cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressive Effect of δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol in Vitro on Phagocytosis by Murine Macrophages

Incubation of normal mouse peritoneal cells consisting of over 90% phagocytizing macrophages with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) resulted in a inhibition of phagocytic function. The THC in a dose-related manner suppressed the percentage of macrophages per culture which ingested yeast and the average number of yeast particles ingested by the phagocytizing macrophages. The vehicle used to suspend the THC in vitro, i.e., DMSO, had no detectable effect on macrophage function. Suppression of phagocytosis with no effects on viability or cell number occurred with doses of 10 micrograms or less THC per milliliter culture medium. Measurable suppression also occurred after 24- to 48-hr treatment of the macrophages with the THC. This compound had little if any detectable effect on phagocytosis when added directly to the cultures shortly before testing for phagocytosis. Further studies concerning the effects of THC on macrophage function appear warranted.
Influence of Adult Size of Onthophagus gazella on Manure Pat Degradation, Nest Construction, and Progeny Size

Brood ball size and weight, manure burial rate, and offspring size of Onthophagus gazella (F.) were demonstrated to increase as the size of the parent beetles increased. Adult size, in turn, reflected the quantity of provisions in the brood ball in which a beetle developed, regardless of the size of its parents. Also, under present experimental conditions, the sizes of the offspring from extremely large and small parents differed significantly from parental sizes, indicating a trend toward a medium size. The role of beetle size in dung ecology is discussed.
Characterization and Modeling of Acute Stress Under Dynamic Task Conditions

The ability to manage high levels of acute stress is an important determinant of successful performance in many occupations including those performed in extreme environments. In situations where performance is critical, personnel must be prepared to operate or execute tasks successfully under hostile or extreme stress conditions; therefore, training programs and engineered systems must be designed to ensure that humans can perform successfully. To design appropriate training programs for these conditions, it is necessary to measure stress. A framework for modeling stress was developed to quantify stress levels and its impact on human performance. This model is based on human responses (physiological and cognitive) to stressors as well as characteristics inherent to type of task performed and factors that play roles as mediators and moderators (e.g., task appraisal, personality, gender). Artificial Neural Networks was explored as a possible approach for quantification. Thus, this research provides a predictive model for acute stress as a function of human performance and task demand. The goal of this work is to develop a tool for accident prevention, training and human performance assessment under stress conditions.
Selection of dosage form and evaluation of therapeutic equivalence for inhaled medical products

The dosage forms of inhaled drugs include metered dose inhaler(MDI),dry powder inhaler(DPI)and nebulizer.These dosage forms have different properties.In selecting a dosage form,the absorption of inhaled drugs is especially important.In this article,we focus on the development of dosage forms,and on the validation of therapeutic equivalence for the same medical products.
Control Systems Theory with Engineering Applications

Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: Modeling, Identification, Optimization, and Control Mathematical Model Developments Modeling of Dynamic Systems using Matlab and SIMULINK Analysis and Control of Linear Dynamic Systems Analysis, Identification, and Control of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems References Index
Encoding Words Into Normal Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets: HM Approach

This paper focuses on an approach, called the HM Approach (HMA), to determine (for the first time) a normal interval type-2 fuzzy set model for a word that uses interval data about a word that are collected either from a group of subjects or from one subject. The HMA has two parts: 1) Data part, which is the same as the Data Part of the enhanced interval approach (EIA) [44] , and 2) Fuzzy Set Part, which is very different from the second part of the EIA, the most notable difference being that in the HMA, the common overlap of subject data intervals is interpreted to indicate agreement by all of the subjects for that overlap, and therefore, a membership grade of 1 is assigned to the common overlap. Another difference between the HMA and EIA is the way in which data intervals are collectively classified into either a Left-shoulder, Interior, or Right-shoulder footprint of uncertainty. The HMA does this more simply than does the EIA, and requires fewer probability assumptions about the intervals than does the EIA.
Self-gated MRI of multiple beat morphologies in the presence of arrhythmias.

Purpose Develop self-gated MRI for distinct heartbeat morphologies in subjects with arrhythmias. Methods Golden angle radial data was obtained in seven sinus and eight arrhythmias subjects. An image-based cardiac navigator was derived from single-shot images, distinct beat types were identified, and images were reconstructed for repeated morphologies. Image sharpness, contrast, and volume variation were quantified and compared with self-gated MRI. Images were scored for image quality and artifacts. Hemodynamic parameters were computed for each distinct beat morphology in bigeminy and trigeminy subjects and for sinus beats in patients with infrequent premature ventricular contractions. Results Images of distinct beat types were reconstructed except for two patients with infrequent premature ventricular contractions. Image contrast and sharpness were similar to sinus self-gated images (contrast = 0.45 ± 0.13 and 0.43 ± 0.15; sharpness = 0.21 ± 0.11 and 0.20 ± 0.05). Visual scoring was highest in self-gated images (4.1 ± 0.3) compared with real-time (3.9 ± 0.4) and ECG-gated cine (3.4 ± 1.5). ECG-gated cine had less artifacts than self-gating (2.3 ± 0.7 and 2.1 ± 0.2), but was affected by misgating in two subjects. Among arrhythmia subjects, post-extrasystole/sinus (58.1 ± 8.6 mL) and interrupted sinus (61.4 ± 5.9 mL) stroke volume was higher than extrasystole (32.0 ± 16.5 mL; P < 0.02). Conclusion Self-gated imaging can reconstruct images during ectopy and allowed for quantification of hemodynamic function of different beat morphologies. Magn Reson Med, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Why Redistribute? The Jacobean Union Issue and King Lear

King James VI and I’s attempt to unite Scotland and England from roughly 1603-1608, though ultimately unsuccessful, is striking in how it encouraged fundamental reconsideration of what constitutes the political and economic community and how relationships should be structured within it. My essay aims to show how Shakespeare’s King Lear may be seen as engaging with Union discourse and especially with pro-Union writings in which some of the more far-reaching and transformative ideas were taking shape about what “Britain” might become as a social, economic, and political community. Specifically, the essay argues for a relationship between Lear’s and Gloucester’s famous language on redistribution in King Lear and what the essay seeks to show was a vibrant discourse about economic redistribution that emerged during the Union issue.
Defect determination by ultrasonic spectroscopy

The experimental results presented in this report illustrate the practical usefulness of the spectroscopic method. The spectroscopic analysis of defect-echoes yields more information on the defect configuration than available from ordinary pulse-echo test techniques. Thus, serious errors with regard to defect size can be avoided.
Adaptation to a Curriculum Delivered via iPad: The Challenge of Being Early Adopters.

This convergent mixed methods study was designed to examine the skills and attitudes toward using an iPad to deliver nursing curriculum and enhance active learning strategies for sophomore Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at a Midwestern university. Quantitative data were collected using an investigator-developed survey to identify student perceived iPad skill levels and attitudes towards the iPad before, during, and after the first year of the implementation of a one-to-one iPad requirement (i.e., the iPad Initiative). Focus groups were used to collect qualitative data to identify factors that contribute to students’ attitude and skill levels. Initial data were collected from participants during the iPad orientations in August of 2013 (sophomore BSN n = 158; DNP n = 29). Follow-up sessions occurred at the end of fall semester 2013 (survey only) and spring semester (survey and focus groups) 2014. Qualitative and quantitative data were rigorously analyzed. Findings of the study (meta-inference) was informed by all data sets from all participant groups. Significant improvement was seen in quantitative data with students’ perception of their technology proficiency. However, students reported significantly less use of the iPad than they had predicted in the fall. Analysis of qualitative data resulted in a variety of themes that were grouped by three predominant categories: drivers, moderators and speed bumps. Each category demonstrated theme that acted to improve the student experience (drivers), moderate the student experience (moderators) or detract from the student experience (speed bumps). The implication of the study elucidated challenges inherent in being early adopters of technology in education.
How Do I Know What I Think I Know? Teaching Reflection to Improve Practice

While the term reflective practice can be found throughout preservice and professional teacher education courses, this chapter suggests that much of the emphasis on reflective practice in these courses is of a cursory nature, with a focus on superficial provision of answers rather than on the acquisition and practice of processes, techniques, and modeling which encourage deeper knowledge and advanced skills in teaching. This chapter argues that for reflective practice to become internalized, transformative, and embedded in the everyday practices of teachers, a number of elements, currently paid passing attention (if addressed at all), need to become the pivotal foci of teacher education for reflective practice. Based on the author’s experience as a teacher educator working in the field of reflective practice, a number of practical suggestions are made and examples given of perspectives and activities which might contribute to a more profound recognition of the complex nature of reflective practice and its real potential in teacher education.
A Pilot Study of the Level of Evidence and Collaboration in Published Neurosurgical Research

Objective Large-scale studies analyzing neurosurgical published research are lacking. This pilot study was designed to assess feasibility of an ongoing annual neurosurgical literature and research analysis of published articles in English-language neurosurgery journals. Methods All scientific articles published during 2015 in the print version of 14 English-language neurosurgery journals were reviewed individually. Results During 2015, 4065 articles were published in 14 neurosurgical journals. Of these, 1116 (27.5%) were nonscientific articles and were excluded from the analysis, and 2949 scientific articles were analyzed. Of these, 2% and 8.5% of publications met criteria for levels of evidence 1 and 2, respectively. One third of published manuscripts (33.2%) were retrospective chart reviews. There were 1742 different centers (mean 1.95 centers per article; range, 1–19) represented in 2949 articles from 67 countries (mean 1.23 countries per article; range, 1–12). Multicenter collaboration was present in 47.5% of published articles, and international collaboration was present in 17.5%. The highest numbers of U.S. author international collaborations were with Canada (70 collaborations), China (33 collaborations) and Italy (25 collaborations). Data for levels of evidence, multicenter collaborations, and international collaborations are presented for each individual journal and subject within neurosurgery. Conclusions This pilot analysis provides a descriptive assessment of levels of evidence and collaboration based on journal, general subject matter, and subcategories of subject allowing for comparison. This methodology may be used on an annual basis to establish neurosurgery publication trends and to identify underrepresented areas of research within the specialty.
Organizational learning-by-doing in liver transplantation.

Organizational learning-by-doing implies that production outcomes improve with experience. Prior empirical research documents the existence of organizational learning-by-doing, but provides little insight into why some firms learn while others do not. Among the 124 U.S. liver transplant centers that opened between 1987 and 2009, this paper shows evidence of organizational learning-by-doing, but only shortly after entry. Significant heterogeneity exists with learning only evident among those firms entering early in the sample period when liver transplantation was an experimental medical procedure. Firms that learn begin with lower quality outcomes before improving to the level of firms that do not learn, suggesting that early patient outcomes depend on the ability of new entrants to import best practices from existing liver transplant programs. Knowledge of best practices became increasingly available over time through the dissemination of academic research and increasingly specialized training programs, so that between 1987 and 2009, 6 month post-transplant survival rates increased from 64 to 90% and evidence of organization-level learning-by-doing disappeared. The lack of any recent evidence of organizational learning-by-doing implies that common insurer experience requirements may be reducing access to health care in non-experimental complex medical procedures without an improvement in quality.
CHAPTER 3-9 – CARBONIUM IONS, CARBANIONS AND RELATED SYSTEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the various forms of carbonium ions and carbanions. Many unstable entities, such as carbonium ions and carbon-ions that are postulated as short-lived intermediates in organic reactions, can often be stabilized for appreciable times by a suitable choice of solvent and counterion. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy offers a highly effective method for detecting these species and for establishing their chemical and electronic structures. The method is usually less ambiguous than other spectroscopic techniques because of the one-to-one relation between intensity and concentration. In addition, there often exists a possibility of establishing the lifetime of the ion when it is equilibrating between two or more structures. Long-lived carbonium ions have been generated in a variety of solvents, including strong acids ranging from aqueous mineral acids to oleums. Other solvents that have been used are trifluoroacetic acid, chlorosulphonic acid, fluorosulphonic acid, liquid anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, and sulphur dioxide. The ions have been derived from alcohols, halo-compounds, olefinic and aromatic compounds, and carboxylic acids and their fluorides by the action of protonic and Lewis acids.
Anatomic Abnormalities and Recurrent Implantation Failure

Intrauterine abnormalities such as myomas, polyps, adhesions, and congenital septa have been shown to adversely affect embryo implantation and pregnancy outcomes. Treating these conditions improves pregnancy rates and outcomes. Hydrosalpinges reduce IVF pregnancy rates by ~50% by impeding embryo implantation. Treating them prior to IVF by salpingectomy, salpingostomy, or tubal ligation restores the success rates back to normal. This chapter reviews the pathophysiology of these abnormalities, therapeutic options, and treatment results.
Comparison of Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Cultured in Human Platelet Growth Factors and Fetal Bovine Serum

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have classically been cultured in media supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS). As an alternative to FBS, pooled solvent detergent apheresis platelets, HPGF-C18, was evaluated for BMSC culture. A comparison of passage 2 BMSC growth revealed that 10% HPGF-C18 produced similar cell numbers as 20% FBS. Marrow aspirates from 5 healthy subjects were cultured for 4 passages in 10% HPGF-C18 or 20% FBS and were analyzed for proliferation, colony formation efficiency (CFE), surface marker expression, suppression of mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLRs), global gene and microRNA expression analysis. BMSC supernatant cytokine and growth factor concentrations were also compared. Primary cultures of marrow aspirates in 10% HPGF-C18 and 20% FBS yielded similar numbers and CFE. After 4 passages, 10% HPGF-C18 and 20% FBS yielded similar numbers of BMSCs, surface marker expression patterns and immunosuppression effects. Gene and microRNA expression analysis revealed that BMSCs cultured under the two conditions had distinct expression profiles. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) revealed HPGF-C18-cultured BMSCs were enriched in metabolic processing and biosynthetic pathways, cell proliferation and cell cycle pathways, and immune response pathways. FBS-cultured BMSCs were enriched in MAPK signaling, TGF-beta signaling, cell adhesion and extracellular matrix pathways. Differently expressed microRNAs were related to the osteogenesis of BMSCs. The supernatant of HPGF-C18 BMSCs had higher levels of PEDF and TGFB1 and lower levels of IL6, VEGF, SDF1 and PLGF. Traditional measures, expansion, surface marker expression and inhibition of MLRs suggest that BMSC cultured in HPGF-C18 and FBS were similar, but analysis at the molecular level revealed many differences. BMSCs cultured in HPGF-C18 should be assessed in specific functional assays that reflect application-specific potency before substituting FBS with HPGF-C18.
Uni- and Dicarbon Metabolism of Methanosarcina Barkeri Strain Ms in Defined Medium

The contributions of C-2 and C-1 labelled acetate to CH4 and CO2 were examined in acetate adapted culture of Methanosarcina barkeri grown in mineral medium. The methyl group of acetate accounted for the majority of CH4 produced; however, 15% of the C-2 of acetate was oxidized to 14CO2. This oxidation correlated with the concurrent reduction of the carboxyl group. 14CH4 was produced from 14C-1 acetate in amounts slightly less than the values detected for 14C-2 acetate conversion to CO2. Acetate adapted cells were capable of simultaneous metabolism of both methanol and acetate during growth in a medium that contained 50 mM of each substrate. The rate of 14CH4 generation from 14C-2 acetate was logrithmic and faster than that observed during unitrophic growth on acetate. The rate of 14CO2 production from 14C-2 acetate was twice that of unitrophic cultures. After methanol depletion the rate of 14CH4 production remained unchanged, while 14CO2 production decreased two-fold. In mixotrophic growth studies with 120 mM methanol and 50 mM acetate the rate of 14CH2 production from 14C-2 acetate decreased several fold over that observed in unitrophic or in the equal (substrate) mixotrophic cultures. However, μ CH4 decreased 2-fold which suggests that methanol toxcity was the cause of this effect.
Why we should care for the undocumented.

There are legal, ethical, and financial arguments for providing nonemergency and preventive health care for undocumented workers and their families. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Efficient and privacy preserving supplier matching for electric vehicle charging

Abstract Electric Vehicle (EV) charging takes longer time and happens more frequently compared to refueling of fossil-based vehicles. This requires in-advance scheduling on charging stations depending on the route of the demander EVs for efficient resource allocation. However, such scheduling and frequent charging may leak sensitive information about the users which may expose their driving patterns, whereabouts, schedules, etc. The situation is compounded with the proliferation of EV chargers such as V2V charging where any two EVs can charge each other through a charging cable. In such cases, the matching of these EVs is typically done in a centralized manner which exposes private information to third parties which do the matching. To address this issue, in this paper, we propose an efficient and privacy-preserving distributed matching of demander EVs with charge suppliers (i.e., public/private stations, V2V chargers) using bichromatic mutual nearest neighbor (BMNN) assignments. To this end, we use partially homomorphic encryption-based BMNN computation through local communication (e.g., DSRC or LTE-direct) between users while hiding their locations. The proposed matching algorithm provides not only a satisfactory assignment for all parties but also achieves an efficient matching in dynamic environments where new demanders and suppliers show up and some leave. The simulation results indicate that the proposed matching of suppliers and demanders can be achieved in a distributed fashion within reasonable computation and convergence times while preserving privacy of users. Moreover, due to the nature of its design, it provides a more efficient matching process for dynamic environments compared to standard stable matching algorithm, reducing the average waiting time for users until matching.
Delivery of Fluorescent Probes Using Streptolysin O for Fluorescence Microscopy of Living Cells

Methods to efficiently deliver fluorophores across the cell membrane are crucial for imaging the dynamics of intracellular proteins using fluorescence. Here we describe a simple protocol for permeabilizing living cells using streptolysin O, a bacterial toxin, which allows transient uptake of fluorescent probes for labeling specific intracellular proteins. The technique is applicable for delivering different classes of fluorescent probes with a molecular weight of <150 kDa, and it is also applicable to a variety of different cell lines. The technique enables the utilization of a broad range of fluorophores for live cell imaging of intracellular proteins. Extended observation of intracellular fluorescence bound to specific proteins is now possible through super-resolution microscopy by using fluorophores that are photostable in "cell-friendly" deoxygenating and reducing conditions. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mindfulness and emotion regulation: promoting well-being during the transition to college

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives: Managing stress is very important for first-year college students adjusting to undergraduate life. Aspects of emotion regulation, including mindfulness and the ability to regulate distressing emotion adaptively, often correlate positively with well-being. However, little research has examined overlapping and/or distinct effects of these constructs in predicting changes in adjustment over a stressful transition. Thus, the present study examined the contributions of mindfulness and adaptive emotion regulation abilities in maintaining well-being during the transition to college. We further examined experience with mind–body practices, which may promote mindfulness and positive adjustment.Design: Online surveys were administered to 158 undergraduates near the beginning and end of their first semester.Methods: Near semester start and end, students reported levels of mindfulness, adaptive emotion regulation abilities, emotional and spiritual well-being, and experience with min...
Mission Statements and Corporate Identity

Broadly defined, corporate identity refers to the way in which an organization reveals its corporate philosophy and strategy to internal and external publics through communication, behavior, and symbolism. This paper examines an important aspect of corporate communication to key internal and external publics, namely, firms’ mission statements in annual reports. We examined corporate mission statements found within the annual reports of a large cross section of publicly-held companies. We followed this approach for two reasons. First, mission statements are widely viewed as necessary in helping a company form its identity, purpose, and direction, and as key instruments by which the firm’s essential values are conveyed to its stakeholders. Consultants specializing in corporate identity often recommend the mission statement as the starting point for a corporate identity program. Second, since a firm’s annual report is its most widely available and visible formal communication with stakeholders, it is an effective vehicle for conveying the mission statement.
Resistant Organisms and Their Approach to Management in Clinical and Emergency Care

This review describes the multi-drug-resistant pathogens that lead to the most life-threatening infections, and the current state of prevention and management strategies used in clinical and emergency care. New methods of early detection and screening, novel combination antibiotics, and adjuvant therapy with a better understanding of the mechanisms employed by multi-drug-resistant bacteria are in the forefront of this impending public health crisis. The incidence of infections caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens is rising. A robust and concerted international response from the medical and public health communities is needed. The early identification of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and the appropriate targeted antibiotic therapy are the major determinants of decreased mortality. Antibiotic stewardship to slow the rate of antibiotic resistance and research and development of novel antibiotics must be encouraged and supported financially. Providers must also be vigilant with hand hygiene and environmental decontamination in all healthcare settings.
P164 Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Interactive and Engaging Nutrition Education Curriculum for Children

Objective The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the updated Food, Fun and Reading (FFR) curriculum using parent reported changes in child eating behaviors and food-related attitudes and participants’ recognition of foods in the five MyPlate food groups. Use of Theory or Research Nutrition education for young children is more effective when developmentally appropriate, interactive, and experiential activities are included in the curriculum. Including illustrated stories has also been found to increase engagement and improve information retention. The FFR curriculum utilizes both of these strategies. Target Audience The FFR curriculum was used with children from pre-Kindergarten through 1st grade. Program Description FFR is a six-lesson series that engages participants with an interactive MyPlate lesson, a physical activity game, and a child-friendly healthy recipe tasting. The nutrition topic is reinforced by reading a related food-focused story. The original FFR curriculum was developed by University of Vermont Extension in the late 1990s and has recently been updated. Evaluation Methods A retrospective post-pre evaluation was distributed to parents to assess changes in child eating behaviors and food-related attitudes. Pre and post evaluations were given to participants to assess overall changes in participants’ recognition of foods in the five MyPlate food groups. Results Parent survey data were analyzed using a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The parent surveys (n = 31) indicated a statistically significant increase in the frequency of children talking about healthy foods (P Conclusion The updated FFR curriculum may be an effective tool for improving knowledge and attitudes, and changing food-related behaviors among participants. Funding None.
Off the Chain: Blockchain Technology—An Information Organization System

ABSTRACTBlockchain technology allows data to be effectively organized, stored, and shared. Its unique decentralized authentication system means no central database exists to store information. All ...
Physical Design and Optimization

In the previous chapter, we pointed out the lack of power distribution synthesis methods and summarized several shortcomings in previous power bus synthesis approaches. This chapter presents a new approach to synthesize power distribution and to alleviate many of these shortcomings. We describe our new optimization-based strategy which consists of physical design, optimization, electrical modeling, and electrical evaluation components. Specifically, this chapter formulates the physical design and optimization aspects of power distribution synthesis, but only incorporates high-level electrical modeling and electrical evaluation into this strategy. We postpone describing in detail the incorporation of all the electrical aspects until the next chapter. We begin by extending the work previously described in the macro-2D custom design style, and focus on creating new synthesis strategies to handle analog power distribution concerns. We discuss our design style selection and illustrate its generality. We discuss our design objectives and new formulations for power bus topology selection and sizing. We describe the algorithms to synthesize the power I/O cell assignment and power bus topology and sizing, all simultaneously. Next, we formulate the simultaneous power bus synthesis and power I/O cell assignment problem and describe why we chose simulated annealing optimization. We review simulated annealing and then describe our specific annealing formulation for the power distribution synthesis problem.
Distributed Pulse Rotary Traveling Wave VCO: Architecture and Design

This paper describes the architecture and design of pulse rotary traveling wave voltage controlled oscillators that preserve wave shape, and thus wave harmonics using non-linear amplification. These oscillators can provide multiple low dutycycle clock phases and architectural modifications can allow for the same clock phase to be present at multiple physical locations. A design fabricated in GFUS 130nm (8RF) technology operates at 5.32 GHz with a 10 MHz offset phase noise of -128.15 dBc/Hz at 45.4 mW while generating 12 driven phase outputs with 15.66 ps phase resolution and less than 500 fs cycle-to-cycle jitter. It can be coarse or fine tuned within a frequency range of 4.35 GHz to 5.4 GHz with KV CO of 1.7 GHz/V and 470 MHz/V respectively. The start-up mechanism of the oscillator minimizes transmission line reflections and allows maintenance of the traveling wave shape, yielding an average 3 dB figure of merit improvement over existing designs.
Cognitive Deficits Associated with Drug Use

Some substances and prescribed medications appear to be associated with cognitive impairments across a variety of cognitive domains, although comparatively few studies address associations between drug use and cognitive function, and in some cases, the clinical importance of some of the associations between drug use and cognitive function remains unclear. However, the available findings indicate that some medications and illicit drugs are indeed associated with cognitive deficits. The importance of pharmacotherapy for many diseases as well as the widespread use of drugs and substances suggests that awareness of the potential for drugs and substances to be associated with cognitive deficits is a critical part of drug use and development.
The Myth of Institutional Rigidity

Institutions change slowly. This simple proposition is widely accepted among academics who specialize in the study of public institutions. It is an essential organizing principle within the area of study that is known as the new institutionalism. But this proposition is also a myth. This is not the same as asserting that it is clearly untrue. The proposition can be regarded as a myth because is broadly endorsed as an organizing principle within the field, whose accuracy is taken for granted. Indeed, it is not clear that it is possible to empirically establish the truth of the proposition. The unquestioning acceptance of this proposition has unfortunate consequences. It encourages pessimism about the capacity of democratic systems to respond competently to new problems.
Development and Validation of a Novel Measure for the Direct Assessment of Empathy in Veterinary Students

Empathy is a requisite clinical skill for health professionals and empathy scores have been positively associated with professionalism, clinical competency, confidence, well-being, and emotional in...
Real-time energy market arbitrage via aerodynamic energy storage in wind farms.

Energy storage can generate significant revenue by taking advantage of fluctuations in real-time energy market prices. In this paper, we investigate the real-time price arbitrage potential of aerodynamic energy storage in wind farms. This under-explored source of energy storage can be realized by deferring energy extraction by turbines toward the front of a farm for later extraction by downstream turbines. In large wind farms, this kinetic energy can be stored for minutes to tens of minutes, depending on the inter-turbine travel distance and the incoming wind speed. This storage mechanism requires minimal capital costs for implementation and potentially could provide additional revenue to wind farm operators. We demonstrate that the potential for revenue generation depends on the energy arbitrage (storage) efficiency and the wind travel time between turbines. We then characterize how price volatility and arbitrage efficiency affect real-time energy market revenue potential. Simulation results show that when price volatility is low, which is the historic norm, noticeably increased revenue is only achieved with high arbitrage efficiencies. However, as price volatility increases, which is expected in the future as the composition of the power system evolves, revenues increase by several percent.
Towards Automatically Optimizing PySke Programs

Explicit parallel programming for shared and distributed memory architectures is an efficient way to deal with data intensive computations. However approaches such as explicit threads or MPI remain difficult solutions for most programmers. Indeed they have to face different constraints such as explicit inter-processors communications or data distribution.
The Trypanosoma brucei Cytoskeletal Protein KHARON Associates with Partner Proteins to Mediate Both Cytokinesis and Trafficking of Flagellar Membrane Proteins

ABSTRACT In the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei, the cytoskeletal protein TbKHARON is required for trafficking of a putative Ca2+ channel to the flagellar membrane, and it is essential for parasite viability in both the mammalian stage bloodstream forms and the tsetse fly procyclic forms. This protein is located at the base of the flagellum, in the pellicular cytoskeleton, and in the mitotic spindle in both life cycle forms, and it likely serves multiple functions for these parasites. To begin to deconvolve the functions of KHARON, we have investigated partners associated with this protein and their roles in parasite biology. One KHARON associated protein, TbKHAP1, is a close interaction partner that can be crosslinked to KHARON by formaldehyde and pulled down in a molecular complex, and it colocalizes with TbKHARON in the basal body at the base of the flagellum. Knockdown of TbKHAP1 mRNA has similar phenotypes to knockdown of its partner TbKHARON, impairing trafficking of the Ca2+ channel to the flagellar membrane and blocking cytokinesis, implying that the TbKHARON/TbKHAP1 complex mediates trafficking of flagellar membrane proteins. Two other KHAPs, TbKHAP2 and TbKHAP3, are in close proximity to TbKHARON, but knockdown of their mRNAs does not affect trafficking of the Ca2+ channel. Two different flagellar membrane proteins, which are extruded from the flagellar membrane into extracellular vesicles, are also dependent upon TbKHARON for flagellar trafficking. These studies confirm that TbKHARON acts in complexes with other proteins to carry out various biological functions, and that some partners are involved in the core activity of targeting membrane proteins to the flagellum.
Nanoliposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI)-based chemotherapy after irinotecan -based chemotherapy in patients with pancreas cancer.

Abstract Background Nanoliposomal irinotecan (Nal-IRI) is a preferred second-line treatment for metastatic pancreas cancer. It is unclear, however, whether patients who had received irinotecan derive benefit. Methods Medical records of metastatic pancreas cancer patients who had received irinotecan and then Nal-IRI were reviewed. The primary endpoint was overall survival after the initiation of Nal-IRI (an a priori threshold of >4 months defined success); adverse events and quotes from the medical record on decision-making were also recorded. Results Sixty four patients met eligibility criteria with a median age of 65 years (range: 36, 80 years). The median overall survival from initiation of Nal-IRI was 5.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3, 5.6 months). An exploratory comparison, based on no cancer progression with irinotecan versus progression, showed improved survival with Nal-IRI in the former group: 6.1 months (95% CI: 5.1, 9.3 months) versus 4.3 months (95% CI: 2.3, 4.8 months); p = 0.0006. Nal-IRI adverse events occurred as expected. Qualitative data illustrate several themes, including “limited treatment options,” which appeared to drive the decision to prescribe Nal-IRI. Conclusion Nal-IRI might be considered in pancreas cancer patients who had received irinotecan, particularly in the absence of disease progression with the latter.
Persistently increased systemic ACE2 activity and Furin levels are associated with increased inflammatory response in smokers with SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19

Abstract Background Tobacco smoking is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several cardiopulmonary diseases, and smokers are susceptible to infectious agents. However, the progression of lung injury based on COVID-19 susceptibility and severity amongst smokers and those with pre-existing pulmonary diseases is not known. We determined the systemic expression and activity of COVID-19 related proteins, cytokine/chemokines, and lipid mediators (lipidomics) amongst COVID-19 patients with and without a history of smoking with a view to define biomarkers. Methods We obtained serum from COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 recovered patients with and without a history of smoking. We conducted a Luminex multiplex assay (cytokine levels), LC/MS (eicosanoids or oxylipin panel) and enzymatic activity assays on the serum samples to study the systemic changes in COVID-19 patients. Results On comparing the cytokine profiles among COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients, we found a significant upregulation in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1α, IL-8, IL-2, VEGF and IL-10 in COVID-19 positive patients as compared to the respective controls. Interestingly, smoking history resulted in further augmentation of the release of some hyper-inflammatory cytokines, like IFN-γ, Eotaxin, MCP-1 and IL-9 amongst COVID-19 positive patients. The enzymatic activity for ACE2, the binding partner for SARS-CoV2 virus in the host cell, was found to be significantly increased in the serum of patients with a smoking history compared to the serum collected from the non-smoking controls. Similarly to our cytokine analysis, our measurement of serum Furin levels was also affected by the patient’s smoking history, in which we reported a substantial rise in serum Furin levels of COVID-19 patients. The analysis of lipid mediators revealed a distinct signature amongst the COVID-19 positive versus recovered subjects in PGF2α, HETEs, LXA4 and LTB4 levels. However, we did not find any changes in the levels of any lipid mediators based on the smoking history of the patients. Overall, our results point towards distinct systemic signatures amongst COVID-19 positive patients. We also show that smoking adversely affects the systemic levels of inflammatory markers and COVID-19 related proteins, thus suggesting that COVID-19 infection may have severe outcomes amongst smokers which is reflected systemically.
Ramadan and Infants Health Outcomes

Previous studies show that prenatal shocks to embryos could have adverse impacts on health endowment at birth. Using the universe of birth data and a difference-in-difference-in-difference strategy, I find that exposure to Ramadan during prenatal development has negative birth outcomes. Exposure to a full month of fasting is associated with 96 grams lower birth-weight. These results are robust across specifications and do not appear to be driven by mothers selective fertility.
Introduction: Framing Africa and the Diaspora Intersectionalities and Interconnections

This book presents a unique interdisciplinary dialogue on intersectionalities in Africa and the Diaspora. Each chapter contributes a layered understanding of intersectionalities of identity and their interplay based on time and location. Historical, contemporary status, and future configurations are discussed that identify the multiple configurations of intersectionality to examine the inequities and disparities that arise or transform over time based on their complex and at times competing or even oppositional interconnections within and across African societies’ historical, economic, social, and political landscapes. The contributors to this book are from a range of disciplines in African Studies to provide rich and detailed descriptions and analysis of intersectionalities’ manifold impacts on individuals and groups as experienced within a variety of African and Diasporic contexts. These chapters tell the stories of competition, inequities, and agency via the analysis of African societies’ intersectionalities within local, regional, and global arenas.
Assimilation of SMAP Brightness Temperature Observations in the GEOS Land–Atmosphere Data Assimilation System

Errors in soil moisture adversely impact the modeling of land–atmosphere water and energy fluxes and, consequently, near-surface atmospheric conditions in atmospheric data assimilation systems (ADAS). To mitigate such errors, a land surface analysis is included in many such systems, although not yet in the currently operational NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) ADAS. This article investigates the assimilation of L-band brightness temperature (Tb) observations from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission in the GEOS weakly coupled land–atmosphere data assimilation system (LADAS) during boreal summer 2017. The SMAP Tb analysis improves the correlation of LADAS surface and root-zone soil moisture versus in situ measurements by ∼0.1–0.26 over that of ADAS estimates; the unbiased root-mean-square error of LADAS soil moisture is reduced by 0.002–0.008 m3/m3 from that of ADAS. Furthermore, the global land average RMSE versus in situ measurements of screen-level air specific humidity (q2m) and daily maximum temperature (T2mmax) is reduced by 0.05 g/kg and 0.04 K, respectively, for LADAS compared to ADAS estimates. Regionally, the RMSE of LADAS q2m and T2mmax is improved by up to 0.4 g/kg and 0.3 K, respectively. Improvement in LADAS specific humidity extends into the lower troposphere (below ∼700 mb), with relative improvements in bias of 15–25%, although LADAS air temperature bias slightly increases relative to that of ADAS. Finally, the root mean square of the LADAS Tb observation-minus-forecast residuals is smaller by up to ∼0.1 K than in a land-only assimilation system, corroborating the positive impact of the Tb analysis on the modeled land–atmosphere coupling.
Studies on Human Hemoglobin Treated with Various Sulfhydryl Reagents

Abstract The "reactive" sulfhydryl groups of human oxyhemoglobin (at position 93 of the β chains) form compounds with cystine, cystamine, dimercaptoethanol, and iodoacetamide. No reaction occurs with dithioglycolic acid, dithiobutyric acid, or diformylcystine. Some reaction occurs with iodoacetic acid but only under special conditions. The general properties (stability, spectra, molecular weight) of the modified hemoglobins described in this paper (except perhaps for the hemoglobin treated with iodoacetic acid) are very similar to those of unreacted hemoglobin. The oxygen equilibrium of these compounds has been studied. In all cases, the value of n is similar to that of normal hemoglobin (namely about 2.9) and is approximately invariant with pH. The oxygen Bohr effect is substantially reduced, and the pattern of all the results is similar in spite of the different chemical structures of the blocking reagents. The hemoglobin treated with cystine shows differential binding of the HPO4=ion as between the oxy and deoxy forms at concentrations of HPO4= in the neighborhood of 0.3 m. This explains the discrepancy between the directly measured Bohr effect for this compound and for hemoglobin treated with cystamine and that calculated from differential titrations. On the other hand, in the case of hemoglobin treated with iodoacetamide, where the newly introduced group carries no charge, there is good agreement between the Bohr effect measured by the two methods. The kinetics of combination of deoxyhemoglobins with carbon monoxide and of the dissociation of O2 from oxyhemoglobins has been studied. The kinetic behavior of all the compounds described in the present work is qualitatively similar to that of normal hemoglobin, but different from that of hemoglobin treated with p-mercuribenzoate.
Use of the AST to platelet ratio index in HCV/HIV co-infected patients

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33: 566–577 Summary Background The AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), a non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis, has not been well studied in HCV/HIV (hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus) co-infected patients with advanced HIV. Aim To compare the accuracy of APRI in HCV/HIV co-infected patients to that in HCV mono-infected patients and to determine the impact of CD4+ T-cell counts on its performance. Methods We identified 106 consecutive HCV/HIV co-infected patients and 105 matched HCV mono-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy at Harborview Medical Center over a 5-year period. Performance characteristics were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis conducted. Results The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of APRI for predicting significant fibrosis was similar when comparing those with and without HIV co-infection (0.77 vs. 0.86, P = 0.18), but was lower in HIV co-infected patients with CD4 counts <250 cells/mm3 (0.64 vs. 0.86, P = 0.05). In HIV co-infected patients with CD4 counts ≥250, APRI had higher negative predictive value (93% vs. 88%, P = 0.57), positive predictive value (63% vs. 40%, P = 0.43) and specificity (95% vs. 88%, P = 0.05) than in those with lower CD4 counts. Conclusions The AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) performance characteristics appear to be suboptimal in HCV/HIV co-infected patients with CD4 counts <250 and they require further study in this population at increased risk for advanced liver disease.