cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pain Encoding in the Human Forebrain: Binary and Analog Exteroceptive Channels

The neuronal system signaling pain has often been characterized as a labeled line consisting of neurons in the pain-signaling pathway to the brain [spinothalamic tract (STT)] that respond only to painful stimuli. It has been proposed recently that the STT contains a series of analog labeled lines, each signaling a different aspect of the internal state of the body (interoception) (e.g., visceral-cold-itch sensations). In this view, pain is the unpleasant emotion produced by disequilibrium of the internal state. We now show that stimulation of an STT receiving zone in awake humans (66 patients) produces two different responses. The first is a binary response signaling the presence of painful stimuli. The second is an analog response in which nonpainful and painful sensations are graded with intensity of the stimulus. Compared with the second pathway, the first was characterized by higher pain ratings and stimulus-evoked sensations covering more of the body surface (projected fields). Both painful responses to stimulation were described in terms usually applied to external stimuli (exteroception) rather than to internal or emotional phenomena, which were infrequently evoked by stimulation of either pathway. These results are consistent with those of functional imaging studies that have identified brain regions activated in a binary manner by the application of a specific, painful stimulus while increases in stimulus intensity do not produce increased activation. Such binary pain functions could be involved in pain-related alarm-alerting functions, which are independent of stimulus amplitude.
Do clinicians recommend aspirin to patients for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated guidelines in 2009 recommending aspirin to prevent myocardial infarction among at-risk men and stroke among at-risk women.
Parents' Relationship Quality and Children's Behavior in Stable Married and Cohabiting Families

Although an extensive literature has shown that family structure is linked with child well-being, less well understood is how the dynamics within families affect children, in particular the extent to which positive mother–father relationship quality is linked with children’s outcomes. In this study the authors used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 773) to examine how couple supportiveness in stable coresident families is related to children’s externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems over ages 3 through 9. Using latent growth curve and fixed effects models, they found that parents’ greater supportiveness has a slight association with lower levels of children’s behavioral problems. Using cross-lagged structural equation models to examine the direction of the association, they also found some evidence that parents’ relationship quality and children’s behavioral problems are reciprocally related. Overall, this study suggests that more positive couple interactions are beneficial for children residing with both of their biological parents.
Valuable words: The price dynamics of internet domain names

This article estimates the first constant quality price index for Internet domain names. The suggested index provides a benchmark for domain name traders and investors looking for information on price trends, historical returns, and the fundamental risk of Internet domain names. The index increases transparency in the market for this newly emerged asset class. A cointegration analysis shows that domain registrations and resale prices form a long-run equilibrium and indicates supply constraints in domain space. This study explores a large data set of domain sales spanning the years 2006 to 2013. Differences in the quality of individual domain names are controlled for in hedonic repeat sales regressions.
Penta­kis(tetra­ethyl­ammonium) diaqua‐μ4‐malonato‐tetra­malonatodi‐μ3‐oxo‐di‐μ‐oxo‐tetra­oxo­potassium­tetramolybdenum acetonitrile disolvate

The title compound, (C8H20N)5[KMo4O8(C3H2O4)5]·2CH3CN·2H2O, was obtained from a ligand substitution reaction of [Et4N]3[Mo3(CO)9(OMe)3] with malonic acid and subsequent reaction with oxygen and water. The structure contains two Mo5+ dimers bridged by a malonate group. Each Mo atom is ligated by an additional chelating malonate group, a terminal oxide and two bridging oxides. A potassium ion occupies the cavity formed by the bridging malonate group.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Use of Videophone Technology as a Training Tool for Students Working with Older Adults

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine changes in student's attitudes toward the use of low-cost videophone equipment as a tool for interacting with elderly residents. Students enrolled in four undergraduate social work courses were asked to observe and participate in a social history interview with a resident volunteer from an assisted-living facility located in north Mississippi. In order to measure changes in participants' attitudes toward technology, students completed the Student Telecommunication Satisfaction Questionnaire prior to and immediately after observing the interview. It was hypothesized that students would demonstrate a positive increase in their attitude toward the use of technology to deliver health care services after being exposed to such technology. The results of this study provide partial support for the hypothesis. In general, students responded positively to the use of video phone technology as a means of augmenting more traditional forms of communication.
Guaranteeing 2-manifold property for meshes

Meshes are the most commonly used objects in computer graphics. They generalize polyhedra by using non-planar faces. Modeling 2D manifold meshes with a simple user interface is an important problem in computer-aided geometric design. In this paper, we propose a conceptual framework for mesh modeling systems that guarantees topologically correct 2D manifolds. Our solution is based on graph rotation systems developed in topological graph theory. As an internal representation of meshes, we use a doubly-linked face list (DLFL). We have also developed a visual representation of the topology that provides a powerful tool for developing a user interface to manipulate the topology of the mesh.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN POPULATION BIOLOGY AND PALEOBIOLOGY1

If men are from Mars and women are from Venus (Gray 1992), what planets do paleobiologists and population biologists come from? Surely, they’re not studying evolution on the same planet! Paleobiologists describe a history of life dominated by unchanging species that appear in the fossil record as if formed in an instant. Population biologists describe relentlessly changing gene frequencies and phenotypes, which over the eons must add up to the phenotypic differences among species and phyla. After the emergence of neo-Darwinian theory in the 1940s, most evolutionists were content to ascribe the differences between paleobiology and population biology to an incomplete fossil record. It was generally accepted that a more complete record would reveal species transitions that reflect mechanisms observed in extant populations. Despite the subsequent growth of neo-Darwinian theory, many paleobiologists remained chronically, if quietly, dyspeptic about its adequacy to account for paleobiological pattern. This queasiness, forcefully expressed in 1960 by Everett Olson, a previous editor of Evolution, tended to be dismissed by ‘‘neontologists’’ (i.e., students of extant organisms) as narrow mindedness. Then Eldredge and Gould’s (1972) revered and reviled punctuated equilibria paper forced them to acknowledge the grumbling from the paleobiological wing of the profession. Encouraged by the impact of punctuated equilibria, paleobiologists resurrected other challenges to neo-Darwinian theory. The battle was joined, with broadsides by zealous advocates on one side (e.g., Stanley, 1979) and the other (e.g., Charlesworth et al. 1982). Now that the air
On the phase form of a deformation quantization with separation of variables

Abstract Given a star product with separation of variables on a pseudo-Kahler manifold, we obtain a new formal (1, 1)-form from its classifying form and call it the phase form of the star product. The cohomology class of a star product with separation of variables equals the class of its phase form. We show that the phase forms can be arbitrary and they bijectively parametrize the star products with separation of variables. We also describe the action of a change of the formal parameter on a star product with separation of variables, its formal Berezin transform, classifying form, phase form, and canonical trace density.
Progress report on the stimulant-depressant abuse liability evaluation project

The laboratories reported data on CPDD 1 that was indeed very similar to that of their direct or historical controls for diazepam. It is clear that the antagonists used in the program will reverse only a benzodiazepine-induced behavioral effect. The data on bromazepam suggest a very similar pattern and potency for this benzodiazepine compared to diazepam. Language: en
Effects of meal composition on postprandial incretin, glucose and insulin responses after surgical and medical weight loss

Summary Background Meal tolerance tests are frequently used to study dynamic incretin and insulin responses in the postprandial state; however, the optimal meal that is best tolerated and suited for hormonal response following surgical and medical weight loss has yet to be determined. Objective To evaluate the tolerability and effectiveness of different test meals in inducing detectable changes in markers of glucose metabolism in individuals who have undergone a weight loss intervention. Methods Six individuals who underwent surgical or medical weight loss (two Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, two sleeve gastrectomy and two medical weight loss) each completed three meal tolerance tests using liquid-mixed, solid-mixed and high-fat test meals. The tolerability of each test meal, as determined by the total amount consumed and palatability, as well as fasting and meal-stimulated glucagon-like peptide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, insulin and glucose were measured. Results Among the six individuals, the liquid-mixed meal was better and more uniformly tolerated with a median meal completion rate of 99%. Among the four bariatric surgical patients, liquid-mixed meal stimulated on average a higher glucagon-like peptide (percent difference: 83.7, 89), insulin secretion (percent difference: 155.1, 158.7) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (percent difference: 113.5, 34.3) compared with solid-mixed and high-fat meals. Conclusions The liquid-mixed meal was better tolerated with higher incretin and insulin response compared with the high-fat and solid-mixed meals and is best suited for the evaluation of stimulated glucose homeostasis.
Explosive nucleosynthesis of N 15 in a massive-star model

The authors explore explosive nucleosynthesis of 15N with a simple but realistic model of shock propagation through the outer layers of an exploding massive star. They conclude that neutron-capture reactions on 18F in helium-rich stellar layers play an important role. The authors perform all calculations with open-source, freely available codes.
Schottky I-V Characteristics of Au/Ni/GaN/SiNx nanonework/sapphire structures

GaN layers on sapphire substrates were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using in situ porous SiNx nano-network. Crystalline quality of epilayers was characterized by X-ray rocking curve scans, and the full width at hall maximum values for (002) and (102) diffractions were improved from 252 arc sec and 405 arc sec, respectively, in control samples to 216 arc sec and 196 arc sec when SiNx was used. Ni/Au Schottky diodes (SDs) were fabricated and the SD performance was found to be critically dependent on the SiNx coverage (fewer and farther the pores the better the results) which is consistent with the trends of XRD and photoluminescence data. A 1.13eV barrier height was achieved when 5min SiNx layer was used compared with 0.78 eV without any SiNx nanonetwork. Furthermore, the breakdown voltage improved from 76 V to 250V when SiNx nanonetwork was used in otherwise identical structures.
New Modularization Framework for the FAST Wind Turbine CAE Tool: Preprint

NREL has recently put considerable effort into improving the overall modularity of its FAST wind turbine aero-hydro-servo-elastic tool to (1) improve the ability to read, implement, and maintain source code; (2) increase module sharing and shared code development across the wind community; (3) improve numerical performance and robustness; and (4) greatly enhance flexibility and expandability to enable further developments of functionality without the need to recode established modules. The new FAST modularization framework supports module-independent inputs, outputs, states, and parameters; states in continuous-time, discrete-time, and in constraint form; loose and tight coupling; independent time and spatial discretizations; time marching, operating-point determination, and linearization; data encapsulation; dynamic allocation; and save/retrieve capability. This paper explains the features of the new FAST modularization framework, as well as the concepts and mathematical background needed to understand and apply it correctly. It is envisioned that the new modularization framework will transform FAST into a powerful, robust, and flexible wind turbine modeling tool with a large number of developers and a range of modeling fidelities across the aerodynamic, hydrodynamic, servo-dynamic, and structural-dynamic components.
Legal, imagined, and real worlds: reflections on National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius

Chief Justice John Roberts's opinion upholding the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been hailed as an act of judicial statesmanship that saved the Supreme Court from serious criticism as a partisan, political institution. This article argues that any such praise should be tempered by an understanding of just how far outside mainstream legal understandings the chief justice's opinion strayed when considering constitutional issues that were unnecessary to the decision of the case and, in one instance, not ripe for judicial review. Except in its narrow result upholding the mandate, the chief justice's opinion is heedless of long-standing precedent, aggressive in creating novel grounds for judicial second-guessing of legislative judgments, cavalier with factual assertions, and disrespectful of the position of other governmental institutions.
Cognitive Behavioral Approaches for Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia, and other primary psychotic disorders, are complex and heterogeneous in symptom presentation. Until fairly recently, primary psychotic disorders have been thought of as primarily “organic” and responsive only to medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) represents a promising adjunctive approach to pharmacotherapy for treatment refractory psychosis. CBT is based on a cognitive behavioral formulation of psychosis and associated distress and functional impairment and is provided in the context of a strong therapeutic alliance. This chapter reviews clinical tips for forming a collaborative stance with patients suffering from psychosis as well as CBT techniques for targeting hallucinations and delusions. A case illustration is provided.
Neurotransmitter receptors on microglia

As the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, microglia have long been hypothesised to promote neuroinflammation and exacerbate neurotoxicity. However, this traditional view has undergone recent revision as evidence has accumulated that microglia exert beneficial and detrimental effects depending on activation status, polarisation phenotype and cellular context. A variety of neurotransmitter receptors are expressed on microglia and help mediate the bidirectional communication between neurons and microglia. Here we review data supporting the importance of neurotransmitter receptors on microglia, with a special emphasis on glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), norepinephrine, cannabinoid and acetylcholine receptors. We summarise evidence favouring a significant role for neurotransmitter receptors in modulating microglial activation, phagocytic clearance and phenotypic polarisation. Elucidating the effects of neurotransmitter receptors on microglia and dissecting the underlying mechanisms may help accelerate the discovery of novel drugs that tap the therapeutic potential of microglia.
Effect of Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen and Hydrogen Gases on Germination of Clostridium botulinum Spores.

Germination of spores of Clostridium botulinum strains 62A, 213B and 12885A was monitored in modified peptone yeast extract broth flushed with CO2, N2, CO2 + H2 and N2 + H2. Carbon dioxide enhanced germination of spores of each of the strains. Hydrogen gas in combination with CO2 or N2 did not substantially alter germination compared to germination in CO2 or N2 alone, even though the oxidation-reduction potential of the system was lower in the systems flushed with H2.
WHITE‐CROWNED MANAKIN (DIXIPHIA PIPRA) USE OF SPACE IN THE ECUADORIAN AMAZON

Abstract ∙ Animal patterns of space use have fundamental consequences for ecological processes such as animal‐ mediated seed dispersal. This study examines the use of space of an understory frugivore: the White‐crowned Manakin ( Dixiphia pipra ) during the non‐breeding season at Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador. We radio‐tracked seven individuals of different sexes and ages. We found that White‐crowned Manakins have relatively small home ranges varying from 1.19 to 5.73 ha. The home ranges of male juveniles (2.25 ± 0.62 SE) were larger than that of the adult males (1.20 ± 0.01 SE), but smaller than those of females (4.27 ± 0.77 SE). Females and second‐year males were found to perform more long distance flights outside their core home range than hatch‐year or adult males. These movement differences suggest that they disperse seeds longer distances and more evenly across their home range. Adult and hatch‐year males appear to perform more short distance seed dispersal events. We argue that these contributions are complementary, and that White‐crowned Manakins are key dispersal agents that have a significantly influence in the structure and composition of understory plant communities in the Amazon rainforest. Resumen ∙ Uso de espacio del Saltarin Coroniblanco ( Dixiphia pipra ) en la Amazonia Ecuatoriana Los patrones de uso espacial utilizados por animales tienen consecuencias fundamentales en procesos ecologicos, tales como la dispersion de semillas. Este estudio examina el uso espacial de una especie frugivora de sotobosque: el Saltarin Coroniblanco ( Dixiphia pipra ) durante el ciclo no‐reproductivo en la Estacion de Biodiversidad de Tiputini en Ecuador. Seguimos por radio telemetria a siete individuos de diferentes sexos y edades. Encontramos que el Saltarin Coroniblanco tiene un rango de hogar relativamente pequeno, variando entre 1,19 a 5,73 ha. El rango de hogar de los machos juveniles (2,25 ± 0,62 EE) es mas grande que el de los machos adultos (1,20 ± 0,01 EE), pero mas pequeno que el de las hembras (4,27 ± 0,77 EE). El estudio encontro que las hembras y los machos de segundo ano realizaron vuelos mas largos fuera del nucleo de su rango de hogar, comparado con machos juveniles del ano o machos adultos. Estas diferencias sugieren que podrian dispersar semillas a mayores distancias y de manera mas homogenea a lo largo de su rango de hogar. Los machos adultos y los juveniles del ano parecen llevar a cabo eventos de dispersion de semillas a distancias mas cortas. Nosotros argumentamos que estas contribuciones son complementarias y que los Saltarines Coroniblancos son agentes de dispersion claves, influenciando considerablemente la estructura y la composicion de las comunidades de plantas del sotobosque en el bosque tropical lluvioso de la Amazonia Ecuatoriana.
Neurogenesis in the Cerebellum

The cerebellum is the primary center of motor coordination and is essential for sensory integration and higher cognitive processing. The cerebellum is an ideal model for the study of neurogenesis as it contains relatively few classes of neurons, each of which is located in a distinct lamina of the cerebellum, has a stereotypic morphology, and is characterized by the expression of well-defined cell-type specific markers. This chapter describes the recent progress in our understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms driving cerebellar neurogenesis, which has been derived from the analysis of a variety of model organisms using powerful molecular tools.
School, Friends, and Substance Use: Gender Differences on the Influence of Attitudes Toward School and Close Friend Networks on Cannabis Involvement

The school environment is extremely salient in young adolescents’ lives. Adolescents who have unfavorable attitudes toward school and teachers are at elevated risk for dropping out of school and engaging in behavioral health risks. Peer network health—a summation of the positive and negative behaviors in which one’s close friend group engages—may be one way by which attitudes toward school exert influence on youth substance use. Utilizing a sample of 248 primarily African-American young urban adolescents, we tested a moderated mediation model to determine if the indirect effect of attitude to school on cannabis involvement through peer network health was conditioned on gender. Attitude toward school measured at baseline was the predictor (X), peer network health measured at 6 months was the mediator (M), cannabis involvement (including use, offers to use, and refusals to use) measured at 24 months was the outcome (Y), and gender was the moderator (W). Results indicated that negative attitudes toward school were indirectly associated with increased cannabis involvement through peer network health. This relationship was not moderated by gender. Adolescents in our sample with negative attitudes toward school were more likely to receive more offers to use cannabis and to use cannabis more frequently through the perceived health behaviors of their close friends. Implications from these results point to opportunities to leverage the dynamic associations among school experiences, friends, and cannabis involvement, such as offers and use.
A centralized mailed program with stepped increases of support increases time in compliance with colorectal cancer screening guidelines over 5 years: A randomized trial

BACKGROUND Screening over many years is required to optimize reductions in colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality. However, no prior trials have compared strategies for obtaining long-term adherence. METHODS Systems of Support to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening and Follow-Up was implemented in an integrated health care organization in Washington State. Between 2008 and 2009, 4675 individuals aged 50 to 74 years were randomized to receive the usual care (UC), which included clinic-based strategies to increase CRC screening (arm 1), or, in years 1 and 2, mailings with a call-in number for colonoscopy and mailed fecal tests (arm 2), mailings plus brief telephone assistance (arm 3), or mailings and assistance plus nurse navigation (arm 4). Active-intervention subjects (those in arms 2, 3, and 4 combined) who were still eligible for CRC screening were randomized to mailings being stopped or continued in years 3 and 5. The time in compliance with CRC screening over 5 years was compared for persons assigned to any intervention and persons assigned to UC. Screening tests contributed time on the basis of national guidelines for screening intervals (fecal tests annually, sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, and colonoscopy every 10 years). RESULTS All participants contributed data, but they were censored at disenrollment, death, the age of 76 years, or a diagnosis of CRC. Compared with UC participants, intervention participants had 31% more adjusted covered time over 5 years (incidence rate ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.37; covered time, 47.5% vs 62.1%). Fecal testing accounted for almost all additional covered time. CONCLUSIONS In a health care organization with clinic-based activities to increase CRC screening, a centralized program led to increased CRC screening adherence over 5 years. Longer term data on screening adherence and its impact on CRC outcomes are needed. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Back so soon? Is early recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer really just persistent disease?

Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma has excellent survival, yet recurrence remains a challenge. We sought to determine the proportion of reoperations performed for persistent, rather than truly recurrent, disease. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database. Patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent reoperation for disease from 2000–2016 were included. We defined recurrence as disease that developed after a patient had an undetectable thyroglobulin and a negative ultrasonography within 1 year of operation. Results A total of 69 patients underwent 92 reoperations. On initial pathology, mean tumor size was 2.6 cm, 51% were multifocal, and 42% had extrathyroidal extension. Half (46%) of the patients underwent a central/lateral neck dissection at the initial operation, and 77% were treated with postoperative radioactive iodine. The median time to first reoperation was 21 months (range, 1–292), and 42% occurred within 1 year. Only 3 operations met criteria for true “recurrence,” while 71 operations were categorized as persistent disease. Conclusion Many reoperations for papillary thyroid carcinoma are for management of persistent disease. More than half of the patients required reoperation within the first 2 years, which suggests strongly that improvements in the preoperative assessment and adequacy of initial operative therapy need to be made to improve the care of patients with thyroid cancer.
Secondary voltage control of power grid using voltage stability index and voltage control areas

This paper presents secondary voltage control of power grid using identification of voltage stability index and voltage control areas. Unlike, the traditional secondary voltage control in North America performed directly by switching capacitor banks and other reactive power sources, in the proposed approach generators are chosen first to perform secondary voltage control. The participation of generators in secondary voltage control increases the utilization of reactive power capability of generators as well as decreases the requirement of additional reactive power sources. To perform the control, the power grid is divided into voltage control areas using reactive power sensitivity method. A new technique of secondary voltage control with stability index is presented using vulnerability test considering all buses instead of just the pilot bus. The method is implemented on IEEE 39 bus system for secondary control when subjected to a disturbance and the simulation results are presented.
Liberty, Government, and the Family Agency

It is the job of voluntary agencies to disentangle the essential, deep-lying community controls from the controls over individuals that can be avoided
Role of Network Science in the Study of Anesthetic State Transitions

The heterogeneity of molecular mechanisms, target neural circuits, and neurophysiologic effects of general anesthetics makes it difficult to develop a reliable and drug-invariant index of general anesthesia. No single brain region or mechanism has been identified as the neural correlate of consciousness, suggesting that consciousness might emerge through complex interactions of spatially and temporally distributed brain functions. The goal of this review article is to introduce the basic concepts of networks and explain why the application of network science to general anesthesia could be a pathway to discover a fundamental mechanism of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. This article reviews data suggesting that reduced network efficiency, constrained network repertoires, and changes in cortical dynamics create inhospitable conditions for information processing and transfer, which lead to unconsciousness. This review proposes that network science is not just a useful tool but a necessary theoretical framework and method to uncover common principles of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness.
Mortality in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

Abstract Background Quantifying the effect of natural disasters on society is critical for recovery of public health services and infrastructure. The death toll can be difficult to assess in the aftermath of a major disaster. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria caused massive infrastructural damage to Puerto Rico, but its effect on mortality remains contentious. The official death count is 64. Methods Using a representative, stratified sample, we surveyed 3299 randomly chosen households across Puerto Rico to produce an independent estimate of all-cause mortality after the hurricane. Respondents were asked about displacement, infrastructure loss, and causes of death. We calculated excess deaths by comparing our estimated post-hurricane mortality rate with official rates for the same period in 2016. Results From the survey data, we estimated a mortality rate of 14.3 deaths (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.8 to 18.9) per 1000 persons from September 20 through December 31, 2017. This rate yielded a total of 46...
Effects of Dietary β-Carotene on the Melanization Response and Growth Rate of Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Animals rely on carotenoids as fundamental precursors for hormones and antioxidants, and animals must acquire carotenoids from their diet. Previous research has shown that insects often absorb carotenoids in amounts proportional to those in their diet, and that carotenoids play key roles in multitrophic interactions. The consumption of diets that provide high levels of antioxidant compounds is associated with high levels of immune responses; however, it is unknown whether individual carotenoids directly influence immune response. Here, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of the carotenoid β-carotene on melanization, a measure of immune response, and growth rate of Trichoplusia ni Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To fulfill the objective, a low, medium, and high concentration of β-carotene, representing the range found in typical host plants, were mixed in an artificial diet, and immune response and growth rate were assessed in fifth instar larvae. Immune response was induced by injection of chromatography beads in to the abdomen of the larvae, and percent melanization was measured after injection. Melanization was greatest when larvae were reared on high β-carotene diets. Mass was measured at 5 and 10 d to assess growth rate. Larvae reared on high β-carotene diets initially gained little mass, but after 10 d larvae reared on no and high β-carotene diets were larger than those reared on other diets. This research has shown that β-carotene has the potential to influence the immune response and growth rate of T. ni.
Wisdom of the Crowd? Reputational Cascades and Emotional Contagion in Microlender Crowdfunding

In standard economic models of investor decision-making, individuals utilize public and private information to make investment decisions. Under ideal conditions, individuals efficiently utilize all...
Isolated Gonococcal Extensor Tenosynovitis

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a mucosal infection that has the propensity to disseminate, causing symptoms that commonly include arthralgias, skin lesions, fevers, chills, dysuria, genital discharge, septic arthritis, and/or tenosynovitis. Typically, gonococcal tenosynovitis affects the flexor sheath and is associated with arthralgias, skin lesions, or both. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been a documented case of isolated gonococcal extensor tenosynovitis. We report the case of a 16-year-old boy with isolated left upper-extremity gonococcal extensor tenosynovitis who was successfully treated with surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy.
Effects of KPC Variant and Porin Genotype on the In Vitro Activity of Meropenem-Vaborbactam against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Meropenem-vaborbactam is a new agent with the potential to treat carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections. We describe the in vitro activity of meropenem-vaborbactam against representative CRE genotypes and laboratory-engineered Escherichia coli isolates harboring mutant bla KPC genes associated with ceftazidime-avibactam resistance. We also compared disk diffusion and gradient strip testing methods to standard broth microdilution methods. Against 120 CRE isolates, median ceftazidime-avibactam and meropenem-vaborbactam MICs were 1 and 0.03 µg/ml, respectively. Ninety-eight percent (117/120) of isolates were susceptible to meropenem-vaborbactam (MICs ≤ 4 µg/ml). Against Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates harboring mutant bla KPC, the addition of vaborbactam lowered the meropenem MICs in 78% of isolates (14/18); 100% were susceptible to meropenem-vaborbactam. Median meropenem-vaborbactam MICs were higher against K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae isolates with mutant ompK36 porin genes (n = 26) than against those with wild-type ompK36 porin genes (n = 54) (0.25 versus 0.03 µg/ml; P < 0.0001). Against E. coli TOP10 isolates with plasmid constructs containing wild-type bla KPC or mutant bla KPC, the addition of vaborbactam at 8 µg/ml lowered the meropenem MICs 2- to 512-fold, resulting in meropenem-vaborbactam MICs of 0.03 µg/ml. The rates of categorical agreement with broth microdilution for disk diffusion or gradient strips ranged from 90 to 95%. Essential agreement rates were higher for research-use-only (RUO) gradient strips manufactured by bioMerieux (82%) than for those manufactured by Liofilchem (48%) (P < 0.0001). Taken together, our data highlight the potent in vitro activity of meropenem-vaborbactam against CRE, including isolates resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam. Vaborbactam inhibited both wild-type and variant KPC enzymes. On the other hand, KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates with ompK36 mutations displayed higher meropenem-vaborbactam MICs than isolates with wild-type ompK36 The results of susceptibility testing with RUO bioMerieux gradient strips most closely aligned with those of broth microdilution methods.
RIGHT ATRIAL FUNCTION IN HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED AND REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION

The right atrium (RA) plays important role in the electromechanical and endocrine function of the heart. Right atrial dysfunction and remodeling can contribute to right ventricular filling and cardiac output, particularly when ventricular dysfunction is present. Whether right atrial function is
Chapter 7 – Nicotine

Although declining in the United States, tobacco addiction remains the most prevalent addiction of all drugs of abuse. Nicotine produces euphoria characterized by arousal and has a stimulant effect. Paradoxically, it also reduces perceived tension and stress. Nicotine also produces analgesia and decreases appetite. Nicotine smoke produces high carboxyhemoglobin levels and contains significant amounts of carcinogens that have been linked to the toxic effects of smoking. Much information has been gleaned from animal work about the neurobiology of the acute reinforcing and stimulant effects of nicotine. The neurobiological bases for the dependence-inducing properties of nicotine involve within-system decreases in reward-related neurotransmitter function, in a similar manner to other drugs of abuse. At the molecular level, differential receptor desensitization may underlie negative reinforcement, in which self-medication is used to control the functional recovery of nAChRs. At the neurocircuitry level, decreases in dopaminergic neurotransmission in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens are associated with the malaise associated with acute nicotine withdrawal. These changes may alter gene expression and trigger long-term neuroadaptive responses that are similar to other drugs of abuse.
Cilioretinal artery occlusion in a patient with hereditary spherocytosis post-splenectomy

Abstract We report a rare case of a cilioretinal artery occlusion in a young patient with a known history of hereditary spherocytosis statuspost-splenectomy who was otherwise healthy. We believe that his hematologic condition and history of splenectomy caused his clinical picture, and encourage the clinical consideration of this rare diagnosis once all other vascular risk factors have been extensively evaluated for and ruled out, and recommend a rapid evaluation and intervention when possible to prevent irreversible damage.
American Identity and Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement

This paper examines the extent to which expressions of American identity amplify support for, or opposition to, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. Existing research describes how the merits of protest activity are perceived differently across racial groups in the U.S. And, given the oft-different races between unarmed Black civilians and White police officers, the movement for equality in criminal justice has assumed racial overtones, with fissures between Blacks and Whites. While we may anticipate racial differences in support for the movement, we also ask, is black rights activism seen as a contradiction to, or a component of, one’s sense of “American identity”? Using national public opinion data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (N=10,144), we employ multivariate regression analysis to demonstrate that levels of support for BLM differ among White and Black respondents. Preliminary findings indicate that differences in support are even more pronounced when “American identity” is considered in the analysis. Among Whites, stronger expressions of “American Identity” are associated with stronger opposition to BLM. Blacks who indicate a strong American identity express even stronger support for BLM. Taken together, these findings provide context for understanding how “American identity” relates to support for protest activity and how the value of “American identity” can take on different meaning for different groups of Americans.
An Analysis of Connecticut's Public Employee Retirement Plans

The state of Connecticut runs six defined benefit pension funds for its employees, which in the aggregate are among the most poorly funded retirement plans in the country and place increasing fiscal burdens on the state budget. We use a computer model to simulate the finances of these plans, demonstrating how sensitive the plans’ funded ratios and unfunded liabilities are to changes in assumed future investment returns. Future investment returns that are well within the reasonable distribution of outcomes could produce substantially greater unfunded liabilities than even those that currently are reported. This exercise demonstrates the need for greater attention to uncertain investment returns in government analyses and financial disclosures regarding public employee pensions plans.
Isolated Gate Driver for Medium-Voltage SiC Power Devices Using High-Frequency Wireless Power Transfer for a Small Coupling Capacitance

A high-voltage operation and breakneck switching speed of medium-voltage (MV) silicon carbide (SiC) devices demand gate drivers (GDs) with high voltage withstanding capability, high common-mode (CM) transient immunity and a reliable short-circuit protection. An isolated GD to meet these challenging requirements is presented in this article. A novel isolated gate driver power supply using high-frequency wireless power transfer (WPT) with a nonoverlapped winding arrangement for a small coupling capacitance is proposed. Moreover, a grounded shield is added to further reduce the effective coupling capacitance and the CM current. The receiver (Rx) coil of the WPT system along with its power processing circuit have been epoxy encapsulated to achieve a very high breakdown voltage and an extremely small form factor without violating very demanding clearance and creepage distance requirements. The impact of epoxy, winding arrangement, Rx circuits, and the grounded shield on the coupling capacitance is analyzed in details. In addition, a sophisticated overcurrent protection (OCP) scheme with soft-turn- off capability for MV SiC devices is developed. The designed OCP scheme achieves fast protection and simultaneously avoids false tripping due to very high current overshoot associated with the MV SiC devices during turn- on transitions. An experimental prototype is developed and the performance of the proposed GD under various operating conditions is evaluated experimentally.
Interview Experience, Post-interview Communication and Gender-based Differences in the Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency Match.

ABSTRACT Objective Integrated vascular surgery residency (IVSR) applicant perspective about the Match process has been rarely studied, yet has important implications on trainee recruitment. We sought to better understand the nature of the interview process, and post-interview communication and its impact on students’ ranking choices. Methods A voluntary and anonymous survey was sent to students who matched to IVSR in 2020, inquiring about interviews, post-interview communications and factors influencing students’ rank-lists. Results 70 of the 73 matched students completed the survey (96% response rate; 23 female and 47 male). Applicants reported they were asked questions about other programs of interest (81.4%), top choice programs (65.7%), marital-status (32.9%), family-planning (7.1%) and religion (1.4%) during interviews. Female applicants were more frequently asked questions about family-planning (17.4% vs 2.1%; P Conclusions This study provides insight into the interview experience and impactful factors for the vascular surgery match. Both female and male applicants were asked a high number of questions about personal matters unrelated to medical school performance. Female applicants, however, experienced a higher proportion of these instances, particularly regarding family-planning. These findings demonstrate the factors that are important to applicants in the match process and raises awareness of potential challenges in the interview and recruitment process.
A Dual-Band, Polarization-Rotating Reflectarray With Independent Phase Control at Each Band

We present the design and proof-of-concept demonstration of a dual-band reflectarray antenna capable of generating two beams at $X$ - and $Ku$ -bands, whose directions of maximum radiation can be set independently of each other. The reflectarray uses dual-band polarization-rotating (PR) unit cells with 1 bit phase quantization. The proposed unit cell provides independent phase shifts at two frequency bands by controlling a cluster of two orthogonal dipoles to operate as either +90° or −90° reflective polarization rotators. Two dipole clusters are interleaved in a unit cell and used to achieve dual-band operation. Simulation results of a unit cell designed to operate at $X$ - and $Ku$ -bands demonstrate independently controlled, dual-band PR operation over 16.1% and 20% bandwidths for the lower and higher bands, respectively. The dual-band unit cells were used to construct three different static reflectarray prototypes demonstrating the different ways where such independent phase control at the two bands of a dual-band reflectarray antenna may be advantageous. The three static reflectarray prototypes were simulated, fabricated, and experimentally characterized. Simulation and measurement results of these prototypes agree well and demonstrate independent phase shift control at the $X$ - and $Ku$ -bands over a relatively wide field of view without exciting grating lobes.
COVID-19 and venous thromboembolism: Known and unknown for imaging decisions

As we continue to fight against the current coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare professionals across the globe are trying to answer questions surrounding how to best help patients with the up-to-date available science while awaiting the development of new therapies and mass vaccination. Since early in the pandemic, studies indicated a heightened risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 infected patients. There have been differing expert opinions about how to assess pretest probability of VTE in this patient population. This has been partly due to the high prevalence of respiratory failure in this patient population and the use of D-dimer as a prognostic test which is also frequently elevated in patients with COVID-19 in absence of VTE. Some experts have argued for an approach similar to usual care with testing if clinical suspicion is high enough. Some have argued for more routine screening at different points of care. Others have even suggested empiric therapeutic anti-coagulation in moderate to severely ill COVID-19 patients. In the following article, we review and summarize the most current literature in hopes of assisting clinicians in decision making and guidance for when to be concerned for VTE in COVID-19 patients. We also discuss research gaps and share pathways currently being used within our institution.
Short-term trajectories of restricted and repetitive behaviors in minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder.

Very little is known about the 30% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who remain minimally verbal when they enter school. Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are well-characterized in younger, preschool, and toddler samples. However, the prevalence and impact of RRBs has not been characterized in older, minimally verbal children. The goal of this study was to characterize this core diagnostic feature in minimally verbal children with ASD ages 5-8 years over a 9-month period to better understand how these behaviors manifest in this crucially understudied population. RRBs were coded from caregiver-child interactions (CCX) at four timepoints. Upon entry into the study, children demonstrated an average of 17 RRBs during a 10-min CCX. The most common category was Verbal. RRBs remained constant over 6 months; however, a slight reduction was observed at the final timepoint. Compared to prior literature on younger samples, minimally verbal children with ASD demonstrated higher rates of RRBs and higher rates of verbal RRBs. Further work is required to understand the function and impact of RRBs in minimally verbal children. LAY ABSTRACT: Approximately one-third of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remain minimally verbal at the time of school entry. In this study, we sought to characterize the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in school-aged children (5-8) who were minimally verbal. Compared to prior studies, minimally verbal children with ASD had higher frequencies of RRBs and demonstrated a different profile of behaviors, including more verbal RRBs.
Robust hybrid supervisory control for spacecraft close proximity missions

Abstract We consider the problem of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking of an autonomous spacecraft. The problem can be conveniently divided into three phases: (1) rendezvous phase; (2) docking phase; and (3) docked phase. On each phase the task to perform is different, and requires a different control algorithm. Angle and range measurements are available for the entire mission, but constraints and tasks to perform are different depending on the phase. Due to the different constraints, available measurements, and tasks to perform on each phase, we study this problem using a hybrid systems approach, in which the system has different modes of operation for which a suitable controller is to be designed. Following this approach, we characterize the family of individual controllers and the required properties they should induce to the closed-loop system to solve the problem within each phase of operation. Furthermore, we propose a supervisory algorithm that robustly coordinates the individual controllers so as to provide a solution to the problem. In addition, we present specific controller designs that appropriately solve the control problems for individual phases and validate them numerically.