cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclin kinase inhibitor p21: a mediator of immune tolerance: direct and indirect evidence

Uncontrolled proliferation of T-cells is considered a barrier to the induction of transplantation tolerance by T regulatory cells. Therefore, cyclin kinase inhibitor p21, one of the most potent inhibitors of cell proliferation, may exert an important role in the induction/generation of T regulatory cells.*Methods:* CD4^+^CD25^+^ and CD4^+^CD25^-^ cells were isolated from normal healthy blood donors (n=6), p21^-/-^ mice (n=9) and wild type mice (n=9). Proliferation with and without cyclosporine was quantified by ^3^H-thymidine uptake assay (expressed as counts per minute) and FoxP3 mRNA was studied by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The difference in proliferation (p<0.003) among CD4^+^CD25^+^ (15236 ± 1190) and CD4^+^CD25^-^ (50317 ± 974) T cells were proportionately similar to the difference in proliferation (p<0.001) of lymphocytes from wild type (28206 ± 2812) and p21^-/-^ mice (49624 ± 2164), proliferation of CD4^+^CD25^-^ and p21 deficient cells was resistant to cyclosporine. The number of T regulatory cells in p21^-/-^ mice were significantly (p<0.002) lower (2.6 ± 0.8%) than wild type mice (14.5 ± 1.6%,) and similar to CD4^+^CD25^-^ T cells, CD4^+^25^+^ T cells from p21^-/-^ mice lacked FoxP3 gene expression. T lymphocytes from wild type inhibited the proliferation of T lymphocytes from p21^-/-^ mice similar to the effect of CD4^+^CD25^+^ T cells on the proliferation of CD4^+^CD25^-^ cells. Presence of the p21 creates a milieu favorable for immune tolerance and consistent with antiproliferative and immunosuppressive effect of CD4^+^CD25^+^ T-regulatory cells. These findings support the notion that p21 could be used clinically in controlling allo-immune activation to achieve prolongation of graft survival.
Vapor Deposition of Parylene Films from Precursors

Parylene films, depending on the type, are thermally stable up to 530°C and have low dielectric constants ranging from 2.35 to 3.15. One of the most interesting properties of this material is its vapor depositability. Conventional vapor deposition involves cracking the parylene dimers at temperatures from 600 to 730°C and polymerizingthe monomers at - 35 °C to RT. We have developed a simpler and less expensive technique that directly uses the precursors from which the dimers are made. This method requires the use of metal catalysts to produce parylene films. We have used the precursors α,α′-dibromo-p-xylene and dibromotetrafluoro-p-xylene to produce N-type and F-type parylene films. FTIR, XPS, thermal stability, and electrical studies show that the F-type parylene films grown from the precursors are comparable to, or sometimes better than, the films grown from dimer, and have potential microelectronics applications.
A New Simple Process for Optical Mode Converter Integration with Active and Passive Waveguides in InGaAsP/InP

Optical mode converters can significantly lower the coupling loss and simplify packaging of next generation optoelectronic devices. A new process which reduces the number of MOCVD regrowths required for integration of mode shape converters with active and passive waveguides is presented. A new wet etchant was effectively used in fabrication.
Three-ring circus at a combustible crossroads : Teaching religion as core curriculum

L'A. suggere quelques directions possibles pour l'enseignement religieux. Pour l'enseignant, connaitre et identifier la vocation qui l'anime semble etre un premier pas. Preparer les etudiants, c'est-a-dire apprentissage de la pensee, de l'ecriture et de la lecture. Si le diplome de religion implique une specialisation, l'enseignant ne doit pas refuser les connexions interdisciplinaires. L'objectivite constitue une valeur mais l'enseignant peut prendre position lorsque celle-ci represente une possibilite de reponse au probleme. Enfin, l'enseignement de la religion a une finalite et une fonction sociale
Second-Order Implicit Schemes that Satisfy the GCL for Flow Computations on Dynamic Grids

We consider the solution of three-dimensi onal flow problems with moving boundaries using the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian formulation or dynamic meshes. We focus on the case where spatial discretization is performed by unstructured finite volumes or finite elements. We formulate the consequence of the Geometric Conservation Law on the second-order implicit temporal discretization of the semi-discrete equations governing such problems, and use it as a guideline to construct a new family of second-order time-accurate and geometrically conservative implicit numerical schemes for flow computations on moving grids. We apply these new algorithms to the solution of three-dimensi onal flow problems with moving and deforming boundaries, demonstrate their superior accuracy and computational efficiency, and highlight their impact on the simulation of fluid/structure interaction problems.
Are WE the world? A critical reflection on selfhood and global citizenship education

Although much debate exists on the conceptualization, nature, and goals of global citizenship education, there has been widespread support for incorporating ideals of global citizenship into the practices, texts, and curricula of U.S. schools and universities. This article offers an interpretive discourse-based critique of ideas of selfhood underlying global citizenship education. Based on analyses of two U.S. high school curricula and materials available on websites devoted to global citizenship, we develop a critique of universalizing constructs of selfhood that underlie global citizenship discourse. These assumptions obscure reflection on dynamics of social class privilege that shape global citizenship activism and situate global citizenship education as a potentially counter-productive neoliberal discourse. The article concludes with recommendations for practitioners interested in developing a more self-reflective and critical global citizenship education.
Promoting with Cents-off Coupons in the Early 1980s

The number of coupons almost doubled between 1976 and 1980 amounting to some 90,6 billion coupons issued in the latter year. The purpose of this study was to review the State of the Arts for coupon promotions and then to identify relevant promotion recommendations for the future.
Mechanical Response of T800/F3900 Composite at Various Strain Rates

Composite materials are becoming more and more popular in the automotive and aerospace industries. Many models exist that can describe the plastic deformation and failure response of composites, however, a new orthotropic material model (MAT_213 in LS-DYNA) has been developed to improve the predictive accuracy of numerical simulations of dynamic structural events involving composite materials. A test series was devised to calibrate this model for T800/F3900, a strengthened epoxy carbon-fiber reinforced polymer. In this paper, the mechanical response of T800/F3900 is studied experimentally under different loading conditions. Tests include in plane uniaxial compression, in plane transverse tension, compression and out of plane tension, compression at various strain rates. High rate tension and compression tests are conducted using the split Hopkinson bar technique, while static tests are conducted on a hydraulic load frame. In plane and out of plane deformations are studied using Digital Image Correlation (DIC).
Hepatitis A and E Viruses

Viral hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by several viral agents, including hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D (HDV), and E (HEV) viruses. Generally, HAV and HEV are associated with acute, self-limited infection; however, severe and protracted disease can develop. These nonenveloped viruses have independently evolved interesting mechanisms aimed at evading the immune response and guaranteeing survival in the host. These viruses are phylogenetically unrelated but share several similarities. The genomes from both viruses are single-stranded, positive-polarity RNA. The viruses primarily infect the liver, cause acute infection, and are shed in feces. Moreover, the clinical manifestations from HAV and HEV infection are undistinguishable and require specific laboratory tests for each virus. Despite the similarities exhibited by these viruses, differences in the epidemiology of the respective diseases result in distinctive distribution patterns worldwide.
Self-contained chlorine dioxide generation and delivery pods for decontamination of floor drainsce:

SUMMARY Listeria monocytogenes can be present in poultry processing and further processing plants, where it can colonize floor drains. This is a concern as the potential exists for cross-contamination of product contact surfaces or even fully cooked product. Self-contained chlorine dioxide-generating and delivery pods were tested as a means to sanitize uninoculated floor drains and L. monocytogenes-inoculated model floor drains. Free-swimming and attached bacteria were enumerated in drains. Standing water and the inner surface of treated drains had significantly lower bacterial numbers than did untreated drains. Listeria monocytogenes numbers decreased by up to 8.7 log cfu/mL in standing water (>99.999999%) and 6.7 log cfu (>99.9999%) as attached cells. Commercially available chlorine dioxide pods may have practical utility for killing L. monocytogenes during periodic sanitization of floor drains in poultry processing facilities.
Extrusion as a pretreatment for lignocellulosic biomass: Fundamentals and applications

Abstract Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is an essential step to obtain sugars from such biomasses, aimed at breaking the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose and facilitate the access of enzymatic hydrolytic agents to carbohydrates. Among the variety of pretreatment technologies that have been investigated in the past years, extrusion is a promising thermo-mechanical pretreatment. It is a continuous process, highly versatile, having good mixing and heat transfer capabilities and being able to operate at high solids loadings. However, its energetic and economic feasibility needs still to be evaluated before it can be an actual alternative to conventional biomass pretreatments. With the aim to provide a further insight into extrusion pretreatment, this work reviews its fundamentals and the influence of the most relevant operation variables (screw profile and speed, residence time, temperature, liquid to solid ratio and downstream operations) on extrusion performance, analyzed according to the existing bibliography. To complete this overview, the effects of extrusion on lignocellulosic biomass structure, composition and enzymatic digestibility are studied, with a focus on the performance of catalyzed extrusion.
Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities Are More Pronounced in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Than Other Breast Cancers

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare yet aggressive form of breast cancer. We examined differences in patient demographics and outcomes in IBC compared to locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and all other breast cancer patients from the Breast and Prostate Cancer Data Quality and Patterns of Care Study (POC-BP), containing information from cancer registries in seven states. Out of 7,624 cases of invasive carcinoma, IBC and LABC accounted for 2.2% ( ) and 4.9% ( ), respectively. IBC patients were more likely to have a higher number ( ) and severity ( ) of comorbidities than other breast cancer patients. Among IBC patients, a higher percentage of patients with metastatic disease versus nonmetastatic disease were black, on Medicaid, and from areas of higher poverty and more urban areas. Black and Hispanic IBC patients had worse overall and breast cancer-specific survival than white patients; moreover, IBC patients with Medicaid, patients from urban areas, and patients from areas of higher poverty and lower education had worse outcomes. These data highlight the effects of disparities in race and socioeconomic status on the incidence of IBC as well as IBC outcomes. Further work is needed to reveal the causes behind these disparities and methods to improve IBC outcomes.
Statistical Approaches for Nominal Data: Chi-Square Tests

In the previous chapter, we considered statistical tests that involve (1) a single continuous numeric variable, the sample mean for which is tested against a hypothetical population value, and (2) a single continuous numeric variable in which we compare means across a two category nominal level grouping variable like sex. Sometimes, however, we are faced with two nominal level variables we think may be related, like marital status and region of the country. In other cases, we may have a pair of ordinal variables, or a combination of nominal and ordinal variables, we expect to be associated but perhaps not linearly. For example, we may be interested in the relationship between religious affiliation (e.g., Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Other, None) and educational degree attainment (e.g., high school diploma, 2-year college degree, 4-year college degree, more than a 4-year degree).
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Racial Divide

A review by Peter M. Newlove, and Shoshanna BitzUniversity of Colorado DenverC. Anderson . (2017). White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of our Racial D ivide. New Yorkm, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing. 287 pa...
Comparison of Open and Closed Hand Fractures and the Effect of Urgent Operative Intervention.

Purpose To establish and compare the incidence of 30-day postoperative infection in surgically managed open and closed metacarpal and phalangeal fractures , and to determine whether open fractures treated urgently had a lower incidence of postoperative infection. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day infection rates of patients undergoing operative fixation of metacarpal, proximal, or middle phalanx fractures from 2008 to 2015 using the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A total of 3,506 patients were identified and patient variables and infection incidence were compared between open and closed injuries, as well as open injuries managed within 1 day of admission and those treated on an elective basis or treated more than 1 day after admission. Bivariate analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for postoperative infection. Results Although 34.2% of open hand fractures were taken urgently to the operating room, the diagnosis of open fractures along with nonurgent surgical treatment for open fractures was associated with a low incidence of postoperative infection. In addition, smoking was a risk factor for postoperative infection although anatomic location (phalanx vs metacarpal) was not. Conclusions Patients undergoing surgery for metacarpal or proximal/middle phalangeal fractures are not at greater risk for infection based on the diagnosis of open fracture alone. In addition, patients with open fractures who are taken to the operating room more than 1 day from presentation did not have a higher incidence of infection. Smoking is associated with increased 30-day infection rates after surgery, and surgeons should identify these patients for preoperative risk stratification , counseling, and postoperative wound monitoring. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic II.
Characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of bacteriophage PM2: membrane mutants.

In an effort to understand the genetic regulation of membrane morphogenesis, twenty-nine temperature-sensitive mutants of the membrane-containing bacteriophage PM2 were isolated. Characterization at restrictive temperature revealed groups showing no lysis (Groups I–IV), partial lysis (Groups V–VIII), and full lysis (Groups IX–XII) of the host Pseudomonas BAL-31. When the cell lysis data are considered in conjunction with data on stimulation of viral DNA synthesis, at least six mutant groups are defined. Analysis by gel electrophoresis of the pattern of viral proteins synthesized under restrictive conditions further divides the mutants into twelve groups. Temperature shift experiments delineate early, intermediate and late mutants. Complementation data support some of these groupings. The observed low levels of complementation and recombination are discussed in terms of gene product/genome restriction, bound to the membrane at the site of infection.
Titanium-Vanadium Binary Alloys

Ti-V has played a dominant role in the early development of type-II superconductivity. Since the late 1950’s when the results of transition temperature measurements were first reported, Ti-V has been subjected to both critical field and critical current measurement. The alloy has been investigated in both bulk and thin-film form, in the non-equilibrium rapidly-quenched state, and in equilibrium and aged conditions. Measurements of superconducting transition temperature have been made within the context of an argument over the possible existence of a magnetic, non-phonon-moderated mechanism for electron-electron coupling. The results of measurements of lower and upper critical fields, and flux-flow resistivity, have aided in the development of extensions of the GINZBURG-LANDAU-ABRIK0S0V-G0R’KOV (GLAG) theory into the realm of the paramagnetic mixed state, and have helped in defining the order of the s/n transition in extreme type-II superconductors.
A Novel Finite Element Model for Modeling Pile Dynamics

An efficient semi analytical-numerical methodology is presented for modeling pile dynamics. The medium is assumed to be a transversely isotropic infinite domain. In this paper, the mechanical state of stress and displacement fields arising from the coupling of wave propagation and the various pile effects for vertical cross sections of piles is solved analytically by utilizing the Boussinesq solution. The effective pile stiffness is obtained by finite element assembly of the displacement and force vectors due to wave propagation solution obtained at vertical pile cross sections and the resulting dynamic system is solved using the finite element method (FEM) in the frequency domain. A few numerical examples demonstrating various factors affecting the response of the pile system are presentenced. The present model predicts the pile dynamics problems accurately and efficiently for linear elastic mediums.
The Object Complement in Bahasa Malaysia

Together with a study of object complements, a succinct description of the Malay classifier construction is given. Object complementation is studied in a generative-transformational framework. For sentence object complements, four types of surface structures are proposed, but it is claimed that two types of deep structure trees underlie the sentence object complement construction. Informants for the study were Miss Noraini Aziz, of Kuala Selangor (Selangor State) and Miss Latifah Abdol Latif, of Alor Gajah (Malacca State).
Proton pump inhibitor in upper gastrointestinal fecal microbiota transplant: A systematic review and analysis

Background and aims Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is used in recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections. However, protocols are facility dependent, and one variable is whether pre-procedural proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are given. In theory, PPIs reduce acidity and protect the transplanted microbiome for the most potent dose. We conducted a systematic review to study the effect of PPIs on FMT delivered by upper gastrointestinal (GI) routes. Methods We searched Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science through December 16, 2018 using variations of keywords "fecal microbiota transplant" and "Clostridium difficile infection." Two authors independently reviewed 4210 results and found 11 qualifying studies with data on upper GI FMT, use of PPIs, and the rate of treatment failure at follow-up. Results Of 233 included patients, treatment failure occurred in 20.6% of those with use of PPIs versus 22.6% in the group without (relative risk 0.91; confidence interval 0.56-1.50). Limitations include the lack of studies directly comparing outcomes based on use of PPIs and inability to control for possible confounders such as chronic PPI use, amount of stool transplanted, and pre-FMT antibiotics. Conclusions We did not find evidence supporting a clinically significant benefit from routine use of PPIs in FMT protocol. It is possible that the theoretical benefit from improved survival of transplanted microbiota is offset by negative effects on the microbiome. We suggest that routine use of PPIs in upper GI FMT be reconsidered. Further investigation is needed to optimize protocols for safety and efficacy.
Seizure in venlafaxine overdose: a 10-year retrospective review of the California poison control system

Background: The optimal observation time period with respect to seizures after venlafaxine overdose is unclear. We conducted a 10-year retrospective review of calls to the California Poison Control...
High-Temperature Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Devices Using Si-Ge Thick Films Prepared by Laser Sintering of Nano/Micro Particles

Silicon-germanium (Si-Ge) is used as a high-temperature thermoelectric material due to its high figure of merit and good thermal stability at high temperatures. This article focuses on the high-temperature thermoelectric energy conversion devices using Si80Ge20 thick films prepared by laser sintering of nano/micro particles. The Si80Ge20 thick films were prepared by ball milling of Si-Ge material to achieve nano/micro particles and then laser sintering to achieve thick films. The device consists of three pairs of n-type phosphorus-doped Si80Ge20 legs and p-type boron-doped Si80Ge20 legs. The maximum temperature difference of 200 K was achieved when the hot-side temperature was 873 K and the cold-side was kept in the air (no water cooling). The corresponding maximum thermovoltage and output-power were 311.6 mV and 15.85 $\mu \text{W}$ . The effective power density was calculated as 8.8 mW/cm2. The performance of the device could be further improved by increasing the hot side temperature to about 1000 °C and cooling the cold side by water circulation, to generate a larger temperature difference. We demonstrate that this novel fabrication method as an easier, faster, and lower-cost way to fabricate the thick film type thermoelectric devices with high performance. Our demonstrated approach will be suitable for thermoelectric devices for large-area applications on arbitrary shapes. The presented method will also find applications for on-chip cooling and powering, which could substitute MEMS-based fabrication methods for $\mu $ -thermoelectric generators (TEGs) or other microthermoelectric modules with a simpler, cheaper, and faster fabrication process.
A Hierarchical Bayesian IRT Analysis of Children’s Risk Propensity

The Children’s Risk Utility Measure (CRUM) is an interactive, modified version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) that is appropriate for young children. This paper utilizes a Bayesian IRT model (an extension of logistic regression) to examine the impact of subject-level characteristics (age, working memory, inhibitory control) and trial-level characteristics (e.g. block, order, etc.) on the performance of children ages 3-6 years on the CRUM. The Bayesian model is especially helpful when performing IRT models–which have many parameters–on small data sets. The order of the trials was not associated with lower difficulty, indicating that children’s performance remained steady as the task went on. Working memory performance was negatively associated with children’s latent CRUM performance, while high scores on an inhibitory control task were positively related to child’s latent CRUM performance. Age and the interaction of age with working memory performance were both negligible effects. The IRT model was an effective way to estimate latent CRUM performance.
Pediatric Bassett’s ligament: pathology or normal anatomy?

Bassett’s ligament is an accessory fascicle of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. The prevalence, normal thickness and clinical implications of a thickened ligament have not been described in the pediatric radiology literature. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and thickness of Bassett’s ligament in pediatric patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of lateral talar osteochondral lesions, medial talar osteochondral lesions and posterior ankle impingement, to compare these measurements with normal MRIs, and to compare the reproducibility of these measurements. This is a retrospective study of pediatric ankle MRIs with four cohorts containing 21 patients each. All MRIs were retrospectively reviewed by a pediatric musculoskeletal radiologist and a pediatric radiology fellow. The prevalence of Bassett’s ligament and its axial thickness were obtained for each cohort with repeat measurements for intra-observer and interobserver variability. Average thickness and standard deviation of Bassett’s ligament were calculated. The prevalence of Bassett’s ligament and its thickness in each cohort were (mean±standard deviation): lateral osteochondral lesions, 71% (15/21), 1.9±0.5 mm; medial osteochondral lesions, 52% (11/21), 1.4±0.2 mm; posterior impingement, 52% (11/21), 1.3±0.2 mm; and normal ankle examinations, 71% (15/21), 1.5±0.4 mm. The thickness of Bassett’s ligament was increased in the lateral talar osteochondral lesion group when compared to normal (P=0.02), while thickness in the medial osteochondral lesion and posterior impingement groups was not significant when compared to normal. The repeat measurements showed no significant difference in intra-observer and interobserver variability. Bassett’s ligament is a normal structure in children. Thickening of Bassett’s ligament is seen with lateral osteochondral lesions and may be an indirect sign of anterolateral tibiotalar capsule injury.
A new method for quantification and 3D visualization of brain tumor adhesion using slip interface imaging in patients with meningiomas

To develop an objective quantitative method to characterize and visualize meningioma-brain adhesion using MR elastography (MRE)-based slip interface imaging (SII). This retrospective study included 47 meningiomas (training dataset: n = 35; testing dataset: n = 12) with MRE/SII examinations. Normalized octahedral shear strain (NOSS) values were calculated from the acquired MRE displacement data. The change in NOSS at the tumor boundary (ΔNOSSbdy) was computed, from which a 3D ΔNOSSbdy map of the tumor surface was created and the probability distribution of ΔNOSSbdy over the entire tumor surface was calculated. Statistical features were calculated from the probability histogram. After eliminating highly correlated features, the capability of the remaining feature for tumor adhesion classification was assessed using a one-way ANOVA and ROC analysis. The magnitude and location of the tumor adhesion can be visualized by the reconstructed 3D ΔNOSSbdy surface map. The entropy of the ΔNOSSbdy histogram was significantly different between adherent tumors and partially/completely non-adherent tumors in both the training (AUC: 0.971) and testing datasets (AUC: 0.900). Based on the cutoff values obtained from the training set, the ΔNOSSbdy entropy in the testing dataset yielded an accuracy of 0.83 for distinguishing adherent versus partially/non-adherent tumors, and 0.67 for distinguishing non-adherent versus completely/partially adherent tumors. SII-derived ΔNOSSbdy values are useful for quantification and classification of meningioma-brain adhesion. The reconstructed 3D ΔNOSSbdy surface map presents the state and location of tumor adhesion in a “clinician-friendly” manner, and can identify meningiomas with a high risk of adhesion to adjacent brain parenchyma. • MR elastography (MRE)–based slip interface imaging shows promise as an objective tool to preoperatively discriminate meningiomas with a high risk of intraoperative adhesion. • Measurement of the change of shear strain at meningioma boundaries can provide quantitative metrics depicting the state of adhesion at the tumor-brain interface. • The surface map of tumor adhesion shows promise in assisting precise adhesion localization, using a comprehensible, “clinician-friendly” 3D visualization.
Managing Pandemics with Health Informatics: Successes and Challenges.

Introduction: The novel COVID-19 pandemic struck the world unprepared. This keynote outlines challenges and successes using data to inform providers, government officials, hospitals, and patients in a pandemic. Methods: The authors outline the data required to manage a novel pandemic including their potential uses by governments, public health organizations, and individuals. Results: An extensive discussion on data quality and on obstacles to collecting data is followed by examples of successes in clinical care, contact tracing, and forecasting. Generic local forecast model development is reviewed followed by ethical consideration around pandemic data. We leave the reader with thoughts on the next inevitable outbreak and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: COVID-19 must be a lesson for the future to direct us to better planning and preparing to manage the next pandemic with health informatics.
ApoE4 inhibition of VMAT2 in the locus coeruleus exacerbates Tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease

ApoE4 enhances Tau neurotoxicity and promotes the early onset of AD. Pretangle Tau in the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) is the earliest detectable AD-like pathology in the human brain. However, a direct relationship between ApoE4 and Tau in the LC has not been identified. Here we show that ApoE4 selectively binds to the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and inhibits neurotransmitter uptake. The exclusion of norepinephrine (NE) from synaptic vesicles leads to its oxidation into the toxic metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl glycolaldehyde (DOPEGAL), which subsequently activates cleavage of Tau at N368 by asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) and triggers LC neurodegeneration. Our data reveal that ApoE4 boosts Tau neurotoxicity via VMAT2 inhibition, reduces hippocampal volume, and induces cognitive dysfunction in an AEP- and Tau N368-dependent manner, while conversely ApoE3 binds Tau and protects it from cleavage. Thus, ApoE4 exacerbates Tau neurotoxicity by increasing VMAT2 vesicle leakage and facilitating AEP-mediated Tau proteolytic cleavage in the LC via DOPEGAL.
Defining empathy: Interconnected discourses of virtual reality’s prosocial impact:

While a consumer revolution in virtual reality (VR) has piqued the interest of many fields, industries, and professions, it is unclear when, how, and to what degree the technology can elicit empath...
Friends, not ATMs: parasocial relational work and the construction of intimacy by artists on Patreon

Subscription crowdfunding platforms, such as Patreon and Twitch, market themselves as spaces where digital creative workers can secure stable income from a loyal group of patrons, and where patrons...
A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Biologic Medications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a useful strategy to optimize biologic medications for inflammatory bowel disease not responsive to standard dosing regimens. TDM is cost effective for anti-tumor necrosis factor agents in the setting of loss of response (reactive TDM). Optimizing drug dosing when patients are in remission (proactive TDM) may be beneficial in certain circumstances. However, frequently the serum drug concentration in isolation becomes the focus TDM. Additionally, the lines of reactive and proactive TDM can quickly blur in many common clinical settings. Physicians employing a TDM based strategy need to place the drug concentration in context with the inflammatory status of the patient, the underlying pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug, the risk of immunogenicity, and the therapeutic goals for the patient. Physicians should understand the limits of TDM and feel comfortable making therapeutic decisions with imperfect information. The goal of this narrative review is to provide a framework of questions that physicians can use to employ TDM effectively in practice.
Learning to trade on sentiment

The increasing availability of big data has made it possible to research the sentiment influence to the individual company. We use investment social media data to extract the sentiment expressed in the financial news articles by applying deep learning model, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. The textual sentiment (bullish or bearish idea) can be classified by all the machine learning classifiers and deep learning models and even some traditional dictionary approaches. Based on our experiments, we have found that the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network performs best with the accuracy at 94%. Based on the sentiment related with individual company, we build a market-neutral trading strategy called majority votes strategy to perform a comprehensive study on how the sentiment of the individual company influence the financial returns. In this paper, we demonstrate how financial sentiment analysis can be utilized to build trading strategy by incorporating the sentiment factor.
Return to Play

There are currently no clear, evidence-based guidelines on return to play (RTP) following sports-related concussion (SRC) for athletes with impairment participating in wheelchair sports or adaptive sports. The current RTP progression from the 2017 Concussion in Sport Group (CISG) follows a graduated stepwise rehabilitation strategy that can serve as a framework for the wheelchair athlete. However, modifications may be necessary due to the unique considerations for the wheelchair athlete. An individualized approach to RTP should be utilized for all athletes following SRC.
From Ownership to Access: Standards of Quality for The Law Library of Tomorrow

Celebrating the addition of volume 500,000 to the collection of the University of Minnesota Law School Library, the future of law libraries is examined with attention to the future of law libraries, preservation requirements, library networking and the electronic storage and dissemination of information.
Race and Nation: How Racial Hierarchy Shapes National Attachments

We contend that the boundaries and nature of national attachments are shaped by the position of one’s group within America’s racial order, with higher status yielding more racially exclusive forms of identity. We test our claims in the realm of xenophobia. Using an original survey of African Americans (n 5 1,000) and Whites (n 5 1,000), we assess national pride, nationalism, nativism, and racial identity, plus affect toward various immigrant groups. We establish that national attachments have racially varied meanings, thereby producing sharp differences in each racial group’s response to foreigners. Although national pride is unrelated to White antipathy toward outsiders, nationalism and nativism increase White hostility to immigrants—except when they are White. In contrast, national pride diminishes African American hostility to Black and non-Black immigrants, while nativism is generally unrelated to Black antipathy to outsiders. Finally, while nationalism heightens xenophobia among Blacks, this sentiment envelops all foreigners—including African immigrants. We discuss our results’ implications for theories of national attachment in intergroup settings.
Inderjit (ed.): Management of Invasive Weeds

Author(s): Parker, Ingrid M.; Holloran, Pete; Swope, Sarah M.; Cummings, Justin; Grove, Sara; Fresquez, Carla
Chapter 21 In Vitro Studies of Lantibiotic Biosynthesis

The lantibiotics are ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptide antibiotics containing the thioether crosslinks lanthionine (Lan) and 3-methyllanthionine (MeLan) and typically also the dehydroamino acids dehydroalanine (Dha) and (Z)-dehydrobutyrine (Dhb). These modifications are formed by dehydration of Ser/Thr residues to produce the Dha and Dhb structures, and subsequent conjugate additions of Cys residues onto the unsaturated amino acids to form thioether rings (Lan and MeLan). Several of the enzymatic reactions involved in lantibiotic biosynthesis have been reconstituted in vitro in recent years and these systems as well as a general overview of lantibiotic biosynthesis are discussed in this chapter.
Management of North American Culicoides Biting Midges: Current Knowledge and Research Needs

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are biological vectors of two important viruses impacting North American ruminants--bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). These viruses have been identified for over 60 years in North America, but we still lack an adequate understanding of the basic biology and ecology of the confirmed vector, Culicoides sonorensis, and know even less about other putative Culicoides vector species. The major gaps in our knowledge of the biology of Culicoides midges are broad and include an understanding of the ecology of juveniles, the identity of potential alternate vector species, interactions of midges with both pathogens and vertebrates, and the effectiveness of potential control measures. Due to these broad and numerous fundamental knowledge gaps, vector biologists and livestock producers are left with few options to respond to or understand outbreaks of EHD or BT in North America, or respond to emerging or exotic Culicoides-transmitted pathogens. Here we outline current knowledge of vector ecology and control tactics for North American Culicoides species, and delineate research recommendations aimed to fill knowledge gaps.
A 3-watt X-band monolithic variable gain amplifier

The design and performance of a monolithic dual-gate GaAs FET 3-W X-band amplifier are discussed. The two-stage amplifier demonstrates 13-dB gain and over 20% power-added efficiency with low insertion phase variations over a 30% bandwidth. Both large-signal and small-signal gain can be varied by 20 dB while exhibiting less than +or-6 degrees insertion phase variation. The successful performance has established confidence in the utility of shunt in-line MIM tuning capacitors and large binary tree structures for on-chip power combining. In addition, this design has established confidence in the producibility of a large and fairly complex MMIC with substantial gate periphery, relatively large total MIM capacitance and many vias. >
Predictors of Pseudomonas and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospitalized patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia

Background and objective Patients with healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) are at high risk of infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. Factors discriminating infection with MDR Gram-negative (MDR-GN) organism from infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are not well understood and patients are often treated for both organisms. This study was performed to determine risk factors predicting pneumonia due to Pseudomonas versus MRSA. Methods Veterans age ≥65 hospitalized with HCAP between 2002 and 2012 were identified from the Veterans Affairs administrative databases. Patients were identified with Pseudomonas pneumonia, MRSA pneumonia or neither according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We assessed unadjusted and adjusted associations of patient characteristics and HCAP due to Pseudomonas or MRSA. Results Of the 61 651 patients with HCAP, 1156 (1.9%) were diagnosed with Pseudomonas pneumonia, 641 (1.0%) with MRSA pneumonia and 59 854 (97.1%) with neither. MRSA pneumonia was positively associated with male gender, age >74, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), recent nursing home or hospital stay, recent exposure to fluoroquinolone or antibiotics treating Gram-positive organisms, and severe pneumonia. MRSA pneumonia was negatively associated with complicated diabetes. Pseudomonas pneumonia was positively associated with recent hospital stay, immunocompromise, COPD, hemiplegia, recent exposure to inhaled corticosteroids, β-lactam/cephalosporin/carbapenem antibiotics, antibiotics against Gram-positive organisms, ‘other antibiotics’ and severe pneumonia. Pseudomonas pneumonia was negatively associated with age >84, higher socioeconomic status, drug abuse and diabetes. Conclusions Patient characteristics may assist in identifying patients at risk for HCAP due to Pseudomonas or MRSA.
COMPARISON OF SOME EXCITATION SCHEMES FOR A JET MHD INDUCTION GENERATOR.

An initial analysis of an MHD induction generator operating on a flat, inviscid, pure-liquid jet with the magnetic vector potential specified is presented. The behavior for this model is controlled not by the conventional slips s = ua/co — 1, where u is the fluid velocity, a. the wave number, co the frequency in rad/sec, and co/a the velocity of the traveling magnetic field; but by the effective slip se = (u/co)[a + x(da/dx)} — 1. Numerical and /or analytical solutions for the fluid velocity and powers are obtained for four forms of a(x). The constant a and constant s cases are impractical because of the spatial dependence of the field-fluid interaction. The constant se and linearvariationofa cases offer the possibility of improved performance with reasonable power densities and the reduction or elimination of viscous losses and ohmic wall losses. This analysis is also applicable to nonjet variablevelocity generators.
Library Services for Off-Campus Business Professionals

SUMMARY Central Michigan University has been offering degree programs to business professionals off-campus since 1971 through the College of Extended Learning. In 1976, Off-Campus Library Services was formed to provide library services exclusively for students enrolled in off-campus courses. This article describes the off-campus administration degree programs and the reference, instruction, and document delivery services that Off-Campus Library Services provides to these students.
Transients in nonequilibrium superconductors

The superconducting gap and the quasiparticle and phonon-distribution functions are studied as functions of time following the sudden turning on or off of tunneling current or microwaves. They are studied by numerical integration of the Boltzmann equations which Chang and Scalapino have solved for the steady state. The initial response times show no temperature dependence in the range (0.9-0.96)T/sub c/. The initial response times of the gap are different when the drive is turned on and when it is turned off. This shows the effect of an additional time scale: the time scale for saturation of the driving mechanism. Finally, the possibility of the sample overshooting the steady state is demonstrated.
Long‐term effects of school desegregation on southern blacks

Relatively little is known about the long‐term effects of school desegregation on black adult lifestyles and life chances. For example, does school segregation perpetuate itself across stages of the life cycle and across different institutional settings? Does school segregation constrain the career educational and occupational aspirations and attainments of blacks? These important issues have only recently begun to receive empirical research attention. This article reviews research on the effects of school desegregation on southern blacks, with particular emphasis on recent evidence from several large‐scale national surveys. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for social policy and racial equity.
Determination of228Th,230Th, and232Th in environmental samples from uranium mining and milling operations

A method is described for the determination of228Th,230Th, and232Th in environmental samples from uranium mining and milling operations. The analytical procedure is based on the direct determination of228Th in the sample by high resolution γ-spectrometry followed by extraction and purification of the thorium fraction using high molecular weight amines and an anion-exchange technique, respectively, prior to α-spectrometry to determine isotopic ratios. The lowest level of detection for each thorium isotope is 0.01 pCi/g for solid samples and 20 pCi/l for aqueous samples. Replicate analyses of a typical mine waste stream gave a standard deviation of ±3% for228Th. Standard deviations of the230Th and232Th increased to ±11% apparently due to traces of210Po interfering in the α-spectrometry.
The influence of dynamic chamber design and operating parameters on calculated surface-to-air mercury fluxes

Abstract Dynamic Flux Chambers (DFCs) are commonly applied for the measurement of non-point source mercury (Hg) emissions from a wide range of surfaces. A standard operating protocol and design for DFCs does not exist, and as a result there is a large diversity in methods described in the literature. Because natural and anthropogenic non-point sources are thought to contribute significantly to the atmosphere Hg pool, development of accurate fluxes during field campaigns is essential. The objective of this research was to determine how differences in chamber material, sample port placement, vertical cross sectional area/volume, and flushing flow rate influence the Hg flux from geologic materials. Hg fluxes measured with a Teflon chamber were higher than those obtained using a polycarbonate chamber, with differences related to light transmission and substrate type. Differences in sample port placement (side versus top) did not have an influence on Hg fluxes. When the same flushing flow rate was applied to two chambers of different volumes, higher fluxes were calculated for the chamber with the smaller volume. Conversely, when two chambers with different volumes were maintained at similar turnover times, the larger volume chamber yielded higher Hg fluxes. Overall, the flushing flow rate and associated chamber turnover time had the largest influence on Hg flux relative to the other parameters tested. Results from computational fluid dynamic (CFD) modeling inside a DFC confirm that the smaller diffusion resistance at higher flushing flows contributes to the higher measured flux. These results clearly illustrate that differences in chamber design and operation can significantly influence the resulting calculated Hg flux, and thus impact the comparability of results obtained using DFC designs and/or operating parameters. A protocol for determining a flushing flow rate that results in fluxes less affected by chamber operating conditions and design is proposed. Application of this protocol would provide a framework for comparison of data from different studies.
The lexical accent effects on the perception of fundamental frequency peaks in Japanese

A perceptual experiment was conducted to examine the effects of lexical accent on the perceptual prominence of fundamental frequency peaks (F0) in Japanese. Listeners judged the relative prominence of two peaks (P1 and P2) in sentences in which the peak values and accentedness were varied. When the accentedness of the two peaks did not differ [accented–accented (aa) and unaccented–unaccented (uu)], the results confirmed earlier observations that P2 needs to be lower than P1 to be perceived to be as equally prominent. Moreover, P2 in aa needs to be even lower than P2 in uu to sound equal to P1, due to the perceptual compensation for downstep. However, when accentedness of P1 and P2 differed, to sound equally prominent P2 had to be lower in au than in aa, and P2 had to be higher in ua than in uu. These patterns can be accounted for if the perceived height of an accented word is discounted. The experimental results revealed that lexical accent plays an important role in the perception of intonational prominence in Japanese, and provide evidence for hitherto unknown compensation processes involved in it: downstep compensation and accent discounting.