cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Configuration service for mobile apps

Keeping pace with the market requires software to be shipped quickly, in rapid release cycles with a strong feedback loop. Managing and controlling these changes become complex, especially in the mobile world. In mobile applications, unlike in the Web world, the user chooses whether to download updates or to ignore them, and rollbacks are typically not an option. This paper describes a centralized service that supports managing configuration changes for mobile applications and their backend systems. We describe which implementation decisions we took for our configuration service and how the service was used to support context-based customization of the applications based on user segmentation.
18O and Related Exchanges in Enzymic Formation and Utilization of Nucleoside Triphosphates

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses 18 O and related exchanges in enzymic formation and utilization of nucleoside triphosphates. One of the most powerful applications of isotopes in biochemistry is for the measurement of chemical reactions independent of net reaction. Such reactions are revealed by exchange reactions in which replacement of atoms or groups in a substrate is detected by a suitable isotope label. Occurrence of exchanges often gives cogent insight into the catalytic mechanism, the nature of possible covalent intermediates, the order of addition and release of substrates at a catalytic site, and the slow and fast steps in overall catalysis. Consideration of 18 O exchanges can best be made with adequate perspective about the general nature of information that can be derived from exchange reactions. For this reason, types of exchange reactions and their mechanistic implications are briefly considered in this review prior to the discussion of exchanges associated with ATP. Difference in substrate requirements usually reflects fundamental differences in the mechanism of the exchanges. Exchanges of individual atoms, particularly hydrogen, often occur directly with solvent water and involve breaking and forming of only one covalent linkage
Activity, arousal, and the MSLT in patients with insomnia

Objectives It has recently been shown that physiological arousal following walking increased sleep latencies during daytime naps as compared to sleep latencies following TV viewing. Patients with insomnia have been shown to have increased physiological arousal and to also have longer MSLT latencies. It was hypothesized that insomnia patients, who are at a higher state of physiological arousal, would be unable to relax while lying in bed and watching TV and therefore would have relatively longer sleep latencies in naps following TV watching (due to inability to relax) as compared to walking. Design Twelve patients with psychophysiological insomnia took Multiple Sleep Latency Tests after either watching television for 15 minutes or after a 5-minute walk following baseline, sleep deprivation, and recovery sleep conditions. Setting Sleep Laboratory Patients Twelve patients with psychophysiological insomnia Interventions Manipulation of state arousal and sleep deprivation Results Sleep latencies were significantly longer following the walk as compared to watching TV (11.9 vs. 6.9 min. respectively). Sleep latencies were 13.4 and 3.8 min. following baseline and sleep deprivation conditions. Heart period, used as a measure of physiological arousal, was significantly elevated throughout naps following the walk as compared to naps following TV viewing. Heart period was also significantly correlated with nap sleep latency. Conclusions The insomnia patients in this study had significantly increased arousal, as measured by heart rate, and significantly longer sleep latencies after walking as compared to resting. The magnitude of these changes was similar to that seen in normal subjects in a previous study. These data, in concert with previous work, support the contention that measured sleep tendency is a combination of sleep drive and level of central nervous system arousal, where arousal has both state and trait components.
Authorship Norms: Credit and Roles

As a journal editor, I regularly receive questions about authorship policies and practices, both in a general context and specific to the journal. The variety of questions and cases are mind-boggling. While there has been a lot of attention paid to the topic of authorship over the years, in both the scholarly literature and the more mainstream discourse in higher education, none of it seems to alleviate the confusion around this issue (my own included).
Automated CT Perfusion Prediction of Large Vessel Acute Stroke from Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease.

Background and Purpose: We have observed that large vessel occlusion acute strokes (LVOS) due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) present with more benign CT perfusion (CTP) profiles, which we presume to potentially represent enhanced collateralization compared to embolic LVOS. We aim to determine if CTP profiles can predict ICAD in LVOS. Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected interventional stroke database from September 2010 to March 2015. Patients with intracranial ICA/MCA-M1/M2 occlusions and CTP were dichotomized into ICAD versus non-ICAD etiologies. Ischemic core (relative cerebral blood flow Results: A total of 250 patients met the inclusion criteria, comprised of 21 (8%) ICAD and 229 non-ICAD etiologies. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for higher HbA1c levels ( p p p p p = 0.54) among groups. ICAD patients had smaller Tmax > 4 s, Tmax > 6 s, and Tmax > 10 s absolute lesions, and a higher ratio of Tmax > 4 s/Tmax > 6 s volumes (median 2 [1.6–2.3] vs. 1.6 [1.4–2.0]; p = 0.02). A Tmax > 4 s/Tmax > 6 s ratio ≥2 showed specificity = 73%/sensitivity = 52% for ICAD and was observed in 47.6% of ICAD versus 26.1% of non-ICAD patients ( p = 0.07). Clinical outcomes were comparable amongst groups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that Tmax > 4 s/Tmax > 6 s ratio ≥2 (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.05–13.14, p = 0.04), higher LDL cholesterol (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p = 0.01), and higher systolic pressure (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.04, p = 0.01) were independently associated with ICAD. Conclusion: An automated CTP Tmax > 4 s/Tmax > 6 s ratio ≥2 profile was found independently associated with underlying ICAD LVOS.
Pigmented Lesions: Biopsy Methods and Emerging Non-invasive Imaging Techniques

Melanoma incidence has been increasing in the US population, with early detection and treatment leading to decreased morbidity and mortality. The first steps in diagnosis are clinical examination and skin biopsy. Various methods of skin biopsy exist and the appropriate choice can be challenging. In this chapter, we review various biopsy techniques including excisional, scoop (saucerization), incisional or punch, shave, biopsy of special sites, and emerging noninvasive imaging techniques for pigmented lesions including reflectance confocal microscopy, optical coherence tomography, digital multispectral dermoscopy, and tape stripping mRNA.
A GENERALIZED APPROACH TO BIOMECHANICAL MODELLING

In order to design a safe job or safeguard operators against musculoskeletal injuries, it is necessary to consider various forces and torques that an operator is subjected to while performing it. Biomechanical models are helpful in analyzing jobs and work situations for such forces and torques and predicting human limits to perform the job safely. In this paper, a general approach to develop a three dimensional kinematic model of the human body is presented. The model makes use of notations developed for spatial mechanisms in predicting angular position, velocity, and acceleration of various body joints given the position, velocity, and acceleration of the hand. This information can be used to dynamically depict the human posture in a three-dimensional space.
Discussion of “analyst stock ownership and stock recommendations”

Abstract Chan et al. (2018) provide the first large scale study of sell-side analysts owning firms for which they also provide research coverage. Consistent with signaling credibility, they find analysts with ownership positions allocate more effort to these firms and the informativeness of their recommendations are enhanced. However, consistent with analyst conflicts, they find analysts that own the stock issue more optimistic target prices and frequently trade against their outstanding recommendations (which is prohibited). In this discussion, I review the evidence and point out the study's limitations. Despite its shortcomings, this paper should renew attention on analyst ownership particularly because it has potentially important policy implications. I pose several questions that may be potentially interesting to guide future research.
Document Level Sentiment Analysis from News Articles

Now a days, huge amount data has generated on the internet and it is important to extract useful information from that huge data. Different data mining techniques are used to extract and implement to solve divers types of problems. In the era of News and blogs, there is need to extract news and need to analyze to determine opinion of that news reviews. Sentiment analysis finds an opinion i.e. positive or negative about particular subject. Negation is a very common morphological creation that affects polarity and therefore, needs to be taken into reflection in sentiment analysis. Automatic detection of negation from News article is a need for different types of text processing applications including Sentiment Analysis and Opinion Mining. Our system uses online news databases from one resources namely BBC news. While handling news articles, we executed three subtasks namely categorizing the objective, separation of good and bad news content from the articles and performed preprocessing of data is cleaned to get only what is required for analysis, Steps like tokenization, stop word removal etc. The currently work focuses on different computational methods modeling negation in sentiment analysis. Especially, on aspects level of representation used for sentiment analysis, negation word recognition and scope of negation and identification.
Hypercapnia Alters Alveolar Epithelial Repair by a pH-Dependent and Adenylate Cyclase-Mediated Mechanism.

Lung cell injury and repair is a hallmark of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Lung protective mechanical ventilation strategies in these patients may lead to hypercapnia (HC). Although HC has been explored in the clinical context of ARDS, its effect upon alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) wounding and repair remains poorly understood. We have previously reported that HC alters the likelihood of AEC repair by a pH-sensitive but otherwise unknown mechanism. Adenylate cyclase (AC) is an attractive candidate as a putative AEC CO2 sensor and effector as it is bicarbonate sensitive and controls key mediators of AEC repair. The effect of HC on AC activity and plasma membrane (PM) wound repair was measured in AEC type 1 exposed to normocapnia (NC, 40 Torr) or HC (80 Torr), ± tromethamine (THAM) or sodium bicarbonate (HCO3) ± AC probes in a micropuncture model of AEC injury relevant to ARDS. Intracellular pH and AC activity were measured and correlated with repair. HC decreased intracellular pH 0.56, cAMP by 37%, and absolute PM repair rate by 26%. Buffering or pharmacologic manipulation of AC reduced or reversed the effects of HC on AC activity (THAM 103%, HCO3 113% of NC cAMP, ns; Forskolin 168%, p < 0.05) and PM repair (THAM 87%, HCO3 108% of NC likelihood to repair, ns; Forskolin 160%, p < 0.01). These findings suggest AC to be a putative AEC CO2 sensor and modulator of AEC repair, and may have implications for future pharmacologic targeting of downstream messengers of the AC-cAMP axis in experimental models of ARDS.
Apresentação do dossiê – Cosmopolitropicália: diplomacia animista em São Paulo

Em meados do outono passado em Sao Paulo, mais de 200 estudantes e pesquisadores desafiaram o retrocesso politico e economico de uma forma particularmente audaciosa: eles se deixaram conduzir por uma famosa bruxa em uma danca ritual e canto invocatorio realizados em espiral, com o intuito de regenerar a terra em que a cidade foi construida. Starhawk, uma americana ecofeminista, ativista antiglobalizacao e wicca, foi convidada ao lado do lider indigena Ailton Krenak e de antropologos estrangeiros e brasileiros para a universidade de Sao Paulo para a sexta conferencia bianual da ReACT (Reuniao de Antropologia da Ciencia e da Tecnologia). O objetivo de todos era tratar do tema da conferencia, o entreviver – um neologismo que se refere ao problema apontado por grupos indigenas latino-americanos sobre como podem (e se podem) os modernos cosmopolitanos e os seres nao humanos coexistir de forma bem-sucedida dentro e atraves de seus respectivos e com frequencia bastante divergentes meios politico-ecologicos.
Associations of smoking indicators and cotinine levels with telomere length: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Abstract The influence of smoking exposure on telomere length with a focus on the impact of race has rarely been discussed. We performed a cross sectional analysis into the associations of smoking indicators with leukocyte telomere length (LTL) by race among 5864 nationally representative sample of US adults (≥20 years). Data from 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was used for the analysis. Smoking indicators were assessed by interviews and serum cotinine levels. LTL was quantified by polymerase chain reaction. Multiple linear regressions were used to assess the association with adjustment for covariates, sample weights and design effects separately for Whites, Blacks and Mexican Americans. The intensity of smoking, measured by the average number of cigarettes consumed per day, was negatively associated with LTL among Whites (β: −3.87, 95% CI: −5.98 to −1.21) and among Blacks (β: −15.46, 95% CI: −29.79 to −2.12) participants. Compared with cotinine level
ATMOSPHERIC MODELS FOR SPACE SHUTTLE DESIGN

Atmospheric data in terms of models of individual elements such as wind, temperature, density, and precipitation must be considered in making decisions involving the planning, design, development, test, and operation of a major aerospace system. This paper discusses the atmospheric data elements and models that are of the greatest importance to the design of the Space Shuttle flight systems, the historical and philosophical reasons for the models developed for design of the Space Shuttle, the actual key atmospheric design criteria models selected for the Space Shuttle, and the sources of research data used in the models.
Emphysematous gastritis: A case series of three patients managed conservatively

Abstract Introduction Emphysematous gastritis (EG) is a rare condition characterized by air within the gastric wall with signs of systemic toxicity. The optimal management for this condition and the role of surgery is still unclear. We here report three cases of EG successfully managed non-operatively. Presentation of cases All three of our patients were elderly females with several co-morbidities. The chief presenting symptom was abdominal pain with signs of systemic toxicity ranging from tachycardia and hypotension to acute kidney injury. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed gastric pneumatosis in all patients. One patient had extensive portal venous gas, and another had free intraperitoneal air. All patients were managed with nothing by mouth, proton pump inhibitors, intravenous fluid resuscitation, and antibiotics. Repeat CT scan in two patients in 3–4 days demonstrated resolution of the pneumatosis. They were all discharged home tolerating an oral diet. Discussion The presentation of EG is non-specific and the diagnosis is primarily established by findings of intramural air in the stomach on CT scan. The initial management of EG should be nothing by mouth, proton pump inhibitor, intravenous fluid resuscitation, and antibiotics with surgical exploration only reserved for cases that fail non-operative management, demonstrate clinical deterioration, or develop signs of peritonitis. Conclusion Early recognition and initiation of appropriate therapy is crucial to prevent the progression of EG. EG, even in the presence of portal venous air or pneumoperitoneum, should not represent a sole indication for surgical exploration and trial of initial non-operative management should be attempted when clinically appropriate.
Low-Loss Integrated Inductor and Transformer Structure and Application in Regulated LLC Converter for 48-V Bus Converter

In this article, an LLC converter using gallium nitride (GaN) transistors is proposed for a 48-V regulated and isolated bus converter. Compared with pulsewidth modulation (PWM)-based topologies, the soft switching capability of an LLC allows operation at very high frequencies. In addition, the size of the magnetic components is reduced without sacrificing the efficiency. In this article, a novel magnetic structure that integrates a matrix transformer and inductor with minimum winding and a single magnetic core is proposed, to allow a high-density and high-efficiency LLC converter design for a bus converter. A 40—60-V input and regulated 12-V output converter is developed to deliver a 1-kW output power in a quarter brick form factor. The designed converter can achieve a power density of 700 W/in3 with a maximum efficiency of 97.82% at half-load, dropping to 97.7% at full-load operation.
California’s SB 375 and the pursuit of sustainable and affordable development

Abstract Economic and demographic shifts are putting unprecedented pressure on urban housing markets across the United States, leading to severe housing affordability problems. At the same time, sprawling development patterns contribute to climate change. Solving these problems will require public and private sector innovation, policy development, and ultimately, expanding the housing supply to address both affordability and sustainability goals. California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 (SB 375) aligns land use and transportation planning to encourage compact infill development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We assess the implications of SB 375 for housing planning and production, and find improved alignment of housing plans with sustainability goals. Still, the bill neither mandates nor sufficiently incentivizes the type and volume of housing production needed to address California’s affordability and climate crises. Both within SB 375 and broadly, more tools are necessary to drive development in the right places, and more sanctions are needed to address barriers to development. Recent housing legislation is a first step toward strengthening enforcement, and if paired with stronger incentives, SB 375 has the potential to encourage the sustainable, affordable development California needs.
The company you keep: Satisfaction with life, economic freedom, and preference-policy mismatch

Abstract We examine the interaction between individual preferences for markets and state-level economic freedom as it relates to Satisfaction with Life (SWL). Fundamental tenets of economic freedom assert that societies free of excessive government involvement are wealthier and, ultimately, happier; individuals who are allowed to pursue self-interest are argued to be more motivated and more productive, and so society as a whole is better off. Though there is substantial empirical evidence that freer societies are wealthier, the evidence connecting economic freedom and happiness is less clear. We explore the relationship between economic freedom and SWL at the individual level. We examine differences between personal preferences for free markets and state policy and how this ‘preference-policy mismatch’ is related to SWL. We then briefly examine the relationship between preference-policy mismatches and individual self-reported voting behavior, including implications for Tiebout sorting. This study is the first to focus on individual economic ideology, i.e. individual level of support for free markets, and SWL in the United States. Combining individual and state level data we offer improvements to prior studies in a number of areas including an enhanced measure of life satisfaction, a richer basis for examining left-right differences than simple political identification, and an examination of the effect of preference-policy mismatches on satisfaction with life. We find significant relationships between SWL and individual support for markets, state-level economic freedom, and preference-policy mismatch. Further, preference-policy mismatch is positively associated with self-reported voting frequency. We find little support for Tiebout sorting.
Fostering Problem Understanding as a Precursor to Problem-Solving in Computer Programming

In this research to practice full paper we quantified student understanding of computer programming problems, and correlated it with their ability to write viable computer programs. To quantify problem understanding, students were asked to generate adequate input/output combinations for the problem. About 45% of students demonstrated a complete understanding of the problem. The remaining students (55%) showed inconsistencies in their understanding of programming problems. After the problem understanding assessment, students were asked to solve the problems by writing computer programs using Python. About 88% of the students with complete understanding of a problem could solve it with a Python program. In contrast, the vast majority of students who did not completely understand the problem (67%) were not able to write working computer programs. Surprisingly, ∼ 33% of students with partial understanding of problems were able to write viable computer programs. We conclude that the challenges to write viable Python computer programs start with the failure to understand the problem. Helping students develop strategies to understand a problem correctly may help them writing viable computer programs that solve the problem.
Segmentation of mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli clusters from acid-fast stained lung biopsies: a deep learning approach

Individual factors that result in susceptibility and morbidity due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection are not clearly defined in humans or in animal models of disease. This leads to challenges for example, differentiating life-long control of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection from active tuberculosis disease and accurately predicting who will develop active tuberculosis. As a part of a larger study to identify biomarkers to differentiate these states and predict long-term clinical outcomes, here we present a deep learning approach to segment Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli clusters from acid-fast stained lung sections from experimentally infected mice. In a 4-fold cross-validation of 178 slides, our method demonstrates ability to segment bacilli with median dice coefficient of 0.8. In tandem with improved segmentation and cluster analysis association with specific anatomical regions, our method will be able to differentiate between clinical states of M.tb infection.
Ejaculatory Hood-Sparing Vaporization of the Prostate and Its Impact on Erectile, Ejaculatory, and Sexual Function.

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of ejaculatory hood (EH)-sparing transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP) on sexual function, with a specific focus on erectile and ejaculatory function. METHODS We studied 25 patients who underwent EH-sparing Photo Selective Vaporization of the Prostate using the Greenlight Laser or Bipolar Button Plasma Vaporization of the Prostate from August 2016 to March 2018. All patients were sexually active with anterograde ejaculation prior to treatment. Patients completed the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) and AUA Symptom Score pre- and postoperatively. We compared preprocedure sexual function with postprocedure sexual function at 1- and 3-month intervals. A logistic regression model was used to identify predictors of improvement in sexual function. RESULTS Twenty-five patients underwent EH-sparing TUVP from August 2016 to March 2018. At 3-months postoperatively, patients had significant improvement in erection score (12 vs 9, P = .04) and erection bother score (5 vs 3.5, P ( 1.32, CI: 1.03-1.69, P = .03). CONCLUSION At 3 months postoperatively, the majority of men who underwent EH-sparing TUVP had preserved anterograde ejaculation and improved overall sexual function based on MSHQ survey. This validates EH-sparing TUVP in men with BPH who wish to maintain sexual function.
Pharmacists' Experiences, Perceptions, and Knowledge of Direct-to-Consumer Prescription Coupons.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread use of manufacturer-sponsored prescription drug coupons and pharmacy network discount cards (i.e., direct-to-consumer prescription coupons), little is known about com...
Antineutrophil properties of natural gingerols in models of lupus

Ginger is known to have antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects and has traditionally been used as an herbal supplement in the treatment of various chronic diseases. Here, we report antineutrophil properties of 6-gingerol, the most abundant bioactive compound of ginger root, in models of lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Specifically, we demonstrate that 6-gingerol attenuates neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release in response to lupus- and APS-relevant stimuli through a mechanism that is at least partially dependent on inhibition of phosphodiesterases. At the same time, administration of 6-gingerol to mice reduces NET release in various models of lupus and APS, while also improving other disease-relevant endpoints, such as autoantibody formation and large-vein thrombosis. In summary, this study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate a protective role for ginger-derived compounds in the context of lupus. Importantly, it provides a potential mechanism for these effects via phosphodiesterase inhibition and attenuation of neutrophil hyperactivity.
RaDICaL: A Synchronized FMCW Radar, Depth, IMU and RGB Camera Data Dataset With Low-Level FMCW Radar Signals

Within the autonomous driving community, millimeter-wave frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radars are not used to their fullest potential. Classical, hand-designed target detection algorithms are applied in the signal processing chain and the rich contextual information is discarded. This early discarding of information limits what can be applied in algorithms further downstream. In contrast with object detection in camera images, radar has thus been unable to benefit fully from data-driven methods. This work seeks to bridge this gap by providing the community with a diverse, minimally processed FMCW radar dataset that is not only RGB-D (color and depth) aligned but also synchronized with inertial measurement unit (IMU) measurements in the presence of ego-motion. Moreover, having time-synchronized measurements allow for verification, automated or assisted labelling of the radar data, and opens the door for novel methods of fusing the data from a variety of sensors. We present a system that could be built with accessible, off-the-shelf components within a $1000 budget and an accompanying dataset consisting of diverse scenes spanning indoor, urban and highway driving. Finally, we demonstrated the ability to go beyond classical radar object detection with our dataset with a classification accuracy of 85.1% using the low-level radar signals captured by our system, supporting our argument that there is value in retaining the information discarded by current radar pipelines.
Neuroinflammation in World Trade Center responders at midlife: A pilot study using [18F]-FEPPA PET imaging.

Abstract Background Neuroinflammation has long been theorized to arise from exposures to fine particulate matter and to be modulated when individuals experience chronic stress, both of which are also though to cause cognitive decline in part as a result of neuroinflammation. Objectives Hypothesizing that neuroinflammation might be linked to experiences at the World Trade Center (WTC) events, this study explored associations between glial activation and neuropsychological measures including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and WTC exposure duration. Methods Translocator protein 18-kDa (TSPO) is overexpressed by activated glial cells, predominantly microglia and astrocytes, making TSPO distribution a putative biomarker for neuroinflammation. Twenty WTC responders completed neuropsychological assessments and in vivo PET brain scan with [18F]-FEPPA. Generalized linear modeling was used to test associations between PTSD, and WTC exposure duratiioni as the predictor and both global and regional [18F]-FEPPA total distribution volumes as the outcomes. Result Responders were 56.0 ​± ​4.7 years-old, and 75% were police officers on 9/11/2001, and all had at least a high school education. Higher PTSD symptom severity was associated with global and regional elevations in [18F]-FEPPA binding predominantly in the hippocampus (d ​= ​0.72, P ​= ​0.001) and frontal cortex (d ​= ​0.64, P ​= ​0.004). Longer exposure duration to WTC sites was associated with higher [18F]-FEPPA binding in the parietal cortex. Conclusion Findings from this study of WTC responders at midlife suggest that glial activation is associated with PTSD symptoms, and WTC exposure duration. Future investigation is needed to understand the important role of neuroinflammation in highly exposed WTC responders.
Influence of pH and Proton Donor/Acceptor Identity on Electrocatalysis in Aqueous Media

Understanding the effects of solution pH on the rates and mechanisms of multiproton/electron transfer reactions at aqueous electrolyte/electrode interfaces has been an active area of research for m...
In utero exposure to electronic-cigarette aerosols decreases lung fibrillar collagen content, increases Newtonian resistance and induces sex-specific molecular signatures in neonatal mice

Approximately 7% of pregnant women in the United States use electronic-cigarette (e-cig) devices during pregnancy. There is, however, no scientific evidence to support e-cig use as being ‘safe’ during pregnancy. Little is known about the effects of fetal exposures to e-cig aerosols on lung alveologenesis. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that in utero exposure to e-cig aerosol impairs lung alveologenesis and pulmonary function in neonates. Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed 2 h a day for 20 consecutive days during gestation to either filtered air or cinnamon-flavored e-cig aerosol (36 mg/mL of nicotine). Lung tissue was collected in offspring during lung alveologenesis on postnatal day (PND) 5 and PND11. Lung function was measured at PND11. Exposure to e-cig aerosol in utero led to a significant decrease in body weights at birth which was sustained through PND5. At PND5, in utero e-cig exposures dysregulated genes related to Wnt signaling and epigenetic modifications in both females (~ 120 genes) and males (40 genes). These alterations were accompanied by reduced lung fibrillar collagen content at PND5—a time point when collagen content is close to its peak to support alveoli formation. In utero exposure to e-cig aerosol also increased the Newtonian resistance of offspring at PND11, suggesting a narrowing of the conducting airways. At PND11, in females, transcriptomic dysregulation associated with epigenetic alterations was sustained (17 genes), while WNT signaling dysregulation was largely resolved (10 genes). In males, at PND11, the expression of only 4 genes associated with epigenetics was dysregulated, while 16 Wnt related-genes were altered. These data demonstrate that in utero exposures to cinnamon-flavored e-cig aerosols alter lung structure and function and induce sex-specific molecular signatures during lung alveologenesis in neonatal mice. This may reflect epigenetic programming affecting lung disease development later in life.
Coping with COVID-19 stress: Associations with depression and anxiety in a diverse sample of U.S. adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented levels of stress to individuals in the U.S. and throughout the world. These high stress levels place individuals at risk for symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders. The current study applies a control-based model of coping to contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions to promote resilience. Data were collected online from April 22 through July 12, 2020. Data from two samples of U. S. community adults who completed an online battery of standardized questionnaires were combined (N = 709). More than a quarter reported moderate to severe levels of depression symptoms, and more than one-fifth reported moderate to severe levels of anxiety symptoms; symptom levels were higher among adults who reported more COVID-19-related stress. As hypothesized, multiple regression analyses indicated that greater use of primary and secondary control coping was associated with lower symptom levels, whereas greater use of disengagement coping was associated with higher symptom levels, above and beyond the association of stress with symptoms. Race and ethnicity emerged as important moderators of these associations, indicating that what constitutes adaptive coping varies according to characteristics of the individual. Implications for public health policy and clinical practice are discussed.
Milk Protein Gels

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the formation and the properties of the main types of milk protein gels. Gelation of the proteins in milk is the basis for the manufacture of cheese and fermented milk products. Various approaches can be used to destabilize the milk proteins including heat (whey proteins), use of rennet enzyme (caseins), and acidification (caseins and denatured whey proteins). Combinations of these approaches can also be used to form dairy products, e.g. the use of a low concentration of rennet in cottage cheese, which is primarily a cultured product. Yoghurt is a cultured product in which caseins and denatured whey proteins are responsible for the gelation properties. Milk protein gels are irreversible, in contrast to many polysaccharide gels that are thermoreversible. There is a growing recognition that the internal structure of casein micelles plays an important role in the structural properties of rennet, acid, and mixed gels. These gels are dynamic in nature and undergo rearrangements. The chapter discusses the impact of various factors on the gelation properties of milk protein gels, including casein gels made with rennet or acid, heat-induced whey protein gels and gels made by a combination of approaches. Recent key advances are highlighted, including the use of high pressure and transglutaminase cross-linking of proteins and new insights into the ubiquitous use of thermal processing to alter the texture of these gels.
Protein degradation in cultured cells. The effect of fresh medium, fluoride, and iodoacetate on the digestion of cellular protein of rat fibroblasts.

Abstract Rat fibroblasts contain proteins of long and short half-lives, and these two populations can be labeled selectively. Fresh medium contains a factor that inhibits the breakdown of those proteins with long half-lives but has no effect on the rate of breakdown of proteins of short half-lives. Fluoride inhibits the breakdown of both classes of proteins to about the same extent. This effect is immediately reversible, in contrast to the slow reversal of fluoride inhibition of protein synthesis. Iodoacetate also inhibits the breakdown of both classes of proteins to the same extent. The degree of inhibition of protein breakdown by fluoride and iodoacetate does not parallel the effects of these substances on the cellular ATP level. Fluoride causes relatively more inhibition of protein breakdown and relatively less reduction in ATP.
The Frontal Sinus

■ Despite many advances in our understanding of frontal sinus anatomy, physiology, and pathology, management of frontal sinus disease remains challenging.
Collineations of the generalized quadrangles associated with q-clans

Abstract For each known finite generalized quadrangle associated with a q -clan (and hence with a flock of a quadratic cone), a description of its collineation group is given.
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF DNA TRANSFER FROM PHAGE T5 TO HOST CELLS. I. CHARACTERIZATION OF FIRST-STEP-TRANSFER MATERIAL.

Previous work had shown that, when certain early complexes of 32 P-labeled bacteriophage T5 and Escherichia coli are sheared in a Waring Blendor, the host cells retain about 10% of the originally adsorbed phage label. This 32 P-material, called first-step-transfer material , was implicated in host DNA degradation. The first-step-transfer material has now been extracted by the phenol method and purified by chromatography on methylated albumin-kieselguhr columns and by zone centrifugation. With this method of extraction, the material gives rise to two peaks on the column, both peaks eluting like double-stranded DNA fragments. In a cesium chloride density-gradient, the material from each peak has a buoyant density similar to that of undenatured T5 DNA. Prom the sedimentation properties in zone centrifugation, it has been calculated that, if 77 × 10 6 is the molecular weight of unbroken T5 DNA, the phage first-step-transfer material is composed of two types of DNA fragments, with molecular weights of about 6·3 × 10 6 and 1·5 × 10 6 , respectively.
Putting Your Ballot Where Your Mouth Is: An Analysis of Collective Choice with Communication

The goal of this paper is to analyze collective decision making with communication. We concentrate on decision panels that are comprised of a collection of agents sharing a common goal, having a joint task, and possessing the ability to communicate at no cost. We first show that communication renders all intermediate threshold voting rules equivalent with respect to the sequential equilibrium outcomes they produce. We then proceed to analyze the mechanism design problem in an environment in which members of the group decide whether to acquire costly information or not, preceding the communication stage. We find that: 1. Groups producing the optimal collective decisions are bounded in size; and 2. The optimal incentive scheme in such an environment balances a tradeoff between inducing players to acquire information and extracting the maximal amount of information from them. In particular, the optimal device may aggregate information suboptimally from a statistical point of view. In addition, we provide some comparative statics results on the optimal extended mechanism for collective choice. Journal of Economic Literature classification numbers: D71, D72, and D78.
Cation Selectivity of a Folded Ditopic Crown Receptor

The synthesis and cation binding properties of a folded ditopic crown receptor, 3, are described. Intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions preorganize ditopic crown 3 into a helical conformation that positions the crown moieties in a manner that favors the formation of an intramolecular sandwich cation complex. Alkali-metal picrate extraction studies demonstrate that ditopic crown 3 exhibits a significantly different cation selectivity than mono-crown congener 2. A crystal structure of 3•2KClO4 indicates that two molecules of the complex are assembled into a molecular square in the solid state.
Transition from Deflagration to Detonation in Layered Dust Explosions

Dust layers on the bottom of mine tunnels, on factory floors, or on the floors of grain elevator passages are the most frequent cause of highly destructive dust explosions. Typically, such layered dust explosions involve a high velocity, accelerating, turbulent flame which is fed by the dust layer and results in high destructive static and dynamic pressures. In some cases transition to detonation has been observed, and such explosions are the most destructive. Scientific studies of such layered dust explosions, conducted at the University of Michigan, are discussed. 18 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.
135 INTRACARDIAC CONDUCTION INTERVALS IN THALASSEMIA MAJOR

In the natural history of Thalassemia Major (Thal) with hemochromatosis, problems of conduction become increasingly prevalent. Intracardiac conduction intervals were measured during cardiac catheterization in 12 patients with Thal aged 11-28 years (mean 20.4 years) and compared to those of 13 normal individuals aged 14-17 years (mean 15.5 years). In Thal, hemoglobin values were 10.9 ± 1.6 Gm% at the time of study. Five of the Thal group were receiving digoxin for supraventricular arrhythmia and none were in heart failure. Normal subjects had: PH 92.2 ± 15.1 msec; AH 69.6 ± 16.5 msec; PA 23.2 ± 6.1 msec; HV 43.7 ± 6.4 msec.Significant differences were noted in Thal patients in PH and AH intervals: PH 135.0±30.0 msec (p< 0.001); AH 107.9 ± 27.1 msec (p< 0.001). The PA time [26.8 ± 9.5 msec] and HV interval [38.0 ± 5.7 msec] were similar to normal. There were no differences in any parameters between Thal patients receiving or not receiving digoxin, but those receiving digoxin had slightly longer intervals for PH and AH: PH 143.0 ± 21.1 msec vs 130.0 ± 35.6 msec (p< 0.001 vs p< 0.02 compared to normal) and AH 118.0 ± 16.8 msec vs 100.7 ± 31.8 msec (p<0.001 vs p<0.01 compared to normal). The subtle conduction delay through the AV nodal-to-His bundle area revealed by this study is the first clinical and electrophysiological documentation of deranged function and may be related to previous pathological studies showing deposits of iron in the AV nodal area in patients with hemochromatosis. Such delay may be the earliest manifestation of functional abnormality so common in adolescent and adult patients with Thalassemia Major.
Non-ideal behavior of Nernstian plots from spectroelectrochemistry experiments

Abstract Analysis of Nernstian plots has been shown to be a powerful technique for determining the formal redox potentials and electron stoichiometries of various electroactive species. However, in certain situations non-linear Nernstian plots have been observed. Consequently, analysis by conventional methodologies would result in erroneous estimation of these redox parameters. For single site redox species, the most likely explanation of the observed deviation involves the spectral overlap of two or more chemically independent redox couples. The chemical basis for the observed deviation is explored and a model which predicts this behavior is presented. The validity of the chemically independent redox model is demonstrated using thin-layer spectroelectrochemistry with two well characterized spectroelectrochemical systems: ferricyanide and o -tolidine.
The biologic significance of micrometastatic disease and sentinel lymph node technology on colorectal cancer.

The sentinel lymph node (SLN) technique has practical applications in multiple solid tumors including colorectal carcinoma. Identifying the SLN(s) provides better staging of the regional lymphatics beyond standard HE patients that have an exceptionally favorable outcome when compared to historic controls. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;96:671–677. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Evaluation of the Role and Practices of the Acute-Care Nurse Practitioner

The advanced practice, professional nurse in the acute-care setting with autonomy, prescriptive authority, and authority to coordinate care delivery is a role currently evolving. Evaluation data from a small number of individuals on a learning curve from students to novice practitioners were collected over a 2.5-year period. The results show that self-efficacy increases with clinical experience, whereas clinical reasoning and technical competency are challenging to beginning practitioners. Attention to consultative and educational role components should take low priority until these areas become comfortable to students and novice practitioners. Even early in their role development however, acute care nurse practitioners are regarded as highly valuable and contributory members of the patient management team.
Some evidence for the presence of uranic acid in uranium trioxide-water systems

Abstract The hydrates, UO 3 ·2H 2 O, UO 3 ·0·8H 2 O and UO 3 ·0·5H 2 O described by Dawson et al. (1) were shown to react with the organic base, urea, to form urea uranate H 2 UO 4 ·2CO(NH 2 ) 2 . The formation of this salt provides evidence that these “hydrates” constitute a series of acids whose relationship may be expressed as follows: (pyrouranic acid). Attempts to characterize the “hydrate” UO 3 ·0·8H 2 O were unsuccessful; instead the presence of a mixture of H 2 UO 4 and H 2 U 2 O 7 was indicated.
Sensing strategy for lithium ion based on gold nanoparticles

The detection of Li+ is currently in demand for both biomedical and industrial applications. We here report the functionalization of 4 nm Au particles with a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand that binds selectively to Li+. The ligand binds to Li+ by forming a 2:1 ligand−metal complex, causing Au nanoparticles to aggregate. Au nanoparticle aggregation causes a shift in the extinction spectrum with a concomitant color change, providing a useful optical method of detecting Li+ in aqueous solution.
Returning “region” to world regional geography

World regional geography textbooks rarely focus on the process of region formation, despite frequent calls to reincorporate a regional approach to teaching global geography. An instructional strategy using problem-based learning in a small honors section of a large world regional geography course is described. Using a hypothetical scenario reorganizing the US State Department's metaregional structure, students conducted group research and presentations on the geopolitical consequences of allocating states to a metaregion. Results indicated that honors students acquired as much content knowledge as those in the regular lecture section and significantly greater awareness about the implications of metaregional membership.
Association between mouse nude gene expression and the initiation of epithelial terminal differentiation.

Abstract Loss-of-function mutations in Whn (Hfh 11), a winged-helix/forkhead transcription factor, result in the nude mouse phenotype. To determine thewhnexpression pattern during development, we utilized mice in which a β-galactosidase reporter gene was placed under the control of the wild-typewhnpromoter by homologous recombination (M. Nehlset al.,1996,Science272, 886–889). Sites of reporter expression were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining for Whn protein or byin situhybridization forwhnmRNA. At all developmental stages,whnexpression is restricted to epithelial cells. In addition to the skin and thymus,whnis expressed in the developing nails, nasal passages, tongue, palate, and teeth. In embryonic epidermis, suprabasal cells inducewhnexpression at the same time that terminal differentiation markers first appear. As the epidermis matures,whnpromoter activity is found primarily in the first suprabasal layer, which contains keratinocytes in the early stages of terminal differentiation. In developing and mature anagen hair follicles,whnis expressed at high levels in the postmitotic precursor cells of the hair shaft and inner root sheath. Though principally associated with terminal differentiation,whnexpression is also detected in progenitor cell compartments; in the hair bulb matrix and basal epidermal layer, a small subclass of cells expresseswhn,while in the outer root sheath,whnpromoter activity is induced as the follicle completes its elongation. Within these compartments, rare cells exhibit bothwhnexpression and the nuclear proliferation marker Ki-67. The results suggest thatwhnexpression encompasses the transition from a proliferative to a postmitotic state and thatwhnregulates the initiation of terminal differentiation.
Robust H∞ control of time delayed power systems

Power system is the backbone of our society. The purpose of this work is to design a stable, robust and efficient controller for a power-generation system with time delays, model uncertainties and disturbances. Based on the practical dynamics of generator, prime mover, exciter and automatic voltage regulator, a mathematical power-generation system model is developed with state space dynamical equations involving time delays in the feedback. A novel robust control framework based on linear matrix inequalities is proposed in the paper, which controls the energy system effectively. Computer simulations are used to show the efficacy of the proposed control algorithm.