cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated and increased joint damage in young mice with global inactivation of mitogen-inducible gene 6 after ligament and meniscus injury

Ligament and meniscal damage can cause joint disease. Arthritic joints contain increased amounts of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein, and polymorphisms in EGFR are associated with arthritis risk. The role of endogenous EGFR regulation during joint disease due to ligament and meniscal trauma is unknown. Mitogen-inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) can reduce EGFR phosphorylation and downstream signaling. We examined the effect of EGFR modulation by MIG-6 on joint disease development after ligament and meniscus injury. Knee ligament transection and meniscus removal were performed surgically on mice homozygous for a global inactivating mutation in MIG-6 (Mig-6 −/− ) and in wild-type (WT) animals. Two weeks after surgery, Mig-6 −/− mice had bone erosion as well as greater fibrous tissue area and serum RANKL concentration than WT mice. Four weeks after surgery, Mig-6 −/− mice had less cartilage and increased cell proliferation relative to contralateral control and WT knees. Increased apoptotic cells and growth outside the articulating region occurred in Mig-6 −/− mice. Tibia trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) and the number of trabeculae were lower in surgically treated knees relative to the respective control knees for both groups. BMD, as well as trabecular thickness and number, were lower in surgically treated knees from Mig-6 −/− mice relative to WT surgically treated knees. Phosphorylated EGFR staining in surgically treated knees decreased for WT mice and increased for Mig-6 −/− mice. Fewer inflammatory cells were present in the knees of WT mice. Mig-6 −/− mice have rapid and increased joint damage after ligament and meniscal trauma. Mig-6 modification could lessen degenerative disease development after this type of injury.
Changes in Cell Wall Biomechanical Properties in the Xyloglucan-Deficient xxt1/xxt2 Mutant of Arabidopsis

The main load-bearing network in the primary cell wall of most land plants is commonly depicted as a scaffold of cellulose microfibrils tethered by xyloglucans. However, a xyloglucan-deficient mutant (xylosyltransferase1/xylosyltransferase2 [xxt1/xxt2]) was recently developed that was smaller than the wild type but otherwise nearly normal in its development, casting doubt on xyloglucan’s role in wall structure. To assess xyloglucan function in the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) wall, we compared the behavior of petiole cell walls from xxt1/xxt2 and wild-type plants using creep, stress relaxation, and stress/strain assays, in combination with reagents that cut or solubilize specific components of the wall matrix. Stress/strain assays showed xxt1/xxt2 walls to be more extensible than wild-type walls (supporting a reinforcing role for xyloglucan) but less extensible in creep and stress relaxation processes mediated by α-expansin. Fusicoccin-induced “acid growth” was likewise reduced in xxt1/xxt2 petioles. The results show that xyloglucan is important for wall loosening by α-expansin, and the smaller size of the xxt1/xxt2 mutant may stem from the reduced effectiveness of α-expansins in the absence of xyloglucan. Loosening agents that act on xylans and pectins elicited greater extension in creep assays of xxt1/xxt2 cell walls compared with wild-type walls, consistent with a larger mechanical role for these matrix polymers in the absence of xyloglucan. Our results illustrate the need for multiple biomechanical assays to evaluate wall properties and indicate that the common depiction of a cellulose-xyloglucan network as the major load-bearing structure is in need of revision.
Microwave thawing of cylinders

The finite element method was used to model microwave thawing of pure-water and 0.1-M NaCl cylinders. The electromagnetic field was described by Maxwell's equations with temperature-dependent dielectric properties, while the heat equation, coupled with the Stefan and Robin conditions, was used to describe the thawing process. An additional equation for the frozen volume fraction was used, when necessary, to account for the presence of a mushy region. Two microwave frequencies, 915 MHz and 2,450 MHz, were examined and the microwave radiation was assumed to be radially isotropic and normal to the surface of the cylinder. Results show that a two-phase mushy region may exist, and an additional thawing front may appear at the center of the cylinder. Salt cylinders have a higher dielectric loss than pure-water cylinders and therefore thaw more quickly. Internal resonance occurs when the wavelength of the radiation is a harmonic of the cylinder radius. Resonance increases power deposition and expedites the thawing process. The onset of resonance alters thawing times and complicates the development of heuristic rules for microwave thawing.
Assessment of Geographical Variation in the Respiratory Toxicity of Desert Dust Particles

The health consequences of sand particle inhalation are incompletely understood. This project evaluated the respiratory toxicity of sand particles collected at military bases near Fort Irwin USA, in Iraq (Camp Victory, Taji and Talil), and Khost Afghanistan. Our primary focus was on assessing the role of soluble metals in the respiratory toxicity of the sand particles using in vitro and in vivo methods. Replicating rat type II alveolar cell cultures (RLE-6TN) were exposed to sand extracts or vehicle control in serum-free media for ≤24 h. Cytotoxicity was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and assessment of lactate dehydrogenase leakage. The relative in vitro cytotoxicity of the sand extracts was Taji ≈ Talil > Afghanistan > Camp Victory ≈ Fort Irwin. We also assessed extracts of Camp Victory, Afghanistan, and Taji sand for acute and delayed pulmonary toxicity in rats following intratracheal administration. Assessments included biochemical analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung histopathology. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay results were partially predictive of in vivo responses. The more cytotoxic Taji sand extract induced an acute irritant response in rats following intratracheal administration. Rats given the less cytotoxic Camp Victory sand extract had minimal biochemical or cytological BALF changes whereas rats given either the Afghanistan or Taji sand extracts demonstrated BALF changes that were suggestive of mild lung inflammation. Unexpectedly, we observed similar lung pathology in all extract-exposed rats. The results of our study can be used to prioritize future particle inhalation studies or guide epidemiological study design.
Electrostatic power generation using carbon-activated cotton thread on textile

This paper describes a novel thread-shaped power generator which can be incorporated into cloth. A carbon-activated cotton thread is utilized for harvesting electrostatic energy from environment using contact and friction electrifications. A core of cotton thread was treated with carbon black nano particles to provide conductivity, and then encapsulated with a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane for stability and protection. Electrostatic charges have been collected from carbon-activated threads stitched on pieces of textiles by repeated rubbing and tapping with a ploytetrafluoethylene sheet. An average open-circuit voltage of approximately -60.9 V has been generated from the thread-shaped generator with rubbing mode.
Social Contacts and Race/Ethnic Job Matching

Scholarly literature and the media often tout "networking" as an effective route for obtaining quality employment. Some scholars, however, have cautioned that racially segregated social networks may produce racially segregated workgroups and differential opportunity structures over time. Drawing from theoretical perspectives pertaining to social closure and analyzing data from the Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality, this article analyses the role of social contacts and race/ethnic matching in employment. The findings reveal that among individuals using contacts in job searches, same-race contacts dramatically increase race/ethnic matching for all status groups. On the other hand, using a cross-race contact, while a rare event, strongly discourages this process. The results also show that race/ethnic matching is reduced with increases in educational attainment and in larger workplaces. Further analyses highlighting the quality of jobs attained through same- and cross-race social contacts show that cross-race contacts do not provide access to higher paying jobs nor jobs with authority. They do, however, increase access to lower-level supervisory positions for blacks and Hispanics.
The P Value: Probable Does Not Mean Practical

Nearly everyone is familiar with the literary detective Sherlock Holmes and his often-picked-on associate Dr. John Watson. In “A Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes educates Watson on the difference between seeing and observing. That Watson is looking at the same information, yet deriving different (and more often incorrect) conclusions than Holmes, befuddles him. “I believe that my eyes are as good as yours,” Watson claims. To which Holmes answers “Quite so. You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.” The same holds true for the interpretation of scientific data. Researchers see data, but may fail to observe whether the data yield any meaningful results. Researchers reach conclusions, but may fail to observe whether the data support the conclusions. In doing so, they may miss important clues that the data provide. Overreliance on statistical analyses of data is like seeing a snapshot of your data but not really observing the data. The P value is an excellent example of how researchers may over- or underinterpret data and thus fail to see the true picture. To illustrate this fact, let us start with what the P value really is. In research, one can never state with 100% certainty that any change or difference is real. In fact, probability testing starts with the assumption that the difference between groups is zero (the null hypothesis). Therefore, all one can do is determine the probability ( P value) that the null hypothesis is true. If the P value is small enough, it suggests, but does not prove, that the …
Radionuclide renography: a personal approach.

Recent advances have increased the value of radionuclide renography in evaluating the patient with suspected disease of the genitourinary tract. The use of the consensus process to help standardize procedures and recommend interpretative criteria provides guidance for the nuclear medicine practitioner, serves as a basis to improve the standard of practice, and facilitates pooling of data from different centers. This review draws on the consensus criteria to present a personal approach to radionuclide renography with a particular emphasis on diuresis renography and the detection of renovascular hypertension. Patients are encouraged to come well hydrated and void immediately prior to the study. Our standard radiopharmaceutical is 99m Tc mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG 3 ). Routine quantitative indices include a MAG 3 clearance, whole kidney and cortical (parenchymal) regions of interest, measurements of relative uptake, time to peak height (T max ), 20 min/max count ratio, residual urine volume and a T 1/2 in patients undergoing diuresis renography. A 1-minute image of the injection site is obtained at the conclusion of the study to check for infiltration because infiltration can invalidate a plasma sample clearance and alter the renogram curve. A postvoid image of the kidneys and bladder is obtained to calculate residual urine volume and to better evaluate drainage from the collecting system. In patients undergoing diuresis renography, the T 1/2 is calculated using a region of interest around the activity in the dilated collecting system. A prolonged T 1/2 , however, should never be the sole criterion for diagnosing the presence of obstruction; the T 1/2 must be interpreted in the context of the sequential images, total and individual kidney function, other quantitative indices and available diagnostic studies. The goal of ACE inhibitor renography is to detect renovascular hypertension, not renal artery stenosis. Patients with a positive study have a high probability of cure or amelioration of the hypertension following revascularization. In patients with azotemia or in patients with a small, poorly functioning kidney, the test result is often indeterminate (intermediate probability) with an abnormal baseline study that does not change following ACE inhibition. In patients with normal renal function, the test is highly accurate. To avoid unrealistic expectations on the part of the referring physician, it is often helpful to explain the likely differences in test results in these two-patient populations prior to the study.
Impact of Property Management Services on Affordable Housing Residents in Atlanta, Georgia

Several challenges and complexities are involved in managing affordable housing properties, including social programming, meeting financial goals, budgeting, complying with governmental and local housing regulations, decreasing tenant turnover and vacancy rates, and maintaining the physical building structure. Nonprofit organizations have recently taken on the task of housing the nation's less privileged, lower-income households. Most nonprofit owners contract property management services to private management companies. This research measures how satisfied residents are with property management services at Defoors Ferry Manor, a nonprofit multifamily affordable housing community owned by Atlanta Mutual Housing Association. Of the thirteen variables, residents were least satisfied with expediency in which property management staff addressed their issues. A plausible explanation for this finding is the high turnover rate in property management staff. This research provides recommendations for successfully transitioning between property management staff.
On Amplify-and-Forward Relay Networks with Multiple Source-Destination Pairs

The paper considers a scenario where there are multiple single antenna source-destination (S-D) pairs in the network that need to communicate simultaneously. An amplify and-forward relaying scheme is proposed, that employs single relay equipped with multiple antennas, and is implemented in two steps. In the first step the sources transmit simultaneously, while in the second step the relay retransmits the signals that it receives on its antennas after linearly processing them via a beamforming (BF) matrix. The BF matrix is obtained by maximizing the sumrate of all source-destination pairs subject to a total power constraint at the relay. Since the optimal BF design problem is non-convex and hard to solve, a suboptimal zero-forcing beamforming (ZFBF) design approach is proposed. It is shown that with high source power, or high relay power, such a relaying system achieves either the same sumrate as the cut- set bound with ZF receiver/precoder and timing parameter 1/2, or maintains a constant gap from it, which shows the optimality of the proposed scheme in terms of multiplexing gain.
Influence of surface treatment on defiltration of confined liquid in MCM-41

The effects of post-modification treatment and chlorotrimethylsilane concentration on defiltration behaviors of pressurized liquid confined in a hydrophobic MCM-41 are investigated experimentally. If the chlorotrimethylsilane concentration is relatively low, liquid defiltration can be promoted by extensive drying at elevated temperature or extensive washing at room temperature. If the chlorotrimethylsilane concentration is relatively high, liquid defiltration becomes difficult, while the infiltration volume is larger. These phenomena can be related to the dependence of motion of liquid molecules on structures of nanopore surfaces.
Some Relationships between Cecal Function and Coccidiosis of Chickens

Abstract IT HAS been shown that the presence of food in the intestinal tract of chickens affects the ability of the parasite Eimeria tenella to establish itself in the cecal pouches of the chicken (Edgar and Herrick, 1944). One of the hypotheses developed to explain this increase in resistance by the chicken was a possible difference in the physiology of the cecal pouches when the chickens were eating during the day and fasting during the night. A search through the literature revealed but little regarding the physiology of the cecal pouches. Tyzzer et al. (1932) state that the ceca empty at irregular intervals but gave no specific data on the subject. Olson and Mann (1935) studied the length of time that dye-marked foods remained in the ceca but gave only the time required for all the marked food to be evacuated. Harwood (1937), in an attempt to determine the time that . . .
Electoral authoritarianism and political unrest

Over the last several decades, elections and parties have become common features of most authoritarian regimes. While recent research on hybrid regimes has often focused on how dictators use these ...
Chest X-Ray Projection Methods in Newborns

Objective To improve chest X-ray images quality in newborns. Methods To improve the routine projecting position and adjust X-ray projection dose. Results Two sides of lung fields were well-displayed,and lung veins were clear. Meanwhile the contrasts between ribs and lung fields were good and cardiac size was not changed obviously. Conclusion Comparared with routine projection methods, the image quality has greatly improved on the aspectes above.
Coding at the Lowest Level - Coding Patterns for Java Beginners.

Beginners who are learning programming make many mistakes. This is because they have little experience and don't always get good guidance. If they look at a lot of programs we hope they will emulate the style, but they don't always do this, and they don't always see programs that should be emulated in any case. This is an attempt to provide advice to novices learning Java. Not everything here is Java specific, however.
Li as Administrative Law: Political Stratification and the Construction of Qing Administrative Order in Seventeenth-Century China

Li has long been understood as the bedrock of Chinese history and society by both historical actors and modern scholars. But what is li and how did it work? This article argues that li helped organize political order and informed bureaucratic operations in the Qing dynasty, and can be understood as a form of administrative law. Although scholars have previously associated li with penal law and with sociopolitical organization, they have shown neither how concepts were translated into practice in the context of the Qing dynasty, nor how these practices fit together as a system of administrative law. This article looks at the formation of the Qing system li as the political and administrative order, and explores the regulations for interaction, especially among and between the military, imperial relatives, and bureaucracy, and demonstrates how the names, ranks, and positions fit together in a cohesive system that came to be codified into law. The article first examines the expressions of contemporary state-makers and their ideas of order and state operations, and then shows how these were translated into practice in clothing, greetings, entourages, and ceremonies. The article then discusses why political actors agreed to such a setup and how they continued to reproduce it.
Control Charts Using Coupled Exponentially Weighted Moving Averages

Abstract The equations governing the construction of control charts for both the mean and the standard deviation or variance of a process using exponentially weighted moving average models are presented. Many different variables for monitoring the control of the standard deviation and variance are discussed. The resulting equations to be solved are nonlinear coupled difference equations. The moments of the stationary solutions which lead to the computation of the control limits are found, and in addition the response to step changes in the mean and variance are discussed. A table containing control chart constants is given. Some of the results obtained are also of importance in the application of exponential smoothing to forecasting.
RepRap for Science—How to Use, Design, and Troubleshoot the Self-Replicating 3-D Printer

The self-replicating rapid prototyper, or RepRap, is a low-cost open-source 3-D printer capable of fabricating components of scientific equipment with 100-μm resolution in a rapidly expanding list of materials. The RepRap both upgrades and literally maintains itself as it is capable of printing more than half of its own components in thermoplastics such as polylactic acid and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene along with hundreds of predesigned open-source scientific components. In this chapter, the design, use and troubleshooting of the RepRap technology is discussed in the context of creating high-performance customized scientific instruments. The bill of materials and detailed assembly instructions are provided for the MOST variant of the Prusa Mendel RepRap, which can be built by two people in a day for under $600. As the investment in a RepRap is capable of repaying itself after a few hours of printing even common scientific hardware, it is likely to become an indispensable resource for most laboratories as more sophisticated and customized open-source scientific tools are developed.
Independent actuation of multiple microrobots using localized magnetic fields

Assembly of micro-scale objects requires us to develop manipulators that are small enough to apply small forces as well as robust enough to be controlled independently in a large number. In this paper, we have designed a specialized surface that can be utilized to control multiple microrobots with magnetic properties independently. The surface accommodates an array of planar microcoils that can create local magnetic fields to control multiple microrobots independently. We have also developed a simulation based planning approach with the offline estimation of the magnetic field generated by the microcoils to automate the motions of multiple microrobots. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of our planning approach with simulation experiments.
A Case of Unicornuate Uterus with a Non-Communicating Non-Cavitated Rudimentary Horn Diagnosed During Laparoscopy for Contralateral Adnexal Torsion

Mullerian duct abnormalities are not very rare among women and can cause problems of fertility, pregnancy or pelvic pain. Diagnosis of these abnormalities is usually incidental. We report a rare case with no functional cavity non-communicating rudimentary horn diagnosed while performing laparoscopy for contralateral adnexial torsion due to corpus hemorrhagicum cyst.
One year major cardiac outcomes after normal and abnormal regadenoson stress myocardial perfusion imaging

1108 Objectives Regadenoson(REG)for stress myocardial perfusion imaging(SPECT)is rapidly becoming the preferred pharmacologic stress agent.Despite comparable diagnostic rates with adenosine,outcomes data are not reported for REGSPECT in the general population.We report one year outcomes after normal and abnormal REGSPECT. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing REGSPECT with at least 1 year follow-up were identified.Five groups(Grps 1-5 as Normal,ischemic EKG only,ischemia,scar,scar+ischemia respectively)were studied.Baseline characteristic,stress variables,predictors of ischemia and 1 year hard cardiac events(cardiac death and non-fatal MI)were evaluated. Results A total of 628 patients formed the study group.Grp1(normal scan n=574,Grp2 n=11,Grp3 n=54,Grp4 n= 69 and Grp5 n=116).Compared to Grp1,Grp3(ischemic SPECT)had more smokers(p=0.028),prior CAD(p=0.003),prior MI(p=0.008),EF Conclusions This retrospective study provides early data on 1 year outcomes with REG SPECT showing very low major cardiac event rate with normal and ischemic REG SPECT and higher cardiac death rates in scar and scar ischemia group.The low non-fatal MI rates in ischemic SPECT patients(Grp 3)may reflect efficacy of current medical therapy along with early revascularization of high risk ischemia. Research Support Astella
Pre-Existing Mesh at the Hiatus in Revisional Surgery Does Not Result in Increased Morbidity: A Case-Control Evaluation.

Abstract Background: Mesh is sometimes used to reinforce the hiatus during primary and reoperative fundoplication. This is a controversial practice as it is not clear that this leads to a decreased...
Applying the Socio-Ecological Model to barriers to implementation of ACL injury prevention programs: A systematic review

Abstract Background Preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is important to avoid long-term adverse health consequences. Identifying barriers to implementation of these prevention programs is crucial to reducing the incidence of these injuries. Our purpose was to identify barriers of implementation for ACL injury prevention programs and suggest mechanisms for reducing the barriers through application of a Socio-Ecological Model (SEM). Methods Studies investigating ACL prevention program effectiveness were searched in Medline via PubMed and the Cochrane Library, and a subsequent review of the references of the identified articles, yielded 15 articles total. Inclusion criteria encompassed prospective controlled trials, published in English, with ACL injuries as the primary outcome. Studies were independently appraised by 2 reviewers for methodological quality using the PEDro scale. Barriers to implementation were identified when reported in at least 2 separate studies. A SEM was used to suggest ways to reduce the identified barriers. Results Five barriers were identified: motivation, time requirements, skill requirements for program facilitators, compliance, and cost. The SEM suggested ways to minimize the barriers at all levels of the model from the individual through policy levels. Conclusion Identification of barriers to program implementation and suggesting how to reduce them through the SEM is a critical first step toward enabling ACL prevention programs to be more effective and ultimately reducing the incidence of these injuries.
Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) and Adiposity

The human being is designed to walk. Over a miniscule, in genetic terms, period of time, a mere 200 years, human have been compressed into chairs. Education, work, and home environments promote sedentariness in susceptible people. In those individuals, non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is suppressed and health is harmed. Overall the strength of the evidence regarding sedentary behaviour and obesity suggests that NEAT has declined with urbanization and modernization—in general, modern people living in cities and working in offices are sedentary. Low NEAT (sedentariness) is associated with lower daily energy expenditure than a person of similar size with high NEAT. A person who does not increase NEAT during a period of overfeeding is likely to gain greater adipose tissue than a high-NEAT responder and so people with obesity are more prone to low NEAT and sedentariness. It is clear that central mechanisms exist to regulate NEAT. Solutions exist to measure NEAT and reverse sedentariness in schools and workplaces. It is recommended that a comprehensive societal approach is necessary to reverse sedentariness in homes, schools, offices, and cities.
Using Pinterest to Find and Share Evidence-Based Practices:

Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to “pin” resources from the Internet and includes hundreds of connections to education sites. Pinterest is a popular and trusted resource for many teachers, making it a potential way to share evidence-based practices. This column describes how teachers can use Pinterest to share evidence-based practices that enhance instruction for students with disabilities and work toward eliminating the research-to-practice gap.
An Immigrant's View of “Amrika”

Deepak Singh. 2017. How May I Help You? An Immigrant's Journey from MBA to Minimum Wage. Oakland: University of California Press. 305 pages.I am in an electronics store in the shopping mall near my...
Student Learning and Team Formation in a Structured CSCL Environment

A computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) environment aims to facilitate student learning by letting them work in small teams with the support of computer technology. Two important factors that affect work in such scenario are: interaction among the students and compatibility or interactivity of the team members. I-MINDS is a tool designed to support structured Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. In I-MINDS we try to improve both the quality of student learning and the quality of student team work with the help of intelligent agents. I-MINDS facilitates student interaction through its forums and can build student teams. In our two-semester long experiment we studied the effect of the interaction environment on the learning and performance of students in face-to-face and structured CSCL scenarios. Moreover, we studied how a student's self-reported efficacy, teamwork and interaction skills affect his or her performance in face-to-face and structured CSCL settings. Our results indicate that even though students prefer face-to-face interactions; structured CSCL environment may increase their individual performance. Furthermore, we find that factors such as the difficulty of the problem or task to be solved and team member compatibility influence the quality of teamwork in structured CSCL.
How Early Can Video Revenue Be Accurately Predicted

ABSTRACT Americans love videos. Last year, consumers spent $17.4 billion on videos, renting 3 billion and buying 700 million (VSDA, 2000). Predicting video revenue is critical, because it accounts for 55 percent of gross studio revenue, more than box-office, pay-per-view, and television revenue combined (VSDA, 1998). How early can video revenue be accurately predicted? Several early indicators are tested: first and second weeks9 theatrical revenues, fall-off, opening screens, advertising, genre, and critics9 ratings. Two models are developed to predict rental and sell-through video revenue with 86 percent accuracy on average by the second week of a movie9s release.
“Beyond the Surface”: Hermeneutic Implications of Blue by MOPDTK

ABSTRACTThe 2014 album Blue by the group MOPDTK (Mostly Other People do the Killing) is an exact, musical one-to-one reproduction of Miles Davis’s iconic and best-selling recording Kind of Blue (19...
Significance of the dynamic stress perturbations induced by hydraulic fracturing

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing and microseismicity generation and radiation are dynamic processes. The associated dynamic stress perturbations could play a significant role in relevant studies, such as activation of weak planes including natural fractures, bedding planes, etc. We study how different the dynamic and static stress perturbations could be during hydraulic fracturing. Our work is based on a 2D plane-strain framework. A dynamic finite element method is applied to solve the equations of motion. The static stress perturbations are obtained when the models reach static equilibrium (i.e., after generated seismic waves die out). We compare the static and dynamic stress perturbations at a moment when a hydraulic fracture (HF) propagates to a certain length. Mohr circle analysis shows that around the HF the Mohr circle based on a dynamic stress tensor is closer to a failure line than that based on a static stress tensor. The peak static and dynamic stress perturbations during the process are also compared. We conclude that the absolute values of the peak dynamic stress perturbations are always greater than that of the peak static stress perturbations, especially in the area close to the HF and its tips. The effect of injection rates on the static and dynamic stress perturbations is also studied. The largest peak static and dynamic stress perturbations during the hydraulic fracturing process are measured. The absolute values of both the largest peak dynamic and static stress perturbations increase with injection rates. The absolute values of the difference between the largest peak dynamic and static stress perturbations also increase with injection rates due to more significant dynamic effects.
A sleep-inducing gene, nemuri, links sleep and immune function in Drosophila

Sleep remains a major mystery of biology. In particular, little is known about the mechanisms that account for the drive to sleep. In an unbiased screen of more than 12,000 Drosophila lines, we identified a single gene, nemuri, that induces sleep. The NEMURI protein is an antimicrobial peptide that can be secreted ectopically to drive prolonged sleep (with resistance to arousal) and to promote survival after infection. Loss of nemuri increased arousability during daily sleep and attenuated the acute increase in sleep induced by sleep deprivation or bacterial infection. Conditions that increase sleep drive induced expression of nemuri in a small number of fly brain neurons and targeted it to the sleep-promoting, dorsal fan-shaped body. We propose that NEMURI is a bona fide sleep homeostasis factor that is particularly important under conditions of high sleep need; because these conditions include sickness, our findings provide a link between sleep and immune function.
Follow-up of incidental pulmonary nodules and association with mortality in a safety-net cohort.

Background Though incidental pulmonary nodules are common, rates of guideline-recommended surveillance and associations between surveillance and mortality are unclear. In this study, we describe adherence (categorized as complete, partial, late and none) to guideline-recommended surveillance among patients with incidental 5-8 mm pulmonary nodules and assess associations between adherence and mortality. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of 551 patients (≥35 years) with incidental pulmonary nodules conducted from September 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016, in an integrated safety-net health network. Results Of the 551 patients, 156 (28%) had complete, 87 (16%) had partial, 93 (17%) had late and 215 (39%) had no documented surveillance. Patients were followed for a median of 5.2 years [interquartile range (IQR), 3.6-6.7 years] and 82 (15%) died during follow-up. Adjusted all-cause mortality rates ranged from 2.24 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-3.25] deaths per 100 person-years for complete follow-up to 3.30 (95% CI, 2.36-4.23) for no follow-up. In multivariable models, there were no statistically significant associations between the levels of surveillance and mortality (p > 0.16 for each comparison with complete surveillance). Compared with complete surveillance, adjusted mortality rates were non-significantly increased by 0.45 deaths per 100 person-years (95% CI, -1.10 to 2.01) for partial, 0.55 (95% CI, -1.08 to 2.17) for late and 1.05 (95% CI, -0.35 to 2.45) for no surveillance. Conclusions Although guideline-recommended surveillance of small incidental pulmonary nodules was incomplete or absent in most patients, gaps in surveillance were not associated with statistically significant increases in mortality in a safety-net population.
Hydrogen in semiconducting oxides

Hydrogen does not exist as a neutral impurity in semiconductors; it always gives up an electron becoming positively charged impurity or acquires an electron becoming negatively charged impurity. This has profound effects on the electronic properties of materials.
Identifying a robust policy rule for the Fed's response to financial stress

We seek to identify a policy rule for the Fed that remains valid in both periods of high and low financial stress. Using real‐time data, we examine traditional linear Taylor rules, Taylor rules augmented with a financial stress measure, and nonlinear Taylor rules for the Fed's response in the pre‐crisis period that lasts from 1982 to 2007. We determine that financial conditions were a significant source of nonlinearity in the Fed's response during this period, with greater volatility in the financial sector causing the Fed to prioritize the stabilisation of financial markets over its traditional policy objectives. We then extend the analysis to include the financial crisis of 2008 and find that our nonlinear Taylor rule framework also provides a plausible explanation for the Fed's conduct of monetary policy over this period. Our results, thus, show that the Fed's reaction to the recent financial crisis was not that dissimilar from its response to previous episodes of financial stress.
Latency Constrained Task Mapping to Improve Reliability of High Critical Tasks in Mixed Criticality Systems

In this paper, we focus on improving the reliability of high critical tasks in Mixed Criticality Systems (MCS) running on a Hardware/Software codesign environment. Assuming the system is operating in low criticality mode, we first find the minimum execution latency by mapping the tasks to the processing elements considering the reliability and execution latency values in the technology library. When the system switches to high criticality mode, the proposed algorithm maps high critical tasks to the highest reliable components, and then, schedules low critical tasks without exceeding the minimum latency. The results of the experimental evaluation clearly show the viability of the proposed approach.
John of Salisbury on Tyranny in Policraticus

John of Salisbury on tyranny in the Policraticus. King Henry II’s quarrels with the church led to a recovery of Cicero’s and Orosius’s descriptions of tyranny. The result was a list of Nero’s tyrannical acts.
Convenient Protocol for Production and Purification of Clostridioides difficile Spores for Germination Studies

Summary Clostridioides difficile, an obligate anaerobic bacterium, causes infections leading to prolonged diarrhea. The bacterium produces dormant spores that can withstand an aerobic environment, resulting in easy environmental transfer. Here, we present a convenient sporulation and purification protocol that can be practiced in any lab setting using a portable anaerobic glove bag. This protocol also optimizes existing cell growth methods and presents a detailed trouble shooting guide. This protocol is a modification of those previously reported by Edwards and McBride (2016) and Shen et al. (2016) .
Soup kitchens: The stigma of being poor and the construction of social identity

This project involved an ethnographic study that documented how homeless individuals who frequent local soup kitchens view themselves and how they manage the stigma that can be associated with this...
The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Outcomes in a Small Cohort of Outpatients with Schizophrenia.

Background Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe, chronic illness characterized by psychotic symptoms and impairments in many cognitive domains. Dysregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with the cognitive impairments seen in patients with SCZ. Given the growing literature supporting a positive effect of aerobic exercise on cognition in other populations, we hypothesized that a structured aerobic exercise program would improve cognitive and functional outcomes in subjects with SCZ, potentially mediated by increases in BDNF. Methods The study was a small randomized parallel group clinical trial of subjects with SCZ comparing 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (AE) against control (CON) stretching and balance training. At Baseline, Week 12, and Week 20 we collected serum samples for analysis of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and assessed functional, physical, and cognitive outcomes. Linear regression models were used to compare change scores between timepoints. Results We randomized 21 subjects to AE and 17 to CON; however, only 9 AE and 6 CON completed their programs. Subjects in both groups were slower at the 400 m walk in Week 12 compared to Baseline, but the AE group had significantly less slowing than the CON group (B = -28.32, p = 0.011). Between Week 12 and Week 20, the AE group had a significantly greater change score on the Composite and Visual Learning Domain of the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (B = 5.11, p = 0.03; B = 13.96, p = 0.006). Conclusion These results indicate that participation in a structured aerobic exercise paradigm may modestly blunt physical function decline and enhance cognitive function in individuals with SCZ.
Theory-Practice Divides and the Persistent Challenges of Embedding Tools for Social Justice in a STEM Urban Teacher Residency Program:

This study examined how the concept of social justice was operationalized in the university coursework of students enrolled in an urban teacher residency program that aims to diversify the teaching...
Capital Transitioning: An International Human Capital Strategy for Climate Innovation

One question left unanswered by the 2015 Paris Agreement is exactly how the world will meet the daunting technological challenges that lie ahead. This article proposes a global strategy to build up human capital oriented towards two bodies of knowledge: alternative, non-fossil systems of energy generation, delivery and consumption; and a deeper understanding of climate systems that might be geoengineered to reduce atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. Simply committing funding to climate technology is insufficient; a global climate technology policy must take into account the unique growth properties of human capital, and the conditions under which it can grow. Human capital should be the focus of an international climate agreement for three reasons. Firstly, the wrong kind of human capital (attached to fossil fuel-related methods of energy generation and consumption) has helped to create an unfavourable political economy for climate policy. Secondly, the right kind of human capital (broader, and building on fundamental understandings of energy systems and climate systems) can create a more favourable political economy for climate policy. Thirdly, the technological changes needed for both mitigation and geoengineering technologies are so profound that a human capital stock must be developed with a conscious focus on radical technological change that can be delivered quickly. While individual countries may pursue an enlightened human capital policy on their own, cooperation at the international level would maximize the scale economies of inventive effort.
Comparative expression analysis of microRNAs and their targets in emerging bio-fuel crop sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)

Abstract Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L) is a C4 plant, and it recently has emerged as a model feedstock for biofuel production. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known as key regulators in different biological processes in plant including sugar accumulation. Despite bioinformatics analyses for the discovery of miRNAs and prediction of targets in recent years, little information is available on the expression of mature candidate miRNAs and biological validation of their targets in sweet sorghum. This study aims to gain an insight on the conserved and novel miRNAs as well as their potential targets associated with biofuel related traits, with the help of next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) followed by RT-qPCR validation. In order to identify biofuel related miRNAs and their potential targets in sweet sorghum, small RNA libraries were constructed from four varieties, i.e., Achi Turi, Dale, Dasht Local, and Topper 76-6 after being grown under controlled conditions, and sequenced by Illumina Hiseq 2000 platform. Sequencing yield from 12 libraries, 3 from each variety i.e., leaf vegetative stage, leaf reproductive stage and stem reproductive stage, ranged from 19 to 48 million reads. Mapping with Sorghum bicolor ensemble genome while aligned with miRBase-release 21, 276 conserved and novel biofuel relevant miRNAs were predicted in all varieties. Target prediction by employing psRNA Target tool indicated 475 biofuel relevant targets for identified conserved and novel miRNAs. We performed the RT-qPCR analysis on selected 36 candidate mature miRNAs along with their 18 targets. Potential biofuel relevant targets identified in our study included the sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SUS), sucrose transporters (SUT) and invertase (INV) enzymes, which are believed to play key role in sucrose synthesis, accumulation and transport. Altogether, 19 predicted miRNAs and their 15 target mRNAs showed significant change in expression under the three growth stages of four varieties. Significant down-regulation at reproductive stage was observed with Sbi-miR160, Sbi-miR164, Sbi-miR166 and Sbi-miR168 in most of the varieties while significant upregulation was observed for Sbi-miR156a and Sbi-miR156e during vegetative stages. This study showed a positive as well as negative correlations between levels of miRNA expressions and that of their target mRNAs. These findings, both computational and experimental, provide valuable insights on the role of miRNAs and their targets during sugar accumulation stages. The identification of these significantly expressed miRNAs and their targets will help to explore the molecular mechanisms for sugar accumulation in sweet sorghum.
Exaggerated Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Females with Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension

Group 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients have disproportionate right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) as compared to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, but the cause of the divergent RV phenotypes is unknown. One potential mechanism may be biological sex as females have better RV function than males. However, the combined effects of PH type and sex on RV function are unexplored. Therefore, we evaluated how sex and PH etiology modulated RVD in a single-center cohort study. Male sex was not associated with significant differences in RV function when comparing PH etiologies. However, female Group 3 patients had more pronounced RVD than female PAH patients. In particular, Group 3 females had marked reduction in RV function when pulmonary vascular resistance was matched. Group 3 females were older than PAH females, but the exaggerated RVD was still observed in postmenopausal (age[≥]55) Group 3 females. This suggests lung disease exacerbates RVD in Group 3 females.
Evaluation of a Quality Improvement Intervention to Improve Pediatric Palliative Care Consultation Processes.

Background:A critical aspect of pediatric palliative care consultations is the assessment and documentation of patient and family needs. While these assessments usually include a focus on physical ...
Area-Selective Molecular Layer Deposition of a Silicon Oxycarbide Low-k Dielectric

Area-selective deposition (ASD) of low-k materials is desired in back-end-of-line processes for fabricating nanopatterns such as fully self-aligned vias. However, the high temperature and/or aggres...
The Conflicting Masters of Tax

America does not redistribute wealth from its richest citizens. This Article sketches out the conflict between revenue-raising and redistribution that has shaped American tax policy and practice for at least a century and resulted in the sacrifice of redistributive taxes on the altar of the state’s revenue-raising needs. In theory and in practice, the tax system is not a direct generator of redistribution but rather serves as the efficient means to redistributive acts left offstage. Flattened wage taxes emerge as the main source of revenue. The wealthiest pay no tax. This Article examines the tension between the two masters of tax, revenue-raising and redistribution; illustrates with a case study of Senator Bernie Sanders’ wealth tax proposal; and concludes with hopes for using tax systems to better serve redistributive ends, in both theory and practice. The most important step is the articulation of clear and discrete redistributive goals, in addition to and independent of the specific goal of getting resources to the poor.