cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of a Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate to Reduce the Toxicity of Aflatoxin and T-2 Toxin

A hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) was incorporated into diets (.5%) containing 3.5 mg of aflatoxin (AF) per kg and 8.0 mg of T-2 toxin (T-2) per kg, singly, and in combination. Male broiler chicks (n = 480) were provided with feed and water for ad libitum consumption from 1 to 21 days of age. Body weight gains were significantly depressed by AF and T-2, singly, and further decreased by the combination of the two toxins. Efficiency of feed utilization was not affected. The AF alone and the AF plus T-2 combination caused increases in relative liver, kidney, proventriculus, gizzard, spleen, and pancreas weights. Treatment-related changes in hematological and serum biochemical values and enzyme activities were observed. Oral lesions were observed only in chicks receiving the T-2 diets. The HSCAS fed singly did not alter any of the parameters measured but it did diminish the toxicity of AF for many parameters but did not appear to alter the toxicity of T-2. Addition of HSCAS to the AF plus T-2 combination diet diminished some of the effects of the toxin combination. These findings indicate that HSCAS can diminish many of the adverse effects of dietary AF in the chicken, but it has no effect on T-2 toxicity.
Telling the tale of Rapunzel syndrome

Fig 1. Upper gastrointestinal study with oral contrast revealing a mass occupying the stomach and extending through the pylorus into the duodenum. A 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN was brought to the emergency department with mild abdominal discomfort, increasing nausea, and worsening constipation over the previous several days. She had a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, mild mental retardation, and laparotomy for gastroduodenal trichobezoar at 11 years of age. The physical examination revealed diffuse nonspecific abdominal pain and a firm mass palpable in the epigastric region. Laboratory studies were unremarkable. Abdominal radiography suggested another bezoar, which was confirmed by upper gastrointestinal study with oral contrast (Fig 1). Laparotomy was performed, and a large trichobezoar (490 g) forming a cast of the entire distal esophagus, stomach, and duodenal sweep was removed (Fig 2). She recovered from the surgical procedure without complications and was discharged to home on postoperative day 4 with a recommendation for psychiatric follow-up.
Influence of nitrogen doping on different properties of a-C:H

Amorphous hydrogenated carbon (a-C:H) exhibits outstanding properties such as high hardness, low mechanical wear and friction, high thermal conductivity, etc. These properties are irreversibly altered above 400 °C. Doping the a-C:H films with nitrogen revealed the possibility to continuously tune properties such as internal stress, hardness, electrical conductivity and surface energy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to analyze the chemical and structural modifications caused by the introduction of nitrogen into the films. An increased onset temperature of the thermal C-H bond decomposition in a-C:H films up to 600 °C (in vacuum) is observed. Hardness measurements on N-doped samples show an increase in thermal stability of the films, however, without ever reaching the hardness values obtained from the undoped a-C:H film.
A thermodynamic correlation of gas solubilities

Low-pressure solubility data have been correlated for eleven gases in nine solvents over a wide temperature range by considering the dissolution process in two steps. First the gas is condensed isothermally to a hypothetical liquid at 1 atm. pressure, and then this hypothetical liquid is dissolved in the solvent. The free energy of the first step depends only on the properties of the solute, which in the case of nonpolar gases can be adequately described by the theorem of corresponding states. The second step depends on the properties of both solute and solvent and, in the case of nonpolar systems, can be described by the theory of regular solutions. The correlation depends on three solute parameters: the solubility parameter, the molar volume, and the fugacity of the hypothetical liquid; the last of these has been plotted as a generalized function for the reduced temperature range of 0.7 to 3.2. A separate plot is given for hydrogen. These parameters may be used to make good estimates of low-pressure gas solubilities (or K values) in nonpolar solvents over a wide range of temperature. A semiempirical method for correlating the solubilities of gases in polar solvents is also described and illustrated for several cases. Since the correlation presented in this paper covers a wide temperature range, it is possible to make estimates of the heats of solution of gases in liquids. These may be useful in enthalpyblance calculations as required in certain phase-separation operations.
Carrier Dynamics and Defects in Bulk 1eV InGaAsNSb Materials and InGaAs Layers with MBL Grown by MOVPE for Multi-junction Solar Cells

Multi-junction III-V solar cells are based on a triple-junction design that employs a 1eV bottom junction grown on the GaAs substrate with a GaAs middle junction and a lattice-matched InGaP top junction. There are two possible approaches implementing the triple-junction design. The first approach is to utilize lattice-matched dilute nitride materials such as InGaAsN(Sb) and the second approach is to utilize lattice-mismatched InGaAs employing a metamorphic buffer layer (MBL). Both approaches have a potential to achieve high performance triple-junction solar cells. A record efficiency of 43.5% was achieved from multi-junction solar cells using the first approach [1] and the solar cells using the second approach yielded an efficiency of 41.1% [2]. We studied carrier dynamics and defects in bulk 1eV InGaAsNSb materials and InGaAs layers with MBL grown by MOVPE for multi-junction solar cells.
Resonant Add/Drop Filters

The wide use of optical Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) calls for compact, efficient filters for multiplexing and demultiplexing the channels in a data stream or for adding and dropping an individual channel leaving all the rest unperturbed. The main requirements for the amplitude response of such filters are 1) low insertion loss 2) low crosstalk (typically < -25dB), that is rejection of out-of-band signals 3) fast roll-off of the passband edges. Recently the phase response has also received some attention in the context of communication systems [41]–[43].
President's Column: Online Learning & Why I Want You To Eat Your Dog Food

The incoming president of ACRL-LA discusses online learning and its role in higher education and how that impacts libraries.
Forms of power: dimensions of an Irish megalithic landscape

‘What must it have been like to be here in ancient times?’ — where ‘here’ is inside one of the Great Zimbabwe enclosures or a Mesoamerican ball-court. An architectural approach to built spaces may make coherent that felt experience, here applied to the Loughcrew chamber-tombs, classic built spaces of Irish prehistory.
Michelle D. Miller: Minds online: teaching effectively with technology

“Minds online: teaching effectively with technology” by Michelle Miller examines the impact of digital technology in higher education. The author draws connections between educational neuroscience, cognitive psychology, educational technology, and learning theories. The emphasis is on deep learning, and Miller brings proven online practices into the virtual classroom environment, cognitively optimizing the student experience.
M. Pradier-Fodéré

The appearance of the eighth and final volume of M. Pradier-Fodere's Traite de droit international public europeen et americain seems a fitting occasion for a brief consideration of the life and works of this distinguished professor, counselor and author; more particularly is it appropriate to consider the extent and character of his services to that branch of public law dealt with in the above treatise, for it was to international law that he devoted the ripest years of a broad scholarship and the maturest judgments of an active life. M. Pradier-Fodere was not simply and solely a student who looked out upon the hurly-burly of life from the secluded shelter of his study window; he was to no small extent a man of affairs who had come into close and intimate contact with matters of state on both sides of the Atlantic, and who, after a life of rich and varied experiences, settled down when over fifty to round out his life and his literary activity in the production of an extensive treatise on international law.
Representing Complex Data Sets as Virtual Structures

This paper describes a research strategy in which complex data sets are represented as physical objects in a virtual 3-D environment. The advantage of such a representation is that it allows the observer to actively explore the virtual environment so that potential ambiguities found in typical 3-D projections could be resolved by the transformation resulting from the change in viewing perspective. The study reported here constitutes an initial condition in which subjects compared relative size of virtual cubes from two different viewpoints. These results can serve as a basis for construction of cube-like objects representing the underlying conceptual structure of a data set
Human DVI category erythrocytes: correlation of the phenotype with a novel hybrid RhD-CE-D gene but not an internally deleted RhD gene.

To the Editor: The Rh blood group system is highly complex due to the occurrence of a large number of antigenic polymorphisms. Of these, the D category VI (DVI) is a well-recognized partial D antigen and is divided into two subtypes according to its association with C/c and E/e antigens.[1][1] Type
Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Beef Cattle Fed Diets Containing Whole Corn Plant Ensiled With Swine Manure Solids

Abstract Two feeding trials, one with beef steers and one with heifers, were conducted to determine the nutritive value and safety of feeding swine manure solids with fermented whole corn plant. Manure solids collected from an open concrete growing-finishing swine feedlot were ensiled with chopped mature whole corn plant at a 20:80 ratio (DMB) in exp. I and at a 27:73 ratio (DMB) in exp. II. Fermentation characteristics of the swine manure-corn forage silage mixture were evaluated. Diets for two trials were 1) corn silage, corn grain and vitamin-mineral mix (negative protein control; NPC), 2) corn silage, corn grain, vitamin-mineral mix and soybean meal (positive protein control; PPC) and 3) waste silage plus corn grain (swine manure silage; SMS). Average daily gains were similar for cattle fed the SMS and PPC diets in both experiments. Gains for cattle fed the NPC diets were lower (P ◄ .01) in both trials. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were higher (P ◄ .05) for steers fed the PPC diet compared with the SMS diet in the first trial, but not with heifers in the second trial. In both trials, DMI were lower (P ◄ .05) for the NPC diet. Feed efficiency was similar for steers fed the SMS and PPC diets, but was superior (P ◄ .05) for heifers fed the PPC diet. Carcass values were not affected adversely by the addition of swine manure to whole plant corn before ensiling. Extra Cu in the swine manure (1,600 and 100 mg/kg DM) increased Cu in liver tissue from cattle in both trials. Extra Fe and Zn from manure increased liver Fe and Zn in the second trial, but only increased Fe in liver and kidney in the first trial. Mineral contents (Na, Fe, Zn, Cu) in other tissues (muscle and fat) were not affected by the addition of swine manure whole corn plant silage to cattle diets. Volatile fatty acids (VFA), N and ash levels were higher in swine waste silage compared to corn silage. Swine manure ensiled with whole corn plant resulted in a safe and preserved feed that supported efficient cattle growth when balanced with corn grain.
Reproducibility and variation of diffusion measures in the squirrel monkey brain, in vivo and ex vivo.

Abstract Purpose Animal models are needed to better understand the relationship between diffusion MRI (dMRI) and the underlying tissue microstructure. One promising model for validation studies is the common squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus . This study aims to determine (1) the reproducibility of in vivo diffusion measures both within and between subjects; (2) the agreement between in vivo and ex vivo data acquired from the same specimen and (3) normal diffusion values and their variation across brain regions. Methods Data were acquired from three healthy squirrel monkeys, each imaged twice in vivo and once ex vivo . Reproducibility of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and principal eigenvector (PEV) was assessed, and normal values were determined both in vivo and ex vivo . Results The calculated coefficients of variation (CVs) for both intra-subject and inter-subject MD were below 10% (low variability) while FA had a wider range of CVs, 2–14% intra-subject (moderate variability), and 3–31% inter-subject (high variability). MD in ex vivo tissue was lower than in vivo (30%–50% decrease), while FA values increased in all regions (30–39% increase). The mode of angular differences between in vivo and ex vivo PEVs was 12 degrees. Conclusion This study characterizes the diffusion properties of the squirrel monkey brain and serves as the groundwork for using the squirrel monkey, both in vivo and ex vivo , as a model for diffusion MRI studies.
A high-yield synthesis and acid-base response of phosphate-templated [3]rotaxanes

Anion-templated rotaxanes are a rare class of functional organic molecules capable of novel switching and mechanical behaviors. Yet, investigations of these properties are limited by existing synthetic strategies. We show a high-yielding synthesis (80%) of [3]rotaxanes using shape-persistent macrocycles, cyanostars, and anionic organo-phosphate templates catalyzed by low steric-demand click chemistry. The reaction yields correlate with the template's binding affinities. Use of longer linkers relieves steric congestion to enable a reversible acid–base response, opening the way to molecular switching.
Anemia as a Complication of Bariatric Surgery: Frequency and Evidence for Progressive Negative Iron Balance.

Bariatric surgery has become an important means to reduce obesity and its related morbidity. Bariatric surgeries in the US have increased from 14,000 in 1998 to 140,000 in 2004. Malabsorption and achlorhydria can complicate bariatric surgery and may lead to iron deficiency and anemia. In this setting, little is known about the prevalence and severity of anemia and the efficacy of oral iron replacement, a common part of post-surgical management. We reviewed the records at our institution of a large number (n=1125; 126 men; 999 women) of patients followed for up to 4 yrs post-procedure for the development of anemia and assessment of vitamin levels and iron stores. METHODS: Body mass index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), B12, folate, serum iron and ferritin values were extracted from electronic records of the patients at baseline, and 250 patients (33 men; 217 women) followed out to 4 yrs after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Anemia was defined by age- and gender-specific WHO criteria. RESULTS: Mean BMI fell from 50.1 (CI 49.6–50.6) at baseline to 33.1 (CI 29.8–36.4) at 4 yrs. Anemia was present in 12% of all patients at baseline and was similar between men (9%) and women (12%). At 18mos, 29% of woman 50 yrs (p=0.02). For patients followed out to 2–4 yrs, 21% were anemic and women 50 yrs (15%; p=0.02). The incidence of anemia among men did not change over the period of observation. In all patients the mean Hb decreased from 13.4 g/dL (CI 13.3–13.5) at baseline to 12.1 g/dL (CI 11.1–13.1; p 50 years, the mean ferritin was 63 ng/mL (CI 45.3–80.5); 54% had ferritins CONCLUSIONS: although oral iron, folate and vitamin B12 supplements were routinely prescribed after surgery, anemia was a common complication and its frequency increased with time. Negative iron balance was progressive, despite oral iron supplementation. While iron deficiency did not account for all cases of anemia, it is sufficiently common to warrant careful evaluation of the ability of bariatric patients to absorb iron and/or comply with life-long oral iron supplementation. Given the rapidly increasing number of bariatric procedures in the US, all physicians should be alerted to the possible need for parenteral iron therapy to prevent anemia and its complications.
Personal Networks and Long-term Gendered Postdisaster Well-being in Mexico and Ecuador

It is well established that roughly twice as many women as men after disasters experience posttraumatic stress, and that their mean levels of posttraumatic stress are slightly to moderately higher. Social support is often a buffer for these impacts, but not always. Social responsibilities can exacerbate postdisaster stress. To seek a better understanding of how facets of social support play out in women's and men's lives in the years following a disaster, we analyzed a cross-section of personal networks to get detailed information on the types of people in one's life, the types of support received, and the way these personal networks were structured. We found that these facets of networks rarely performed similarly for men's and women's mental health, and these differences may explain some of the variation in postdisaster-gendered mental health.
Meaning through the Grapevine: A Critical Analysis of Wine Promotion

The per capita consumption of wine in the United States is at its highest point since 1988, and knowledge related to the production and consumption of wine has developed into a form of cultural and symbolic capital (Bourdieu, 2003; Holt, 1998). With over 2.3 million subscribers and a web site that offers visitors to “Learn More, Drink Better,” Wine Spectator is one example of a media product published to promote the wine industry in the United States. Although many researchers have examined advertisements within the context of particular magazines (Williamson, 2005; McCracken, 1993; McQuarrie & Mick, 1992), few have looked the whole magazine as a promotional genre capable of promoting ideology through the combination of its unique parts–covers, articles, editorials, reviews, recommendations, and advertisements.
A method for bounding error in multi-rate and federated simulations

This article presents a method for bounding errors that arise from interactions between components in a variety of simulation contexts. The proposed method combines key elements of the quantized state technique for numerical integration and the generalized discrete event system specification. Specifically, this method quantizes a model's output variables while allowing its internal variables to evolve by any suitable technique. This approach bounds the global error in proportion to the quantization threshold for simulations of networks of stable, linear systems. The proposed technique is particularly suitable for combining existing simulation models into federated, multi-rate simulations.
Low-Grade Astrocytomas

Abstract Low-grade astrocytomas consist of those lesions classified by the World Health Organization as grade I or II and which demonstrate a predominantly astrocytic origin. They are divided into infiltrative and noninfiltrative types. Imaging has the potential to identify the location of these tumors; characterize the imaging features, which may allow for their identification; and display the relationship of the tumor to white matter tracts and eloquent cortex. Furthermore, advanced imaging techniques may be able to distinguish higher grade from lower grade lesions or even predict the likelihood of a lower grade lesion degenerating to a higher grade, on the basis of microvascularity, metabolic activity, and chemical content of the tumor.
Distribution of fission products palladium, silver, cerium and cesium in the un-corroded areas of the locally corroded SiC layer of a neutron irradiated TRISO fuel particle

Abstract Detailed electron microscopy studies were performed to investigate distribution and composition of fission products in the SiC layer of a tristructural-isotropic-coated particle exhibiting localized corrosion. Previous studies on this particle indicated that pure carbon areas in the SiC layer, resulting from localized corrosion of SiC by Pd, provide pathways for Ag, Cd, and Cs migration. This study reveals the presence of Ag- and/or Cd-containing precipitates in un-corroded SiC areas. Ag and Cd may exist by themselves or coexist with Pd. Ag and Cd mainly transport along SiC grain boundaries. An Ag-Pd-Cd precipitate was identified at a stacking fault inside a SiC grain, suggesting that intragranular transport of Ag and Cd is possible. Ce is present with Pd or Pd-U in some precipitates. U and Ce frequently coexist, whereas Ag and Cd usually do not coexist with U or Ce. No Cs was detected in any precipitates in the areas examined.
To Be or Not to Be a Multimodality Imager

Perhaps the biggest question left unanswered in the past 10 years is, who should the future imager be [(1–5)][1]? After decades of holding the benefit of cardiac imaging to be “self-evident,” showing “value of imaging” is becoming the cornerstone of appropriate utilization. This combined
Pediatric nephrolithiasis: A review

The incidence of pediatric nephrolithiasis is on the rise. The composition of kidney stones in children is different than in adults, as most stones in children have a composition of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate mixed with a small amount of uric acid. The symptoms of pediatric nephrolithiasis are nonspecific. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for diagnosis; however, because of radiation exposure associated with a CT scan, ultrasonography is also an accepted modality for the diagnosis. Extensive metabolic evaluation is important to rule out an underlying metabolic disorder. Urinary decompression, medical expulsion therapy, and surgical interventions such as ureteroscopy and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy are some of the options available for treating pediatric nephrolithiasis. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(6):e242-e244.].
Mitochondrial Ca2+ Influx Contributes to Arrhythmic Risk in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

Background Heart failure (HF) is associated with increased arrhythmia risk and triggered activity. Abnormal Ca 2+ handling is thought to underlie triggered activity, and mitochondria participate in Ca 2+ homeostasis. Methods and Results A model of nonischemic HF was induced in C57BL/6 mice by hypertension. Computer simulations were performed using a mouse ventricular myocyte model of HF. Isoproterenol‐induced premature ventricular contractions and ventricular fibrillation were more prevalent in nonischemic HF mice than sham controls. Isolated myopathic myocytes showed decreased cytoplasmic Ca 2+ transients, increased mitochondrial Ca 2+ transients, and increased action potential duration at 90% repolarization. The alteration of action potential duration at 90% repolarization was consistent with in vivo corrected QT prolongation and could be explained by augmented L‐type Ca 2+ currents, increased Na + ‐Ca 2+ exchange currents, and decreased total K + currents. Of myopathic ventricular myocytes, 66% showed early afterdepolarizations (EADs) compared with 17% of sham myocytes ( P 2+ uniporter–specific antagonist, could reduce mitochondrial Ca 2+ transients, decrease action potential duration at 90% repolarization, and ameliorate EADs. Furthermore, genetic knockdown of mitochondrial Ca 2+ uniporters inhibited mitochondrial Ca 2+ uptake, reduced Na + ‐Ca 2+ exchange currents, decreased action potential duration at 90% repolarization, suppressed EADs, and reduced ventricular fibrillation in nonischemic HF mice. Computer simulations showed that EADs promoted by HF remodeling could be abolished by blocking either the mitochondrial Ca 2+ uniporter or the L‐type Ca 2+ current, consistent with the experimental observations. Conclusions Mitochondrial Ca 2+ handling plays an important role in EADs seen with nonischemic cardiomyopathy and may represent a therapeutic target to reduce arrhythmic risk in this condition.
Trends in Prescription Medication Use Among Children and Adolescents-United States, 1999-2014.

Importance Access to appropriate prescription medications, use of inappropriate or ineffective treatments, and adverse drug events are public health concerns among US children and adolescents. Objective To evaluate trends in use of prescription medications among US children and adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants US children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years in the 1999-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—serial cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Exposures Sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, household income and education, insurance status, current health status. Main Outcomes and Measures Use of any prescription medications or 2 or more prescription medications taken in the past 30 days; use of medications by therapeutic class; trends in medication use across 4-year periods from 1999-2002 to 2011-2014. Data were collected though in-home interview and direct observation of the prescription container. Results Data on prescription medication use were available for 38 277 children and adolescents (mean age, 10 years; 49% girls). Overall, use of any prescription medication in the past 30 days decreased from 24.6% (95% CI, 22.6% to 26.6%) in 1999-2002 to 21.9% (95% CI, 20.3% to 23.6%) in 2011-2014 (β = −0.41 percentage points every 2 years [95% CI, −0.79 to −0.03];P = .04), but there was no linear trend in the use of 2 or more prescription medications (8.5% [95% CI, 7.6% to 9.4%] in 2011-2014). In 2011-2014, the most commonly used medication classes were asthma medications (6.1% [95% CI, 5.4% to 6.8%]), antibiotics (4.5% [95% CI, 3.7% to 5.5%]), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications (3.5% [95% CI, 2.9% to 4.2%]), topical agents (eg, dermatologic agents, nasal steroids) (3.5% [95% CI, 3.0% to 4.1%]), and antihistamines (2.0% [95% CI, 1.7% to 2.5%]). There were significant linear trends in 14 of 39 therapeutic classes or subclasses, or in individual medications, with 8 showing increases, including asthma and ADHD medications and contraceptives, and 6 showing decreases, including antibiotics, antihistamines, and upper respiratory combination medications. Conclusions and Relevance In this study of US children and adolescents based on a nationally representative survey, estimates of prescription medication use showed an overall decrease in use of any medication from 1999-2014. The prevalence of asthma medication, ADHD medication, and contraceptive use increased among certain age groups, whereas use of antibiotics, antihistamines, and upper respiratory combination medications decreased.
Construction Aspects of Shells

Unlike more orthodox structures, thin shells escape being regimented into clearly established construction methodologies because of their very nature. The problem arises to some extent from the novelty of these structures that were never before used in construction, such as hyperboloids of revolution, hyperbolic paraboloids, and conoids. However, even when the geometry is historically well known, as it is in the case of domes, difficulties may derive out of the technology that present-day materials imply. For instance, traditional domes, which were usually built in masonry, do not share the same problems of cast-in-place concrete shells. More specifically, new problems are created when technologies for precasting or prestressing concrete are used, as well as when concrete is sprayed under pressure by the Gunite method or cast on inflatable pneumatic forms.
Information Without Information Studies

A method is suggested of conducting a meta-analysis of contributions to the literature on the nature of information—one that involves identification of authors’ ontological commitments. A framework is proposed for defining the range of ontological possibilities for things that have been called “information”; the ontological commitments of some of those whose work may be less familiar to the Library and Information Science (LIS) community are examined; and some residual confusion about the nature of the relationships among different conceptions of information is cleared up. It is tentatively concluded that any approach to conceptualizing information that downplays the contributions of LIS—i.e., information without information studies—is needlessly impoverished, not least on account of the range of ontological possibilities that it misses.
Other Pancreatic Tumors

Although most pancreatic tumors seen at frozen section are adenocarcinomas, occasionally other types of pancreatic neoplasms are present. Table 6.1 compares some of the typically solid pancreatic tumors.
Biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles with exceptional gastrointestinal stability as oral delivery vehicles for lipophilic bioactives

Abstract Poor stability in gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a major challenge for applications of natural biopolymer-based nanoparticles as oral delivery vehicles. In this study, chitosan was modified by grafting stearic acid on its backbone to improve its amphiphilicity. The polymeric nanoparticles were prepared using stearic acid-conjugated chitosan and sodium caseinate via ionic gelation and chemical crosslinking by glutaraldehyde and periodate oxidized dextran. The physicochemical properties and stability in simulated GI fluids were systematically studied to obtain the optimal nanoparticles with a diameter of 150 nm and homogeneous size distribution. The electron microscope images suggested the well-maintained nanoparticulate structure in simulated GI fluids. The non-cytotoxicity and internalization of the nanoparticles by Caco-2 cells were confirmed using fluorescence microscope. Successful encapsulation and sustained release of curcumin were demonstrated. The as-prepared polymeric nanoparticles hold promising features to be oral delivery vehicles to carry lipophilic bioactives for future applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.
Two Characterizations of the Standard Unit Vector Basis of l1

We show that for a sequence in a Banach space, the property of being stable under large perturbations characterizes the property of being equivalent to the unit vector basis of l 1. We show that a normalized unconditional basic sequence in l 1 that is semi-normalized in l ∞ is equivalent to the standard unit vector basis of l 1.
MRI findings of Stener-like lesion of the knee: A case series with surgical correlation

Abstract Purpose To describe the MRI findings of the “Stener-like” lesion of the knee and its distinction from simple medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear. A “Stener-like” lesion of the superficial medial collateral ligament is a tear involving the distal fibers, where the torn fibers become displaced superficial to the pes anserinus fibers, a displacement which can prevent healing. Methods Nine cases of Stener-like lesion were prospectively diagnosed on MRI. Retrospective, IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant chart review was performed to determine correlation of surgical and MRI findings. Seven cases were surgically confirmed and are included in the series. Results MRI is useful in making the diagnosis of Stener-like lesions and prompting the surgeon to explore the distal MCL. Coronal MRI shows variable proximal retraction of the torn ligament. It has a lax contour and abuts the pes anserinus. The proximity of the torn ligament end to the pes can result in misdiagnosis of a partial tear. Axial images are useful to confirm position of the ligament superficial to the pes. All cases had associated tear of the deep MCL fibers, as well as sprains of the proximal superficial MCL. Conclusions It is important to recognize the Stener-like lesion because this lesion is usually managed surgically, while most MCL tears are managed conservatively. The presence of injury to the proximal MCL is usually present, and may be a distractor from the distal injury. Care must be taken to include the distal attachment of the sMCL on coronal MRI images.
Regulating colonic dendritic cells by commensal glycosylated large surface layer protein A to sustain gut homeostasis against pathogenic inflammation

Microbial interaction with the host through sensing receptors, including SIGNR1, sustains intestinal homeostasis against pathogenic inflammation. The newly discovered commensal Propionibacterium strain, P. UF1, regulates the intestinal immunity against pathogen challenge. However, the molecular events driving intestinal phagocytic cell response, including colonic dendritic cells (DCs), by this bacterium are still elusive. Here, we demonstrate that the glycosylation of bacterial large surface layer protein A (LspA) by protein O-mannosyltransferase 1 (Pmt1) regulates the interaction with SIGNR1, resulting in the control of DC transcriptomic and metabolomic machineries. Programmed DCs promote protective T cell response to intestinal Listeria infection and resist chemically induced colitis in mice. Thus, our findings may highlight a novel molecular mechanism by which commensal surface glycosylation interacting with SIGNR1 directs the intestinal homeostasis to potentially protect the host against proinflammatory signals inducing colonic tissue damage.
Economic assumptions and economic context: Implications for the study of leadership

Abstract Separated by longstanding differences, mainstream leadership scholarship and economics have rarely conversed. In this paper, we contribute to the emerging conversation between the two fields by (1) summarizing how economic assumptions about leadership may broadly inform leadership scholarship, and (2) offering a framework for conceptualizing the economic context in which leaders operate. We argue that inclusion of economic context in models of leadership antecedents, processes and outcomes is likely to offer rich insights for leadership selection, behavior, performance outcomes, and evaluation. We review recent studies that integrate economics and leadership and further consider how economic approaches both inform and refine current areas of interest to leadership scholars (e.g., shared leadership and values-based ethical, servant, and authentic approaches) and point to new pathways of focus in mainstream leadership (e.g., leader discretion).
Failed OCL Talus/Revision OLT

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) represent 4% of cartilage lesions in the body. These lesions often require multiple surgeries to improve patient’s quality of life. The etiology of the OLTs is still being elucidated, with known causes such as acute trauma, ankle sprains or fractures, repetitive stress, local ischemia, and even genetic causes with identical lesions found in twins. The pathogenesis can involve direct trauma to the talar articular cartilage which can lead to subchondral edema and eventually cystic changes. The other mechanism in cases of non-traumatic OLTs involves subchondral bone injury or avascular event which precipitates softening of the overlying cartilage and eventual separation of the fragment. These defects continue to challenge surgeons treating patients with this pathology.
Redistricting Institutions under Electoral Uncertainty

The paper uses a simulation model and empirical evidence from four decades of congressional elections to generate insight into how redistricting institutions influence congressional seat competition under uncertain electoral conditions. The electoral model, which incorporates gerrymandering and partisan tides parameters, predicts that partisan gerrymanders will “backfire” when partisan tides are sufficiently strong, and predicts increased competition for all electoral conditions under nonpartisan commissions. Drawing evidence from a data set of congressional election results since 1972, I find support for these predictions. I also use these results to explain the “pseudo-paradox” that less competition in the national congressional popular vote historically predicts greater competition in individual local races.
Identifying the Perceived and Diagnosed Prevalence of Ecstasy Dependence Among Club Rave Attendees

The “rave” phenomenon has been a major element in the resurgence of psychedelic drug use in Western society. Purportedly central to raves is the use of “club drugs,” such as 3,4-methylenedioxymetha...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii (an intracellular gram-negative coccobacillus bacterium). The incubation following the tick bite is 2–14 days.
Nucleus Accumbens Medium Spiny Neuron Subtypes Differentially Regulate Stress-Associated Alterations in Sleep Architecture.

Abstract Background Stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. These conditions share core features, including motivational deficits, heighted anxiety, and sleep dysregulation. Chronic stress produces these same features in rodents, with some individuals being susceptible or resilient, as seen in humans. While stress-induced neuroadaptations within the nucleus accumbens are implicated in susceptibility-related dysregulation of motivational and emotional behaviors, their effects on sleep are unclear. Methods We used chemogenetics (DREADDs [designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs]) to examine the effects of selective alterations in activity of nucleus accumbens medium spiny neurons expressing dopamine D1 receptors (D1-MSNs) or dopamine D2 receptors (D2-MSNs) on sleep-related end points. Mice were implanted with wireless transmitters enabling continuous collection of data to quantify vigilance states over a 20-day test period. Parallel cohorts were examined in behavioral tests assessing stress susceptibility. Results D1- and D2-MSNs play dissociable roles in sleep regulation. Stimulation of inhibitory or excitatory DREADDs expressed in D1-MSNs exclusively affects rapid eye movement sleep, whereas targeting D2-MSNs affects slow wave sleep. The combined effects of D1-MSN inhibition and D2-MSN activation on sleep resemble those of chronic social defeat stress. Alterations in D1-MSN function also affect stress susceptibility in social behavior tests. Elevation of CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) within D1-MSNs is sufficient to produce stress-like effects on rapid eye movement sleep. Conclusions In addition to regulation of motivational and emotional behaviors, the nucleus accumbens also influences sleep, an end point with high translational relevance. These findings provide a neural basis for comorbidity in key features of stress-related illness.
Experimental evidence of disparities in biology teachers’ responses to student writing

Writing activities can function as powerful teaching tools in science education – but are their benefits realised equitably? The answer may depend in part on how teachers interpret and respond to s...
Niche lability mitigates the impact of invasion but not urbanization.

Native species can coexist with invasive congeners by partitioning niche space; however, impacts from invasive species often occur alongside other disturbances. Native species' responses to the interactions of multiple disturbances remain poorly understood. Here we study the impacts of urbanization and an invasive congener on a native species. Using abundance (catch-per-unit effort) and vertical distribution of native green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) and invasive brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) across a gradient of natural-to-urban forests, we ask if niche shifting (lability) is occurring, and if it can mitigate impacts from one or both disturbances. We use generalized linear models to relate species abundances across the landscape to urbanization, forest structural complexity, and congener abundances (i.e., A. sagrei); and test for an interaction between urbanization and congener abundance. Our data show that A. sagrei presence results in a 17-fold upward shift in vertical niche of A. carolinensis-an 8.3 m shift in median perch height, and models reveal urbanization also drives an increase in A. carolinensis perch height. A. carolinensis and A. sagrei abundances negatively and positively correlate with urbanization, respectively, and neither species' abundance correlate with congener abundance. Despite a positive correlation between A. sagrei abundance and urbanization, our results do not show evidence of this interaction affecting A. carolinensis. Instead, niche lability appears to enable the native species to mitigate the impact of one driver of decline (invasive competition) while our data suggest it declines with the second (urbanization).
Integrated atomic force microscopy and x-ray irradiation for in situ characterization of radiation-induced processes

Understanding radiation-induced chemical and physical transformations at material interfaces is important across diverse fields, but experimental approaches are often limited to either ex situ observations or in situ electron microscopy or synchrotron-based methods, in which cases the radiation type and dose are inextricably tied to the imaging basis itself. In this work, we overcome this limitation by demonstrating integration of an x-ray source with an atomic force microscope to directly monitor radiolytically driven interfacial chemistry at the nanoscale. We illustrate the value of in situ observations by examining effects of radiolysis on material adhesion forces in aqueous solution as well as examining the production of alkali nitrates at the interface between an alkali halide crystal surface and air. For the examined salt–air interface, direct visualization under flexible experimental conditions greatly extends prior observations by enabling the transformation process to be followed comprehensively from source-to-sink with mass balance quantitation. Our novel rad-atomic force microscope opens doors into understanding the dynamics of radiolytically driven mass transfer and surface alteration at the nanoscale in real-time.
Private Language, Public Laws: The Central Role of Legislative Intent in Statutory Interpretation

For decades, the use of legislative intent in statutory interpretation has been attacked both by conservative and progressive theorists. The more conservative textualists claim that judges should focus not on what members of the legislature had in mind, but rather on what the statute says. Theorists with more liberal political orientations claim that concern about a legislature's intent can inhibit a court from allowing the meaning of a statute to change with the times. All critics argue that the idea of a large group of people having a single intent is incoherent. Using advances in linguistics, philosophy and the psychology of language, this article defends the use of legislative intent against both camps. It argues that we routinely perceive groups that make decisions deliberately as entities with a single intent, and that we routinely draw inferences about the minds of others in understanding language and conduct. These ways of understanding the world are so firmly embedded in our psychology that we cannot dispense with them even if we try. The article further argues that we cannot avoid concerning ourselves with the intent of a speaker in understanding language, and that arguments to the contrary are based on an illusion about how the human language faculty works. In fact, on many occasions courts use the intent of the legislature to justify approaches to statutory interpretation that are presented as alternatives to legislative intent. Finally, legislative intent is compared to other values that courts may consider important, and a broader perspective on the interpretation of statutes is developed.
Term, Inflation, and Foreign Exchange Risk Premia: A Unified Treatment

The paper reviews the theoretical foundations of the use of forward interest rates to infer expected future rates of interest, inflation, currency depreciation and inflation differentials. Forward rates are related to these expected future variables via combinations of term, inflation and foreign exchange risk premia. A unified derivation, discussion and comparison of these premia is provided under both general and specific assumptions, as well as some comments on empirical estimation.
Synchronization protocols in distributed real-time systems

In many distributed real-time systems, the workload can be modeled as a set of periodic tasks, each of which consists of a chain of subtasks executing on different processors. Synchronization protocols are used to govern the release of subtasks so that the precedence constraints among subtasks are satisfied and the schedulability of the resultant system is analyzable. Tasks have different worst-case and average end-to-end response times when different protocols are used. In this paper, we consider distributed real-time systems with independent, periodic tasks and fixed-priority scheduling algorithms. We propose three synchronization protocols and conduct simulation to compare their performance with respect to the two timing aspects.
Unit roots in U.S. macroeconomic time series: A survey of classical and Bayesian perspectives

The issue of whether macroeconomic time series such as GNP follow autoregressive (AR) — moving average (MA) processes which are integrated has several theoretical and statistical implications which have led to the development and widespread application of “unit root” tests. This paper provides a summary of the implications of unit roots in these data, and surveys the procedures and results of Classical and Bayesian investigations of this issue, emphasizing our own research in the area.
Liquid Crystalline Compositions as Gas Sensors

Droplets and films of liquid crystalline mixtures were studied as promising detectors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air. Under increasing concentration of VOC in the air the detection may rely on each of the following effects sequentially observed one after the other: i. slight changes in orientation and order parameter of liquid crystal, ii. formation of bubbles on the top of the liquid crystalline droplet, iii. complete isotropisation of the liquid crystal. All three stages can be easily monitored by optical microscopy. Detection limits corresponding to the first stage are typically lower by a factor of 3–6 than detection limits corresponding to isotropisation. The qualitative model is presented to account for the observed changes.
Phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipases A1 and A2 in plasma membranes and microsomes of rat liver

1. 1. Plasma membranes and microsomes isolated as described previously (Newkirk, J.D. and Waite, M. (1971) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 225, 224–233), were assayed for enzymes characteristic of each organelle. These assays indicated that plasma membranes were contaminated with microsomes to as much as 20%. Microsomes were contaminated with plasma membranes to as much as 5%. 2. 2. The membrane preparations were assayed for phospholipase A with phosphatidylethanolamine and with phosphatidylglycerol. Plasma membranes and microsomes each contain a phospholipase A1 and a phospholipase A2; both enzymes require Ca2+. The A1 predominates in each fraction when phosphatidylethanolamine is substrate. The A2 predominates in each fraction when phosphatidylglycerol is substrate. 3. 3. Plasma membranes and microsomes deacylate phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol at low rates; hydrolysis of these substrates is stimulated by a cationic detergent. Phosphatidylserine is hydrolyzed more rapidly than phosphatidylinositol. In the plasma membranes phosphatidylinositol is deacylated at about the same rate as phosphatidylcholine. In microsomes, phosphatidylserine is mainly deacylated by the phospholipase A1. 4. 4. Phospholipases A1 and A2 of plasma membranes and microsomes were extracted by treating the fractions with ammoniacal acetone and were separated from each other by gel filgration. Phospholipases A1 and A2 of plasma membranes had similar elution characteristics, respectively, to the phospholipases A1 and A2 of microsomes.