cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effective Lipid Modification by Partial Ileal Bypass Reduced Long-term Coronary Heart Disease Mortality and Morbidity: Five-Year Posttrial Follow-up Report From the POSCH

Background In 1990, when the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH) reported its in-trial results strongly supporting the conclusion that effective lipid modification reduces progression of atherosclerosis, the differences for the end points of overall mortality and mortality from atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (ACHD) did not reach statistical significance. Methods The Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias recruited men and women with a single documented myocardial infarction between the ages of 30 and 64 years who had a plasma cholesterol level higher than 5.69 mmol/L (220 mg/dL) or higher than 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) if the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was in excess of 3.62 mmol/L (140 mg/dL). Between 1975 and 1983, 838 patients were randomized: 417 to the diet control group and 421 to the diet plus partial ileal bypass intervention group. Mean patient follow-up for this 5-year posttrial report was 14.7 years (range, 12.2-20 years). Results At 5 years after the trial, statistical significance was obtained for differences in overall mortality ( P =.049) and mortality from ACHD ( P =.03). Other POSCH end points included overall mortality (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) ( P =.01), mortality from ACHD (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) ( P =.05), mortality from ACHD and confirmed nonfatal myocardial infarction ( P P P P P =.02). There were no statistically significant differences between groups for cerebrovascular events, mortality from non-ACHD, and cancer. All POSCH patients have been available for follow-up. Conclusion At 5 years after the trial, all POSCH mortality and atherosclerosis end points, including overall mortality and mortality from ACHD, demonstrated statistically significant differences between the study groups.
Math5 is required for retinal ganglion cell and optic nerve formation.

The vertebrate retina contains seven major neuronal and glial cell types in an interconnected network that collects, processes and sends visual signals through the optic nerve to the brain. Retinal neuron differentiation is thought to require both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, yet few intrinsic gene products have been identified that direct this process. Math5 (Atoh7) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor that is specifically expressed by mouse retinal progenitors. Math5 is highly homologous to atonal, which is critically required for R8 neuron formation during Drosophila eye development. Like R8 cells in the fly eye, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the first neurons in the vertebrate eye. Here we show that Math5 mutant mice are fully viable, yet lack RGCs and optic nerves. Thus, two evolutionarily diverse eye types require atonal gene family function for the earliest stages of retinal neuron formation. At the same time, the abundance of cone photoreceptors is significantly increased in Math5−/− retinae, suggesting a binary change in cell fate from RGCs to cones. A small number of nascent RGCs are detected during embryogenesis, but these fail to develop further, suggesting that committed RGCs may also require Math5 function.
Communication architectures and algorithms for media mixing in multimedia conferences

The problem of media mixing that arises in teleconferencing applications such as teleorchestra is addressed. The mixing algorithm presented minimizes the difference between generation times of the media packets that are being mixed together in the absence of globally synchronized clocks, but in the presence of jitter in communication delays on packet switched networks. In order to support applications, such as teleorchestra, that involve a large number of participants, hierarchical mixing architectures are proposed, and it is shown that they are an order of magnitude more scalable than purely centralized or distributed architectures. Furthermore, mechanisms for minimizing the delays incurred by mixing in various communication architectures are presented. The mixing algorithms are implemented on a network of workstations connected by Ethernets, and the performance of various mixing architectures is experimentally evaluated. The results reveal the maximum number of participants that can be supported in a conference. >
Linear perspective and perceived size

A recent investigation (McDermott, 1965) revealed individual cues to distance had little effect on the perception of size. The present investigation paired each distance cue with linear perspective to determine the effect on size of combined distance cues. Separate groups of Ss were run in each of six combined cue conditions at three distances. For the most part, size matches were made in terms of retinal image size. It was hypothesized that relative or familiar size may be more relevant to size perception than distance cues.
Consumer Sovereignty: Redrawing the Boundaries between Industry-Specific and General Business Legal Regimes for Telecommunications and Broadband Access Services

Deregulatory telecommunications policies are shifting the boundaries between the traditional industry-specific and general business legal regimes. This paper uses consumer sovereignty, as described by Averitt and Lande (1997) in their unified theory of antitrust and consumer protection law, to frame analysis of the shifting boundaries between the industry-specific and general business legal regimes for telecommunications and broadband access services. It first describes the differential evolution and historical relationship between the traditional industry-specific and general business regimes that are essential for understanding the evolving interrelationship between these regimes under deregulatory policies. It then discusses how the interrelationship is evolving since enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (“TA96”). For telecommunications services, there is considerable disagreement and uncertainty related to judicial reinterpretation of the preexisting savings clause in section 414 of the Communications Act of 1934 as well as interpretation of the new antitrust-specific savings clause in section 601(b) of TA96, the FCC’s Truth-in-Billing rules and its savings clause, and the savings clause for state regulation in section 332(c)(3)(A) related to CMRS services. Some of the conflict among the courts arises from differing interpretations regarding the applicability of the filed rate doctrine after implementation of detariffing. For broadband access services, the legal regime to facilitate the exercise of consumer sovereignty is still evolving. Having classified broadband access services as information services, the FCC is attempting to construct the boundaries of a new regime for broadband access services using some combination of industry-specific requirements pursuant to ill-defined Title I regulatory authority and supplemental reliance on the general business regime. The network neutrality debate is illustrative of the difficulties and complexities involved with the attempt to build a new interface between a Title I-based industry-specific regime and the general business regime. The paper concludes with concerns of an evolving legal gap between the general business and the deregulatorily adjusted industry-specific regimes for telecommunications and broadband access services to address issues of consumer sovereignty, and issues for future research.
Potent antitumor effects mediated by local expression of the mature form of the interferon-γ inducing factor, interleukin-18 (IL-18)

Potent antitumor effects mediated by local expression of the mature form of the interferon-γ inducing factor, interleukin-18 (IL-18)
Effect of linking practice data to published evidence. A randomized controlled trial of clinical direct reports.

Objectives.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinical direct reports (practice data with pertinent evidence from the literature) on dialysis modality selection for patients with end-stage renal disease.Methods.A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at five dialysi
Smartness as Cultural Wealth: An AsianCrit Counterstory.

AbstractHistorically, Asians have been defined by a range of negative and positive images that include the coolie, the deviant, the yellow peril, and the model minority. However, the negative images have been slowly and robustly replaced with ones that portray Asian Americans as high achievers, smart, and a model – especially when compared to other students of color. For many Asian American students, ‘smartness’ as a cultural practice and an imposed attribute has become synonymous with whiteness – impacting their academic, social, cultural, and language identities. Utilizing reflexive ethnography, I share what I name ‘cultural wealth as smartness’ as a Vietnamese refugee student growing up in a predominantly white community and the cultural capital gained and lost as a result. This article provides a counter-narrative to the Asian American experience and the deficit assumptions imposed upon immigrant families in the US.
Investigation of freshman's English autonomous learning ability

Recently,autonomous learning is getting more and more concerned in the educational field both at home and abroad.It is one of the major tasks for college English teaching to cultivate students' autonomous learning ability.People should be educated consistently and improve their own comprehensive ability to adapt themselves to the new society.Nowadays,the freshmen's English autonomous learning ability is unoptimistic.Therefore,the author investigates the freshmen's autonomous learning ability through questionnaire,analyzes the current situation and discovers the solution.
Differences of Grain Filling and Seed Storing Characters between Waxy and Nonwaxy Near Isogenic Lines

Differences in grain characters and grain moisture contents (%) during filling period be- tween 4 pairs of waxy and nonwaxy near isogenic lines were studied. The results showed that moisture con- tent (%) of waxy grain was higher than that of nonwaxy ones during 24 days after flowering through ma- turity, which might caused waxy lines lower in 1000 grain weight, specific gravity of grain, 1000 kernal weight and kernal size. The yearly-stored seed of waxy lines have lower germination rate and germinating viability in comparision with nonwaxy one.
Research and Electromechanical Transient Simulation on Mechanism of Commutation Failure in Multi-Infeed HVDC Power Transmission System

Along with increasing extension of the scale of AC power system located at receiving end of multi-infeed HVDC power transmission system,more and more attentions are paid to the commutation failure occurred in multi-circuit HVDC transmission systems.A multi-infeed HVDC power transmission system model was built,and from the essence of commutation failure the influences of various factors on occurrence probability of commutation failure were analyzed.Based on the occurrence mechanism of commutation failure,the influences of commutation failure on both HVDC and HVAC power systems were researched,and comparative analysis of the influence of DC block on the two systems was performed.Through electromechanical transient simulation of multi-infeed HVDC power transmission system,the differences between multi-circuit HVDC commutation failure caused by AC power system and the HVDC block were verified.Synthesizing both results from theoretical research and simulation results,it was known that when the faults occurred in AC system were cleared away in tine,the commutation failure in multi-circuit HVDC power transmission system would not cause simultaneous DC block in multi-circuit HVDC power transmission system and not lead to obvious impact on the whole system.However the DC block would cause power imbalance in the whole system while control measures were not adopted,and even the system would be out of synchronization or splitted when the power imbalance was severe,thus the secure and stable operation of the whole system would be affected.
Logarithmic alternative manner of solving nonlinear equation

For solving nonlinear equation,a new significant logarithmic alternative improvement is proposed in this paper.That is ln x k+1=(xk).It is an extended manner for simple iterative method.Simultaneously,the iteration function astringency judgment condition and the error estimate type are given.Numerical examples demonstrate that the accuracy and convergence of logarithmic alternative method are much greater than simple iterative method,and the calculation result of this method is effective.
A safer way to prevent VTE recurrence

Rather than extend oral anticoagulation therapy for patients at high risk for recurrence of venous thromboembolism, advise them to take an aspirin a day.
Pediatric Manpower Problems Are Solvable

Pediatric manpower problems can be approached logically only when pediatric care is viewed as a collection of skills and tasks, varying in complexity, rather than as numbers of bodies of health professionals. Health care tasks must be reallocated on the basis of how well they are performed rather than the number of academic diplomas possessed by the performer.
The Graphical User Interface

In this chapter we describe the graphical user interface that we have developed for our animation system. The purpose of the user interface is to make it easy for the animator to initialize animations and to control the behaviors of the artificial fishes at the low level, i.e., the physics level, and at the high level, i.e., the motivation level. We implemented the interface using the Forms Library [121].
Templated Synthesis of Uniform Perovskite Nanowire Arrays

While the chemical composition of semiconducting metal halide perovskites can be precisely controlled in thin films for photovoltaic devices, the synthesis of perovskite nanostructures with tunable dimensions and composition has not been realized. Here, we describe the templated synthesis of uniform perovskite nanowires with controlled diameter (50–200 nm). Importantly, by providing three examples (CH3NH3PbI3, CH3NH3PbBr3, and Cs2SnI6), we show that this process is composition general and results in oriented nanowire arrays on transparent conductive substrates.
Use of high-intensity statins for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the Veterans Affairs Health System: Practice impact of the new cholesterol guidelines.

Background The November 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guidelines recommend the use of high-intensity statins for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We sought to determine how these guidelines are being adopted at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System and identify treatment gaps. Methods We examined administrative data from the VA 12 months prior to the index dates of April 1, 2013, and after April 1, 2014, to identify patients ≤75 years of age with ≥2 codes for ASCVD. We identified those on high-intensity statin therapy (atorvastatin 40 mg or 80 mg, rosuvastatin 20 mg or 40 mg, and simvastatin 80 mg) during the 6 months after the index date. Results The study sample included 331,927 and 326,759 eligible adults with ASCVD before and after the release of the new guidelines, respectively. Overall, high-intensity statin use increased from 28% to 35% after guideline release. High-intensity statin use was lowest in Hispanics and Native Americans, although all groups showed an increase over time. Among those on low- or moderate-intensity statin therapy, 15.6% were intensified to a high-intensity statin after guideline release. Groups less likely to undergo statin intensification were older adults (odds ratio=0.78 for each 10-year increase, 95% CI 0.76-0.81), women (odds ratio=0.86, 95% CI 0.75-0.99), and certain minority groups. Academic teaching hospitals and hospitals on the West Coast were more likely to intensify statins after release of the new guidelines. Conclusions High-intensity statin use increased in the VA following release of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol treatment guidelines, although disparities persist for certain patient groups including older adults, women, and certain minority groups.
Structure, Expression and Regulation of the Rat Preprotachykinin I Gene

We have investigated the expression of the rat preprotachykinin I (PPTI) gene responsible for the production of substance P (SP), substance K (SK) and neuropeptide K (NPK) by using a variety of biochemical and molecular biological strategies. In this report we shall summarize our results concerning the analysis of the rat PPTI gene, molecular cloning of various mRNAs derived from this gene, hybridization analysis of the steady-state expression of the mRNAs in the rat striatum, the structure of three rat preprotachykinins and initial studies on the regulation of striatal PPTI gene expression. We shall not discuss PPTII gene expression, which is responsible for the production of β-neurokinin, a third mammalian tachykinin.
Simulation modeling of alternatives to avoid interruptions of the X-ray screening operation at security checkpoints

A simulation model of a standard security checkpoint of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is compared to two other simulation models, which represent two different alternatives designed to alleviate the congestion of passengers at the exit roller area of a generic representation of a security checkpoint. Both alternatives consist of separately processing passengers who travel for business from those who travel for leisure. However, for the second alternative, a non-stop circulating conveyor is modeled in place of the exit roller of the checkpoint line. The results show that the non-stop circulating conveyor decreases the system time for both business and leisure passengers, and it significantly improves the hourly throughput of passengers.
Palpitations as a presenting feature of multisystem sarcoidosis.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Sarcoidosis is described as a systemic condition characterized by non-caseating granulomas in multiple organs. In this report, we present an unusual manifestation of cardiac sarcoidosis and review management strategies.Case presentation: A 29-year-old African-American man presented with weight loss, fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, night sweats, painless left eye redness and bilateral leg pain over the course of three months. His physical exam revealed left conjunctival congestion and bilateral crackles on auscultation. Computerized tomography of the chest showed severe parenchymal disease with bilateral fibrotic bands. Bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas and multinucleated giant cells, confirming sarcoidosis. Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia developed. Cardiac MRI showed myocardial delayed gadolinium enhancement. He responded to methotrexate and steroid therapy. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was placed.Discussion: Although cardiac ...
Generating and Personalizing Bundle Recommendations on Steam

Many websites offer promotions in terms of bundled items that can be purchased together, usually at a discounted rate. 'Bundling' may be a means of increasing sales revenue, but may also be a means for content creators to expose users to new items that they may not have considered in isolation. In this paper, we seek to understand the semantics of what constitutes a 'good' bundle, in order to recommend existing bundles to users on the basis of their constituent products, as well the more difficult task of generating new bundles that are personalized to a user. To do so we collect a new dataset from the Steam video game distribution platform, which is unique in that it contains both 'traditional' recommendation data (rating and purchase histories between users and items), as well as bundle purchase information. We assess issues such as bundle size and item compatibility, and show that these features, when combined with traditional matrix factorization techniques, can lead to highly effective bundle recommendation and generation.
Water splitting vs. sulfite oxidation: An assessment of photoelectrochemical performance of TiO2 nanotubes modified by CdS/CdSe nanoparticles

Abstract A major portion of the existing literature on TiO2 nanotubes modified by CdS and CdSe report an enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance using electrolytes with inorganic sacrificial electron donors where a dominant sulfite oxidation occurs. In this study, we distinguish the PEC performance arising entirely from water splitting to that originated by sulfite oxidation in the TiO2 nanotube system modified by CdS/CdSe nanoparticle depositions. The photocurrent density measured under the AM1.5G simulated spectra, 1 sun (100 mWcm−2) intensity for the TiO2 nanotubes modified by CdS/CdSe nanoparticles and using an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (1 M NaOH) was observed to be 0.92 mAcm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE which was 8-fold lower than in the case for sulfite oxidation (Jph/SO = 7.4 mAcm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE) using an Na2S/Na2SO3 aqueous electrolyte. A maximum STH efficiency of 0.71% and water splitting efficiency of 12.4% was determined for water oxidation using an aqueous alkaline electrolyte. To rationalize such device efficiency, we propose that the ‘water splitting efficiency’ parameter is much more meaningful since it correlates the PEC activity specifically to water splitting and not to other pathways that produce an artificially enhanced photocurrent through the use of sacrificial reagents. The incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency spectrum measured at 1.23 V (vs. RHE) bias for the TiO2 photoanodes modified by CdS/CdSe nanoparticles revealed that the current conversion efficiency is lower (∼17% or less) when absorption occurs solely from the external CdSe layers indicating higher recombination during charge transport. The increase of dark current observed in the linear sweep voltammetry plots for the voltage range of −0.25 V to +0.15 V vs. RHE was attributed to anodic dissolution of the photoanodes in aqueous electrolytes containing no sacrificial reagents. The photocurrents and onset potentials for the CdS/CdSe modified TiO2 photoanodes improved under acidic conditions showing a slightly increased PEC activity and faster reaction kinetics.
Online Harassment and Content Moderation: The Case of Blocklists

Online harassment is a complex and growing problem. On Twitter, one mechanism people use to avoid harassment is the blocklist, a list of accounts that are preemptively blocked from interacting with a subscriber. In this article, we present a rich description of Twitter blocklists – why they are needed, how they work, and their strengths and weaknesses in practice. Next, we use blocklists to interrogate online harassment – the forms it takes, as well as tactics used by harassers. Specifically, we interviewed both people who use blocklists to protect themselves, and people who are blocked by blocklists. We find that users are not adequately protected from harassment, and at the same time, many people feel that they are blocked unnecessarily and unfairly. Moreover, we find that not all users agree on what constitutes harassment. Based on our findings, we propose design interventions for social network sites with the aim of protecting people from harassment, while preserving freedom of speech.
Large-vessel giant cell arteritis: diagnosis, monitoring and management

GCA is a chronic, idiopathic, granulomatous vasculitis of medium and large arteries. It comprises overlapping phenotypes including classic cranial arteritis and extra-cranial GCA, otherwise termed large-vessel GCA (LV-GCA). Vascular complications associated with LV-GCA may be due, in part, to delayed diagnosis, highlighting the importance of early identification and prompt initiation of effective therapy. Advancements in imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance angiography, CT angiography, PET and colour duplex ultrasonography, have led to improvements in the diagnosis of LV-GCA; however, the role imaging modalities play in the assessment of disease activity and long-term outcomes remains unclear. Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy in LV-GCA, but their prolonged use is associated with multiple, sometimes serious, adverse effects. Recent data suggest that biologic therapies, such as tocilizumab, may be effective and safe steroid-sparing options for patients with GCA. However, data specifically evaluating the management of LV-GCA are limited.
Inverted Hybridities: Reactions to Imperialism in Select Pseudepigraphic Ezra Materials

This article examines both 4 and 5 Ezra as two textual reactions to Roman imperialism utilizing Homi Bhabha's notion of ‘hybridity’. The central argument offered here is that 4 and 5 Ezra both exem...
Simulation validation of design of single-phase multi-level cascaded h-bridge shunt current injection power converter

This paper describes the detailed design procedure for a single-phase multi-level cascaded h-bridge shunt current injection converter. Special attention is given toward the proper selection of inductors and capacitors, trying to optimize the selected component values. The proposed control is extensively treated and inner current and outer voltage loops are completely analyzed. Furthermore, voltage balancing is included into the control to assure dc voltage control for each H-bridge module. Analytical expressions, which describe the design procedure, are derived, making the presented analysis more complete. The designed converter is simulated using detailed switching simulation model and excellent agreement between theory and simulation results are obtained.
MOLTING AND SURVIVAL OF KING CRAB (PARALITHODES CAMTSCHATICA) AND COONSTRIPE SHRIMP (PANDALUS HYPSINOTUS) LARVAE EXPOSED TO COOK INLET CRUDE OIL WATER-SOLUBLE FRACTION

Abstract Larvae of coonstripe shrimp and king crab were exposed to solutions of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil in a series of bioassays on intermolt stages I and II and the molt period from stage I to stage II. Molting larvae were more sensitive than intermolt larvae to the WSF, and molting coonstripe shrimp larvae were more sensitive than molting king crab larvae. When molting larvae were exposed to high concentrations of the WSF (1.15-1.87 ppm total hydrocarbons) for as little as 6 hr, molting success was reduced by 10-30% and some deaths occurred. When larvae were exposed to these high concentrations for 24 hr or longer, molting declined 90-100% and the larvae usually died. The lowest concentrations tested (0.15-0.55 ppm total hydrocarbons) did not inhibit molting at any length of exposure, but many larvae died after molting. Median lethal concentrations (LC50's) based on 144 hr of observation for molting coonstripe shrimp and 120 hr for molting king crab were much lower than the 96-hr LC50's, showing that the standard 96-hr LC50 is not always sufficient for determining acute oil toxicity. Although our LC50's for intermolt larvae are higher than levels of petroleum hydrocarbons reported for chronic and spill situations, some of our LC50's for molting larvae exposed 24 hr and longer are similar to or below these environmental levels. Comparisons of sensitivity to oil between different crustacean species or life stages should be based on animals tested in the same stage of the molt cycle, such as intermolt.
Specific Diagnostic Techniques

History taking is considered by many to be of limited value in patients with abdominal trauma; and yet, very often, relevant information can be obtained by careful questioning. Usually the circumstances surrounding an abdominal injury are such that the patient cannot recall exactly what happened. In the case of an assault, the victim will frequently be frightened and intimidated and unable to describe where the assailant stood or the nature of the weapon used. Automobile accidents occur so suddenly that the injured occupants or pedestrian will recall little of the sequence of events.
Technische Innovation und nationale Systeme

(…) Die Verlangsamung des Wirtschaftswachstums in allen entwickelten Industrielandern seit den 1970er Jahren, Japans Aufstieg zur wirtschaftlichen und technologischen Grosmacht, der relative Niedergang der Vereinigten Staaten und verbreitete Sorgen in Europa, hinter diesen beiden Landern zuruckzubleiben, haben zu einer wahren Flut von Stellungnahmen und Politikmasnahmen zur Forderung der technologischen Innovationsfahigkeit von Unternehmen im nationalen Masstab gefuhrt. Gleichzeitig hat das zunehmende technologische Niveau von Schwellenlandern wie Korea und Taiwan die Palette jener Staaten erweitert, deren Firmen nun wettbewerbsfahige Spieler auf solchen Feldern sind, die vormals nur wenigen Landern und Firmen vorbehalten waren: Dies hat dazu gefuhrt, dass sich Lander mit stagnierenden Industrien fragen, wie sie die Leistung der erfolgreichen Schwellenlander nachahmen konnten. Dabei kommt ein neuer Geist zum Tragen, den man als „Technonationalismus“ bezeichnen konnte. Dieser Geist verbindet den Glauben an die technologischen Fahigkeiten der Unternehmen eines Landes als Schlussel ihrer Wettbewerbsfahigkeit mit der Vorstellung, dass diese Fahigkeiten einen nationalen Charakter aufweisen und durch Handeln im nationalen Rahmen gefordert werden konnen.
One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of Benzalkonium-Templated Mesostructured Silica Antibacterial Agents.

Novel mesostructured silica microparticles are synthesized, characterized, and investigated as a drug delivery system (DDS) for antimicrobial applications. The materials exhibit a relatively high density (0.56 g per 1 g SiO2) of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), pore channels of 18 A in width, and a high surface area (1500 m2/g). Comparison of the small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) pattern with Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size distribution data suggests that the 18 A pores exhibit short-range ordering and a wall thickness of ca. 12 A. Drug release studies demonstrate pH-responsive controlled release of BAC without additional surface modification of the materials. Prolonged drug release data were analyzed using a power law (Korsmeyer-Peppas) model and indicate substantial differences in release mechanism in acidic (pH 4.0, 5.0, 6.5) versus neutral (pH 7.4) solutions. Microbiological assays demonstrate a significant time-dependent reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica viability above 10 and 130 mg L-1 of the synthesized materials, respectively. The viability of cells is reduced over time compared to control samples. The findings will help in widening the use of BAC as a disinfectant and bactericidal agent, especially in pharmaceutical and food industries where Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial contamination is common.
A New South American Subsection of Sida Sect. Nelavaga (Malvaceae) with Two New Species

Sida [sect. Nelavaga] subsect. Conglomerata is described as a new subsection of the genus, including eight species from South America. Two of the eight are newly described: Sida calva and S. florulenta. The group is characterized by having flowers and fruits borne in axillary glomerules.
CapJack: Capture In-Browser Crypto-jacking by Deep Capsule Network through Behavioral Analysis

This work proposes an innovative approach, named CapJack, to detect in-browser malicious cryptocurrency mining activities by using the latest CapsNet technology. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to introduce CapsNet to the field of malware detection through system behavioral analysis. It is particularly effective to detect malicious miners under multitasking environments where multiple applications run simultaneously. Experimental data show appealing performance of CapJack, with a detection rate of as high as 87% instantly and 99% within a window of 11 seconds.
Differentiation of Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia felis-Like Organisms via Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis are flea-borne pathogens, which cause murine typhus and flea-borne spotted fever, respectively. Recently, two other flea-borne rickettsiae (phylogenetically similar to R. felis) have been discovered-Rickettsia asembonensis and Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis. Currently, species-specific identification of detected organisms requires sequencing- or probe-based PCR assays. Our aim was to develop an efficient and inexpensive method to differentiate R. felis and R. felis-like organisms through restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Outer membrane protein B sequences of the aforementioned flea-borne rickettsiae were analyzed using DNASTAR Lasergene Core software to focus on the region amplified by the primers 120.2788 and 120.3599. Restriction enzyme digestion sites were identified, and in silico digestions of each species were compared through simulated agarose gels. The enzyme NlaIV was determined to be the most effective at creating a unique banding pattern within the area of interest. To confirm the predicted performance of NlaIV digestion, we tested the DNA of known PCR positive Ctenocephalides felis fleas collected from cats and opossums within Galveston, Texas. DNA from these fleas was amplified using the sca5 primer set 120.2788 and 120.3599. The PCR products were then digested with NlaIV, subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and visualized through ethidium bromide staining. The banding patterns were then compared with the computer-generated digestion patterns. All samples demonstrated a banding pattern consistent with the predicted pattern for the known species, as confirmed by previous sequencing. This RFLP assay was developed to be an efficient and cost-effective method to screen samples for R. felis, R. asembonensis, and Candidatus R. senegalensis. We believe this assay can aid in the epidemiological and ecological studies of flea-borne rickettsiae.
Depth Influences Symbiodiniaceae Associations Among Montastraea cavernosa Corals on the Belize Barrier Reef

In Belize, shallow populations (10 and 16 m) of the coral species Montastraea cavernosa from the back reef and reef crest are genetically differentiated from deeper populations on the fore reef and reef wall (25 and 35 m). Like many species of scleractinian corals, M. cavernosa has an obligate symbiosis with dinoflagellate microalgae from the family Symbiodiniaceae. Here, we describe the Symbiodiniaceae taxa found within previously sampled and genotyped M. cavernosa populations along a depth gradient on the Belize Barrier Reef by implementing high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 region of Symbiodiniaceae ribosomal DNA and the SymPortal analysis framework. While Symbiodiniaceae ITS2 type profiles across all sampling depths were almost entirely (99.99%) from the genus Cladocopium (formerly Symbiodinium Clade C), shallow (10 and 16 m) populations had a greater diversity of ITS2 type profiles in comparison to deeper (25 and 35 m) populations. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) confirmed significant differences in ITS2 type profiles between shallow and deep sample populations. Overall Symbiodiniaceae communities changed significantly with depth, following patterns similar to the coral host's population genetic structure. Though physiological differences among species in the cosmopolitan genus Cladocopium are not well-described, our results suggest that although some members of Cladocopium are depth-generalists, shallow M. cavernosa populations in Belize may harbor shallow-specialized Symbiodiniaceae not found in deeper populations.
Tuning Redox Potential of Gold Nanoparticle Photocatalysts by Light

Metallic nanoparticle-based photocatalysts have gained a lot of interest in catalyzing oxidation-reduction reactions. In previous studies, the poor performance of these catalysts is partly due to their operation that relies on picosecond-lifetime hot carriers. In this work, electrons that accumulate at a photostationary state, generated by photocharging the catalysts, have a much longer lifetime for catalysis. This approach makes it possible to determine and tune the photoredox potentials of the catalysts. As demonstrated in a model reaction, the photostationary state of the photocatalyzed oxidative etching of colloidal gold nanoparticles using FeCl3 was established under continuous irradiation of different wavelengths. The photoredox potentials of the nanoparticles were then calculated using the Nernst equation. The potentials can be tuned to a range of 1.28 to 1.40 V (vs SHE) under irradiation of different wavelengths in the range of 450 to 517 nm. The effects of particle size or optical power on the photoredox potentials are small compared to the wavelength effect. Control over the photoredox potential of the particles using different excitation wavelengths can potentially be used to tune the activities and selectivities of metallic nanoparticle photocatalysts.
Predictive and Cooperative Voltage Control with Probabilistic Load and Solar Generation Forecasting

This paper proposes predictive cooperative voltage control method in a power system with high penetration of photovoltaic (PV) units. Cooperative distributed control of the reactive power output of PV inverters is coordinated with operation of voltage regulators (VRs) to maintain system voltages within an appropriate bandwidth. Probabilistic forecasting of the solar power generation and the loads is applied to estimate voltage changes which, in turn, are used to set the VR tap positions for preventing large voltage fluctuations with the lowest risk considering the voltage distribution estimation. The fine tuning of voltage adjustment is achieved by cooperative control of PV inverters to maintain a uniform voltage profile across the system. The proposed method is tested on the modified IEEE 123-node test feeder with high PV penetration using real insolation data and with constant loads replaced by several different load profiles. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the coordinated approach for voltage control with cooperative PV and predictive VR controls taking into account probabilistic load and solar power forecasts.
Behavior of saline ice under cyclic flexural loading

Abstract. New systematic experiments reveal that the flexural strength of saline S2 columnar-grained ice loaded normal to the columns can be increased upon cyclic loading by about a factor of 1.5. The experiments were conducted using reversed cyclic loading over ranges of frequencies from 0.1 to 0.6 Hz and at a temperature of −10 ∘ C on saline ice of two salinities: 3.0 ± 0.9 and 5.9 ± 0.6 ‰. Acoustic emission hit rate during cycling increases with an increase in stress amplitude of cycling. Flexural strength of saline ice of 3.0 ± 0.9 ‰ salinity appears to increase linearly with increasing stress amplitude, similar to the behavior of laboratory-grown freshwater ice (Murdza et al., 2020b) and to the behavior of lake ice (Murdza et al., 2021). The flexural strength of saline ice of 5.9 ± 0.6 ‰ depends on the vertical location of the sample within the thickness of an ice puck; i.e., the strength of the upper layers, which have a lower brine content, was found to be as high as 3 times that of lower layers. The fatigue life of saline ice is erratic. Cyclic strengthening is attributed to the development of an internal back stress that opposes the applied stress and possibly originates from dislocation pileups.
Anatomic and Molecular MR Image Synthesis Using Confidence Guided CNNs

Data-driven automatic approaches have demonstrated their great potential in resolving various clinical diagnostic dilemmas in neuro-oncology, especially with the help of standard anatomic and advanced molecular MR images. However, data quantity and quality remain a key determinant, and a significant limit of the potential applications. In our previous work, we explored the synthesis of anatomic and molecular MR image networks (SAMR) in patients with post-treatment malignant gliomas. In this work, we extend this through a confidence-guided SAMR (CG-SAMR) that synthesizes data from lesion contour information to multi-modal MR images, including T1-weighted ( ${T}_{1}\text{w}$ ), gadolinium enhanced ${T}_{1}\text{w}$ (Gd- ${T}_{1}\text{w}$ ), T2-weighted ( ${T}_{2}\text{w}$ ), and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery ( $\textit {FLAIR}$ ), as well as the molecular amide proton transfer-weighted ( $\textit {APT}\text{w}$ ) sequence. We introduce a module that guides the synthesis based on a confidence measure of the intermediate results. Furthermore, we extend the proposed architecture to allow training using unpaired data. Extensive experiments on real clinical data demonstrate that the proposed model can perform better than current the state-of-the-art synthesis methods. Our code is available at https://github.com/guopengf/CG-SAMR .
Armed, Prohibited and Violent at Home: Implementation and Enforcement of Restrictions on Gun Possession by Domestic Violence Offenders in Four U.S. Localities

Firearms increase the risk of lethality in violent intimate relationships. Policies that restrict access to firearms by respondents to civil domestic violence protective orders (DVROs) are associated with reductions in intimate partner homicide, yet there is scant literature about how such prohibitions are implemented. We document how four localities are implementing gun possession prohibitions that result from civil and criminal restraining orders and domestic violence misdemeanor convictions; and assess the findings in the context of Kingdon’s agenda setting framework. We identified four jurisdictions where gun dispossession of prohibited domestic violence offenders was underway and collected data through in-depth interviews, site visits, and documents. We coded the data, identified explanatory themes, and compared the findings to Kingdon’s framework. The four jurisdictions have policies ranging from no state laws restricting domestic violence offenders’ access to guns to comprehensive state laws. We describe implementation initiatives to dispossess prohibited people of their guns in the four jurisdictions, two distinct implementation models through which gun dispossession occurs, and an expanded application of Kingdon’s model. In each jurisdiction, we identified one or more individuals who championed implementation. Policies that prohibit domestic violence offenders from possessing guns are promising, and possible in diverse settings and jurisdictions. Here we provide insight into implementation efforts in four jurisdictions, emphasize the role of individuals in prioritizing implementation, and highlight the potential to realize these restrictions across states with different laws. Focusing on implementation is a much-needed paradigm shift that complements the traditional focus on passing domestic violence prevention laws.
The genetic basis of adaptation through the evolution of mating systems

Although adaptation can be realized through the fixation of beneficial alleles that increase viability, in many plants, populations may adapt through the evolution of self-fertilization, especially when pollination becomes inefficient. However, the genetic basis of adaptation through the latter path remains unclear. By building population genetic models, I study adaptation through the fixation of alleles that increase the selfing rate (selfing modifiers) from new mutations or/and standing variation. For adaptive alleles unrelated to selfing, we have known that selfing promotes adaptation from a new mutation only when the beneficial alleles are recessive, while for fixation from standing variation, the probability is nearly independent of the dominance, and always decreases with the selfing rate. In contrast, for adaptation through evolution of the selfing rate, when it occurs by fixation of a newly arisen mutation, we found a population that already has a higher selfing rate may be more likely to adapt than outcrossers even when the modifier is dominant if the modifier is weakly selected, for fixation from standing variation, it is more likely through recessive alleles, with the highest fixation probability found in partially selfing populations, but fixation is fastest for alleles with intermediate dominance. A further extension to multiple loci suggests that adaptation is more likely when selfing is controlled by many slight-effect modifiers rather than few large-effect modifiers. This study suggests that to understand the genetic basis of adaptation, it is necessary to determine the ecological and genetic advantages of adaptive alleles.
How Can the Appropriate Objective and Predictive Probabilities Get into Non-collapse Quantum Mechanics?

It is proved that in non-collapse quantum mechanics the state of a closed system can always be expressed as a superposition of states all of which describe histories that conform to Born’s probability rule. This theorem allows one to see Born probabilities in non-collapse quantum mechanics as an appropriate predictive tool, implied by the theory, provided an appropriate version of the superposition principle is included in its axioms
Mechanical performance of thoracolumbosacral pedicle screw systems: An analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

Abstract Thoracolumbosacral pedicle screw systems (TPSSs) are spinal implants commonly utilized to stabilize the spine as an adjunct to fusion for a variety of spinal pathologies. These systems consist of components including pedicle screws, rods, hooks, and various connectors that allow the surgeon to create constructs that can be affixed to a wide range of spinal anatomy. During the development and regulatory clearance process, TPSSs are subjected to mechanical testing such as static and dynamic compression bending per ASTM F1717, axial and torsional grip testing per ASTM F1798, and foam block pullout testing per ASTM F543. In this study, design and mechanical testing data were collected from 200 premarket notification (510(k)) submissions for TPSSs submitted to FDA between 2007 and 2018. Data were aggregated for the most commonly performed mechanical tests, and analyses were conducted to assess differences in performance based on factors such as component type, dimensions, and materials of construction. Rod material had a significant impact on construct stiffness in static compression bending testing with cobalt chromium rods being significantly stiffer than titanium rods of the same diameter. Pedicle screw type had an impact on compression bending yield strength with monoaxial screws having significantly higher yield strength as compared to polyaxial or uniplanar screws. Axial and torsional gripping capacities between components and the rods were significantly lower for cross-connectors than the other component types. The aggregated data presented here can be utilized for comparative purposes to aid in the development of future TPSSs.
Zebrafish heart regenerates after chemoptogenetic cardiomyocyte depletion

Background Zebrafish can regenerate adult cardiac tissue following injuries from ventricular apex amputation, cryoinjury, and cardiomyocyte genetic ablation. Here, we characterize cardiac regeneration from cardiomyocyte chemoptogenetic ablation caused by localized near-infrared excited photosensitizer-mediated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. Results Exposure of transgenic adult zebrafish, Tg(myl7:fapdl5-cerulean), to di-iodinated derivative of the cell- permeable Malachite Green ester fluorogen (MG-2I) and whole-body illumination with 660nm light resulted in cytotoxic damage to about 30% of cardiac tissue. After chemoptogenetic cardiomyocyte ablation, heart function was compromised, and macrophage infiltration was detected, but epicardial and endocardial activation response was much muted when compared to ventricular amputation. The spared cardiomyocytes underwent proliferation and restored the heart structure and function in 45-60 days after ablation. Conclusions This cardiomyocyte ablation system did not appear to activate the epicardium and endocardium as is noted in other cardiac injury models. This approach represents a useful model to study specifically cardiomyocyte injury, proliferation and regeneration in the absence of whole organ activation. Moreover, this system can be adapted to ablate distinct cell populations in any organ system to study their function in regeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.