cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American College Students’ Views of Depression and Utilization of On-Campus Counseling Services:

Background College students are becoming increasingly depressed; however, many do not attend university counseling to seek help. Objectives What is the relationship between young adults' mental health literacy, perceived stigma of depression and treatment, knowledge of treatment benefits and risks, beliefs about alternative therapies, and influence of his or her social network with usage of university counseling? Study design A survey was administered to N = 107 American undergraduate college students to ascertain the students' understanding of depression and their views of counseling services on campus. Results Both likelihood of using alternative therapies and perceived discrimination of social network accounted for 18% of the variance for likelihood of participants seeking campus counseling. Conclusions When a young adult college student perceives stigma or discrimination of depression from family and friends, then they may be less likely to seek university counseling for depression as well as possible applications with alternative therapies as a favorable option.
Hypocalcemia associated with estrogen therapy for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate.

AbstractWe report 2 cases of true hypocalcemia (not caused by decreased binding proteins) associated with metastatic prostate cancer and review previously reported cases. Hypocalcemia is a common but frequently unrecognized complication of prostatic cancer. Estrogen therapy often is associated with the hypocalcemia, which may be asymptomatic. The hypocalcemia is always associated with osteoblastic metastases and usually it is associated with increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity, acid phosphatase activity and serum parathyroid hormone concentration. Serum concentrations of magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin D frequently are decreased. Patients are in a positive calcium balance. The osteoblastic metastases seem to act as a calcium sink, creating a “hungry tumor phenomenon”. The role of estrogens may be to stop the resorption of normal bone resulting in lower serum calcium concentrations. (J. Urol., 140: 1025–1027, 1988)
Toxoplasma Retromer Is Here to Stay.

How the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii and related parasites shuttle proteins through their intricate system of endomembranous compartments remains unclear. Sangare et al. show that the Toxoplasma retromer complex is essential for parasite viability through its role in protein targeting to multiple locales and its interactions with newly identified partners.
Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate and Hormone Sensitivity

We report a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated successfully with androgen ablation followed by laparoscopic lymphadenectomy and total perineal prostatectomy. This case demonstrates that mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate may be hormonally sensitive.
Organic salts with large electro-optic coefficients

Organic ionic complexes are highly nonlinear optical materials that show considerable promise for frequency conversion and electro-optic modulation applications.1 The organic salt DimethylAminoStilbazolium Tosylate (DAST) has a large second-harmonic-generation (SHG) powder efficiency, roughly 1000 times that of a urea reference standard, by the Kurtz powder technique.2 DAST crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc. The anionic tosylate is situated dose to the pyridinium moiety and in effect serves to line up adjacent rows of cationic chromophores in a parallel manner. The only deviation from a completely aligned system is the 20° angle between the long axis of the molecules and the polar a-axis of the crystal. Given the nearly optimal chromophore orientation and the large nonresonant β inferred from the powder SHG test, DAST is expected to have extremely large electro-optic coefficients. Accordingly, single crystals of the Cc phase of DAST were grown from solution. The as-grown crystal habits shown in Fig. 1 indicate the planar orientation of nonlinear chromophoies relative to the largest surfaces of the crystal platelet. The crystals are transparent from 0.7 to 2 μm. As shown in Fig. 2, DAST is biaxial and has a large and highly dispersive refractive index for light polarized approximately parallel to the chromophore axis (i.e., along the polar a-axis). The electro-optic coefficients were measured at 820 nm, by a method previously described by Yoshimura.3
Multi design variable optimization of QFN package on thick boards for enhanced board level reliability

Literature suggests that, thick printed circuit boards (PCB) being stiff, critically affects the reliability of electronic packages. However, some applications do demand use of thick PCBs. Given the nature of application, in this paper, design analysis was performed with Quad flat No-lead (QFN) package mounted on thick PCBs (> 3 mm). Initially, Instron Micro Tester, Thermo Mechanical Analyzer (TMA) and Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) were leveraged to determine temperature dependent elastic modulus (E) and co-efficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for characterizing PCB. A multi-level Finite Element (FE) model (Sub-modeling approach) was implemented to predict the Board Level Reliability (BLR) of QFN package under Accelerated Thermal Cycling (ATC). Sub-modeling approach enables enhanced accuracy of results with efficient computation time. The analysis was conducted in two stages. First, “Global model” (relatively coarse mesh) was solved with the quarter symmetry QFN model and the critical solder joint is identified. In the next step, the critical solder joint (fine mesh) is analyzed using sub-modeling. The damage in the critical solder region was evaluated by incremental inelastic strain energy density per cycle (plastic work) using an APDL code in collaboration with Workbench. Various design and material parameters were assessed for their trends and influence on the solder joint fatigue life of QFN package. These design parameters were finally used to perform Multi design variable optimization (MDVO) in ANSYS to propose the optimum design parameters for reducing solder damage in thick boards QFN assemblies
Adjuvanting an inactivated influenza vaccine with flagellin improves the function and quantity of the long-term antibody response in a nonhuman primate neonate model

Young infants are at significantly increased risk of developing severe disease following infection with influenza virus. At present there is no approved vaccine for individuals below the age of six months given previous studies showing a failure of these individuals to efficiently seroconvert. Given the major impact of influenza on infant health, it is critical that we develop vaccines that will be safe and effective in this population. Using a nonhuman primate (NHP) model, we have evaluated the ability of an inactivated influenza virus vaccine adjuvanted with flagellin to result in long term immune responses in neonates. To evaluate this critical attribute, neonate NHP were vaccinated and boosted with inactivated influenza virus in combination with either flagellin or a mutant inactive flagellin control. Our studies show that inclusion of flagellin resulted in a significant increase (5-fold, p=0.04) in influenza virus-specific IgG antibody at 6months post-vaccination. In addition, the antibody present at this late time was of higher affinity (2.4-fold, p=0.02). Finally a greater percentage of infants had detectable neutralizing antibody. These results support the use of flagellin in neonates as an adjuvant that promotes long-lived, high affinity antibody responses.
Aortic Complications Associated With Pregnancy in Marfan Syndrome: The NHLBI National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions (GenTAC)

Background The risk of aortic complications associated with pregnancy in women with Marfan syndrome (MFS) is not fully understood. Methods and Results MFS women participating in the large National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions (GenTAC) were evaluated. Among 184 women with MFS in whom pregnancy information was available, 94 (51%) had a total of 227 pregnancies. Among the women with pregnancies, 10 (10.6%) experienced a pregnancy‐related aortic complication (4 type A and 3 type B dissections, 1 coronary artery dissection, and 2 with significant [≥3 mm] aortic growth). Five of 7 aortic dissections, including all 3 type B, and the coronary dissection (75% of all dissections) occurred in the postpartum period. Only 5 of 8 women with pregnancy‐associated dissection were aware of their MFS diagnosis. The rate of aortic dissection was higher during the pregnancy and postpartum period (5.4 per 100 person‐years vs 0.6 per 100 person‐years of nonpregnancy; rate ratio, 8.4 [95% CI=3.9, 18.4]; P <0.0001). Conclusions Pregnancy in MFS is associated with an increased risk of aortic dissection, both types A and B, particularly in the immediate postpartum period. Lack of knowledge of underlying MFS diagnosis before aortic dissection is a major contributing factor. These findings underscore the need for early diagnosis, prepregnancy risk counseling, and multidisciplinary peripartum management.
Activities and geochronology of 137 Cs in lake sediments resulting from sediment resuspension.

In lakes with a large surface area to watershed ratio 137Cs delivery is primarily by direct atmospheric fallout to the lake surface, where its activity in the sediments has been used to estimate the exposure to organisms and sediment mass deposition rates. Comparison of 137Cs in the historical atmospheric fallout record with 137Cs activity profiles in sediment cores reveals that although the general features of a maxima in the fallout deposition can be matched to activity peaks in the core, the general shape of the 137Cs profile is not an exact replica of the fallout history. Instead, the sediment reflects post-depositional processes such as resuspension, bioturbation, partitioning of 137Cs between the sediment solids and the pore fluids, and molecular diffusion of 137Cs through the pore fluids. Presented here is a model that couples these processes to a system time averaging (STA) model that accounts for the time history of 137Cs fallout and the particle residence time in the water column or in the 'active' surface sediment subject to resuspension. Sediment profiles are examined by comparing reasonable ranges of each of the coefficients of each of these major processes and by applying the model to cores collected from two large, shallow lakes, Lake Erie (USA/Canada) and Lake Winnipeg (Canada). The results indicate that the STA model with molecular diffusion and sediment resuspension best describes the data from these large, shallow lakes.
Survey of the Microbial Quality of Dry Fish, Cassava and Okra in Ghana.

A microbial profile of dry foods in Ghana including smoke dried herrings, salt dried tilapia, salt dried trigger fish, gari, kokonte and okra was evaluated. Okra had the highest aerobic count of 42 × 106, followed by kokone 16-20 × 104, smoke dried herrings 0.2-4 × 104, salt dried tilapia 3-4 × 103, salt dried trigger fish 3- 44 × 102 and gari 3-34 × 102. Anaerobic count was low for all the samples except smoke dried herrings 7-9.5 × 102. Differences in mold count was not evident ranging from 2 × 102 to 39 × 103 for all samples. Aspergillus and Penicillium were the predominant molds. Coliform count was low for salt dried fish and gari, but higher for smoke dried herrings 2-25 × 102, kokonte 11-29 × 102 and okra 31 - 47 × 102.
Carbonic Anhydrase III Is Expressed in Mouse Skeletal Muscles Independent of Fiber Type-Specific Myofilament Protein Isoforms and Plays a Role in Fatigue Resistance

Carbonic anhydrase III (CAIII) is a metabolic enzyme and a regulator for intracellular pH. CAIII has been reported with high level expression in slow twitch skeletal muscles. Here we demonstrate that CAIII is expressed in multiple slow and fast twitch muscles of adult mouse independent of the expression of myosin isoforms. Expressing similar fast type of myofilament proteins, CAIII-positive tibial anterior (TA) muscle exhibits higher tolerance to fatigue than that of CAIII-negative fast twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle in in situ contractility studies. We further studied the muscles of CAIII knockout (Car3-KO) mice. The loss of CAIII in soleus and TA muscles in Car3-KO mice did not change muscle mass, sarcomere protein isoform contents, and the baseline twitch and tetanic contractility as compared with age-matched wild type (WT) controls. On the other hand, Car3-KO TA muscle showed faster force reduction at the beginning but higher resistance at the end during a fatigue test, followed by slower post fatigue recovery than that of WT TA muscle. Superfused Car3-KO soleus muscle also had faster total force reduction during fatigue test than that of WT soleus. However, it showed a less elevation of resting tension followed by a better post fatigue recovery under acidotic stress. CAIII was detected in neonatal TA and EDL muscle, downregulated during development, and then re-expressed in adult TA but not EDL muscles. The expression of CAIII in Tnnt1-KO myopathy mouse soleus muscle that has diminished slow fiber contents due to the loss of slow troponin T remained high. Car3-KO EDL, TA and soleus muscles showed no change in the expression of mitochondria biomarker proteins. The data suggest a fiber type independent expression of CAIII in with a role in the regulation of intracellular pH in skeletal muscle and may be explored as a target for improving fatigue resistance and for the treatment of TNNT1 myopathies.
An Unexpected Etiology of Pancreatic Panniculitis: A Case Report

Abstract Background: Pancreatic panniculitis is a rare cause of subcutaneous fat necrosis secondary to elevated serum levels of pancreatic enzymes. It is most often associated with pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, but has also been seen in patients with pancreatitis. Case report: We present a case of a 64-year-old Caucasian man without symptoms of pancreatitis, who presents with pancreatic panniculitis manifesting in multiple subcutaneous ulcerating nodules of the bilateral lower extremities, discovered to have a previously unreported etiology for this condition. He had no evidence of pancreatitis or malignancy, but instead a pancreatic-portal fistula resulting in panniculitis. Conclusion: Peripancreatic vascular lesions must also be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic panniculitis. The diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of pancreatic panniculitis are reviewed herein.
Spatiotemporal Variability in Biomass and Forage Quality Across a Temperate Landscape with Heterogeneous Phenology Patterns (Poster)

Although spatial and temporal heterogeneity in grassland biomass and forage quality is well-recognized to play an important role in migratory ungulate population dynamics, attempts to directly quantify biomass and forage quality across temperate landscapes throughout the growing season are limited. It is generally recognized that biomass and forage quality are directly related to phenology, but little is known about how seasonal biomass and forage quality differs across land use and biophysical gradients with varying phenology patterns. This study uses field estimates of biomass, chlorophyll concentration, crude protein, and in vitro dry matter digestibility collected from 20, 250m2 grassland plots throughout the summers of 2013 and 2014 to quantify how biomass and forage quality differ across land uses and biophysical gradients in the migratory elk (Cervus elaphus) range in the Upper Yellowstone River Basin. Key findings were that irrigated agriculture had overall greater and longer available biomass and forage quality throughout the growing season compared to private and public grasslands with natural phenology patterns. And that areas that begin growth later in the season had overall greater biomass and forage quality than areas with mid and early phenology characteristics, but availability was shorter. These results suggest that seasonal patterns of biomass and forage quality differ with phenological characteristics across temperate landscapes. This information should be incorporated in our understanding of spatiotemporal patterns of vegetation important for studying migratory ungulate ecology and predicting the effects of climate change and human land use on vegetation dynamics in temperate landscapes.
A Phase 1 Study of Total Marrow Irradiation Combined with High-Dose Melphalan for Patients with Relapsed/ Refractory Multiple Myeloma

High dose melphalan at 200mg/m 2 (Mel200) followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) prolongs the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) although it does not prevent relapse. Enhancing the anti-myeloma effect of pre-transplant conditioning without increasing toxicity is an important goal. To this purpose, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can be used to deliver radiation to the marrow (total marrow irradiation, TMI) while sparing other organs. Here we tested the safety of combining linear accelerator based TMI to Mel200 in a phase 1, 3+3 trial. Twelve patients with MM who relapsed after at least one line of therapy were enrolled in 3 dose cohorts (3Gy, 6Gy and 9Gy). Prior ASCT was permitted. All patients received Mel200 over 2 days. In addition, 1.5Gy TMI was administered twice daily for 1, 2 or 3 days depending on dose cohort. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as the occurrence of any NCI-CTCAE grade 4/5 non-hematologic toxicity or failure to engraft prior to day 30 after ASCT. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the FACT-BMT scale at baseline and 90-100 days after ASCT. Three groups of patients were enrolled and received 3Gy (n=3), 6Gy (n=3) or 9Gy (n=6). Median age at time of transplant was 66 years (range 40-71). Three patients had high risk FISH/ karyotype as defined by IMWG criteria. Median lines of prior therapy was 2 (range 1-4). Five patients (42%) had undergone prior autologous transplant. Of eleven patients (92%) who received prior lenalidomide, 7 (58%) were considered lenalidomide refractory. Similarly, of 11 (92%) patients previously treated with bortezomib, 6 (50%) were considered refractory. Eleven patients had a pre-transplant PET scan performed with 8 (73%) having skeletal PET avidity. All patients received TMI as scheduled. The mean reduction in dose to organs at risk (lens, oral cavity, kidneys, liver, bowels, lung) ranged from 25-63%. Median time to neutrophil (greater than 0.5x10 9 /L) and platelet (greater than 20x10 9 /L) engraftment were 10 (range 9-15) and 13 (range 9-17) days respectively. There were no dose limiting toxicities. Five patients experienced a total of 7 NCI CTCAE grade 3 toxicities including: diarrhea, n=2; mucositis, n=3; and nausea, n=2. Four of 6 patients who received 9Gy did not experience any toxicity greater than grade 2. Using the FACT-BMT scale, we observed that there was no significant difference in QoL between baseline and day 90 assessments. At day 100 overall response rate was 82% with 5 patients (45%) achieving a complete response. Four of 6 patients in the 9Gy cohort achieved at least a very good partial response. With a median follow up of 314 days, all patients were alive and only 4 patients (33%) relapsed. In this phase 1 trial we showed that TMI at 9Gy can be safely added to Mel200 without an increase in transplant related toxicities. Initial promising clinical results, even in high risk MM patients, will be further tested in a phase 2 study. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Amen Temple of Empire

This chapter argues that the camps at Guantanamo provide a spectacle both akin to and historically linked to the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. It suggests that by returning to the Columbian Exposition, a potent ideological project that reinforced American exceptionalism and propelled the United States toward empire as the twentieth century loomed, we can more fully understand the phenomenon of ‘Guantanamo’ and its particular utility in the early twenty-first century. Each site imagined and iterated a worldview, and powerfully deployed religiously infused political language to reinforce and create instrumental shifts in U.S. foreign policy and conceptions of the American self. The author shows how the Guantanamo prison has emerged as a facile trope in the aftermath of 9/11, a cultural reference so clearly understood that it requires no context or explanation, one powerful enough to subvert concerns about legality, morality, U.S. military interventions, and human rights. The future the base showcases makes one shudder at the next iteration of American empire.
A case-control study of exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and risk of thyroid cancer in women

Growing evidence demonstrates that exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) is widespread and that these chemicals can alter thyroid hormone regulation and function. We investigated the relationship between PFR exposure and thyroid cancer and whether individual or temporal factors predict PFR exposure. We analyzed interview data and spot urine samples collected in 2010–2013 from 100 incident female, papillary thyroid cancer cases and 100 female controls of a Connecticut-based thyroid cancer case-control study. We measured urinary concentrations of six PFR metabolites with mass spectrometry. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for continuous and categories (low, medium, high) of concentrations of individual and summed metabolites, adjusting for potential confounders. We examined relationships between concentrations of PFR metabolites and individual characteristics (age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index [BMI], income, education) and temporal factors (season, year) using multiple linear regression analysis. No PFRs were significantly associated with papillary thyroid cancer risk. Results remained null when stratified by microcarcinomas (tumor diameter ≤ 1 cm) and larger tumor sizes (> 1 cm). We observed higher urinary PFR concentrations with increasing BMI and in the summer season. Urinary PFR concentrations, measured at time of diagnosis, are not linked to increased risk of thyroid cancer. Investigations in a larger population or with repeated pre-diagnosis urinary biomarker measurements would provide additional insights into the relationship between PFR exposure and thyroid cancer risk.
MRI and Ultrasound Imaging of Lymph Nodes

Developments in MR and ultrasound imaging technology combined with novel contrast media allows the detection of sentinel lymph node(s) and potentially the distinction of benign from malignant nodes. These advances could reduce dissection during sentinel lymph node resection to a minimally invasive procedure and could allow the assessment of whether sentinel nodes harbor metastatic deposits. Targeted contrast media is on the horizon and promises to identify patients who need sentinel lymph node resection, detect the sentinel node with greater specificity, and detect the presence of micrometastases.
Bone morphogenetic proteins and related cytokines

Morphogenesis is the developmental cascade of pattern formation, body plan establishment and interpretation and differentiation of the pattern. Morphogenesis is induced by morphogens. Morphogens are generally first identified in fly and frog embryos by genetic approaches, differential displays, substractive hybridization, expression cloning, and this information is then extended to mice and men. This article will demonstrate an alternative biochemical approach based on the regenerative potential of adult mammalian bone. The principles gleaned from bone induction and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) has been extended to frog mesoderm induction and chick and mouse limb morphogenesis. This accrued knowledge can now be applied in dental surgery and orthopaedic surgery.
Rare Diseases: The Medical and the Disability Perspectives in the Age of 2.0

Rare diseases are marginalized within the realm of medical and scientific research. This chapter addresses recent twenty-first century initiatives to improve the visibility and hence research on rare diseases by examining how they are conceptualized and represented in contemporary health care communities. Such conceptualizations are framed in terms of two models, the medical model, which prevails in the medical and scientific literature, and the social/disability studies perspective, typically found in advocacy materials. These models profoundly shape how research on rare diseases is conducted, how individuals with rare diseases are treated, and how the public perceives these issues. Because of the social model’s focus on the patient, this chapter argues for incorporating significant aspects of that model into current medical thinking and education.
Cryofracture as a Mobile Demilitarization Technology for Non-Stockpile Chemical Munitions

Cryofracture is a demilitarization process that has been under development for chemical agent munitions for over 12 years. Cryofracture employs liquid nitrogen to pre-cool munitions prior to fracturing in a hydraulic press. Cryofracture exposes the chemical agents and explosives for subsequent destruction by other means such as thermal or chemical treatment. The cryofracture process is designed to demilitarize projectiles, cartridges, mortar rounds, mines and rockets. Over $60 million has been spent by the U.S. Army to develop cryofracture for demilitarization of chemical agent munitions stored at stockpile sites in the U.S. Extensive tests have been performed with live explosives and simulant agents, and the test results verify all key aspects of the process.
Non-state Security in South Africa: Historical Roots, Contemporary Realities

This chapter introduces the key case study of the book, South Africa, and shows why this country is an opportune place within which to examine the political consequences of non-state security provision. It first lays out the historical context, showing the long history of non-state security reliance in this country. It discusses how, under apartheid, both the state and ordinary citizens relied heavily on various forms of non-state security, and how much of this reliance was connected to the politicization of crime and the politicization of the police force under that regime. The chapter then moves to the post-apartheid and contemporary period. It suggests that even under the post-apartheid democratic order, crime and security remain salient issues in South Africa and the heavy reliance on non-state security persists. The chapter suggests several possible explanations for this outcome and explores over time trends in crime using official police statistics and South African National Victims of Crime surveys. It also uses public opinion surveys to determine South Africans’ attitudes toward crime and whether and how these attitudes have shifted over time.
Decreasing failed extubations with the implementation of an extubation checklist.

Abstract Background Failed extubation has been shown to increase ICU stay, transfers to rehabilitation facilities, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in rates of failed extubation before and after implementation of an extubation checklist. Methods We performed a retrospective study from January 2013–April 2017 on adult trauma patients (age 18–89) who were admitted to the ICU and required mechanical ventilation. Patients were grouped before and after implementation of an extubation checklist and compared. Results A total of 993 patients were included in this study. After checklist implementation, significantly fewer patients required reintubation compared to those prior to checklist (7% vs 3%, p = 0.005). There was no difference in mortality (20% vs 21%, p = 0.54) or hospital length of stay between the two groups (16 days vs 15 days, p = 0.16). Conclusion Our study reveals that implementing an extubation checklist is associated with fewer failed extubations.
MEMORY, POSTMEMORY, AND PLACE IN THE SYNAGOGUES OF ROMAN SYRIA

Considerations of Jews in antiquity commonly emphasize the role of common institutions (such as the Jerusalem Temple) and shared traumatic experiences (such as exile) in generating distinctive modes of memory formation and memorialization. This paper takes a different approach. By drawing from recent discussions of memory and postmemory developed in the fields of sociology, anthropology, and visual studies, and by considering diverse data from wall paintings, ceiling decorations, inscriptions, graffiti, and mosaics, the ensuing analysis demonstrates how variegated were the practices and dynamics of memory among Jews living in Roman Syria and elsewhere. Asking different types of questions about memorial practices documented in synagogues and surrounding buildings in Dura‐Europos and Apamea challenges regnant assumptions about commonalities in Jewish memory and argues for a more localized and spatial approach to Jewish memory practices, the dynamics of which were as personal as they were collective, and as particular as they were locally contingent
On Four-Dimensional Gradient Shrinking Solitons

In this paper, we classify the four-dimensional gradient shrinking solitons under certain curvature conditions satisfied by all solitons arising from finite-time singularities of Ricci flow on compact four-manifolds with positive isotropic curvature. As a corollary, we generalize a result of Perelman on three-dimensional gradient shrinking solitons to dimension four.
Univ. of California at Irvine’s VSS

The University of California at Irvine’s VHDL Synthesis System (VSS) produces Register Transfer level designs, which can then passed on to the Microarchitecture and Logic Optimizer (MILO) system for optimization and library binding. The VSS includes transformations, scheduling, data path synthesis, and functional synthesis.
Economics at the FTC: Quantitative Analyses of Two Chemical Manufacturing Mergers

Economists at the Federal Trade Commission support the agency’s competition and consumer protection missions in numerous ways. In this article, we discuss the economic analyses that were conducted in connection with two Commission antitrust investigations: The first involved a merger of manufacturers of titanium dioxide, which is an intermediate good used in the manufacture of paints, plastics, and other final goods. This article highlights the analysis that the FTC economists performed relating to techniques used to define the relevant product market as well as to analyze the impact of the merger with a Cournot model. The second investigation also involved a merger of manufacturers of an intermediate product—polyethylene terephthalate resin—which is a plastic that is used to manufacture bottles and food packaging. We highlight here the consideration that FTC economists gave to an argument that one of the manufacturers was a failing firm—which, if true, may imply that the merger would not reduce competition relative to the counterfactual in which one firm would exit the market.
How do tree- and stand-level factors influence belowground biomass and carbon storage in tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus)?

Tanoak (Notholithocarpus densiflorus) is the most common hardwood in northern California forests, yet its capacity for belowground carbon storage is unknown. To study relationships between coarse r...
Subjective Cognitive Complaint in Parkinson's Disease Patients With Normal Cognition: Canary in the Coal Mine?

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and impact of subjective cognitive complaint (SCC) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with normal cognition. Methods Patients with PD with expert consensus-determined normal cognition at baseline were asked a single question regarding the presence of SCC. Baseline (N = 153) and longitudinal (up to 4 follow-up visits during a 5-year period; N = 121) between-group differences in patients with PD with (+SCC) and without (-SCC) cognitive complaint were examined, including cognitive test performance and self-rated and informant-rated functional abilities. Results A total of 81 (53%) participants reported a cognitive complaint. There were no between-group differences in global cognition at baseline. Longitudinally, the +SCC group declined more than the -SCC group on global cognition (Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 total score, F1,431 = 5.71, P = 0.02), processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, F1,425 = 7.52, P = 0.006), and executive function (Trail Making Test Part B, F1,419 = 4.48, P = 0.04), although the results were not significant after correction for multiple testing. In addition, the +SCC group was more likely to progress to a diagnosis of cognitive impairment over time (hazard ratio = 2.61, P = 0.02). The +SCC group also demonstrated significantly lower self-reported and knowledgeable informant-reported cognition-related functional abilities at baseline, and declined more on an assessment of global functional abilities longitudinally. Conclusions Patients with PD with normal cognition, but with SCC, report poorer cognition-specific functional abilities, and are more likely to be diagnosed with cognitive impairment and experience global functional ability decline long term. These findings suggest that SCC and worse cognition-related functional abilities may be sensitive indicators of initial cognitive decline in PD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1)

CB1 receptors mediate most central nervous system effects ascribed to the phytocannabinoid Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CB1 receptors are guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein-coupled receptors that primarily activate Gi/o proteins, resulting in the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. CB1 receptors are expressed mainly on the membranes of presynaptic terminals. The effects of CB1 receptor activation consist of release inhibition of a variety of neurotransmitters. Once activated, CB1 receptors undergo inactivation and internalization. CB1 receptors are located throughout the central nervous system with reported low density in the medullary nucleus.
Perceived barriers to and suggested interventions for physical activity during pregnancy among participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in Southern California

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that pregnant women engage in at least 20 to 30 min of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. Regular exercise during pregnancy is associated with many benefits for the mother and the developing fetus; yet, a large number of pregnant women do not engage in the recommended amounts. This study aimed to investigate barriers to and interventions for physical activity among pregnant WIC participants in Southern California. We conducted four focus groups (FGs) with pregnant low-income women aged 18 years or older in either their second or third trimester. FGs were conducted at a WIC center in Southern California. The FGs were held according to language (English vs. Spanish-speaking) and BMI category (normal weight vs. overweight and obese). A total of 28 women participated. We used ATLAS. ti. to analyze the focus group transcripts. The study adhered to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. The mean age of focus group participants was 28.9 years (SD = 6.6), and the majority were Latina. Intrapersonal barriers to physical activity were fatigue and lack of energy, pain and swelling, lack of childcare, medical restrictions and safety concerns, lack of knowledge about exercise safety, and lack of time. Interpersonal barriers included concerns and lack of support from partners and families, conflicting advice from friends and neighbors, and lack of advice on safe exercise from physicians. Women in all four groups suggested a community-based intervention where they can mingle with each other and share their challenges and concerns. Other suggestions to interventions differed among groups and reflected the women’s experiences and backgrounds. Specifically, to promote education, English-speaking women preferred a brochure while Spanish-speaking women preferred a video. Overweight women emphasized including children in their exercise activities to promote healthy behavior in youth. Interventions should be tailored to pregnant women’s needs. Primary care providers should provide reassurance and information to pregnant women and their partners on the type and frequency of safe exercise.
HOW TO INCREASE MATHEMATICAL CREATIVITY- AN EXPERIMENT

Creativity is an integral part of mathematics. In this article I examine the increase in awareness of creativity in mathematics using Frobel's blocks in a college classroom. A majority of students found the introduction of the "gifts" of the founder of Kindergarten to a college geometry classroom enhancing their interest in mathematics. They judged the wooden blocks helpful in their understanding of geometry. The students showed increased awareness of creativity in mathematics.
A Role for Cytokinins in De-Etiolation in Arabidopsis (det Mutants Have an Altered Response to Cytokinins)

When grown in the absence of light, Arabidopsis thaliana deetiolated (det) mutants develop many of the characteristics of light-grown plants, including the development of leaves and chloroplasts, the inhibition of hypocotyl growth elongation, and elevated expression levels of light-regulated genes. We show here that dark-grown wild-type seedlings exhibit similar phenotypic traits if any one of a variety of cytokinins are present in the growth medium. We further show that the striking phenotype of det mutants is unlikely to be caused by different levels of cytokinins in these mutants. The three major Arabidopsis cytokinins, zeatin, zeatin riboside, and isopentenyladenosine, accumulate to similar levels in wild-type seedlings grown in either the light or the dark. There is no consistently different pattern for the levels of these cytokinins in wild-type versus det1 or det2 mutants. However, det1 and det2 have an altered response to cytokinin in a detached leaf senescence assay and in tissue culture experiments. A model is proposed in which light and cytokinins act independently or sequentially through common signal transduction intermediates such as DET1 and DET2 to control the downstream light-regulated responses.
Reliability growth in software products

Most of the software reliability growth models work under the assumption that reliability of software grows due to the bugs that cause failures being removed from the software. While correcting bugs will improve reliability, another phenomenon has often been observed - the failure rate of a software product, as observed by the user, improves with time irrespective of whether bugs are corrected or not. Consequently, the reliability of a product, as observed by users, varies, depending on the length of time they have been using the product. One reason for this reliability growth is that as the users gain experience with the product, they learn to use the product correctly and find work-around for failure-causing situations. Another factor that affects this growth is that following the product installation, the user discovers that other actions may be required, like installing new drivers, upgrading other software to a compatible version, etc. to properly configure the new product. In this paper we present a simple model to represent this phenomenon - we assume that the failure rate for a product decays with a factor /spl alpha/ per unit time. Applying this failure rate decay model to the data collected on reported failures and number of units of the product sold, it is possible to determine the initial failure rate, the decay factor, and the steady state failure rate of a product. The paper provides a number of examples where this model has been applied to data captured from released products.
Compartmentation in the Induction of the Hexose-6-Phosphate Transport System of Escherichia coli

The induction of the hexose-6-phosphate transport system was investigated. Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) at concentrations as low as 10−4m was able to induce this system in wild-type cells, as well as in mutants lacking phosphoglucose isomerase or G6P dehydrogenase. Growth in the presence of fructose-6-phosphate (F6P) induced the system only if the cells contained phosphoglucose isomerase. Furthermore, glucose and F6P were found to induce the system only if the extracellular concentration of G6P became appreciable in the medium as a consequence of the leakage of intracellular G6P formed from the glucose or F6P. Intracellular G6P was not an inducer even at high concentrations. The metabolism of glucose inhibited the induction of the hexose-6-phosphate transport system. Hypotheses for this compartmentalization of inducer and membrane-associated induction are presented.
Chemical and mineralogical trends during acid‐sulfate alteration of pyroclastic basalt at Cerro Negro volcano and implications for early Mars

[1] Acid-sulfate alteration of pyroclastic basalts in active fumaroles at Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, was studied as a means to infer the mineralogical and chemical consequences of basalt alteration in analogous environments on early Mars. At this site, recently erupted basaltic cinders are undergoing alteration by SO2-bearing steam. During alteration, silicate phenocrysts, including plagioclase, olivine, and augite, react much more rapidly than basaltic glass. Secondary mineralogy is dominated by a very limited number of phases that include amorphous silica, gypsum, Fe-bearing natroalunite, and Fe-oxides/oxyhydroxides, including hematite and magnetite. The major element chemistry of the deposits is controlled by two processes: gradual depletion of the major cations other than Si as the basalt components decompose and elements are mobilized out of the deposits, and enrichment in Ca and S from precipitation of gypsum, with Ca apparently supplied from sources below the surface. Reaction path models constrained by these observations but extrapolated to Martian conditions predict that alteration of pyroclastic deposits in similar environments on Mars should produce a secondary mineral assemblage that includes amorphous silica, Fe-bearing natroalunite, anhydrite, kieserite, and hematite. Iron-bearing natroalunite was found to produce a Mossbauer signal similar to that of jarosite, suggesting that this phase should be considered as an alternative to the jarosite component identified at Meridiani Planum. Spheroidal hematite formed in close association with natroalunite suggests a pathway for formation of hematite deposits on Mars.
Prevention of pressure ulcers after pediatric tracheotomy using a Mepilex Ag dressing

Objectives/Hypothesis Skin irritation and ulceration beneath the tracheostomy tube or ties secondary to pressure and shearing forces on the skin frequently complicate pediatric tracheotomy in the immediate postoperative period. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Mepilex Ag dressings in reducing posttracheotomy wound complications. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods We identified 134 pediatric tracheotomies performed between June 2005 and June 2011 at a tertiary care academic pediatric hospital. Peristomal skin breakdown was documented at the time of the first tracheostomy tube change. Starting in February 2010, the application of Mepilex Ag, a silver-impregnated foam dressing, underneath the tracheostomy tube and twill ties became standard practice. The rates of wound breakdown before and after the introduction of Mepilex Ag were compared. Age, indication for tracheotomy, comorbidities, and severity of wound breakdown were also compared. Results Patients undergoing tracheotomies prior to February 2010 had no dressing applied under the tracheotomy at the end of the procedure (n = 93). Beginning in February 2010, Mepilex Ag barrier was applied beneath the tracheostomy and ties in all subjects undergoing tracheotomy (n = 41). In the cohort without Mepilex Ag, 11.8% developed skin breakdown by the time of first tracheostomy tube change. When Mepilex Ag was used to pad the tracheotomy site, no peristomal skin breakdown occurred (P = 0.02). No comorbidities were associated with postoperative ulcer formation in either cohort. Conclusions The use of Mepilex Ag after pediatric tracheotomy reduces the occurrence of postoperative peristomal pressure ulcers. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 123:3201–3205, 2013
Anthropology and Art Practice (Schneider and Wright, eds.)

This work is a book review considering the title Anthropology and Art Practice edited by Arnd Schneider and Christopher Wright.
Nonpolar nucleobase analogs illuminate requirements for site-specific DNA cleavage by vaccinia topoisomerase

Vaccinia DNA topoisomerase forms a covalent DNA-(3′-phosphotyrosyl)-enzyme intermediate at a specific target site 5′-C+5C+4C+3T+2T+1p ↓ N-1 in duplex DNA. Here we study the effects of nonpolar pyrimidine isosteres difluorotoluene (F) and monofluorotoluene (D) and the nonpolar purine analog indole at individual positions of the scissile and nonscissile strands on the rate of single-turnover DNA transesterification and the cleavage-religation equilibrium. Comparison of the effects of nonpolar base substitution to the effects of abasic lesions reported previously allowed us to surmise the relative contributions of base-stacking and polar edge interactions to the DNA transesterification reactions. For example, the deleterious effects of eliminating the +2T base on the scissile strand were rectified by introducing the nonpolar F isostere, whereas the requirement for the +1T base was not elided by F substitution. We impute a role for +1T in recruiting the catalytic residue Lys-167 to the active site. Topoisomerase is especially sensitive to suppression of DNA cleavage upon elimination of the +4G and +3G bases of the nonscissile strand. Indole provided little or no gain of function relative to abasic lesions. Inosine substitutions for +4G and +3G had no effect on transesterification rate, implying that the guanine exocyclic amine is not a critical determinant of DNA cleavage. Prior studies of 2-aminopurine and 7-deazaguanine effects had shown that the O6 and N7 of guanine were also not critical. These findings suggest that either the topoisomerase makes functionally redundant contacts with polar atoms (likely via Tyr-136, a residue important for precleavage active site assembly) or that it relies on contacts to N1 or N3 of the purine ring. The cleavage-religation equilibrium is strongly skewed toward trapping of the covalent intermediate by elimination of the +1A base of the nonscissile strand; the reaction equilibrium is restored by +1 indole, signifying that base stacking flanking the nick is critical for the religation step. Our findings highlight base isosteres as valuable tools for the analysis of proteins that act on DNA in a site-specific manner.
The Social Hierarchy of Fishing: Myth or Reality?

This study compared the activity involvement of hand fishers (lower status) with trout anglers (higher status) in Missouri. Hand fishing is deeply ingrained in the culture of many mid-western and southern states. The object is to catch fish without modern equipment. A small number of rural citizens practice hand fishing despite the stigma often associated with it. Other than anecdotal evidence, little is known about this sport or its participants. Surveys were administered to hand fishers (n = 103) and trout anglers (n = 523) in Missouri to measure their respective levels of activity involvement. No significant differences were found between the groups using a 12-item activity involvement index. Centrality to lifestyle (one dimension of activity involvement), however, was more important for hand fishers than trout anglers. Implications for resource policy are discussed.