cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction of chlorite dismutase from Dechloromonas aromatica RCB.

Chlorite dismutase from Dechloromonas aromatica RCB, a novel b-type hemoprotein that catalyzes O—O bond formation, has been crystallized. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction data have been collected to 3.0 A resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 122.7, b = 202.9, c = 247.1 A.
Does Reducing the Concentration of Bupivacaine When Performing Therapeutic Shoulder Joint Injections Impact the Clinical Outcome

OBJECTIVE. Mixtures of local anesthetics and steroids are routinely injected intraarticularly to temporarily relieve joint pain, even though local anesthetics have been reported to cause chondrocyte death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This study aimed to determine if intraarticular injections of bupivacaine 0.5% and bupivacaine 0.25% would provide similar pain relief. MATERIALS AND METHODS. All fluoroscopically guided glenohumeral joint injections performed using 2.5 mL of bupivacaine and 0.5 mL (20 mg) of triamcinolone acetonide over a 42-month period were included if a pain score was recorded before, 5–10 minutes after, and 1 week after injection. Pain reduction of more than 2 points was considered much improved clinically with pain reduction of more than 1 point considered the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) threshold. RESULTS. Statistically significant and much improved pain reduction was achieved using both bupivacaine 0.5% and 0.25% 5–10 minutes (−3.7 points; 95% CI, −3.4 to −...
POLE-TO-POLE WATER BALANCE FOR THE IGY FROM AEROLOGICAL DATA

The present study gives a discussion of the water balance on a planetary scale during the IGY covering the mean and the seasonal conditions for the calendar year 1958. The study includes analyses of the amount of precipitable water, of the vertically integrated transport vector field and of the divergence of water vapor flux for all the globe. Some implications of the water vapor distribution in the atmosphere, its transport, and divergence fields are deduced which bear some importance for hydrology. The water balance based upon the various water vapor fields is examined and the inferred values obtained from the analysis of the water vapor divergence field are compared with estimates of evaporation and precipitation obtained from independent climatological sources.
Metal-enzyme frameworks: role of metal ions in promoting enzyme self-assembly on α-zirconium(IV) phosphate nanoplates.

Previously, an ion-coupled protein binding (ICPB) model was proposed to explain the thermodynamics of protein binding to negatively charged α-Zr(IV) phosphate (α-ZrP). This model is tested here using glucose oxidase (GO) and met-hemoglobin (Hb) and several cations (Zr(IV), Cr(III), Au(III), Al(III), Ca(II), Mg(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Na(I), and H(I)). The binding constant of GO with α-ZrP was increased ∼380-fold by the addition of either 1 mM Zr(IV) or 1 mM Ca(II), and affinities followed the trend Zr(IV) ≃ Ca(II) > Cr(III) > Mg(II) ≫ H(I) > Na(I). Binding studies could not be conducted with Au(III), Al(III), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II), as these precipitated both proteins. Zr(IV) increased Hb binding constant to α-ZrP by 43-fold, and affinity enhancements followed the trend Zr(IV) > H(I) > Mg(II) > Na(I) > Ca(II) > Cr(III). Zeta potential studies clearly showed metal ion binding to α-ZrP and affinities followed the trend, Zr(IV) ≫ Cr(III) > Zn(II) > Ni(II) > Mg(II) > Ca(II) > Au(III) > Na(I) > H(I). Electron...
Hedging Characteristics of Commodity Investment in the Emerging Markets

Investors derive the greatest risk reduction benefit from portfolio diversification by holding assets with a low co-movement. As correlations between stocks worldwide have been increasing over time, interest in alternative assets such as commodities is also rising. This study examines the risk reducing properties of commodity investment from the perspective of 10 emerging markets from January 1991 through December 2013. Tests of GARCH dynamic conditional correlation coefficients indicate that commodities are portfolio diversifiers, but do not provide a significant long-term hedge. In times of extreme stock market volatility commodities provide a weak safe haven against risk in most countries. During the 1994-95 Mexican peso crisis, the 1997-98 Asian currency crisis, and the 9/11/01 attack, commodities demonstrate significant safe haven properties. However, commodities do not offer significant risk reduction in the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2010 European debt crisis.
School resource officers and students’ rights

AbstractThe safety of students at American schools has become a national priority. With every incident of lethal violence, public fear swells and the demand for effective violence prevention methods increases. School resource officer (SRO) programs that assign sworn law enforcement officers to schools are frequently identified as one straightforward and popular strategy for making schools safer and more secure. However, the placement of these officers at schools raises complex issues and poses new challenges to students’ rights, including the risks of unreasonable search and seizure, the inappropriate sharing of confidential information, and students’ decreased feelings of safety. In this paper, the authors will provide the reader with a review of these students’ rights issues and the possible consequences to students and schools when these rights are not respected. The authors then provide the reader with a review of the relevant literature on the relationship between SROs and students and outlines speci...
Anterior lateral thigh osteomyocutaneous free flap reconstruction in the head and neck: The anterolateral thigh osteomyocutaneous femur bone flap.

Background The anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap is one of the most commonly used donor sites in head and neck reconstruction, however, it is not typically considered when an osseous component is needed. Methods Soft tissue harvests, cadaveric study, and retrospective analysis of a series of 10 patients undergoing angiography were performed to assess vascular supply to the femoral cortex. In 6 patients, corticocancellous split-femur was incorporated into the ALT to reconstruct bony defects of the head and neck. Results There is a consistent blood supply to the femur from the lateral femoral circumflex artery both intraoperatively and on angiography. No fractures or orthopedic injuries have been seen to date. None of the patients had complications of bone harvest, such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Conclusion The ALT osteomyocutaneous (ALTO) flap has consistent vascular anatomy to the femoral cortex. This flap provides additional corticocancellous bone and overlying vastus intermedius muscle for the reconstruction of complex craniofacial defects. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016
NS-18ROLE OF METFORMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC OBESITY SYNDROME (HOS)

NS-18. ROLE OF METFORMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF HYPOTHALAMIC OBESITY SYNDROME (HOS) Arundoss Gangadharan1, Aliki Bogiatzopoulou1, Joanne Blair1, Barry Pizer2, Lisa Howell2, James Hayden2, Conor Mallucci3, Benedetta Pettorini3, and Mohammed Didi1; Department of Endocrinology, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Department of Oncology, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital,Liverpool, UK; Department of Neurosurgery,Alder HeyChildren’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK BACKGROUND: HOS in children with structural hypothalamic lesions is characterised by weight gain refractory to standard lifestyle interventions. Disruption of hypothalamic function results in hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and possible reduction of energy expenditure. Metformin induces anorectic effects, but its role in these patients has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare BMI of patients with HOS before and after treatment with Metformin. METHOD: BMI of 6 children with HOS unresponsive to demonstrable change in lifestyle measures was compared before and after treatment with metformin by converting BMI to BMI standard deviation scores (SDS). Tolerance to metformin was assessed. RESULTS: There were 6 females. [Hypothalamic hamartoma (N 1⁄4 2), craniopharyngioma (N 1⁄4 2), hypothalamic astrocytoma (N 1⁄4 2)]. Treatment included surgery (N 1⁄4 5), primary fractionated radiotherapy (N 1⁄4 1), additional proton beam radiotherapy (N 1⁄4 1) and chemotherapy (N 1⁄4 1). Results are given as median (range). Age at diagnosis was 10.1years (1.3-13.8). Metformin was introduced at 12.5years of age (4.5-18.1). The change in BMI SDS was +0.42/year (+0.06 to +3.6) after 4.3 years (0.2 to 7.1). The change in BMI SDS between commencement of metformin and the final assessment was +0.15/ year (-0.31 to +0.22) after follow up of 1.9 years (1.3-5.4). The rate of change in BMI SDS before and after introduction of metformin is statistically significant (p1⁄4 0.043). CONCLUSION: Use of metformin in addition to lifestyle change is associated with control of obesity in patients with HOS and structural disease where lifestyle change alone was not successful. A prospective study is warranted to rigorously examine its role in this difficult group of patients. Neuro-Oncology 18:iii127–iii134, 2016. doi:10.1093/neuonc/now078.18 #The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
Nuclear Cardiology Technology Study Guide

S.G. Johnson, M.B. Farrell, A.M. Alessi, and M.C. Hyun Reston, VA: Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, 2015, 210 pages, $199 This second edition of Nuclear Cardiology Technology Study Guide offers a complete study of nuclear cardiology from basic cardiac anatomy to advanced
The ‘Christian Socialist’ Period, 1877–1886

Clark’s theoretical development cannot be understood outside the larger economic, political and ideological context within which it unfolded. Essentially, both the early, ‘Christian Socialist’ Clark and the mature, neoclassical Clark were a product of and a response to an intense period of conflict in which prevailing institutions were undergoing substantial change and social authority was losing its hold over the underlying population.
Public Media Autonomy and Accountability: Best and Worst Policy Practices in 12 Leading Democracies

Public media’s contributions to democracy are well established. Less widely known are the specific policies that make these contributions possible. This study finds that professional autonomy and civic accountability in public media are supported by (1) funding established for multiyear periods; (2) legal charters that restrict partisan government influence while also mandating the provision of diverse, high-quality programming; (3) oversight agencies, whose “arm’s length” independence from the government in power is bolstered through staggered terms and the dispersal of authority to make appointments; and (4) audience councils and surveys designed to strengthen links to diverse publics. Public media governed by policies that continue and extend, rather than depart from, these best practices will likely be the most successful in maintaining their civic mission online.
The Generalizability and Construct Validity of the Modern Sexism Scale: Some Cautionary Notes

Our purposes are to explore the generalizability of the Modern Sexism Scale [J. T. Swim et al. (1995) “Sexual and Racism: Old-Fashioned and Modern Prejudices,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 68, pp. 199–214] beyond mostly white, traditionally aged undergraduates and to extend analyses of its construct validity. Fourteen African American and 32 white women firefighters nationwide, having previously completed an extensive mail survey, were followed up with the Modern Sexism Scale. A four-factor solution, low inter-item correlations, and a low coefficient alpha argue against combining the 8-items of the scale. Racial differences on one item and in response variances as well as correlations with age, years of service, and education caution against handily overgeneralizing scale usage beyond students. Coherent patterns of interrelationships among Modern Sexism items and other personality, attitudinal, work experiential, and gender identity scales suggest strong convergent validity.
From trickle to flood: daily life and data at home and on the go

Alex Zafiroglu is a Principal Engineer in the Internet of Things Business Group at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro. Her research directs innovation and strategic decisions for multiple teams across Intel working on platforms and technologies related to domestic computing, by understanding user contexts, practices, values, desires and needs. Alex defines transformational experiences in domestic spaces including homes and private passenger cars, and across Intel device categories from desktop computers to gateways to set top boxes and Internet of Things platforms and devices. She's roadtripped in an RV for a week to understand the challenges of mobile domesticity, lugged around a shower curtain and stepstool to unpack the contents of cars from Wuhan to Sao Paulo to Frankfurt to Penang, watched people watch TV in 15 countries, and explored laundry rooms in Swedish apartment buildings and Indonesian student housing. She excels at making sense of the mundane, everyday rhythms of domestic life, and identifying areas for innovation in nascent markets. Her research spans the development of experiences from concept design through to product definition and assessment, within Intel and in collaboration with customers. Alex holds a number of U.S. patents, including Intelligent Task Assignment And Authorization Systems And Methods and Navigation Systems That Enhance Driver Awareness. She completed a Ph.D. and M.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Brown University, and a BA in Anthropology & History at the University of Delaware.
Postponing the Day of Reckoning? Examining Contextual Effects on Public Support for Voter Identification Policies†

Objective This study examines the reasons why a majority of Democrats support restrictive voter identification (ID) laws, in spite of such laws clashing with stereotypical Democratic Party interests. Methods Racial, ethnic, and class demographic data from the 2006 to 2008 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census are merged with the 2008 Cooperative Congressional Election Study. Multilevel models with mixed effects are used to predict support for photo ID laws. Results Photo ID support is polarized across political sophistication among Democrats in congressional districts with a higher proportion of foreign-born residents as well as with higher foreign-born population growth. In contrast, the increasing presence of foreign-born residents further solidifies support among Republicans, regardless of sophistication. Further analysis reveals that contextual effects of the foreign-born population specifically affect white partisans and also polarize attitudes across social class. Conclusions The results suggest that support for restrictive voter ID laws is highest among Republicans and disengaged Democrats, particularly in racially and ethnically diverse areas.
Fundamental motor skills: A systematic review of terminology

ABSTRACTThe three aims of this systematic review are to describe: (1) use of the term fundamental motor/movement skills (FMS) in published articles; (2) the quality of definitions; and (3) relative use of process- and product- oriented assessments to measure FMS. The inclusion criteria included: (a) peer-reviewed article, (b) printed in English, (c) published between January 2000 and 31 December 2015, (d) presence of either the term “fundamental motor or movement skill” in the title and/or abstract, and (e) FMS were a measured outcome. There has been an increase in the number of publications on FMS in recent years, with the majority of studies conducted in Australia (n = 41, 33%). Approximately 24% of studies (n = 30) did not provide any explicit definition of FMS. A majority of studies reported the use of process-oriented measures (n = 98, 79%) compared to product-oriented measures (n = 23, 19%), and few studies used both (n = 6, 5%). We recommend that researchers provide: (1) an operational definition o...
A Virtual Learning System in Environmental Monitoring

This paper provides an overview of a Learning Enhanced Watershed Assessment System (LEWAS) and its public interface called the Online Watershed Learning System (OWLS). These systems provide access to environmental monitoring case studies that are developed based on high frequency water and weather data from a small urban watershed on the campus of Virginia Tech (VT) and represent applications of the innovation cycle of engineering education research and practice. The development of LEWAS was motivated by a programming learning unit in a first-year engineering class in 2008, and since then it has grown into a unique research and education lab on the VT campus. Several examples of learning activities based on the LEWAS/OWLS are provided and applications of these systems within and outside VT are discussed. Results of a pilot study to track the OWLS’ users are provided and this work is expected to provide guidelines to develop personalized learning systems in environmental monitoring. Interdisciplinary collaboration facilitated by the LEWAS/OWLS work has resulted in a several new NSF awards, and examples are provided.
Investigating Applications in Health Care [Book\Software Reviews]

This book explains the multiple directions in which RF/microwave technologies are heading toward healthcare and biosensing applications, the achievements that have been made so far, and the challenges for researchers to solve in the near future. It consists of seven chapters by 15 authors, many of whom are active on the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) Technical Coordinating Committee MTT-10, Biological Effects and Medical Applications. Apart from the first two chapters (which are tutorials on microwave technology and the dielectric properties of tissue), the book consists of five chapters that review different applications of RF/microwave energy to health care and biosensing. This book provides essential theories and solutions for the transmitter and receiver hardware block. The solutions offered are very practical for a circuit system designer. Whether the particular applications of RF/microwaves discussed in this volume will ever pass muster and enter the realm of evidence-based medicine remains to be seen. In their focus on the nuts and bolts of engineering, the authors of this otherwise meritorious volume are telling only a small part of the story about developing medical technology.
Gender Differences in Suicidal Behaviors: Mediation Role of Psychological Distress Between Alcohol Abuse/Dependence and Suicidal Behaviors.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among emerging adults ages 18 to 25. Aims: To examine gender differences on the mediation effect of psychological distress between alcohol abuse or depe...
Emergent arguments: A functional approach to analyzing student challenges with the argument genre

Abstract University students across disciplines are often expected to write argumentative texts. However, many students, particularly L2 writers, struggle writing arguments and teachers may not be prepared to effectively scaffold argument writing. Despite its importance, argumentative writing is still an underresearched area in second language writing. In this paper, we use a Systemic Functional Linguistics conceptualization of argumentation to examine emergent arguments , texts that meet some of the expectations for argumentative writing but not others. We adapt Humphrey et al. (2010) 3 × 3 professional learning toolkit to analyze student writing from a first-year university history class. The 3 × 3 allows us to highlight these texts’ mixed effectiveness in meeting genre expectations, based on how they control the resources of each of SFL’s three metafunctions (ideational, interpersonal, and textual) at the levels of whole-text, paragraph, and sentence/clause. Our analysis of three emergent arguments shows how each exhibits challenges controlling the resources of a particular metafunction. Our application of the 3 × 3 provides a theoretical conceptualization of argumentative writing that can help teachers uncover subtle ways that student writing does and does not meet genre expectations.
Interbasin Differences in the Relationship between SST and Tropical Cyclone Intensification

ABSTRACTSea surface temperature (SST) is one of the most important parameters for tropical cyclone (TC) intensification. Here, it is shown that the relationship between SST and TC intensification varies considerably from basin to basin, with SST explaining less than 4% of the variance in TC intensification rates in the Atlantic, 12% in the western North Pacific, and 23% in the eastern Pacific. Several factors are shown to be responsible for these interbasin differences. First, variability of SST along TCs’ tracks is lower in the Atlantic. This is due to smaller horizontal SST gradients in the Atlantic, compared to the Pacific, and stronger damping of prestorm SST’s contribution to TC intensification by the storm-induced cold SST wake in the Atlantic. The damping occurs because SST tends to vary in phase with TC-induced SST cooling: in the Gulf of Mexico and northwestern Atlantic, where SSTs are highest, TCs tend to be strongest and their translations slowest, resulting in the strongest storm-induced cooli...
The survival consequences of intellectual property for retail ventures

Abstract While the value of patents is documented widely for technology ventures, whether retail ventures can improve their survival odds from patents, copyrights or trademarks remains unexplored. Given the relatively lower survival rate of retail ventures, whether investing in intellectual property could improve their survival odds is an important research question for both the retailing and entrepreneurship literatures. Based on a sample of 585 retail and 2406 non-retail ventures in the Kauffman Firm Survey, retail ventures have a lower chance of survival. Compared to non-retail ventures, patents, trademarks or copyrights in retail ventures increase the odds of survival. The findings have implications for resource allocations related to intellectual property in retail ventures.
Discovering mechanisms relevant for radiation damage evolution

Abstract The response of a material to irradiation is a consequence of the kinetic evolution of defects produced during energetic damage events. Thus, accurate predictions of radiation damage evolution require knowing the atomic scale mechanisms associated with those defects. Atomistic simulations are a key tool in providing insight into the types of mechanisms possible. Further, by extending the time scale beyond what is achievable with conventional molecular dynamics, even greater insight can be obtained. Here, we provide examples in which such simulations have revealed new kinetic mechanisms that were not obvious before performing the simulations. We also demonstrate, through the coupling with higher level models, how those mechanisms impact experimental observables in irradiated materials. Finally, we discuss the importance of these types of simulations in the context of predicting material behavior.
Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and in the majority of cases, findings of monoclonal immunoglobulins in the blood. Myeloma is the second most common hematological malignancy in adults in Western countries, and the malignancy is consistently preceded by a precursor state called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
Reflected Brownian Motion in Time Dependent Domains

This chapter presents a number of results on the heat equation solution in time dependent domains proved using probabilistic techniques.
Gluteoplasty for the treatment of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is a devastating condition in which patients have extremely poor quality of life, with limitations in social interaction, physical activity, and employability. Defined as incomplete control of the fecal stream, fecal incontinence may be due to a number of factors, such as increased stool production, decreased rectal vault capacitance, diminished rectal distension sensibility, and anal sphincter disruption. Despite such medical therapies as motility inhibitors, stool-bulking agents, biofeedback, and Kegel exercises, these interventions may only provide limited relief from this disabling condition [1].
The Value Added Tax

The value added tax (VAT) suffers from the same major deficiency as most other forms of taxation in that it is coercive. It involves the taking of property without the owner’s consent. But if one believes that some forms of takings are better than others, one might ask whether the VAT is a viable alternative to the income tax. For years, some commentators have been calling for the replacement of the income tax with some form of VAT because the income tax discourages production and encourages consumption and leisure, whereas the VAT encourages thrift and enterprise.1 Certainly, if this is so, it is a form of taxation that should be of interest to an emerging economy, where economic growth is especially important.2
U.S. livestock production and factor demand: a multiproduct dynamic dual approach

There is a need for modeling livestock production and factor use incorporating the interlinked dynamics of breeding herd adjustments in a theoretically consistent manner. Therefore, a multiple input-multiple output theoretical model is developed based on the adjustment cost hypothesis of production relationship involving sluggish adjustments of quasi-fixed inputs. Employing the results of intertemporal analogue of Hotelling's lemma, a system of equations of optimal output supply, variable input demand, and quasi-fixed inputs (livestock breeding herds) investment is derived. Various issues like aggregation, expectation formation, and nonjointness in implementing this theoretical model are appraised.;A normalized quadratic value function is used to implement the proposed theoretical model. Beef, milk, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, sheep and lambs, and wool (including mohair) are the eight outputs considered. The five variable inputs included in the empirical model are labor (numeraire), operating capital, grain feed, high protein feed, and hay. Various stocks of breeding herds like beef cows, dairy cows, sows, chicken layers, turkey breeder hens, and ewes (including Angora goats) are treated as appropriate nonallocatable quasi-fixed inputs. Stock of durable capital used in livestock production is also included in the list of quasi-fixed inputs studied. Sector-level aggregate data for the sample period 1950-1987 are used in the estimation. All parametric restrictions implied by the underlying theory of producer behavior (homogeneity, symmetry, and convexity) are maintained throughout the analysis.;The estimated model is subjected to a series of tests of hypotheses on the structure of dynamics of the livestock breeding herds. Nonjointness in production of some outputs is also tested. Results indicate the validity of the present approach in capturing the interlinkages that exist among the dynamics of these breeding herds. The nature and magnitude of such linkages are assessed by means of the coefficients of dynamic adjustments matrix. The important distinction of short run versus long run in responses for simulated external economic stimuli like changes in relative prices is accounted for in the elasticities calculation. In general, the reported elasticities compare favorably with similar estimates from other studies.;The present modeling effort does have few restrictive assumptions like static price expectation formation and a simple linear first order differential equation for approximating the dynamics of herd building. Nevertheless, it amply demonstrates that the theoretical requirements of economic modeling can be fully and meaningfully incorporated in practical applications for realistic results.
ANODIC STRIPPING VOLTAMMETRY OF ATMOSPHERIC SAMPLES

Anodic stripping voltammetry has extended the limit of sensitivity for electrochemical methods to extremely low concentration levels. But, in addition to measuring low concentrations, it is necessary in many cases to measure a material with a limited size of sample. In order to analyze this small amount, a cell with a volume of 0.1 to 0.3 ml was constructed. Using this cell, it was possible to study the concentration of lead, copper and cadmium in a small volume of air, which have been trapped on a porous graphite filter. Thus, electrochemical studies can be done on the same type of samples as are used in flameless atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Dikin's algorithm for matrix linear programming problems

We construct a generalization of affine-scaling vector fields for matrix linear programming problems. We discuss various properties of these vector fields and suggest a generalization of Dikin's algorithm.
Modeling Organization in Student Essays

Automated essay scoring is one of the most important educational applications of natural language processing. Recently, researchers have begun exploring methods of scoring essays with respect to particular dimensions of quality such as coherence, technical errors, and relevance to prompt, but there is relatively little work on modeling organization. We present a new annotated corpus and propose heuristic-based and learning-based approaches to scoring essays along the organization dimension, utilizing techniques that involve sequence alignment, alignment kernels, and string kernels.
Phase II Trial of Acai Juice Product in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

Background: Plant derivatives have been studied as therapies for prostate cancer based on their purported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and low toxicities. The acai berry is an examp...
Nitric Oxide Donor Prevents Neonatal Isoflurane-induced Impairments in Synaptic Plasticity and Memory.

Editor’s PerspectiveWhat We Already Know about This TopicSome general anesthetics have been shown to have adverse effects on neuronal development that affect neural function and cognitive behavior.Clinically relevant concentrations of inhalational anesthetics inhibit the postsynaptic density (PSD)-9
Design and Optimization of a MEMS Triboelectric Energy Harvester for Nano-sensor Applications

A novel optimized design of a triboelectric vibrational energy harvester having small MEMS scale size and low mass is presented in this work. The triboelectric energy harvester is designed to harvest energy from high frequency mechanical vibrations of machineries such as the skin of an aircraft. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated design and modeling of the energy harvester which enables it to be fabricated and packaged as a MEMS device in a traditional cleanroom environment. Dynamic optimization has been implemented on its geometric model to maximize the output power and power density. Simulation shows that at an acceleration magnitude of 9.8 ms-2 and operating frequency of 800 Hz, the device can generate an average power of 196.91 nW with surface and volume power densities of 13.1 mWm-2 and 1544.4 Wm-3, respectively. Due to its small size, low mass and comparatively high power density, this triboelectric energy harvester can have a significant impact in expanding the applications of the nano-sensors in wireless sensor nodes, in automobile industry, in space exploration programs, in micro- robotics and in prosthetics.
Control of density and composition in an engineered two-member bacterial community

As studies continue to demonstrate how our health is related to the status of our various commensal microbiomes, synthetic biologists are developing tools and approaches to control these microbiomes and stabilize healthy states or remediate unhealthy ones. Building on previous work to control bacterial communities, we have constructed a synthetic two-member bacterial consortium engineered to reach population density and composition steady states set by inducer inputs. We detail a screening strategy to search functional parameter space in this high-complexity genetic circuit as well as initial testing of a functional two-member circuit. We demonstrate non-independent changes in total population density and composition steady states with a limited set of varying inducer concentrations. After a dilution to perturb the system from its steady state, density and composition steady states are not regained. Modeling and simulation suggest a need for increased degradation of intercellular signals to improve circuit performance. Future experiments will implement increased signal degradation and investigate the robustness of control of each characteristic to perturbations from steady states.
Studies on Protective Immunity to Aerosol Challenge with Legionella pneumophila

Guinea pigs exposed to 1, 2 or 3 sub-lethal aerosol infections with L. pneumophila developed ELISA serum antibodies after each infection, but were not protected against a lethal aerosol challenge. They died earlier than untreated control animals, though with the same acute exudative bronchopneumonia. Lung bacterial counts were lower in the immunized animals. The extent of pulmonary lesions increased with each successive sublethal infection and lymphoid cell infiltration was prominent after the second. Animals immunized with serotype-specific antigen developed serum antibodies, but were also not protected against lethal aerosol challenge and died earlier than controls.
The Integrator Complex Attenuates Promoter-Proximal Transcription at Protein-Coding Genes

The transition of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) from initiation to productive elongation is a central, regulated step in metazoan gene expression. At many genes, Pol II pauses stably in early elongation, remaining engaged with the 25- to 60-nt-long nascent RNA for many minutes while awaiting signals for release into the gene body. However, 15%-20% of genes display highly unstable promoter Pol II, suggesting that paused polymerase might dissociate from template DNA at these promoters and release a short, non-productive mRNA. Here, we report that paused Pol II can be actively destabilized by the Integrator complex. Specifically, we present evidence that Integrator utilizes its RNA endonuclease activity to cleave nascent RNA and drive termination of paused Pol II. These findings uncover a previously unappreciated mechanism of metazoan gene repression, akin to bacterial transcription attenuation, wherein promoter-proximal Pol II is prevented from entering productive elongation through factor-regulated termination.
System dynamics for estimating sUAS operations

The sUAS Adoption and Operations model incorporates the impacts of public perception of small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operations and policy implementation into a holistic model to complement sUAS forecasts. The model is intended to help policymakers, regulators, and analysts understand key drivers and test the impact of policy, perception, and safety on adoption and operations. This paper provides an overview of the model, its relevance to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecasting of sUAS adoption and operations, and a case study to demonstrate the "what if" capability of the model.
Association of race and socioeconomic status with the rate of bystander-initiated CPR in Memphis

Study objective This study evaluated the association of race and socioeconomic status with the rate of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Memphis, TN and compared it to 25 years prior. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events in the Memphis area from 2012-2018. The primary outcome of interest was the provision of bystander CPR. Socioeconomic status was estimated using the Economic Hardship Index model. A generalized linear mixed model analysis was conducted. Results The overall rate of bystander CPR was 33.6%. White patients were more likely to receive bystander CPR compared to black patients (44.0% vs 29.8%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.40-2.05). Patients in areas of increased economic hardship were less likely to receive bystander CPR (OR = 0.713, 95% CI = 0.569-0.894). Overall bystander CPR rate increased by 18.7% over the past 25 years. Conclusion Despite significant increases in bystander CPR compared to 25 years ago, black individuals are still less likely to receive bystander CPR than white individuals in Memphis. Both race and socioeconomic status were independent predictors of the rate of bystander CPR. By using neighborhood demographics and the Economic Hardship Index, communities with low overall bystander CPR rates, such as Memphis, can focus limited resources on areas of greatest need and potential effectiveness.
Breast-Conserving Therapy is Associated with Improved Survival Compared with Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Comparison Using the National Cancer Database.

Current recommendations for early-stage breast cancer are largely based on the NSABP B-06 trial demonstrating equivalent survival between mastectomy and lumpectomy. We sought to compare breast-conserving therapy (BCT) with mastectomy for treatment of early-stage breast cancer in a contemporary patient population. A query of the NCDB PUF identified female breast cancer patients diagnosed from 2004 to 2015. Patients with stage I or II disease were included. BCT was defined as the receipt of lumpectomy plus radiation. Propensity scores were tabulated using race, age, Charlson/Deyo score, tumor site, laterality, histology, grade, size, number of nodes positive, lymph-vascular invasion, receptor status, receipt of chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy. Patients who received BCT versus mastectomy were matched using a 1:1 nearest neighbor technique. The primary outcome measured was overall survival. After exclusions and matching, two equal groups of 101,118 patients remained. Median follow-up was 42 months. The majority had invasive ductal histology (77%), and node-negative disease (84%). Receptor status included ER-positive (83%), PR-positive (73%), and HER2/Neu-positive (15%). Chemotherapy was received in 38% and endocrine therapy in 71%. Propensity score matching yielded equivalent groups across all target variables. The 5-year overall survival was superior for BCT compared with mastectomy (92.9% vs. 89.7%, p < 0.001; Fig. 1). This survival advantage persisted for both stage I (p < 0.001) and stage II (p < 0.001) disease on subgroup analysis. BCT is associated with superior overall survival compared with mastectomy for early-stage breast cancer using well-matched, contemporary data.
Explainable Rumor Detection using Inter and Intra-feature Attention Networks.

With social media becoming ubiquitous, information consumption from this media has also increased. However, one of the serious problems that have emerged with this increase, is the propagation of rumors. Therefore, rumor identification is a very critical task with significant implications to economy, democracy as well as public health and safety. We tackle the problem of automated detection of rumors in social media in this paper by designing a modular explainable architecture that uses both latent and handcrafted features and can be expanded to as many new classes of features as desired. This approach will allow the end user to not only determine whether the piece of information on the social media is real of a rumor, but also give explanations on why the algorithm arrived at its conclusion. Using attention mechanisms, we are able to interpret the relative importance of each of these features as well as the relative importance of the feature classes themselves. The advantage of this approach is that the architecture is expandable to more handcrafted features as they become available and also to conduct extensive testing to determine the relative influences of these features in the final decision. Extensive experimentation on popular datasets and benchmarking against eleven contemporary algorithms, show that our approach performs significantly better in terms of F-score and accuracy while also being interpretable.
The Knight Brothers in Niuzhuang: U.S. Merchants & Foreign Life in a Small Chinese Treaty Port

Relying on unutilized archives and secondary literature on foreign establishments in modern China, this article uses the experience of Francis and Albert Knight, U.S. merchants and consuls in Niuzh...
Anti-hypertensive treatment in the immediate post-operative period and 1 year after pediatric heart transplantation.

Hypertension is a known complication of pediatric heart transplantation. We sought to identify factors associated with anti-hypertensive use in pediatric heart transplant recipients immediately post-transplant and oral anti-hypertensive use at discharge and 1-year post-transplant. Retrospective chart review was conducted of patients ≤18 years who underwent heart transplantation at two major heart transplant centers between August 1, 2009 and December 31, 2017 with ≥1-year follow-up. Exclusion criteria included re-transplant, multi-organ recipients, survival <1 year, and comorbidities associated with hypertension. Anti-hypertensive use was recorded during initial ICU stay, at discharge, and 1-year post-transplant. Univariate and multivariate analyses determined associations of demographic and diagnostic factors and need for anti-hypertensives. There were 188 patients that met inclusion criteria. Anti-hypertensive infusions were required in the ICU post-transplant in 46 patients (24.5%) for a median of 3 days (1-21 days). Oral anti-hypertensives were required in 58 patients (30.9%) at discharge and 1-year post-transplant. Anti-hypertensive infusion in the ICU post-transplant was associated with donor-to-recipient weight ratio. Oral anti-hypertensive use at discharge was associated with weight ratio and pretransplant VAD use, and at 1-year, post-transplant was associated with age at transplant, steroid use at discharge, and oral anti-hypertensive use at discharge. Hypertension is common immediately following and 1-year post-transplant. Weight ratio was the only independent predictor of anti-hypertensive use in the early post-transplant period, whereas VAD use was also associated with anti-hypertensive use at discharge. Anti-hypertensive use 1-year post-transplant was not associated with those factors, but rather with age at transplant and steroid use.
On Knowledge Work

The management of knowledge and of knowledge work are regarded as the key challenges in the information economy and knowledge intensive firms. Even though the term knowledge work is used increasingly there is some ambiguity surrounding what constitutes knowledge work and who are regarded as knowledge workers. In this chapter knowledge work as a category of work is explored. Knowledge work is defined from different perspectives — the economic, the labor process, and the work practice perspective — and the implications of using knowledge work as a category of work in both research and practice are discussed.
Histopathologic and Clinical Features in Patients with Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Background The discovery of nondiabetic kidney disease (NDKD) in an individual patient with diabetes may have significant treatment implications. Extensive histopathologic data in this population are lacking, but they may provide insights into the complex pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and reveal specific phenotypes for the development of targeted therapies. This study seeks to elucidate the clinical and laboratory parameters associated with the spectrum of kidney histopathologic features in patients with diabetes. Methods This study is a retrospective analysis of 399 kidney biopsies assessed from 2014 to 2016 at the University of Washington among patients with diabetes. More comprehensive clinical data were evaluated in a subset of 79 participants. Results Of the 399 biopsies reviewed, 192 (48%) had a primary diagnosis of DN (including 26 with an additional diagnosis), and 207 (52%) had a primary diagnosis of NDKD (including 67 who also had DN). Retinopathy (sensitivity: 0.86; specificity: 0.81; OR, 27.1; 95% CI, 6.8 to 107.7) and higher levels of proteinuria (7.6 versus 4.1 g/d; P=0.004) were associated with DN, whereas a physician description of AKI was associated with a lower risk of DN (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.38). The four most prevalent diagnoses in participants with NDKD were FSGS in 39, nephrosclerosis in 29, IgA nephropathy in 27, and acute tubular injury in 21. Conclusions Among patients with diabetes who undergo kidney biopsy in the Pacific Northwest, approximately half have DN, and half have NDKD. Retinopathy and more severe proteinuria were associated with DN, and AKI was a more common descriptor in NDKD. Podcast This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/K360/2020_11_25_KID0003962020.mp3
STAR FORMATION IN A QUASAR DISK

Using a version of the ZEUS code, we carry out two-dimensional simulations of self-gravitating shearing sheets, with application to QSO accretion disks at a few thousand Schwarzschild radii, corresponding to a few hundredths of a parsec for a 100-million-solar-mass black hole. Radiation pressure and optically thick radiative cooling are implemented via vertical averages. We determine dimensionless versions of the maximum surface density, accretion rate, and effective viscosity that can be sustained by density-wave turbulence without fragmentation. Where fragments do form, we study the final masses that result. The maximum Shakura-Sunyaev viscosity parameter is approximately 0.4. Fragmentation occurs when the cooling time is less than about twice the shearing time, as found by Gammie and others, but can also occur at very long cooling times in sheets that are strongly radiation-pressure dominated. For accretion at the Eddington rate onto a 108 solar-mass black hole, fragmentation occurs beyond 4000 Schwarzschild radii, r S. Near this radius, initial fragment masses are several hundred suns, consistent with estimates from linear stability; final masses after merging increase with the size of the sheet, reaching several thousand suns in our largest simulations. With increasing black hole mass at a fixed Eddington ratio, self-gravity prevails at smaller multiples of r S, where radiation pressure is more important and the cooling time is longer compared to the dynamical time; nevertheless, fragmentation can occur and produces larger initial fragment masses. Because the internal thermal and gravitational energies of these massive, radiation-pressure-dominated fragments nearly cancel, small errors in energy conservation can cause spurious results such as spontaneous dissolution of isolated bodies, unless special care is taken. This is likely to be a challenge for all Eulerian codes in self-gravitating regimes where radiation pressure dominates.