cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of a 28-day dietary co-exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid on the levels of serum microRNAs in male and female Fisher 344 rats.

We showed previously that a 28-day combined dietary exposure to melamine and cyanuric acid (MELC however, the nephrotoxicity biomarkers blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) were increased only by ≥240 ppm MEL&CYA. The serum miRNome has been reported to reflect toxicity of several organs, including the kidney. Here, we compared the dose-response of alterations in serum miRNAs to those of BUN, SCr, and kidney histopathology in rats co-exposed to MEL&CYA. The serum miRNome of male F344 rats dosed with 0, 180, or 240 ppm MEL&CYA was screened using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and the levels of selected serum miRNAs were analyzed further in both sexes over the full dose range. The levels of several miRNAs were significantly reduced in rats treated with 240 ppm MEL&CYA versus control. In addition, miR-128-3p and miR-210-3p were decreased in males treated with 180pm MEL&CYA, a dose at which the levels of BUN and SCr were not yet affected by treatment. These data suggest that the serum miRNome is affected by nephrotoxic doses of MEL&CYA in male and female rats.
Electrical Transport in Semiconducting Noncrystalline Solids

In the present lectures I shall try to outline the principal theoretical approaches and some specific calculations which appear to be relevant to an understanding of a number of electrical transport measurements in noncrystalline semiconductors. Since there is considerable evidence that the carriers in many of the frequently studied disordered semiconductors are characterized by very low mobilities (µ ≲ 1 cm2/V-sec), this review will primarily involve a discussion of the situations that are characteristic of low-mobility transport. In particular, much of this presentation will be concerned with the theory of phonon-assisted hopping motion. This topic has received increasing attention as a growing number of experiments have been interpreted as being indicative of hopping motion. However, the primary thrust of these lectures will be to address the generic features of hopping motion rather than to consider detailed attempts aimed at explaining specfic experiments. Hopefully, this will provide a vantage point which will be useful in viewing electrical transport experiments on low-mobility disordered semiconductors.
Engaging Learners Online: Using Instructional Design Practices to Create Interactive Tutorials

Abstract At a time when many libraries have fewer resources, librarians are increasingly being asked to provide asynchronous instruction in virtual environments as a solution to reaching more students through the use of library tutorials. Oftentimes these tutorials are the only library instruction students receive. This chapter will look at the tutorial decision-making process from design to evaluation through the lens of instructional design and illustrate how evidence-based design practices when used in creating an online tutorial can make learning both effective and engaging for students. In addition, practical tips relating to technology decisions will be presented.
The Comparative Psychology Of Paul Schiller

The work of Paul H. Schiller is generally treated in a fragmentary manner. There is no comprehensive overview of his oeuvre. I review the system developed by Schiller and the research related to it and relate both to the work of other researchers. Schiller’s system was organized around innate motor patterns and the manner in which they are integrated into functional patterns of action related to the environment. His diverse studies are cited in various contexts and it is especially interesting to note how a single result can be adapted to different contexts. Although Schiller died in 1949 many aspects of his work are relevant to research in comparative psychology in the 1990s.
Robust assessment comes of age.

A randomized controlled trial of a ‘payments for ecosystem services’ scheme in Uganda finds a significant reduction in deforestation, with cost-of-carbon savings greater than the price of the payments.
Performing Protest in Cross-Cultural Spaces: Paul Robeson and Othello

When the famous African-American actor and singer Paul Robeson played the lead in Shakespeare’s Othello in London in 1930, tickets were in high demand during the production’s first week. The critical response, however, was less positive, although the reviews unanimously praised his bass-baritone delivery. When Robeson again played Othello on Broadway thirteen years later, critics praised not only his voice but also his acting, the drama running for 296 performances. My argument concerning Robeson uses elements first noted by Henri Lefebvre in his seminal work, The Production of Space, while I also draw on Paul Connerton’s work on commemorative practices. Using spatial and memorial theories as a backdrop for examining his two portrayals, I suggest that Robeson’s nascent geopolitical awareness following the 1930 production, combined with his already celebrated musical voice, allowed him to perform the role more dramatically in 1943.
Imprints of cosmic rays in multifrequency observations of the interstellar emission

Ever since the discovery of Cosmic Rays (CRs), significant advancements have been made in modeling their propagation in the Galaxy and in the Heliosphere. However, propagation models suffer from degeneracy of many parameters. To complicate the picture the precision of recent data have started challenging existing models. To tackle these issues we use available multifrequency observations of the interstellar emission from radio to gamma rays, together with direct CR measurements, to study local interstellar spectra (LIS) and propagation models. As a result, the electron LIS is characterized without any assumption on solar modulation, and favorite propagation models are put forward. More precisely, our analysis leads to the following main conclusions: (1) the electron injection spectrum needs at least a break below a few GeV; (2) even though consistent with direct CR measurements, propagation models producing a LIS with large all-electron density from a few hundreds of MeV to a few GeV are disfavored by both radio and gamma-ray observations; (3) the usual assumption that direct CR measurements, after accounting for solar modulation, are representative of the proton LIS in our ~1 kpc region is challenged by the observed local gamma-ray HI emissivity. We provide the resulting proton LIS, all-electron LIS, and propagation parameters, based on synchrotron, gamma-ray, and direct CR data. A plain diffusion model and a tentative diffusive-reacceleration model are put forward. The various models are investigated in the inner-Galaxy region in X-rays and gamma rays. Predictions of the interstellar emission for future gamma-ray instruments (e-ASTROGAM and AMEGO) are derived.
Enhanced DNA detection using a multiple pulse pumping scheme with time-gating (MPPTG).

Fluorescence signal enhancement induced by the binding of intercalators to DNA has been broadly utilized in various DNA detection methods. In most instances the increase in fluorescence intensity is associated with a concomitant increase of fluorescence lifetime. This increase of the fluorescence lifetime presents an additional opportunity to increase detection sensitivity. In this paper, we present a new approach to significantly enhance the sensitivity in detecting minute DNA concentrations. The approach is based on simultaneous use of time-gated detection and multi-pulse pumping. By using a calibrated burst of short pulses we greatly enhance the contribution of long-lived fluorescence species, thus enabling easy time-gated detection. Using a classic DNA intercalator – Ethidium Bromide (EtBr) – as an example with our novel multi-pulse pumping and time-gated detection technique, we were able to increase detection sensitivity over 70-fold with only 3 pulse excitation. This approach is generic and can be used with any analytical probe (exhibiting about 10 times change in lifetime) that shows an increase in fluorescence signal and fluorescence lifetime upon binding to a target.
Image Copy-Move Forgery Detection via an End-to-End Deep Neural Network

In this paper, for the first time, we introduce a new end-to-end deep neural network predicting forgery masks to the image copy-move forgery detection problem. Specifically, we use a convolutional neural network to extract block-like features from an image, compute self-correlations between different blocks, use a pointwise feature extractor to locate matching points, and reconstruct a forgery mask through a deconvolutional network. Unlike classic solutions requiring multiple stages of training and parameter tuning, ranging from feature extraction to postprocessing, the proposed solution is fully trainable and can be jointly optimized for the forgery mask reconstruction loss. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves better forgery detection performance than classic approaches relying on different features and matching schemes, and it is more robust against various known attacks like affine transformation, JPEG compression, blurring, etc.
The Use of the Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogue, Octreotide Acetate, in Patients with Islet Cell Tumors

SUMMARY Octreotide lowers plasma concentrations of the marker peptide in the majority of patients with islet cell tumors (Fig. 3). However, as described above the effect of octreotide on plasma concentrations of marker peptides is not necessarily related to the effect on symptoms. Nevertheless octreotide is capable of producing symptomatic relief in a large proportion of patients with islet cell tumor syndromes (Fig. 4). The data on the effect of octreotide on the symptoms due to VIPoma and due to the carcinoid syndrome (presumably including some who have islet cell tumors) are strong and the drug has been approved for these indications by the Food and Drug Administration. With respect to the other islet cell tumor syndromes, the published data suggest that the utility of octreotide differs in the different syndromes. Insulinomas are usually single, benign, and can and should be removed surgically, resulting in cure. Octreotide therefore has no role to play in such patients, particularly since the response of insulinomas is variable. However in the 10 per cent of insulinomas that are malignant octreotide is certainly effective in at least a portion of cases, although as yet the true response rate and efficacy compared with diazoxide is not clear. Although octreotide is effective at reducing acid output, and thus improving symptoms in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, because of the effectiveness of histamine H2-receptor antagonists and omeprazole, there is no need for octreotide in this syndrome. For patients with glucagonoma, GHRHoma, Cushing’s syndrome, and other rare islet cell tumor syndromes octreotide may well be of benefit and should be considered. The current data do not support the use of octreotide for an antitumor effect.
IMPURITY SEGREGATION AT THE Si/SiO2 INTERFACE*

ABSTRACT We have used Auger sputter profiling to examine the distribution of impurities at the Si/SiO2 interface. Impurities studied include phosphorus, a high concentration dopant in silicon, and chlorine, commonly added as HCl to the oxidation ambient. Both impurities are found to segregate to the Si/SiO2 interface, a phenomenon only recently accounted for in models of integrated circuit processing. After describing the use of the Auger technique in the quantitative determination of impurity profiles, we will demonstrate how simple segregation models can be used to predict the dependence of these profiles on parameters such as oxidation time, temperature, and doping level.
ABSORBING BOUNDARIES FOR VISCOELASTICITY

Publisher Summary This chapter presents analogs of the absorbing boundary idea for viscoelasticity. While the absorbing idea becomes trivial for the wave equation in one dimension, it is quite nontrivial for one-dimensional viscoelasticity. When the wave equation is to be solved in two dimensions in the exterior of an obstacle, the idea is to introduce an artificial boundary outside the obstacle and then solve the wave equation only in the annular region. There is an exact, theoretical boundary condition that must hold on the artificial boundary. This condition is termed absorbing because if it is imposed there will be no reflection back into the annulus. It is, however, very difficult to implement numerically. It is a pseudo-differential operator, that is, it is nonlocal, in both space and time, and is represented in terms of Fourier integrals.
Case 18: Delayed Presentation Zone I Open Globe Injury with Traumatic Cataract

A 63-year-old man presented 10 days following penetrating wood injury to right eye. Exam confirmed a Zone I open globe with lens violation. He underwent primary globe closure immediately. Lens extraction was delayed due to the poor intraocular view from significant corneal edema. Inflammation was controlled medically and cataract extraction without insertion of intraocular lens was performed one month later with the corneal sutures still in place. Secondary intraocular lens implantation versus an aphakic contact lens was offered after the corneal sutures were removed; the patient deferred additional surgery and elected to seek follow-up locally. The patient’s final visual acuity was 20/50 with a +11 diopter lens and pinhole occluder.
The influence of mindfulness during the travel anticipation phase.

Previous studies have established the influence of mindfulness on the tourists’ experience when they are on-site at an attraction or in a destination. However, the travel experience begins during the anticipation phase when tourists embark on the vacation planning process. This study considered the influence that mindfulness during the travel anticipation phase has on the traveller’s confidence that they chose the best destination for the trip, their satisfaction with the trip, and their loyalty to the destination. The results of the analysis found that mindfulness during the travel anticipation phase had significant positive influences on confidence, satisfaction and loyalty, suggesting the potential benefits for destinations to encourage mindfulness in future visitors as they plan their trip. The major contribution of this study is to establish that mindfulness during the anticipation phase influenced the travel experience. Future research should consider the role of mindfulness in all five travel phases, as well the development of promotional strategies that encourage mindfulness in potential visitors.
Open to diversity: Openness to experience predicts beliefs in multiculturalism and colorblindness through perspective taking.

Abstract. The present research examines the influence of personality on ideologies about diversity in society. In two studies (N = 668), we test whether Openness to Experience predicts beliefs in m...
Diagnosis of NTM Disease: Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary

Making a diagnosis of nontuberculous (NTM) disease is fraught with practical difficulties. For NTM pulmonary disease, there is rarely one piece of data that establishes or eliminates the diagnosis. In the case of NTM extrapulmonary disease, a high index of suspicion is required, and technical challenges can preclude rapid diagnostic certainty. In all instances, a measured and judicious approach is required when considering the possibility of NTM disease, and careful consideration of the individual patient, while adhering to general guiding principles, is necessary.
Variability in endocrine cell identity in patients with chronic pancreatitis undergoing islet autotransplantation

Beta-cell dedifferentiation as shown by cellular colocalization of insulin with glucagon and/or vimentin, and decreased expression of MAFA and/or urocortin3 has been suggested to contribute to metabolic decompensation in type 2 diabetes, and was recently described postimplantation in islet allotransplant patients. Dysglycaemia and diabetes mellitus are often encountered preoperatively in patients undergoing pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (PIAT). In this series of case reports, we document variation in islet phenotypic identity in three patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) without diabetes or significant insulin resistance who subsequently underwent PIAT. Pancreas histology was examined using colocalization of endocrine hormones, mesenchymal and pan-endocrine markers in islets, and the relative expression of MAFA and urocortin3 in insulin-expressing cells as compared to that of nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic donors. We present results of pre- and posttransplant clinical metabolic testing. Varying degrees of islet-cell dedifferentiation are identified in nondiabetic patients with CP at the time of PIAT, and may need further investigation.
Electrostatic tuning of mechanical and microwave resonances in 3D superconducting radio frequency cavities

We implement a non-contact, external method of simultaneously fine-tuning a mechanical resonator and a superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavity using a capacitor formed between a silicon nitride membrane and a copper electrode at cryogenic temperatures. The silicon nitride membrane forms a variable boundary condition for the SRF cavity thereby creating the optomechanical cavity. By controlling the DC voltage applied between an external electrode and the silicon nitride membrane we are capable of tuning the resonance frequency internal to the SRF cavity up to 25 kHz for a cavity with loaded quality factor of 2.5 million, corresponding to six cavity linewidths. At the same time we observe the electrostatic frequency shift of the membrane. This approach has the unique benefit of avoiding any dielectric insertion or added gaps due to a moving end-wall thereby limiting the loss of the cavity. Furthermore, this design avoids applied pressure typically used with piezoelectric devices in accelerator cavities. This work seeks to have strong impact in tuning high-Q cavities due to its ability to maintain low losses.
Lateralized periodic discharges frequency correlates with glucose metabolism.

Objective To investigate the correlation between characteristics of lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs) and glucose metabolism measured by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–PET. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records to identify patients who underwent FDG-PET during EEG monitoring with LPDs present during the FDG uptake period. Two blinded board-certified neurophysiologists independently interpreted EEGs. FDG uptake was measured using standardized uptake value (SUV). Structural images were fused with PET images to aid with localization of SUV. Two PET readers independently measured maximum SUV. Relative SUV values were obtained by normalization of the maximum SUV to the SUV of pons (SUVRpons). LPD frequency was analyzed both as a categorical variable and as a continuous measure. Other secondary variables included duration, amplitude, presence of structural lesion, and “plus” EEG features such as rhythmic or fast sharp activity. Results Nine patients were identified and 7 had a structural etiology for LPDs. Analysis using frequency as a categorical variable and continuous variable showed an association between increased LPD frequency and increased ipsilateral SUVRpons (p = 0.02). Metabolism associated with LPDs (0.5 Hz as a baseline) increased by a median of 100% at 1 Hz and for frequencies >1 Hz increased by a median of 309%. There were no statistically significant differences in SUVRpons for other factors including duration (p = 0.10), amplitude (p = 0.80), structural etiology (p = 0.55), or “plus” features such as rhythmic or fast sharp activity (p = 0.84). Conclusions Metabolic activity increases monotonically with LPD frequency. LPD frequency should be a measure of interest when developing neuroprotection strategies in critical neurologic illness.
Crystal Structure of d-Ornithine/d-Lysine Decarboxylase, a Stereoinverting Decarboxylase: Implications for Substrate Specificity and Stereospecificity of Fold III Decarboxylases

A newly discovered Fold III pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent decarboxylase, d-ornithine/lysine decarboxylase (DOKDC), catalyzes decarboxylation of d-lysine and d-ornithine with inversion of stereochemistry. The X-ray crystal structure of DOKDC has been determined to 1.72 A. DOKDC has a low level of sequence identity (<30%) with meso-diaminopimelate decarboxylase (DAPDC) and l-lysine/ornithine decarboxylase (LODC), but its three-dimensional structure is very similar. The distal binding site of DAPDC contains a conserved arginine that forms an ion pair with the l-carboxylate end of DAP. In both LODC and DOKDC, this distal site is modified by replacement of the arginine with aspartate, changing the substrate specificity. l-Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and LODC have a conserved phenylalanine on the re-face of the PLP complex that has been found to play a key role in the decarboxylation mechanism. We have found that both DAPDC and DOKDC have tyrosine instead of phenylalanine at this position, which precludes the binding of l-amino acids. Because the PLP-binding lysine in ODC, LODC, DAPDC, and DOKDC is located on the re-face of the PLP, we propose that this is the acid group responsible for protonation of the product, thus resulting in the observed retention of configuration for decarboxylation of l-amino acids and inversion for decarboxylation of d-amino acids. The reactions of DAPDC and DOKDC are likely accelerated by positive electrostatics on the re-face by the lysine e-ammonium ion and on the si-face by closure of the lid over the active site, resulting in desolvation and destabilization of the d-amino acid carboxylate.
Tricks of the (Colorblind) Trade: Hollywood’s Preservation of White Supremacy in the Age of Obama

Foster argues that Hollywood has employed several tactics to present a diverse and multiracial cast while reproducing the same storylines of the past in narratives that produce positive presentations of whites and negative presentations of racial “others.” He discusses three methods for perpetuating white supremacy in the guise of “color-blindness”: (1) casting biracial actors in lead roles and more diverse casts in general; (2) portraying biracial characters and “diverse” storylines (while casting whites to play such roles); and (3) promoting diversity via alien, animal, or make-believe species. Through a close reading of Hollywood films that exemplify each category, The Fast and The Furious franchise, Avatar, Inside Out, Madagascar 3, Foster demonstrates that these films have a similar outcome: Intentional or not, whiteness remains exalted and preserved while otherness is diluted and sanitized.
Detection probability of bats using active versus passive monitoring.

As technology has evolved, bat researchers have relied more heavily on using acoustic techniques to collect data on bat communities. Acoustic data can be collected actively, where the researcher is present at the sampling point and follows the bat with the detector, or passively, where the researcher is not present and the detector is set out by itself. Active sampling can yield longer, clearer calls, and is only conducted during part of the night (usually from sunset to about 02:00 hours) for short bouts (20 minutes). By contrast, passive sampling can yield lower quality calls, but procedures are easily repeatable and data can be used to measure temporal variation in activity throughout the night and detect individuals and species that are missed during active sampling. Researchers are increasingly attempting to monitor and compare bat communities over time, including sites where both active and passive sampling have occurred. However, these two techniques can yield different detection probabilities and the extent to which data collected using these two techniques can be compared is unclear. Thus, in July 2017 we simultaneously collected acoustic data actively and passively to compare detection probabilities of bats at the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA. Using Anabat Express detectors, we detected five species or species groups (Eptesicus fuscus/Lasiurus cinereus, L. borealis/L. seminolus, Perimyotis subflavus, Myotis austroriparius, and Nycticeius humeralis) using each method. Using single season occupancy modeling, we found that method (passive vs. active sampling) had a significant effect on detection probabilities of all species, and that passively sampling throughout the night yielded the highest detection probability for all species. As a result, if differences in detection probability are not taken into account, comparison of historical active datasets with current passive datasets could lead to different insights into habitat use by similar bat communities. Based on our findings, we recommend that researchers use passive sampling throughout the night when studying and monitoring bat communities.
Youth Access to Tobacco Products in the United States, 2016-2018.

Objectives In 2018, approximately 4.9 million US middle and high school students reported past 30-day use of any tobacco product. This study describes how and where youth obtained tobacco products and whether refusal of sale occurred during 2016-2018. Methods Data from 3 annual waves (2016-2018) of the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a school-based survey of US youth in grades 6-12, were analyzed among current (past 30-day) tobacco product users aged 9 to 17 years. Results During 2016-2018, youth tobacco product users most commonly obtained tobacco products from social sources. Although the percentage of users who reported buying tobacco products significantly decreased from 2016 to 2018 (2016: 15.6%; 2018: 11.4%), no significant differences in the prevalence of being refused sale were observed (2016: 24.7%; 2018: 25.5%). Conclusions Whereas the number of youth users who report buying tobacco products has declined, sales of tobacco products to youth remain a public health concern, as only one in 4 youth who attempted to buy were refused sale in 2018. Monitoring youth tobacco product purchases, retailer compliance check inspections, and retailer penalties for sales to minors remain important for reducing youth access at retail sources.
Central venous pressure and the risk of diuretic-associated acute kidney injury in patients after cardiac surgery.

Background When prescribing diuretics in the postcardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU), clinicians may use central venous pressure (CVP) to assess volume status and the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). In this study, we examined how the risk of diuretic-associated AKI varied with CVP in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods We used the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database to study adults admitted to the postcardiac surgical ICU at an urban, academic medical center between 2001 and 2012. We examined the odds of AKI per 1–mm Hg increase in CVP among patients receiving intravenous loop diuretics using multivariable adjusted logistic regression. We examined the risk of AKI among patients with diuretic use (vs nonuse) across tertiles of CVP using inverse probability treatment weighting. Results Among 4,164 patients receiving intravenous loop diuretics, the adjusted odds of subsequent AKI were 1.11 (95% CI 1.08-1.13) times higher per mm Hg increase in mean CVP. This association was log-linear across the entire range of CVPs observed. In the analysis of diuretic use (n = 5,396), the adjusted risk ratio for AKI with diuretic use (vs nonuse) was 1.33 (95% CI 1.21-1.47) and did not materially differ across tertile of CVP. Conclusions Higher rather than lower CVP is an independent marker of AKI risk. The risk of AKI associated with diuretic use may not be influenced by CVP. Novel methods of assessing volume status and AKI risk are needed to guide patient selection for diuretic therapy.
Hyperbaric medicine simulation education curriculum: CNS toxicity during Treatment Table 6 and intubated ICU patient with mucous plugging.

Introduction/background The incidence of complications and number of critically ill patients in hyperbaric medicine is relatively low [1]. This poses a challenge to those tasked with educating trainees as well as maintaining the skills of staff. Hyperbaric medicine fellows may not be exposed to critical patient scenarios or complications of hyperbaric medicine during a one-year fellowship. Additional staff may be unfamiliar with these situations as well. The purpose of hyperbaric simulation curriculum is to train health care providers for rare situations. To our knowledge, this hyperbaric simulation curriculum is the first published use of simulation education in the specialty of undersea and hyperbaric medicine. Materials and methods Two simulation cases have been developed that involve a patient with oxygen toxicity during hyperbaric treatment as well as an ICU patient with mucous plugging. Results Medical training simulations are an effective method of teaching content and training multiple roles in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine. Summary/conclusions A hyperbaric simulation curriculum is an achievable educational initiative that is able to train multiple team members simultaneously in situations that they may not encounter on a regular basis. We believe that this could be easily exported to otherinstitutions for further education.
Association of Documentation of Legal Residency Status with Nonprescribed Hormone Use Among Hispanic/Latina Trans Women in San Francisco

Undocumented immigrant trans Latinas face significant barriers to attaining gender-affirming health care and may use nonprescribed feminizing hormones. Without medical supervision, nonprescribed hormone use may lead to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine if a history of being an undocumented immigrant was associated with nonprescribed hormone use among trans Latinas. We conducted a secondary analysis using baseline data from the 2016 Trans National study done in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two hundred five trans Latinas participated in the study, of whom 75 (37%) reported a history of being undocumented. We fitted a multivariable logistic regression model to determine whether having a history of being an undocumented immigrant was associated with nonprescribed hormone use while controlling for age, income, time living in San Francisco, history of sex work, and history of problems with accessing health care. The prevalence of nonprescribed hormone use was 55.9% among trans Latinas overall; however, for trans Latinas with a history of undocumented immigration status, the prevalence was 68%. There was a significant, independent association between nonprescribed hormone use and undocumented status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.47-6.97). We also found that having a history of sex work was associated with nonprescribed hormone use (aOR=5.72; 95% CI=2.69-12.18). The prevalence of nonprescribed hormone use among trans Latinas was high and is associated with a history of undocumented status and sex work. These associations may indicate health care avoidance related to concerns of being criminalized due to their documentation status or source of income (i.e., sex work) among trans Latinas. These findings underscore the need to reduce barriers in gender-affirming care to increase access to medically supervised hormone use, particularly among individuals with a history of undocumented status and engaged in sex work.
Dysregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif1α) expression in the Hmox1-deficient placenta.

Abstract Introduction Severe hypoxia exists in placentas during early pregnancy, with reoxygenation during mid-gestation. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (Hif1α), an oxygen sensor, initiates placental vascular development. We have shown that the placental vasculature in Hmox1-deficient (Hmox1+/−, Het) pregnancies is impaired, with morphological defects similar to Hif1α-deficient placentas. Materials and methods Whole wild-type (WT) and Het mouse placentas were collected at E8.5 (1%–3% O2) and E9.5–15.5 (8%–10% O2). mRNA levels were determined using real-time RT-PCR or PCR arrays and protein levels using Western blot. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from WT, Het, and Hmox1 knockout (KO) mice, representing different Hmox1 cellular levels, were generated to study the role of Hmox1 on Hif1α ′s response to hypoxia-reoxygenation and gestational age-specific placental lysates. Results Hif1α was expressed in WT and Het placentas throughout gestation, with protein levels peaking at E8.5 and mRNA levels significantly upregulated from E9.5–E13.5, but significantly lower in Het placentas. Genes associated with angiogenesis (Vegfa, Vegfr1, Mmp2, Cxcl12, Angpt1, Nos3), antioxidants (Sod1, Gpx1), and transcription factors (Ap2, Bach1, Nrf2) were significantly different in Het placentas. In response to in vitro hypoxia-reoxygenation and to WT or Het placental lysates, Hif1α transcription was lower in Het and Hmox1 KO BMDMs compared with WT BMDMs. Discussion These findings suggest that deficiencies in Hmox1 underlie the insufficient placental Hif1α response to hypoxia-reoxygenation during gestation and subsequently impair downstream placental vascular formation. Therefore, a dysregulation of Hif1α expression caused by any genetic defect or environmental influence in early pregnancy could be the root cause of pregnancy disorders.
Posttraumatic proximal radioulnar synostosis: Technique for operative resection

Resection of a posttraumatic proximal radioulnar synostosis to gain pronation and supination of the forearm. Posttraumatic proximal radioulnar synostosis. Resection can be performed relatively early. Central nervous system injury constitutes a relative contraindication. Posterior midline incision which can be extended proximally if exposure of the entire elbow is needed. Dissection and exposure of the proximal and distal ends of synostosis while protecting the surrounding soft tissue. Resection of the exostosis. Test range of passive rotation. Cauterization of bleeding bony surfaces and coverage with bone wax. No need for interpositional material. A consecutive series of 17 patients with 18 synostoses has been reviewed. Resection was performed between 6 and 11 months post injury. Average follow-up: 32 months. One patient, who had sustained a closed head trauma, suffered a recurrence. The average supination gain was 61° (25° to 85°) and the gain in pronation amounted to 78° (40° to 90°). Using the classification system of Failla et al., the overall results were judged excellent in 16 limbs, fair in 1 and poor in 1.
Essentialist thinking predicts culpability and punishment judgments

People often perceive social groups (e.g. ethnic groups, occupations, gender groups) as having fixed membership and discrete boundaries. This paper proposes that essentialist beliefs about abstract...
The lived experiences of graduate nurses transitioning to professional practice during a pandemic.

Abstract Background Graduate nurses face challenges during their transition to professional practice. Understanding these experiences during a pandemic has not been explored. Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experiences of graduate nurses transitioning to practice during a pandemic. Methods Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, focus groups were conducted with fifteen nurses who were at three different stages of transition and participating in a 12-month Graduate Nurse Residency Program. Findings Seven themes emerged: 1) being new is overwhelming, even more so during COVID-19, 2) need to be flexible, 3) pandemic knowledge and practice disconnect, 4) communication barriers worsened with masks, 5) being a “COVID nurse,” 6) no self-care, and 7) gratitude: still glad to be a nurse. Discussion Findings emphasize the important focus on graduate nurse support and educational foundation for role transition into professional practice, especially during a pandemic. Participants expressed lack of preparedness for practice but remain excited about being a nurse.
Antiobesity drug therapy.

In Reply : I thank Dr. Modarressi for these comments and agree that the impact of many glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists on the lowering of blood pressure is modest but significant when com- pared with other glucose-lowering agents and thus have exerted cardioprotective benefits. A
Spatiotemporal and muscle activation adaptations during overground walking in response to lower body added mass.

Abstract Background Lower-extremity exoskeletons have been used in rehabilitation and performance augmentation for the past two decades. An exoskeleton adds a significant load to certain segments of the user’s body and the underlying science about the effects of adding mass to the different lower-body segments is limited. Research question What are the adaptive changes that occur when mass is placed on three lower body segments (pelvis, thigh, and shank)? Methods Healthy adults (n=24) completed 5 overground walking trials for 7 added mass conditions. The seven added mass conditions included a Baseline (no-load) condition, +2 and +4 lb on either the shanks or the thighs, and +8 and +16 lb on the pelvis. Spatiotemporal metrics, surface electromyography (EMG) data from 5 lower-limb muscles, and ground reaction force data were analyzed and compared between conditions. Results Pelvis mass of 16 lb increased the double support time (p Significance The results demonstrate how added mass affects muscle activity, which could inform design of EMG-based exoskeleton controllers. With respect to spatiotemporal changes, results indicate that adding masses equal to or greater than 16 lb on the pelvis can cause significant differences when compared to unloaded walking. This finding implies that all other mass loadings in this study, regardless of location, are regulated. Thus, as a guideline to exoskeleton design, we recommend mass distributions over the pelvis and the thigh to take advantage of the larger muscle groups in adapting to the added mass.
A Few Basic Concepts: Setting the Stage

The purpose of this book is to present supplemental material that I have incorporated into my course called “Economy and Risk” built around an engineering economics textbook. These are materials that I believe every engineering graduate should appreciate.
Repression as Reputation Building: Leader and Regime Action and Trends in the Use of Repression Against Domestic Populations

In times of political unrest, some leaders and regimes resort to the use of force in order to maintain societal equilibrium. This practice has short and long term effects, quelling current disorder as well as generating a reputation which will inform the decision of potential dissidents in the future. In this paper, we explore whether patterns of repressive response to protests events are consistent with reputation building efforts of individual leaders. The Social Conflict in Africa Database provides fine-grained data for this exercise. If leaders employ repressive force as a tactic for reputation-building, in addition to its recognized function for keeping social order, then we will be able to use the models developed here to operationalize leaders' reputations for repression. We hope to successfully generate such a measure in order to more effectively model the decision-making processing of potential dissidents in subsequent papers.ct will be provided by author.
Manipulator Design for Optimal Dynamic Motions Along Specified Paths

Design methods of robotic manipulators for optimal motions along specified paths are presented. The design problem is formulated as a parameter optimization, using the optimal motion time along the given path as the cost function and the link lengths or the actuator sizes as the design parameters. Based on geometric insights into the shapes of time optimal paths, an approximate method is also presented that curve fits the acceleration lines to the specified path, avoiding the computationally expensive time optimization problem. The approximate method yields efficiently near optimal designs in a fraction of the computation time required for the exact solutions. Examples of the design of a fivebar mechanism are presented, demonstrating close correlation between the exact and the approximate solutions.
Robust speaker verification with optimal pitch bases expansions

We are presenting a new method to improve the robustness of speaker verification algorithms. It is based on an innovative approach that departs radically from commonly used mechanisms for speech recognition and speaker verification. In addition to speech features derived from spectral analysis, we are using speech features derived from orthogonal expansions of pitch period segments. The expansions are designed to optimally match the characteristics of a given speaker. Our research demonstrates that the presented strategy delivers a performance that is superior to traditional methods in the context of text-dependent speaker verification with cooperative speakers in a low noise environment. In experiments we were able to reduce the probability of impostor access by more than 50%. The overall complexity of the proposed algorithm is comparable to the complexity of algorithms in current commercial products.
A Note on the definition of an Orlicz space

In the spaces \(L^p_\mu[0,1]\), \(p\gt 1\) (which are Orlicz spaces of a very special kind), one has \(\| f\|_p=\sup\{\int^1_0fg\,d\mu :\int^1_0|g|^q\,d\mu \leq1\}=\inf\{t\gt 0 :\int^1_0|f/t|^p\,d\mu\leq1\}=(\int^1_0|f|^p\,d\mu)^{1/p}\), and any one of the three could serve as the definition for \(\| f\|_p\). For an arbitrary \(N\)-function, \(M\), the analogues of the first two of these formulations yield equivalent norms on the corresponding Orlicz space. On the other hand, the functional \(\rho_M\), defined on \(L^M_\mu[0,1]\) by \(\rho_M(f)=M^{-1}(\int^1_0M (f)\,d\mu)\), not only fails to be a norm in most cases, but frequently it is not even a reasonable approximation to the Orlicz norm.
The limits of smoothness: a primal-dual framework for price of anarchy bounds

We show a formal duality between certain equilibrium concepts, including the correlated and coarse correlated equilibrium, and analysis frameworks for proving bounds on the price of anarchy for such concepts. Our first application of this duality is a characterization of the set of distributions over game outcomes to which "smoothness bounds" always apply. This set is a natural and strict generalization of the coarse correlated equilibria of the game. Second, we derive a refined definition of smoothness that is specifically tailored for coarse correlated equilibria and can be used to give improved POA bounds for such equilibria.
Different feedback regulation of hepatic cholesterol and bile acid synthesis by glycodeoxycholic acid in rabbits

Abstract Background : To explore the sexual difference in the feedback regulation of hepatic bile acid synthesis, glycodeoxycholic acid (GDCA) was administered to 15 male and 14 female rabbits. Methods : After bile diversion, GDCA equivalent to the hepatic bile acid influx was infused intraduodenally. Biliary cholic acid output represented bile acid synthesis. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities and steady state messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were determined. Results : GDCA inhibited bile acid synthesis less in female than in male rabbits. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity decreased 39% in males, but increased 48% in females. Hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity decreased similarly in males and females, and mRNA levels decreased 86% in males but were unchanged in females. Conclusions : (1) Total bile diversion stimulated both hepatic cholesterol and bile acid synthesis by activating the rate-controlling enzymes and increasing mRNA levels. (2) GDCA decreased mRNA levels of HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase in males, but mRNA levels did not decrease in females. (3) Bile acid synthesis was sustained in females because continued biosynthesis of cholesterol provided a substrate for cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and stimulus for enzyme formation.
Learning by discovering macros in puzzle solving

This paper proposes a model of learning by discovery. The model consists of a program which discovers macro operators while conducting a best first heuristic search in the domain of puzzles. This work extends some recent work on permutation puzzles (Korf, 1982) and operator-decomposable puzzles (Korf, 1983), and is related to the earlier work on MACROPS (Fikes, Hart, and Nilsson, 1972). This work is part of a doctoral dissertation currently in progress at MIT, in which the model will be used to explore learning in conjunction with additional search paradigms and numerous alternative heuristics for macro generation and selection. The specific heuristic reported on here is that of using peaks of the evaluation function to segment the paths of the search tree in order to discover macros. The technique seems particularly valuable in difficult puzzles where only imperfect or approximate evaluation functions ar available.
Spontaneous Rupture of a Superior Gluteal Artery Mycotic Aneurysm

Gluteal artery aneurysms are uncommon among all aneurysms and are usually a result of trauma. Streptococcus viridans bacteremia has been described in rare cases of extracranial mycotic aneurysms. Despite a variable clinical presentation, mycotic aneurysms of the superior gluteal artery could be the cause in patients with unexplained sciatica pain. Here we report a very rare case of spontaneous rupture of a superior gluteal artery mycotic aneurysm in a patient with underlying infective endocarditis (IE) secondary to Streptococcus viridans.
Large-Scale Galactic Shock Phenomena and the Implications on Star Formation

The possible existence of a stationary two-armed spiral shock pattern for a disk-shaped galaxy, such as our own Milky Way System, is demonstrated. It is therefore suggested that large-scale galactic shock phenomena may very well form the large-scale triggering mechanism for the gravitational collapse of gas clouds, leading to star formation along narrow spiral arcs within a two-armed grand design of spiral structure.
Modeling the density variations of urban land uses with transportation network congestion

Abstract Perhaps the single most distinctive character of urban activity that distinguishes it from rural and regional activities is the intensive use of urban land. While the nature of density variations of urban land uses and their associated land rents are well understood, there have been few operational urban models that explicitly address the density variations of land uses. The paper presents a combined land use-transportation model, in which transportation congestion costs on networks of various transportation modes are simultaneously determined with the efficient intensity level of land uses. The procedure uses a nonlinear programming approach within the context of a multicommodity flow/input-output model.
Stability analysis of implicit time discretizations for the Compton-scattering Fokker-Planck equation

The Fokker-Planck equation is a widely used approximation for modeling the Compton scattering of photons in high energy density applications. In this paper, we perform a stability analysis of three implicit time discretizations for the Compton-Scattering Fokker-Planck equation. Specifically, we examine (i) a Semi-Implicit (SI) scheme that employs backward-Euler differencing but evaluates temperature-dependent coefficients at their beginning-of-time-step values, (ii) a Fully Implicit (FI) discretization that instead evaluates temperature-dependent coefficients at their end-of-time-step values, and (iii) a Linearized Implicit (LI) scheme, which is developed by linearizing the temperature dependence of the FI discretization within each time step. Our stability analysis shows that the FI and LI schemes are unconditionally stable and cannot generate oscillatory solutions regardless of time-step size, whereas the SI discretization can suffer from instabilities and nonphysical oscillations for sufficiently large time steps. With the results of this analysis, we present time-step limits for the SI scheme that prevent undesirable behavior. We test the validity of our stability analysis and time-step limits with a set of numerical examples.