cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IgG particle formation during filling pump operation: a case study of heterogeneous nucleation on stainless steel nanoparticles.

This study investigated factors associated with vial filling with a positive displacement piston pump leading to formation of protein particles in a formulation of an IgG. We hypothesized that nanoparticles shed from the pump's solution-contact surfaces nucleated protein aggregation and particle formation. Vials of IgG formulation filled at a clinical manufacturing site contained a few visible particles and about 100,000 particles (1.5-3 mm) per mL. In laboratory studies with the same model (National Instruments FUS-10) of pump, pumping of 20 mg/mL IgG formulation resulted in about 300,000 particles (1.5-3 mm) per mL. Pumping of protein-free formulation resulted in 13,000 particles (1.5-15 mm) per mL. More than 99% of the particles were 0.25-0.95 mm in size. Mixing of protein-free pumped solution with an equal volume of 40 mg/mL IgG resulted in 300,000 particles (1.5-15 mm) per mL. Also, mixing IgG formulation with 30,000/mL stainless steel nanoparticles resulted in formation of 30,000 protein microparticles (1.5-15 mm) per mL. Infrared spectroscopy showed that secondary structure of IgG in microparticles formed by pumping or mixing with steel nanoparticles was minimally perturbed. Our results document that nanoparticles of foreign materials shed by pumps can serve as heterogeneous nuclei for formation of protein microparticles. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:94-104, 2009
The Development of Mouse APECED Models Provides New Insight into the Role of AIRE in Immune Regulation

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy is a rare recessive autoimmune disorder caused by a defect in a single gene called AIRE (autoimmune regulator). Characteristics of this disease include a variable combination of autoimmune endocrine tissue destruction, mucocutaneous candidiasis and ectodermal dystrophies. The development of Aire-knockout mice has provided an invaluable model for the study of this disease. The aim of this review is to briefly highlight the strides made in APECED research using these transgenic murine models, with a focus on known roles of Aire in autoimmunity. The findings thus far are compelling and prompt additional areas of study which are discussed.
Customers, Citizens, and Residents: The Semantics of Public Service Recipients

This article illustrates how customer and citizen can be exclusive in the current context in which governance exists and proposes a shift in public administration’s conception of citizenship. An ex...
A double-blind placebo controlled study of a 5 % lidocaine/prilocaine cream (EMLA) for topical anesthesia during thermolysis

background. Electrolysis and thermolysis are commonly used electrosurgical methods for the permanent destruction of unwanted hair. However, patient fear of pain during treatment may interfere with or even prevent desired treatment of hirsutism on sensitive areas such as the upper lip. objective. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of EMLA (Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics), a 5% lidocaine/prilocaine cream, as a topically applied local anesthetic during thermolysis on the upper lip. methods. A double-blind placebo control study was conducted by the University of Texas Medical Branch thermolysis clinic. Thirty women with idiopathic hirsutism of the upper lip were studied. Pain was measured with a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). results. Total paired VAS score differences comparing the placebo VAS scores to the EMLA VAS scores were significant by paired t-test (P = .0001). Adverse reactions were mild and transient. conclusion. EMLA cream may have multiple applications to the practice of dermatologic surgery, including topically achieved local anesthesia during thermolysis and electrolysis.
Isomeric effects with di-iodobenzene (C6H4I2) on adsorption on graphite

Abstract Differences are seen in the adsorption of 1,2-di-iodobenzene, 1,3-di-iodobenzene, and 1,4-di-iodobenzene on graphite, as a function of exposure, using core level photoemission. The isomer 1,3-di-iodobenzene exhibits significant differences from 1,2-di-iodobenzene, and 1,4-di-iodobenzene in apparent sticking coefficients and core level binding energies. 1,3-Di-iodobenzene adsorb on graphite at 110 K in a strongly Stranski–Krastanov or Volmer–Weber (island) growth mode. The implication is that, even for small molecules adsorption, the adsorbate dipole in the plane of surface and the choice of isomer may matter.
Lack of Patchy Horizontal Connectivity in Primary Visual Cortex of a Mammal without Orientation Maps

In the cerebral cortex of mammals, horizontal connections link cells up to several millimeters apart. In primary visual cortex (V1) of mammals with orientation maps, horizontal connections ramify in periodic patches across the cortical surface, connecting cells with similar orientation preferences. Rodents have orientation-selective cells but lack orientation maps, raising questions about relationships of horizontal connections to functional maps and receptive field properties. To address these questions, we studied anatomy of horizontal connections and characterized horizontal functional interactions in V1 of the gray squirrel, a highly visual rodent. Long-range intrinsic connections in squirrel V1 extended 1-2 mm but were not patchy or periodic. This result suggests that periodic and patchy connectivity is not a universal organizing principle of cortex, and the existence of patchy and periodic connectivity and functional maps may be linked. In multielectrode and intracellular recordings, we found evidence of unselective local interactions among cells, similar to pinwheel centers of carnivores. These data suggest that, in mammals with and without orientation maps, local connections link near neighbors without regard to orientation selectivity. In single-unit recordings, we found length-summing and end-stopped cells that were similar to those in other mammals. Length-summing cell surrounds were orientation selective, whereas surrounds of end-stopped cells were not. Receptive field response classes are quite similar across mammals, and therefore patchy and columnar connectivity may not be essential for these properties.
Potential sources of systematic errors in tunable-diode-laser absorption measurements

There are various potential sources of systematic error in tunable-diode-laser absorption measurements. In this paper, we discuss two such sources that are associated with multimode lasing. The first is caused by secondary modes which are passed by a monochromator and are absorbed by lines not intentionally being studied. In the second source of error, different spatial modes may appear in different arms of a double-beam system. Both types of errors can give rise to rather dramatic systematic errors in frequency and concentration calibrations.
Cross-sectional echocardiographic features of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve

Abstract Multicrystal real time-motion echocardiographic studies of 10 patients with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve are reported. Eight patients also underwent hemodynamic and angiographic study. All but one of the patients had inferior and leftward displacement of the tricuspid valve. In seven patients multiple echoes were obtained from the tricuspid valve; all seven manifested elongated tricuspid valve leaflets, and in six the leaflets were thickened. Excessive excursion of the tricuspid valve was noted in five patients and a “whipping” motion seen in three. Nonspecific findings in nine patients included an increased right ventricular dimension and systolic anterior septal motion. Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography provides distinctive diagnostic findings that are specific for Ebstein's anomaly.
A Note On The Determinants Of Equity Payouts

This study develops an equity distribution model to analyze dividend and share repurchase pay- ments to shareholders. Transaction costs increase and agency costs decrease as equity cash dis- tributions increase, suggesting that an optimal equity distribution exists that minimizes the sum of these two costs. A Tobit model relates the equity distribution yield (dividend and share repurchase distributions as a percent of market capitalization) to proxies of perceived undervaluation, finan- cial leverage, asset productivity, investment cash outflows, and agency costs. The results suggest that firms appearing undervalued, using little financial leverage, employing more productive as- sets, having fewer investment opportunities, or having greater dispersion of ownership distribute relatively more cash to shareholders through dividends and/or share repurchases. These findings support the existence of an optimal equity cash distribution policy that is unique to each firm.
Appropriation and Authenticity: An Artist’s Assessment

AbstractIn this article, Jen Pack examines the concepts of authenticity and appropriation in the practice of contemporary textile-making. Questions are raised concerning artistic ownership, the responsibilities of creating and interpreting artwork, and cultural expectations in an environment of elevated cultural exchange and hybrid identities.
Libraries and Faculty Collaboration: Four Digital Scholarship Examples

ABSTRACTAbout twenty years ago, the Internet began to change the way people create, access, publish, and share information. The impact of this information revolution has been felt in every industry. For instance, the Internet has enabled new models in the publishing sector, which has subsequently impacted education and changed the landscape of teaching and learning. About a decade ago, the introduction of new buzzwords such as open access, electronic publishing, digital humanities, and digital scholarship continued to challenge the scholarly production and dissemination of knowledge. Undoubtedly, these changes also created new opportunities for collaboration among multidisciplinary groups including researchers, scholars, students, technologists, librarians, and others. In this article, the author discusses four successful faculty-driven digital scholarship projects that his library system has supported in the last two years. His team's work serves as an example of how academic libraries and centers for di...
Detection of circulating antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi by enzyme immunoassay.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi in plasma during infection with the parasite. In experiments in mice and rabbits, T. cruzi antigens were detected at a time during infection when parasitaemia was very low or not detectable by microscopy. The ELISA method also detected antigens in plasma from immuno- suppressed, infected mice that had survived the initial phase of the infection with T. cruzi and which had low parasitaemia detectable by microscopy. Antigens were also demonstrated in the supernatant from cultures of cells infected with T. cruzi. Immunofluorescence revealed that antigens of T. cruzi may bind to the surface of the membranes of normal cells, which suggests that these antigens may serve as sites of recognition by cytotoxic T cells and/or antibody and thereby may play an important role in the destruction of host cells. In experiments in which the antigens in the supernatant from cell cultures infected with T. cruzi were compared wi...
A Workshop: The Role Of The Tutor In Problem-based Learning

Ohio University’s College of Business Administration has adopted a fully integrated, problem-based approach to its programme of instruction for MBA students. A critical part of the team-centred learning process is the guidance of the tutor, who works with each group of 56 students in addressing their changing needs, expectations, and outcomes as the problem-based exploration proceeds.
Human lung fibroblasts produce proresolving peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligands in a cyclooxygenase-2-dependent manner

Human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) act as innate immune sentinel cells that amplify the inflammatory response to injurious stimuli. Here, we use targeted lipidomics to explore the hypothesis that HLFs also play an active role in the resolution of inflammation. We detected cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-dependent production of both proinflammatory and proresolving prostaglandins (PGs) in conditioned culture medium from HLFs treated with a proinflammatory stimulus, IL-1β. Among the proresolving PGs in the HLF lipidome were several known ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a transcription factor whose activation in the lung yields potent anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and proresolving effects. Next, we used a cell-based luciferase reporter to confirm the ability of HLF supernatants to activate PPARγ, demonstrating, for the first time, that primary HLFs activated with proinflammatory IL-1β or cigarette smoke extract produce functional PPARγ ligands; this phenomenon is temporally regulated, COX-2- and lipocalin-type PGD synthase-dependent, and enhanced by arachidonic acid supplementation. Finally, we used luciferase reporter assays to show that several of the PGs in the lipidome of activated HLFs independently activate PPARγ and/or inhibit NFκB. These results indicate that HLFs, as immune sentinels, regulate both proinflammatory and proresolving responses to injurious stimuli. This novel endogenous resolution pathway represents a new therapeutic target for globally important inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Thermochemistry and the enthalpy of formation of synthetic end-member (CaTiSiO5) titanite

The enthalpy of drop solution of a quickly quenched, clear, titanite glass sample and several synthetic, polycrystalline, samples was measured in a Calvet-type calorimeter in 2PbO.B 2 O 3 solvent at 702 degrees C. The enthalpy of formation of stoichiometric, end-member (CaTiSiO 5 ) titanite is redetermined to be -119.59+ or -2.24 kJ/mol from the oxides and -2610.13+ or -2.90 kJ/mol from the elements at 25 degrees C. The new value is either 8.725 or 13.525 kJ/mol more negative than the currently accepted values derived from calorimetry and phase-equilibrium experiments. The presence of impurities and possibly nonstoichiometry in the original sample, used in the previous calorimetric studies, are probably responsible for this discrepancy. This interpretation is further supported by the correlation of the variations in the measured enthalpies of drop solution to the documented physical differences among the synthetic polycrystalline samples used in this study. At 25 degrees C the enthalpy of formation of CaTiSiO 5 glass is -38.775+ or -3.37 kJ/mol from the oxides and -2529.31+ or -3.84 from the elements and the enthalpy of vitrification of titanite is 80.78+ or -3.59 kJ/mol.
Acoustic thermometry for detecting quenches in superconducting coils and conductor stacks

Quench detection capability is essential for reliable operation and protection of superconducting magnets, coils, cables, and machinery. We propose a quench detection technique based on sensing local temperature variations in the bulk of a superconducting winding by monitoring its transient acoustic response. Our approach is primarily aimed at coils and devices built with high-temperature superconductor materials where quench detection using standard voltage-based techniques may be inefficient due to the slow velocity of quench propagation. The acoustic sensing technique is non-invasive, fast, and capable of detecting temperature variations of less than 1 K in the interior of the superconductor cable stack in a 77 K cryogenic environment. We show results of finite element modeling and experiments conducted on a model superconductor stack demonstrating viability of the technique for practical quench detection, discuss sensitivity limits of the technique, and its various applications.
Robot-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy: current status

Robotic-assisted surgery has seen a rapid development and integration in the field of gynecology. Since the approval of the use of robot for gynecological surgery and considering its several advantages over conventional laparoscopy, it has been widely incorporated especially in the field of reproductive surgery. Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female reproductive tract. Many reproductive-aged women with this condition demand uterine-sparing surgery to preserve their fertility. Myomectomy, the surgical excision of uterine fibroids, remains the only surgical management option for fibroids that entails preservation of fertility. In this review, we focus on the role of robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy and its current status, in comparison with other alternative approaches for myomectomy, including open, hysteroscopic, and traditional laparoscopic techniques. Several different surgical techniques have been demonstrated for robotic myomectomy. This review endeavors to share and describe our surgical experience of using the standard laparoscopic equipment for robotic-assisted myomectomy, together with the da Vinci Robot system. For the ideal surgical candidate, robotic-assisted myomectomy is a safe minimally invasive surgical procedure that can be offered as an alternative to open surgery. The advantages of using the robot system compared to open myomectomy include a shorter length of hospital stay, less postoperative pain and analgesic use, faster return to normal activities, more rapid return of the bowel function, and enhanced cosmetic results due to smaller skin incision sizes. Some of the disadvantages of this technique include high costs of the robotic surgical system and equipment, the steep learning curve of this novel system, and prolonged operative and anesthesia times. Robotic technology is a novel and innovative minimally invasive approach with demonstrated feasibility in gynecological and reproductive surgery. This technology is expected to take the lead in gynecological surgery in the upcoming decade.
The Crystal Structure of Cytochrome P450 4B1 (CYP4B1) Monooxygenase Complexed with Octane Discloses Several Structural Adaptations for ω-Hydroxylation

P450 family 4 fatty acid ω-hydroxylases preferentially oxygenate primary C-H bonds over adjacent, energetically favored secondary C-H bonds, but the mechanism explaining this intriguing preference is unclear. To this end, the structure of rabbit P450 4B1 complexed with its substrate octane was determined by X-ray crystallography to define features of the active site that contribute to a preference for ω-hydroxylation. The structure indicated that octane is bound in a narrow active-site cavity that limits access of the secondary C-H bond to the reactive intermediate. A highly conserved sequence motif on helix I contributes to positioning the terminal carbon of octane for ω-hydroxylation. Glu-310 of this motif auto-catalytically forms an ester bond with the heme 5-methyl, and the immobilized Glu-310 contributes to substrate positioning. The preference for ω-hydroxylation was decreased in an E310A mutant having a shorter side chain, but the overall rates of metabolism were retained. E310D and E310Q substitutions having longer side chains exhibit lower overall rates, likely due to higher conformational entropy for these residues, but they retained high preferences for octane ω-hydroxylation. Sequence comparisons indicated that active-site residues constraining octane for ω-hydroxylation are conserved in family 4 P450s. Moreover, the heme 7-propionate is positioned in the active site and provides additional restraints on substrate binding. In conclusion, P450 4B1 exhibits structural adaptations for ω-hydroxylation that include changes in the conformation of the heme and changes in a highly conserved helix I motif that is associated with selective oxygenation of unactivated primary C-H bonds.
Implementation and performance evaluation of three reconfigurable FFT cores for application in software defined radio system

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is computationally an efficient algorithm that transforms a function in time domain to function in frequency domain. All 3G and 4G wireless technologies use OFDM and FFT is an integral block of transceiver loop. In this paper three FFT architectures are designed that fall within the Cooley-Tukey class of algorithms. These FFT designs are targeted for OFDM applications especially in future generations of Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems. The FFT is performed on 64-point complex valued input samples with 16-bit precision. Each core is optimized for a combination of area, power, and speed. The design is targeted for a partially reconfigurable FPGA platform such as Xilinx Virtex-4 or above. The FFT cores have been simulated in Model Sim and synthesized using Xilinx ISE software. The cores can be readily downloaded on to target FPGA board to check for run time configurability. The performance evaluation of these cores show that they run at clock frequency of about 80MHz.
On Beauty and the Repositioning of Ethics as Aesthetics: Engaging Confucius and Whitehead

In this paper, I argue that Confucian ethical practice can be considered as a viable method of creating and sustaining Whiteheadian beauty. I first investigate Whitehead’s understanding of value, beauty, and morality
Perceptual characterization of Mach cut-off sonic booms

Mach cut-off refers to a set of flight conditions wherein the direct sound of a sonic boom does not reach the ground. This phenomenon occurs in the idealized lower atmosphere, which naturally refracts sound upwards. The current work, subdivided into two perceptual studies, investigates the perception of the evanescent sound field below the direct path of the boom. Both studies used Mach-cutoff ground signature recordings from NASA’s “Farfield Investigation of No-boom Thresholds” (FaINT). In the first study, subjects provided descriptors for Mach-cutoff ground signatures in order to develop a vocabulary useful for describing these sounds. In the second study, subjects rated the stimuli on multiple scales, comprised of descriptors from the first task and annoyance, to identify which perceptual attributes factor into annoyance. These findings were used to obtain an overall perceptual characterization of the Mach-cutoff ground signatures, and these studies may inform metrics for use in predicting reactions to Mach-cutoff flyovers. [Work supported by the FAA. The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASCENT FAA Center of Excellence sponsor organizations.]
Role of Amine Structure on Hydrogen Sulfide Capture from Dilute Gas Streams Using Solid Adsorbents

The hydrogen sulfide composition in biogas ranges from 0 to 5% depending on the feed source to the biogas digester. To meet renewable natural gas specifications of 0–4 ppm of H2S content, technologies that remove H2S from raw biogas feeds are needed. This contribution assesses three adsorbents with similar textural and physical properties but with different amines grafted to the surface. Specifically, materials containing primary, secondary, and tertiary amines at the end of a propyl surface linker grafted on a silica support are explored. H2S adsorption isotherms and cyclic studies are presented for these materials, and it is shown that secondary amines have the best amine efficiency while tertiary amines are the most stable for H2S capture, of the materials studied. The results suggest the consideration of secondary and tertiary amines for the design of amine adsorbents suitable for H2S removal in dilute gas streams over multiple cycles.
Technical Considerations and Feasibility of Coronary Angiography and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention after CoreValve® Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

ABSTRACTBackground: Review of the literature reveals difficulties re-engaging the coronary ostia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the CoreValve® device (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) due to its design and potential interference with diagnostic or interventional catheters. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and technical considerations of coronary procedures in these patients.Methods: Between October 2011 and November 2016, 573 patients underwent CoreValve TAVI at our hospital. Of these, 20 patients subsequently underwent 24 coronary procedures at our institution after TAVI and were included in this single-center retrospective analysis. Cardiac catheterization records and angiographic images were reviewed to evaluate for successful engagement of the coronary ostia and adequate angiographic result.Results: The left main was selectively engaged in 18 of 23 cases (79%) and subselectively engaged with good angiographic result in four cases (16%). The right coronary a...
The Effects of Uplift on Ocean-Atmosphere Circulation

The potential effect of uplift on climate and circulation during the Cenozoic has several different interacting components. First, changing topography alters the standing wave structure in the atmosphere, and hence the monthly mean longitudinal distribution of winds and temperatures. The current position of the standing long-wave troughs in the atmosphere, which in winter are located along the east coasts of North America and Asia, with a smaller trough in central Europe, depend upon the current distribution of topography (including the land-ocean distribution). These trough locations guide the position of storms and storm tracks, and the resulting wind circulation; for example, were a trough to be located over western Europe today, the airflow into the region would come down from Greenland and conditions would be much colder. (That such a circulation is hypothesized for the Little Ice Age climate extreme—a time when the topographic distribution was similar to today’s — indicates that the mean trough positions are affected by other factors as well, most likely including the latitudinal temperature gradient).
The role of the brain in perception

The recent interest of cognitive- and neuro-scientists in the topic of consciousness (and the dissatisfaction with the present state of knowledge) has revealed deep conceptual differences with Humanists, who have dealt with issues of consciousness for centuries. O'Regan & Noe have attempted (unsuccessfully) to bridge those differences.
Plato and Aristotle on the Limited Polis

While the political theories of Plato and Aristotle disagree on a wide range of philosophical and practical issues, one place they emphatically agree is on the need for a limited polis. While some may attribute this agreement on Greek culture or meager environment of the ancient Greek polis, their interest in limit goes far beyond these simple answers. For both thinkers, emphasis on the limited polis is a result of ideas that appear throughout both of their philosophical corpuses, not just their political works.
THE MECHANISM OF FC RECEPTOR-MEDIATED INHIBITION OF B LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION BY ANTIGEN

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the mechanism of FC receptor-mediated inhibition of B-lymphocyte activation by antigen. Antigen interaction with membrane immunoglobulin (SMIg) specific for that antigen is a necessary event for B lymphocyte activation. Other events that occur at the membrane level and involve Fc receptors have been described in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes and have been related to the control of B-lymphocyte activation. The chapter presents a study in which whole spleen cell suspensions were used for sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) stimulation and preparations of B lymphocytes deprived of T lymphocytes and macrophages for DF stimulation. AIg does not affect antibody secretion when added to the plaque assay system and does not affect antigen binding to B lymphocytes. Fc receptor-mediated inhibition of B-lymphocyte polyclonal activation may reflect a regulatory role of Fc receptors as recipients of off signals.
Affirmative Action in the United States: A Brief Summary of the Law and Social Science

This paper, written for a Brazilian sociology journal, seeks to acquaint readers unfamiliar with affirmative action in the United States with its history, law and social science. It discusses the law of affirmative action as it has developed in the government contracting, employment and educational spheres, and reviews social science research addressing affirmative action in the educational sphere. It specifically addresses and shows the flaws in and/or limitations of research that supports the educational mismatch hypothesis, the empirical case for “science mismatch,” and the claim that class-based affirmative action would be as or almost as effective in promoting racial diversity as race-based affirmative action. Work by Richard Sander, Richard Kahlenberg, Doug Williams and Peter Arcidiacono is specifically addressed. The article also argues that the Bakke case distorted the jurisprudence of educational affirmative action and conversations about it in ways that have had lasting, unfortunate effects.
Compliance With Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Appointments in an Urban Tertiary Care Setting.

IntroductionSubcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective treatment for allergic disease such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Reported adherence rates to SCIT have been low, ranging between 50...
How Did Canada’s Increasing Lentil Production Affect Turkey? Is There A Possible Win-Win Situation for Both Countries?

Competition is fierce in the world markets of agricultural products. It is especially harder for developing countries to compete with the wealthier industrialized countries. Canada entered in the lentil production mainly for export purposes in the early 1990s and exports nearly all of its lentil products every year. As Canada has become the dominant power in lentil trade, Turkey’s lentil production has declined notably. In the study, Turkey’s adaptation to this trend is investigated. Based on the results, it is concluded that Turkey’s market share has not changed in its traditional markets and its export has risen both in quantity and value. For instance, Turkey’s lentil export has increased from 127 Thousand tons in 1997 to 178 Thousand in 2013. This is achieved through partnerships between Canadian and Turkish entrepreneurs. Furthermore, lentil producers in Turkey have shifted to alternative crops, which yields higher income.
Outbreaks of Salmonella enterica infections linked to animal contact: Demographic and outbreak characteristics and comparison to foodborne outbreaks-United States, 2009-2014.

In the United States, multistate Salmonella outbreaks are most commonly linked to a food source; however, contact with live animals can also result in outbreaks of human illness. To characterize Salmonella outbreaks linked to animal contact and examine differences compared to foodborne outbreaks, we analysed data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) from 2009 to 2014 with a primary mode of transmission listed as "animal contact" or "food." Four hundred and eighty-four outbreaks with animal contact or foodborne transmission were reported through NORS; of these outbreaks, 99 (20.5%) resulted from Salmonella transmission through animal contact and 385 (79.5%) resulted from foodborne transmission, which resulted in 3,604 (19.8%) and 13,568 (80.2%) illnesses, respectively. A higher proportion of illnesses among children aged <1 year and children aged 1-4 years were linked to animal contact outbreaks compared to foodborne outbreaks (15.2% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.01 and 24.5% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.01, respectively). Illnesses resulting in hospitalizations (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.62, 2.02) were more likely to be associated with animal contact compared to food. Animal contact outbreaks reported to NORS were more likely to be multistate compared to foodborne outbreaks (OR: 5.43, 95% CI: 3.37, 8.76) and had a longer median duration (99.0 days vs. 9.0 days, p < 0.01). Characterizing the differences between outbreaks of illness linked to animal contact and outbreaks linked to food provides useful information to investigators to improve public health response.
Detailed Analysis of Texasäó»s Manufactured Housing Growth and Competition

Manufactured homes provide a cost-effective alternative for satisfying the growing housing needs. Despite the industry commitment for improvement, manufactured home constitute small share of satisfying the housing demand. Supporting the future growth of this industry through public policy advocacy cannot be achieved without evaluating its historical production and demand trends. Available data from professional and governmental sources lack the ability to provide a granular picture of the characteristics of the industryao»s manufacturers, customers, and product. Accordingly, this paper attempts to fill this gap by analyzing the available license record data for the manufactured homes in the state of Texas that cover the years from 1982 to 2015. The raw data included around 913,663 records of homes ownership and manufacturing. The data analysis included three main tasks: 1) data processing to integrate this large amount of data and eliminate outliers; 2) analyzing the competition characteristics of Texasao»s manufactured housing market using descriptive entry and exit metrics; and 3) analyzing demand characteristics of manufactured homes in terms of their physical requirements the relations between their demand volume and inventory times. The conclusions of this paper would provide a more detailed understanding of the manufactured housing industry to support its growth as a viable cost-effective housing option.
High-Dispersion Spectroscopy of a Luminous, Young Star Cluster in NGC 1705: Further Evidence for Present-Day Formation of Globular Clusters

We present evidence that some of the compact, luminous, young star clusters discovered recently through images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have masses comparable to those of old Galactic globular clusters. The "super star cluster" in the center of the nearby amorphous galaxy NGC 1705 has been observed with high dispersion at optical wavelengths using the HIRES echelle spectro-graph on the Keck 10 m telescope. Numerous weak metal lines arising from the atmospheres of cool supergiants have been detected in the integrated spectrum, permitting a direct measurement of the line-of-sight stellar velocity dispersion through cross-correlation with a template star; the result is σ* 11.4 ± 1.5 km s–1. Assuming that the system is gravitationally bound and using a cluster size measured from HST images, we apply the virial theorem to obtain the dynamical mass. Its derived mass [(8.2 ± 2.1) × 104 M☉], mass density (2.7 ± 104 pc–3), and predicted mass-to-light ratio after aging by 10-15 Gyr [0.6-1.6(M/LV)☉] closely resemble those of the majority of evolved Galactic globular clusters. The central cluster in NGC 1705 appears to be very similar in nature to one of the bright clusters in NGC 1569, which was discussed earlier this year by Ho & Filippenko. We also observed the brightest cluster in the Magellanic irregular galaxy NGC 4214, but no lines suitable for measuring its velocity dispersion were detected, most likely because of the very young age of the cluster. Although these observations need to be extended to a much larger sample of objects before generalizations can be made concerning the nature of similar clusters observed in other galaxies, our preliminary results are tantalizing and strongly suggest that, at least in two cases, we are witnessing globular clusters in their extreme youth.
Disruptive Institutions and Institutional Change in Emerging Markets: Corruption Domain Evidence

Around the globe, most forms of corruption are illegal and the vast majority of individuals indicate that corruption is not acceptable, yet corruption remains a pervasive problem. This begs the que...
BLAST: Blockchain-based Trust Management in Smart Cities and Connected Vehicles Setup

Advancement in communication technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) is driving smart cities adoption that aims to increase operational efficiency of infrastructure, improve the quality of services, and citizen welfare, among other worthy goals. For instance, it is estimated that by 2020, 75% of cars shipped globally will be equipped with hardware to facilitate vehicle connectivity. The privacy, reliability, and integrity of communication must be ensured so that actions can be accurate and implemented promptly after receiving actionable information. Because vehicles are equipped with the ability to compute, communicate, and sense their environment, there is a concomitant critical need to create and maintain trust among network entities in the context of the network’s dynamism, an issue that requires building and validating the trust between entities in a small amount of time before entities leave each other’s range. In this work, we present a multi-tier scheme consisting of an authentication- and trust-building/distribution framework designed with blockchain technology to ensure the safety and validity of the information exchanged in the system. Through simulation, we illustrate the tradeoff between blockchain mining time and the number of blocks being generated as well as the effect of the vehicle speed on the number of blocks being generated.
Bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachments from giant retinal tears in an infant with abusive head trauma and Stickler syndrome

Abstract Purpose To present a rare presentation of abusive head trauma (AHT) in an infant with a hereditary vitreoretinopathy. Observations A two-month-old infant female victim of AHT presented with bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachments from giant retinal tears. She had rib fractures, a subdural hematoma, and hyphemas bilaterally. Retinal hemorrhages were not observed. The left eye was repaired by vitrectomy with intermediate-term perfluorocarbon liquid tamponade. Genetic testing demonstrated a pathogenic COL2A1 mutation confirming Stickler syndrome. Conclusions and Importance Ophthalmic complications of AHT classically manifest as retinal hemorrhages in multiple layers. Instead, bilateral RRDs from GRTs were observed in this infant with Stickler syndrome.
Landscapes of the Islamic World: Archaeology, History, and Ethnography: edited by Stephen McPhillips and Paul D. Wordsworth, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016, 253 pp., US $75.95 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-81224-764-0

Amply illustrated, the chapters in this book span a variety of material types and data sources. Some authors summarize decades of research into accessible and well written contributions, others pre...
Realism, Objectivity, and Evaluation

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges to moral realism is the Benacerraf problem. Here Justin Clarke-Doane examines this problem by reconsidering mathematical truth, and our knowledge of it. This chapter has three parts. First, Clarke-Doane argues that the Benacerraf problem for realism about an area, F, is best understood as the problem of showing that our F-beliefs are reliable. Second, he argues that there is at least one version of mathematical realism, mathematical pluralism, that can arguably answer the Benacerraf problem for mathematical realism. However, in doing so pluralism gives up on the ‘objectivity’ of mathematical truths. Third, he argues that a pluralist response to the Benacerraf problem is strangely untenable when the domain in question, F, is normative. The reason for this is that even if there were a plurality of oughts, in practical situations we can only do one thing. The question of what to do remains open even assuming normative pluralism. This shows that getting it right in normative, as opposed to descriptive, domains is not just a matter of having true beliefs. Clarke-Doane concludes with the suggestion that the notions of realism and objectivity are independent, and in tension, contrary to what has been widely supposed.
Computational design to efficiently search, map, and optimize multi-protein genetic systems in gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria

Engineering multi-protein genetic systems to maximize their performance remains a combinatorial challenge, particularly when measurement throughput is limited. We have developed a computational design and modeling approach to build predictive models and identify optimal expression levels, while circumventing combinatorial explosion. Maximally informative genetic system variants are first designed by the RBS Library Calculator, an algorithm that optimizes the smallest ribosome binding site library to efficiently search the expression space across a >10,000-fold range with tailored search resolutions, sequence constraints, and well-predicted translation rates. We validated the algorithms predictions using a 644 sequence data-set, within single and multi-protein genetic systems, modifying plasmids and genomes, and in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. We then combined the search algorithm with kinetic modeling to map the mechanistic relationship between sequence, expression, and overall activity for a 3-enzyme biosynthesis pathway, requiring only 73 measurements to forward design highly productive pathway variants. The combination of sequence design and systems modeling accelerates the optimization of many-protein systems, and allow previous measurements to quantitatively inform future designs.
The DISTANCE Study: Determining the Impact of Social Distancing on Trauma Epidemiology During the COVID-19 Epidemic-An Interrupted Time-Series Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The large-scale social distancing efforts to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission have dramatically changed human behaviors associated with traumatic injuries. Trauma centers have reported decreases in trauma volume, paralleled by changes in injury mechanisms. We aimed to quantify changes in trauma epidemiology at an urban level 1 trauma center in a county that instituted one of the earliest shelter-in-place orders, to inform trauma care during future pandemic responses. METHODS: A single-center interrupted time-series analysis was performed to identify associations of shelter-in-place with trauma volume, injury mechanisms, and patient demographics in San Francisco, California. To control for short-term trends in trauma epidemiology, weekly level data were analyzed six months before shelter-in-place. To control for long-term trends, monthly level data were analyzed five years before shelter-in-place. RESULTS: Trauma volume decreased by 50% in the week following shelter-in-place (p<0.01), followed by a linear increase each successive week (p<0.01). Despite this, trauma volume for each month (March-June 2020) remained lower compared to corresponding months for all previous five years (2015-2019). Pediatric trauma volume showed similar trends with initial decreases (p=0.02) followed by steady increases (p=0.05). Reductions in trauma volumes were due entirely to changes in non-violent injury mechanisms, while violence-related injury mechanisms remained unchanged (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the shelter-in-place order was associated with an overall decline in trauma volume, violence-related injuries persisted. Delineating and addressing underlying factors driving persistent violence-related injuries during shelter-in-place orders should be a focus of public health efforts in preparation for future pandemic responses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: prognostic study, level III.
Analysis of Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Brown Planthopper in Dongxiang Wild Rice(Oryza rufipogon Griff.)

Wild species of Oryza is an important resource of the genes for resistance to brown planthopper(BPH).In this study,two populations were developed from an interspecific cross between Dongxiang wild rice(Oryza rufipogon Griff.) and cultivated rice Xieqingzao B(Oryza sativa L.) and used to determine quantitative trait loci(QTLs) for BPH resistance.A BC1F5 population derived from Xieqingzao B//Xieqingzao B/Dongxiang wild rice was infested with BPH collected from the paddy field.Two QTLs were detected,of which qBph2 was located in the interval RM29-RG157 on chromosome 2 and qBph7 in the interval RM11-RM234 on chromosome 7,and the Dongxiang wild rice allele decreased seedling mortality by 22.2% and 43.7%,respec-tively.Validation of the two QTLs was followed by testing a BC3F3 population with BPH biotypes I,II,and III,respectively.QTL analysis showed that qBph2 confers resistance to biotypes I and II,while qBph7 to biotypes I and III.The two QTLs have a great potential in the improvement of BPH resistance of rice varieties.
Columnar Grain-driven Plasticity and Cracking in Nanotwinned FCC Metals

Abstract The mechanisms of strengthening and plasticity in columnar-grained metals with preferentially oriented nano-sized twins have been examined traditionally by considering dislocation processes, but rarely from the perspective of grain boundary (GB) deformation. Here, the effects of GB strain accommodation on plastic deformation in four different columnar-grained nanocrystalline nanotwinned (nt) face-centered-cubic metals (Cu, Ag, Al, and Ni) were studied by large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. It is observed that in tensile deformation parallel to coherent twin boundaries (CTBs), the dislocation mechanisms in each metal are identical and associated with GB emissions of jog and threading dislocations at small and large CTB spacings, respectively. However, CTB strengthening effects are increasingly more pronounced in columnar-grained nt metals as their shear modulus increases, which is rationalized by the dependence of GB stress concentrations on twin size, metal type and strain rate. Also, while flow stresses in nt-Cu, nt-Ag, and nt-Al metals increase linearly with decreasing CTB spacing, a maximum strength limit is reached in nt-Ni below a critical CTB spacing of 6 nm. The strength limit in nt-Ni results from columnar GB cracking induced by prominent GB sliding. For columnar-grained microstructures, GB sliding is equivalent in nt-Ag and nt-Al and slightly lower in nt-Cu but markedly higher in nt-Ni. These findings underscore the importance of new GB deformation mechanisms on plasticity and fracture in columnar-grained nt metals and enrich our understanding of CTB strengthening in fcc metals synthesized in the literature.
Renewable-integrated flexible carbon capture: a synergistic path forward to clean energy future

To decarbonize electricity grids, CO2 capture and renewable wind/solar are two promising pathways. However, the intermittency of these variable renewable sources and the high energy requirement of carbon capture restrict their widespread deployment. These challenges are traditionally addressed independently at the grid-level, leading to conservative costs and limited operational flexibility for both systems. Here, we examine the synergistic integration of renewables and flexible carbon capture with individual fossil power plants. Renewables provide clean energy for carbon capture, while flexible carbon capture acts as a form of energy storage to counter renewable intermittency. To assess whether the benefits obtained from integration outweigh the capital cost under spatiotemporal variability of electricity markets and renewable energy, we develop a mathematical programming-based optimization framework. We decouple the design and operational decisions in a two-stage optimization strategy to efficiently solve the large-scale problem. When applied to a nationwide case study on coal plants across the US, we observe that, for futuristic carbon tax and renewable cost scenarios, it is profitable to invest in solar-assisted carbon capture for nearly one-third of the coal plants. It reduces carbon capture cost by 8.9%, and accommodates solar intermittency while avoiding the capital cost of an equivalent battery, which is 4.4 times the solar farm cost. Furthermore, the levelized cost of electricity will be less than that of new natural gas plants with overall emission reduction between 87.5 and 91%. The integrated system thereby provides a cost-effective and sustainable measure to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the operational flexibility of existing fossil-based systems for accelerating the clean energy transition of the global energy sector.