite (SN; 156 ppm), 2) SN (156 ppm) and sodium erythorbate (SE; 495 ppm), 3) pre-converted celery juice powder (CJP; VegStable 504, Florida Food Products, Inc., Eustis, FL; providing 100 ppm of sodium nitrite), 4) CJP (providing 100 ppm of nitrite) and cherry powder (CP; VegStable 515, Florida Food Products, Inc., Eustis, FL; providing 440 ppm ascorbic acid). Beef, ice (20%), salt (2%) and the appropriate amount of sodium nitrite and reducing agents were chopped for 1 min in a food processor at 2000 rpm (Blixer 6V, Robot Coupe, Robot Coupe, Ridgeland, MS). For each treatment, the meat batter was placed in 5, 100 mL beakers, and held at 21°C for 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min prior to cooking. The emulsions were cooked in a water bath for 30 min at 40°C and 30 min at 80°C and then cooled for 30 min in an ice bath. Samples were then evaluated for objective color (Minolta CR400; L*, a*, b*), residual nitrite, total meat pigment, and cured meat pigment. Three independent replications were produced. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) using a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangements with main effects of nitrite source, with or without reducing agents and holding time and their interactions. Means were separated using Tukey’s adjustment (P ≤ 0.05).ResultsA significant nitrite source by reducing agent interaction was identified for cured meat pigment and residual nitrite (P ≤ 0.006). The SN+SE samples had the greatest amount of cured meat pigment (130.9 ppm) followed by CJP+CH (127.8 ppm), SN (74.7 ppm), and CJP (51.9 ppm) where each treatment was different than all other treatments. Residual nitrite was greatest in SN (79.7 ppm), SN+SE (62.6 ppm) and CJP (59.3 ppm) were intermediate and similar, and CJP+CH (31.64 ppm) had the least. Treatments with reducing compounds (SE or CP) were more red (P 0.06) and L* (P > 0.32) were not affected by nitrite source or reducing agents. Holding time was not included in any significant interactions (P > .349). The only significant main effect of holding time was for a* (P = 0.011) where sausages held for 120 min was more red than those held for 5, 15, and 30 min.ConclusionThe addition of reducing agents (SE or CP) had the largest impact on cured meat color development and reduced the residual nitrite in a cured meat model system. Treatments with SN had slightly greater cured color development than CPJ treatments. Holding times prior to cooking had limited impact on cured meat color development.