cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Algorithm that Minimizes Homogeneous Functions of N Variables in N + 2 Iterations and Rapidly Minimizes General Functions

Abstract A new algorithm for function minimization is presented. The new algorithm is based upon homogeneous functions rather than quadratic models. A consequence of this is that (n + 2) step convergence is obtained for homogeneous functions and that no one-dimensional search is required. Preliminary numerical tests indicate that on general functions the algorithm is superior to the well-known Fletcher and Powell method.
Marc Antonio Venier, Renier Zeno and “The Myth of Venice”

(1974). Marc Antonio Venier, Renier Zeno and “The Myth of Venice”. The Historian: Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 479-497.
Remote Photographic Acqisition of Data

Meteorological instruments are often remotely located where frequent visits by technicians to obtain readings are impractical. In such cases, an economical device to record data automatically at predetermined time intervals would be useful. Such a device would assure not only that regular readings are obtained, but that each reading is taken at the end of a predetermined time interval. Equipment described herein was developed to meet these needs.
Loving Internationalism: The Emotion Culture of Transnational Women's Organizations, 1888-1945

Research on the collective identities of social movement participants points to the strong convictions that underlie activism. A great deal of mobilization work involves channeling, transforming, legitimating, and managing emotions. In this article we use the concept of emotion culture, drawn from social constructionist approaches to emotions, to understand how women in the three major transnational women's organizations from the late nineteenth century through the Second World War built solidarity across national boundaries in order to work for women's rights and peace. The analysis focuses on how the gendered emotion culture of the international women's movement promoted a loving community that transcended national rivalries. We identify three socialization processes: (1) staging expressive public rituals of reconciliation between women who stood on opposite sides of national conflicts; (2) forming intense affective ties across national boundaries; and (3) drawing on the emotional template of mother love.
Experimental Manipulation of the Microbial Functional Amyloid Called Curli

Curli are proteinaceous fibrous structures produced on the surface of many gram-negative bacteria. As a major constituent of the extracellular matrix, curli mediate interactions between the bacteria and its environment, and as such, curli play a critical role in biofilm formation. Curli fibers share biophysical properties with a growing number of remarkably stable and ordered protein aggregates called amyloid. Here we describe experimental methods to study the biogenesis and assembly of curli by exploiting their amyloid properties. We also present methods to analyze curli-mediated biofilm formation. These approaches are straightforward and can easily be adapted to study other bacterially produced amyloids.
Melogale moschata (Chinese or golden-bellied ferret badger)

Skin biopsies of one female and one male animals were kindly provided by Dr. C. Gray of the National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C., USA. The female was identified as Melogale moschata subaurantiaca. Presumably this is the same species studied by Makino and identified as Helictis subaurantiaca Swinhoe.
X-ray differential phase contrast imaging using a grating interferometer and a single photon counting detector

For grating interferometer-based x-ray differential phase contrast (DPC) imaging systems, their noise performance is strongly dependent on both the visibility of the interference fringe pattern and the total number of photons used to acquire and extract the DPC signal. For a given interferometer, it is usually designed to work at a specific x-ray energy, therefore any deviation from the designed energy may result in certain visibility loss. In this work, a single photon counting detector (PCD) was incorporated into a DPC imaging system, which enabled photons with energies close to the designed operation energy of the interferometer to be selectively used for DPC signal extraction. This approach led to significant boost in the fringe visibility, but it also discarded x-ray photons with other energies incident on the detector and might result in degradations of the overall radiation dose efficiency of the DPC imaging systems. This work presents a novel singular value decomposition (SVD)-based method to leverage the entire spectrum of x-ray photons detected by the PCD, enabling both fringe visibility improvement and reduction in image noise. As evidenced by the results of experimental phantom studies, the contrast-to-noise ratio of the final DPC images could be effectively improved by the proposed method.
Population Dynamics of the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) in Nutrient-Enriched Old-Field Communities

We examined effects of changes in structure of old-field plant-communities on population dynamics of the meadow vole ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) following nutrient enrichment for 9 years. Population densities, recruitment, body mass, and survivorship of meadow voles were compared between nutrient-enriched (sludge- or fertilizer-treated) and control treatments in old-field communities established 9 years earlier. Eight 0.1-ha plots (two control and three each sludge- and fertilizer-treated) were stocked with meadow voles during early summer 1986. Population densities, rates of recruitment, and survivorship for voles were higher on control plots than on the other two treatments. Population-growth rates were positive on the control plots, whereas they were negative on nutrient-enriched plots. No significant differences in sex ratios or body mass of voles were detected between treatments. Although aboveground plant biomass was significantly higher on fertilizer-treated plots, edible biomass (plant species known to be consumed by voles) was significantly greater on control plots. Control plots also were more diverse and contained better vegetative cover in the form of grasses and forbs. Population dynamics of voles appeared to be regulated by plant-community structure, vegetative cover, plant diversity, and food quality, especially the diversity of edible plant species.
Predictive Toxicology: Modeling Chemical Induced Toxicological Response Combining Circular Fingerprints with Random Forest and Support Vector Machine

Modern drug discovery and toxicological research are under pressure, as the cost of developing and testing new chemicals for potential toxicological risk is rising. Extensive evaluation of chemical products for potential adverse effects is a challenging task, due to the large number of chemicals and the possible hazardous effects on human health. Safety regulatory agencies around the world are dealing with two major challenges. First, the growth of chemicals introduced every year in household products and medicines that need to be tested, and second the need to protect public welfare. Hence, alternative and more efficient toxicological risk assessment methods are in high demand. The Toxicology in the 21st Century (Tox21) consortium a collaborative effort was formed to develop and investigate alternative assessment methods. A collection of 10,000 compounds composed of environmental chemicals and approved drugs were screened for interference in biochemical pathways and released for crowdsourcing data analysis. The physicochemical space covered by Tox21 library was explored, measured by Molecular Weight (MW) and the octanol/water partition coefficient (cLogP). It was found that on average chemical structures had MW of 272.6 Daltons. In case of cLogP the average value was 2.476. Next relationships between assays were examined based on compounds activity profiles across the assays utilizing the Pearson correlation coefficient r. A cluster was observed between the Androgen and Estrogen Receptors and their ligand bind domains accordingly indicating presence of cross talks among the receptors. The highest correlations observed were between NR.AR and NR.AR_LBD, where it was r=0.66 and between NR.ER and NR.ER_LBD, where it was r=0.5. Our approach to model the Tox21 data consisted of utilizing circular molecular fingerprints combined with Random Forest and Support Vector Machine by modeling each assay independently. In all of the 12 sub-challenges our modeling approach achieved performance equal to or higher than 0.7 ROC-AUC showing strong overall performance. Best performance was achieved in sub-challenges NR.AR_LBD, NR.ER_LDB and NR.PPAR_gamma, where ROC-AUC of 0.756, 0.790 and 0.803 was achieved accordingly. These results show that computational methods based on machine learning techniques are well suited to support and play critical role in toxicological research.
X-ray guided three-dimensional diffuse optical tomography of osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis in finger joints: A comparable study

This goal of this study was to employ x-ray guided diffuse optical tomography to investigate the typical and quantitative optical findings that can be used to distinguish between osteoarthritis (OA) and psoriatic arthritis (PA) patients as well as healthy volunteers. Enhanced x-ray guided reconstruction results show that the optical properties between OA, PA and healthy joints are clearly different, suggesting that these functional imaging parameters could be used to diagnose OA or PA and monitor its progression.
Camurati-Engelmann Disease

Clinical characteristics Camurati-Engelmann disease (CED) is characterized by hyperostosis of the long bones and the skull, proximal muscle weakness, limb pain, a wide-based, waddling gait, and joint contractures. Facial features such as macrocephaly, frontal bossing, enlargement of the mandible, proptosis, and cranial nerve impingement resulting in facial palsy are seen in severely affected individuals later in life. Diagnosis/testing The diagnosis of CED is established in a proband with the characteristic radiographic findings or (if radiographic findings are inconclusive) on identification of a heterozygous pathogenic variant in TGFB1 by molecular genetic testing. Management Treatment of manifestations: Corticosteroid therapy as needed to control symptoms; losartan may be a helpful adjuvant therapy to minimize the need for steroids to control pain. Pain is also managed with analgesics and non-pharmacologic methods. Craniectomy may be needed to reduce intracranial pressure and relieve symptoms in individuals with several cranial sclerosis. Bilateral myringotomy can improve conductive hearing loss resulting from serous otitis. Prevention of secondary complications: Monitor blood pressure in individuals treated with corticosteroids and treat hypertension if necessary; individuals taking losartan also need regular blood pressure monitoring due to the increased risk for hypotension; taper corticosteroid dose as tolerated to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and compression fractures of the spine. Surveillance: Following initiation of corticosteroid treatment, blood pressure should be monitored monthly; when maintenance steroid dose is achieved, yearly evaluation includes complete neurologic examination, CBC, blood pressure, audiology evaluation, ophthalmology evaluation, and bone density scan; routine monitoring of linear growth in children due to the possible side effect of delayed or stunted growth; individuals with cranial hyperostosis (including those treated surgically) should continue to be monitored for signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Genetic counseling CED is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Penetrance is reduced. The incidence of de novo pathogenic variant is unknown. Each child of an individual with CED has a 50% chance of inheriting the TGFB1 pathogenic variant. Prenatal testing for a pregnancy at increased risk and preimplantation genetic testing are possible for families in which the pathogenic variant has been identified.
Histone Modifications in the Nervous System and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

A decade of research has shown that epigenetic mechanisms are essential in the regulation of neuronal gene expression. The post-translational modification of histone proteins has been the most studied of these mechanisms, especially the marks of acetylation, phosphorylation, and methylation. Changes in histone modification have been observed in multiple brain regions, associated with numerous functions including associative memory formation, spatial learning, memory extinction, and long-term potentiation. Dysregulation of histone modification has been linked to developmental disorders, cognitive decline in aging, addiction, and neuropsychiatric and mood disorders. Pharmacological manipulation of histone modifying enzymes has been explored in both of these contexts, to enhance or restore cognition or as a therapy for disease. In this chapter, we discuss the relationship between histone modification and other epigenetic mechanisms, and we also provide an overview of the research that has implicated post-translational histone modifications in the functions and disorders of the central nervous system.
Localized dielectric breakdown and antireflection coating in metal–oxide–semiconductor photoelectrodes

Silicon-based photoelectrodes for solar fuel production have attracted great interest over the past decade, with the major challenge being silicon's vulnerability to corrosion. A metal-insulator-semiconductor architecture, in which an insulator film serves as a protection layer, can prevent corrosion but must also allow low-resistance carrier transport, generally leading to a trade-off between stability and efficiency. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a general method to decouple the two roles of the insulator by employing localized dielectric breakdown. This approach allows the insulator to be thick, which enhances stability, while enabling low-resistance carrier transport as required for efficiency. This method can be applied to various oxides, such as SiO2 and Al2O3. In addition, it is suitable for silicon, III-V compounds, and other optical absorbers for both photocathodes and photoanodes. Finally, the thick metal-oxide layer can serve as a thin-film antireflection coating, which increases light absorption efficiency.
Attentional Activation of Cortico-Reticulo-Thalamic Pathways Revealed by Fos Imaging

The brain of conscious animals and humans is constantly inundated by myriads of stimuli of different kinds (visual, acoustic, etc.); however only a fraction of them reaches awareness and control of behavior. Selective attention filters relevant from behaviorally irrelevant stimuli (Desimone and Duncan, 1995). There is considerable evidence in primates and humans that responses in several visual cortical areas, including the primary visual cortex, can be modulated by visual attention (Motter, 1993; Brefczynski and DeYoe, 1999; Ito and Gilbert, 1999). A role of the thalamic reticular nucleus in attentional processes was earlier hypothesized (Yingling and Skinner, 1977; Crick, 1984). However, attentional modulation of cortico-reticulo-thalamic pathways has only recently been addressed experimentally (Montero, 1999; 2000). The GABAergic thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is strategically located to influence thalamocortical interactions by virtue of being in the pathway of glutamatergic thalamo-cortical and cortico-thalamic axons (Montero and Wenthold, 1989; Deschenes and Hu, 1990; Von Krosigk et al., 1999), from which it receives synapses (Ohara and Lieberman, 1981; Montero, 1989), and projecting back inhibitory synapses into specific thalamic nuclei (Montero and Scott, 1981; Montero, 1983; Peschanski et al., 1983). The TRN is subdivided into different sectors that are related to neocortical areas and their specific thalamic nuclei (Jones, 1975). In the rat, the visual, acoustic and somatic sectors are located in caudo-dorsal, caudo-ventral and central parts of the nucleus, respectively (Shosaku et al., 1989). The TRN receives topographically organized projections from primary cortical sensory areas (Montero et al., 1977) which, by forming the vast majority of synapses in this nucleus (Liu and Jones, 1999), suggest a topographically precise and predominant cortical control of its functions. The dependence of the visual sector of TRN
The role of federal regulation in state and local governments and the potential impact of new reforms: An assessment of the effectiveness of reporting, disclosure, and funding

Abstract The state and local government accounting profession continues to contend with issues surrounding self-governance, funding for the profession's standard setting body, federal regulation and states' rights. Fiscal conditions, bankruptcies and struggling pension funds bring to question whether self-governance has been effective in the state and local government sector. Federal regulation has impacted the government accounting sector but to a much lesser extent than in the private sector. With new discussion by lawmakers in Washington regarding the appropriate levels of regulation, particularly surrounding the financial markets; more change could be on the horizon. This paper assesses the proper balance between self-governance and regulation in the government sector and how current considerations by policymakers could impact the profession.
New common program requirements for the resident physician workforce and the omission of strategic napping: A missed opportunity.

Objectives Napping has known benefits for fatigue mitigation and improved alertness. However the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) New Common Program Requirements recently removed the 16 h work limit for PGY1 residents and removed any suggestions of napping. Methods We utilized a cross-sectional study design to administer a 44-item questionnaire in June 2016 to 858 residents and fellows at one large urban academic medical center. We assessed: 1) resident physician sentiment of work environment supportiveness for napping at work; and 2) agreement with 2011 ACGME guidelines on workweek hour limitations and strategic napping recommendations. Results While 89% of residents reported access to an on-call room at work, only 20% felt their work environment supported a culture of napping while at work. Over 76% expressed agreement with the 2011 ACGME work-hour restrictions. Conclusions Strategies to support napping and well-being within the resident physician workforce and organizational setting are warranted.
Mitofusin 1 and optic atrophy 1 shift metabolism to mitochondrial respiration during aging.

Summary Replicative and chronological lifespan are two different modes of cellular aging. Chronological lifespan is defined as the duration during which quiescent normal cells retain their capacity to re-enter the proliferative cycle. This study investigated whether changes in metabolism occur during aging of quiescent normal human fibroblasts (NHFs) and the mechanisms that regulate these changes. Bioenergetics measurements were taken in quiescent NHFs from younger (newborn, 3-day, 5-month, and 1-year) and older (58-, 61-, 63-, 68-, and 70-year) healthy donors as well as NHFs from the same individual at different ages (29, 36, and 46 years). Results show significant changes in cellular metabolism during aging of quiescent NHFs: Old NHFs exhibit a significant decrease in glycolytic flux and lactate levels, and increase in oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and ATP levels compared to young NHFs. Results from the Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test show that old NHFs with a lower Bioenergetic Health Index (BHI) are more prone to oxidative stress compared to young NHFs with a higher BHI. The increase in OCR in old NHFs is associated with a shift in mitochondrial dynamics more toward fusion. Genetic knockdown of mitofusin 1 (MFN1) and optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) in old NHFs decreased OCR and shifted metabolism more toward glycolysis. Downregulation of MFN1 and OPA1 also suppressed the radiation-induced increase in doubling time of NHFs. In summary, results show that a metabolic shift from glycolysis in young to mitochondrial respiration in old NHFs occurs during chronological lifespan, and MFN1 and OPA1 regulate this process.
Usefulness of Coronary Artery Calcium to Predict Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction in Men Versus Women (from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis)

We studied the association of coronary artery calcium (CAC) and risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) among men and women in a multiethnic cohort. Coronary artery disease is a risk factor for development of HFpEF and assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis using CAC may allow for the early identification of patients at risk for HFpEF. We used data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. CAC was measured at baseline in all participants. Incident HFpEF was defined as heart failure hospitalization with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate HFpEF risk by CAC categories (0, 1 to 100, 101 to 300, and >300) and by CAC (continuous), stratified by gender and race/ethnicity. Of 6809 total participants, 127 incident HFpEF cases (1.8%) were ascertained. Mean age was 62 years (±10 years), and the participants were 53% female, 38% White, and 12% Black. In adjusted analysis, CAC >300 was associated with increased risk of HFpEF (hazard ratio [HR] 1.68, 95% confidence interval [95 CI] 1.00, 1.83); however, this was significant only in women (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.32, 6.00 vs HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.46, 1.82 for men, interaction p = 0.03). Similarly, CAC modeled as a continuous variable was strongly predictive in women but not in men. In conclusion, measurement of CAC, a marker of coronary atherosclerosis, may stratify risk of HFpEF beyond traditional risk factors for women. Further investigation is needed to better understand potential gender differences in pathophysiology and presentation of HFpEF.
Mechanisms of Predisposition to Pneumonia: Infants, the Elderly, and Viral Infections

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a medically important opportunistic pathogen. Serious disease, such as pneumonia and invasive infections, typically occurs in individuals who are at the extremes of age and/or in those who are immunocompromised. In these individuals, and during the less common infection of otherwise healthy young adults, pneumococcal disease frequently develops as the result of a preceding viral infection that skews the host response. This chapter reviews the molecular mechanisms that underlie susceptibility to pneumococcal infection. We discuss the susceptibility of infants to invasive disease, genetic mutations that specifically lead to enhanced vulnerability to the pneumococcus, reasons for the inability of the elderly to adequately respond to S. pneumoniae both in the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system, and how HIV and influenza enhance susceptibility to pneumococcal colonization, augment disease severity, and facilitate S. pneumoniae transmission to a naive host.
Surgical outcomes for diverticulitis in young patients: results from the NSQIP database

The incidence of diverticulitis is increasing among young patients (≤ 50 years), as are rates of recurrent disease. There is ongoing controversy regarding the best management strategy for this patient group. Guidelines have changed from elective colectomy after a single episode to a more individualized approach no longer based on patient age. This study investigated the clinical presentation and surgical outcomes of young patients undergoing surgery for diverticulitis over two time periods. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was searched from 2005 to 2014 to identify all patients ≤ 50 with a diagnosis of diverticulitis. Data were obtained on patient demographics, comorbidity, perioperative details, and 30-day post-operative outcomes. Data were compared between two time periods, being 2005–2010 (Group 1) and 2011–2014 (Group 2). 10,844 patients were included in the analysis. The mean patient age was 43 years (range 18–50), and 35% were female. Significantly more patients were obese (BMI > 30) in Group 2 (52%) versus Group 1 (47%). Laparoscopic surgery and emergency surgery and perforation rates were significantly higher in Group 2. Wound infection was significantly less in Group 2. Post-operative organ/space infection and medical morbidity were significantly higher in Group 2. In recent years, there has been a change to a more conservative approach for elective colonic resection in young patients with a history of diverticulitis. Increasingly young patients presenting for surgery for diverticulitis are male and obese, and increased rates of post-operative medical morbidity have been observed. The laparoscopic approach is more common, with resultant increased operative times, and decreased wound infection rates. The observed increased in emergency surgery and perforation rates may be explained by the change in management approach with less elective resections.
Synthesis of the labile rhenium(I) complexes fac-Re(CO)3(L)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me] (where Fc = ferrocenyl; L = THF, H2O, alkyne) and alkyne addition to the diketonate ligand

Abstract Refluxing equimolar amounts of 1-ferrocenyl-1,3-butanedione (Fcacac) with BrRe(CO)5 in THF yielded the labile solvent complex fac-Re(CO)3 (THF)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me] (1) in 80% isolated yield. 1 may also be prepared in quantitative yield using fac-BrRe(THF)2(CO)3 as the starting rhenium complex. The THF molecule in 1 is replaced by H2O during chromatographic purification to furnish the corresponding aqua complex fac-Re(CO)3(H2O)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me] (2) while the reaction of 1 with PPh3 gives fac-Re(CO)3(PPh3)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me] (3). Treatment of 1 with the terminal alkynes phenylacetylene and methyl propiolate proceeds rapidly at room temperature to give the π intermediates fac-Re(CO)3 (alkyne)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me] [4 (PhC≡CH); 6 (MeO2CC CH)] that are not stable and undergo a 1,4-addition with regiospecific alkyne attack at the γ-methine site of the Fcacac moiety to afford fac-Re(CO)3 [κ3-C,O,O-FcC(O)CH(E-PhC = CH)C(O)Me] (5) and fac-Re(CO)3 [κ3-C,O,O-FcC(O)CH(Z-HC=CCO2Me)C(O)Me] (7). The solid-state structure for 5 and 7 was established by X-ray crystallography, and the computed mechanisms that account for the formation of these two products from 1 and alkyne are presented. 1 reacts with the internal alkyne dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to furnish the novel dimeric compound [fac-Re(CO)3{FcC(O)CH2C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)}]2 (9). The structure of 9 confirms the linking of the monomeric fac-Re(CO)3{FcC(O)CH2C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)} fragments through the intermolecular coordination of the ester oxygen atom associated with the α-carbomethoxy moiety of the E-metalated alkene; the latter moiety is traced to the initial DMAD insertion into the 6-membered metallocyclic ring in the π precursor fac-Re(CO)3 (MeO2CC CCO2Me)[κ2-O,O-FcC(O)CHC(O)Me].
Dynamics of Superclusters: Reconciling Omega 0 = 1.0 with Observations?

The dynamics of superclusters is investigated within the Zel'dovich quasi-linear approximation. The density and infall velocity field of a supercluster are calculated to quasi-linear order and then are used as input parameters to the standard model to yield an apparent value of Omega. An ensemble of superclusters seeded by the local maxima of a Gaussian delta field is constructed to yield a distribution of Omega(app) values. The resulting value of Omega(app) of a given supercluster depends on its stage of dynamical evolution and the magnitude of the shear component. Application of these calculations to the Local Supercluster shows that, where the density is measured in reshift space, an observed value of Omega of about 0.2 is consistent with an actual Omega(0) = 1.0. 57 refs.
Decidual Cell Function: Evidence for A Role in the Regulation of Serum CBG and A 60Kda Protein During Early Pregnancy in the Hamster

Several serum proteins increase in titer during pregnancy. We tested the hypothesis that decidual cells may signal the production of certain serum proteins in the hamster. Measurement of serum CBG by equilibrium binding using either [3H]-progesterone or [3H]-Cortisol in conjection with ion exchange chromatography showed that decidualization increased CBG levels. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that a 60Kda protein increases markedly in the serum of the hormonally pseudopregnant (PSP) animal soon after artificial induction of decidualization on PSP day 4. The 60Kda serum protein remains low in the nondecidualized PSP animal, but it increases in the pregnant gnimal. A photoaffinity labeling procedure was used to covalently bind [3H]-androstadienolone to CBG. Fluorography of 2D gels run under denaturing conditions established that the 60Kda protein did not bind steroid as did CBG (69Kda). To determine whether decidual cells could induce the 60Kda and CBG proteins, different numbers of decidual celjLs were injected IP into PSP recipients. A single injection of 50 x 10 decidual cells induced both serum proteins within 48h, whereas the same number of hamster fetal cells was ineffective. Thus, these results demonstrate that hamster decidual cells induce a 60Kda protein of unknown function and serum CBG. Since the decidual cell itself does not appear to be the source of either protein, it follows that the decidual cell signals the synthesis and secretion of these proteins elsewhere in the body, most likely in the liver. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that the decidual cell regulates serum CBG and other proteins in this manner.
Identification, measurement, and mitigation of key impurities in LiCl-Li2O used for direct electrolytic reduction of UO2

Abstract Direct electrolytic reduction (DER) of UO 2 utilizes a molten LiCl-Li 2 O electrolyte operating at 650 °C.Productive processes at the cathode are UO 2 and Li 2 O reduction (followed by metallothermic reduction of UO 2 by Li metal). Non-productive reduction current has been observed that could be attributed to impurities produced from interaction of the salt with water. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) scans of molten mixtures of LiCl containing Li 2 O, LiOH, and/or Li 2 O 2 indicate that LiOH is the primary cause of reduction current preceding UO 2 and Li 2 O reduction. LiOH reduction appears as a broad soluble-soluble transition and forms a pre-reduction plateau characteristic of micro-electrode reactions. Electrochemical response to LiOH in the salt is reduced with addition of Li 0 , providing a practical approach to eliminating LiOH from LiCl-Li 2 O salt before the DER process. Generation of H 2 gas was detected while heating Li 0 with LiCl-Li 2 O-LiOH, consistent with a reaction mechanism where LiOH reduction causes formation of Li 2 O and H 2 .
Spatial politics in the digital realm: the logistics/precarity dialectics and Deliveroo’s tertiary space struggles

This paper uses the case of mobilization of delivery workers from digital platform Deliveroo in order to illustrate the production of space of resistance, which develops as a result of the tension ...
Multivariate relationships between campus design parameters and energy performance using reinforcement learning and parametric modeling

Abstract For the past two decades, extensive research has been conducted to evaluate the performance of urban form scenarios such as sky view factors, solar radiation, or energy performance. The relationships between urban design parameters and multiple performance should be stipulated to evaluate scenarios for supporting timely and reliable design decisions. However, there are three major challenges: (1) only a few design alternatives are devised, (2) the multiple performance has not been provided synthetically, and (3) the relationships between design parameters and performance are difficult to be determined because they are multivariate relationships. This research proposes a new methodology applying a generative design approach using a reinforcement learning algorithm, a parametric performance modeling, and a multivariate adaptive regression splines approach to identify relationships between design parameters and urban performance. This research aims to support decision-making of urban design to achieve an energy efficient and visually qualified urban environment. A data-driven urban design approach is proposed to generate possible design alternatives using reinforcement learning, and a design-driven analysis is conducted to evaluate multiple performance of urban buildings using parametric modeling. The multivariate analysis presented relationships between urban geometric forms and performance criteria by using 30 samples. The findings show that to maintain optimal solar potential, the building coverage ratio is recommended to be bigger than 0.17. To maintain the optimal energy balance, the threshold for sky view factor is recommended as 54.17%. These relationships contribute to deriving design strategies and guidelines for designing a sustainable campus.
Anxiety symptoms are associated with smaller insular and orbitofrontal cortex volumes in late-life depression

Abstract Background Increasing understanding of the neural correlates of anxiety symptoms in late-life depression (LLD) could inform the development of more targeted and effective treatments. Methods Grey matter volume (GMV) was assessed with volumetric magnetic resonance imaging in a sample of 113 adults ≥60 years with MDD using the following regions of interest: amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and temporal cortex. Results After controlling for demographic (age, sex, education) and clinical variables (antidepressant use, anxiolytic use, duration of illness, medical comorbidity, cognitive functioning), greater severity of anxiety symptoms was associated with lower GMV bilaterally in the insula, F(1,102) = 6.63, p = 0.01, and OFC, F(1,102) = 8.35, p = 0.005. By contrast, depressive symptom severity was significantly associated with lower bilateral insula volumes, F(1,102) = 6.43, p = 0.01, but not OFC volumes, F(1,102) = 5.37, p = 0.02. Limitations Limitations include (1) the relatively mild nature of anxiety symptoms in our sample; (2) the cross-sectional research design, which prohibits inferences of directionality; (3) the relatively homogenous demographic of the sample, and (4) the exclusion of participants with significant psychiatric comorbidity, suicidality, or cognitive impairment. Conclusions Decreased OFC volumes may serve as a unique biomarker of anxiety symptoms in LLD. Future longitudinal and clinical studies with long-term follow up and more diverse samples will help further elucidate the biological, psychological, and social factors affecting associations between anxiety and brain morphology in LLD.
Mapping the Spatiotemporal Patterns of COVID-19 Risk in the United States

The newly discovered Novel Coronavirusâ€™s (COVID-19) transmission rate has been found by scientists to surpass any similar disease in history As of May 2020, CO
Leisure-time aerobic physical activity and the risk of diabetes-related mortality: An analysis of effect modification by race-ethnicity.

Abstract Aims To examine the relationship between aerobic moderate-to-vigorous intensity leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and the risk of diabetes-related mortality in the NHANES III (1988–1994) while considering potential effect modification by race-ethnicity. Methods The study sample (n = 14,006) included adults, 20–79 years of age, with Mobile Examination Center (MEC) data. An age-standardized physical activity score (PAS) was calculated from the self-reported frequency and intensity of 12 leisure-time aerobic activities. Three categories of PA were examined: inactive (PAS = 0), insufficiently active (PAS >0– Results A statistically significant reduction in risk was found for insufficiently active (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40–0.90) and active non-Hispanic black (NHB) (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.34–0.88). Among active non-Hispanic white (NHW), a similar pattern of risk reduction was found, however, this relationship was borderline significance (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35–1.02, p = 0.06). Conclusions Any volume of aerobic LTPA is beneficial in terms of reducing the risk of diabetes-related mortality. However, these benefits may differ by racial-ethnic group, with further research on health disparities in the area of PA being warranted.
Energy-Efficient Thermal Comfort Control in Smart Buildings

The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in commercial buildings consume 20%-40% of the USA's total building energy consumption. This paper proposes a novel energy-efficient thermal comfort model for smart building environment conditioning systems to reduce energy consumption and maximize occupants' thermal comfort in smart buildings. We propose the system design of a thermal comfort system that would increase comfort for building occupants to reduce energy consumption, even taking into account outliers in groups such as people of different ages. The data was collected in the sensing stage using the ASHRAE RP-884 database. We then adopt a machine learning approach for predicting the thermal sensation vote (TSV) of the thermal comfort model using different machine learning algorithms. This is accomplished by introducing four machine learning algorithms, including Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), and Decision Tree Regression (DTR). We evaluate the model using the test set's generalization error to determine how well the predicted model will perform. Finally, we conducted a simulation experiment to evaluate the performance of the proposed machine algorithms.
A Framework to Assess Alarm Fatigue Indicators in Critical Care Staff

This article examines work-related and Personality personality factors that could influence health providers in experiencing alarm fatigue. The purpose of this study is to provide a basis to determine factors that may predict the potential of alarm fatigue in critical care staff. Design A questionnaire-based survey and an observational study were conducted to assess factors that could contribute to indicators of alarm fatigue. Interventions Factors included patient-to-staff ratio, criticality of the alarm, priority of different tasks, and personality traits. Setting The study was conducted at an eight-bed ICU in a mid-size hospital in Montana. Subjects Data were collected for six day shifts and six night shifts involving 24 critical care professionals. Within each 12-hour shift, six 15-minute intervals were randomly generated through work sampling for 6 days; a total of 1,080 observations were collected. Measurements Alarm fatigue was assessed with the subjective workload assessment technique and Boredom, Apathy, and Distrust Affects, which were measured through validated questionnaires. The Big Five Personality model was used to assess personality traits. Main results Work factors including task prioritization, nurse-to-patient ratio, and length of shifts were associated with indicators of alarm fatigue. Personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism were also associated. Conclusions We recommend assessing personality traits for critical care staff to be aware of how their individualities can affect their behavior towards alarm fatigue. We also recommend an examination of alternative strategies to reduce alarm fatigue, including examining the use of breaks, work rotation, or shift reduction.
Unsupported Pt nanoparticles: Synthesis, Deactivation, and Hydrogen Electrocatalysis in Unpurified Electrolytes

We synthesized clean unsupported Pt nanoparticles (NPs) which can be used for any electrochemical measurements without the need for additional cleaning steps. In this report, we demonstrated the use of these unsupported Pt NPs for electrochemical reactions involving hydrogen. We further identified conditions under which Pt NPs deactivate in unpurified, reagent grade acid, and alkaline electrolytes, and differentiated between degradation mechanisms involving catalyst poisoning and particle growth. We monitored the degradation of Pt NPs as a function of a decrease in the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) at different applied potentials. The results obtained from the ECSA measurements were then correlated with the identical location transmission electron microscopy (IL-TEM) observations. At potentials less than 1 V vs RHE, catalyst poisoning was found to be a dominant cause for degradation while particle growth was dominant at 1.5 V vs RHE in both acid and alkaline electrolytes.
Factors Causing Unexpected Variations in Ada Benchmarks.

Abstract : One of the goals of the Ada Embedded Systems Testbed (AEST) Project is to assess the readiness of the Ada programming language and Ada tools for developing embedded system. The benchmarking and instrumentation subgroup within AEST Project is running various suites of Ada benchmarks to obtain data on the real-time performance of Ada on a number of different target systems. The purpose of this report is to categorize the factors have been observed, while others are more speculative in nature. All these factors should be understood if accurate, comparable, and repeatable performance data are to be produced by Ada benchmarks. Keywords: Compilers; Timing anomalies; System software effects; Hardware effects.
Outpatient evaluation of patients with atypical Papanicolaou smears: Contribution of endocervical curettage

A series of 603 patients referred with atypical Papanicolaou smears was evaluated by repeat smears, colposcopically directed cervical biopsies, and endocervical curettage. These techniques as a unit can establish an accurate outpatient diagnosis superior to any of these modalities used alone and comparable with findings in conization and hysterectomy specimens. Endocervical curettage has made a unique contribution to the evaluation of such patients; these curettings have allowed examination of tissue fragments and are more reliable in diagnosing neoplasia than are endocervical smears. Invasive carcinoma and its precursors confined to the anatomic endocervical canal can be recognized by this technique, and conversely the absence of neoplastic epithelium in adequate endocervical curettings rules out occult carcinoma. Indications for conization of the cervix are discussed in reference to the other biopsy and cytologic findings, and guidelines are presented for patient management, stressing clinicopathologic correlation and cooperation.
PREPARATION OF DROSOPHILA NUCLEI

Publisher Summary This chapter describes protocols for the preparation of Drosophila nuclei. The protocols describe large-scale procedures for the isolation of nuclei in three main steps: isolation, disruption, and recovery. The isolation begins with the removal of the chorion. This is followed by disruption of the embryos and recovery of nuclei. Gloves should be worn at all times to avoid contaminating the nuclei with degradative enzymes found on the hands. All buffers are prepared fresh and kept on ice. Embryos 6–18 hr old are found to be a good source of material for the preparation of nuclei, chromatin, DNA, RNA, and proteins. Twenty to forty grams of embryos are obtained and stored at –80°C. Any large clumps can be broken up while the material is still frozen. For a variety of problems it may be necessary to isolate large amounts of nuclei from stages other than embryos. The chapter discusses small-scale procedures that could be used as a starting point for developing large-scale protocols for larvae and adults.
A Monte Carlo approach to numerical deconvolution

In this paper, a numerical procedure for solving deconvolution problems is presented. The procedure is based on the Monte-Carlo method which statistically estimates each element in the deconvolved excitation. A discrete Fourier transform technique is used to improve the quality of these estimates for a prescribed amount of computation.
Dopaminergic genetic variation moderates the effect of nicotine on cigarette reward

Cigarette smoking is influenced by nicotine’s effects on dopaminergic activity in the mesocorticolimbic pathway. This activity appears to be moderated by genetic variation, specifically a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the third exon of the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4). We examined whether this polymorphism along with three DRD4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs936460, rs936461, and rs12280580) moderate the influence of nicotine on subjective responses to cigarettes. White, non-Hispanic smokers (n = 96, cigarettes/day ≥15) attended two double-blind, counterbalanced experimental sessions, each preceded by overnight smoking abstinence. Participants smoked four nicotine (8.9 mg) or placebo (1.0 mg) cigarettes per session, with each cigarette followed by completion of the modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ). We examined the mCEQ composite score via 2 × 2 × 4 ANOVAs with genotype (major homozygotes versus minor carriers) as the between-subject factor and nicotine content and smoking bout as within-subject factors. Although DRD4 VNTR variation did not moderate overall nicotine response, there was a moderation of nicotine response over successive cigarettes. Smokers with fewer than seven repeats for the DRD4 VNTR reported markedly reduced craving, increased satisfaction, and a greater calming effect in response to earlier smoked nicotine cigarettes, whereas those with seven or more repeats did not. In addition, minor carriers for all three DRD4 SNPs displayed blunted overall response to nicotine. These findings provide support for DRD4 variation as an informative predictor of subjective responses to nicotine. We discuss how these data may lead to improved tailoring of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies.