cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of endothelial insulin signaling in the regulation of vascular tone and insulin resistance

Insulin receptors (IRs) on vascular endothelial cells have been suggested to participate in insulin-regulated glucose homeostasis. To directly address the role of insulin action in endothelial function, we have generated a vascular endothelial cell IR knockout (VENIRKO) mouse using the Cre-loxP system. Cultured endothelium of VENIRKO mice exhibited complete rearrangement of the IR gene and a more than 95% decrease in IR mRNA. VENIRKO mice were born at the expected Mendelian ratio, grew normally, were fertile, and exhibited normal patterns of vasculature in the retina and other tissues. Glucose homeostasis under basal condition was comparable in VENIRKO mice. Both eNOS and endothelin-1 mRNA levels, however, were reduced by approximately 30–60% in endothelial cells, aorta, and heart, while vascular EGF expression was maintained at normal levels. Arterial pressure tended to be lower in VENIRKO mice on both low- and high-salt diets, and on a low-salt diet VENIRKO mice showed insulin resistance. Thus, inactivation of the IR on endothelial cell has no major consequences on vascular development or glucose homeostasis under basal conditions, but alters expression of vasoactive mediators and may play a role in maintaining vascular tone and regulation of insulin sensitivity to dietary salt intake.
Congenital dorsal penile curvature: A potential problem of the long phallus

AbstractPurpose: We report the results of surgical correction of severe congenital dorsal penile curvature associated with a long slender phallus.Materials and Methods: In the last 7 years we treated 16 boys with a mean age of 2 years 10 months who had severe dorsal penile curvature. The series included 5 patients with megameatus variant hypospadias and a full foreskin, 3 who presented with hypospadias and 8 who were referred when dorsal penile curvature was noticed by the family or primary physician. Mean penile length was 6.5 cm. without stretching. In each case length was greater than 2 standard deviations above the mean for patient age. Penile circumference decreased from a mean of 4.2 cm. at the base of the shaft to 4.1 cm. at the mid shaft and 3.7 cm. at the corona. Penile circumference was generally normal for patient age until corrected for length, when it was revealed to be small. Surgical correction of severe curvature was performed in 14 patients, while 2 who presented as newborns had remarkabl...
“Greater, more honorable and more useful to the republic”: Plebeian offices in Machiavelli's “perfect” constitution

This article is part of a larger project that seeks to retrieve a forgotten or lost form of constitutionalism, one which aspires to prevent socioeconomic inequality from translating into political inequality and, hence, better to ensure the liberty of average citizens.1 This more democratic constitutional model does not presuppose “the people” to be a unitary, homogenous sovereign subject, and it does not fix general election as the primary means of appointing public officials. This alternative constitutional model differs markedly from post–eighteenth-century constitutionalism in three primary ways: it excludes wealthy citizens from important legislative assemblies and executive offices; it appoints public magistrates through a lottery or through a mixture of lottery and election; and it leaves to the ultimate judgment of the entire citizenry the punishment of public officials or private individuals indicted for political crimes. Niccolo Machiavelli, virtually alone among all the major advocates of republican government from Aristotle, Cicero, Guicciardini, and Montesquieu through Madison and beyond, argued that common citizens, in order to live free from oppression by
A Review of “Performed culture: an approach to East Asian language pedagogy”

With the increasing interest in East Asian languages (EAL) and cultures in North America over the past few decades, enrollments in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language courses at colleges and uni...
Series resonant converter with inductive output filter

A resonant converter topology using nonresonant coupling between the rectifier and resonant circuits is presented. This converter has many advantages over the conventional series resonant converter, such as better control characteristics, lower component stresses, and better stability. The analysis and design of this converter are presented for both the continuous and the discontinuous conduction modes. Computer simulation results are used to verify the theoretical work. >
A NOTE ON CALCULATION OF WAVES IN A CYLINDRICAL SHELL

Abstract : Several techniques for the computation of the relatively long time response of a cylindrical (membrane) shell to longitudinal impact are discussed. Implicit numerical schemes are compared to a purely characteristic scheme and a loss of definition is observed with the implicit schemes. Previously obtained asymptotic results are used to verify the remarks made concerning numerical integration. (Author)
Observing and Simulating the Summertime Low-Level Jet in Central Iowa

AbstractIn the U.S. state of Iowa, the increase in wind power production has motivated interest into the impacts of low-level jets on turbine performance. In this study, two commercial lidar systems were used to sample wind profiles in August 2013. Jets were systematically detected and assigned an intensity rating from 0 (weak) to 3 (strong). Many similarities were found between observed jets and the well-studied Great Plains low-level jet in summer, including average jet heights between 300 and 500 m above ground level, a preference for southerly wind directions, and a nighttime bias for stronger jets. Strong vertical wind shear and veer were observed, as well as veering over time associated with the LLJs. Speed, shear, and veer increases extended into the turbine-rotor layer during intense jets. Ramp events, in which winds rapidly increase or decrease in the rotor layer, were also commonly observed during jet formation periods. The lidar data were also used to evaluate various configurations of the Weat...
Ultrasound image deconvolution using adaptive inverse filtering

Clinical ultrasound image quality typically suffers from reduced resolution due to the effects of limited effective aperture size (convolutional blurring), out-of-focus blurring and noise. Speckle noise in ultrasound images can be especially troublesome and significantly deteriorates image quality. This paper discusses the use of a novel approach developed for optical microscope images and applied to ultrasound. In earlier research, 3D microscope images were successfully deconvolved using an adaptive, least-mean-square solution to a statistical Wiener filter. The filter can be applied to two and three-dimensional images as a finite impulse response (FIR) filter solved adaptively using an inverse model of the point-spread-function (PSF). For ultrasound, the filter can be solved using the response to a phantom where the desired result is known a priori. The filter is solved adaptively to minimize the mean-square-error. The resulting filter can then be applied to any image acquired with the same transducer array and instrument parameters. The application of this type of filter to ultrasound is in the preliminary stages with some partial success obtained so far. Preliminary results are shown on phantom and clinical ultrasound data (courtesy of Diasonics, Inc.) processed by this method. The results are promising for improving resolution and minimizing noise.
Adolescent Female Athletes' Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 1993 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance (YRBS) of a sample of U.S. female adolescents (N = 7839) were compared to a cohort of 9th through 12th grade high performance female athletes (N = 141) with regard to risk-taking behavior on eight items related to sexual activity (i.e., ever engaged in sexual intercourse, age of first sexual intercourse, number of lifetime sexual partners, current sexual activity, condom use, use of the birth control pill, contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and incidence of alcohol or drug use prior to last sexual activity). Chi-square analyses (p < .05) showed that with the exception of alcohol or drug use prior to last sexual activity, and use of birth control pills, the six other risk-taking behaviors were significantly different between the U.S. female sample and the female athletes. In all instances, except for contracting an STD, U.S. females reported engaging in sexual risk-taking behaviors more frequently than the high performance athletes, and furthermore, were more likely to be sexually active than the high performance athletes (50% vs. 21%). Among the high performance athletes, only lifetime sexual activity showed significant difference by grade, with sophomores and seniors reporting more frequent involvement in sexual activity. These findings suggest that participation in a high performance sports activity is positively associated with some reduced sexual risk-taking behaviors for adolescent females.
Zinc intake and risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: a prospective cohort study

Background: Diet plays a role in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Dietary zinc may influence risk of disease through effects on autophagy, innate and adaptive immune response and maintenance of the intestinal barrier. Methods: We analysed data from 170 776 women from the Nurses Health Study I and Nurses Health Study II, who were followed for 26 years. Zinc intake was assessed using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires administered every 4 years. Incident CD and UC were ascertained by medical record review. Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for potential confounders determined the independent association between zinc intake and incident disease. Results: Over 3 317 550 person-years (p-y) of follow-up, we identified 269 incident cases of CD and 338 incident cases of UC. Zinc intake ranged from 9 mg/day in the lowest quintile to 27 mg/day in the highest quintile. Compared with women with the lowest quintile of intake, the multivariate hazard ratios (HR) for CD were 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65 – 1.29) for women in the second quintile of intake, 0.60 (95% CI, 0.40 – 0.89) for the third quintile, 0.57 (95% CI, 0.38 – 0.86) for fourth quintile and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.50 – 1.10) for the highest quintile (Ptrend = 0.003). The association was stronger for dietary zinc (HR 0.63, 95% CI, 0.43 – 0.93, comparing extreme quintiles) than for zinc intake from supplements. Neither dietary nor supplemental zinc modified risk of UC. Conclusions: In two large prospective cohorts of women, intake of zinc was inversely associated with risk of CD but not UC.
Preserving temporal relations in clinical data while maintaining privacy

Objective Maintaining patient privacy is a challenge in large-scale observational research. To assist in reducing the risk of identifying study subjects through publicly available data, we introduce a method for obscuring date information for clinical events and patient characteristics. Methods The method, which we call Shift and Truncate (SANT), obscures date information to any desired granularity. Shift and Truncate first assigns each patient a random shift value, such that all dates in that patient’s record are shifted by that amount. Data are then truncated from the beginning and end of the data set. Results The data set can be proven to not disclose temporal information finer than the chosen granularity. Unlike previous strategies such as a simple shift, it remains robust to frequent – even daily – updates and robust to inferring dates at the beginning and end of date-shifted data sets. Time-of-day may be retained or obscured, depending on the goal and anticipated knowledge of the data recipient. Conclusions The method can be useful as a scientific approach for reducing re-identification risk under the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and may contribute to qualification for the Safe Harbor implementation.
Engineering Geology and the Planning Process: A Case Study of Hillslope Ordinance Development in Dallas, Texas

The White Rock Escarpment, a dominant physiographic feature of central Texas, can be traced for over 350 miles from south of San Antonio, Texas to north of Dallas, Texas. The escarpment is capped by the Cretaceous Austin Chalk Formation and underlain by the highly overconsolidated smectite clays of the Eagle Ford Shale. Development pressure along the escarpment in southwest Dallas prompted a detailed study of this landform by the Planning Department of the City of Dallas. Guidelines and subsequent ordinances for development along the escarpment were based on combined data from geology, soils, physiography, vegetation, and engineering analysis. A “no-build corridor” was adopted by the City Council eight years after initiation of the original study. This corridor parallels the chalk/shale contact and establishes set-backs from the crest and toe of the slope. Building within this zone necessitates a permit which requires detailed geotechnical evaluation, soil erosion control plans, grading plans, and vegetation clearance plans. Effective use of geologic information in the planning process involves education of the planning staff, developers, and city officials as to the relative tolerances of the natural system to the potential impacts of urbanization. As in the case of this study, examples of such impacts can be taken from other municipalities which have more extensive histories of development on the same toposequence; areas of similar geology, soils, and slope. The escarpment ordinance and accompanying research have been shown to produce cost savings to both the city and developers, as well as subsequent homeowners.
Bactericidal Action of Pectin Containing Nickel.

SummaryPectin containing 0.22% or more nickel, after being subjected to certain thermal conditions and in a certain pH range, was found to have a slow bactericidal action when tested with E. coli and certain other bacteria. Other pectins which contained no nickel failed to demonstrate this activity.
An Infinite Order Discrete Variable Representation of an Effective Mass Hamiltonian: Application to Exciton Wave Functions in Quantum Confined Nanostructures.

We describe an extension of the conventional Fourier grid discrete variable representation (DVR) to the bound state problem of a particle with a position-dependent mass. An infinite order DVR, derived for a variable mass kinetic energy operator, coupled with an efficient grid contraction scheme yields essentially exact eigenvalues for a chosen grid spacing. Implementation of the method is shown to be very practical due to the fact that in a DVR no integral evaluation is necessary and that the resultant kinetic energy matrix is sparse. Numerical calculations are presented for exciton states of spherical, cylindrical, and toric Type I (CdSe/ZnS) core–shell quantum dots. In these examples, electron–hole interaction is treated explicitly by solving a self-consistent Schrodinger–Poisson equation on a contracted DVR grid. Prospective applications of the developed approach to calculating electron transfer rates between adsorbed molecular acceptors and quantum confined nanocrystals of generic shape, dimensionalit...
Lunar Interferometric Radio Array: A Telescope Concept Uniquely Enabled by the Lunar Far Side

NASA’S plan to return to the moon by 2020 raises the possibility of conducting science specifically enabled by unique characteristics of the lunar surface. One such science objective is the study of the Epoch of Reionization in the formation of the universe , which has been given top priority by the 2001 National Research Council’s Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey. The “Epoch of Reionization” is the period of transition of the universe from its early state of close -to-perfect uniformity to one of galaxies and inhomogeneous structures, and is currently an area where data is much needed. This period is best studied in the radio waveband, especially at low frequencies, which are inacce ssible to ground observatories. In addition, these low frequency waves offer a window on the universe that is unexplored at present. This increases the potential for new and unexpected discoveries. The lunar far side provides an ideal radio -quiet environment essential to observe this period in the universe’s history. Such an environment is unavailable on Earth or in near-Earth space. This paper presents the design of a lunar telescope facility that provides the capability to observe the “Epoch of Reionization” by placing a radio array on the far side of the moon. This array is envisioned to consist of 3440 simple radio dipoles, arranged in 215 clusters over an area 62 kilometers in radius, which provides a resolution of 12 arcminutes, to observe the Epoch of Reionization. Highlights of the design include a light weight, self-deploying structure, a high data -rate wireless communication system, autonomous deployment, and high modularity of system elements. This project is designed to provide value to the exploration community in addition to the science community by leveraging planned lunar exploration architecture transportation elements , including the Ares V launcher, unmanned surface transportation rovers, and communications infrastructure. Additionally, the modularity of the design makes it highly robust from both a technical and a programmatic standpoint.
Fault Analysis of Earth Flashover in Interior of Miniaturization Breaker

In the light of the earth flashover fault in interior of miniaturization breaker in Shaanxi grid in recently years,combined with the correlative notes when the fault occurs,the relevant test after the fault and the disassembly inspection for fault breaker,this paper analyzes the main causes of the fault and proposes the corresponding preventive measures.
Antigüedad y distribución de la danza de los Voladores: águilas que descienden, corazones que ascienden

Aunque es dificil determinar donde se origino y cuales fueron los procesos de su dispersion, se sabe que el ritual del Volador se remonta al menos a 600 a.C. -es decir, se ha practicado por mas de 2.500 anos. Asimismo, en el ritual, ampliamente difundido en Mesoamerica, se sintetiza el precepto filosofico cuatripartita de tiempo y espacio.
Purse Parties: The Social Implications of Fake Luxury Parties

When designer products become pervasive in the marketplace, sometimes the original products are compromised and sold as counterfeit goods. Consequently, the global counterfeit luxury industry has grown to be a lucrative market. Counterfeit goods are replicated inauthentic designer brands (e.g., Prada, Louis Vuitton) that are sold through various channels across the globe. Counterfeit goods generate nearly $200 billion annually in losses for global manufacturers (Chiu et al. 2009).
Emotional intelligence in surgery is associated with resident job satisfaction.

Abstract Background Emotional intelligence (EI) has been associated with improved work performance and job satisfaction in several industries. We evaluated whether EI was associated with higher measures of work performance and job satisfaction in surgical residents. Methods We distributed the validated Trait EI Questionnaire and job satisfaction survey to all general surgery residents at a single institution in 2015. EI and job satisfaction scores were compared with resident performance using faculty evaluations of clinical competency–based surgical milestones and standardized test scores including the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE). Statistical comparison was made using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression adjusting for postgraduate year level. Results The survey response rate was 68.9% with 31 resident participants. Global EI was associated with scores on USMLE Step 2 (r = 0.46, P = 0.01) and Step 3 (r = 0.54, P = 0.01) but not ABSITE percentile scores (r = 0.06, P = 0.77). None of the 16 surgical milestone scores were significantly associated with global EI or EI factors before or after adjustment for postgraduate level. Global EI was associated with overall job satisfaction (r = 0.37, P = 0.04). Of the facets of job satisfaction, global EI was significantly associated with views of supervision (r = 0.42, P = 0.02) and nature of work (r = 0.41, P = 0.02). Conclusions EI was associated with job satisfaction and USMLE performance but not ACGME competency–based milestones or ABSITE scores. EI may be an important factor for fulfillment in surgical training that is not currently captured with traditional in-training performance measures.
Developing E-Government Coursework through the NASPAA Competencies Framework:

Information technology (IT) is often less emphasized in coursework related to public administration education, despite the growing need for technological capabilities in those joining the public se...
Contrast enhanced imaging with a stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) captures some depth information and thereby improves the conspicuity of breast lesions, compared to standard mammography. Using contrast during DBT may also help distinguish malignant from benign sites. However, adequate visualization of the low iodine signal requires a subtraction step to remove background signal and increase lesion contrast. Additionally, attention to factors that limit contrast, including scatter, noise, and artifact, are important during the image acquisition and post-acquisition processing steps. Stationary DBT (sDBT) is an emerging technology that offers a higher spatial and temporal resolution than conventional DBT. This phantom-based study explored contrast-enhanced sDBT (CE sDBT) across a range of clinically-appropriate iodine concentrations, lesion sizes, and breast thicknesses. The protocol included an effective scatter correction method and an iterative reconstruction technique that is unique to the sDBT system. The study demonstrated the ability of this CE sDBT system to collect projection images adequate for both temporal subtraction (TS) and dual-energy subtraction (DES). Additionally, the reconstruction approach preserved the improved contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) achieved in the subtraction step. Finally, scatter correction increased the iodine signal and CNR of iodine-containing regions in projection views and reconstructed image slices during both TS and DES. These findings support the ongoing study of sDBT as a potentially useful tool for contrast-enhanced breast imaging and also highlight the significant effect that scatter has on image quality during DBT.
Introducing Students to a Synthetic and Spectroscopic Study of the Free Radical Chlorine Dioxide

This advanced undergraduate chemistry laboratory exercise takes advantage of the unique spectroscopic properties of the free radical chlorine dioxide to allow for a direct comparison of its symmetric stretch in both the ground and excited states. It incorporates several subject areas covered in an undergraduate chemistry degree (synthesis, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry) and is suitable for an advanced level inorganic, physical, or integrated chemistry laboratory course. Students synthesize aqueous chlorine dioxide, analyze a vibronic progression of the symmetric stretch in the excited state using UV–vis spectroscopy, and also record the energy of the symmetric stretch in the ground state using Raman spectroscopy. In addition to offering advanced undergraduate students the opportunity to study the chemistry of a radical first-hand, this exercise also reinforces the use of synthetic techniques for the purpose of studying how a molecule’s physical properties vary with the electronic state. An opt...
Hand Surgery Resources Exceed American Health Literacy.

Background: The National Institutes of Health, American Medical Association, and US National Library of Medicine recommend that educational material for patients be written at a sixth-grade reading...
Academic status does not affect outcome following complex hepato-pancreato-biliary procedures

There is a growing debate regarding outcomes following complex hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) procedures. The purpose of our study is to examine if facility type has any impact on complications, readmission rates, emergency department (ED) visit rates, and length of stay (LOS) for patients undergoing HPB surgery. The SPARCS administrative database was used to identify patients undergoing complex HPB procedures between 2012 and 2014 in New York. Univariate generalized linear mixed models were fit to estimate the marginal association between outcomes such as overall/severe complication rates, 30-day and 1-year readmission rates, 30-day and 1-year ED-visit rates, and potential risk factors. Univariate linear mixed models were used to estimate the marginal association between possible risk factors and LOS. Facility type, as well as any variables found to be significant in our univariate analysis (p = 0.05), was further included in the multivariable regression models. There were 4122 complex HPB procedures performed. Academic facilities were more likely to have a higher hospital volume (p < 0001). Surgery at academic facilities were less likely to have coexisting comorbidities; however, they were more likely to have metastatic cancer and/or liver disease (p = 0.0114, < 0. 0001, and = 0.0299, respectively). Postoperatively, patients at non-academic facilities experienced higher overall complication rates, and higher severe complication rates, when compared to those at academic facilities (p < 0.0001 and = 0.0018, respectively). Further analysis via adjustment for possible confounding factors, however, revealed no significant difference in the risk of severe complications between the two facility types. Such adjustment also demonstrated higher 30-day readmission risk in patients who underwent their surgery at an academic facility. No significant difference was found when comparing the outcomes of academic and non-academic facilities, after adjusting for age, gender, race, region, insurance, and hospital volume. Patients from academic facilities were more likely to be readmitted within the first 30-days after surgery.
Blue-Light Therapy following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Effects on White Matter Water Diffusion in the Brain

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common and often inconspicuous wound that is frequently associated with chronic low-grade symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. Previous evidence suggests that daily blue-wavelength light therapy may be effective at reducing fatigue and improving sleep in patients recovering from mTBI. However, the effects of light therapy on recovering brain structure remain unexplored. In this study, we analyzed white-matter diffusion properties, including generalized fractional anisotropy, and the quantity of water diffusion in isotropic (i.e., isotropic diffusion, ISO) and anisotropic fashion (i.e., quantitative anisotropy, QA) for fibers crossing 11 brain areas known to be significantly affected following mTBI. Specifically, we investigated how six weeks of daily morning blue light exposure therapy (compared to an amber light placebo condition) impacted changes in white matter diffusion in individuals with mTBI. We observed a significant impact of the blue light treatment (relative to the placebo) on the amount of water diffusion (QA) for multiple brain areas, including the corpus callosum, anterior corona radiata, and thalamus. Moreover, many of these changes were associated with improvements in sleep latency and delayed memory. These findings suggest that blue-wavelength light exposure may serve as one of the potential non-pharmacological treatments for facilitating structural and functional recovery following mTBI; they also support the use of QA as a reliable neuro-biomarker for mTBI therapies.
Validation of mountain precipitation forecasts from the convection-permitting NCAR ensemble and operational forecast systems over the western United States

Abstract Convection-permitting ensembles can capture the large spatial variability and quantify the inherent uncertainty of precipitation in areas of complex terrain; however, such systems remain largely untested over the western United States. In this study, we assess the capabilities of deterministic and probabilistic cool-season quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) produced by the 10-member, convection-permitting (3-km horizontal grid spacing) NCAR Ensemble using observations collected by SNOTEL stations at mountain locations across the western United States and precipitation analyses from PRISM. We also examine the performance of operational forecast systems run by NCEP including the High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model, the NAM forecast system with a 3-km continental United States (CONUS) nest, GFS, and the Short-Range Ensemble Forecast system (SREF). Overall, we find that higher-resolution models, such as the HRRR, NAM-3km CONUS nest, and an individual member of the NCAR Ensemble, are m...
EFFECT OF PYRIDINE ON THE EXPRESSION OF CYTOCHROME P450 ISOZYMES IN PRIMARY RAT HEPATOCYTE CULTURE

In vivo administration of pyridine has been shown to increase theactivity and content of several forms of cytochrome P450 by transcriptionaland posttranscriptional mechanisms. The effect of pyridine on CYP1A andCYP2E1 isozymes was studied in a rat hepatocyte culture model. Hepatocyteswere isolated from non-induced rats and seeded onto matrigel-coated dishesand incubated in William's medium E containing 10% fetal calf serum,hormones, and essential metals. Cultures were treated with 0, 10 or 25 mMpyridine for 1-3 days and microsomes were isolated to determine catalyticactivity and for immunoblot analysis, and total RNA was isolated for mRNAdeterminations. CYP2E1 content, CYP2E1 mRNA, and CYP2E1 catalyzed oxidationof p-nitrophenol declined during culture to values of 3, 30 and 19%that of initial, non-cultured controls by day 3 of culture. Pyridineprevented this decline of CYP2E1 protein and activity such that60-80% original activity remained after 3 days of culture in thepresence of 25 mM pyridine. However, pyridine did not prevent the fall inCYP2E1 mRNA levels, nor did pyridine increase the content or activity ofCYP2E1 above initial values of microsomes from freshly isolated hepatocytes.Pyridine increased the content of CYP1A2 and the oxidation ofethoxyresorufin 2-4 fold compared to cultures incubated without pyridineover the 3 day culture period. CYP1A1 levels, which rapidly declined, wereinduced and maintained in the presence of pyridine. Pyridine increased CYP1Acontent and activity 2-3 fold over initial values of freshly isolatedhepatocytes. These increases were associated with corresponding increases inCYP1A mRNA levels. CYP1A2, but not CYP1A1, mRNA levels increased in thecultures incubated in the absence of pyridine. These results indicate thatpyridine has different effects on CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 in this hepatocyteculture model. Pyridine appears to modulate CYP2E1 levels byposttranscriptional mechanisms as CYP2E1 activity and content weremaintained in the presence of pyridine under conditions in which CYP2E1 mRNAlevels declined. These mechanisms may involve increased translationalefficiency of existing CYP2E1 mRNA or stabilization of CYP2E1 proteinagainst degradation. Pyridine increased CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 content, activityand mRNA levels, either inducing CYP1A transcription or stabilizing CYP1AmRNA. Hepatocyte cultures may be a useful model to study the interaction ofpyridine with P450 isozymes and their associated drug-mediated toxicity.
Cross-sex Hormones and Acute Cardiovascular Events in Transgender Persons: A Cohort Study.

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE), ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction in transgender persons may be related to hormone use. Objective To examine the incidence of these events in a cohort of transgender persons. Design Electronic medical record-based cohort study of transgender members of integrated health care systems who had an index date (first evidence of transgender status) from 2006 through 2014. Ten male and 10 female cisgender enrollees were matched to each transgender participant by year of birth, race/ethnicity, study site, and index date enrollment. Setting Kaiser Permanente in Georgia and northern and southern California. Patients 2842 transfeminine and 2118 transmasculine members with a mean follow-up of 4.0 and 3.6 years, respectively, matched to 48 686 cisgender men and 48 775 cisgender women. Measurements VTE, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction events ascertained from diagnostic codes through the end of 2016 in transgender and reference cohorts. Results Transfeminine participants had a higher incidence of VTE, with 2- and 8-year risk differences of 4.1 (95% CI, 1.6 to 6.7) and 16.7 (CI, 6.4 to 27.5) per 1000 persons relative to cisgender men and 3.4 (CI, 1.1 to 5.6) and 13.7 (CI, 4.1 to 22.7) relative to cisgender women. The overall analyses for ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction demonstrated similar incidence across groups. More pronounced differences for VTE and ischemic stroke were observed among transfeminine participants who initiated hormone therapy during follow-up. The evidence was insufficient to allow conclusions regarding risk among transmasculine participants. Limitation Inability to determine which transgender members received hormones elsewhere. Conclusion The patterns of increases in VTE and ischemic stroke rates among transfeminine persons are not consistent with those observed in cisgender women. These results may indicate the need for long-term vigilance in identifying vascular side effects of cross-sex estrogen. Primary Funding Source Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Image Analysis: Identification of Objects via Polynomial Systems

The problem is to identify a movable object that is in some sense known, if it is encountered later. Suppose we have a sensor, on a fixed radar station or a moving platform. We have an object, say object A, previously measured, with certain distinct identifiable points \(p_i.\) We know the distances between these points. We later encounter a similar object B and want to know if it is A. We have a sensor that sends and receives electronic signals, and so we measure the distances \(t_i\) from the sensor to the distinguished points on B.
Surgical Outcomes of Three vs Four Arm Robotic Partial Nephrectomy: Is the Fourth Arm Necessary?

Abstract Objective To compare the cost, efficacy, and safety of 3-arm versus 4-arm technique in robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN). Surgeons may either elect to utilize three vs four robotic instruments depending on preference. The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes between the two techniques. Methods RPNs from June 2016 to August 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor features, surgical parameters, and operative outcomes were evaluated. The number of arms used was determined. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student's t test, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney test. Results A total of 61 consecutive 3-arm RPNs and 59 consecutive 4-arm RPNs were evaluated. Mean tumor diameter and median nephrometry score were 3.4 cm (± 1.1 SD) and 7 (6-8 IQR) for the 3-arm group and 3.3 cm (±1.2 SD) and 6 (5-8 IQR) for the 4-arm group, respectively (size: p = 0.7, nephrometry: p = 0.07). Hospital length of stay, operative time, estimated blood loss, complication rate, blood transfusion rate, and readmission rate all demonstrated no statistically significant difference between 3-arm and 4-arm groups (p >0.05). Mean ischemia time was shorter by 5.1 minutes in the 4-arm group (p = 0.02). Rate of margin positivity was higher in the 4-arm group (0% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Conclusion RPN can be safely and effectively completed with 3-robotic arms. While there was increased ischemia time, the difference was small and likely not of clinical significance. The routine addition of the fourth robotic arm in RPN is not necessary.
Randomized controlled trial of transcranial magnetic stimulation in pregnant women with major depressive disorder

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects 10% of pregnancies. Because transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a nonmedication option, psychiatric patients who do not tolerate or prefer to avoid antidepressants are good candidates for TMS. Method In a randomized controlled trial of twenty-two women with MDD in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, subjects were randomized to active TMS (n=11) or sham TMS (n=11). This study took place at a single academic center. Subjects received 20 sessions of TMS to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 1 Hz as a single train of 900 pulses per session at 100% motor threshold. Estradiol and progesterone and were measured before session 1 and after session 20. Results Results demonstrated significantly decreased Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17) scores for the active compared to the sham group (p=0.003). Response rates were 81.82% for the active and 45.45% for the sham coil (p=0.088). Remission rates were 27.27% for the active 18.18% for the sham coil (p=0.613). Late preterm birth (PTB) occurred in three women receiving active TMS. All other maternal and delivery outcomes were normal. Conclusions Right-sided, low frequency TMS was effective in reducing depressive symptoms in this sample of pregnant women. There may be a possibility that TMS is associated with late PTB although a larger sample size would be needed for adequate power to detect a true difference between groups. This study demonstrated that TMS is low risk during pregnancy although larger trials would provide more information about the efficacy and safety of TMS in this population. This trial shows that an RCT of a biologic intervention in pregnant women with psychiatric illness can be conducted.
Successful Use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Respiratory Failure After Cranial Surgery.

Background The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiopulmonary support is indicated for refractory respiratory failure but carries a high morbidity and mortality in the neurosurgical setting due to associated risks of intracranial hemorrhage. Case Description We describe the case of a 62-year-old man who underwent craniotomy for resection of an esthesioneuroblastoma involving the anterior skull base and extending intracranially, through the cribriform plate into the right epidural space. He developed refractory hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure and circulatory shock in the immediate postoperative period. Our patient was successfully treated with ECMO after other aggressive resuscitative measures proved unsuccessful for several hours. The patient was managed with ECMO for 6 days, after which he was successfully weaned without developing any neurologic complications. Conclusion Our case report is significant because it describes the safe use of ECMO in a controversial setting because our patient had recently undergone craniotomy. We conclude that in dire circumstances the use of ECMO is appropriate and may be safe even in the setting of recent craniotomy.
Unseen, unheard and unprotected: prevalence and correlates of violence among female sex workers in Mozambique

Violence against women, including female sex workers, is a public health concern worldwide. This is the first study in Mozambique to estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with physical ...
Trilogy for troubleshooting convergence: Manipulation, structural imbalance, and storage rates

Abstract Historically unprecedented episodes of non-convergence occurred during 2005–2010 in Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) corn, soybean, and wheat futures contracts and Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBOT) wheat futures contracts. A trilogy of explanations has been offered to troubleshoot these episodes—manipulation, structural imbalances, and low storage rates. Theoretical and empirical analysis shows that convergence failures were generated by a disequilibrium between the higher market value of storage in the physical market for grain compared to the storage rate paid to holders of the delivery instrument for grain futures contracts. How to adjust storage rates higher in recognition of this market reality is a highly contentious issue in the grain industry.
Putting Human Rights up Front: Implications for Impartiality and the Politics of UN Peacekeeping

This article traces the origins, development and implications of Human Rights Up Front (HRuF), a bold and visionary initiative launched by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in 2013. While HRuF i...
Neuronal control of neurochemical processes in the basal ganglia.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the neuronal control of neurochemical processes in the basal ganglia. In the basal ganglia, primary interest is on the presence of dopamine. In mammals, the high concentration of dopamine in the basal ganglia is quite striking as compared to other areas of brain and there is now abundant evidence that the presence of this monoamine in the basal ganglia is a function of the existence of a direct projection of dopamine producing axons to the neostriatum from cell bodies in the substantia nigra. By application of the Fink and Heimer modification of the Nauta method for silver impregnation of degenerating axons and terminals, it has recently been possible to study the course and distribution of axon degeneration following lesions of the substantia nigra. It is emphasized that the effects of central lesions can lead to widespread and extensive loss of biologically active substances in areas far distant from the lesion. Thus, consideration must be given to the possibility that physiological and behavioral changes associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders may arise from restricted pathology in groups of neurons quite distant from regions of brain showing primary functional disturbances.
Development and characterization of a novel hybrid magnetorheological elastomer incorporating micro and nano size iron fillers

Abstract Owing to its benefit of changing stiffness, Magnetorheological Elastomers (MRE) can be effectively used as base isolator in buildings and bridges to resist unpredictable loading conditions e.g. seismic activities. This research aims to study the effects of using Iron nanoparticles in silicon rubber matrix on dynamic properties of MRE's and to make MRE more adaptable to seismic forces, specifically at high strains. Micro-sized iron particles were reduced to nanoparticles using a planetary ball milling machine. Samples, using a mixture of nano & microparticles were prepared for different percentage concentrations. The experimental test rig was set up for dynamic shear testing under known amplitude, frequency, and magnetic flux density summing up to total 180 tests. The experimental results revealed that the use of nanoparticles had a significant increase in the effective stiffness by 13% at higher strains and low flux values. Further attaining MR effect at a higher frequency is difficult using only larger sized fillers however for hybrid MREs, the magnetrheological effect was higher for higher frequency. The maximum MR effect was observed for samples with 40% iron content.
CuPd Nanoparticles as a Robust Catalyst for Electrochemical Allylic Alkylation.

An efficient CuPd nanoparticle (NP) catalyst (3 nm CuPd NPs deposited on carbon support) is designed for catalyzing electrochemical allylic alkylation in water/isopropanol (1:1 v/v) and 0.2 m KHCO3 solution at room temperature. The Pd catalysis was Pd/Cu composition-dependent, and CuPd NPs with a Pd/Cu ratio close to one are the most efficient catalyst for the selective cross-coupling of alkyl halides and allylic halides to form C-C hydrocarbons with product yields reaching up to 99 %. This NP-catalyzed electrochemical allylic alkylation expands the synthetic scope of cross-coupling reactions and can be further extended to other organic reaction systems for developing green chemistry electrosynthesis methods.
Resilience in the aftermath of hurricanes: Fluctuations in a Critically Endangered population of West Indian Woodpeckers Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus over two decades

Cyclonic storms (often called hurricanes, typhoons, or cyclones) often cause population declines in vulnerable bird species, and the intensity of these storms appears to be increasing due to climate change. Prior studies have reported short-term impacts of hurricanes on avifauna, but few have examined long-term impacts. Over two decades (1993–2018), we periodically surveyed a subspecies of West Indian Woodpecker Melanerpes superciliaris nyeanus on San Salvador, a small island in The Bahamas, to determine its distribution on the island, habitat use, and effects of hurricanes on abundance and population size. We conducted passive and playback surveys, supplemented with mist-netting. Woodpeckers were found only in the northern part of San Salvador, despite extensive surveys throughout other accessible areas of the island. Birds occupied areas with taller coppice adjacent to sabal palm Sabal palmetto groves, which were used for nesting. After hurricanes with >160 kph winds passed over San Salvador, woodpecker densities declined to 35–40% of pre-hurricane densities, but generally recovered back to pre-hurricane densities within 2–3 years. Based on an estimated density of woodpeckers within a ~1,400 ha occupied area, we calculated a population size of approximately 240 individuals (CI = 68-408). However, the population declined to far lower numbers immediately following hurricanes. Under IUCN Red List criteria, M. s. nyeanus classifies as ‘Critically Endangered’, and could be especially sensitive to future hurricanes if they occur at a high enough frequency or intensity to prevent the population from rebounding. Given the small size, isolation, and vulnerability of this population, we recommend preservation of the core habitat, continued monitoring, and further research. Our study shows that small, threatened bird populations can be resilient to the effects of hurricanes, but increased intensity of hurricanes, in combination with other threats, may limit this resilience in the future.
Dangerous Librarians: The Survival of Branch Libraries in New York’s Fiscal Crisis:

The recent history of urban public libraries reveals significant changes in the way librarians, city officials, and patrons understood the value of public institutions. Branch libraries in the Sout...
Low-Power Carrier-Envelope Phase Detection using Few-Cycle Pulse Pairs

The feasibility of carrier-envelope phase (CEP) detection using few-cycle pulse pairs is numerically analyzed in a two-level system. Much lower power requirement is demonstrated in comparison with single-pulse schemes.