cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated UV test methods and selection criteria for encapsulants of photovoltaic modules

Photovoltaic modules are exposed to extremely harsh conditions of heat, humidity, high voltage, mechanical stress, thermal cycling and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The current qualification tests (e.g. IEC 61215) do not require UV exposure high enough to evaluate a 20+ year lifespan. Methods to quickly test the UV durability of photovoltaic materials are needed. In considering encapsulant materials, the initial performance and material cost are important but the ability to maintain adhesion and transmissivity under UV exposure are equally important. This can be evaluated under highly accelerated conditions with light from a xenon arc lamp using glass that transmits more UV radiation than standard cerium doped glass. The use of highly transmissive glass results in an effective UV dose that is about 3.8 times higher with regard to adhesion. With this configuration a UV dose equivalent to 20 years of exposure can be obtained in just over 6 months using standard commercial accelerated stress chambers.
Energetics of membrane protein folding and stability

The critical role of membrane proteins in a myriad of biological and physiological functions has spawned numerous investigations over the past several decades with the long-term goal of identifying the molecular origins and energetic forces that stabilize these proteins within the membrane. Parallel structural and thermodynamics studies on several systems have provided signiWcant insight regarding the driving forces governing folding, assembly, insertion, and translocation of membrane proteins. The present review surveys families of membrane-associated proteins including -helical and -barrel structures, viral surface receptors, and pore-forming toxins, citing representative proteins within each of these classes for further scrutiny in terms of structure–function relationships and global conformational stability. This overview presents seminal Wndings from pioneering studies on the energetics of membrane protein folding and stability to modern techniques that are exploiting the use of molecular genetics and single molecule studies. An overall consensus regarding the molecular origins of membrane protein stability is that a number of intrinsic properties resemble features of soluble proteins, yet there are distinct energetic diVerences arising from speciWc intra- and intermolecular interactions within the membrane. The combined eVorts from structural, energetics, and dynamics approaches oVer unique insights and improve our fundamental understanding of the driving forces dictating membrane protein folding and stability.
Polarization-mode dispersion emulation with Maxwellian lengths and importance sampling

We describe an efficient polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) emulation method that combines a concatenation of birefringent sections having Maxwellian-distributed lengths with importance sampling. The method generates PMD statistics with accurate tail distributions using relatively few sections and reasonable numbers of samples, and allows the targeting of specific, arbitrarily large, first- and second-order PMD values.
Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Are Sensitive Targets for Toxicity Induced by 1,4-Benzoquinone

Chronic human exposure to benzene has been linked to several hematopoietic disorders, including leukemia and lymphomas. Certain benzene metabolites, including benzoquinone (BQ), are genotoxic and mutagenic. Bone marrow stem cells are targets for benzene-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage that could result in changes to the genome of these progenitor cells, thereby leading to hematopoietic disorders and cancers. Human bone marrow CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) were exposed in vitro to 1,4-BQ to assess cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and DNA damage responses and the molecular mechanisms associated with these events. CD34(+) HPC from 10 men and 10 women were exposed to 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, or 20 microM of 1,4-BQ and analyzed 72 h later. Apoptosis and cytotoxicity were dose-dependent, with exposure to 10 microM 1,4-BQ resulting in approximately 60% cytotoxicity relative to untreated controls. A significant increase in the percentage of micronucleated CD34(+) cells was detected in cultures treated with 1,4-BQ. In addition, the p21 mRNA level was elevated in 1,4-BQ-treated cells, suggesting that human CD34(+) cells utilize the p53 pathway in response to 1,4-BQ-induced DNA damage. However, there were no significant changes in mRNA levels of the DNA repair genes ku80, rad51, xpa, xpc, and ape1 as well as p53 following treatment with 1,4-BQ. Although interindividual variations were evident in the cellular response to 1,4-BQ, there was no gender difference in the response overall. These results show that human CD34(+) cells are sensitive targets for 1,4-BQ toxicity that use the p53 DNA damage response pathway in response to genotoxic stress. Human CD34(+) HPC will be useful for testing the toxicity of other benzene metabolites and various hematotoxic chemicals.
Catalytic Mechanism of Eukaryotic Neutral Ceramidase

Neutral ceramidases are key enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism that hydrolyze the fatty acyl/sphingosine amide linkage of ceramide at neutral pH. In this issue of Structure, Airola et al. (2015) present the first crystal structure of human nCDase and show how complexation with phosphate supports a new catalytic mechanism for Zn-dependent amidases while providing a structurally based explanation for ceramide specificity.
At What Temperatures Do Consumers Like to Drink Coffee?: Mixing Methods

: Three hundred consumers were required to mix a hot and a cooler coffee together until it was at a desired temperature for drinking. They added creamer and sweetener to taste. In a 2nd experiment, 108 consumers performed the same experiment with black coffee only, but repeated it using different coffee strengths. In all experiments, the chosen mean preferred temperature for drinking was around 60 °C (140 °F). Black coffee drinkers chose a slightly higher mean temperature than drinkers with added creamer, and they also chose a slightly lower mean temperature when the flavor was stronger. In all cases, consumers tended to choose, on average, temperatures for drinking coffee that were above the oral pain threshold and the burn damage threshold.
Bounds On The Number Of States In Encoder Graphs For Input-constrained Channels

The authors obtain general lower bounds on the number of states in any encoder for a given constrained system and rate. Lower bounds on the number of states are exhibited in a fixed-rate finite-state encoder that maps unconstrained n-ary sequences into a given set of constrained sequences, defined by a finite labeled graph G. In particular, one simple lower bound is given by min/sub x/max/sub v/x/sub v/ where x=(x/sub v/) ranges over certain (nonnegative integer) approximate eigenvectors of the adjacency matrix for G. In some sense, the bounds are close to what can be realized by the state splitting algorithm and in some cases, they are shown to be tight. In particular, these bounds are used to show that the smallest (in number of states) known encoders for the
On the Existence and Characteristics of Solution Paths at Algorithm Singularities

The extended Jacobian method is a popular approach for controlling a kinematically redundant arm which allows one to resolve redundancy by locally optimizing an objective function and to gain repeatability for a cyclic end effector trajectory. It is a special case of a family of methods called constraint function methods. It has been found that the occurrence of algorithmic singularities can cause severe difficulties and the advantages of the methods such as repeatability might no longer exist. The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of algorithmic singularities, especially those of corank 1. A result of the authors on kinematic singularities is used to obtain a sufficient condition for the existence of solution paths at algorithmic singularities of the constrained function method. The phenomenon of branch repeatability is shown to occur at an algorithmic singularity. We also show that the extended Jacobian method cannot successfully optimize the objective function beyond the singularity without loss of continuity of the joint derivative. Examples are given to demonstrate the use of our theoretical results.
Chronic hypoxia induces proliferation of cultured mesangial cells: role of calcium and protein kinase C

The effect of hypoxia on the proliferation of cultured rat mesangial cells was examined. To evaluate the underlying signaling mechanisms, the roles of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and protein ki...
Mental Health in Rural Caregivers of Persons With Dementia

1. Alexandra J. Werntz[1][1][⇑][2] 2. Chad S. Dodson[1][1] 3. Alexander J. Schiller[1][1] 4. Catherine D. Middlebrooks[2][3] 5. Ellen Phipps[3][4],[4][5] 1. 1University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA 2. 2University of California, Los Angeles, USA 3. 3Alzheimer’s Association, Central and Western Virginia Chapter, Charlottesville, USA 4. 4Department of Gerontology, Virginia Commonwealth University 1. Alexandra J. Werntz, Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 102 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400,USA. Email: ajw3x{at}virginia.edu Informal caregiving for dementia is common and often affects caregiver mental health. In addition to typical stressors faced by caregivers of persons with dementia (PWDs), rural caregivers often face additional stressors associated with living in more remote locations; unfortunately, this group is largely understudied. Ninety-three caregiver–PWD dyads completed measures of social support, perceived control, self-efficacy, burden, and cognitive functioning. Measures of PWD activities of daily living and mental functioning were also collected. These variables were hypothesized to predict caregiver self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Contrary to predictions, only caregiving-related self-efficacy and caregiver burden predicted the caregiver’s mental health. Future interventions for improving rural caregiver self-reported mental health should target cognitions associated with caregiving self-efficacy and caregiver burden. Health care providers for rural families should focus on ways to reduce feelings of caregiver burden and provide caregivers with useful skills and tools for caregiving. [1]: #aff-1 [2]: #corresp-1 [3]: #aff-2 [4]: #aff-3 [5]: #aff-4
Serotonin, Platelets, and Vascular Function

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) causes contraction of most large blood vessels and of venules. The vasoconstrictor effects of serotonin can be due to direct activation of the smooth muscle, to amplification of the response to other neurohumoral mediators, or to the liberation of other endogenous vasoconstrictors (e.g. norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves). Vasodilator responses to serotonin are seen mainly at the arteriolar level, but can also be observed in larger blood vessels. They can be due to the release of other endogenous vasodilators (e.g vasoactive intestinal polypeptide from peptidergic nerves), direct relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission, or production of inhibitory signals by the endothelium. Aggregating platelets release a number of vasoactive materials, including serotonin, and can evoke both vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses. Hence the absence of endothelial cells or of adrenergic nerve activity may change the primary response to aggregating platelets from dilatation to constriction. Vasconstrictor responses to serotonin released from aggregating platelets may play a role in the etiology of spasm in cerebral, digital and coronary vessels, and in the maintenance of the elevated peripheral resistance in arterial hypertension. A possible involvement of serotonin in the increase in peripheral resistance characteristic of chronic hypertension is suggested by the following observations in hypertensive man or animals: (a) the turnover rate of platelets, the main peripheral source of serotonin, is accelerated; (b) the uptake of serotonin by platelets is reduced; (c) the metabolism of serotonin by the endothelial cells is decreased; (d) the vascular smooth muscles are hyperresponsive to the constrictor effects of serotonin and other serotonergic agonists; (e) the S2 -serotonergic antagonist ketanserin lowers arterial blood pressure in hypertensive humans.
Clinical Decision-Making

Clinical decision making involves choosing among alternatives when the outcomes are uncertain but the possible outcomes are important to the decision maker. Unfortunately, the human brain is vulnerable to a number of biases and errors when weighing alternatives. However, formalisms have been developed that can help decision makers make high stakes decisions in a normative and rational way. The techniques leverage probability theory and rigorous methods for quantifying preferences as utilities. These approaches create a number of opportunities to enhance clinical guidelines and clinical decision support.
Evaluating The International Diversification Benefits Of Chinas New Indexes

This article examines the characteristics and performance of selected Chinas financial indexes. Although several indexes were recently made available, this study focuses on three in particular because they are compiled using distinct methodologies. Based on the differences in their composition, they were categorized as either global or investable indexes, herein indexes composed of shares that are readily available for trading in the market. From a portfolio diversification perspective, this study found that U.S. investors seeking exposure to China stand to gain the most from funds tracking the Standard & Poors/CITIC 50 Index (a global index) than from those tracking the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index or the Halter USX China Index (investable indexes). Its risk-return characteristics, along with other performance evaluation measures used, show that it is most efficient in providing international diversification benefits.
The Present State of American Federalism

Does the New York Port Authority have the legitimate right to ban the Concorde? Should the federal government intervene in state institutions to correct institutional abuse? What is the significance of the U. S. Justice Department order that San Antonio, Texas, change its form of government to meet the Department's notion of federal standards of local political representation? How have the states responded to the June 1977 decisions of the U. S. Supreme Court concerning government-financed abortions? What would be the effects of the proposed constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College on the representational basis of the American system? What were the states doing in the field of energy while House and Senate conferees were locked in a struggle over the deregulation of natural gas? How did the Carter Administration hammer out its draft urban policy statement while state and localities were busy implementing New Federalism programs? These are some of the questions that occupied center stage in the American system during 1977 and which this review sets out to answer.
Computer data processing of medical diagnoses in pathology.

Modes of insertion of pathology diagnoses into a computer data storage and retrieval system are reviewed. The conversion of free-flowing diagnostic sentences into internal code is considered, and the advantages of coding are discussed from two aspects: (a) to minimize storage, and (b) to help alleviate difficulties in retrieval of synonymous terminology. Methods of manually pre-coding diagnoses into Systemized Nomenclature of Pathology (SNOP) code are discussed. Data encoding produces a fixed format record which provides significant economy in data handling. The potential use of a real-time * visual display unit in data gathering and automatic coding is presented.
Titers of Antibody to Pneumococci in Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients Before and After Vaccination with Pneumococcal Vaccine

To understand the susceptibility of allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients to pneumococcal infection, we measured the level of type-specific antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide in serum from ten marrow recipients. Seven recipients received marrow from matched sibling donors who had recently been vaccinated with polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine. Titers of IgG antibodies to two pneumococcal serotypes (7F and 14) declined significantly during the first year after transplantation. IgM antibodies remained low or declined after transplantation, but IgM antibodies to type 7F increased during the latter half of the first year. Pneumococcal vaccine was adminstered to seven marrow recipients approximately two years after transplantation. Vaccinated recipients had lower postvaccination titers of type-specific IgG antibody than did vaccinated normal adults and vaccinated sibling donors, and the recipients had normal levels of typespecific IgM antibodies. Thus, the susceptibility of marrow graft recipients to pneumococcal disease may be related to lowered concentrations of antibody to pneumococci after engraftment.
Penalties of progress--drug-induced hematologic disease.

Given the proper sets of circumstances, certain otherwise beneficial drugs can destroy white blood cells and their precursors, cause red cells to hemolyze, obliterate platelet stores, depress bone marrow function, damage chromosomes, or even activate a disease such as lupus erythematosus.
COMPARISON OF CURRENT METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF CHRONIC MYCOPLASMAL URTD IN WILD POPULATIONS OF THE MOJAVE DESERT TORTOISE (GOPHERUS AGASSIZII)

Abstract Pathogens that cause subclinical diseases or exhibit low infection intensities are difficult to quantify in wild populations. Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) have been the focus of much research aimed at measuring the presence of upper respiratory disease (URTD) and URTD-associated pathogens, and techniques used to quantify disease in Gopherus species have also been used for disease surveillance in other species of turtles and tortoises of conservation concern. Published surveys of G. agassizii populations have found a relatively low prevalence of URTD, with most URTD-positive animals exhibiting moderate, intermittent signs of morbidity. Therefore, multiple tests have been developed to quantify URTD including genetic detection of the pathogens Mycoplasma agassizii and Mycoplasma testudineum, detection of M. agassizii-specific antibodies, and standardized quantification of clinical signs of URTD and body condition. These diagnostic tests have only been compared in diseased or moribund...
Parkinson’s Disease: Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive deficits are important and emerging clinical targets for psychiatrists caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder commonly accompanied by mood and psychotic disturbances and identified by its progressive motor abnormalities. Over the course of the disease and across all its stages, virtually every individual with PD experiences some degree of cognitive deficit, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Across this spectrum, cognitive impairments affect functioning and quality of life, often more than motor aspects of the disease. Advances in treatments for motor deficits in PD now render the clinical significance of cognitive dysfunction more obvious, including its impact on psychiatric presentations and their treatment. Since cognitive dysfunction is underdetected and undertreated in clinical practice, holistic psychiatric care of PD patients warrants appreciation of the clinical presentation, biopsychosocial features, and treatment of cognitive im...
How Disciplinary Differences Shape Student Learning Outcome Assessment: A Case Study

Assessment of student learning outcomes (SLOs) has become increasingly important in higher education. Meaningful assessment (i.e., assessment that leads to the improvement of student learning) is impossible without faculty engagement. We argue that one way to elicit genuine faculty engagement is to embrace the disciplinary differences when implementing a universitywide SLO assessment process so that the process reflects discipline-specific cultures and practices. Framed with Biglan’s discipline classification framework, we adopt a case-study approach to examine the SLO assessment practices in four undergraduate academic programs: physics, history, civil engineering, and child and adolescent studies. We demonstrate that one key factor for these programs’ success in developing and implementing SLO assessment under a uniform framework of university assessment is their adaptation of the university process to embrace the unique disciplinary differences.
Evaluation of protective and vulnerability factors for depression following an internet-based intervention to prevent depression in at-risk adolescents

AbstractCATCH-IT is a primary care Internet-based modality developed to prevent major depression in adolescents. Adolescents aged 14–21 years were screened for core symptoms of depression without reaching criteria for a mood disorder diagnosis. At baseline, 6 weeks, and at 2.5 years, participants were assessed for automatic negative thoughts (ATQ-R), educational impairment, and perceived social support. Also, motivational interviewing (MI) by the intervening primary care physician was tested against brief advice (BA) to determine how the level of physician involvement affects these psychosocial outcomes. Overall, we found significant decreases in ATQ-R and educational impairment from baseline to 2.5 years. There were no differences for perceived social support, and no differences between the MI and BA groups. Our findings suggest that offering CATCH-IT to adolescents may help attenuate maladaptive cognitive patterns and long-term struggles in school.
Trauma in Pregnancy

Motor vehicle collisions, falls, and intimate partner violence are responsible for the majority of non-obstetric fatalities during pregnancy. The mother’s life takes priority in trauma resuscitation. There are specific anatomical and physiological changes that are unique to the pregnant patient that must be recognized when performing rapid sequence intubation or chest tube thoracostomy, as well as in the interpretation of radiological studies, EKG, and laboratory tests. Left lateral positioning and avoidance of hypoxia and hypotension are critical to providing optimal maternal care. Trauma computed tomography studies confer ionizing radiation doses below 50 mGy, whereas levels between 100 and 200 mGy have shown to be teratogenic. Placental abruption, uterine rupture, and preterm labor can occur following even minor trauma. In the event of acute cardiopulmonary arrest, maternal survival requires uterine-aortocaval decompression by perimortem cesarean section. All patients with a viable fetus should have continuous fetal monitoring for a minimum of 4 h following even minor trauma.
NDE application of air-coupled ultrasonic array system and f-k domain analysis for delamination-like defect detection in bridge deck

Recent development of the air-coupled sensing technique provides great potential for practical data measurement in the field; however, an improved data analysis method and careful design of test configuration are required to inspect structures appropriately. Impact-echo (IE) is an efficient method to evaluate delamination-like defects in concrete bridge decks. However, practical application of air-coupled IE is limited due to direct impact and ambient noises. Another practical problem is the difficultly in data interpretation associated with the dominant flexural mode frequency. Although IE analysis is able to estimate a depth of delamination-like defect from the thickness mode frequency, it is well known that the flexural mode frequency is dominant for shallow delaminations but cannot provide the depth information. The structural inspection needs of many data and conventional IE schemes possibly mislead data interpretation. New concepts for IE data measurement and analysis are needed to evaluate full-scale infrastructure in the field.
Angiotensin II receptor blockade in Syrian hamster (T0-2) cardiomyopathy does not affect microscopic cardiac material properties: Implications for mechanisms of tissue remodeling

This study delineates the role of angiotensin II type I (AT1) receptor in the remodeling of Syrian cardiomyopathic hamsters. Twelve cardiomyopathic (T0-2) hamsters received L-158,809 treatment ad libitum in their drinking water (27 µg/ml) and 9 cardiomyopathic and 9 normal F1-B hamsters received tap water from 1 to 4 months of age. Although pharmacologically effective with regard to complete suppression of the blood pressure response to angiotensin II infusion, L-158,809 did not diminish the progression or severity of cardiomyopathy. Heart weight/100 g body weight and left ventricular wall thickness adjusted for body weight of both L-158,809 and cardiomyopathic control hamsters did not differ and exceeded those of F1-B controls (p < 0.05). Myocardial material properties (e.g., stiffness and density) of cardiomyopathic hamsters treated with L-158,809 were not affected. Thus, the progression of fibrosis, calcification, and necrosis in T0-2 cardiomyopathic hamsters was not sensitive to AT1 receptor blockade.
Effects of GM Crops on Non-target Organisms

Genetically modified (GM) crops have now been part of the agricultural landscape for 17 years and have become important tools in crop production and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in many countries. There has been considerable research addressing many associated issues including environmental and food safety, as well as economic and social impacts. In particular, extensive laboratory and field research has been generated relative to the assessment of non-target effect in transgenic Bt crops that produce the insecticidal proteins of a ubiquitous bacterium, Bacillus thuringeinsis. This body of evidence and the quantitative and qualitative syntheses of the data through meta-analysis and other compilations generally indicate a lack of direct impacts of Bt crops on non-target macro-invertebrates. The data also clearly show that Bt crops are much safer to non-target organisms than the alternative use of traditional insecticides for control of the pests targeted by the Bt proteins. Some indirect effects on arthropod natural enemies associated with reduced abundance or quality of Bt target herbivores have been shown, but the ramifications of these effects are unclear. As one tactic in the IPM toolbox, Bt crops have contributed to large reductions in insecticide use. While reduced insecticide use may be involved in precipitating new pest problems in Bt crops it also has broadened opportunities for deployment of another IPM tactic, biological control.
Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGPLAN international workshop on Programming language and systems technologies for internet clients

It is our pleasure to welcome you to the 1st ACM SIGPLAN International Workshop on Programming Language and Systems Technologies for Internet Clients (PLASTIC 2011). The focus of the workshop is both on innovative solutions in the area of Internet client software that improve on the current state-of-the-art, as well as on bold, new ideas that break with the current status quo. PLASTIC 2011 accepted 6 regular (long) papers and 2 position (short) papers from a variety of areas related to Internet client technologies, including Internet clients security as well as design, implementation and analysis of programming languages used to program Internet clients.
Electrochemical and structural characterization of a radical cation formed by one-electron oxidation of a cymantrene complex containing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand

Abstract Electrochemical oxidation of the cymantrene derivative MnCp(CO)2(IDiip), 1, (Cp = ƞ5-C5H5, IDiip = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidene) is a quasi-Nernstian one-electron process in dichloromethane/0.1 M [NBu4][PF6]. The E1/2 potential of the 10/+ couple, −0.34 V vs. ferrocene, is the most negative yet reported for a mono-substituted cymantrene derivative, reflecting the powerful electron-donating character of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) IDiip ligand. The radical cation 1+ has been characterized by IR spectroscopy (νCO = 1958 and 2034 cm−1) and by X-ray crystallography as its [PF6]− salt. Compared to its neutral counterpart MnCp′(CO)2(IDiip) (Cp′ = ƞ5-C5H4Me), the Mn–CNHC bond distance in 1+ is lengthened by 0.031 A and the average M–C(O) bond distances are lengthened by 0.069 A. DFT-based computational results show that the largest contribution to the redox orbital of 10/+ is found at the metal atom (about 70% manganese-based in 1+). Comparison of the E1/2 potential of 1 with those of other mono-CO-substituted cymantene complexes allows an estimate of the “ligand electronic parameter” of the IDiip ligand as −0.27 V vs. NHE.
E-cigarette palatability in smokers as a function of flavorings, nicotine content and propylthiouracil (PROP) taster phenotype.

Abstract Background The popularity of E-cigarettes is due in part to their flavorings. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on smokers' sensory perceptions and liking of various e-cigarette flavorings, and the degree to which those perceptions are influenced by nicotine level, sex, and PROP bitter taster phenotype. Methods We recruited 132 non-treatment-seeking, daily cigarette smokers. In repeated trials in one laboratory session participants vaped the Joyetech eGo-C e-cigarette with each of the following flavorings (in random order): unflavored, tobacco, cherry, chocolate, and menthol. Participants vaped the e-juice first without nicotine and then with high nicotine (18 mg/ml), and provided sensory (bitterness/sourness, irritation, sweetness) and liking ratings. Perceived intensity of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) was used to classify the participants as non-tasters (n = 28), medium-tasters (n = 74), or supertasters (n = 28). Mixed-effects linear models and generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate ratings as a function of flavor interacting with nicotine content, sex and taster phenotype, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, menthol use, and nicotine dependence. Results Regardless of nicotine level, cherry (β = 1.76, p Conclusion Menthol may enhance e-cigarette palatability for some smokers, which may increase e-cigarette utility in smoking cessation.
Creativity and psychopathology: the tenacious mad-genius controversy updated

The mad-genius controversy concerning the relation between creativity and psychopathology is one of the oldest and most contentious in the behavioral sciences. Although the prevailing consensus is that the debate is not specious, it is also evident that its scientific resolution is far more complicated than a mere yes–no decision. To illustrate this complexity, this article examines seven central issues that must be addressed in future research: target persons, mental disorders, creative domains, specific hypotheses, quantitative assessments, data analyses, and theoretical explanations. It thus becomes apparent that the subject should continue to attract empirical and theoretical work well into the future.
Poor Outcomes Among Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With Higher Risk for Undiagnosed Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the LOTT Cohort

Study Objectives:Evaluate consequences of intermediate to high risk of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Using da...
MrDNA: A multi-resolution model for predicting the structure and dynamics of nanoscale DNA objects

Although the field of structural DNA nanotechnology has been advancing with an astonishing pace, de novo design of complex 3D nanostructures remains a laborious and time-consuming process. One reason for that is the need for multiple cycles of experimental characterization to elucidate the effect of design choices on the actual shape and function of the self-assembled objects. Here, we demonstrate a multi-resolution simulation framework, mrdna, that, in 30 minutes or less, can produce an atomistic-resolution structure of an arbitrary DNA nanostructure with accuracy on par with that of a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstruction. We demonstrate fidelity of our mrdna framework through direct comparison of the simulation results with the results of cryo-EM reconstruction of multiple 3D DNA origami objects. Furthermore, we show that our approach can characterize an ensemble of conformations adopted by dynamic DNA nanostructures, the equilibrium structure and dynamics of DNA objects constructed using a self-assembly principle other than origami, i.e., wireframe DNA objects, and to study the properties of DNA objects under a variety of environmental conditions, such as applied electric field. Implemented as an open source Python package, our framework can be extended by the community and integrated with DNA design and molecular graphics tools.
Esophageal and Gastric Cancer

In the past 10 years, advanced gastroesophageal cancers have finally garnered precision medicine approaches with currently recommended testing of HER2, MSI, and PD-L1 tumor biomarkers. The latter two only recently emerged in the past 2 years, and PD-L1 determination still remains imperfect with questions remaining on optimal cutoff levels and if timing of tumor sampling matters with the dynamic nature of activation of immune pathways. Ongoing clinical trial efforts will provide some answers to these questions as immuno-oncology approaches are being increasingly integrated into earlier lines of treatment. To develop further biomarkers for novel molecularly targeted therapies, spatial and temporal intra-patient tumoral heterogeneity will need to be better understood in order to inhibit shifting oncogenic signaling pathways that occurs with clonal evolution and development of therapeutic resistance. Such composite testing strategies can hopefully be brought to fruition as newer technologies enabling single cell and serial ctDNA analyses are realized in the clinic.
Pretreatment aerobic bacterial swab cultures to predict infection in acute open traumatic wounds: A prospective clinical study of 64 dogs.

Objective To determine the value of initial aerobic bacterial cultures of acute open traumatic wounds to predict bacterial species in wounds that become infected. Study design Prospective clinical trial. Animals Sixty-four dogs with naturally occurring acute cutaneous traumatic wounds (2017-2018). Methods Initial swabs were taken from each wound prior to and after lavage and debridement for quantitative and qualitative aerobic bacterial culture. Cultures were repeated on wounds that displayed any clinical sign of infection within 14 days of presentation. Results Fewer bacteria were cultured from postlavage than from prelavage swabs in 43 of 50 (86%) acute wounds. All primary clinicians prescribed β-lactam antibiotics to the dogs at initial presentation. All bacteria cultured from postlavage/debridement cultures at initial presentation were susceptible to the prophylactic antimicrobial prescribed. Postoperative infection was subsequently diagnosed in 14 of 64 (22%) dogs; 13 of these dogs had positive culture results. No correlation was detected between the results of initial wound cultures and the subsequent development of wound infection. Bacterial species present in the initial wound swab did not correlate with those subsequently cultured from infected tissues. Conclusion Results of pretreatment wound cultures from open traumatic wounds in dogs were not predictive of bacterial species subsequently recovered from infected wounds. The bacterial burden present in pretreatment wounds was not predictive of whether wounds would ultimately become infected after surgical management. Clinical significance Routine bacterial culturing of acute wounds is not likely to help predict subsequent wound infection, nor is it likely to accurately guide early selection of antimicrobials to treat wounds that become infected.
Psychological comorbidity in gastrointestinal diseases: Update on the brain-gut-microbiome axis.

The high comorbidity of psychological disorders in both functional and organic gastrointestinal diseases suggests the intimate and complex link between the brain and the gut. Termed the brain-gut axis, this bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and enteric nervous system relies on immune, endocrine, neural, and metabolic pathways. There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiome is a key part of this system, and dysregulation of the brain-gut-microbiome axis (BGMA) has been implicated in disorders of brain-gut interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome, and in neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder. Further, alterations in the gut microbiome have been implicated in the pathogenesis of organic gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. The BGMA is an attractive therapeutic target, as using prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics to modify the gut microbiome or mimic gut microbial signals could provide novel treatment options to address these debilitating diseases. However, despite significant advancements in our understanding of the BGMA, clinical data is lacking. In this article, we will review current understanding of the comorbidity of gastrointestinal diseases and psychological disorders. We will also review the current evidence supporting the key role of the BGMA in this pathology. Finally, we will discuss the clinical implications of the BGMA in the evaluation and management of psychological and gastrointestinal disorders.
Analysis of MMC Grounding Fault on hybrid UHVDC systems

A multi-terminnal UHVDC project is under construction by China Southern Power Grid, which consists of one LCC-based sending end and two MMC-based receiving ends, rated at ±800kV. The receiving ends of each pole consist of two 400kV valve groups in series. In this paper, fault mechanisms and fault characteristics of MMC terminal grounding fault are studied. Analysis results show that single-phase grounding fault on high-end valve leads to severe overvoltage on sub-module. To solve this problem, protection schemes are discussed. The simulation results demonstrate the relevant analysis is precise.
Arteriovenous malformation surgery in children: the Rady Children’s Hospital experience (2002–2019)

Compared to adult AVMs, there is a paucity of data on the microsurgical treatment of pediatric AVMs. We report our institutional experience with pediatric AVMs treated by microsurgical resection with or without endovascular embolization and radiation therapy. We retrospectively reviewed all patients ≤ 18 years of age with cerebral AVMs that underwent microsurgical resection at Rady Children’s Hospital 2002–2019. Eighty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 10.3 ± 5.0 years, and 56% of patients were male. In total, 72 (81%) patients presented with rupture. Patients with unruptured AVMs presented with headache (n = 5, 29.4%), seizure (n = 9, 52.9%), or incidental finding (n = 3, 17.7%). The mean presenting mRS was 2.8 ± 1.8. AVM location was lobar in 78%, cerebellar/brainstem in 15%, and deep supratentorial in 8%. Spetzler-Martin grade was I in 28%, II in 45%, III in 20%, IV in 6%, and V in 1%. Preoperative embolization was utilized in 38% of patients and more frequently in unruptured than ruptured AVMs (62% vs. 32%, p = 0.022). Radiographic obliteration was achieved in 76/89 (85.4%) patients. Complications occurred in 7 (8%) patients. Annualized rates of delayed rebleeding and recurrence were 1.2% and 0.9%, respectively. The mean follow-up was 2.8 ± 3.1 years. A good neurological outcome (mRS score ≤ 2) was obtained in 80.9% of patients at last follow-up and was improved relative to presentation for 75% of patients. Our case series demonstrates high rates of radiographic obliteration and relatively low incidence of neurologic complications of treatment or AVM recurrence.
Balancing precision versus cohort transcriptomic analysis of acute and recovery phase of viral bronchiolitis.

Viral infections affecting the lower respiratory tract place enormous burdens on hospitals. As neither vaccines nor antiviral agents exist for many viruses, understanding risk factors and outcomes ...
Vitamin C transport and its role in the central nervous system.

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is important as an antioxidant and participates in numerous cellular functions. Although it circulates in plasma in micromolar concentrations, it reaches millimolar concentrations in most tissues. These high ascorbate cellular concentrations are thought to be generated and maintained by the SVCT2 (Slc23a2), a specific transporter for ascorbate. The vitamin is also readily recycled from its oxidized forms inside cells. Neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) contain some of the highest ascorbic acid concentrations of mammalian tissues. Intracellular ascorbate serves several functions in the CNS, including antioxidant protection, peptide amidation, myelin formation, synaptic potentiation, and protection against glutamate toxicity. The importance of the SVCT2 for CNS function is supported by the finding that its targeted deletion in mice causes widespread cerebral hemorrhage and death on post-natal day 1. Neuronal ascorbate content as maintained by this protein also has relevance for human disease, since ascorbate supplements decrease infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion injury models of stroke, and since ascorbate may protect neurons from the oxidant damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. The aim of this review is to assess the role of the SVCT2 in regulating neuronal ascorbate homeostasis and the extent to which ascorbate affects brain function and antioxidant defenses in the CNS.
Extraction of fullerenes from environmental matrices as affected by solvent characteristics and analyte concentration

Fullerenes possess unique chemical properties that make the isolation of these compounds from heterogeneous environmental matrices difficult. For example, previous reports indicate that toluene-based extraction techniques vary in their ability to extract C60, especially from highly carbonaceous solid matrices. Here, we examined the effects of (i) solvent type (toluene alone versus an 80:20 v/v mixture of toluene and 1-methylnaphthalene) and (ii) analyte concentration on the extraction efficiency of an isotopically labeled surrogate compound, (13)C60. The toluene/1-methylnaphthalene mixture increased fullerene extraction efficiency from carbon lampblack by a factor of five, but was not significantly different from 100% toluene when applied to wood stove soot or montmorillonite. Recovery of the (13)C60 surrogate declined with decreasing analyte concentration. The usefulness of isotopically labeled surrogate is demonstrated and the study provides a quantitative assessment regarding the dependence of fullerene extraction efficiencies on the geochemical characteristics of solid matrices.
Transaction Costs, Contagion Effects, and the Diffusion of the Uniform Sales Act, 1906-47

The Uniform Sales Act was a precursor to Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Between 1906 and 1947 it was adopted in 34 states. Transaction cost theory suggests that states' adoption decisions should have been influenced by "contagion effects" - the adoption decisions of their neighbors. Indeed, contagion effects could have induced adoption of the Act even if it was widely perceived to be less efficient than the common law that it replaced. This paper uses hazard analysis to test various hypotheses about the factors that influenced states' adoption decisions. The results indicate that contagion effects were among the most important factors in the diffusion of the Act. Manufacturing interests also played an important role, especially in a small number of states that adopted the Act early. Subsequent to these early adoptions, the Act gradually diffused across most of the country, except the south. Its diffusion was driven primarily by contagion effects and manufacturing interests, although the legal profession may also have played an important role. It appears that the Act ultimately failed to achieve complete uniformity largely because the contagion effects that drove its adoption in most of the country were not present in the south. In the final analysis, the results offer little reason to believe the Act was widely perceived to be any more efficient than the common law that it replaced.
Intermediate power conditioners - Where are we now?

It has been recognized in the photovoltaic (PV) industry that even in the event of a dramatic reduction in the price of generating PV cells, the costs for the other components of the system represent still a major obstacle towards commercialization. A project was, therefore, initiated with the aim to develop baseline and conceptual power conditioner designs which would attempt to meet a specified set of cost and performance goals in the 30 to 200 kW (Intermediate) size. Resulting Intermediate Size Power Conditioner Studies led to a number of conclusions. There is a need for a set of guidelines or standards for utility interconnection. The advent of new devices with more power handling capability will change the desired topology.
Quantify Lateral Dispersion and Turbulent Mixing by Spatial Array of chi-EM-APEX Floats

Abstract : Our long-term scientific goals are to understand the dynamics and identify mechanisms of small-scale processes--i.e., internal tides, inertial waves, nonlinear internal waves, vortical modes, and turbulence mixing--in the ocean and thereby help develop improved parameterizations of mixing for ocean models. Mixing within the stratified ocean is a particular focus as the complex interplay of internal waves from a variety of sources and turbulence makes this a current locus of uncertainty. Our focus is on observing processes that lead to lateral mixing of water properties. The exploitation of autonomous platforms is a long-term goal. Our primary scientific objective is to use an innovative swarm of autonomous profilers to improve our understanding and parameterization schemes of small- to submeso-scale oceanic processes. Dispersion due to lateral processes with vertical and horizontal shears could enhance turbulent mixing. Both internal waves and vortical motions exist at vertical scales smaller than order of 10 m and horizontal scales smaller than few km. They have distinct kinematics and dynamics. Internal waves propagate and may carry energy to remote regions before they break and dissipate via turbulent processes, whereas vortical motions do not propagate and are often long lived. Separation of these two motions is necessary to improve parameterization schemes.