cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intestinal nematode infection affects host life history and offspring susceptibility to parasitism

Summary 1 The effects of experimental infection with a naturally occurring intestinal nematode (Heligmosomoides polygyrus, Dujardin 1845) on reproduction and on offspring growth, morphology and susceptibility to parasitism for wild-derived house mice (Mus musculus, Linnaeus 1758) that were two to three generations captive-born were examined. 2 Parasitized females averaged 2·8 more pups per litter at weaning and, after adjusting for the effects of litter size on offspring mass, parasitized females had slightly larger offspring than unparasitized females (by 1–2%). 3 Heligmosomoides polygyrus did not affect mean values of other measures of host reproductive output (time to first litter production, interlitter intervals, sex ratio, offspring loss from birth to weaning) but parasitized mice were more variable than unparasitized mice in the number of days to first litter production and for numbers of pups that died between birth and weaning. 4 Offspring growth was not affected by either maternal parasite infection or direct parasite infection. Body mass of all pups at sexual maturity was equivalent but there were differences in body composition (fat mass, organ masses) between parasitized and unparasitized pups and between males and females. 5 Only offspring from parasitized mothers cleared their own infection but for offspring that retained their infection there were no effects of either offspring sex or maternal parasite infection on infection intensity. 6 These results clearly demonstrate that infection with an intestinal nematode affects host life history, primarily litter size but also offspring mass at weaning, and susceptibility of offspring to infection with the same parasite.
Measurement of cardiac output before and after cardiopulmonary bypass: Comparison among aortic transit-time ultrasound, thermodilution, and noninvasive partial CO2 rebreathing

Abstract Objectives : A noninvasive continuous cardiac output system (NICO) has been developed recently. NICO uses a ratio of the change in the end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure and carbon dioxide elimination in response to a brief period of partial rebreathing to measure CO. The aim of this study was to compare the agreement among NICO, bolus (TDCO), and continuous thermodilution (CCO), with transit-time flowmetry of the ascending aorta using an ultrasonic flow probe (UFP) before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Design : Prospective, observational human study. Setting : Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospital. Participants : Sixty-eight patients. Methods : Matched sets of CO measurements between NICO, TDCO, CCO, and UFP were collected in 68 patients undergoing elective CABG at specific time periods before and after separation from CPB. After anesthetic induction, all patients had an NICO sensor attached between the endotracheal tube and the breathing circuit, a PAC floated into the pulmonary artery for TDCO and CCO monitoring, and a UFP positioned on the ascending aorta and used for the reference CO. Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare the agreement among the different methods. Measurements and Main Results : Bland-Altman analysis of CO measurements before CPB yielded a bias, precision, and percent error of 0.04 L/min ± 1.07 L/min (44.8%) for NICO, 0.18 L/min ± 1.01 L/min (41.7%) for TDCO, and 0.29 L/min ± 1.40 L/min (57.5%) for CCO compared with simultaneous UFP CO measurements, respectively. After separation from CPB (average 29 mins), bias, precision, and percent error were −0.46 L/min ± 1.06 L/min (37.3%) for NICO, 0.35 L/min ± 1.39 L/min (46.1%) for TDCO, and 0.36 L/min ± 1.96 L/min (64.7%) for CCO compared with UFP CO measurements, respectively. Conclusions : Before initiation of CPB, the accuracy for all 3 techniques was similar. After separation from CPB, the tendency was for NICO to underestimate CO and for TDCO and CCO to overestimate it. NICO offers an alternative to invasive CO measurement.
Two-step beat frequency quantizer based ADC with adaptive reference control for low swing bio-potential signals

A two-step fully digital beat frequency quantizer based continuous time ADC is demonstrated in a 65nm test chip to achieve high resolution (6–7 ENOB) for direct conversion of low swing (<10mV) bio-potential signals. The resolution of ADC can be adaptively controlled depending on the input signal swing. A triple-sampling technique generates a synchronous ADC output from an asynchronous beat frequency quantizer. The proposed two-step ADC achieves a 44.5dB SNDR which is 5.6dB higher than the previously proposed single step architecture for a 10mVpp, 300Hz differential input signal.
Comparison of Results and Morbidity of Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy

AbstractTwo new therapies, percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, are revolutionizing the treatment of upper urinary tract calculi. We report the success and morbidity rates in 110 patients undergoing percutaneous nephrostolithotomy and 982 patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Staghorn calculi were excluded from this series. The over-all success rate (free of stones plus small asymptomatic residual fragments) was comparable with both modalities (percutaneous nephrostolithotomy 98 per cent and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 95 per cent), although the presence of residual fragments was more common in kidneys treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (24 versus 7 per cent). Patient morbidity as measured by temperature elevation, length of postoperative stay, pain and blood loss was significantly less (p less than 0.05) with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy than with percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.Re-treatment rates were similar...
Investigation of Integral Equations of the Static and Quasi-Static Fields and Applications to the Scattering from Small Bodies of Arbitrary Shape

The calculation of static fields and some functionals of such fields, for example electrical capacitance or tensor polarizability, is of great interest in many applications. In particular, it is of basic interest for wave scattering by small bodies of arbitrary shape. Since the theory was initiated by Rayleigh [1] in 1871, very many papers have been published on this topic. Nevertheless the theory seemed incomplete in the following respect. Though wave scattering by a small body is a well understood process from the physical point of view there were no analytical formulas for the scattered field, scattering matrix, etc. In this chapter we obtain analytical formulas for the scattering matrix for the problems of scalar and vector wave scattering by a small body of arbitrary shape and by a system of such bodies. Analytical formulas for the calculation of the capacitance and polarizability of bodies of arbitrary shape with the needed accuracy are obtained. Two-sided variational estimates for the capacitance and polarizability are given. The formulas mentioned above are of immediate use in applications.
Photonic RF-Channelized Receiver based on Wideband Parametric Mixers and Coherent Detection

We present a photonic RF-channelized receiver based on parametric multicasting and LO generation. Using frequency locking and coherent detection, contiguous channelization of 12 sub-channels is achieved covering 24-30GHz. System analysis and characterizations are presented.
Remineralization of root lesions with concentrated calcium and phosphate solutions.

Remineralization of enamel lesions in vitro by use of sequential treatments with an alkaline (pH 9) phosphate (1mol/L) solution and slightly acidic (pH 6) calcium (1mol/L) solution was reported to be relatively ineffective. An analysis of the diffusion processes that may occur during the remineralization treatments suggested that the driving force for diffusion of Ca into the lesion can be increased by making the calcium solution more alkaline than the phosphate solution. In the present study this modified treatment procedure was evaluated for remineralizing root lesions in vitro. Results show that (1) in the control group there was a slight increase in mineral density in the surface region of the lesion, (2) in the experimental group there were significant (p<0.05) increase in mineral content in the outer 40μm of the lesion, and (3) in contrast to the finding reported previously, thick mineral deposits on the surface of the root were not observed.
Isolation of partially purified properdin from bovine serum by cold ethanol fractionation.

SummaryA procedure for isolation of properdin from bovine serum using cold ethanol fractionation technics is reported. Results indicate that high yields of properdin per unit volume are obtainable without use of zymosan.
Comparison of agar dilution and antibiotic gradient strip test with broth microdilution for susceptibility testing of swine Brachyspira species

Production-limiting diseases in swine caused by Brachyspira are characterized by mucohemorrhagic diarrhea (B. hyodysenteriae and "B. hampsonii") or mild colitis (B. pilosicoli), while B. murdochii is often isolated from healthy pigs. Emergence of novel pathogenic Brachyspira species and strains with reduced susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobials has reinforced the need for standardized susceptibility testing. Two methods are currently used for Brachyspira susceptibility testing: agar dilution (AD) and broth microdilution (BMD). However, these tests have primarily been used for B. hyodysenteriae and rarely for B. pilosicoli. Information on the use of commercial susceptibility testing products such as antibiotic gradient strips is lacking. Our main objective was to validate and compare the susceptibility results, measured as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), of 6 antimicrobials for 4 Brachyspira species (B. hyodysenteriae, "B. hampsonii", B. pilosicoli, and B. murdochii) by BMD and AD (tiamulin, valnemulin, lincomycin, tylosin, and carbadox) or antibiotic gradient strip (doxycycline) methods. In general, the results of a high percentage of all 4 Brachyspira species differed by ±1 log2 dilution or less by BMD and AD for tiamulin, valnemulin, lincomycin, and tylosin, and by BMD and antibiotic gradient strip for doxycycline. The carbadox MICs obtained by BMD were 1-5 doubling dilutions different than those obtained by AD. BMD for Brachyspira was quicker to perform with less ambiguous interpretation of results when compared with AD and antibiotic gradient strip methods, and the results confirm the utility of BMD in routine diagnostics.
Determination of residues of azamethiphos in salmon tissue by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method with fluorescence detection (FLD) is described for determining residues of the pesticide azamethiphos (AZA) in salmon tissue. The sample is extracted with ethyl acetate, centrifuged, dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate, evaporated, reconstituted in water, and defatted with hexane. The aqueous phase is passed through a C 18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) column. The SPE column is eluted with methanol, and the eluate is evaporated to dryness and then taken up in 10% acetonitrile (ACN) in water. The analyte is determined by LC using a C 18 column, ACN-H 2 O (32 + 68) mobile phase, and FLD with excitation at 230 nm and emission at 345 nm. Composited salmon tissues were fortified with AZA at 5, 10, 21, 42, and 83 ng/g or ppb (target level, X = 10 ng/g). Overall recoveries were 86%, with between-day variability of 5.3%. The method detection limit was calculated as 1.2 ppb AZA based on a 5 g sample. The limit of quantitation as determined empirically by this method is the lower limit of the standard curve, approximately 5 ppb.
The VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta 1) I domain functions as a ligand-specific recognition sequence for endothelial cell attachment and spreading: molecular and functional characterization

The integrin VLA-2 (alpha 2 beta 1), generally considered to represent the specific collagen receptor on human endothelial cells, contains an alpha 2-subunit inserted I domain with structural similarity to the type A domains found within the recently described superfamily of receptor-ligand recognition proteins. This region of the cDNA has now been isolated and used for molecular and functional characterization of this heterodimeric receptor complex. Comparative sequence analysis with the porcine homologue revealed 93% amino acid sequence identity, suggestive of a developmentally conserved function. To complete structure/function studies, this region of the human cDNA was expressed as a chimeric protein in Escherichia coli, and a rabbit polyclonal antibody (anti-I domain) was used to study determinants of endothelial cell attachment and spreading in vitro. Quantifiable and visual disruption of endothelial cell attachment to gelatin, type I collagen, and laminin was evident using the specific anti-I domain antibody, with minimal inhibitory effects demonstrable using fibronectin or fibrinogen matrices. Therefore, these data would suggest that the alpha 2 beta 1 I domain confers ligand-binding specificity for both known alpha 2 beta 1 substrates (laminin and collagen), and that this region subserves a regulatory function in the molecular processes controlling endothelial cell attachment and spreading in vitro.
A new species of Abarema Pittier (Mimosaceae ingeae) from Amazonian Brazil.

Abarema piresii Barneby & Grimes is described from the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Para. The species is illustrated an tis relationships are discussed. Two kindred species are incidentally transferred from Pithecellobium to Abarema as A. curvicarpa (Irwin) and A. moniliformis (Ducke) Barneby & Grimes.
Effects of Concentration and Temperature on DNA Hybridization by Two Closely Related Sequences via Large-Scale Coarse-Grained Simulations.

A newly developed coarse-grained model called BioModi is utilized to elucidate the effects of temperature and concentration on DNA hybridization in self-assembly. Large-scale simulations demonstrate that complementary strands of either the tetrablock sequence or randomized sequence with equivalent number of cytosine or guanine nucleotides can form completely hybridized double helices. Even though the end states are the same for the two sequences, there exist multiple kinetic pathways that are populated with a wider range of transient aggregates of different sizes in the system of random sequences compared to that of the tetrablock sequence. The ability of these aggregates to undergo the strand displacement mechanism to form only double helices depends upon the temperature and DNA concentration. On one hand, low temperatures and high concentrations drive the formation and enhance stability of large aggregating species. On the other hand, high temperatures destabilize base-pair interactions and large aggreg...
D1, but not D2, receptor blockade within the infralimbic and medial orbitofrontal cortex impairs cocaine seeking in a region-specific manner.

Evidence suggests that the infralimbic cortex (IL), a subregion of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), suppresses cocaine-seeking behavior in a self-administration paradigm, whereas the more anterior vmPFC subregion, the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC), has received very little attention in this regard. Despite the established dopaminergic innervation of the vmPFC, whether dopamine receptor blockade in each subregion alters the reinstatement of cocaine seeking is unclear. To address this issue, male Sprague–Dawley rats underwent 2 weeks of cocaine self-administration, followed by extinction training and reinstatement testing. Immediately prior to each reinstatement test, rats received microinjections of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390, the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride or their respective vehicles. D1 receptor blockade in the IL reduced cued reinstatement but had no effect on cocaine prime and cue + cocaine-prime reinstatement, whereas D2 receptor blockade in the IL had no effect on reinstatement. For the mOFC, however, D1 receptor blockade reduced cocaine seeking in all reinstatement types, whereas blocking D2 receptors in the mOFC had no effect on any form of cocaine seeking. These findings suggest different roles for D1 receptors in the IL versus the mOFC in regulating cocaine-seeking behavior. Moreover, even as previous work indicates that IL inactivation does not affect reinstatement but, rather, induces cocaine seeking during extinction, the present findings suggest that dopamine receptor activation in the IL is necessary for cocaine seeking under some circumstances.
Oxidative Stress and JNK Activation cause Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Cell Death in Hepatocarcinoma after VDAC-Tubulin Antagonists

Background: Flux of metabolites into mitochondria sustains membrane potential (ΔΨ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Free α,β-tubulin dimers close VDAC in vitro and high free tubulin in cancer cells closes VDAC. The small molecule erastin antagonizes the inhibition of tubulin on VDAC. Here, we hypothesized that VDAC-tubulin antagonists (VTA) open VDAC, increase mitochondrial metabolism, decrease glycolysis and activate c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), culminating in mitochondrial dysfunction and death of hepatocarcinoma (HCC) cells. Our AIM was to evaluate the effects of VTAs on mitochondrial ΔΨ, NAD(P)H+ and ROS, lactate generation, JNK activation and cell killing in HepG2 and Huh7 HCC cells.Methods: Confocal/multiphoton fluorescence microscopy assessed ΔΨ (tetramethylrhodamine methylester), ROS (chloromethyldichlorofluorescein [cmDCF]; MitoSOX Red) and NAD(P)H (autofluorescence). JNK was assessed by Western blotting and cell killing by propidium iodide fluorometry.Results: Erastin and small molecules X1-2 identified in a high-throughput screen increased ΔΨ, NAD(P)H and cmDCF and MitoSOX fluorescence. The mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ blocked ROS increases. Mitochondrial hyperpolarization was followed by depolarization. Additionally, erastin and X1 activated JNK. JNK inhibitors (JNK VIII and SP600125, 30 µM) blocked X1-induced hyperpolarization/depolarization and decreased ROS formation. Lactate generation after X1 decreased by 60%. Both X1 and X2 killed cancer cells (∼93% and ∼76% respectively), which the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (100 µM) blocked and JNKVIII and SP600125 decreased. By contrast, X1-2 caused <25% cell death in primary rat hepatocytes. X1 (5 mg/kg, i.p. daily) decreased tumor growth in a Huh7 xenograft model.Conclusion: AVTs are anti-Warburg compounds that promote mitochondrial metabolism, inhibit glycolysis and cause mitochondrial generation of ROS, which in turn leads to JNK activation, mitochondrial dysfunction and selective death of cancer cells that is prevented by antioxidants and JNK inhibitors.
Otosclerosis masking coexistent acoustic neuroma

The coexistence of an acoustic neuroma with otosclerosis can prove to be a great diagnostic dilemma. In such cases, the diagnosis of acoustic neuroma is usually delayed while more common causes of sensorineural hearing loss associated with otosclerosis or its surgery are considered. Any asymmetric progression of a sensorineural loss or shift in discrimination after stapes surgery, whether sudden or gradual, should provoke suspicion of a second pathologic process. These include perilymph fistula, labyrinthine otosclerosis or ischemia, and acoustic neuroma. The use of auditory brainstem response and acoustic reflex testing and various imaging techniques is essential for accurate diagnosis. This paper includes two cases that demonstrate this dual pathology, bringing the total to 15 such cases reported in the literature. The purposes of this paper are to alert the clinician to the diagnostic problem of acoustic neuroma coexisting with otosclerosis and to propose a means of evaluating these patients.
Differential modulation and demodulation of multi-frequency digital communications signals

Multiple-frequency modulation (MFM) is a bandwidth-efficient digital communication signaling technique that may be used effectively in mobile satellite communications links. Algorithms for generating and demodulating differentially encoded multifrequency quadrature phase shift keyed (MFQPSK) signals using discrete Fourier transform (DFT) techniques are discussed. The theory and a prototype system for differentially encoding and decoding MFQPSK in the frequency domain are developed. By using long baud intervals and corresponding small spacing of the carrier tones, problems associated with channel fading are greatly relieved with respect to the previous method of differentially encoding the multiple carrier tones from baud to baud. An MFM system has been configured to transmit MFQPSK over a 4-kHz bandpass channel. Tone spacings, or baud rates, of 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 Hz were tested. Output signal-to-noise ratios were estimated by computing sample means and variances of the real and imaginary parts of X/sub a/. Experimental results are presented showing good agreement with the theory. >
Considerations for re-designing the cellular infrastructure exploiting software-based networks

As demand for wireless mobile connectivity continues to explode, cellular network infrastructure capacity requirements continue to grow. While 5G tries to address capacity requirements at the radio layer, the load on the cellular core network infrastructure (called Enhanced Packet Core (EPC)) stresses the network infrastructure. Our work examines the architecture, protocols of current cellular infrastructures and the workload on the EPC. We study the challenges in dimensioning capacity and review the design alternatives to support the significant scale up desired, even for the near future. We breakdown the workload on the network infrastructure into its components-signaling event transactions; database or lookup transactions and packet processing. We quantitatively show the control plane and data plane load on the various components of the EPC and estimate how future 5G cellular network workloads will scale. This analysis helps us to understand the scalability challenges for future 5G EPC network components. Other efforts to scale the 5G cellular network take a system view where the control plane is separated from the data path and is terminated on a centralized SDN controller. The SDN controller configures the data path on a widely distributed switching infrastructure. Our analysis of the workload informs us on the feasibility of various design alternatives and motivates our efforts to develop our clean-slate approach, called CleanG.
Von der Verwechslung zum Vergleich

Nachdem in den vorangegangenen Kapiteln Stellung und Wandel des schwarzen Ghettos in den Metropolen Amerikas nach dem Hohepunkt der Burgerrechtsbewegung dargestellt wurde, wenden wir uns nun den Grundlagen einer vergleichenden Soziologie von Strukturen und Mechanismen stadtischer Marginalisierung in Frankreich und den Vereinigten Staaten zu. Dieses Kapitel untersucht nicht die Substanz, sondern das Substrat der rassialisierten urbanen Spannungen, die in den letzten Jahren mit zunehmender Virulenz in diesen beiden Gesellschaften in Erscheinung getreten sind, den soziologischen Boden, auf der sie sich im ersten Fall – den Cites (Wohnbauprojekten) der franzosischen Arbeiter-Banlieues – mit erstau nlicher Wucht entwickelt und im zweiten Fall – dem schwarzen Ghetto der US-amerikanischen Grosstadte – im Laufe mehrerer Jahrzehnte allmahlich fest verankert haben. Dabei zeigt sich, dass sich, abgesehen von oberfl achlichen Ahnlichkeiten in den erlebten Erfahrungen und einiger rezenter Trends in den demographischen und okonomischen Strukturen, die Realitat von stadtischer Exklusion und Marginalisierung auf beiden Seiten des Atlantiks in ihren Prozessen und Ausmasen grundlegend unterscheidet.
Quantifying bias in measuring insecticide-treated bednet use: meta-analysis of self-reported vs objectively measured adherence.

Background Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) are recommended for use by 3.4 billion people at risk of malaria world-wide. Policy makers rely on measurements of ITN use to optimize malaria prevention efforts. Self-reports are the most common means of assessing ITN use, but self-reports may be biased in a way that reduces their reliability as a proxy for ITN adherence. This meta-analysis compared self-reported and two methods which are more objective measures of ITN use to explore whether self-reports overestimate actual ITN adherence. Methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases and hand searching reference lists resulted in screening 2885 records and 202 articles were read in full. Sixteen articles with comparable data were chosen for the meta-analysis. Comparable data was defined as self-reported and objectively measured ITN use (observation of a mounted ITN or surprise visits confirming use) at the same unit of analysis, covering the same time period and same population. A random effects model was used to determine a weighted average risk difference between self-reported and objectively measured ITN use. Additional stratified analyses were conducted to explore study heterogeneity. Results Self-reported ITN use is 8 percentage points (95% confidence interval CI: 3 to 13) higher than objectively measured ITN use, representing a 13.6% overestimation relative to the proportion measured as adherent to ITN use by objective measures. Wide variations in the discrepancies between self-reports and objective measures were unable to be explained using stratified analyses of variables including location, year of publication, seasonality and others. Conclusions Self-reports overestimate ITN adherence relative to objectively measured ITN use by 13.6% and do so in an unpredictable manner that raises questions about the reliability of using self-reported ITN use alone as a surveillance tool and a guide for making policy decisions.
Validating the Supervision Partnership as a Phase of Attachment

The goal of this study was to expand current attachment models by validating a three-component model of the supervision partnership conceptualization of attachment (accessibility and availability o...
The Use of Toroidal Geometries in Investigations of Thermoelectricity in Superconductors

An analysis is given of a toroidal sample configuration used to study thermoelectricity in superconducting metals. The toroidal geometry is shown to be highly effective in discriminating against extraneous magnetic flux while having a high sensitivity to the desired signal flux. Details of the flux transformation equations are given, and it is shown that flux amplification can take place if circuit parameters are properly chosen.
Opportunistic Temporal Fair Scheduling for Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is one of the key enabling techniques for the next generation of mobile networks. Opportunistic scheduling is necessary to fully exploit the multiplexing gains in NOMA systems. In this paper, scheduling for NOMA systems under temporal fairness constraints is considered. The objective is to maximize the system utility (e.g. throughput) subject to constraints on the average active time for each user. It is shown that threshold based scheduling strategies (TBS) achieve optimal performance in terms of system utility. Furthermore, it is shown that any optimal strategy is equivalent to a TBS. An iterative algorithm based on the Robbins-Monro method is introduced which constructs the optimal TBS by finding optimal thresholds for a given system utility metric. Numerical simulations are provided to evaluate the proposed approach.
Milton T Edgerton, MD: Reflections on the Man and the University of Virginia Years.

Dr Milton Edgerton was unquestionably one of the giants of plastic surgery. He pioneered new fields such as craniofacial and transgender surgery, yet over the course of his career his practice had no limitations, encompassing far ranging areas such as hand, burn, head and neck, and the cosmetic aren
The Discourse of Stress: Individual Pathology or Communal Ritual

This chapter explores the ways in which a constructionist emphasis on language and embodied activities draws attention to our own participation in maintaining and validating the discourse of stress and the concomitant evaluations that accompany it. The relational focus of the constructionist discourse offers various resources for creating ways of getting on together (Wittgenstein). Discursive options provide resources for action that move us beyond pathology to potential. These resources include specific ways of inviting others to appreciate alternatives, imagine the future, adopt their stories, coordinate multiple beliefs and views, create opportunities for different conversations, and embrace relational responsibility. She studies how such resources transform one’s professional life. Is stress something we “get” or “catch” or “become caught up in?” Or, is stress a way of talking? Our culture has accustomed us to a number of labels, categories, and diagnoses of deficit. We systematically face problems, or threats we might impose upon ourselves or others, or assessments that might affect our future.
Degradable sugar-based magnetic hybrid nanoparticles for recovery of crude oil from aqueous environments

In this work, we designed and fabricated a nanoscopic sugar-based magnetic hybrid material that is capable of tackling environmental pollution posed by marine oil spills, while minimizing potential secondary problems that may occur from microplastic contamination. These readily-defined magnetic nanocomposites were constructed through co-assembly of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) and a degradable amphiphilic polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-dopamine-functionalized poly(ethyl propargyl glucose carbonate)-b-poly(ethyl glucose carbonate), PEG-b-PGC[(EPC-MPA)-co-(EPC-DOPA)]-b-PGC(EC), driven by supramolecular co-assembly in water with enhanced interactions provided via complexation between dopamine and MIONs. The composite nanoscopic assemblies possessed a pseudo-micellar structure, with MIONs trapped within the polymer framework. The triblock terpolymer was synthesized by sequential ring-opening polymerizations (ROPs) of two glucose-derived carbonate monomers, initiated by a PEG macroinitiator. Dopamine anchoring groups were subsequently installed by first introducing carboxylic acid groups using a thiol–yne click reaction, followed by amidation with dopamine. The resulting amphiphilic triblock terpolymers and MIONs were co-assembled to afford hybrid nanocomposites using solvent exchange processes from organic solvent to water. In combination with hydrophobic interactions, the linkage between dopamine and iron oxide stabilized the overall nanoscopic structure to allow for the establishment of a uniform globular morphology, whereas attempts at co-assembly with the triblock terpolymer precursor, lacking dopamine side chains, failed to afford well-defined nanostructures. The magnetic hybrid nanoparticles demonstrated high oil sorption capacities, ca. 8 times their initial dry weight, attributed, in part, to large surface areas leading to effective contact between the nanomaterials and hydrocarbon pollutants. Moreover, the naturally-derived polymer framework undergoes hydrolytic degradation to break down into byproducts that include glucose, ethanol and dopamine if not recovered after deployment, alleviating concerns of potential microplastic generation and persistence.
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of orthotopic prostate cancer.

Methods for imaging orthotopic prostate tumors within the prostate or small tumors with extension outside the prostate are needed to more closely model human prostate tumors, which are most commonl...
Temporary Organ Displacement to Escalate Radiation Dose to Retroperitoneal Tumors and Decrease Toxicity to Organs at Risk.

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate that temporary organ displacement (TOD) by drainage catheter placement and hydrodissection is feasible and reproducible for simulation (SIM) and stereotactic body radiation treatment (SBRT). Materials and Methods Between February 2010 and December 2018, 31 consecutive patients (20 men and 11 women; median age, 59 years; range 20–80 years) received both SIM and SBRT with TOD. The minimum required displacement was 10 mm between the gross tumor volume (GTV) and the organ at risk (OAR). Complete displacement was defined as the ability to displace the OAR from the GTV a minimum of 10 mm across the entire boundary. SIM was performed with hydrodissection on the same day. On the day of SBRT, displacement was reproduced by hydrodissection. Displacement was measured on computed tomography images of TOD, SIM, and SBRT. The drain was removed after SBRT. Results TOD (hydrodissection) was significantly associated with successful displacement of the OAR from a GTV greater than 10 mm (median, 20 mm vs 4.1 mm, P Conclusions TOD with placement of drain and hydrodissection is technically feasible and safe and maintains displacement for SIM and SBRT.
Mitigating the formation of amorphous shear band in boron carbide

Boron carbide is super-strong and has many important engineering applications such as body armor and cutting tools. However, the extended applications of boron carbide have been limited by its low fracture toughness arising from anomalous brittle failure when subjected to hypervelocity impact or under high pressure. This abnormal brittle failure is directly related to the formation of a tiny amorphous shear band of 2–3 nm in width and several hundred nm in length. In this Perspective, we discuss mitigating the amorphous shear bands in boron carbide from various strategies including microalloying, grain boundary engineering, stoichiometry control, and the addition of a second phase. Combined with recent theoretical and experimental studies, we discuss strategies that can be applied in synthesizing and producing boron carbide-based materials with improved ductility by suppressing the formation of the amorphous shear band.
Prioritizing Job Creation without Undermining Public Works Construction among Road Improvement Projects in Rural Nicaragua

We evaluate the impacts of a road rehabilitation workfare project in Nicaragua. Our results reveal that the substitution of labour-intensive manual paving of dirt roads for commercial paving techno...
Machine learning-based region of interest detection in airborne lidar fisheries surveys

Airborne lidar data for fishery surveys often do not contain physics-based features that can be used to identify fish; consequently, the fish must be manually identified, which is a time-consuming process. To reduce the time required to identify fish, supervised machine learning was successfully applied to lidar data from fishery surveys to automate the process of identifying regions with a high probability of containing fish. Using data from Yellowstone Lake and the Gulf of Mexico, multiple experiments were run to simulate real-world scenarios. Although the human cannot be fully removed from the loop, the amount of data that would require manual inspection was reduced by 61.14% and 26.8% in the Yellowstone Lake and Gulf of Mexico datasets, respectively.
Role of complementary and competitive relationships among multiple objectives in conservation investment decisions

Abstract A growing body of literature suggests a need to incorporate both complementary and competitive relationships among multiple objectives into conservation investment decisions. To do this, we hypothesize that spatial budget allocations and overall benefits for payment for ecosystem services (PES) are influenced by the complexity of complementary and competitive relationships among multiple objectives of PES, i.e., maximizing forest-dependent biodiversity (or “biodiversity”), forest-based carbon storage (or “carbon”), and economic impact triggered by PES. To verify the hypothesis, we apply the multi-objective optimization framework to 231 counties in eight states of the Central and Southern Appalachian Region of the United States. We find 1) narrower spatial budget allocations with inclusion of the objective of maximizing economic impact, which has competitive relationships with the existing complementary biodiversity and carbon objectives, and 2) the foregone overall benefits from the existing complementary objectives increase with further increases in the competitive economic-impact objective. These findings imply that conservation agencies involved in PES planning should be cautious about the negative consequences on distributional equity found in 1) above, and the increasing sacrifice in the existing complementary objectives found in 2) above, when considering introduction of a new economic objective that has a competitive relationship with the existing ecological objectives.
Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Mortality in African Americans with COVID-19 from an Inner-City Community Hospital in New York

Background: There is limited data on the clinical presentation and predictors of mortality in the African-American (AA) patients hospitalized with COVID-19 despite the disproportionately higher burden and mortality. The aim of this study is to report on the clinical characteristics and the predictors of mortality in hospitalized AA patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: In this retrospective cohort review, we included all AA patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection admitted to an inner-city teaching community hospital in New York City. Demographics, clinical presentation, baseline co-morbidities, and laboratory data were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The predictors of mortality were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 408 (median age, 67years) patients included, 276(66.65%, median age 63years) survived while 132(33.35%, median age 71years) died. The most common presenting symptoms were cough, myalgia, fever/chills, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), with a prevalence of 62.50%, 43.87%, 53.68%, and 27.21%, respectively. Age (OR 1.06, CI 1.04-1.08, P-<0.001), body mass index (OR 1.07, CI 1.04-1.11, P-<0.001), elevated serum ferritin(OR 1.99, CI 1.08-3.66, P-0.02), C-reactive protein (OR 2.42, CI 1.36-4.33, P-0.01), and D-dimers(OR 3.79, CI 2.21-6.50, P-<0.001) at the time of presentation were identified as the independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: Cough, shortness of breath, fever/chills, gastrointestinal symptoms, and myalgia were the predominant presentation among African-Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. Advanced age, higher BMI, elevated ferritin, C-reactive protein, and D-dimers are independent predictors of mortality among hospitalized African-Americans with COVID-19 infection. Funding Statement: There was no funding for the study. Declaration of Interests: No conflict of interest for all the authors. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical clearance was obtained from the hospital's IRB committee. Because our study was limited to chart review with no patient interactions, the requirement for informed consent was waived.
Current Concept About Prevention/Treatment of Postoperative Cholangitis

Cholangitis is the most common complication in patients after Kasai portoenterostomy, with an incidence of 30% to 70%. Patients with early bile drainage after Kasai operation are more vulnerable to cholangitis. Early cholangitis and recurrent cholangitis are interrelated and can contribute to reduced overall survival.
Monte Carlo Simulation Approaches for Quantitative Bias Analysis: A Tutorial

Quantitative bias analysis can be used to empirically assess how far study estimates are from the truth (i.e., an estimate that is free of bias). These methods can be used to explore the potential impact of confounding bias, selection bias (collider stratification bias), and information bias. Quantitative bias analysis includes methods that can be used to check the robustness of study findings to multiple types of bias and methods that use simulation studies to generate data and understand the hypothetical impact of specific types of bias in a simulated dataset. In this article, we review two strategies for quantitative bias analysis: 1) traditional probabilistic quantitative bias analysis and 2) quantitative bias analysis with generated data. An important difference between the two strategies relates to the type of data (real vs. generated data) used in the analysis. As we describe, Monte Carlo simulations are used in both approaches, but the simulation process is used for different purposes in each. For both approaches, we outline and describe the steps required to carry out the quantitative bias analysis and also present a bias analysis tutorial demonstrating how both approaches can be applied in the context of an analysis for selection bias. Our goal is to highlight the utility of quantitative bias analysis for practicing epidemiologists and increase the use of these methods in the epidemiologic literature.
African-American Facilities for Dependent and Delinquent Children in Chicago, 1900 to 1920: The Louise Juvenile School and the Amanda Smith School

This article examines two homes and later industrial schools founded in the Chicago area for African-American dependent and delinquent children during the Progressive Era : the Louise Juvenile Home and Industrial School; and the Amanda Smith Industrial Home and School. The juvenile court's inception and expansion, especially through the Chicago Woman's Club, as well as African-American club women and probation officers, is first described. The African-American women's activism in fighting segregation and in fund-raising for the schools is especially highlighted. Nonetheless, both schools' success, as well as eventual demise, were due largely to their economic dependence upon the juvenile court
Variability in chemical defense across a shallow to mesophotic depth gradient in the Caribbean sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus

The transition between shallow and mesophotic coral reef communities in the tropics is characterized by a significant gradient in abiotic and biotic conditions that could result in potential trade-offs in energy allocation. The mesophotic reefs in the Bahamas and the Cayman Islands have a rich sponge fauna with significantly greater percent cover of sponges than in their respective shallow reef communities, but relatively low numbers of spongivores. Plakortis angulospiculatus, a common sponge species that spans the depth gradient from shallow to mesophotic reefs in the Caribbean, regenerates faster following predation and invests more energy in protein synthesis at mesophotic depths compared to shallow reef conspecifics. However, since P. angulospiculatus from mesophotic reefs typically contain lower concentrations of chemical feeding deterrents, they are not able to defend new tissue from predation as efficiently as conspecifics from shallow reefs. Nonetheless, following exposure to predators on shallow reefs, transplanted P. angulospiculatus from mesophotic depths developed chemical deterrence to predatory fishes. A survey of bioactive extracts indicated that a specific defensive metabolite, plakortide F, varied in concentration with depth, producing altered deterrence between shallow and mesophotic reef P. angulospiculatus. Different selective pressures in shallow and mesophotic habitats have resulted in phenotypic plasticity within this sponge species that is manifested in variable chemical defense and tissue regeneration at wound sites.
Neutron scattering, phonon spectra, and superconductivity

The electron—phonon interaction is the most generally accepted mechanism for superconductivity. A few years ago McMillan1 derived a formula for the transition temperature of strongly coupled superconductors and concluded that the electron—phonon coupling constant, and hence the transition temperature, depends primarily on the details of the phonon spectra.
Star Clusters in Local Group Galaxies

In about 40% of the Local Group galaxies star clusters have been detected so far, but the census is still incomplete. The properties of these clusters are briefly reviewed, and the impact of galaxy environment on the evolution and survival of star clusters is discussed. Several (but not all) Local Group galaxies seem to share a common epoch of the earliest globular cluster formation. The most massive galaxies show a tendency for rapid enrichment in their oldest cluster population near their centers as compared to clusters at larger galactocentric radii. The galactocentric dependence of cluster sizes and horizontal branch morphology may be intrinsic to the globular cluster formation process rather than to the accretion of dwarf galaxies. The observed properties of globular clusters in the least massive dwarfs suggest that their parent galaxies may originally have been substantially more massive. Cluster destruction mechanisms and time scales are a function of galaxy environment and galaxy mass. The most recent enhancement of star cluster formation in the Magellanic Clouds may have been triggered by their close encounter with each other and the Milky Way.
Mental retardation and ADHD

To the Editor.— This letter cautions the general practitioner about prescribing methylphenidate to children with mental retardation, despite the reported utility in nine patients.1 Methylphenidate is understood to be an effective medication for treatment of children who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), characterized by a developmentally inappropriate attention span, level of impulsiveness, and motor activity. For the general practitioner, ADHD typically is identified in children with normal neurodevelopment. Because children with mental retardation may have attention spans, impulse control, and activity levels inappropriate for their chronologic age, albeit appropriate for their underlying level of cognitive function, we are concerned about the general practitioner9s ability to identify ADHD in children with mental retardation.
Object-oriented cam design through the internet

We have developed a Web-based interactive cam design package under the programming paradigm of the \( {\text{C}}^{\text{H}} \) language environment. This package was initially developed as a teaching and learning tool for educational use in an undergraduate Computer-Aided Mechanism Design course. Because the system is Web-based and implemented through a client/server model with the user interface through the Web browser, it is easy to use and maintain. The system can also be used to solve practical engineering cam design problems with flat or roller followers and with translating or oscillating motion types. The system can be used to generate the cam profile, transmission angle, position, velocity, and acceleration of the follower. Once a cam/follower system is designed, animation of the cam/follower system can be performed. At the end of the design, the CNC code for manufacturing the designed cam can also be produced through our Web-based cam design system. The package consists of a number of modules including various Web pages, common gateway interface (CGI) programs, a \( {\text{C}}^{\text{H}} \) program called cam.ch, and the CCam \( {\text{C}}^{\text{H}} \) class which performs the necessary computation for cam design. Two different versions of the cam design package have been designed and implemented. One runs the cam design program on the client machine as a \( {\text{C}}^{\text{H}} \) applet, and the other runs the cam design program on the Web server through CGI. In this paper, details of design and implementation of Web-based cam design package will be described. Two application examples with different motion types for the follower will be used to illustrate features of the applet-based and CGI-based implementation schemes. The ideas of the Web-based software design presented in this paper can be applied to other application areas.