cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical Characteristics and Immune Function Change of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Newborn Infants and Little Infants

Objective To explore the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment,restoration of disease and immune function change of pediatric patients infected by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Methods The clinical manifestations of 52 CMV patients:15 cases (29%) of common infections,12 cases (23%) of hepatitis,11cases (21%) of inflammatory reactions,6 cases (12%) of pneumonia,4 cases (7%) of rash,2 cases (4%) of CMV encephalitis and 2 cases of (4%) intrauterine growth restriction. The examination of peripheral blood,including leucocyte counts and classification and platelet counts,were performed twice,6 μL/time. C-reaction protein (CRP) using femoral vein were tested right after admission and during treatment period. The molecular biology technique was used to detect pathogens. Liver function examination was also performed. Moreover,the examination of cell immune function was done using the flow cytometer to test lymphocyte counts.Results 1.Blood test:white blood counts of 2 cases (4%) exceeded 20×109 L-1,and 18 cases (35%) in the area of (10-20)×109 L-1,the other patients were all normal.The lymphocyte counts in 46 cases (88%) increased and the thrombocyte counts in 12 cases (23%) were less than 100×109 L-1,the lymphocyte and thrombocyte counts of other patients were all normal.2.CRP:11 cases (21%) exceeded 20 mg/L,others were 20 mg/L.3.Liver function:the serum LGPT of patients slightly increased,and the γ-glutamate pyruvate transaminase of 10 cases increased and exceeded 300 U/L.4.Pathogen detection:for CMV-PCR in urea and blood,the positive cases in urea were obviously more than those in blood.5.Cell immune function:3 cases had abnormal cell immune function; the total T lymphocyte and assistant T lymphocyte decreased and became normal after anti-virus treatment. The ratio of assistant T lymphocyte and suppressor T lymphocyte also decreased and recovered after the treatment. Conclusions High CMV infection rate in China makes the chances of neonate infection increase; this is also because of immune characteristics of neonates being liable to inflammatory invasion of tissues and injury on the functions of organs. For the patients of productive infection,they need regular treatment including anti-virus and increasing immune function.
High salt induces anti-inflammatory MΦ2-like phenotype in peripheral macrophages

Macrophages play a critical role in inflammation and antigen-presentation. Abnormal macrophage function has been attributed in autoimmune diseases and cancer progression. Recent evidence suggests that high salt tissue micro-environment causes changes in macrophage activation. In our current report, we studied the role of extracellular sodium chloride on phenotype changes in peripheral circulating monocyte/macrophages collected from healthy donors. High salt (0.2 M NaCl vs basal 0.1 M NaCl) treatment resulted in a decrease in MΦ1 macrophage phenotype (CD11b+CD14highCD16low) from 77.4±6.2% (0.1 M) to 29.3±5.7% (0.2 M, p<0.05), while there was an increase in MΦ2 macrophage phenotype (CD11b+ CD14lowCD16high) from 17.2±5.9% (0.1 M) to 67.4±9.4% (0.2 M, p<0.05). ELISA-based cytokine analysis demonstrated that high salt treatment induced decreased expression of in the MΦ1 phenotype specific pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNFα (3.3 fold), IL-12 (2.3 fold), CCL-10 (2 fold) and CCL-5 (3.8 fold), but conversely induced an enhanced expression MΦ2-like phenotype specific anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, TGFβ, CCL-17 (3.7 fold) and CCR-2 (4.3 fold). Further high salt treatment significantly decreased phagocytic efficiency of macrophages and inducible nitric oxide synthetase expression. Taken together, these data suggest that high salt extracellular environment induces an anti-inflammatory MΦ2-like macrophage phenotype with poor phagocytic and potentially reduced antigen presentation capacity commonly found in tumor microenvironment.
Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Urechis unicinctus accomplished by long PCR combined with shotgun sequencing

Due to their many advantages over single genes,mitochondrial genomes have become an important source of information in metazoan population genetics and molecular phylogenetic studies.In this study,Urechis unicintus,a represent species of Echiura,was chosen to be as an example to clearly elaborate the process of long PCR amplification of its mitochondrial DNA.The long PCR amplified product was about 15kb.Then the shotgun library was constructed and the entire mitochondrial genome sequence was successfully obtained.The results show that the long PCR-based method is less demand of devices and amounts of tissue compared with physical separation method.
Observations of high vibrational levels of the 4fσ41Σu+ state of H2

Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization via the EF(1)Σg (+), v' = 6 double-well state has been used to probe the energy region below the third dissociation limit of H2 where several high vibrational levels of the 4(1)Σu (+) state are expected. Theoretical ab initio potential energy curves for this state predict a deep inner well and shallow outer well where vibrational levels above v = 8 are expected to exhibit the double-well character of the state. Since the 4(1)Σu (+) state has f-state character, transitions to it from the ground state are nominally forbidden. However, the d character of the outer well of the EF(1)Σg (+) state allows access to this state. We report observations of transitions to the v = 9-12 levels of the 4(1)Σu (+) state and compare their energies to predicted energies calculated from an ab initio potential energy curve with adiabatic corrections. Assignments are based on measured energies and linewidths, rotational constants, and expected transition strengths. The amount of agreement between the predicted values and the observations is mixed, with the largest discrepancies arising for the v = 9 level, owing to strong nonadiabatic electronic mixing in this energy region.
ENERGY: KEY TO MILITARY MOBILITY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the U.S. military's energy problems and highlights the solution to it. The military's energy problems are parallel to those in the civilian sector, that is, cost and dependence on imported oil and, in the longer run, depletion of petroleum as an energy asset. The solutions perforce must be parallel, and they are tied to conservation and development of new sources. Conservation is, perhaps, the most effective approach to the energy problem. This ranges from improved insulation to more efficient use of energy. In the navy, for example, it includes studying methods such as “no loss of training value” speed reduction in the ships, improved flight planning, and flying MPA missions with only two of four available engines. Seeking alternate energy sources is a counterpart to the cost/waste avoidance of conservation. Conversion of shore facilities from oil to other energy sources is a doable energy alternative. In Keflavik, this means use of geothermal heat, and in Little Creek, it means a shift from oil to coal. A recent 100,000-barrel oil shale experiment showed that fully acceptable middle distillate fuels can be obtained from this source.
Routine and Special Techniques in Toxicologic Pathology

Anatomic and clinical pathology assessments are key components of toxicity studies, often providing the pivotal data to determine whether a test article has the appropriate safety and efficacy profile to become a new drug. Standard anatomic pathology assessments that are part of most toxicity studies consist of evaluation of macroscopic observations, organ weights, and microscopic observations; and standard clinical pathology assessments consist of evaluation of hematology, clinical chemistry, coagulation, and urinalysis data. Routine laboratory techniques for standard anatomic pathology assessments include necropsy, with macroscopic observations, organ weight measurements, and tissue collection, and histology to process tissue samples into hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides for microscopic evaluation. These routine techniques are part of most toxicity studies. Several special laboratory techniques may be added to studies for cause, either to better characterize changes first observed in the standard assessment or proactively included in the study design to detect or characterize changes anticipated due to the mechanism of action of the test article or changes observed in previous studies with the test article.
Determinants of outcome in elderly patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes

614 Background: Older women are less likely to receive standard of care treatment for breast cancer. This undertreatment may be linked to the perception that elderly patients (pts) may not tolerate or derive benefit from treatment that is often viewed as “too toxic.” Methods: From July 1997 to July 2003, 1,470 pts with invasive cancer with positive sentinel lymph nodes (PSLN) by intraoperative frozen section or final pathologic exam by hematoxylin-eosin and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). We examined sociodemographic, pathologic, and therapeutic variables that affected the outcome of elderly pts ≥70 years old. A comorbidity score was assigned using Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 system. Chi-square, Fisher's exact Wilcoxon tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The median age was 53 years (range 21–89) and median tumor size 1.6 cm (range 0.1–11). 1,265 (86.1%) pts were <70 years old and 205 (13.9%) pts were ≥70 years old. 183 (12.5%) pts had IHC only PSLN, 1,021 (69.5%) ha...
Optical Investigation of the Effects of Substrate Orientation on Oxidation of Single Crystal β-NiAl

Nondestructive optical techniques have been used to study the oxidation of low-index crystal faces of single-crystal β-NiAl as a function of temperature. Using these techniques, residual stress, phase composition, and thickness of the scales were determined at various temperatures. The oxidation of the three low-index surfaces, (001), (110), and (111) exhibit discernible differences. Consistently lower stress values are observed on (001) surfaces. Fluorescence and Raman results indicate a higher concentration of θ-Al2O3 on (001) faces and lower concentrations on (111) faces at all temperatures between 800 and 1200°C. Although the residual stresses are higher on (110) faces, these are the only surfaces which maintain adherence up to 1450°C. All surfaces exhibit a stress anomaly between 1200 and 1250°C.
COMPRESSED AIR ENERGY STORAGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF BRINE INJECTION

ABSTRACT The present paper presents methods for injection of brine solution into the subsurface investigated under the Compressed Air Energy Storage Project of the Department of Energy in the United States of America. The principal objectives in this investigation were two fold: (a) Prevention of any possible pollution of ground water by the injected brine solution. (b) Avoidance of over pressurizing the solution-deposit zone by the injection operation which will result in: (i) induced undesirable fractures in both upper and lower confining formations, and (ii) inefficient and uneconomical injection operation.
Theoretical Calculation of pKa's of Selenols in Aqueous Solution Using an Implicit Solvation Model and Explicit Water Molecules.

A practical method for calculating the pKa’s of selenols in aqueous solution has been developed by using density functional theory with the SMD solvation model and up to three explicit water molecules. The pKa’s of 30 different organoselenols, 16 with known experimental pKa’s, have been calculated by using three different functionals (ωB97XD, B3LYP, and M06-2X) and two basis sets (6-31+G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p)). Calculations using ωB97XD and B3LYP with SMD solvation without explicit waters are found to have errors of 3–6 pKa units; the errors with M06-2X are somewhat smaller. One explicit water interacting with the selenium reduces the calculated pKa’s by 1–2 pKa units along with improving the slope and intercept of the fit of the calculated pKa’s to experiment. The best results for SMD/M06-2X/6-31+G(d,p) are with one explicit water (MSE = −0.08 ± 0.37 and MUE = 0.32 ± 0.37) whereas ωB97XD and B3LYP still have errors larger than 2 pKa units. The best results for ωB97XD and B3LYP with 6-31+G(d,p) are obtai...
A escolarização da leitura no Brasil: uma visão histórica

O presente estudo faz uma analise da trajetoria historica da relacao entre educacao e escolarizacao da leitura no Brasil. Enfoca-se o acesso a materiais de leitura na escola, a criacao das bibliotecas escolares, as politicas publicas imbricadas nesse processo e as maneiras pelas quais estas serviram para atender as funcoes do ensino da leitura em cada epoca. Trata-se tambem das restricoes de acesso ao livro no contexto brasileiro. Conclui-se que a escolarizacao da leitura serviu, primeiramente, para atender as intencoes religiosas, politicas ou economicas, tendo importância secundaria seu desenvolvimento como promocao intelectual e cultural dos sujeitos, causando visiveis consequencias no modo como se desenvolvem as praticas de leitura ao longo do tempo.
Targeting, Distinction and the Long War: Guarding Against Conflation of Cause and Responsibility

This Article examines the broader question of how illicit enemy tactics impact the implementation of fundamental LOAC/IHL targeting obligations. In addressing these challenging questions, focus is placed on distinction obligations, lawful target engagement, and the practical realities of conflict against hybrid enemies. This Article begins by summarizing the distinction obligation, emphasizing both its “positive” and “passive” components. This passive element is often overlooked, yet it is tightly woven into the fabric of LOAC/IHL targeting law. Emphasis on the positive obligation without consideration of the passive obligation distorts the logic of the law itself. Consideration is also placed on the threat-identification challenge of hybrid warfare, how urban warfare exacerbates this challenge, and the enemy tactics designed to exploit the distinction obligation to gain a tactical and strategic advantage. The permissible and impermissible consequences of such enemy tactics are explored, and explanation is provided as to why it is impermissible and counter-productive to treat such tactics as a justification for ignoring the distinction obligation. This Article proposes that these tactics form part of the totality of the circumstances related to lawful attack judgments, and therefore, must logically dilute the weight of the civilian presumption. The Article concludes by explaining how failing to acknowledge this dilution imposes an unfair burden on lawful belligerents, grants the hybrid enemy an unjustified windfall, and distorts the assessment of overall operational legality.
Stromelysin-2 (MMP-10) facilitates clearance and moderates inflammation and cell death following lung exposure to long multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are nanomaterials composed of multiple layers of graphene cylinders with unique properties that make them valuable for a number of industries. However, rising global production has led to concerns regarding potential occupational exposures to them as raw materials during handling. This is especially true for long MWCNT fibers, whose aspect ratio has been posited to initiate pathology similar to that of asbestos. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of extracellular endopeptidases that control various processes related to tissue repair, inflammation, and more. Stromelysin-2 (MMP-10) has roles in modulating macrophage activation and function, and hence, we used an MMP-10 null (Mmp10-/-) mouse model to assess its role in controlling lung responses to inhaled long MWCNTs. Oropharyngeal aspiration of long MWCNTs (80 µg/mouse) by wild-type mice induced expression of Mmp10 mRNA, which was accompanied by a robust inflammatory response characterized by elevated expression of Tnfa, Il6, and Il1b. In Mmp10-/- mice, we found that absence of MMP-10 led to impaired pulmonary clearance of MWCNTs and reduced macrophage cell survival. Exposure of wild-type bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and alveolar macrophages to MWCNTs caused a rapid, dose-dependent upregulation of Mmp10 mRNA expression, which was accompanied by expression of pro-inflammatory products (Il6 and Il1b). These products were further enhanced in Mmp10-/- macrophages, resulting in increased caspase-3-dependent cell death compared with wild-type cells. These findings indicate that MMP-10 facilitates the clearance of MWCNTs and moderates the pro-inflammatory response of exposed alveolar and infiltrated macrophages.
Predicted lattice-misfit stresses in a gallium-nitride (GaN) film

Effective, easy-to-use and physically meaningful analytical predictive models are developed for the evaluation the lattice-misfit stresses (LMS) in a semiconductor film grown on a circular substrate (wafer). The two-dimensional (plane-stress) theory-of-elasticity approximation (TEA) is employed. First of all, the interfacial shearing stresses are evaluated. These stresses might lead to the occurrence and growth of dislocations, as well as to possible delaminations (adhesive strength of the assembly) and the elevated stress and strain in the buffering material, if any (cohesive strength of the assembly). Second of all, the normal radial and circumferential (tangential) stresses acting in the film cross-sections are determined. These stresses determine the short- and long-term strength (fracture toughness) of the film material. It is shown that while the normal stresses in the semiconductor film are independent of its thickness, the interfacial shearing stresses increase with an increase in the induced force (not stress!) acting in the film cross-sections, and that this force increases with an increase in the film thickness. This leads, for a thick enough film, to the occurrence, growth and propagation of dislocations. These start at the assembly ends and propagate, when the film thickness increases, inwards the structure. The TEA data are compared with the results obtained using a simplified strength-of-materials approach (SMA). This approach considers, instead of an actual circular assembly, an elongated bi-material rectangular strip of unit width and of finite length equal to the wafer diameter. The analysis, although applicable to any semiconductor crystal growth (SCG) technology is geared in this analysis to the Gallium-Nitride (GaN) technology. The numerical example is carried out for a GaN film grown on a Silicon Carbide (SiC) substrate. It is concluded that the SMA model is acceptable for understanding the physics of the state of stress and for the prediction of the normal stresses acting in the major mid-portion of the assembly. The SMA model underestimates, however, the maximum interfacial shearing stress at the assembly periphery, and, because of the very nature of the SMA, is unable to address the circumferential stress. This stress can be quite high at the circular boundary of the assembly. At the assembly edge the circumferential stress is as high as σθ = (2–ν1)σ1, i.e., by the factor of 2–ν1 higher than the normal stress, σ1, in the mid-portion of the film. In this formula, ν1 is Poisson’s ratio of the film material.
A Novel Multiplex Drug Screening Assay for Identification of Potential Compounds with Anti-Myeloma Activity from a Library of 1120 Drugs.

The majority of drug screening assays are aimed at selection of compounds that affect proliferation or survival of myeloma cells. However, this approach might fail to identify compounds with a potent therapeutic activity that are unable to directly inhibit tumor cell proliferation in vitro but might have potent anti-tumor activity in vivo by targeting the microenvironment of the myeloma cell. For this purpose we used a Multiplex drug-screening assay (MDSA) to identify compounds with potential anti-myeloma activity from a library of 1120 compounds provided by the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). MDSA is based on use of the Luminex technology (LabMAP Multianalyte Profiling), and testing various myeloma producing factors (MPFs), such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that are important for myeloma cell proliferation and survival. The multiple myeloma cell lines MM1.S, RPMI-8226, and IM9 were tested for their capacity to secrete the full set of 31 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. RPMI-8226 was selected for MDSA due to its high capacity to secrete MPFs (IL-8, VEGF, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, IP10, RANTES and SIL-6R). RPMI-8226 cells were treated with 10 10−6M of each compound (first screening phase) and 1 10−6M (secondary screening), and supernatants from 72-hour cultures were analyzed. The criterion of effective drugs for each cytokine was set up as the ability to inhibit or stimulate MPFs (exceed +/− 1.5 mean value of non-treated control). The resulting data on the drugs were graded by the degree to which they caused inhibition or stimulation of all MPFs (greater than 50% and greater than 90%). A total of 205 of the 1,120 candidates were picked out from the first screening at 10 10−6M. Results from the second analysis (at 1 10−6M) indicated that 14 compounds achieved inhibition of all MPFs and dequalinium dichloride manifested the strongest inhibition of all MPFs. Forty drugs were able to selectively inhibit certain MPFs at levels that exceeded 50% and 14 drugs inhibited MPFs by 90%. With respect to stimulation of cytokine secretion, a total of 39 compounds demonstrated selective stimulation of some MPFs and three drugs (amethopterin (R, S), etoposide, and lasalocid sodium salt) induced stimulation at the level of 90% or greater. Overall, MDSA is a powerful high throughput screening assay to analyze compounds with inhibitory or stimulatory effects on cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Potent compounds identified in this study warrant further investigation for their anti-myeloma effects in vitro and in vivo .
Analyzing Graphene-Based Absorber by Using the WCS-FDTD Method

A weakly conditionally stable finite-difference time-domain (WCS-FDTD) method is used to simulate a graphene-based absorber. By using the auxiliary differential equation and Pade fitting method, both the interband and intraband conductivities of the graphene are incorporated into the WCS-FDTD method. The time step increment in the proposed method is not determined by the fine meshes in the graphene layer, so the computational efficiency of this method is greatly improved from that of the conventional FDTD method. By using the proposed WCS-FDTD method, a graphene-based absorber is simulated and analyzed. The numerical result shows that the graphene can achieve tunable absorption through controlling its chemical potential, and the interband conductivity of the graphene has important effects on the performance of the absorber.
Autobiography's Other: The Untold Life Narratives from sub-Saharan Africa

There exists little scholarship on autobiography as a genre in sub-Saharan Africa. The continuous absence of African life narratives in autobiographical scholarship indicates the extent to which th...
The Effects of Gain-, Loss-, and Balanced-Framed Messages for Preventing Indoor Tanning among Young Adult Women.

Indoor tanning (IT) increases the risks of skin cancer, but evidence on how to design health education messaging targeting IT among young adult women remains limited. This study investigated the effects of theory-guided gain-, loss-, and balanced-framed IT prevention messages. Young adult women ages 18–30 who indoor tan (n = 552, mean age = 24.9 years [standard deviation = 3.1]) were recruited online, completed pre-exposure measures, and were randomized to view a gain-, loss-, or balanced-framed message. Participants completed post-exposure measures of message response (emotional response, message receptivity), IT risk (perceived severity, susceptibility), and efficacy (self-efficacy, perceived benefits of avoiding IT) beliefs, and IT behavioral intentions. Loss- and balanced-framed messages promoted significantly greater emotional response and message receptivity and lower IT behavioral intentions than gain-framed messages. The effects of loss- and balanced-framed messages on IT behavioral intentions wer...
Kawaida and Its Critics a Sociohistorical Analysis

The current criticism of Kawaida from the white left is neither new nor nerve-shattering. It is essentially a tired and tattered continuation both in form and content of the criticism launched against organized Afro-American nationalism at its inception (Cruse, 1967). The CPUSA's character assassination of Garvey as a dangerous reactionary and Malcolm as a police agent, finds its current reflection in the infantile leftist charge that Maulana Karenga is both. The criticism of Kawaida and its founding theorist, like the criticism of Garvey and Garveyism is: (1) essentially reductive translations of Kawaida's contentions, and practice and character assassination of its theorist(s) couched and calcified in nineteenth century Marxist formulations; (2) carried on mainly by Black surrogates; (3) launched in obvious competition for the same nationalist constituency the masses of Black people; and thus (4) is an implicit and often explicit challenge to our historical self-consciousness and our ability and right of selfdetermination as a people (Martin, 1976: 221-273).
Our mess is more.

This collection of thirty-one poems, composed between June 2012 and March 2013, was inspired by my travels to Belize, Prague, London, and Thailand. The collection is my attempt to negotiate, through poetry, the concept of wilderness, and the “messes” (literal and figurative), which we humans make in our attempts to tame it. Structurally, the sonnet is the guiding formal force of this collection, which is made up of a prefatory section, two major sections, and two concluding poems. The first section, “A Life Hardly Lived In,” contains fourteen short lyric poems. This section is structured so that each poem loosely mimics the traditional purpose of the corresponding line in a Shakespearean sonnet. The second section, “For the Birds. For the Humans,” is set entirely in London. I originally composed this section as a traditional heroic sonnet crown, or fifteen linked sonnets. In its final form, I have allowed the sequence to follow a more organic logic. Although the repeating lines are still present, I have moved away from strict adherence to the form. I extend the lessons learned by my interactions with the natural world to my negotiations of personal identity and relationships. My personal experiences are meant to extend towards a reflection on the wider human condition. Thematically, this collection considers how we thrive when we relinquish the desire to control the outside world. The tension in these poems is how, despite knowing this, we still balk at allowing the wild to take over.
Teaching Through Creative Writing: Integrating Abstract Concepts into Stories Makes the Subject Come Alive for Apprehensive Learners

(2000). Teaching Through Creative Writing: Integrating Abstract Concepts into Stories Makes the Subject Come Alive for Apprehensive Learners. SCHOLE: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education: Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 141-144.
Robotics: an introductory interface between liberal arts computer science and the engineer's real world

Publisher Summary Computer science is concerned with algorithms, programs, and programming with a major objective of formulating a systematic body of knowledge, theories, and models to explain the properties of computers and related phenomena. The advancement in the two primary elements of factory computer systems, computer- aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), are leading to a new industrial revolution. By integrating design and manufacturing in CAD/CAM systems, industrial firms are able to turn out new product designs at faster rates, while concurrently determining design quality reliability and lowest possible manufacturing costs. With the resurgence of interest in manufacturing technology, the United States has been increasing its investment in putting the new automation technology to work. The increased investment by the United States in the automation technology has increased the demand for skilled personnel at all levels of technical competencies. As a result, the society is witnessing an outbreak of educational programs, seminars, and courses that address the topics of CAD/CAM, robotics, and automated manufacturing.
Mechanisms of action of drugs of abuse on the developing fetal brain

The consequences of public health of the acquisition and use of drugs of abuse have been well demonstrated. Despite intense effort, however, progress has been slow in recent years in ascertaining the specific neurodevelopmental effects of these drugs on the children of drug-abusing mothers. The use of animal models allows the investigator to determine the specific biological contributions of prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse on neurodevelopmental outcome while controlling for covariates that have confounded clinical studies, such as altered nutrition in pregnancy, suboptimal rearing environment of the young, and availability of drug and nondrug stimulation to the offspring. This article selectively reviews the preclinical literature on the gestational effects of drugs of abuse with particular emphasis on cocaine, ethanol, and the opiate narcotics. Mechanisms of drug action on the mature and developing brain are summarized. A model of developmental impact on the brain regions underlying drug-induced reward and reinforcement and its potential postnatal importance is presented.
Emergence of an Escherichia coli strain co-harbouring mcr-1 and blaNDM-9 from a urinary tract infection in Taiwan

Abstract Objectives Multidrug-resistant bacteria have become a serious threat worldwide. In particular, the coexistence of carbapenemase genes and mcr-1 leaves few available treatment options. Here we report a multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolate harbouring both mcr-1 and blaNDM-9 from a patient with a urinary tract infection. Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance genes of the E. coli isolate were characterised. Furthermore, the assembled genome sequences of mcr-1- and blaNDM-9-carrying plasmids were determined and comparative genetic analysis with closely related plasmids was carried out. Results Three contigs were assembled comprising the E. coli chromosome and two plasmids harbouring mcr-1 (p5CRE51-MCR-1) and blaNDM-9 (p5CRE51-NDM-9), respectively. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the two antimicrobial resistance genes are located on individual plasmids. Conclusions The emergence of coexistence of carbapenemase genes and mcr-1 in Enterobacteriaceae highlights a serious threat to antimicrobial therapy.
Surface Passivation and Carrier Collection in {110}, {100} and Circular Si Microwire Solar Cells

Author(s): Ro, Yun Goo; Chen, Renjie; Liu, Ren; Li, Nan; Williamson, Theodore; Yoo, Jinkyoung; Sim, Sangwan; Prasankumar, Rohit P; Dayeh, Shadi A
Imaging as a Personalized Biomarker for Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification

Biomarkers provide objective data to guide clinicians in disease management. Prostate-specific antigen serves as a biomarker for screening of prostate cancer but has come under scrutiny for detection of clinically indolent disease. Multiple imaging techniques demonstrate promising results for diagnosing, staging, and determining definitive management of prostate cancer. One such modality, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), detects more clinically significant disease while missing lower volume and clinically insignificant disease. It also provides valuable information regarding tumor characteristics such as location and extraprostatic extension to guide surgical planning. Information from mpMRI may also help patients avoid unnecessary biopsies in the future. It can also be incorporated into targeted biopsies as well as following patients on active surveillance. Other novel techniques have also been developed to detect metastatic disease with advantages over traditional computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which primarily rely on defined size criteria. These new techniques take advantage of underlying biological changes in prostate cancer tissue to identify metastatic disease. The purpose of this review is to present literature on imaging as a personalized biomarker for prostate cancer risk stratification.
Experiences of Adolescents and Young Adults Living With Advanced Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Problem identification Knowledge about the experiences of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with advanced cancer may be limited. This review was conducted to examine the literature concerning this subject. Literature search A comprehensive search was conducted using CINAHL®, the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Embase®, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI), and PubMed®. Data evaluation Each study was systematically assessed. An evidence table detailing key components was compiled. Synthesis There is a growing body of knowledge about the experiences of individuals with advanced cancer. However, insufficient evidence exists regarding the experiences of AYAs with advanced cancer. Implications for research The lack of knowledge about AYAs and how they experience living with advanced cancer requires additional research; this will lead to increased understanding of their challenges and more effective supportive interventions.
Globalization and the Informal Economy in Developing Countries

It has been documented that developing countries are plagued by sizable informal sectors. There are a lot of studies addressing either the informal economies or globalization. However, the literature on whether and how globalization affects the informal sector is somewhat lacking. Several theories are formulated, but empirical studies do not all agree on what facets of globalization affect informality and how. Part of the problem is data deficiency and somewhat lacking synchronization of the existing informal sector data. There are some recent developments in this area that have furthered the subject. The goal of this chapter is to offer an extensive overview on the topic of globalization and informality.
A Case Study of Institutional Heteronormativity in Higher Education Institutions

This chapter gives an account of the context for the development of the student cohort’s culture in relation to heteronormativity. It explores how the student experience of the wider institution, and its heteronormativity, only comes to the fore through particular incidents and exchanges. An account will be given of instances where students experienced feelings of uncomfortableness echoing Orne’s (Sociological Quarterly, 54(2), 229–253, 2013) typology of middle reactions between acceptance and hostility. Students had learned that they had to ‘perform’ acceptance and challenge heteronormativity in more regulated spaces. Less regulated spaces such as toilets were places of heterosexual retreat. Some women feeling these spaces were legitimate places of retreat from a masculine hegemony, juxtaposed with transgender people’s experiences of these women’s spaces where they were not always accepted as women.
A Hierarchy of Graph Neural Networks Based on Learnable Local Features

Graph neural networks (GNNs) are a powerful tool to learn representations on graphs by iteratively aggregating features from node neighbourhoods. Many variant models have been proposed, but there is limited understanding on both how to compare different architectures and how to construct GNNs systematically. Here, we propose a hierarchy of GNNs based on their aggregation regions. We derive theoretical results about the discriminative power and feature representation capabilities of each class. Then, we show how this framework can be utilized to systematically construct arbitrarily powerful GNNs. As an example, we construct a simple architecture that exceeds the expressiveness of the Weisfeiler-Lehman graph isomorphism test. We empirically validate our theory on both synthetic and real-world benchmarks, and demonstrate our example's theoretical power translates to strong results on node classification, graph classification, and graph regression tasks.
Influence of Octahedral Cation Distribution in Montmorillonite on Interlayer Hydrogen Counter-Ion Retention Strength via First-Principles Calculations

Although multiple types of adsorption sites have long been observed in montmorillonite, a consistent explanation about the chemical structure of these adsorption sites has not yet been established. Identifying the cation interlayer adsorption sites based on the octahedral cation distribution on montmorillonite was investigated in this study by using a Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulation. A clay structural model (H[Al6MgFe]Si16O40(OH)8) with a similar composition to Wyoming SWy-1 montmorillonite was built, where two octahedral Al were respectively substituted by Fe and Mg, and H+ was the charge compensating cation. This model had twenty-one different possible configurations as a function of the distribution of octahedral Al, Fe, and Mg cations. The DFT simulations of 15 of these different configurations showed no preference for the formation of any configuration with a specific octahedral Fe-Mg distance. However, the H+ adsorption energy was separated into three distinct groups based on the number of octahedral jumps from Fe to Mg atoms. The H+ adsorption energy significantly decreased with increasing number of octahedral jumps from Fe to Mg. Assuming an even probability of occurrence of 21 octahedral structures in montmorillonite, the percentages of these three groups are 43, 43, and 14%, respectively, which are very close to the three major sites on montmorillonite from published cation adsorption data. These DFT simulations offer an entirely new explanation for the location and chemical structure of the three major adsorption sites on montmorillonite, namely, all three sites are in the interlayer, and their adsorption strengths are a function of the number of octahedral jumps from Fe to Mg atoms.
Florida Key Deer Abundance and Recovery Following New World Screwworm Infestation

An infestation of Cochliomyia hominivorax (New World Screwworm, hereafter Screwworm) was detected in the endangered Odocoileus virginianus clavium (Florida Key Deer) population in July 2016. We assessed the impact of this infestation on Florida Key Deer population abundance and recovery potential. We synthesized historical mortality and population data with new analyses including monitoring of Florida Key Deer mortalities and estimation of abundance on Big Pine Key and No Name Key (islands that support 75% of the Florida Key Deer population). We documented 135 Screwworm-related Florida Key Deer mortalities (∼9–20% of the total population) during the Screwworm outbreak (July 2016–January 2017). Most mortalities occurred in the adult male population, as Screwworm flies laid eggs on open wounds sustained from sparring during mating season. The Screwworm incident was contained prior to the 2017 fawning season, which prevented substantial negative impacts on females or fawns. Historical growth rates at similar population levels and sex ratios indicated that, absent other external variables (e.g., Hurricane Irma in September 2017), the population was likely to recover.
Cluster dynamics simulation of xenon diffusion during irradiation in UO2

Abstract Diffusion of fission gas in UO2 nuclear fuel impacts several important performance metrics, such as fission gas release, swelling, and thermal conductivity. Current empirical models of fission gas release have significant uncertainty, some of which derives from the bulk diffusion rate and its dependence on, for example, fuel chemistry and irradiation. We have applied the previously-developed Free Energy Cluster Dynamics (FECD) methodology in the code Centipede to calculate xenon cluster concentrations in UO2 under intrinsic (high temperature) and irradiation-enhanced (intermediate temperature) conditions in order to develop a model of the xenon diffusion coefficient based on the atomic scale mechanisms responsible for transport. While the diffusion mechanism for xenon in UO2 is adequately described by the Xe + U2O vacancy cluster for intrinsic conditions, a similar process is not capable of capturing measured in-pile fission gas diffusivity at intermediate temperatures. Therefore, a different diffusion mechanism must dominate under this regime. Using calculated atomistic data, we have shown that irradiation-enhanced diffusion at intermediate temperatures occurs via the larger Xe + U4Oy vacancy clusters, which have lower migration barriers and increase in concentration by several orders of magnitude compared to intrinsic conditions. This mechanism is enabled by the increased uranium vacancy concentration under irradiation due to Frenkel pair production. In addition, the fast migration of uranium interstitials with two attached oxygen interstitials lowers the total uranium interstitial concentration through reactions with sinks. This allows the extended defects, such as Xe + U4Oy vacancy clusters, to maintain high concentrations by limiting annihilation with attached vacancies. Predictions using th-e Xe + U4Oy diffusion mechanism are in good agreement with experiment, albeit with some differences in the Arrhenius slope, which we believe may be related to either experimental or model parameter uncertainty. Finally, an analytical expression suitable for application in fuel performance simulations was derived to capture the predictions of the Centipede simulations.
A High-Dimensional Choice Model for Online Retailing

Online retailers are facing an increasing variety of product choices and diversified consumer decision journeys. To improve many operations decisions for online retailers, such as demand forecasting and price management, an important first step is to achieve a realistic understanding of the substitution patterns among a large number of products offered in the complex online environment. Although classic choice models offer an elegant framework for estimating substitution patterns among competing options, they have very limited applicability and performance in complex settings with many products. We provide a solution by developing a high-dimensional choice model that not only scales up more easily but also allows for flexible substitution patterns. We leverage consumer click-stream data, and combine econometric and machine learning (graphical lasso, in particular) methods to learn the substitution patterns among a large number of products. We show our model offers significantly better in- and out-of-sample demand forecasts in various synthetic datasets and in a real-world empirical setting. For example, in both settings, our model reduces the out-of-sample mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) by approximately 60% compared to classical models (i.e., the IID and the random coefficient Probit models). Our model can be used to enhance many business decisions such as assortment planning, inventory management and pricing decisions. In particular, we illustrate with a counter-factual pricing experiment that our model recommend better price points which increase total profit or revenue by 10% or above compared to classical models.
The gut microbiota and nervous system: Age-defined and age-defying

Even healthy older adults experience gastrointestinal (GI) and neurological changes. In fact, the aging process of these two systems are interrelated due the extensive, multifaceted communication network connecting them, termed the gut-brain axis. Age-related modification of the GI environment can influence the bacterial species that survive and thrive there. Additionally, the lifestyle common to older adults in the West, including sedentariness, polypharmacy, and a poor diet, can compound the effect of aging on the GI tract, gut microbiota, and nervous system. Emerging animal and human findings suggest that GI organisms play a major role in gut-brain communication, ultimately shaping neurological aging trajectories by either helping to maintain nervous system function into late life or promoting pathology. Aging and age-related behaviors help to define the gut microbiota's composition and function, but, conversely, the gut microbiota may help to determine late-life functionality and may be harnessed to limit the prevalence of steep neurological decline and diseases. Focusing primarily on clinical research, this review first defines the gut-brain axis, then details age-related GI and nervous system changes, and discusses the impact of age-related lifestyle factors on the GI and nervous systems. The remainder of this review describes cutting-edge research that positions the gut microbiota as an arbiter of age-related neurological decline.
Conspicuously Concealed: Federal Funding, Knowledge Production, and the Criminalization of Gun Research:

A popular narrative in the U.S. gun debate concerns federal funding of gun research: Because of a right-wing backlash against gun-related public health research (centered on the controversial Kelle...
Insights from an Intervention to Support Early Career Faculty with Extraprofessional Caregiving Responsibilities.

Background: Insufficient support for balancing career and family responsibilities hinders retention of physician-scientists. Programs to improve retention of this important group of faculty are crucial. Understanding the experiences of program implementers is key to refining and improving program offerings. Methods: We conducted an interpretive, descriptive, and qualitative study as part of an ongoing evaluation of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Fund to Retain Clinical Scientists (FRCS) awards. We conducted telephone interviews with 12 program directors representing all 10 US medical schools who received the Doris Duke funding in 2016. Results: Of the 12 participants, 10 were women (83.3%). Participating program directors perceived the FRCS award as capable of producing paradigmatic changes regarding how responsibilities at home and work in academic medicine are viewed and integrated by early-career faculty members. The main qualitative themes that captured directors' experiences implementing the program were as follows: (1) championing a new paradigm of support, (2) lessons learned while implementing the new paradigm, (3) results of the new paradigm, and (4) sustaining the paradigm. Conclusions: These findings may help to inform development of similar programs to retain and support the career progress of physician-scientists with extraprofessional caregiving responsibilities. The interviews illuminate ways in which the Doris Duke FRCS award has driven institutional culture change by normalizing discussion and prompted reassessment of extraprofessional challenges and how best to aid early-career faculty members in overcoming these challenges.
Determining Coefficients of Thermal Contraction and Expansion of Asphalt Concrete Using Horizontal Asphalt Strain Gage

Thermal strain occurs in asphalt pavement from thermal contraction and expansion due to temperature decrease and increase, respectively. No standard procedure to measure thermal strain is available. This study determines thermal strain per unit increase or decrease in temperature (also referred to as coefficient of thermal contraction or thermal expansion (CTC or CTE)) in an instrumented pavement section on Interstate 40 (I-40) in New Mexico. Firstly, the Horizontal Asphalt Strain Gages (HASGs) are calibrated for temperature to measure thermal strain. In the second step, the thermal strain variations in fall, winter, and summer are determined. For validation, the CTC and the CTE values are measured in the laboratory on three field collected cylindrical cored samples using Linear Variable Displacement Transducers (LVDTs) and temperature sensors. The LVDTs are also calibrated using a cylindrical zerodur block to account the temperature effect on it. Results show that field CTC and CTE values are close to the laboratory findings.