cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cohesion of Ionic Solids in the Born Model

Publisher Summary In an idealized picture, an ionic crystal is regarded as composed of spherical, nonoverlapping ions, bearing net charges of integral amount. The electrostatic interactions of these pointlike charges give rise to a net binding (Madelung energy), as each ion is preferentially surrounded by ions of opposite charge. In typical ionic crystals, the Madelung energy is in fact quite close to the observed cohesive energy. The Born model was originally proposed for the purpose of evaluating the lattice energy of crystals, which approach this idealized picture, and because of its success and simplicity it has subsequently been applied to the description of a variety of physical properties of ionic crystals, with varying degrees of success. In the framework of the Born model, it is convenient to describe the lattice energy of an ionic crystal as composed of energy terms arising from interactions between the ions. In addition to the net binding provided by the electrostatic interactions of point-like ionic charges, the binding arising from a synchronization of the electronic motions in the ions is considered explicitly in some versions of the model. The contribution of this so-called “van der Waals interaction” to the lattice energy is small, of the order of a few per cent. The ratio between the polarization energy that is connected with the mutually induced electronic dipoles on a pair of ions and the Coulomb interaction energy of the net charges of the ions is definitely less than the ionic polarizability per unit volume. The attractive forces in the crystal are balanced by the so-called overlap repulsive forces, which oppose the interpenetration of the ions.
A New Time Clock for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them. —Dion Boucicault, 19th-century Irish-American playwright [(1)][1] Reperfusion therapy, first with fibrinolytics and now with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), has revolutionized the management of patients with ST-segment
In-cylinder measurements of soot production in a direct-injection diesel engine

In-cylinder and exhaust soot mass measurements have been made on a single-cylinder conversion of a 4-cylinder, 2.8 1, high-swirl, direct-injection diesel engine using a sampling system which allows dumping, diluting, quenching, and collecting the entire contents of the cylinder on a time scale of about 1 ms
Primary Intracranial Sarcoma Presenting as Chronic Subdural Fluid Collections in a Child

Background Chronic subdural hematoma in the pediatric population often results from trauma. Asymptomatic and benign-appearing subdural collections are generally managed conservatively without operative intervention. Primary intracranial sarcomas are uncommon entities. Diagnosis of sarcoma can be difficult because these lesions often manifest as apparent hematoma. Case Description Presented is the case of a primary intracranial mucoid spindle cell sarcoma that arose in a child with a history of benign-appearing bilateral subdural fluid collections in the setting of nonaccidental trauma. The patient was initially managed conservatively because her neurological examination result was normal and her subdural collections decreased in size on repeated imaging. The collections did not resolve completely. Years later, she exhibited weakness, seizure, and an increase in the size of her subdural fluid collection. Subdural drainage was attempted without significant effect. Cytologic assessment of fluid was negative for malignant cells. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple enhancing masses along the subdural collection. The patient eventually underwent craniotomy in which a diagnosis of sarcoma was obtained. Pathological and radiographic findings as well as oncological management are reviewed. The authors also review the natural history and treatment of primary intracranial sarcoma in the pediatric population. Conclusions Early contrasted magnetic resonance imaging should be obtained in patients with subdural fluid collections that appear asymmetric or do not resolve in the expected time course, despite having a normal neurologic examination result. Negative cytologic assessment does not exclude sarcoma diagnosis.
A Review of“Letting Go? Sharing Historical Authority in a User-Generated World”

Ancient museums featured an individual's or group's collection of objects. These objects were often stored away and brought out to display to visitors, usually other traveling collectors known by t...
Evidence from Dwarf Mice Against the Individuality of Growth Hormone

SummaryProlactin alone, desiccated thyroid alone, or thyreotropic hormone probably unaffected by any contaminating constituent of the preparations used by us, promotes growth in the dwarf mouse. In these mice prolactin and thyreotropic show a synergistic action (32 to 242×) upon body growth. Though the concept of a growth hormone as an individual entity has been useful it does not seem to be true.
Telecast of a cholecystectomy.

Three surgeons look on as a fourth removes the gallbladder of a 50 year old woman. The informal discourse between the viewers and the operating surgeon deals mainly with technic.
Spontaneous, resolving S1Q3T3 in pulmonary embolism: A case report and literature review on prognostic value of electrocardiography score for pulmonary embolism.

Abstract Background Electrocardiography findings in patients with pulmonary embolism have been investigated since 1935. As medicine has evolved, more effective modalities have surpassed the electrocardiogram in diagnostic utility. Despite the advent of these other modalities, the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism remains elusive and the prognosis is variable amongst each clinical presentation of its pathology. Case report and literature review After presenting a case of a resolving S1Q3T3 in subsequent electrocardiogram findings of a patient with pulmonary embolism, this literature review will provide information on a 21-point electrocardiogram scoring system that helps the emergency physician stratify the risk of a patient with an acute presentation of pulmonary embolism. Why should emergency care staff be aware of this? Given the time-sensitive nature of diagnosis and appropriate treatment, Electrocardiogram continues to be a tool in the assessment of patients with a clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism. Based on the information provided, 21-point electrocardiogram score has been shown to have strong usefulness in assessing prognosis of patients presenting with acute pulmonary embolism.
Golgi β-glucuronidase of androgen-stimulated mouse kidney

Subcellular fractions were prepared from mouse kidney homogenates by differential and sucrose-gradient centrifugation. A fraction enriched in Golgi apparatus was obtained, which had considerably enriched galactosyltransferase and thiamin pyrophosphatase activities, and was morphologically typical of Golgi material. This preparation also had high β-glucuronidase activity, which increased concomitantly with microsomal β-glucuronidase activity during the specific stimulation of the enzyme in male mouse kidney after androgen administration. The degree of stimulation was much greater in the Golgi fraction. Gel-electrophoretic patterns of Golgi β-glucuronidase resembled more closely those of the enzyme located within lysosomes, but contained minor bands similar to those described previously (Swank & Paigen, 1973) as characteristic of the microsomal enzyme. It was concluded that the Golgi complex is involved in the distribution of the enzyme after its synthesis to both lysosomal and microsomal fractions.
Das Schwannom der Niere

Schwannome gehen von den Schwann-Zellen der Nervenscheiden aus. Sie konnen potenziell im gesamten Korper auftreten und existieren in benigner und maligner Variante. Eine renale Lokalisation ist extrem selten. Bildgebende Verfahren sind nicht in der Lage, diese ungewohnliche Tumorentitat sicher vom Nierenzellkarzinom abzugrenzen. Die Therapie besteht in einer kompletten Resektion des Tumors. Eine wirksame konservative Therapie ist nicht bekannt. Histologisch zeigt sich ein mesenchymaler, spindelzelliger, verkapselter Tumor mit stark positiver Reaktion auf das S-100-Protein. Epitheliale Marker finden sich nicht.
Epidemiologic Survey of Bladder Cancer in Greater New Orleans

AbstractPrimary ancestry of the patients and controls in this study was not statistically different but the Jewish population had a significantly increased incidence of bladder cancer. Over-all, a significantly greater number of patients smoked filtered cigarettes, began drinking artificially sweetened beverages at an earlier age, drank artificially sweetened beverages for a greater number of years, consumed a greater number of glasses of artificially sweetened beverages weekly and related a history of urinary tract infections. A significantly increased incidence of bladder cancer was noted in individuals employed by certain types of companies, by certain job titles and by certain job material handled. Analysis of the data failed to show any significant difference in years of consumption of coffee, amount of various types of coffee or tea consumed, consumption of various nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages, including source of drinking water, use of hair dye, incidence of diabetes mellitus, family histor...
Avoidant attachment style predicts less positive evaluations of warm (but not cold) social groups

Two studies investigated the hypothesis that because individuals who are high on attachment avoidance tend to be disinterested in warmth in interpersonal relationships, they may respond less favorably to groups perceived as warm, attenuating the generally positive association between perceived warmth and favorable evaluation of a group. In Study 1, participants responded to groups representing the four quadrants based on warmth and competence identified by the stereotype content model (e.g., White people, homeless people). On average, people evaluated groups higher in stereotypical warmth more positively. However, as predicted, this effect was significantly weaker among participants higher in attachment avoidance. No effect was found for attachment anxiety. Study 2, in which the perceived warmth of a fictitious group was experimentally manipulated, conceptually replicated the effect for attachment avoidance. Understanding how attachment avoidance may attenuate favorable attitudes toward socially warm grou...
Vibration energy harvester with low resonant frequency based on flexible coil and liquid spring

This paper reports an electromagnetic vibration-energy harvester with low resonant frequency based on liquid spring composed of ferrofluid. Cylinder magnet array formed by four disc NdFeB magnets is suspended by ferrofluid in a laser-machined acrylic tube which is wrapped by flexible planar coil fabricated with microfabrication process. The magnet array and coil are aligned automatically by the ferrofluid. Restoring force when the magnet array is deviated from the balance position is proportional to the deviated distance, which makes the ferrofluid work as a liquid spring obeying Hook's law. Experimental results show that the electromagnetic energy harvester occupying 1.8 cc and weighing 5 g has a resonant frequency of 16 Hz and generates an induced electromotive force of Vrms = 2.58 mV (delivering 79 nW power into matched load of 21 Ω) from 3 g acceleration at 16 Hz.
The metaphysics of goodness in the ethics of Aristotle

Kraut (Against absolute goodness. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2011) and other neo-Aristotelians have argued that there is no such thing as absolute goodness. They admit only good in a kind, e.g. a good sculptor, and good for something, e.g. good for fish. What is the view of Aristotle? Mostly limiting myself to the Nicomachean Ethics (NE), I argue that Aristotle is committed to things being absolutely good and also to a metaphysics of absolute goodness where there is a maximally best good that is the cause of the goodness of all other things in virtue of being their end. I begin (in Sect. 2) by suggesting that the notion of good as an end, which is present in the first lines of the NE, is not obviously accounted for by good in a kind or good for something. I then give evidence that good in a kind (in Sect. 3) and good for something (in Sect. 4) can explain neither certain distinctions drawn between virtues nor the determinacy ascribed to what is good “in itself.” I argue (in Sect. 5) contra Gotthelf (2012) that because several important arguments in the Nicomachean Ethics rely on comparative judgments of absolute value—e.g. “Man is the best of all animals”—Aristotle is committed to the existence of both absolute goodness and an absolutely best being. I focus (in Sect. 6) on one passage, Aristotle’s division of goods in NE I 12, which presupposes this metaphysical picture.
New Materials for Electric Drive Vehicles - Final CRADA Report

This project was sponsored by the US DOE Global Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention. The object was for Ukrainian and US partners, including Argonne, AETC, and Dontech to develop special carbon materials and factory production equipment with the goal of making better car batteries to achieve DOE's goals for all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Carbon materials are used in designs for lithium-ion batteries and metal-air batteries, both leading contenders for future electric cars. Specifically, the collaborators planned to use the equipment derived from this project to develop a rechargeable battery system that will use the carbon materials produced by the innovative factory process equipment. The final outcome of the project was that the Ukrainian participants consisting of the Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT), the Institute of Gas of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Materials Research Center, Ltd. designed, built, tested and delivered 14 pieces of processing equipment for pilot scale carbon production lines at the AETC, Arlington Heights facilities. The pilot scale equipment will be used to process materials such as activated carbon, thermally expanded graphite and carbon coated nano-particles. The equipment was shipped from Ukraine to the United States and received by AETC onmore » December 3, 2013. The equipment is on loan from Argonne, control # 6140. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and all-electric vehicles have already demostrated success in the U.S. as they begin to share the market with older hybrid electric designs. When the project was conceived, PHEV battery systems provided a ~40 mile driving range (2011 figures). DOE R&D targets increased this to >100 miles at reduced cost less than $250/kWh (2011 figures.) A 2016 Tesla model S has boasted 270 miles. The project object was to develop pilot-production line equipment for advanced hybrid battery system that achieves cycle life of 1000, an energy density of 280 Wh/kg and specific density of 600Wh/l. This project delivers factory equipment to produce these advanced battery materials.« less
Future Role of Purine Analogues in Oncology

The purine analogues fludarabine monophosphate and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA) have emerged as major new drugs in the management of hematologic malignancies. The initial activity of these drugs was noted in indolent lymphoid malignancies, and 2-CDA has emerged as the treatment of choice in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and fludarabine as the most active single agent studied in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Numerous effects of these drugs on the activities of enzymes important in DNA synthesis and repair have been identified, and a key role in induction of apoptosis has been noted. Fludarabine and 2-CDA both enhance the formation of cytosine arabinoside triphosphate (ara-C) in leukemic cells and have been demonstrated to inhibit repair of DNA damage caused by radiation, cisplatinum, and mitoxantrone. This activity presumably extends to other drugs. Fludarabine has the highest documented complete (CR) and partial (PR) remission rate in both previously treated and untreated patients with CLL. Comparative studies against salvage and frontline regimens have demonstrated superiority in response rate. Combinations of fludarabine with anthracyclines, alkylating agents, and mitoxantrone are being actively explored in CLL. The activity of fludarabine and 2-CDA in low-grade lymphoma has led to combinations of these agents with mitoxantrone and corticosteroids. The addition of corticosteroids appears to enhance the probability of opportunistic infections. The activity of fludarabine in enhancing ara-CTP formation in acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) has led to exploration of this combination alone, fludarabine + ara-C (FA), or together with GCSF (FLAG), and with idarubicin (FLAG/Ida). All three regimens are very active in poor and better prognosis patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and MDS and are well tolerated. The effect of fludarabine in inhibiting repair of DNA damage has led to protocols and solid tumor clinical trials with cisplatinum in ovarian cancer. Trials with cisplatinum or radiation in head and neck cancer are being initiated. Purine analogues as single agents in the indolent lymphoproliferative diseases are likely to be used for many years. The extended role will be in combinations both in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. The immunosuppressive effect of the purine analogues is likely to lead to increased use of these drugs in preparative regimens for bone marrow transplantation and perhaps use in enhancing cytotoxicity in association with preparative regimens in autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplants.
Flexible thermoelectric generator using bulk legs and liquid metal interconnects for wearable electronics

Abstract Interest in wearable electronics for continuous, long-term health and performance monitoring is rapidly increasing. The reduction in power levels consumed by sensors and electronic circuits accompanied by the advances in energy harvesting methods allows for the realization of self-powered monitoring systems that do not have to rely on batteries. For wearable electronics, thermoelectric generators (TEGs) offer the unique ability to continuously convert body heat into usable energy. For body harvesting, it is preferable to have TEGs that are thin, soft and flexible. Unfortunately, the performances of flexible modules reported to date have been far behind those of their rigid counterparts. This is largely due to lower efficiencies of the thermoelectric materials, electrical or thermal parasitic losses and limitations on leg dimensions posed by the synthesis techniques. In this work, we present an entirely new approach and explore the possibility of using standard bulk legs in a flexible package. Bulk thermoelectric legs cut from solid ingots are far superior to thermoelectric materials synthesized using other techniques. A key enabler of the proposed technology is the use of EGaIn liquid metal interconnects, which not only provide extremely low interconnect resistance but also stretchability with self-healing, both of which are essential for flexible TE modules. The results suggest that this novel approach can finally produce flexible TEGs that have the potential to challenge the rigid TEGs and provide a pathway for the realization of self-powered wearable electronics.
Renewable Formate from C-H Bond Formation with CO2: Using Iron Carbonyl Clusters as Electrocatalysts.

ConspectusAs a society, we are heavily dependent on nonrenewable petroleum-derived fuels and chemical feedstocks. Rapid depletion of these resources and the increasingly evident negative effects of excess atmospheric CO2 drive our efforts to discover ways of converting excess CO2 into energy dense chemical fuels through selective C–H bond formation and using renewable energy sources to supply electrons. In this way, a carbon-neutral fuel economy might be realized.To develop a molecular or heterogeneous catalyst for C–H bond formation with CO2 requires a fundamental understanding of how to generate metal hydrides that selectively donate H– to CO2, rather than recombining with H+ to liberate H2. Our work with a unique series of water-soluble and -stable, low-valent iron electrocatalysts offers mechanistic and thermochemical insights into formate production from CO2. Of particular interest are the nitride- and carbide-containing clusters: [Fe4N(CO)12]− and its derivatives and [Fe4C(CO)12]2–. In both aqueous ...
Design-Centered Entrepreneurship: A Four Stage Iterative Process for Opportunity Development

We advance a design-based approach to developing opportunities—Design-Centered Entrepreneurship—based on the principles and practices of design. In doing so, we extrapolate a conceptual model for h...
Efficient Deep Learning Model for Text Classification Based on Recurrent and Convolutional Layers

Natural Language Processing (NLP) systems conventionally treat words as distinct atomic symbols. The model can leverage small amounts of information regarding the relationship between the individual symbols. Today when it comes to texts; one common technique to extract fixed-length features is bag-of-words. Despite its popularity the bag-of-words feature has two major weaknesses: it ignores semantics of the words and the order of words. In this paper, we propose a neural language model that relies on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Bidirectional Recurrent Neural Network (BRNN) over pre-trained word vectors. We utilize bidirectional layers as a substitute of pooling layers in CNN in order to reduce the loss of detailed local information, and to capture long-term dependencies across input sequences. We validate the proposed model on two benchmark sentiment analysis datasets, Stanford Large Movie Review (IMDB), and Stanford Sentiment Treebank (SSTb). Our model achieves a competitive advantage compared with neural language models on the sentiment analysis datasets.
Maturation of avocado somatic embryos and plant recovery

Avocado proembryonic masses from suspension cultures were used to develop a protocol for somatic embryo development and maturation. Avocado somatic embryos could develop from proembryonic masses both in liquid and on semisolid medium but only the latter could develop to maturity. Size and number of opaque somatic embryos were affected by gellan gum concentration, with the optimum response obtained on medium supplemented with 6–7 g l−1 gellan gum. The optimum sucrose concentration for recovery of opaque somatic embryos was 90 g l−1; however, the development of embryos was suppressed at this concentration. Consequently, recovery of cotyledonary, opaque somatic embryos was achieved on medium with 30 g l−1 sucrose. Somatic embryo development from dedifferentiating proembryonic masses required media with a high ratio of NO3−:NH4+ (1:0 and 3:1) as opposed to the standard ratio (2:1) of MS medium. Germination of somatic embryos was sporadic. In order to increase the frequency of plant recovery, shoots that developed from somatic embryos were micropropagated using standard protocols.
Object-Oriented Concepts

Software engineering trends before the mid-1970s followed one basic programming methodology, known as structured programming. The structured paradigm, also called the classical paradigm, offered a very straight-forward approach to software engineering which seemed sufficient for the time. This model provided a simple view of a software product: the product was either operation oriented or data oriented. In the first case, primary attention was paid to the functions performed. In the second, the primary focus was on the information being handled. The picture painted by the classical paradigm seemed uncomplicated in the beginning, but as the field of software engineering grew, a fundamental flaw became apparent. Describing a software application based exclusively on either the operations it was to perform or the data it was to manage was just too simplistic.
How long are burn patients really NPO in the perioperative period and can we effectively correct the caloric deficit using an enteral feeding "Catch-up" protocol?

Abstract Objective “NPO at midnight” is a standard preoperative practice intended to reduce aspiration risk but can result in prolonged feeding interruptions in critically ill burn patients. Postoperative hyperalimentation in the form of a “catch-up” tube feeding protocol is routine. A retrospective review of our perioperative fasting practices and “catch-up” enteral feeding protocols was performed. Methods Patients admitted to the Burn ICU from July 1st, 2015 to August 31st, 2016 were reviewed. Patients who had a protected airway in place, prescribed enteral nutrition, and underwent surgery were included. The time from NPO to surgical start (NPO-SS), NPO to feeding restart (NPO-FR), and calories received/prescribed were quantified. The efficacy of a postoperative catch-up feeding protocol was analyzed. Results There were 41 patients that fit inclusion criteria with some undergoing multiple surgeries, yielding 109 surgeries/discrete perioperative events. The average total body surface area burn (38.1 ± 23.6%), age (38.8 ± 20.1 years), ICU days (45.0 ± 37.3 days), and ventilator days (35.1 ± 33.8 days) were calculated. Average fasting durations of NPO-SS and NPO-FR were 9.3 ± 3.1 and 14.2 ± 4.1 h, respectively. The average caloric deficit to prescribed calories ratio during the NPO-SS and NPO-FR periods were 1154 ± 629/3534 ± 851 kcal and 1765 ± 928/3534 ± 851 kcal, respectively. A post-operative catch-up protocol completely compensated for perioperative caloric deficits 68.8% (22/32) of the time. Conclusions In critically ill burn patients, a preoperative fast resulted in an average loss of greater than 50% of prescribed calories on the day of surgery. Clinicians should re-evaluate the standard practice of making preoperative patients “NPO at midnight”. An effective catch-up protocol can adequately reduce caloric deficits.
A Game-Theoretic Two-Stage Stochastic Programing Model to Protect CPS against Attacks

Securing Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) against cyber-attacks is a challenging problem as it requires continuously checking control and measurement signals for errors at runtime. The assignment of check blocks to check those signals must be performed using the available but possibly incomplete or uncertain information and within the delay bounds dictated by the control loop. Moreover, the assignment should remain unpredictable against an adversary who is able to observe/probe the assignment placed and adapt her attack methods accordingly. Due to the large number of potential check blocks that can be assigned, their varying effectiveness in detecting a wide range of cyber-attacks, and the uncertainty on the exact number of signals that need to be checked and protected, finding such strategic assignment is a critical endeavor. This paper presents two-stage stochastic programming models for equipping the CPS control loops with the proper check blocks to secure them. The formulation is based on a game theoretical approach to enable the defender to find an optimal randomized (i.e., mixed strategy) assignment of check blocks while abiding to the control-loop constraints. The models incorporate uncertainty in the number of signals to be checked/protected and capture various degrees of overhead in the operation of the check blocks. We illustrate the superiority of our results, in terms of the value of the stochastic solution, when compared to other assignment strategies. We validate our results through a Simulink-based model for a component in the operation of an autonomous vehicle.
Henry James’s Style of Retrospect: Late Personal Writings, 1890–1915

When F. O. Matthiessen identified Henry James’s “major phase” in 1944, he had in mind primarily the three late novels: The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), and The Golden Bowl (190...
Multi-Purpose Peer Review to Support All Students

Multi-purpose peer review is an alternative method of peer review in which students work in small groups using reviewer prompt cards to review peer work. Students utilize their speaking and listening skills alongside their writing and revision skills to further enhance learning and engage in critical thinking. It can be used in writing classes and transition classes for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as support for native speakers of English, multi-lingual learners, and international students. Participants will experience one round of this review process as "students" and be able to describe how they could use it in their own course. _______________________________________________________________ FULL ABSTRACT: Multi-purpose peer review is an alternative method of peer review in which students work in small groups using reviewer prompt cards to review peer work. Students utilize their speaking and listening skills alongside their writing and revision skills to further enhance learning and engage in critical thinking. It can be used in writing classes and transition classes for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as support for native speakers of English, multi-lingual learners, and international students. Participants will experience one round of this review process and be able to describe how they could use it in their own course. This activity forces students to hear and listen as well as give oral feedback and has worked well to help INTO Mason students gain confidence with their skills as well as gain valuable feedback on essays of all types. This activity is scalable depending on the number of students in your class â there should be groups of four students. Create several sets of notecards, each with one card that says: â¢Author â¢"I like..." â¢"I suggest" â¢Wildcard Put the students in groups so they face each other and give them the cards. The function of the cards are as follows: Author: This student will read the paper aloud or a chosen section of it. He or she will read carefully and slowly to ensure his or her groupmates understand the work. I Like: The holder of this card must say at least one thing he or she likes about what was just read. The description should be detailed and provide specific examples about what the author did well in his or her essay. I Suggest: The holder of this card must give a minimum of one suggestion for improvement of the essay. The feedback should be detailed and specific, focused on clarity and ideas, not grammar. Wildcard: The holder of this card can say whatever he or she wants about the essay, either positive or constructively critical.
Duty and the Beast: Should We Eat Meat in the Name of Animal Rights?

The moral status of animals is a subject of controversy both within and beyond academic philosophy, especially regarding the question of whether and when it is ethical to eat meat. A commitment to animal rights and related notions of animal protection is often thought to entail a plant-based diet, but recent philosophical work challenges this view by arguing that, even if animals warrant a high degree of moral standing, we are permitted - or even obliged - to eat meat. Andy Lamey provides critical analysis of past and present dialogues surrounding animal rights, discussing topics including plant agriculture, animal cognition, and in vitro meat. He documents the trend toward a new kind of omnivorism that justifies meat-eating within a framework of animal protection, and evaluates for the first time which forms of this new omnivorism can be ethically justified, providing crucial guidance for philosophers as well as researchers in culture and agriculture.
Freeze-fracture study of melanosomes in mammalian epidermis and the distribution of intramembrane particles in the melanosome membrane

The ultrastructure of melanosomes in mammalian epidermis has been studied using the freeze-fracture technique. The internal structure of the melanosome, as seen in cross-fractured granules, consists of a very fine particulate matter. There is no evidence of an internal membranous structure in melanosomes, indicating that the internal matrix which is characteristic of ultrathin sectioned material most likely represents cross-linked protein fibers.
Optical Absorption‐Based In Situ Characterization of Halide Perovskites

Author(s): Babbe, F; Sutter-Fella, CM | Abstract: Halide perovskites have emerged as materials for high-performance optoelectronic devices. Often, progress made to date in terms of higher efficiency and stability is based on increasing material complexity, i.e., formation of multicomponent halide perovskites with multiple cations and anions. In this review article, the use of in situ optical methods, namely, photoluminescence (PL) and UV-vis, that provide access to the relevant time and length scales to ascertain chemistry–property relationships by monitoring evolving properties is discussed. Additionally, because halide perovskites are electron/ion conductors and prone to solid-state ion transport under various external stimuli, application of these optical methods in the context of ionic movement is described to reveal mechanistic insights. Finally, examples of using in situ PL and UV-vis to study degradation and phase transitions are reviewed to demonstrate the wealth of information that can be obtained regarding many different aspects of ongoing research activities in the field of halide perovskites.
Multi-Agent Low-Dimensional Linear Bandits.

We study a multi-agent stochastic linear bandit with side information, parameterized by an unknown vector $\theta^* \in \mathbb{R}^d$. The side information consists of a finite collection of low-dimensional subspaces, one of which contains $\theta^*$. In our setting, agents can collaborate to reduce regret by sending recommendations across a communication graph connecting them. We present a novel decentralized algorithm, where agents communicate subspace indices with each other, and each agent plays a projected variant of LinUCB on the corresponding (low-dimensional) subspace. Through a combination of collaborative best subspace identification, and per-agent learning of an unknown vector in the corresponding low-dimensional subspace, we show that the per-agent regret is much smaller than the case when agents do not communicate. By collaborating to identify the subspace containing $\theta^*$, we show that each agent effectively solves an easier instance of the linear bandit (compared to the case of no collaboration), thus leading to the reduced per-agent regret. We finally complement these results through simulations.
Population Structure Discovery in Meta-Analyzed Microbial Communities and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Microbial community studies in general, and of the human microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in particular, have now achieved a scale at which it is practical to associate features of the microbiome with environmental exposures and health outcomes across multiple large-scale populations. This permits the development of rigorous meta-analysis methods, of particular importance in IBD as a means by which the heterogeneity of disease etiology and treatment response might be explained. We have thus developed MMUPHin (Meta-analysis Methods with a Uniform Pipeline for Heterogeneity in microbiome studies) for joint normalization, meta-analysis, and population structure discovery using microbial community taxonomic and functional profiles. Applying this method to ten IBD cohorts (5,151 total samples), we identified a single consistent axis of microbial associations among studies, including newly associated taxa such as Acinetobacter and Turicibacter detected due to the sensitivity of meta-analysis. Linear random effects models further revealed associations with medications, disease location, and interaction effects consistent within and between studies. Finally, multiple unsupervised clustering metrics and dissimilarity measures agreed on a lack of discrete microbiome "types" in the IBD gut microbiome. These results thus provide a benchmark for consistent characterization of the IBD gut microbiome and a general framework applicable to meta-analysis of any microbial community types.
Curiosity and the exploration-exploitation dilemma

The exploration-exploitation dilemma is one of a few fundamental problems in the decision and life sciences. It has also been proven to be a mathematically intractable problem, when it is framed in terms of reward. To overcome this we have challenged the basic formulation of the problem itself, as having a single objective, namely reward. In its place we have defined independent objectives for exploration and exploitation. Through theory and numerical experiments we prove that a competition between exploration-as-curiosity and exploitation-for-reward has a tractable solution, based on the classic win-stay, lose-switch strategy from game theory. This strategy is possible because we treat information and reward as if they have equal value, and succeeds because the definition of curiosity we introduce is efficient. Besides offering a mathematical answer, this view of the problem seems more robust than the traditional approach because it succeeds in the difficult conditions where rewards are deceptive, or non-stationary.
Preoperative BMI Predicts Postoperative Weight Gain in Adult-onset Craniopharyngioma

CONTEXT Craniopharyngiomas, while benign, have the highest morbidity of all nonmalignant sellar tumors. Studies on weight and metabolic outcomes in adult-onset craniopharyngioma (AOCP) remain sparse. OBJECTIVE To examine postsurgical weight and metabolic outcomes in AOCP and to identify any clinical predictors of weight gain. METHODS Retrospective chart review of patients with AOCP who underwent surgery between January 2014 and May 2019 in a single pituitary center. The study included 45 patients with AOCP with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. Median follow-up time was 26 months (interquartile range [IQR] 10-44). Main outcome measures were the changes in weight/body mass index (BMI), metabolic comorbidities, and pituitary deficiencies between preoperative and last follow-up. RESULTS Both weight and BMI were higher at last follow-up, with a mean increase of 3.4 kg for weight (P = .015) and 1.15 kg/m2 for BMI (P = .0095). Median % weight change was 2.7% (IQR -1.1%, 8.8%). Obesity rate increased from 37.8% at baseline to 55.6% at last follow-up. One-third of patients had ~15% median weight gain. The prevalence of metabolic comorbidities at last follow-up was not different from baseline. Pituitary deficiencies increased postoperatively, with 58% of patients having ≥3 hormonal deficiencies. Preoperative BMI was inversely associated with postoperative weight gain, which remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, race, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Patients with ≥3 hormonal deficiencies at last follow-up also had higher postoperative weight gain. CONCLUSION In this AOCP cohort, those with a lower BMI at the preoperative visit had higher postoperative weight gain. Our finding may help physicians better counsel patients and provide anticipatory guidance on postoperative expectations and management.
Methodological considerations for the enrichment of bone marrow endothelial and mesenchymal stromal cells

Stromal cells are critical regulators of bone marrow hematopoietic niches, but assessment of their regulatory roles has been impeded by difficult and ineffective dissociation methods. Here, we methodically address bone marrow stromal cell dissociation. Yield of bone marrow CD45-/Ter119-/CD31+/CD202b+ endothelial cells (ECs) and CD45-/Ter119-/CD44-/PDGFR+ mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were determined by flow cytometry. Liberase DL, Collagenase D, and Dispase II (all supplemented with DNase) enhanced EC and MSC yields, with Dispase II + DNase proving most effective. Combinations of these enzymes did not exhibit additive benefits, nor did the addition of Elastase, TrypLE, Hyaluronidase, or Accutase. Similarly, common mechanical dissociation approaches also proved ineffective. However, the combination of gentle Dispase II + DNase dissociation with magnetic sorting dramatically enriched both ECs and MSCs. This work methodically addressed common approaches for bone marrow stromal dissociation and established an effective approach for enrichment.
Processed as an Adult: A Regression Discontinuity Estimate of the Crime Effects of Charging Non-Transfer Juveniles as Adults

A sizable literature examines the effect of transferring the most serious and persistent juvenile arrestees from the juvenile justice system to the adult justice system. Few studies, however, have tested whether processing juveniles in the adult system has a similar effect on those who are not eligible for transfer. Recent legislative changes to the exclusive jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system justify greater scholarly attention on this population. Using a regression discontinuity design, this study estimates the effects of the juvenile and adult justice systems on recidivism for non-transfer-eligible juvenile offenders arrested just weeks before and after the age of majority for drug distribution, a common felony charge. Our results suggest that processing these juveniles as adults slightly reduces the probability of recidivism by between 3 and 5 percent. Based on the rapid onset and limited change in size of these effects over the duration of a 4-year follow-up, and based on the concentration of the effects within a sub-group having the lowest risk of incarceration, we attribute this finding to a combination of enhanced deterrence and incapacitation in the adult justice system. These results suggest that processing juveniles in the adult system may not uniformly increase offending and may reduce offending in some circumstances. Implications for recent state-level changes to the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system are discussed.
Comprehension in a Crisis: Evaluating the Readability and Translation of Emergency Response Messaging in U.S. Higher Education

From April 2016 to June 2017, the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) witnessed two of its students murdered on its campus (Jacobo, 2016; Norris 2017), and UT-Austin Police reported multiple incidents of sexual assault, vandalism, trespassing, and public intoxication in the first five months of 2017 alone (The University of Texas at Austin, 2017). Like many other institutions of higher education, UT-Austin has adopted an emergency response messaging system to send all UT-Austin stakeholders a text message and email whenever an emergency situation arises on campus. However, no extant research examines whether these emergency messages are readable – and therefore understandable and actionable – by its recipients in a crisis. This study examines the readability of emergency response messaging (n = 20) at one public flagship institution over a one-year period and finds that messages are composed above the 13th-grade reading level and potentially unreadable by educational stakeholders. Implications for student affairs practitioners are addressed.
Protocol for quantitative analysis of pulsatile contractions and cell extrusion in epithelial tissues of larval zebrafish.

Summary Cell elimination by extrusion is important for epithelial homeostasis, but knowing when and where cells will extrude has made in vivo studies difficult. Here, we describe a step-by-step protocol for inducing cell extrusion from the larval zebrafish epidermis. We detail how to capture the dynamics of extrusion via time-lapse imaging and describe how existing protocols can be implemented for the analysis of cell shape changes preceding extrusion events and derivation of mechanical measurements associated with these shape changes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Atieh et al. (2021) .
Low quality of life and activity levels persist in obese endometrial cancer survivors despite participation in a behavioral weight loss intervention

Objectives: Obesity is inversely related to quality of life (QOL) in endometrial cancer (EC) survivors. With over 600,000 EC survivors in the U.S., many women experience obesity-related comorbidities following cancer cure, including poor QOL. We previously reported no change in weight after 6 months participation in a randomized trial comparing a text-message-based behavioral intervention and enhanced usual care (brief meeting, pamphlets with food diary). Here, we assessed changes in validated psychosocial (PS) measures between intervention groups. Based on previous literature, we also evaluated the effect of other factors (BMI, income, race, cancer stage, recurrence status) and hypothesized that these may predict improvement in QOL among EC survivors, over the intervention. Methods: EC survivors with a BMI ≥30kg/m2 participating in a randomized behavioral weight loss study in our gynecologic oncology clinic completed a survey of validated PS measures at baseline and at 6-month study exit. These included the generalized mental and physical health QOL 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12; score 0-100, higher numbers indicating better QOL), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ) to assess activity levels, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item Version depression assessment (PHQ9; score 0-27, higher scores indicating greater depression). The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to identify significant changes. Results: Between May and December 2017, 80 women enrolled and completed the PS assessments. 42.5% of participants had a baseline BMI ≥40kg/m2, including 16.3% with a BMI ≥50kg/m2. Between intervention groups, there were no differences in mean scores or changes within any of the PS analyses. For all participants, median SF-12 scores were at or below 50, consistent with generally low perceived QOL. Activity levels were low; at baseline, 26% reported no walking, 49% no moderate physical activity and 65% no vigorous physical activity within the last 7 days. Median total PHQ9 scores (5.5) were consistent with mild depression. Among all study participants, women with BMI ≥40kg/m2had a mean change from baseline in PHQ9 scores of -0.07 (±3.8) compared to -1.86 (±3.7) for BMI Conclusions: A technology-based behavior intervention did not improve QOL over enhanced usual care. Women with a BMI
Improvement in constipation and diarrhea is associated with improved abdominal pain in patients with functional bowel disorders.

BACKGROUND Abdominal pain is a bothersome and lifestyle limiting symptom in patients with functional bowel disorders. It is associated with decreased quality of life in affected individuals, as well as significant annual healthcare expenditure. Knowledge of specific factors that predict improvement in abdominal pain in those with functional bowel disorders is thus far limited. METHODS Consecutive patients presenting for outpatient care at a major academic medical center between October 2017 and March 2020 completed an electronic symptom survey prior to initial clinic visit, and again after 3 months. The Rome IV questionnaires for functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional constipation, and functional diarrhea were all included. Additionally, all subjects completed the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Anxiety, Depression, and sleep disturbance questionnaires. Patients with a diagnosis of a Rome IV functional gastrointestinal disorder without any organic cause for symptoms were identified based on both chart review as well as survey response data. Univariable and multivariable analysis was used to assess predictors of improved abdominal pain after 3 months. KEY RESULTS 180 patients with a mean age of 45.3 years were included in the final analysis. 78.3% of patients were female, and 77.2% met Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. On multivariable analysis, improvement in constipation and diarrhea were both independent predictors of improved abdominal pain after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES Improvement in constipation and diarrhea both predicted improvement in abdominal pain, suggesting that addressing these factors is central to the management of abdominal pain in functional gastrointestinal disorders.