cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic variation among interconnected populations of Catostomus occidentalis: Implications for distinguishing impacts of contaminants from biogeographical structuring

Exposure to contaminants can affect survivorship, recruitment, reproductive success, mutation rates and migration, and may play a significant role in the partitioning of genetic variation among exposed and nonexposed populations. However, the application of molecular population genetic data to evaluate such influences has been uncommon and often flawed. We tested whether patterns of genetic variation among native fish populations (Sacramento sucker, Catostomus occidentalis ) in the Central Valley of California were consistent with long-term pesticide exposure history, or primarily with expectations based on biogeography. Field sampling was designed to rigorously test for both geographical and contamination influences. Fine-scale structure of these interconnected populations was detected with both amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and microsatellite markers, and patterns of variation elucidated by the two marker systems were highly concordant. Analyses indicated that biogeographical hypotheses described the data set better than hypotheses relating to common historical pesticide exposure. Downstream populations had higher genetic diversity than upstream populations, regardless of exposure history, and genetic distances showed that populations from the same river system tended to cluster together. Relatedness among populations reflected primarily directions of gene flow, rather than convergence among contaminant-exposed populations. Watershed geography accounted for significant partitioning of genetic variation among populations, whereas contaminant exposure history did not. Genetic patterns indicating contaminant-induced selection, increased mutation rates or recent bottlenecks were weak or absent. We stress the importance of testing contaminant-induced genetic change hypotheses within a biogeographical context. Strategic application of molecular markers for analysis of fine-scale structure, and for evaluating contaminant impacts on gene pools, is discussed.
On Walking in the Footprints of Giants

This article tells of a lifelong fascination with light, a messenger bearing information from realms ranging from the galactic to the submicroscopic. Personal interactions have shaped and informed this life journey. Accounts of some of the most important of these are related. Infrared and electronic spectra have been obtained, often for the first time, for many small free radicals and molecular ions-short-lived reaction intermediates in most chemical processes. The infrared spectrum of a molecule tells how its atoms vibrate with respect to one another and is as characteristic of the molecule as a fingerprint is of a person. Analysis of this spectrum provides sometimes surprising information about the structure and chemical bonding of the molecule in its lowest-energy electronic state. The electronic spectrum provides information on the molecule in more highly excited electronic states, in which its structure or reaction pattern may change or it may decompose.
Higher symmetry and gapped phases of gauge theories

We study topological field theory describing gapped phases of gauge theories where the gauge symmetry is partially Higgsed and partially confined. The TQFT can be formulated both in the continuum and on the lattice and generalizes Dijkgraaf–Witten theory by replacing a finite group by a finite 2-group. The basic field in this TQFT is a 2-connection on a principal 2-bundle. We classify topological actions for such theories as well as loop and surface observables. When the topological action is trivial, the TQFT is related to a Dijkgraaf–Witten theory by electric-magnetic duality, but in general it is distinct.We propose the existence of new phases of matter protected by higher symmetry.
Variation in timing of ossification affects inferred heterochrony of cranial bones in Lissamphibia.

SUMMARY The evolutionary origin of Lissamphibia likely involved heterochrony, as demonstrated by the biphasic lifestyles of most extant orders, differences between Anura (with tadpole-to-froglet metamorphosis) and Urodela (which lack strongly defined metamorphosis), and the appearance of direct development among separate lineages of frogs. Patterns in the timing of appearance of skeletal elements (i.e., ossification sequence data) represent a possible source of information for understanding the origin of Lissamphibia, and with the advent of analytical methods to directly optimize these data onto known phylogenies, there has been a renewed interest in assessing the role of changes in these developmental events. However, little attention has been given to the potential impact of variation in ossification sequence data—this is particularly surprising given that different criteria for collecting these data have been employed. Herein, new and previously published ossification data are compiled and all pairs of data for same-species comparisons are selected. Analyses are run to assess the impact of using data that were collected by different methodologies: (1) wild- versus lab-raised animals; (2) different criteria for recognizing timing of ossification; and (3) randomly selecting ossification sequences for species from which multiple studies have been published, but for which the data were collected by different criteria. Parsimov-based genetic inference is utilized to map ossification sequence data onto an existing phylogeny to reconstruct ancestral sequences of ossification and infer instances of heterochrony. All analyses succeeded in optimizing sequence data on internal nodes and instances of heterochrony were identified. However, among all analyses little congruence was found in reconstructed ancestral sequences or among inferred instances of heterochrony. These results indicate a high degree of variation in timing of ossification, and suggest a cautionary note about use of these data, particularly given that in most instances issues associated with the original sources of data (e.g., wild- vs. lab-raised animals; or criteria for identification of earliest ossification) are not addressed. Potential sources of variation in the original data are discussed and may explain the incongruence observed here.
Standards Development for Impermeable, Constructible, and Durable Waterproofing

Building owners' expectations for waterproofing systems are simple. Waterproofing must prevent the passage of water (impermeability), must be capable of successful installation under typical construction conditions (constructability), and must continue to provide waterproofing for the life of the structure (durability). The realization of these expectations is thwarted, in part, by a lack of consensus on how these features are defined, tested, and compared to performance-based criteria. This investigation includes waterproofing materials commonly used on plazas and below-grade walls. The authors discuss important properties of waterproofing and review the requirements of standards for waterproofing systems. The results of testing bentonite and cold liquid-applied waterproofing are reported. In conclusion, the authors suggest improvements in standards.
Using the cyclostationary properties of chaotic signals for communications

Cyclostationary signals have an expectation value which varies periodically in time. Chaotic signals that have large components at some discrete frequencies in their power spectra can be cyclostationary. The cyclostationarity persists even if the discrete frequency components are removed from the chaotic signal, leaving a signal with a purely broad band frequency spectrum. In this brief, a communications system is created by modulating information onto the periodic parts of a chaotic signal and then removing the periodic parts from the frequency spectrum. At the receiver, the periodic parts of the spectrum are restored by means of a nonlinear operation. This system is demonstrated both in simulations and real circuits, and the performance of this system is measured in simulations. Finally, some of the reasons why such a scheme might be useful are discussed.
EVALUATING A CHANGE PROCESS PRODUCT DATA MODEL FOR AN ANALYSIS DRIVEN SUPPLY CHAIN CASE STUDY

This paper introduces a change management case study using Product Data-Driven Analysis scenarios from TIGER [TIGER, 97] ‐ a supply chain case study - and an associated mapping to a STEP data model, a standard format product data model terminology. The case study describes supply chain scenarios that involve prime with contractors, subcontractors and consulting entities. The core activity within these scenarios is an engineering analysis of Printed Wiring Boards (PWB) with a focus on modeling product analysis data. Analysis of PWB can involve an iterative process that translates to changes to the product data. Application protocol 208 [STEP, Part 208/CD] is an underdeveloped part of the STEP standard and deals with product life cycle and change management. These changes are incorporated into the case study scenarios and the capability of AP 208 to capture them is evaluated.
Transfusion Support Issues in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation require extensive transfusion support until red blood cell and platelet engraftment occurs. Rare but predictable complications may arise when the transplanted stem cells are incompatible with the native ABO type of the patient. Immediate and delayed hemolysis is often seen. Methods: A literature review was performed and the results from peer-reviewed papers that contained reproducible findings were integrated. Results: A strong body of clinical evidence has developed around the common complications experienced with ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These complications are discussed and the underlying pathophysiology is explained. General treatment options and guidelines are enumerated. Conclusions: ABO-incompatible hematopoietic stem cell transplantations are frequently performed. Immune-related hemolysis is a commonly encountered complication; therefore, health care professionals must recognize the signs of immune-mediated hemolysis and understand the various etiologies that may drive the process.
Occurrence of dimethylsulfoxide in leaves, stems, and roots of Spartina alterniflora

Spartina alterniflora is unique among salt marsh macrophytes in its synthesis of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). One potential degradation product of DMSP is dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The concentrations of DMSP and DMSO were determined for S. alterniflora plants collected from Mobile Bay, Alabama. Although the distribution of DMSO within healthy S. alterniflora tissues mirrored somewhat that of DMSP, with the highest concentrations found in leaf tissue followed by stem and root tissue, the DMSO/DMSP ratio in root tissue was more than twice that in leaf or stem tissue. This is likely the result of a higher rate of DMS(P) oxidation in roots. It has been proposed that DMSP functions as an antioxidant in certain marine phytoplankton, and a similar function may be operational in S. alterniflora. Enhanced oxidative stress in the S. alterniflora root zone may help explain the high DMSO/DMSP ratio. In support of this idea was the finding that the DMSO/DMSP ratio was higher in tissues presumably experiencing increased oxidative stress such as yellowing S. alterniflora leaves and senescing segments of individual leaves compared to healthy tissue. The occurrence of DMSO in tissues of S. alterniflora is consistent with DMS(P) functioning as an antioxidant in this plant. Higher DMSO/DMSP ratios in stressed leaves further supports that role. However, specific roles for DMSP, DMS, or DMSO in oxidative stress protection in S. alterniflora remain to be demonstrated.
Applied Type System

The framework Pure Type System (\(\mathcal{PTS}\)) offers a simple and general approach to designing and formalizing type systems. However, in the presence of dependent types, there often exist some acute problems that make it difficult for \(\mathcal{PTS}\) to accommodate many common realistic programming features such as general recursion, recursive types, effects (e.g., exceptions, references, input/output), etc. In this paper, we propose a new framework Applied Type System (\(\mathcal{ATS}\)) to allow for designing and formalizing type systems that can readily support common realistic programming features. The key salient feature of \(\mathcal{ATS}\) lies in a complete separation between statics, in which types are formed and reasoned about, and dynamics, in which programs are constructed and evaluated. With this separation, it is no longer possible for a program to occur in a type as is otherwise allowed in \(\mathcal{PTS}\). We present not only a formal development of \(\mathcal{ATS}\) but also mention some examples in support of using \(\mathcal{ATS}\) as a framework to form type systems for practical programming.
Multimedia exposures to arsenic and lead for children near an inactive mine tailings and smelter site

Children living near contaminated mining waste areas may have high exposures to metals from the environment. This study investigates whether exposure to arsenic and lead is higher in children in a community near a legacy mine and smelter site in Arizona compared to children in other parts of the United States and the relationship of that exposure to the site. Arsenic and lead were measured in residential soil, house dust, tap water, urine, and toenail samples from 70 children in 34 households up to 7 miles from the site. Soil and house dust were sieved, digested, and analyzed via ICP-MS. Tap water and urine were analyzed without digestion, while toenails were washed, digested and analyzed. Blood lead was analyzed by an independent, certified laboratory. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated between each environmental media and urine and toenails for arsenic and lead. Geometric mean arsenic (standard deviation) concentrations for each matrix were: 22.1 (2.59) ppm and 12.4 (2.27)ppm for soil and house dust (<63μm), 5.71 (6.55)ppb for tap water, 14.0 (2.01)μg/L for specific gravity-corrected total urinary arsenic, 0.543 (3.22)ppm for toenails. Soil and vacuumed dust lead concentrations were 16.9 (2.03)ppm and 21.6 (1.90) ppm. The majority of blood lead levels were below the limit of quantification. Arsenic and lead concentrations in soil and house dust decreased with distance from the site. Concentrations in soil, house dust, tap water, along with floor dust loading were significantly associated with toenail and urinary arsenic but not lead. Mixed models showed that soil and tap water best predicted urinary arsenic. In our study, despite being present in mine tailings at similar levels, internal lead exposure was not high, but arsenic exposure was of concern, particularly from soil and tap water. Naturally occurring sources may be an additional important contributor to exposures in certain legacy mining areas.
Distal tibia allograft for glenohumeral instability: does radius of curvature match?

Background A distal tibia osteochondral allograft is a potential graft option for glenoid reconstruction because the distal tibia may have a similar radius of curvature (ROC) as the glenoid. This study evaluated ROC mismatch as measured on computed tomography (CT) scans between the glenoid, distal tibia, and humeral head. Methods Bilateral CT images were formatted for 10 decedents from the Office of the Medical Investigator database, giving 20 specimens per anatomic location. The ROCs of the glenoid, distal tibia, and humeral head were measured. A statistical model was generated to assess ROC mismatch of randomly paired distal tibias and glenoids. Results The mean ± standard deviation ROC was 2.9 ± 0.25 cm for the glenoid, 2.3 ± 0.21 cm for the distal tibia, and 2.5 ± 0.12 cm for the humeral head. No differences were found in laterality, intraobserver, or interobserver measurements. The least-squares difference in the ROC between the glenoid and tibia was 0.57 cm, glenoid and humerus was 0.40 cm, and humerus and tibia was 0.17 cm. Only 22% of randomly paired distal tibias and glenoids had a difference in ROC of 0.3 cm or less. Conclusion CT measurement of the ROC of the glenoid, distal tibia, and humeral head is reliable and reproducible. The probability of obtaining a random distal tibia allograft with a similar ROC to the glenoid is low. Obtaining ROC measurements of the injured glenoid and the distal tibia allograft specimen before use for glenoid reconstruction may be useful.
Abstract 617: Intestine-Specific MTP Deficiency with ACAT2 Gene Ablation Lowers Acute Cholesterol Absorption With Chylomicrons and High-Density Lipoproteins

Intestinal cholesterol absorption involves chylomicron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) pathways. Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) and ATP binding cassette family A protein 1 (ABCA1) are critical for cholesterol transport by these pathways, respectively. Additionally, acyl Co-A:cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2) plays an important role in cholesterol absorption. Intestinal MTP ablation significantly increased intestinal triglyceride and cholesterol levels and reduced their acute absorption. In contrast, ACAT2 deficiency had no effect on triglyceride absorption but significantly reduced cholesterol absorption. Individual deficiencies of ACAT2 and MTP reduced cholesterol absorption with chylomicrons. We hypothesized that their combined deficiency would increase cholesterol secretion with HDL; unexpectedly, their deficiency reduced secretion with both chylomicrons and HDL. Further, we observed significant reductions in intestinal ABCA1 expression in combined deficient mice. Thus, free chol...
Relation between time of fertilization and follicle cell dispersal in rat ova.

ConclusionsFertilization of the rat ovum occurs before mass displacement of the surrounding follicle cells; denudation of the ova occurs subsequently. Since hyaluronidase, introduced into the uterus, does not pass into the tubes to denude the ova, it seems that only the enzyme associated with the sperm which reach the oviduct disperses the follicle cells.
Curricular approaches to connecting subtraction to addition and fostering fluency with basic differences in grade 1

Six widely used US Grade 1 curricula do not adequately address the following three developmental prerequisites identified by a proposed learning trajectory for the meaningful learning of the subtraction-as-addition strategy (e.g., for 13 – 8 think “what + 8 = 13?”): (a) reverse operations (adding 8 is undone by subtracting 8); (b) common part-whole relations (5 + 8 and 13 – 8 share the same whole 13 and parts 5 and 8); and (c) the complement principle in terms of part-whole relations (if parts 5 and 8 make the whole 13, then subtracting one part from the whole leaves the other part).
Silicon-Based Frequency Combs

Recent advances in the parametric generation of frequency combs in CMOS-compatible chips show promise for the development of highly compact, robust comb sources that can be integrated with photonic and electronic devices. Article not available. Article not available.
A cavitation transition in the energy landscape of simple cohesive liquids and glasses

In particle systems with cohesive interactions, the pressure-density relationship of the mechanically stable inherent structures sampled along a liquid isotherm (i.e., the equation of state of an energy landscape) will display a minimum at the Sastry density ρS. The tensile limit at ρS is due to cavitation that occurs upon energy minimization, and previous characterizations of this behavior suggested that ρS is a spinodal-like limit that separates all homogeneous and fractured inherent structures. Here, we revisit the phenomenology of Sastry behavior and find that it is subject to considerable finite-size effects, and the development of the inherent structure equation of state with system size is consistent with the finite-size rounding of an athermal phase transition. What appears to be a continuous spinodal-like point at finite system sizes becomes discontinuous in the thermodynamic limit, indicating behavior akin to a phase transition. We also study cavitation in glassy packings subjected to athermal expansion. Many individual expansion trajectories averaged together produce a smooth equation of state, which we find also exhibits features of finite-size rounding, and the examples studied in this work give rise to a larger limiting tension than for the corresponding landscape equation of state.
Cavity QED of quantum dots with dielectric microspheres

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cavity QED using a composite semiconductor microsphere system. The use of semiconductor nanocrystals in the composite system can overcome many of the difficulties encountered in composite systems that use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown nanostructures. Coupling nanocrystals synthesized through colloidal chemistry or nanostructures grown by MBE to whispering gallery modes in a dielectric microsphere forms a unique composite semiconductor microcavity system. In a low-Q regime, enhanced spontaneous emission has been demonstrated in CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals embedded in the interior surface of a polystyrene microsphere, providing important information on radiative dynamics in these quantum dots. In a high-Q regime, the good cavity limit in cavity QED, in which absorption or emission occurring in a single quantum dot can significantly affect the dynamics of the composite quantum dot microcavity system, has been reached by coupling the nanocrystals to whispering gallery modes in a fused silica microsphere. Studies of homogeneous line width of the CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals using high resolution spectral hole burning has also shown the suppression of dephasing associated with electron–phonon interactions because of the complete quantization of acoustic phonon modes in the colloidal quantum dots. While excessive pure dephasing in CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals were prevented from achieving the strong-coupling limit in cavity QED, this limit should be readily achievable with a composite nanocrystal-microsphere system where nanocrystals are nearly lifetime broadened.
Abstract 001: The Investigation of Peptide Amphiphile Micelles for Detection of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaques

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease that is complicated by progressively unstable plaques which are characterized by specific molecular events. While current diagnostic imaging technology aim to determine the stability of plaques by assessing their physical attributes, molecular imaging tools aim to assess the true nature of the plaque through targeting of molecular markers. Furthermore, these existing technologies can hardly meet the sensitivity and accuracy standards that are required for any clinical application for preventive measures. In order to preventatively intervene during the early pathology of plaque vulnerability, we are engineering monocyte-targeting, fluorescently-labeled peptide micelles (MFPMs) through the incorporation of the chemokine receptor CCR2-binding motif (residues 13-35) of the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Since monocytes are found concentrated in plaques prone to rupture, and our molecular imaging tool binds specifically to monocytes, this nanoparticle system may provide a noninvasive, detection system for plaques of high risk. The MCP-1 peptide or Cy-7 was conjugated to DSPE-PEG-2000 and mixed to form self-assembled, fluorescently-labeled, monocyte-targeting peptide amphiphiles. The critical micelle concentration of MFPMs was determined to be approximately 1 μM with an average diameter of approximately 15 nm, confirmed via dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Chemotaxis assays confirmed the chemoattractive capabilities of MFPMs using murine monocytes at 4 hours in vitro, and MFPMs were confirmed to be biocompatible using murine aortic endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells after 24 hours. Peptide amphiphile micelles can be synthesized with multiple functionality (i.e. targeting element, imaging dye, etc.) and our investigations will lay the ground work for peptide amphiphile micelle-mediated drug delivery at the site of vulnerable plaques.
Design methodology for a planarized high power density EV/HEV traction drive using SiC power modules

This paper provides a methodology for overall system level design of a high-power density inverter to be used for EV/HEV traction drive applications. The system design is guided to accommodate off-the-shelf SiC power modules in a planar architecture that ensures proper electrical, thermal, and mechanical performances. Bi-directional interleaved DC-DC boost structure and a three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) have been utilized with the primary focus on the size, weight and loss reduction of passive components. A stacked layer approach has been used for a unique PCB-based busbar, ultra-low profile gate driver, and controller board. This holistic design approach results in a highly compact traction drive inverter with power density of 12.1 kW/L that has lower volume and weight compared to the commercially available state-of-the-art power converter systems.
β-GPA treatment leads to elevated basal metabolic rate and enhanced hypoxic exercise tolerance in mice.

Abstract Treatments that increase basal metabolic rate (BMR) and enhance exercise capacity may be useful therapeutic approaches for treating conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and associated circulatory problems. β ‐guanidinopropionic acid ( β ‐GPA) supplementation decreases high‐energy phosphate concentrations, such as ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) resulting in an energetic challenge that is similar to both exercise programs and hypoxic conditions. In this study, we administered β ‐GPA to mice for 2 or 6 weeks, and investigated the effect on muscle energetic status, body and muscle mass, muscle capillarity, BMR, and normoxic and hypoxic exercise tolerance (NET and HET, respectively). Relative [PCr] and PCr/ATP ratios significantly decreased during both treatment times in the β ‐GPA fed mice compared to control mice. Body mass, muscle mass, and muscle fiber size significantly decreased after β ‐GPA treatment, whereas muscle capillarity and BMR were significantly increased in β ‐GPA fed mice. NET significantly decreased in the 2‐week treatment, but was not significantly different in the 6‐week treatment. HET significantly decreased in 2‐week treatment, but in contrast to NET, significantly increased in the 6‐week‐treated mice compared to control mice. We conclude that β ‐GPA induces a cellular energetic response in skeletal muscle similar to that of chronic environmental hypoxia, and this energetic perturbation leads to elevated BMR and increased hypoxic exercise capacity in the absence of hypoxic acclimation.
SSAT Presidential Address 2017 “Passion and the GI Surgeon”

Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery is a dynamic, exciting field that has dramatically evolved over the past three decades. According to a survey of leaders in GI surgery, the development of minimally invasive surgery has been the most significant advance during this period of time. The author traces his pursuit of minimally invasive surgery and its impact on his career satisfaction. Discovering one’s passion within surgery and developing “flow” during operative procedures is important to help prevent burnout. Surgical educators must transmit this sense of passion to their trainees such that they can understand the true meaning of the surgical vocation.
Hoping, Desiring, and being Satisfied

With the topic of hope’s desiring, we begin reflection on hope’s subjective side. Such reflection takes aimed hope to be a kind of doing, a kind of act, or perhaps also a kind of attitude. The subjective side of hope includes its conative aspect, its cognitional aspect, and its affective aspect. This last includes hope as feeling or emotion; the cognitional side, in this introductory analysis, includes hoping’s imagining and believing. Its conative side is the focus of this section, devoted to how hoping includes desiring and, with desiring, different ways of satisfying such desires. There are many words that can express what hope’s desiring is doing. A partial lexicon would include wishing, dreaming, wanting, willing, needing, and perhaps lacking; words like pressure, drive, impulse, and appetite (the scholastic appetitus) might also be included.1 In the present context, all the words mentioned will be taken as indicating some sort of stirring in some sort of direction.2
Progesterone Suppression of Luteinizing Hormone Pulse Frequency in Adolescent Girls With Hyperandrogenism: Effects of Metformin.

Context Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and adolescent hyperandrogenism (HA) are characterized by rapid luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency. This partly reflects impaired gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator (hypothalamic) sensitivity to progesterone (P4) negative feedback. We assessed whether metformin may improve P4 sensitivity in adolescent HA, for which it is prescribed widely. Objective To test the hypothesis that metformin improves hypothalamic P4 sensitivity in adolescent HA. Design Nonrandomized, interventional trial. Setting Academic clinical research unit. Participants Ten adolescent girls with HA. Intervention The girls underwent LH sampling every 10 minutes for 11 hours, at study baseline and after 7 days of oral P4 and estradiol (E2). Participants then took metformin (1 g twice daily) for 9.4 to 13.7 weeks, after which participants again underwent frequent LH sampling before and after 7 days of oral P4 and E2 (while continuing metformin). Total and free testosterone (T) and fasting insulin were assessed at each admission. At admissions 1 and 3, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests were performed. Main outcome measure Metformin-related change in hypothalamic P4 sensitivity index [percent change in LH pulse frequency (before vs after P4 and E2) divided by day 7 P4 level]. Results Free T levels decreased by 29% with metformin (P = 0.0137). Measures of hyperinsulinemia and P4 sensitivity index did not significantly change with metformin use. Conclusion Short-term metformin use improved biochemical hyperandrogenemia, but did not improve hypothalamic sensitivity to P4 suppression, in adolescent girls.
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in the Trauma Patient

Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a common complication following traumatic surgery. Aggressive volume resuscitation, restoration of perfusion, and preventive interventions may prevent or lessen the severity of MODS. The nurse, as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, can affect the ultimate outcome of trauma by recognizing persons at risk for developing MODS and intervening in a timely manner.
Neighborhood Disadvantage and Neighborhood Affluence: Associations with Breastfeeding Practices in Urban Areas

Objective To estimate the associations between neighborhood disadvantage and neighborhood affluence with breastfeeding practices at the time of hospital discharge, by race-ethnicity. Methods We geocoded and linked birth certificate data for 111,596 live births in New Jersey in 2006 to census tracts. We constructed indices of neighborhood disadvantage and neighborhood affluence and examined their associations with exclusive (EBF) and any breastfeeding in multilevel models, controlling for individual-level confounders. Results The associations of neighborhood disadvantage and affluence with breastfeeding practices differed by race-ethnicity. The odds of EBF decreased as neighborhood disadvantage increased for all but White women [Asian: Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.97); Black: AOR 0.77 (95% CI 0.70–0.86); Hispanic: AOR 0.78 (95% CI 0.70–0.86); White: AOR 0.99 (95% CI 0.91–1.08)]. The odds of EBF increased as neighborhood affluence increased for Hispanic [AOR 1.19 (95% CI 1.08–1.31)] and White [AOR 1.12 (95% CI 1.06–1.18)] women only. The odds of any breastfeeding decreased with increasing neighborhood disadvantage only for Hispanic women [AOR 0.85 (95% CI 0.79–0.92)], and increased for White women [AOR 1.16 (95% CI 1.07–1.26)]. The odds of any breastfeeding increased as neighborhood affluence increased for all except Hispanic women [Asian: AOR 1.31 (95% CI 1.13–1.51); Black: AOR 1.19 (95% CI 1.07–1.32); Hispanic: AOR 1.08 (95% CI 0.99–1.18); White: AOR 1.30 (95% CI 1.24–1.38)]. Conclusions Race-ethnic differences in associations between neighborhood disadvantage and affluence and breastfeeding practices at the time of hospital discharge indicate the need for specialized support to improve access to services.
Self-reported task-oriented physical activity: A comparison with objective daily step count in COPD.

Abstract Background Low physical activity (PA) is associated with adverse health outcomes independent of airflow limitation in COPD. Self-reported assessments are often limited to global estimates of PA and may not be directly translatable to patients' goals and motivations. We developed a task-oriented PA checklist and examined its performance relative to pedometer-assessed daily step count in two COPD cohorts. Methods Task-oriented daily physical activity (DPA) was assessed in two COPD cohorts using either interviewer-administered recall questionnaire (DPA-R, Cohort 1, n = 109) or a self-administered diary-format daily checklist (DPA-C, Cohort 2, n = 175). Daily step count was measured in both cohorts using the Omron HJ-720 ITC pedometer. Univariate associations between individual DPA items and [a] cross-sectional and [b] longitudinal change (Cohort 1) in daily step count were assessed using a Pearson's correlation. Composite scores comprised of individual DPA items with univariate association p-values Results Tasks associated with average daily step count in both cohorts included putting on shoes, showering, washing hair, walking for exercise, the frequency of walks >10 min, and walking on an incline (Pearson's rho range = 0.14–0.43). A composite score of these 6 DPA items demonstrated significant associations with baseline average daily step count in both cohorts (ρ = 0.5 & 0.47, Cohorts 1 & 2, respectively) and longitudinal change in daily step count (ρ = 0.46, Cohort 1). Conclusions Self-reported task-oriented assessments complement direct monitoring and have potential clinical utility in exercise counseling to increase PA among COPD patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01772082.
Defect-driven extreme magnetoresistance in an I-Mn-V semiconductor

The search for appropriate materials for technological applications is challenging, as real materials are subject to uncontrolled doping and thermal effects. Tetragonal NaMnBi of the I-Mn-V class of antiferromagnetic semiconductors with a Neel transition (TN), above room temperature, can exhibit an extreme magnetoresistance (MR), greater than 10 000% at 2 K and 600% at room temperature and 9 T by quenching disorder into the system. Coupled with the large MR is a re-orientation of the magnetic moment, from a collinear spin arrangement along c to a canted one along the (011) crystallographic axis. The extreme MR is observed in samples with about 15% of Bi vacancies which in turn effectively introduces charge carriers into the lattice, leading to a drastic change in the electronic transport, from semiconducting to metallic, and to the very large MR under the magnetic field. In the absence of Bi defects, the MR is severely suppressed, suggesting that the hybridization of the Mn and Bi orbitals may be key to the field induced large MR. This is the only material of its class that exhibits the extreme MR and may potentially find use in microelectronic devices.
On Touching the Violin

This essay considers the work of Jean-Luc Nancy on touch as a model for a conception of the musical body. More than a re-emphasizing of the tactile, though, it is possible to show that Nancy’s work enables an understanding of music as touch. The significance of this re-thinking lies in the counterweight it provides to the degradation of music entailed in its digitalized de-materialization. Hegel is seen to be complicit in this degradation.
LncRNA BLAT1 is Upregulated in Basal-like Breast Cancer through Epigenetic Modifications

Long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to participate in oncogenesis across a variety of cancers and may represent novel therapeutic targets. However, little is known about the role of lncRNAs in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC), the aggressive form of breast cancer with no molecularly defined therapeutic target. To examine whether altered lncRNA expression contributes to the aggressive phenotype characteristic of BLBC, we performed a comparative analysis of BLBC versus non-BLBC using microarray profiling and RNA sequencing of primary breast cancer. We identified RP11-19E11.1 as a significantly up-regulated lncRNA in BLBC tumors and named it Basal-Like breast cancer Associated Transcript 1 (BLAT1). Analysis of pan-cancer datasets showed the highest expression of BLAT1 in BLBC tumors compared to all other cancers. Depletion of BLAT1 in breast cancer cells led to significantly increased apoptosis, partly because of accumulation of DNA damage. Mechanistically, BLAT1 expression is regulated at the epigenetic level via DNA methylation at CpG islands in the promoter. Concordantly, patients harboring tumors with BLAT1 hypomethylation showed decreased overall survival. Our results suggest that increased expression of BLAT1 via CpG site hypomethylation may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of BLBC, raising a possibility of new biomarkers for prognosis of aggressive BLBC tumors.
Dual Function Lewis Acid Catalyzed Depolymerization of Industrial Corn Stover Lignin into Stable Monomeric Phenols

Depolymerization of corn stover lignin from an industrial source was demonstrated over a predominantly Lewis acidic Zr-KIT-5 catalyst with stable activity and reusability. Among the solvents screened (1,4-dioxane, acetic acid, and γ-valerolactone), only acetic acid, the solvent used for separating the lignin from the cellulose fraction, showed a combination of adequate solubility and thermal stability at depolymerization temperatures (∼250 °C). Thermo-solvolytic pretreatment of the lignin followed by catalytic depolymerization enhances the yield of low molecular weight products significantly. This is attributed to better accessibility of the mesopores by the smaller lignin fragments formed during the thermal pretreatment. The yield of ethyl acetate-extractable components is ∼43 wt % (based on the initial lignin), made up of low molecular weight compounds (<1.5 kDa) as confirmed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis. Twelve phenolic monomers, with a cumulative yield of 28 wt % (based on the initi...
Designing for Interdisciplinarity in Higher Education: Considerations for Instructional Designers

Embedding interdisciplinarity into a higher educational curriculum allows students to develop competence in synthesizing and applying knowledge and skills from across multiple disciplines to address problems and find solutions that would not be possible if only a single disciplinary lens is used. This review of the literature focused on reviewing the state of interdisciplinarity, benefits and challenges of introducing interdisciplinary curriculum into a higher education environment, as well as strategies and models that could be used in designing an interdisciplinary curriculum. It provides a platform for instructional and curriculum designers for integration of interdisciplinary approaches into a curriculum design.
Preliminary evidence from a prospective DTI study suggests a posterior-to-anterior pattern of recovery in college athletes with sports-related concussion.

OBJECTIVES We compared the integrity of white matter (WM) microstructure to the course of recovery in athletes who sustained one sports-related concussion (SRC), assessing individual longitudinal changes in WM fiber tracts following SRC using pre- and post-injury measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS Baseline diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) scans and neuropsychological tests were collected on 53 varsity contact-sport college athletes. Participants (n = 13) who subsequently sustained an SRC underwent DTI scans and neuropsychological testing at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months following injury. RESULTS Relying on tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses, we found that radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD) were significantly increased at 2 days post-injury compared to the same-subject baseline (corrected p < 0.02). These alterations were visible in anterior/posterior WM regions spanning both hemispheres, demonstrating a diffuse pattern of injury after concussion. Implicated WM fiber tracts at 2 days include the following: right superior/inferior longitudinal fasciculus; right/left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus; right corticospinal tract; right acoustic radiation; right/left anterior thalamic radiations; right/left uncinate fasciculus; and forceps major/minor. At 2 weeks post-injury, persistently elevated RD and MD were observed solely in prefrontal portions of WM fiber tracts (using same-subject contrasts). No significant differences were found for FA in any of the post-injury comparisons to baseline. Plots of individual subject RD and MD in prefrontal WM demonstrated homogenous increases from baseline to just after SRC; thereafter, trajectories became more variable. Most subjects' diffusivity values remained elevated at 2 months post-injury relative to their own baseline. Over the 2-month period after SRC, recovery of WM fiber tracts appeared to follow a posterior-to-anterior trend, paralleling the posterior-anterior pattern of WM maturation previously identified in the normal population. CONCLUSION These results suggest greater vulnerability of prefrontal regions to SRC, underline the importance of an individualized approach to concussion management, and show promise for using RD and MD for imaging-based diagnosis of SRC.
Anomaly Detection of Cyber Physical Network Data Using 2D Images

Vehicles are increasingly cyber-physical systems which depend on upwards of 100 or more networked control units. Consequently vehicles, especially those produced after about 2010, face challenges to ensure autonomy, security, and safety. The vehicles’ electronic control units (ECUs) control most of the safety-critical systems. Protecting these networks is especially challenging because there is no publicly available translation of in-vehicle network data to vehicle functions. Thus, an intrusion detection system (IDS) based on mapping the controller area network (CAN) data to 2D images has been developed. While somewhat similar to other recent works that map network features to images, this novel approach utilizes the underlying physical model to automatically group features in a method that makes convolutional neural network (CNN) analysis more feasible. It addresses the most challenging attack in which a compromised ECU sends out incorrect values but sends them within the correct time window. This novel method is shown to detect these kinds of rogue ECU cyber-attacks with greater than a 90% accuracy using very limited training data.
Laboratory characterization of cementitiously treated/stabilized very weak subgrade soil under cyclic loading

Abstract This research study was performed to examine the appropriate treatment/stabilization schemes for very weak subgrade soils at high water contents, and to evaluate the corresponding performance-related properties [e.g., resilient modulus and permanent deformation] for use in the design and analysis of pavement structures. Five different soil types, that represent the typical range in subgrade soils in Louisiana, were collected and considered in this study. Three different moisture contents (at the wet side of optimum), producing a raw soil strength of 172 kPa (25 psi) or less, were selected for treatment/stabilization. The percentage of cementitious stabilizer (lime or cement) was determined to achieve a target 7-day strength value of 345 kPa (50 psi), as treatment for working table applications, and 1034 kPa (150 psi), as stabilization for subbase applications. Repeated load triaxial (RLT) tests were performed on the laboratory-molded treated/stabilized specimens in order to evaluate their resilient modulus and to study their deformation behavior under cyclic loading. A good correlation was observed between the water/cement ratio and both the resilient modulus and the permanent deformation of the specimens. The soil specimens were compacted at low water/cement ratios and showed better performances than those compacted at high water/cement ratios. The test results also showed that the use of a direct correlation between the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and the resilient modulus for cementitiously stabilized soil can be misleading. In the case of heavily treated/stabilized subgrade soils for subbase applications, the permanent deformation of this layer can be ignored in pavement design.
Great Auricular Neuralgia: Case Series

Background/objective The great auricular nerve (GAN) arises from C2-C3 and provides innervation over the skin in the pre-auricular region, jaw angle, posteroinferior pinna, and mastoid. Although damage to the GAN has been reported following trauma or procedures nearby this nerve course, neuralgia of this nerve is uncommon with knowledge based on a handful of case reports in literature. The objective of this study is to describe the presentation, treatment, and outcome of 13 cases of GAN neuralgia. Methods Case series. Retrospecive review of charts from 1994 to 2018 with diagnoses: "auricular neuralgia," "auricular neuritis," or "auricular neuropathy." We included subjects with neuralgic pain within the distribution of the GAN, and excluded patients with atypical facial pain, GAN neuropathy, or unclear etiology. Results Of 79 charts, 13 patients met criteria (age at onset 11-59; 11 women, 2 men). Pain was most often described as paroxysmal stabbing provoked by: turning the head (n = 7), touching the neck (n = 5), neck position during sleep (n = 2), jaw movement (n = 2), and other (n = 2). Seven patients received GAN blocks: all noted dramatic improvement in pain, including 3 who continued to receive serial blocks at our institution successfully for the next 2 to 5 years. Two patients successfully transitioned from GAN blocks to GAN stimulators. One patient with GAN lymphoma had resolution of pain following GAN resection. Conclusion GAN neuralgia should be considered in the differential for periauricular pain. GAN blocks or stimulators may be helpful for pain management.
On-Demand Sonochemical Synthesis of Ultrasmall and Magic-Size CdSe Quantum Dots in Single-Phase and Emulsion Systems.

The sonochemical synthesis of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in a single-liquid bulk phase and in an emulsion-based system is presented. Reactions utilized cadmium oleate and trioctylphosphine selenide pr...
Infrared Transmission Spectrum Broadening in Metallic Gratings with Gradual Thickness

Transmission properties of transverse magnetic mid-infrared through sub-wavelength metallic gratings with gradual thickness are studied by finite-difference-time-domain method. The result shows that the infrared transmission spectrum is broadened, but also the maximum transmission is weakened. This is attributed to the positive coupling between the incident wavelength and the slits. Any incident wavelength has a match with the gratings where corresponding thickness stands. On the other hand, unlike the case in conventional gratings, optimal coupling cannot be gained in every slit at the same time, resulting in weakened maximum transmission. Such transmission broadening effect may be applied in these fields where wide spectrum response is required.