cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of the polymerase chain reaction to identify mosquito species of the Anopheles gambiae complex.

A nonradiometric method has been developed for distinguishing between the sibling species Anopheles gambiae Giles and An. arabiensis Patton, two important Afrotropical vectors of malaria. DNA fragments of species diagnostic length are amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from a small amount of unknown DNA and three different PCR primers. All three PCR primers are based on ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. A universal plus-strand primer (A0) is derived from a conserved region at the 3' end of the 28S rDNA coding region. Two species-specific minus-strand primers (Aa0.5 and Ag1.3) are derived from sequences in the intergenic spacers. The Ag1.3 sequence is approximately 1.3 kb downstream of A0; the Aa0.5 sequence is about 0.5 kb downstream of A0. When mosquito DNA is amplified in the presence of all three primers, a 1.3 kb fragment is produced if An. gambiae DNA is used as template, and a 0.5 kb fragment is produced if An. arabiensis DNA is used. Amplification of DNA from An.gambiae/An. arabiensis hybrids produces both the 1.3 kb and the 0.5 kb fragments. Neither diagnostic fragment is produced when DNA from other species in the An. gambiae complex is used as template.
Social Structure Shapes Cultural Stereotypes and Emotions: A Causal Test of the Stereotype Content Model

The stereotype content model (SCM) posits that social structure predicts specific cultural stereotypes and associated emotional prejudices. No prior evidence at a societal level has manipulated both structural predictors and measured both stereotypes and prejudices. In the present study, participants (n = 120) responded to an immigration scenario depicting a high- or low-status group, competitive or not competitive, and rated their likely stereotype (on warmth and competence) and elicited emotional prejudices (admiration, contempt, envy, and pity). Seven of eight specific predictions are fully confirmed, supporting the SCM's predicted causality for social structural effects on cultural stereotypes and emotional prejudices.
The Cysteine Desulfhydrase CdsH Is Conditionally Required for Sulfur Mobilization to the Thiamine Thiazole in Salmonella enterica

Thiamine pyrophosphate is a required coenzyme that contains a mechanistically important sulfur atom. In Salmonella enterica, sulfur is trafficked to both thiamine biosynthesis and 4-thiouridine biosynthesis by the enzyme ThiI using persulfide (R-S-S-H) chemistry. It was previously reported that a thiI mutant strain could grow independent of exogenous thiamine in the presence of cysteine, suggesting there was a second mechanism for sulfur mobilization. Data reported here show that oxidation products of cysteine rescue the growth of a thiI mutant strain by a mechanism that requires the transporter YdjN and the cysteine desulfhydrase CdsH. The data are consistent with a model in which sulfide produced by CdsH reacts with cystine (Cys-S-S-Cys), S-sulfocysteine (Cys-S-SO3 (-)), or another disulfide to form a small-molecule persulfide (R-S-S-H). We suggest that this persulfide replaced ThiI by donating sulfur to the thiamine sulfur carrier protein ThiS. This model describes a potential mechanism used for sulfur trafficking in organisms that lack ThiI but are capable of thiamine biosynthesis.
A flashlamp-pumped, Q-switched Cr:Nd:GSGG laser

A long-pulse Cr:Nd:GSGG laser was operated at almost 2 J output energy and almost 5 percent efficiency, using an uncooled pump cavity. An Nd:YAG rod in the same pump cavity produced 3.75 percent efficiency. Using a water-cooled pump cavity of standard design, the thermal focusing of Cr:Nd:GSGG was found to be almost six times that of Nd:YAG for the same flashlamp input energy. The thermal birefringence of the GSGG was also observed to be significantly higher than that of YAG. The performance of a Q -switched Cr:Nd:GSGG laser was characterized and compared to the predictions of a mathematical model for the laser. This yielded an estimate of 4.2 \times 10^{-19} cm2for the peak stimulated emission cross section of Nd3+in GSGG. Using the same technique for Nd:YAG yielded a value of 9 \times 10^{-19} cm2.
Managing Online Auctions: Current Business and Research Issues

The Internet's computational power and flexibility have made auctions a widespread and integral part of both consumer and business markets. Though online auctions are a multi-billion dollar annual activity, with a growing variety of sophisticated trading mechanisms, scientific research on them is at an early stage. This paper analyzes the current state of management science research on online auctions. It develops a broad research agenda for issues such as the behavior of online auction participants, the optimal design of online auctions, the integration of auctions into the ongoing operation of firms, and the use of the data generated by online auctions to inform future trading mechanisms. These research areas will draw from applied and theoretical work spanning management science, economics, and information systems.
The New Face of Active Receptor Bound Arrestin Attracts New Partners

Conformational change in arrestin induced by receptor binding promotes its interaction with the majority of recently identified nonreceptor binding partners.
Relations between dune generations in the Gran Desierto of Mexico

Multiple generations or genetic units of dunes characterized by different morphologies, sand grain size and sorting, and degree of post-depositional alteration of sediments occur in the Gran Desierto sand sea of Mexico. Dune generations are separated by super bounding surfaces. Episodic accumulation of dunes is a result of a complex response of different sediment sources to regional climatic and eustatic changes. Based on examples from three parts of the sand sea, relations between different generations of dunes suggest that there are two end-member modes of sand sea accumulation: (1) stacking or superposition of dune generations, and (2) accumulating mosaics of dunes of different morphological units. The mode of accumulation is determined by sand supply and accumulation rate: stacking occurs where sand supply is high and/or the sand sea area is restricted by topography; accumulation of mosaics is the preferred mode of accumulation where sand supply is low.
Blood Dyscrasias Associated with Antituberculosis and Combined Antituberculosis-Tranquilizing Chemotherapy

SUMMARY Two cases of hypersensitivity reaction to antituberculosis drugs are reported. With streptomycin and para-amino salicylic acid, one presented spiking fever, generalized erythematous dermatitis, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis with icterus, and a blood picture resembling infectious mononucleosis with leukemoid-lymphocytic reaction. Following desensitizing doses of streptomycin and PAS, the patient again showed evidence of toxicity to these drugs and also apparent cross-reaction with viomycin. He tolerated isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and the broad-spectrum antibiotics. The other with PAS, isoniazid and chlorpromazine developed granulocytopenia, pleuropneumonia, and rapidly progressive circulatory failure attributed to bacterial toxemia, with no response to combined broad-spectrum antibiotics. The responsible drug or drugs could not be determined because of the rapidly fatal termination 26 hours after the onset of the acute illness. Preliminary clinical observation does not specifically implicate one single or combination of drugs. Our clinical experience in the evaluation of the supplemental use of vitamins in correcting clinically suspected deficiencies has been favorable when a drug suspected of causing toxicity was resumed and apparently well tolerated.
Beyond the Endothelium: NF-κB Regulation of Smooth Muscle Function

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are important for structural integrity of the medial wall but are also central to vascular remodeling in response to injury. Although highly differentiated cells with the ability to regulate vascular tone and extracellular matrix synthesis, SMCs are also very plastic cells that can rapidly respond to local injury and dramatically modify their phenotype. A transcriptional factor implicated in vascular disease is nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a pleiotropic protein complex activated by proinflammatory signals and cellular stress that has been shown to regulate over a hundred cellular genes and different transcriptional programs (Figure). An intensive effort over the past 10 years has focused on the potential role of NF-κB in the regulation of endothelial and inflammatory cell responses in vascular pathologies.1 However, recent in vitro and in vivo evidence highlights the importance of NF-κB in regulating SMC gene expression and cellular functions after injury. NF-κB activates key transcriptional programs in smooth muscle cells. NF-κB activation in vascular pathology is schematically presented. After vascular injury, a number of different initiation factors lead to activation of the IκB kinase (IKK) complex that specifically phosphorylates IκB, which then undergoes rapid degradation by the proteosome. After release from the inhibitor, NF-κB dimers translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus where they initiate transcriptional programs. Overexpression of IκB in vitro and in vivo blocks NF-κB activation and has allowed definition of key transcriptional pathways in the SMC response to injury. Interplay between the different programs activated by NF-κB may also influence disease progression. NF-κB and its inhibitory proteins (IκB, see Figure) form an autoregulatory system that has been linked to vascular disease. Activated NF-κB is detected in human atherosclerosis within intimal lesions in SMCs, macrophages, and endothelial cells.2 In contrast, little activated NF-κB is detected in normal healthy vessels. …
Midbrain hemorrhage mimicking pituitary apoplexy in patient using anticoagulation therapy

Pituitary apoplexy represents a hemorrhage or infarction of the pituitary gland and has its occurrence often related in the context of a pituitary adenoma1. In classical pituitary apoplexy, headache, usually of sudden and severe onset, is the most common presenting symptom and hypertension and anticoagulation have been described as relevant predisposing factors1,2. The risk of cranial nerve palsies leading to double vision and/or vision loss and the risk of acute panhypopituitarysm leading to death in the event of apoplexy have [...]
Religion's Impact on the Divergent Political Attitudes of Evangelical Protestants in the United States and Brazil

In the United States, Evangelical Protestants' political attitudes have been attributed to their conservative theological beliefs. As this religion's membership has increased around the world, other Evangelicals would logically be expected to demonstrate a similar conservatism in their political views. And yet, this anticipated result does not hold. In Brazil, for example, Evangelicals maintain moderate-to-liberal attitudes on several issues. To address this anomaly, this article relies on the Pew Forum's Multi-Country Religion Survey to examine the impact of religion on Evangelicals' ideology as well as attitudes on moral and economic issues in the United States and Brazil. While doctrinal orthodoxy predicts Evangelicals' moral conservatism, neither religious component examined significantly predicts Brazilian Evangelicals' ideology or economic attitudes. Significant differences in Brazilian and American attitudes on these dimensions in general suggest that the political environment plays a much larger role in whether — and how — religion influences these political attitudes.
Wood biofilm as a food resource for stream detritivores

Published assimilation efficiencies indicate that leaf detritus is a more nutritious food for stream invertebrates than wood. Some studies, however, suggest that wood and wood biofilms (epixylon) may be an important but overlooked resource. We measured assimilation efficiencies of three detritivores for leaves and epixylon and compared attributes of grazed versus ungrazed wood epixylon to assess its use by detritivores. Pycnopsyche gentilis (Trichoptera), Tipula abdominalis (Diptera), and Tallaperla spp. (Plecoptera) assimilated epixylon more efficiently (26–36%) than leaf detritus (9–17%). Epixylon assimilation efficiencies were T. abdominalis . Tallaperla spp. . P. gentilis. Grazed wood had significantly lower microbial respiration rates, bacteria densities and biomass, fungal and chlorophyll a biomass, and biofilm ash-free dry mass than ungrazed wood, indicating that detritivores fed on epixylon. Detritivores ingested leaves at a higher rate (0.09–0.47 g g21 d21) than epixylon (0.04–0.07 g g21 d21). Assimilation rates, which incorporate both assimilation efficiency and ingestion rate, however, indicated that Tallaperla spp. and T. abdominalis were better able to use epixylon than leaves, whereas P. gentilis was more efficient at using leaves. Wood biofilm is readily ingested and assimilated by some stream detritivores and may serve as an important but overlooked food resource in stream food webs. Stream invertebrates play a critical role in the transfer of energy to higher trophic levels of food webs through their consumption of autochthonous and allochthonous resources and the resultant alteration of organic matter
Automated image analysis of cardiac myocyte Ca 2+ dynamics

Intracellular Ca2+ dynamics act as a key link between the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. Here we present a method for high-throughput measurement, automated cell segmentation and signal analysis of Ca2+ transients in isolated adult ventricular myocytes. In addition to increasing experimental throughput ∼10-fold compared to conventional approaches, this approach allows the study of individual cell-cell variability and relationships between Ca2+ signaling and cell morphology.
Electronic Publishing on Networks: A Selective Bibliography of Recent Works

Despite a variety of problems, electronic publishing on BITNET, Internet, and other networks is experiencing vigorous growth as scholars experiment with FTP archives, list servers, WAIS servers, and other technological tools in order to reinvent scholarly publishing. This bibliography presents selected sources, in both paper and electronic form, that are useful in understanding network-based electronic publishing. A limited number of sources that deal with broader electronic publishing topics, such as intellectual property rights, multimedia systems, standards, and virtual libraries, are also included; however, this bibliography does not provide an in-depth treatment of the large and diverse body of literature that deals with electronic publishing as a whole. In order to focus on recent developments, it does not cover sources published prior to 1989 (most sources are from 1990 to the present).
Transfer mask for high-aspect-ratio microlithography

For conventional patterning (optical or x-ray microlithography and micromachining) a mask with a substrate reasonably transparent to desired radiation is used. A new technique - transfer mask or sacrificial patterning - is described in this paper. The technique is based on forming absorber pattern directly on the surface of the sample. This method is suitable for any radiation (visible light, UV, X-rays, electron and ion beams) and allows use of a conventional master masks (optical or x-ray) with low, medium, high (submicron) resolution to achieve patterns with desired aspect ratio. Multiple exposures and sequential developments can produce patterns with extremely high aspect ratio. New lithography techniques, such as in-situ development, UV and x-ray radiation assisted chemistry (etching and deposition), can be easily realized by using this transfer mask technique. Forming the transfer mask directly on the sample opens new possibilities not available with the conventional masks: exposure of samples with curved surfaces and dynamic deformation of the sample surfaces during the exposure, etc.
Acute Compartment Syndrome after Non-Contact Peroneus Longus Muscle Rupture

This case demonstrates a rare variation in the pattern of injury and the presentation of acute lateral compartment syndrome of the leg. Although uncommon, lateral compartment syndrome of the leg after an ankle inversion leading to peroneus longus muscle rupture has been previously documented. This case was unusual because there was no overt ankle injury and the patient was able to continue physical activity, in spite of a significant rupture of the peroneus longus muscle that was determined later. This case highlights the necessary vigilance clinicians must maintain when assessing non-contact injuries in patients with possible compartment syndrome.
Effect of Including Alfalfa Hays That Were Harvested in the Morning or Evening in Diets of Newly Received Sheep1

ABSTRACT In previous experiments, ruminants preferred evening-harvested (PM-alfalfa) over morning-harvested (AM-alfalfa) harvested alfalfa hay when given a choice. Therefore, could strategic use of PM-alfalfa fed as a pellet or included as a component of receiving diets stimulate naive sheep to increase DMI early in the receiving period? Experiments were conducted to 1) determine preferences of naive sheep for pellets prepared from PM- and AM-alfalfa, 2) measure performance of wether lambs fed pellets prepared from PM- and AM-alfalfa, and 3) measure performance and productivity of ewe lambs fed receiving diets formulated with PM- and AM-alfalfa. Pelleting PM-alfalfa resulted in pellets having similar (P > 0.05) palatability to naive sheep as pellets prepared from AM-alfalfa. Inclusion of PM-alfalfa in receiving diets fed to ewe lambs resulted in greater consumption of alfalfa stem fractions (P 0.76). Based on data from this study, strategic dietary use of pellets or hay prepared from evening-harvested alfalfa did not stimulate naive sheep to increase DMI. Lack of commonality between experiments reported herein and other research may be because 1) sheep cannot discriminate as well as other livestock between AM- and PM-alfalfa, or 2) pelleting or including in mixed diets masks sheep-preferred characteristics of PM-alfalfa. Based on the alfalfa hay used in these experiments, it was not advantageous to use pellets or hay prepared from evening-harvested alfalfa for the specific purpose of encouraging naive sheep to increase DMI.
Phase III study of docetaxel weekly (DW) versus every 3 weeks (D) in patients with metastatic breast cancer: Final results

574 Background: D is a semi-synthetic taxane with significant activity in breast cancer. D is usually administered on an every 3-weeks schedule, however, studies have demonstrated drug efficacy and a different toxicity profile when administered on a weekly basis. In this study we compared the weekly schedule versus every 3-weeks to define the safest schedule with the highest efficacy. Methods: Patients (Pts) were enrolled if they had stage IV breast cancer and had received no more than one prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease. Prior treatment with D was not allowed but adjuvant paclitaxel (P) was allowed if > 12 months since the last dose. Pts were randomized to receive D at a starting dose of 75mg/m2 on day 1 or DW at a dose of 35 mg/m2/week for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest every 28 days. Doses could be escalated to 100 mg/m2 and 40mg/m2, respectively at the discretion of the investigator. Premedication with dexamethasone was given with each regimen. Results: From 1/2001 until 9/2004, ...
QRFP and Its Receptors Regulate Locomotor Activity and Sleep in Zebrafish.

The hypothalamus plays an important role in regulating sleep, but few hypothalamic sleep-promoting signaling pathways have been identified. Here we demonstrate a role for the neuropeptide QRFP (also known as P518 and 26RFa) and its receptors in regulating sleep in zebrafish, a diurnal vertebrate. We show that QRFP is expressed in ∼10 hypothalamic neurons in zebrafish larvae, which project to the hypothalamus, hindbrain, and spinal cord, including regions that express the two zebrafish QRFP receptor paralogs. We find that the overexpression of QRFP inhibits locomotor activity during the day, whereas mutation of qrfp or its receptors results in increased locomotor activity and decreased sleep during the day. Despite the restriction of these phenotypes to the day, the circadian clock does not regulate qrfp expression, and entrained circadian rhythms are not required for QRFP-induced rest. Instead, we find that QRFP overexpression decreases locomotor activity largely in a light-specific manner. Our results suggest that QRFP signaling plays an important role in promoting sleep and may underlie some aspects of hypothalamic sleep control.
Psychological and economic self-sufficiency among low-income jobseekers with physical disability barriers

The purpose of this research is to investigate the process of psychological empowerment by way of examining the effects of perceived employment barrier on employment hope, and employment hope on economic self-sufficiency. A structural equation modeling analysis was used with a sample of 517 participants in a job readiness program of a community-based social service organization in Chicago. Results indicate that employment hope mediates the path between perceived barriers and economic self-sufficiency. Findings provide preliminary evidence to support an empowerment-based approach to rehabilitation, promoting self-sufficiency among people with physical disabilities using interventions that address employment barriers and employment hope.
Optimizing capital investments under technological change and deterioration: a case study on MRI machine replacement

ABSTRACTWe study the multiple style and type parallel asset replacement problem (MST-PRES), which determines an optimal policy for keeping or replacing a group of assets that operate in parallel under a limited budget. Operating assets generally suffer from deterioration, which results in high operation and maintenance (O&M) cost and decreased salvage value, and technological improvements make it possible for new assets to operate more efficiently at a lower cost. In order to address these issues, we formulate a multi-objective mixed-integer programming (MIP) model that minimizes fixed and variable costs of purchasing new assets, O&M cost, inventory cost, and penalty cost for unmet demand minus salvage values, while considering technological advances and deterioration as a gain and loss in capacity, respectively. We apply our model to a case study involving two different styles of assets: a full-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine and a smaller extremity magnetic resonance imaging (eMRI) machine...
From Circuit Theory to Modeling, Large Networks and VLSI Design

This paper presents a historical review of author's early works influenced by the Circuits and Systems Group at UC Berkeley of which Prof. Ernest S. Kuh was a core member. They range from modeling of nonlinear devices and systems, in particular memristors, design optimization of satellite-based private communication networks to CMOS VLSI design and layout.
Proteolytic Cleavage of Apolipoprotein E in the Down Syndrome Brain

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common genetic causes of intellectual disability and is characterized by a number of behavioral as well as cognitive symptoms. Many of the neuropathological features of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) including senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are also present in people with DS as a result of triplication of the amyloid precursor gene on chromosome 21. Evidence suggests that harboring one or both apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) alleles may increase the risk for AD due to the proteolytic cleavage of apoE4 and a subsequent loss of function. To investigate a role for the apoE proteolysis in vivo, we compared three autopsy groups; 7 DS with AD neuropathology cases over 40 years, 5 young DS cases without AD pathology under 40 years (YDS) and 5 age-matched control cases over 40 years by immunohistochemistry utilizing an antibody that detects the amino-terminal fragment of apoE. Application of this antibody, termed the amino-terminal apoE fragment antibody (nApoECF) revealed labeling of pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex of YDS cases, whereas in the DS-AD group, labeling with nApoECF was prominent within NFTs. NFT labeling with nApoECF was significantly greater in the hippocampus versus the frontal cortex in the same DS-AD cases, suggesting a regional distribution of truncated apoE. Colocalization immunofluorescence experiments indicated that 52.5% and 53.2% of AT8- and PHF-1-positive NFTs, respectively, also contained nApoECF. Collectively, these data support a role for the proteolytic cleavage of apoE in DS and suggest that apoE fragmentation is closely associated with NFTs.
Renal cell carcinoma : clinical features and management.

In 1999 it was estimated that renal cell carcinoma (RCC) would account for 29,990 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States (61% in men and 39% in women), and lead to 11,600 deaths. RCC accounts for 2-3% of all malignancies in adults and causes 2.3% of all cancer deaths in the United States annually (1). Approx 4% of all RCC cases are bilateral at some point in the life of the patient. Data from over 10,000 cases of renal cancer entered in the Connecticut Tumor Registry suggests an increase in the incidence of renal cancer from 1935-1989; in women the incidence increased from 0.7 to 4.2 in 100,000, and in men from 1.6 to 9.6 in 100,000 (2). Factors implicated in the development of RCC include cigarette smoking, exposure to petroleum products, obesity, diuretic use, cadmium exposure, and ionizing radiation (3-9).
Dissecting the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway through proteomics

Abstract Mass spectrometry-based proteomic technologies continue to illuminate the mechanism(s) and physiological importance of the KEAP1/NRF2 antioxidant signaling pathway. Proteomic analysis of the KEAP1 and NRF2 protein complex has revealed associated proteins and post-translational modifications, which together support new modes of regulation and therapeutic intervention opportunities for prevention and treatment. Emerging proteomic data depict a highly inter-connected signaling network containing numerous co-complexed proteins and post-translational modifications, the majority of which are of unknown functional significance. In this review, we have compiled the literature and public domain to produce protein interaction networks for KEAP1 and NRF2. Selected interacting proteins and their possible functional implications are covered. We also curated available proteomic datasets to create a comprehensive map of various post-translational modifications on KEAP1 and NRF2. Together, this evaluation illustrates the power of mass spectrometry-based protein sequencing to understand the signaling components and dynamics of the KEAP1–NRF2 pathway. Current challenges and future directions for mass spectrometry in antioxidant signaling are discussed.
Cognitive Antecedents of Highlighting and Decoupling in Response to Social Pressure

Firms can engage social pressures in a variety of substantive and symbolic ways, such as highlighting (pursuing both substantive and symbolic activities) and decoupling (pursuing only symbolic appe...
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) represents the embodiment of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Its indications range from excision of benign lesions of the rectum to select cancers after neoadjuvant therapy. It has the advantage of resecting the lesion without entering the abdominal cavity which translates into less morbidity and mortality. TEM also offers chances for sphincter preservation in very low rectal lesions. We describe herein the indications of TEM and the workup of patients presenting with rectal tumors, and then, we explain the technical aspects of this procedure.
Impact of Wide-Ranging Nanoscale Chemistry on Band Structure at Cu(In, Ga)Se 2 Grain Boundaries

The relative chemistry from grain interiors to grain boundaries help explain why grain boundaries may be beneficial, detrimental or benign towards device performance. 3D Nanoscale chemical analysis extracted from atom probe tomography (APT) (10’s of parts-per-million chemical sensitivity and sub-nanometer spatial resolution) of twenty grain boundaries in a high-efficiency Cu(In, Ga)Se2 solar cell shows the matrix and alkali concentrations are wide-ranging. The concentration profiles are then related to band structure which provide a unique insight into grain boundary electrical performance. Fluctuating Cu, In and Ga concentrations result in a wide distribution of potential barriers at the valence band maximum (VBM) (−10 to −160 meV) and the conduction band minimum (CBM) (−20 to −70 meV). Furthermore, Na and K segregation is not correlated to hampering donors, (In, Ga)Cu and VSe, contrary to what has been previously reported. In addition, Na and K are predicted to be n-type dopants at grain boundaries. An overall band structure at grain boundaries is presented.
Dempster-Shafer Structures, Monotonic Set Measures and Decision Making

We first formulate the problem of decision making under uncertainty. The importance of the representation of our knowledge about the uncertainty in formulating a decision process is pointed out. We provide a brief discussion of the case of probabilistic uncertainty. Next, in considerable detail, we discuss the case of decision making under ignorance. For this case the fundamental role of the attitude of the decision maker is noted and its subjective nature is emphasized. Next the case in which a Dempster-Shafer belief structure is used to model our knowledge of the uncertainty is considered. Here we also emphasize the subjective choices the decision maker must make in formulating a decision function. The case in which the uncertainty is represented by a monotonic set measure is then investigated. We then return to the Dempster-Shafer belief structure and show its relationship to the set measure. This relationship allows us to get a deeper understanding of the formulation the decision function used Dempster- Shafer framework. We discuss how this deeper understanding allows a decision analyst to better make the subjective choices needed in the formulation of the decision function. Finally we provide a generalized framework for decision-making in the face of Dempster-Shafer type uncertainty.
A Greedy-Genetic Local-Search Heuristic for the Traveling Salesman Problem

The Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) is one of the typical combinatorial optimization problems that is easy to describe but hard to solve. In this work, we present a novel solution that integrates a genetic algorithm, local-search heuristics, and a greedy algorithm. For the genetic algorithm we keep the evolutionary technique to generate children from parents, which uses operators like mutation, selection of the most fitted element, and crossover, but the latter is enhanced with a local- search heuristic. We also use the local search heuristic for its strong climbing ability, as well as to find local optima efficiently in the TSP space. The greedy algorithm is used to generate new greedy children from parents. The experimental evaluation shows that the optimization algorithm presented provides higher quality solutions for TSP with respect to previous genetic algorithms, within reasonable computational time.
EVEREST II Delayed Second Clip for Early Recurrent MR

This case sample highlights the use of a second MitraClip in a patient who had developed early recurrent mitral regurgitation, likely secondary to partial clip detachment.
Entrepreneurs’ Networking Group Commitment and Subsequent Revenue Generation

We examined the process by which entrepreneurs’ generate revenue from networking activity using an interpersonal relationships theoretical framework. Results from a sample of 279 entrepreneurs acro...
Enrollment and biospecimen collection in a multiethnic family cohort: the Northern California site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry

Racial/ethnic minorities are often assumed to be less willing to participate in and provide biospecimens for biomedical research. We examined racial/ethnic differences in enrollment of women with breast cancer (probands) and their first-degree relatives in the Northern California site of the Breast Cancer Family Registry from 1996 to 2011. We evaluated participation in several study components, including biospecimen collection, for probands and relatives by race/ethnicity, cancer history, and other factors. Of 4,780 eligible probands, 76% enrolled in the family registry by completing the family history and risk factor questionnaires and 68% also provided a blood or mouthwash sample. Enrollment was highest (81%) for non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) and intermediate (73–76%) for Hispanics, African Americans, and all Asian American subgroups, except Filipina women (66%). Of 4,279 eligible relatives, 77% enrolled in the family registry, and 65% also provided a biospecimen sample. Enrollment was highest for NHWs (87%) and lowest for Chinese (68%) and Filipinas (67%). Among those enrolled, biospecimen collection rates were similar for NHW, Hispanic, and African American women, both for probands (92–95%) and relatives (82–87%), but lower for some Asian–American subgroups (probands: 72–88%; relatives: 71–88%), foreign-born Asian Americans, and probands those who were more recent immigrants or had low English language proficiency. These results show that racial/ethnic minority populations are willing to provide biospecimen samples for research, although some Asian American subgroups in particular may need more directed recruitment methods. To address long-standing and well-documented cancer health disparities, minority populations need equal opportunities to contribute to biomedical research.
Is "nano safe to eat or not"? A review of the state-of-the art in soft engineered nanoparticle (sENP) formulation and delivery in foods.

Abstract With superior physicochemical properties, soft engineered nanoparticles (sENP) (protein, carbohydrate, lipids and other biomaterials) are widely used in foods. The preparation, functionalities, applications, transformations in gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and effects on gut microbiota of sENP directly incorporated for ingestion are reviewed herein. At the time of this review, there is no notable report of safety concerns of these nanomaterials found in the literature. Meanwhile, various beneficial effects have been demonstrated for the application of sENP. To address public perception and safety concerns of nanoscale materials in food, methodologies for evaluation of physiological effects of nanomaterials are reviewed. The combination of these complementary methods will be useful for the establishment of a comprehensive risk assessment system.
Cardiac Autonomic Functioning and Post-Traumatic Stress: A Preliminary Study in Youth At-Risk for PTSD

Abstract The identification of robust, psychophysiological markers of trauma-related distress is critical for developing comprehensive, trauma-informed, mental health assessments for youth. Thus, the present study examined the clinical utility of cardiac autonomic balance (CAB) and cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR), two composite indices of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. We hypothesized that CAB/CAR would more reliably index post-traumatic stress (PTS) responses compared to measuring the parasympathetic (i.e., respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) and sympathetic (i.e., pre-ejection period; PEP) nervous systems in isolation. Our sample was comprised of 88 diverse, low-income youth (40.9% African-American and 36.4% White; 60.5% girls; Mage = 12.05 years; SDage = 1.57) who are at increased risk for adversity-exposure. RSA and PEP were measured during a 5-minute baseline period and 5-minute parent-child conflict discussion task. Adolescent-caregiver dyads completed a clinician-administered measure of the youth's lifetime trauma-exposure and current PTS. CAB represented the difference between RSA and PEP, while CAR was the summation of RSA and PEP. Analyses revealed that sympathetically-oriented CAB reactivity uniquely (a) indexed PTS, especially in the context of elevated trauma, and (b) distinguished between those with and without PTSD. Findings highlight the translational promise of using physiological markers that account for the balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system.
Nanosecond-timescale development of Faraday rotation in an ultracold gas

When a gas of ultracold atoms is suddenly illuminated by light that is nearly resonant with an atomic transition, the atoms cannot respond instantaneously. This noninstantaneous response means the gas is initially more transparent to the applied light than in steady state. The timescale associated with the development of light absorption is set by the atomic excited-state lifetime. Similarly, the index of refraction in the gas also requires time to reach a steady-state value, but the development of the associated phase response is expected to be slower than absorption effects. Faraday rotation is one manifestation of differing indices of refraction for orthogonal circular light polarization components. We have performed experiments measuring the time-dependent development of polarization rotation in an ultracold gas subjected to a magnetic field. Our measurements match theoretical predictions based on solving optical Bloch equations. We are able to identify how parameters such as steady-state optical thickness and applied magnetic field strength influence the development of Faraday rotation.
Identifying opportunities and challenges: how children use technologies for managing diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most common chronic diseases for children in the United States. Once diagnosed, the family must manage the disease to prevent further complications. Recent health technologies, like mobile phone health applications (mHealth apps), have become useful tools to support health monitoring, particularly for children living in the digital era. We used a narrative story to prompt 10 children with T1D to describe their diabetes management routines during semi-structured video interviews. Our results show that while the children feel a sense of ownership over their management routine, especially if they use newer monitoring technologies (e.g., continuous glucose monitor), they experience many challenges in managing their blood glucose (BG) levels, particularly during school. They also expressed emerging fears of security and privacy issues associated with technology use. By capturing these themes in T1D management from the children's perspective, we discuss design implications for developing supportive mHealth interventions.
Systematic Review of Exercise for Caregiver-Care Recipient Dyads: What Is Best for Spousal Caregivers-Exercising Together or Not at All?

Background and objectives Though exercise for care recipients receives considerable emphasis, few dyadic studies focus on caregivers. This systematic review identified dyadic exercise interventions, which measured outcomes for older adult caregivers. Studies that met inclusion criteria were examined to better understand whether caregivers derived greater benefit from exercising with care recipients, or not exercising at all. Research design and methods PRISMA guidelines were followed to identify quantitative studies of dyadic exercise interventions in which caregivers enrolled with care recipients, and either coparticipated in exercise; or while their care recipients exercised independently, caregivers received a separate, nonexercise intervention or usual care (UC). To be included, studies had to measure physical or psychosocial outcomes for caregivers. Study quality was assessed via the Downs and Black checklist. Results Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. In six, the dyad exercised; in five, care recipients exercised while caregivers received a separate program, or UC. Results suggest that caregivers may improve both psychosocial and physical health when exercising together with care recipients. Caregivers who did not exercise but received a separate, nonexercise intervention, such as support, education, or respite, showed psychosocial benefits. Those who received UC were less likely to derive physical or psychosocial benefits. Included studies were fair to good quality with moderate to high risk of bias. Discussion and implications Often examined secondarily, caregivers are overlooked for participation in interventions with care recipients. This analysis suggests that caregivers may benefit from dyadic interventions in which they either exercise together with their care recipients or receive a separate nonexercise intervention or respite.
Using Redox Titrations to Probe the Role of Trivalent Impurity Ions in the Ferromagnetism of Colloidal EuS Nanocrystals

EuS and related ferromagnetic semiconductors have long been model materials for spintronic device functionality because of their ability to generate highly spin-polarized electrical currents. Altho...
Changes in For-Profit Medication-Assisted Therapy Clinics in an Appalachian City.

Objectives This study is a follow-up to previous research regarding buprenorphine medication-assisted therapy (MAT) in Johnson City, Tennessee. For-profit MAT clinics were surveyed to determine changes in tapering practice patterns and insurance coverage during the last 3 years. Methods Johnson City for-profit MAT clinics; also called office based opioid treatment centers, were surveyed by telephone. Clinic representatives were asked questions regarding patient costs for therapy, insurance coverage, counseling offered onsite, and opportunities for tapering while pregnant. Results All of the MAT clinics representatives indicated that tapering in pregnancy could be considered even though tapering in pregnancy is contrary to current national guidelines. Forty-three percent of the clinics now accept insurance as compared with 0% in the 2016 study. The average weekly cost per visit remained consistent. Conclusions The concept of tapering buprenorphine during pregnancy appears to have become a standard of care for this community, as representatives state it is offered at all of the clinics that were contacted. Representatives from three clinics stated the clinics require tapering, even though national organizations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Addiction Medicine do not recommend this approach. Although patients who have government or other insurance are now able to obtain buprenorphine with no expense at numerous clinics, the high cost for uninsured patients continues to create an environment conducive to buprenorphine diversion.
Distributed Amplifier-based Negative Group Delay Circuit and Its Application

Recent development of reconfigurable negative group delay (NGD) circuits based on distributed amplifiers (DAs) has been reviewed. It is shown that reconfigurable DA-based NGD circuits can be used as tunable non-Foster components, such as negative capacitor/inductor/T-networks. Such NGD circuits also have been used to reduce the squint effect of an antenna array, while steering the main beam direction. The squint-free bandwidth can be increased if one applies more stages in the DA-based design. Furthermore, in this paper, we demonstrate a new method to increase the squint-free bandwidth, which incorporates a tunable squint-free series type antenna array feed line with each element controlled by a two-stage DA-based NGD circuit. The enhanced bandwidth is realized by slightly shifting the center frequency of the NGD circuit at each antenna element, therby increasing the bandwidth of the NGD response. Such schematic has advantages of reduced tuning complexity, compact size, as well as good gain performance.
Electrical Characteristics of Vertical GaN Nanowire Vacuum Field Emitter Devices

The electrical characteristics of simulated vertical gallium nitride (GaN) nanowire (NW) vacuum field emission diodes (VFEDs) and GaN NW vacuum field emission transistors (VFETs) with flat- and sharp-tip GaN NW field emitters (FEs) are presented by investigating their dependence on geometry and material parameters. For a flat-tip GaN NW VFED, the turn-on voltage ( ${V}_{\text{TO}}$ ) was decreased by decreasing the GaN NW diameter ( ${D}$ ), the anode to emitter distance ( ${d}$ ), the work function of the anode metal ( $\varphi _{\text{M}}$ ), or by increasing the GaN NW height ( ${h}$ ). Variations in doping concentration ( ${N}_{\text{D}}$ ) of the GaN NW do not impact ${V}_{\text{TO}}$ . The sharp-tip GaN NW VFEDs exhibited decreased ${V}_{\text{TO}}$ as the degree of sharpness ( ${d}_{\text{sh}}$ ) was increased from 0 to $0.5~\mu \text{m}$ . The saturation emitter current density ( ${J}_{\text{sat}}$ ) was only affected by variations in ${N}_{\text{D}}$ , and was increased for increased ${N}_{\text{D}}$ . The transfer ( ${I}_{\text{DS}}$ – ${V}_{\text{GS}}$ ) characteristics of sharp-tip VFETs exhibited reduced threshold voltage ( ${V}_{\text{TH}}$ ), increased transconductance ( ${G}_{\text{m, max}}$ ), and ON-/ OFF-current ratio, compared with the flat-tip ones. The output ( ${J}_{\text{DS}}$ – ${V}_{\text{DS}}$ ) characteristics of both types of devices showed nonlinear behavior at the low ${V}_{\text{DS}}$ regime.
Individual-based modeling of COVID-19 transmission in college communities

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created major public health and socio-economic challenges across the United States. Among them are challenges to the educational system where college administrators are struggling with the questions of how to reopen in-person activities while prioritizing student safety. To help address this challenge, we developed a flexible computational framework to model the spread and control of COVID-19 on a residential college campus. The modeling framework accounts for heterogeneity in social interactions, activities, disease progression, and control interventions. The relative contribution of classroom, dorm, and social activities to disease transmission were explored. We observed that the dorm has the highest contribution to disease transmission followed by classroom and social activities. Without vaccination, frequent (weekly) random testing coupled with risk reduction measures (e.g. facial mask,) in classroom, dorm, and social activities is the most effective control strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses. Moreover, since random screening testing allows for the successful and early detection of both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, it successfully reduces the transmission rate such that the maximum quarantine capacity is far lower than expected to further reduce the economic burden caused from quarantine. With vaccination, herd immunity is estimated to be achievable by 50% to 80% immunity coverage. In the absence of herd immunity, simulations indicate that it is optimal to keep some level of transmission risk reduction measures in classroom, dorm, and social activities, while testing at a lower frequency. Though our quantitative results are likely provisional on our model assumptions, extensive sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of their qualitative nature.
Development of Pressure-Robust Discontinuous Galerkin Finite Element Methods for the Stokes Problem

Pressure-robustness is an essential demand for the incompressible fluid simulation. In this paper, we develop the enhanced discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element methods for solving Stokes equations in the primary velocity-pressure formulation to achieve pressure-robustness. The velocity reconstruction operator has been designed for discontinuous functions and utilized to modify the external source assembling. The new schemes stay almost the same as that in the existing DG schemes but only differ for the source terms. The conforming discontinuous Galerkin and symmetric interior penalty DG have been employed to demonstrate the enhancement. Optimal-order error estimates are established for the corresponding numerical approximation in various norms. Several numerical experiments are performed to validate our theoretical conclusions.