cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of communication interface between power system and the Multi-Agents for micro-grid control

This paper presents the development of a communication framework for a Multi-Agent control system for autonomous microgrids. The power system is simulated using a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Script feature of RSCAD and file sharing protocol over the LAN is adopted for establishment of necessary communication between the agents and the RTDS. This interface does not use external hardware such as GTNET or DAQ tool box or FPGAs. This testbed is a useful tool for testing the MAS controller for the microgrids. This interface has a flexible communication structure to exchange the data. The link between the agents and the RTDS has been examined and the results are given.
Hybrid Origin and Genomic Mosaicism of Dubautia scabra (Hawaiian Silversword Alliance; Asteraceae, Madiinae)

Abstract Incongruence among different estimates of species relationships in plants, from different molecules, cytogenetic data, biogeographic data, morphological/anatomical data or other sources, has been used frequently as an indication of introgression, hybrid species origin, or chloroplast (cp) capture. In plants, these incongruences are most often seen between data derived from the nuclear vs. the cp genomes and the nuclear markers used for comparison usually have been from the nuclear ribosomal (nr) internal transcribed spacer region (ITS). The amount of genomic material shared between introgressing species can be highly variable. In some of these cases, other nuclear genomic regions have moved between species without leaving a signature on the nrITS. An example of well-supported phylogenetic incongruence is the placement of Dubautia scabra (DC.) D. D. Keck in the Hawaiian silversword alliance (HSA); evolutionary hypotheses for D. scabra based on molecular as opposed to cytogenetic data are strongly ...
Quantitative Data Analysis of Multiple Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Bibb County, Georgia

Objective This study aims to identify and evaluate significant risk factors associated with low birth weight in Bibb County, Georgia. Methods Data used in this study was obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Vital Records Offices. The sample consists of 2,346 white and black or African American women giving birth in Bibb County, Georgia in 2005. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors associated with low birthweight in Bibb County, Georgia. The multiple factors analyzed as independent variables included maternal race, maternal education, maternal age group, socioeconomic status, marital status, maternal tobacco use during pregnancy, maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, trimester mother began prenatal care and number of prenatal care visits mother received. The dependent variable analyzed was whether the infant was born low birth weight. Results Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant risk factor associated with low birth weight in 2005 was receiving less than six prenatal care visits (odds ratio [OR] = 3.6; 95% CI = 2.5, 5.3). Maternal education of 12th grade of less (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.3), maternal race of black or African American (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.5, 2.6), and use of tobacco during pregnancy (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.4) were also significant factors for low birth weight.
Synthesis of Catalytically Active Polymerase α by in Vitro Translation of Calf RNA

The cell-free synthesis of DNA polymerase in translation mixtures containing calf thymus total and poly (A+) RNA was examined using activity gel analysis and immunobinding with a monoclonal antibody to calf thymus α-polymerase. Activity gel analysis indicated that functional DNA polymerase catalytic polypeptides of Mr = 110, 000 to 120, 000 and Mr ~ 68, 000 were synthesized. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation of total RNA resulted in resolution and partial purification of the mRNAs encoding these two DNA polymerase polypeptides. Immunobinding experiments with the monoclonal antibody to calf α-polymerase confirmed that an immunoreactive polypeptide of 110 to 120 kilo-daltons had been formed in vitro. This polypeptide and the 68, 000-Mr polypeptide correspond in size to α-polymerase catalytic polypeptides observed in crude extracts of calf cells and in purified calf α-polymerase.
Re-Examining the African Diaspora in North America: Migration, Culture, and Citizenship in the Era of Globalization

The purpose of this paper is to further extend the scholarship of Toyin Falola on the topic of the Africa Diaspora with regard to continuous voluntary migrations of African-descended populations to the western world in the contemporary time period, with particular emphasis on the mid-western region of the United States. This paper will examine how Africans in the Diaspora (with particular emphasis on Cleveland, Ohio) are constantly engaged in processes of negotiation with regard to the survival of important African culturalisms, maintaining their own sense of identity in new geographical and political contexts, as well as the attainment of citizenship rights in the 21st century. The paper will also provide primary data from African immigrant communities in Cleveland, Ohio and will examine the nature of political and economic ties that they still maintain with the mother continent of Africa.
A hybrid land use regression/line-source dispersion model for predicting intra-urban NO2

Abstract Land use regression (LUR) has evolved as a standard tool for estimating intra-urban variation in long-term air pollution exposures. LUR, however, generally relies on observed spatial relationships between distributed sources and pollution measures, rather than meteorological or physio-chemical information. Incorporating traffic-meteorological interaction information into LURs via dispersion models may improve accuracy and physical interpretability. To examine whether deterministic dispersion output improves LUR predictions for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), we incorporated hourly Caline3QHCR dispersion information into existing winter-time regression models originally designed to disentangle effects of multiple sources (e.g., legacy industry, vehicle traffic) and concentration modifiers (e.g., elevation) across Pittsburgh, PA. Caline3QHCR output improved overall cross-validated R2 values by 0.10, 0.03, and 0.05 for the weekday, full-week, and merged years models, respectively. The addition of Caline3 output as an independent covariate effectively displaced two road-specific predictors, one built environment predictor and one meteorological predictor across two winter-season models. The incorporation of study-specific dispersion principles may corroborate overall LUR model interpretability and could be applied similarly to preexisting LUR models that lack strong source-concentration relationships. Model improvements were observed at sites with relatively higher NO2 concentrations that exhibited higher traffic volumes and were in closer proximity to roadways (
Multivalent dendrimer vectors with DNA intercalation motifs for gene delivery.

Poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers constitute an important class of nonviral, cationic vectors in gene delivery. Here we report on a new concept for dendrimer vector design based on the incorporation of dual binding motifs: DNA intercalation, and receptor recognition for targeted delivery. We prepared a series of dendrimer conjugates derived from a fifth generation (G5) PAMAM dendrimer, each conjugated with multiple folate (FA) or riboflavin (RF) ligands for cell receptor targeting, and with 3,8-diamino-6-phenylphenanthridinium (“DAPP”)-derived ligands for anchoring a DNA payload. Polyplexes of each dendrimer with calf thymus dsDNA were made and characterized by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurement. These studies provided evidence supporting polyplex formation based on the observation of tight DNA-dendrimer adhesion, and changes in particle size and surface charge upon coincubation. Further SPR studies to investigate the adhesion of ...
A Generalized Independence Condition and Error Correction Codes

(1960). A Generalized Independence Condition and Error Correction Codes. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 67, No. 3, pp. 228-231.
Experimental Pseudomonas pneumonia in leukopenic dogs: comparison of therapy with antibiotics and granulocyte transfusions.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia was produced in dogs with radiation- induced leukopenia to study the comparative efficacy of several different therapies. In a randomized control trial, five treatment regimens were compared: no antibiotics or granulocytes (controls), gentamicin (5 mg/kg/day), carbenicillin (500 mg/kg/day), gentamicin and carbenicillin (same dosages), and daily granulocyte transfusion (minimum 5 x 10(9) cells/day) plus gentamicin (5 mg/kg/day). The most effective therapy was gentamicin plus granulocyte transfusions. Gentamicin alone was not significantly better than no specific therapy. Carbenicillin with or without gentamicin gave intermediate results. This study further supports the utility of granulocyte replacement therapy of infections in severely granulocytopenic subjects. The results also indicate that the relative value of granulocyte transfusions depends upon the specific antibiotic regimen with which these transfusions are compared.
The n-Dimensional Pythagorean Theorem via the Divergence Theorem

(2008). The n-Dimensional Pythagorean Theorem via the Divergence Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 115, No. 5, pp. 456-457.
Action plans for COPD: strategies to manage exacerbations and improve outcomes

COPD is the third-largest killer in the world, and certainly takes a toll on the health care system. Recurrent COPD exacerbations accelerate lung-function decline, worsen mortality, and consume over US$50 billion in health care spending annually. This has led to a tide of payment reforms eliciting interest in strategies reducing preventable COPD exacerbations. In this review, we analyze and discuss the evidence for COPD action plan-based self-management strategies. Although action plans may provide stabilization of acute symptomatology, there are several limitations. These include patient-centered attributes, such as comprehension and adherence, and nonadherence of health care providers to established guidelines. While no single intervention can be expected independently to translate into improved outcomes, structured together within a comprehensive integrated disease-management program, they may provide a robust paradigm.
Initial Characterization of the Pig Skin Bacteriome and its Effect on in vitro Models of Wound Healing

Improved combat casualty care has increased survivability of traumatic wartime injuries, resulting in an emphasison longer-term outcome such as wound healing. Recent advances in understanding the r...
The Circulatory System in Liver Disease

In the cirrhotic liver, distortion of the normal liver architecture is caused by structural and vascular changes. Portal hypertension is often associated with a hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome in which cardiac output and heart rate are increased and systemic vascular resistance is decreased. The release of several vasoactive substances is the primary factor involved in the reduction of mesenteric arterial resistance, resulting in sodium and water retention with eventual formation of ascites. Management of these patients with acute cardiac dysfunction often requires invasive hemodynamic monitoring in an intensive care unit setting to tailor decisions regarding use of fluids and vasopressors.
Look, listen and find

The proposed system pioneers purely audiovisual geotagging at Earth scale.Our proposal builds on our previous expertise on environmental sound recognition.It outperforms all MediaEval2011 audiovisual and visual-content based geotaggers. Tagging videos with the geo-coordinates of the place where they were filmed (i.e. geotagging) enables indexing online multimedia repositories using geographical criteria. However, millions of non geotagged videos available online are invisible to the eyes of geo-oriented applications, which calls for the development of automatic techniques for estimating the location where a video was filmed. The most successful approaches to this problem largely rely on exploiting the textual metadata associated to the video, but it is quite common to encounter videos with no title, description nor tags. This work focuses on this latter adverse scenario and proposes a purely audiovisual approach to geotagging based on audiovisual similarity retrieval, modality fusion and cluster density. Using a subset of the MediaEval 2011 Placing task data set, we evaluate the ability of several visual and acoustic features for estimating the videos location both separately and jointly (via fusion at feature and at cluster level). The optimally configured version of the proposed system is capable of geotagging videos within 1km of their real location at least 4 times more precisely than any of the audiovisual and visual content-based participants in the MediaEval 2011 Placing task.
Hectochelle: a multiobject echelle spectrograph for the converted MMT

The Hectochelle will be a fiber-fed, multi-object spectrograph for the post-conversion MMT which will take 255 simultaneous spectra at a resolution of 32,000 - 40,000. The absolute efficiency, including optical fiber losses, is predicted to be 6% - 10%, depending on the position of a line within a diffractive order. In one hour, features with 60 mangstrom should be resolved in mR equals 18 stars with a signal to noise of 10.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Jain-2/5 parent Hamiltonian: Structure of zero modes, dominance patterns, and zero mode generators

We analyze general zero mode properties of the parent Hamiltonian of the unprojected Jain-2/5 state. We characterize the zero mode condition associated to this Hamiltonian via projection onto a four-dimensional two-particle subspace for given pair angular momentum, for the disk and similarly for the spherical geometry. Earlier numerical claims in the literature about ground-state uniqueness on the sphere are substantiated on analytic grounds, and related results are derived. Preference is given to second-quantized methods, where zero mode properties are derived not from given analytic wave functions, but from a ``lattice'' Hamiltonian and associated zero mode conditions. This method reveals new insights into the guiding-center structure of the unprojected Jain-2/5 state, in particular, a system of dominance patterns following a ``generalized Pauli principle,'' which establishes a complete one-to-one correspondence with the edge mode counting. We also identify one-body operators that function as generators of zero modes.
Directors' Liability: What Should Be the Minimum Degree of Harmonisation in the EU?

Moving the centre of main interests from one Member State to the another may have a significant impact on both the extent and the content of the directors’ duties and liabilities, as well as on the enforcement of these duties. This situation could result in uncertainty for the creditors and the directors alike. In my view, these difficulties could be resolved by the minimum harmonisation of the directors’ duties. The issue that I want to focus on refers to what could be the starting point for the common rules. In the first part of my paper, I will analyse by a fictional case study the rules concerning the directors’ duties in various Member States, and the changes in liability when a company becomes insolvent or comes close to it. In the second part, I will analyse the main characteristics of the procedures for establishing the liability of the directors (under what conditions and who can bring a claim). In the third part, I will summarize the differences and similarities of these rules and attempt to define the minimum standards for the EU harmonisation.
Budgeting for a Clinical Trial

Physician scientists are naturally curious and adventurous. When it comes to finance, however, many otherwise savvy and capable individuals shy away from budgets and financial matters. In planning a clinical trial, however, the budget process is integral to the overall planning and execution of a clinical trial. Sometimes, the ideally constructed treatment arm or the ideal control group represents a financially unobtainable quest, but a surrogate end-point or a different comparison regarding variable type can yield sound answers and be within financial reach. An experienced clinical trialist has an eye on the budget from the very beginning, while the project is on the drawing table. Much in the same way that we emphasize early biostatistician involvement, financial issues should be thought of in lock-step with trial design. In this way, the process is much like building a home. In the design phase, we might have certain goals and wishes that are simply outside the affordability range and so we change the plans in some way to provide a great home and one that we can afford. The bulk of expenses in a clinical trial are generally related to personnel costs and the costs of non-routine clinical care. The latter is a variable cost that rises with the required sample size. In addition to these costs, it is important to remember in large, multicenter trials that travel and related expenses for training at each site and for a DSMB meeting at one or two pre-specified points in the trial must be accounted for in the budget. The last major component is the safe-guarding, storage and ultimately the analysis of the data. These costs balloon with increasing numbers of data points and so seeking only that data which you might reasonably need to render a solid conclusion is a cost control measure. The costs of analysis are partly borne within the personnel costs in the form of salary to biostatisticians, but some costs for analytical software, web-based collection, and cloud computing are all in addition to the professional input and represent substantial budget items in the modern era.
Physiological thermal limits predict differential responses of bees to urban heat-island effects.

Changes in community composition are an important, but hard to predict, effect of climate change. Here, we use a wild-bee study system to test the ability of critical thermal maxima (CTmax, a measu...
Uptake of the prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted PET radiotracer 18F-DCFPyL in elastofibroma dorsi.

ObjectivePET imaging using radiotracers that target prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are increasingly being used in the evaluation of men with prostate cancer (PCa). It is therefore of increasing importance for imaging specialists to recognize potential pitfalls of this novel imaging techni
MitoNEET (CISD1) Knockout Mice Show Signs of Striatal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and a Parkinson’s Disease Phenotype

Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to play a significant role in neurodegeneration observed in Parkinson’s disease (PD), yet the mechanisms underlying this pathology remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that loss of mitoNEET (CISD1), an iron-sulfur containing protein which regulates mitochondrial bioenergetics, results in mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase. Mitochondria isolated from mice lacking mitoNEET were dysfunctional as revealed by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced capacity to produce ATP. Gait analysis revealed a shortened stride length and decreased rotarod performance in knockout mice, consistent with the loss of striatal dopamine. Together, these data suggest mitoNEET KO mice exhibit many of the characteristics of early neurodegeneration in PD and may provide a novel drug discovery platform to evaluate compounds for enhancing mitochondrial function in neurodegenerative disorders.
Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults

A 75-year-old man is admitted for scheduled major abdominal surgery. He is functionally independent, with mild forgetfulness. His intraoperative course is uneventful, but on postoperative day 2, severe confusion and agitation develop. What is going on? How would you manage this patient’s care? Could his condition have been prevented?
A Prediction Method of Charging Station Capacity Based on Deep Learning

with the national new energy strategy periodically adjusting and continuously advancing, the construction of electric vehicles charging infrastructure getting increasingly closing, the problem of power supply capacity prediction that the social users in some region use it to charge their electric vehicles is the key issue that affects the power grid construction. In this paper, a forecasting method that based on machine learning is proposed to solve the problem.
Considerations for the cost-effective management of hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric complication commonly associated with liver disease, namely cirrhosis. The inability of the liver to metabolize ammonia results in a buildup of ammonia, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause significant neurocognitive impairment. Up to 80% of patients with cirrhosis will experience HE and a large proportion of these patients are at high risk of recurrent HE. There are several factors to consider when developing a cost-effective approach to managing HE, such as patient compliance, the adverse event (AE) profile of drug therapy, efficacy of drug therapy, and relative cost-benefits of drug therapy. Pharmacologic agents used for HE treatment and prevention are commonly associated with gastrointestinal AEs, namely diarrhea. While these AEs are mild in nature, they can be bothersome and lead to patient noncompliance, which increases the patient's risk of HE. Furthermore, the complex dosing schedule and self-titration requirement of lactulose, a first-line agent, can be confusing to a patient. A patient's noncompliance with self-titration may result in underuse, increasing the patient's risk of HE, or overuse, increasing the patient's risk of severe AEs. HE imposes a significant economic burden to the patient, patients' caregivers, healthcare systems, and society. HE not only negatively impacts a patient's morbidity and mortality, but also impacts the patient's psychological and social functioning and overall quality of life. HE can impact the patient's ability to work, resulting in reduced productivity and lost wages. A patient with HE may require hospitalization, which accounts for a substantial proportion of costs associated with HE. Given the social and financial burden of HE, cost-effective management of HE is crucial. Early prevention is important to minimize the societal and economic costs associated with HE.
Variations of Cholesterol and Total Lipid Concentrations in Sera of Healthy Young Men: Differentiating Analytic Error from Biologic Variability

Three major sources of variation affecting serum cholesterol and serum total lipid concentration values were studied in a group of healthy men. The first source of variation, analytic error, was separated into pre-instrumental and instrumental components. The pre-instrumental component, which consisted of all uncertainties occurring from the instant of venipuncture to the entrance of the sample into the instrument, was statistically significant for total lipids. The second major source of variation — preparation of the subject—was evaluated for four major stresses: diet, exercise, posture prior to venipuncture, and duration of tourniquet application. Diet affected total lipids, while the specifics of posture and tourniquet application were statistically significant for both serum cholesterol and total lipids. The third source of variation considered was the within-day and the day-to-day changes. Within-day changes were divided into within-hour and hour-to-hour effects. Day-to-day changes occurred over a two-week period. The magnitude and statistical significance of the changes were evaluated using an ANOVA model. The C.V.’s of day-to-day changes for cholesterol and total lipids (biologic) were 5.3% and 10.2%, respectively while the hour-to-hour withinday C.V.’s were 3.8% for cholesterol and 10.4% for serum total lipids. In all cases the biologic variation was in far excess of the analytic variation. The significance of these factors affecting intraindividual variation in healthy subjects is discussed.
Cytokinetic and cytogenetic effect of agricultural chemicals on human lymphoid cells in vitro. II. Organochlorine pesticides.

Human lymphoid cells of LAZ-007 cell line, incubated with 10−4 to 10−6 molar of eight different organochlorine pesticides had dose related cytotoxicity, mitotic depression and cell cycle traverse inhibition. In cultures incubated with 10−4 M concentrations, M1 metaphases were as high as 13% (Dicofol) as compared to less than 1% in the controls. The frequency of M3 metaphases in cultures incubated with 10−6 M concentrations ranged from 11% (Chlordane) to 15% (Endosulfan) compared to 17% in control cultures. Statistically significant increase in SCE frequency was seen in cells exposed to Chlordane, Dicofol, Endosulfan and Toxaphene. On metabolic activation with rat liver microsomal S-9 enzymes, Chlordane, Dicofol and Tetradifon induced SCE frequency was higher than that of nonactivated cultures.
Respiratory adjusted shock index for identifying occult shock and level of Care in Sepsis Patients.

Abstract Objective Early identification of shock allows for timely resuscitation. Previous studies note the utility of bedside calculations such as the shock index (SI) and quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) to detect occult shock. Respiratory rate may also be an important marker of occult shock. The goal of our study was to evaluate whether using a modified SI with respiratory rate would improve identification of emergency department sepsis patients admitted to an ICU or stepdown unit. Methods A prospective, observational cohort study of the respiratory adjusted shock index (RASI), defined as HR/SBP × RR/10, was conducted. RASI was calculated from triage vital signs and compared to serum lactate. Primary outcome was admission to a higher level of care defined as ICU or stepdown unit. A multivariable logistic regression model including RASI, SI, lactate, age and sex was performed with disposition as the outcome variable. Areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated to detect occult shock and level of care for RASI, SI, and qSOFA. Results 408 patients were enrolled, 360 were included in the analysis. Regression analysis revealed that lactate (OR 1.55, z = 4.38, p Conclusions RASI may have utility as a rapid bedside tool for predicting critical illness in sepsis patients.
Using Structured Knowledge Representation for Context-Sensitive Probabilistic Modeling

Abstract : We propose a context-sensitive probabilistic modeling system (COSMOS) that reasons about a complex, dynamic environment through a series of applications of smaller, knowledge-focused models representing contextually relevant information. COSMOS uses a failure-driven architecture to determine whether a context is supported and consequently whether the current model remains applicable. The individual models are specified through sets of structured, hierarchically organized probabilistic logic statements using transfer functions that are then mapped into a representation supporting stochastic inferencing. We demonstrate COSMOS using data from a mechanical pump system.
Human occupant contribution to secondary aerosol mass in the indoor environment

Humans impact indoor air quality directly via emissions from skin, breath, or personal care products, and indirectly via reactions of oxidants with skin constituents, or with skin that has been shed. However, separating the influence of the many emissions and their oxidation products from the influence of outdoor-originated aerosols has been a challenge. Indoor and outdoor aerosols were alternatively sampled at 4 minute time resolution with a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) in a classroom with student occupants at regular intervals per university class schedule. Mass spectral analysis showed aerosol enhancements of oxidized and unoxidized hydrocarbon ion families during occupied periods, especially at ion fragments larger than m/z 100 and double bond equivalents consistent with squalene (C30H50) and its oxidized products from reaction with ozone, indicative of the secondary nature of the aerosol mass. Individual hydrocarbon mass fragments consistent with squalene fragmentation, including C5H9+, and C6H9+ were especially enhanced with room occupancy. Emissions of individual organic fragment ions were estimated using a model accounting for outdoor aerosols and air exchange. This showed occupancy related emissions at smaller fragments (C3H5+, C4H9+) that despite reflecting mostly outdoor-originated aerosols transported indoors, also show enhancements from occupant emissions indoors. Total emission of all fragments was 17.6 μg β-1 h-1 above unoccupied levels, translating to approximately 25% increase in organic aerosol mass concentration in the classroom during an occupied hour with a median occupied ozone loss (β). Human occupants, therefore, represent an additional mass burden of organic aerosol, especially in poorly ventilated or highly occupied indoor spaces.
Employability development in business undergraduates: A qualitative inquiry of recruiter perceptions

Campus recruiters play a pivotal role identifying talent and socializing students into employment. In this exploratory study, 16 recruiters participated in semistructured interviews in the business...
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of the Interaction between Defects during Nonradiative Recombination

Herein, we apply ab initio molecular dynamics simulations based on a multireference description of the electronic structure to model the excited-state dynamics of models of the silicon (111) surfac...
Tissue-restricted genome editing in vivo specified by microRNA-repressible anti-CRISPR proteins.

CRISPR-Cas systems are bacterial adaptive immune pathways that have revolutionized biotechnology and biomedical applications. Despite the potential for human therapeutic development, there are many hurdles that must be overcome before its use in clinical settings. Some clinical safety concerns arise from editing activity in unintended cell types or tissues upon in vivo delivery (e.g., by adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors). Although tissue-specific promoters and serotypes with tissue tropisms can be used, suitably compact promoters are not always available for desired cell types, and AAV tissue tropism specificities are not absolute. To reinforce tissue-specific editing, we exploited anti-CRISPR proteins (Acrs) that have evolved as natural countermeasures against CRISPR immunity. To inhibit Cas9 in all ancillary tissues without compromising editing in the target tissue, we established a flexible platform in which an Acr transgene is repressed by endogenous, tissue-specific microRNAs (miRNAs). We demonstrate that miRNAs regulate the expression of an Acr transgene bearing miRNA-binding sites in its 3'-UTR and control subsequent genome editing outcomes in a cell-type specific manner. We also show that the strategy is applicable to multiple Cas9 orthologs and their respective anti-CRISPRs. Furthermore, we validate this approach in vivo by demonstrating that AAV9 delivery of Nme2Cas9, along with an AcrIIC3 Nme construct that is targeted for repression by liver-specific miR-122, allows editing in the liver while repressing editing in an unintended tissue (heart muscle) in adult mice. This strategy provides safeguards against off-tissue genome editing by confining Cas9 activity to selected cell types.
Use of the WatchPAT to detect occult residual sleep-disordered breathing in patients on CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea.

Study Objectives:To determine the accuracy of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) as measured by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines by simultaneously employing a home sleep apnea testin...
Infusion of N-acetyl cysteine during hypoglycaemia in humans does not preserve the counterregulatory response to subsequent hypoglycaemia.

Aim Administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) during hypoglycaemia will preserve the counterregulatory response to subsequent hypoglycaemia in healthy humans. Methods This was a randomized double-blind cross over study where humans were given either a 60-minute infusion of NAC (150 mg/kg) followed by a 4-hour infusion of NAC (50 mg/kg) or saline starting 30 minutes before the initiation of a 2-hour hypoglycaemic (HG) clamp at 8 am. After rest at euglycaemia for ~2 hours, subjects were exposed to a 2nd HG clamp at 2 pm and discharged home in euglycaemia. They returned the following day for a 3rd HG clamp at 8 am. Results Twenty-two subjects were enrolled. Eighteen subjects completed the entire protocol. The epinephrine response during clamp 3 (171 ± 247 pg/mL) following clamp 1 NAC infusion was lower than the response during the clamp 1 NAC infusion (538 ± 392 pg/mL) (clamp 3 to clamp 1 NAC: P = .0013). The symptom response during clamp 3 (7 ± 5) following clamp 1 NAC infusion was lower than the response during the clamp 1 NAC infusion (16 ± 10) (clamp 3 to clamp 1 NAC: P = .0003). Nine subjects experienced rash, pruritus or nausea during NAC infusion. Conclusion We found no difference in the hormone and symptom response to experimental hypoglycaemia measured in subjects who were administered NAC as opposed to saline the day before. This observation suggests that further development of NAC as a therapy for impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in patients with diabetes may be unwarranted.
Paying dividends: Cash or credit?

This paper examines to what extent firms utilize lines of credit to fund cash dividends. We find that higher dividend payouts are related to higher liquidity and that dividend-paying firms who experience cash shortages will utilize credit lines to continue dividend payments. Additionally, we show that credit lines are a permanent component of dividend-paying firms’ capital structure. Our sample statistics indicate that dividend-paying firms are considerably different than non-dividend-paying firms. Dividend payers tend to be more liquid despite having less cash, have smaller credit line balances, have higher market capitalizations, have less long-term debt, are more profitable, and spend less on capital investments. We conclude that access to credit lines is an important component of dividend-paying firms’ capital structure while the level of cash is not.
Serine/threonine phosphatases in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption

Maintenance of optimal bone mass is controlled through the concerted functions of several cell types, including bone resorbing osteoclasts. Osteoclasts function to remove calcified tissue during developmental bone modeling, and degrade bone at sites of damage during bone remodeling. Changes to bone homeostasis can arise with alterations in osteoclastogenesis and/or catabolic activity that are not offset by anabolic activity; thus, factors that regulate osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption are of interest to further our understanding of basic bone biology, and as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Several key cytokines, including RANKL and M-CSF, as well as co-stimulatory factors elicit kinase signaling cascades that promote osteoclastogenesis. These kinase cascades are offset by the action of protein phosphatases, including members of the serine/threonine phosphatase family. Here we review the functions of serine/threonine phosphatases and their control of osteoclast differentiation and function, while highlighting deficiencies in our understanding of this understudied class of proteins within the field.
Evaluating brexanolone for the treatment of postpartum depression

Introduction: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious and common complication of childbirth that can have deleterious effects not only on the mother but on the cognitive and behavioral development...
Instructor strategies to aid implementation of active learning: a systematic literature review

Despite the evidence supporting the effectiveness of active learning in undergraduate STEM courses, the adoption of active learning has been slow. One barrier to adoption is instructors’ concerns about students’ affective and behavioral responses to active learning, especially student resistance. Numerous education researchers have documented their use of active learning in STEM classrooms. However, there is no research yet that systematically analyzes these studies for strategies to aid implementation of active learning and address students’ affective and behavioral responses. In this paper, we conduct a systematic literature review and identify 29 journal articles and conference papers that researched active learning, affective and behavioral student responses, and recommended at least one strategy for implementing active learning. In this paper, we ask: (1) What are the characteristics of studies that examine affective and behavioral outcomes of active learning and provide instructor strategies? (2) What instructor strategies to aid implementation of active learning do the authors of these studies provide? In our review, we noted that most active learning activities involved in-class problem solving within a traditional lecture-based course (N = 21). We found mostly positive affective and behavioral outcomes for students’ self-reports of learning, participation in the activities, and course satisfaction (N = 23). From our analysis of the 29 studies, we identified eight strategies to aid implementation of active learning based on three categories. Explanation strategies included providing students with clarifications and reasons for using active learning. Facilitation strategies entailed working with students and ensuring that the activity functions as intended. Planning strategies involved working outside of the class to improve the active learning experience. To increase the adoption of active learning and address students’ responses to active learning, this study provides strategies to support instructors. The eight strategies are listed with evidence from numerous studies within our review on affective and behavioral responses to active learning. Future work should examine instructor strategies and their connection with other affective outcomes, such as identity, interests, and emotions.
Profiling Color

This paper examines philosophically the nature and possible moral justification of racial profiling in terms of color profiling. Precisely what is such profiling, and can it ever be morally justified? If so, under what conditions is it morally justified?
The role of self-evaluated pain sensitivity as a mediator of objectively measured pain tolerance in Native Americans: findings from the Oklahoma Study of Native American Pain Risk (OK-SNAP)

Native Americans (NAs) are at increased risk for chronic pain. One mechanism contributing to this pain disparity could be personal pain beliefs, which may influence actual pain sensitivity. Thus, we examined whether self-evaluated pain sensitivity (SEPS) mediates the relationship between ethnicity [NAs vs. non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs)] and objectively-measured pain tolerance, and whether catastrophic thinking and pain-related anxiety influence these pain beliefs. 232 healthy, pain-free NAs and NHWs completed questionnaires measuring SEPS, catastrophizing, and anxiety. Objective pain tolerance was also assessed. Results suggested: (1) NAs reported higher levels of SEPS, catastrophizing, and anxiety, (2) catastrophizing may have enhanced anxiety and both catastrophizing and anxiety were associated with higher SEPS, and (3) anxiety and SEPS were associated with lower pain tolerance. A significant bootstrapped mediation analysis suggested NAs experienced higher pain-related anxiety, which may have promoted higher SEPS, that in turn reduced pain tolerance. Longitudinal research is needed to confirm this.
Effectiveness of oseltamivir treatment on clinical failure in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infection.

Background Influenza is associated with excess morbidity and mortality of individuals each year. Few therapies exist for treatment of influenza infection, and each require initiation as early as possible in the course of infection, making efficacy difficult to estimate in the hospitalized patient with lower respiratory tract infection. Using causal machine learning methods, we re-analyze data from a randomized trial of oseltamivir versus standard of care aimed at reducing clinical failure in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infection during the influenza season. Methods This was a secondary analysis of the Rapid Empiric Treatment with Oseltamivir Study (RETOS). Conditional average treatment effects (CATE) and 95% confidence intervals were computed from causal forest including 85 clinical and demographic variables. RETOS was a multicenter, randomized, unblinded, trial of adult patients hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in Kentucky from 2009 through 2012. Adult hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infection were randomized to standard of care or standard of care plus oseltamivir as early as possible after hospital admission but within 24 h of enrollment. After randomization, oseltamivir was initiated in the treatment arm per package insert. The primary outcome was clinical failure, a composite measure including failure to reach clinical improvement within 7 days, transfer to intensive care 24 h after admission, or rehospitalization or death within 30 days. Results A total of 691 hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections were included in the study. The only subgroup of patients with a statistically significant CATE was those with laboratory-confirmed influenza infection with a 26% lower risk of clinical failure when treated with oseltamivir (95% CI 3.2-48.0%). Conclusions This study suggests that addition of oseltamivir to standard of care may decrease clinical failure in hospitalized patients with influenza-associated lower respiratory tract infection versus standard of care alone. These results are supportive of current recommendations to initiate antiviral treatment in hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected influenza as soon as possible after admission. Trial registration Original trial: Clinical Trials.Gov; Rapid Empiric Treatment With Oseltamivir Study (RETOS) (RETOS); ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01248715 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01248715.
Dissolved Argon, Nitrogen and Total Carbonate in the Red Sea Brines

Concentrations of argon, nitrogen, and total carbonate in the Atlantis II and Discovery Red Sea brines have been measured by gas chromatography. The isotopic composition of the carbon in the total carbonate of both brines has also been measured. Nitrogen and argon are supersaturated by about 250 per cent relative to their solubilities in the brine in equilibrium with the atmosphere. The argon and nitrogen concentrations in the two brines differ by about 10 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively. Large differences were found in total carbonate concentration and in carbon isotopic composition. The possibility that the brines were formed by evaporation, either during some early stage or in coastal lagoons, is discounted by the dissolved gas results. The difference in argon content of the two brines is assumed due to radiogenic enrichment. This, and other observed differences between the brines, can be explained by a mechanism of independent origin or by two mechanisms of overflow from the Atlantis II Deep into the Discovery Deep. The argon and nitrogen data are consistent with an origin in which the brines were formed from high temperature Red Sea water with the addition of biogenic nitrogen. Water of sufficiently high temperature to be thus considered as a source of the brines can be found only in shallow coastal areas and in the surface and near-surface waters at the southern end of the Red Sea.
Model Study of a Hydraulic Breakwater Over a Reef

Experimental results of model tests of combination hydraulic breakwater and submerged breakwater are given; several sizes of reefs were used in combination with series of hydraulic jet discharges; experimental relationships among reef size, jet discharge and wave characteristics are presented in graphical form.
Psychopathology and stress in the life experience of mothers of premature infants. A comparative study.

Abstract Twenty married mothers of premature infants in which there was no apparent physical cause for prematurity were used as the experimental group and matched with a control group of 20 married mothers of normal infants according to age and parity for the purpose of investigating whether there is a relationship between the incidence of psychopathology as measured by the Cornell Index and certain factors in the life history of mothers, and the delivery of a normal or premature infant. The data included: (1) medical aspects—medical summary sheet and Cornell Index; (2) social aspects—life history chart, pregnancy chart, questionnaire and home study evaluation, and (3) psychological aspects—Thematic Apperception Test ratings and descriptions. The basic findings of this study imply that the physical, psychosomatic, and neuropsychiatric characteristics and the social or life situation of the mother are related to and may, in part, determine the outcome of pregnancy in terms of the birth weight of her infant.
Role of mercury toxicity in hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke

Mercury has a high affinity for sulfhydryl groups, inactivating numerous enzymatic reactions, amino acids, and sulfur-containing antioxidants (N-acetyl-L-cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, L-glutathione), with subsequent decreased oxidant defense and increased oxidative stress. Mercury binds to metallothionein and substitute for zinc, copper, and other trace metals, reducing the effectiveness of metalloenzymes. Mercury induces mitochondrial dysfunction with reduction in adenosine triphosphate, depletion of glutathione, and increased lipid peroxidation. Increased oxidative stress and reduced oxidative defense are common. Selenium and fish containing omega-3 fatty acids antagonize mercury toxicity. The overall vascular effects of mercury include increased oxidative stress and inflammation, reduced oxidative defense, thrombosis, vascular smooth muscle dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and immune and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical consequences of mercury toxicity include hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias, reduced heart rate variability, increased carotid intima-media thickness and carotid artery obstruction, cerebrovascular accident, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal dysfunction, insufficiency, and proteinuria. Pathological, biochemical, and functional medicine correlations are significant and logical. Mercury diminishes the protective effect of fish and omega-3 fatty acids. Mercury inactivates catecholaminei-0-methyl transferase, which increases serum and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This effect will increase blood pressure and may be a clinical clue to mercury-induced heavy metal toxicity. Mercury toxicity should be evaluated in any patient with hypertension, coronary heart disease, cerebral vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, or other vascular disease. Specific testing for acute and chronic toxicity and total body burden using hair, toenail, urine, and serum should be performed.