cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Persistent organic pollutants and atherosclerosis. Are there sufficient facts to draw the ultimate conclusions

In recent years, there has been a growing number of scientific publications examining the role of environmental factors, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in the development of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis associated diseases. POPs are synthetic lipophilic toxic compounds which are resistant to degradation in the environment and capable of bioaccumulation in the human body. A direct association between exposure to POPs and clinical and laboratory manifestations of atherosclerosis have been reported in a number of studies conducted since the early 1980s. In this article, we summarize published results of epidemiologic studies conducted in occupational and general populations as well as results of experimental studies conducted on laboratory animals. We discuss the lack of consistency in some findings and the necessity to further investigate the problem of POPs and atherosclerosis.
Diffusion Coefficient in Air – Organic Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the values for diffusion coefficient in air (organic compounds) in tabulated format. For the tabulation, an equation is selected for diffusion coefficient in air as a function of temperature. The tabulation is arranged by carbon number such as C, C2, and C3 to provide ease of use in quickly locating the data by using the chemical formula. The compound name and chemical abstracts registry number (CAS No) are also provided in tabular form. Values for regression coefficients are given in the columns. The temperature range for use is also given in the columns (TMIN and TMAX). The equation should not be used for temperatures outside this range. The next column provides the code for the tabulation. The last three columns provide values for diffusion coefficient in air at representative temperatures. The tabulation is applicable to gas at low pressure. Data for polar and high molecular weight compounds are very limited. Also, few experimental data are available at high temperatures. Thus, the values for these compounds and high temperatures should be considered rough approximations. The values at lower temperatures in the region of ambient conditions are more accurate. A comparison of calculated and data values is also shown for a representative compound. The graph shows favorable agreement of equation and data.
Spectral survey of helium lines in a linear plasma device for use in HELIOS imaging

Fast visible cameras and a filterscope are used to examine the visible light emission from Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Proto-MPEX. The filterscope has been configured to perform helium line ratio measurements using emission lines at 667.9, 728.1, and 706.5 nm. The measured lines should be mathematically inverted and the ratios compared to a collisional radiative model (CRM) to determine Te and ne. Increasing the number of measurement chords through the plasma improves the inversion calculation and subsequent Te and ne localization. For the filterscope, one spatial chord measurement requires three photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) connected to pellicle beam splitters. Multiple, fast visible cameras with narrowband filters are an alternate technique for performing these measurements with superior spatial resolution. Each camera contains millions of pixels; each pixel is analogous to one filterscope PMT. The data can then be inverted and the ratios compared to the CRM to determine 2-dimensional “images” of Te and ne in the plasma. An assessment is made in this paper of the candidate He I emission lines for an imaging technique.
The distributive dimension in transitional justice: reassessing the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s ability to advance interracial reconciliation in South Africa

ABSTRACTThe South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has played a key role in advancing interracial reconciliation in South Africa, and has become a model to illustrate how transitional justice interventions can be used to heal divided societies and advance reconciliation. While acknowledging its achievements, this article emphasises the importance of socioeconomic justice to the TRC’s objectives, and critically assesses the adequacy of the TRC’s reparation programmes in addressing continuing structural and socioeconomic inequalities in the country. One overall weakness in the Commission’s work was its narrow mandate of investigating gross human rights violations, which meant the TRC contributed to exposing only some ‘truths’ while obscuring others. A detailed exploration of the TRC’s institutional mechanisms reveals that the Commission’s lack of focus on socio-economic justice has served to limit its overall contribution to reconciliation.
A Supply Side Policy for U.S. Technological Innovation in Energy

The environmental and geopolitical costs of America's addiction to fossil fuels make a major federal program to stimulate innovation in energy technology justifiable and essential. Given the central role of energy in the economy and the variety of new technologies needed, this program will need to approach the dimensions of a major military transformational effort. It must go beyond research and development to include all aspects of the innovation process, and should be technology neutral as far as possible, consistent with the need for measures to overcome obstacles specific to particular technologies.
The Emergence of an Abstract Grammatical Category in Children's Early Speech.

How do children begin to use language to say things they have never heard before? The origins of linguistic productivity have been a subject of heated debate: Whereas generativist accounts posit th...
Soreness-related changes in three-dimensional running biomechanics following eccentric knee extensor exercise.

AbstractRunners often experience delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), especially of the knee extensors, following prolonged running. Sagittal knee joint biomechanics are altered in the presence of knee extensor DOMS but it is unclear how muscle soreness affects lower limb biomechanics in other planes of motion. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of knee extensor DOMS on three-dimensional (3D) lower limb biomechanics during running. Thirty-three healthy men (25.8 ± 6.8 years; 84.1 ± 9.2 kg; 1.77 ± 0.07 m) completed an isolated eccentric knee extensor damaging protocol to elicit DOMS. Biomechanics of over-ground running at a set speed of 3.35 m s−1±5% were measured before eccentric exercise (baseline) and, 24 h and 48 h following exercise in the presence of knee extensor DOMS. Knee flexion ROM was reduced at 48 h (P = 0.01; d = 0.26), and peak knee extensor moment was reduced at 24 h (P = 0.001; d = 0.49) and 48 h (P < 0.001; d = 0.68) compared to baseline. Frontal and transverse plane bio...
Clinical Variability in Achondroplasia

It is well known that dominant disorders, in general, are characterized by extreme variability in phenotypic expression, but in achondroplasia the range of clinical variability had been considered to be narrow. Our studies show that achondroplasia does, in fact, have the marked clinical variability that exists in most autosomal dominant disorders. A quantitative estimate of the variability in achondroplasia can be obtained by calculating the range of adult height and head circumference measurements in this disorder. Examination of the standard growth charts which have been prepared for achondroplasia with those of individuals of normal stature, demonstrates that 1 SD for adult height in achondroplasia is 6.75 cm., as opposed to 6.65 cm. for normals (1). If one considers that the mean height of the achondroplasts is significantly less than that of the normal and then calculates the percentage of mean height that the standard deviation represents (coefficient of variation), the variability among achondroplasts appears even greater than that among controls (ISD/x × 100% for height = 3.8% for normals and 5.2% for achondroplasts). The increased variability among achondroplasia is even more striking when one examines head circumference, as 1 SD for the adult achondroplastic head circumference is 2.25 cm., as compared to 1.33 cm. for the normals, a difference which is statistically significant (p< 0.01). Thus on a quantitative basis, the variability among achondroplasts for adult height and head circumference is similar to or even greater than that among the normal population.
This is Indian land: a call to museums in addressing mass incarceration of American Indians

This essay seeks to explore why inclusion of Indian people is fundamental in the difficult histories and dialogues regarding mass incarceration and to challenge the role of museums in ensuring that...
Interpolation by Rational Matrix Functions and Stability of Feedback Systems: The 4-Block Case

We consider the problem of constructing rational matrix functions which satisfy a set of finite order directional interpolation conditions on the left and right, as well as a collection of infinite order directional interpolation conditions on both sides. We set down consistency requirements for solutions to exist as well as a normalization procedure to make the conditions independent, and show how the general standard problem of H ∞ control fits into this framework. We also solve an inverse problem: given an admissible set of interpolation conditions, we characterize the collection of plants for which the associated H ∞-control problem is equivalent to the prescribed interpolation problem.
Wireless Sensing with Power Constraints

We introduce two conceptual models for wireless sensing and control with power-limited sensors and controllers. The limited battery power of the wireless device is captured in the models by imposing hard constraints on either the number of available transmissions the device can make, or on the number of cycles it can stay awake. Such hard constraints can be viewed as a measurement budget, under which estimation or control policies will have to be developed over a given decision horizon. Among the two representative models studied here, the first one is one of optimal scheduling of a finite measurement budget for a Gauss-Markov process over an observation horizon. The second one is an optimal estimation problem where the number of transmissions the wireless sensor can make is limited to a number, M, which is less than the observation horizon, N. It is shown that both problems can be solved by employing dynamic-programming type arguments, and their solutions have a threshold characterization.
Design and analysis of the bearingless planetary gearbox

High performance legged and mobile manipulating robotic platforms require light weight actuators with high torque density, efficiency, and accuracy. This paper introduces a new type of high reduction bearingless gearbox which is based on a gearbox with double-row planetary pinion, and can achieve high reduction ratios in a single composite stage. We discuss the practical issues which limit the applicability of the existing double row gearbox, and motivate our innovations. Several advantages of the bearingless gearbox over current approaches in terms of robustness, possible load distribution, manufacturability, and assembly are described. In the concept, all gear components float unconstrained, which is achieved by introducing an additional kinematic constraint that allows planets to be the same, in which case the planet carrier can be substituted with a secondary sun gear. The resulting planetary gearbox can be readily integrated into compact robotic joints. Its few lightweight components can be manufactured with high accuracy with standard machining techniques.
BMI and Central Obesity With Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Introduction This study examined the associations of BMI category and central obesity status, with falls among community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. Methods Data were drawn from the 2012 and 2014 U.S. Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal panel study funded by the National Institute of Aging. The study participants were U.S. community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years (N=3,383). Multiple logistic regression and Poisson regression analyses examined the associations of BMI category and central obesity (waist circumference >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) with experiencing a fall and fall injury, after adjusting for all other covariates. A prospective analysis was conducted in which independent variables from 2012 were examined in relation to dependent variables measured in the same participants in 2014. Results Overall, 35.2% of older adults experienced at least one fall in the past 2 years. Compared with those who were not, centrally obese older adults were more likely to experience a fall (AOR=1.37, 95% CI=1.01, 1.85) and fall more frequently (incidence rate ratio=1.15, 95% CI=1.03, 1.29). Fallers in the obese BMI category were less likely than normal-weight fallers to experience a fall injury (AOR=0.56, 95% CI=0.35, 0.91). Conclusions These findings suggest that (1) central obesity be measured when assessing older adults’ fall risk and (2) specific community prevention strategies for centrally obese older adults be developed to better prevent falls and fall-related injuries.
HIGH PERFORMERS ON EXERCISE TREADMILL STRESS TESTING DERIVE SURVIVAL BENEFIT IN ALL ADULT AGE GROUPS: LESSONS FROM 126,356 PATIENTS

Questions persist regarding the cardiovascular benefits associated with high performance on treadmill exercise stress testing (ETT) in different age groups. All patients undergoing ETT at our institution from January 1991 to February 2015 (n = 126,356) were included. Survival analysis was performed
Rodenticide application strategies for intertidal rat habitats

Context Successful eradications of invasive rats from islands are paying tremendous conservation dividends, but failed eradications are economically and environmentally costly. For an eradication using rodenticides, every rat in every habitat must have sufficient exposure to toxic bait to receive a lethal dose. A post-operational review of a failed rat eradication on Wake Atoll, central Pacific Ocean, suggested that inadequate treatment of an intertidal habitat within the lagoon might have caused or contributed to the failure to kill all Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), which have since recovered in number. This habitat could not be treated by aerial broadcast due to concerns about loss of bait to tidal action and perceived contamination of the marine environment. Aims In preparation for a second attempt, we developed two alternative bait application strategies to distribute enough bait for a long enough period of time to successfully target rats, while minimising bait entering the ocean. Methods We used camera traps and experimental bait provisioning methods to document rat foraging in the target habitat and uptake of bait. We developed two baiting strategy alternatives, and employed one of these strategies in a placebo bait application to demonstrate bait uptake by rats foraging within this tidally inundated habitat. Key results Our results show active foraging by rats in the target habitat. Provisioning of placebo bait by various means preventing bait spillage into the marine environment was followed by heavy feeding by rats and minimal bait interference by crabs. Conclusions We consider it likely that such a bait application strategy will be considered as an alternative during a future eradication attempt on Wake Atoll. Implications The techniques we explore here will be useful for rodent suppression in other wetland areas requiring rodent control while protecting sensitive aquatic resources.
Ruling the Void

Over the past few decades, political parties in the Western world have moved to the center-right of the political spectrum. In the process, there is a wider gulf between the policies favored by the party elite and their voting constituents, especially on the left.
The Influence of Roughness on Gear Surface Fatigue

Gear working surfaces are subjected to repeated rolling and sliding contacts, and often designs require loads sufficient to cause eventual fatigue of the surface. This research provides experimental data and analytical tools to further the understanding of the causal relationship of gear surface roughness to surface fatigue. The research included evaluations and developments of statistical tools for gear fatigue data, experimental evaluation of the surface fatigue lives of superfinished gears with a near-mirror quality, and evaluations of the experiments by analytical methods and surface inspections. Alternative statistical methods were evaluated using Monte Carlo studies leading to a final recommendation to describe gear fatigue data using a Weibull distribution, maximum likelihood estimates of shape and scale parameters, and a presumed zero-valued location parameter. A new method was developed for comparing two datasets by extending the current methods of likelihood-ratio based statistics. The surface fatigue lives of superfinished gears were evaluated by carefully controlled experiments, and it is shown conclusively that superfinishing of gears can provide for significantly greater lives relative to ground gears. The measured life improvement was approximately a factor of five. To assist with application of this finding to products, the experimental condition was evaluated. The fatigue life results were expressed in terms of specific film thickness and shown to be consistent with bearing data. Elastohydrodynamic and stress analyses were completed to relate the stress condition to fatigue. Smooth-surface models do not adequately explain the improved fatigue lives. Based on analyses using a rough surface model, it is concluded that the improved fatigue lives of superfinished gears is due to a reduced rate of near-surface micropitting fatigue processes, not due to any reduced rate of spalling (sub-surface) fatigue processes. To complete the evaluations, surface inspection were completed. The surface topographies of the ground gears changed substantially due to running, but the topographies of the superfinished gears were essentially unchanged with running.
WTO Law and Developing Countries: China in the WTO 2006: “Law and Its Limitations” in the Context of TRIPS

Introduction China's transition from a statist to market economy over the past 15 years and its successful establishment of globally competitive industry are unprecedented historical events. Although China's entry into the WTO is not responsible for that transformation, it has played an important role. Accession to the WTO was used by the government as a means not only to stabilize access to foreign markets and increase the attractiveness of China to foreign investors but also to reorient internal policies in a way that deemphasized a profound shift in government attitudes. One of the main reasons why the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) encouraged China's entry into the WTO was to enhance China's external economic linkages, thereby moderating its potential political-military adventurism. So far, the premise that a China highly integrated into the global economy would encourage moderate Chinese political policies appears to have been a sound one. And, so far, informed predictions that China would act as a responsible Member of the WTO, as it has acted as a member in other international organizations, such as the United Nations and IMF, have also proven sound. However, the law of unintended consequences is always at work, and the rate of China's growth and success in world markets may have been unanticipated. Developing countries that for many years had pressed in the WTO for an agreement to eliminate textile quotas found themselves seeking to re-impose restrictions in the face of highly efficient Chinese producers. China is absorbing a large and increasing share of the world's natural resources, including oil and minerals, and Chinese demand is adding to global price and availability pressures.
Sexual intimacy and marital relationships in a low-income urban community in India

Data from a six-year study of married women's sexual health in a low-income community in Mumbai indicated that almost half the sample of 1125 women reported that they had a negative view of sex with their husbands. Qualitative interviews and quantitative survey data identified several factors that contributed to this diminished interest including: a lack of foreplay, forced sex, the difficulty of achieving privacy in crowded dwellings, poor marital relationships and communication, a lack of facilities for post-sex ablution and a strong desire to avoid conception. Women's coping strategies to avoid husband's demands for sex included refusal based on poor health, the presence of family members in the home and non-verbal communication. Factors that contributed to a satisfactory or pleasurable sexual relationship included greater relational equity, willingness on the part of the husband to not have sex if it is not wanted, a more 'loving' (pyaar karna) approach, women able to initiate sex and greater communication about sexual and non-sexual issues. This paper examines the ecological, cultural, couple and individual dynamics of intimacy and sexual satisfaction as a basis for the development of effective interventions for risk reduction among married women.
Abstract A79: Cancer immunotherapy with recombinant poliovirus induces IFN-dominant activation of antigen-presenting cells and tumor antigen-specific CTLs

The tumor microenvironment favors tumor immune escape by suppressing production, activation and/or function of antitumor T cells. Our group has developed a recombinant Rhino-Poliovirus chimera, PVSRIPO, currently being evaluated in Phase-II clinical trial against recurrent glioma. PVSRIPO therapy has afforded durable clinical responses in recurrent glioma patients. Clinical and pre-clinical findings suggest that PVSRIPO primarily acts through an immunological mechanism, rather than via cancer selective cytotoxicity. Here we define the immune adjuvant potential of intratumoral-delivered PVSRIPO that ultimately leads to the engagement/production of antitumor T cells. Sub-lethal infection of human dendritic cells (DCs) with PVSRIPO yields potent, sustained type I interferon dominant activation. PVSRIPO infection of macrophages induces similar activation; however, virus translation and the resulting type I Interferon/TNF-α production by macrophages is strongly enhanced in the presence of the Th2 cytokine IL-4. Compared to conventional adjuvants, e.g. poly(I:C) and LPS, PVSRIPO stimulation of APCs withstands tumor-associated immunosuppression, particularly in macrophages, and achieves more durable activation of DCs. Therapy of B16 melanoma tumors with PVSRIPO led to early production of type I interferon, IL-12, and IFN-γ; which was associated with the recruitment of neutrophils to the tumor site. Neutrophil influx was followed by DC and T cell infiltration. Mice treated with PVSRIPO developed tumor-antigen specific, cytotoxic T cells that were present in both tumor draining lymph nodes and spleens. These events correlated with delay in tumor growth and increase in survival following PVSRIPO therapy. Thus, PVSRIPO’s immune adjuvancy stimulates canonical innate inflammatory responses within the tumor microenvironment that culminates in tumor antigen-specific T cell responses. Citation Format: Michael C. Brown, Eda K. Holl, David Boczkowski, Elena Dobrikova, Mubeen Mosaheb, Vidya Chandramohan, Darell D. Bigner, Matthias Gromeier, Smita K. Nair. Cancer immunotherapy with recombinant poliovirus induces IFN-dominant activation of antigen-presenting cells and tumor antigen-specific CTLs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2017 Oct 1-4; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2018;6(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A79.
Parent-Provider Communication and Antibiotic Prescribing for Pediatric Ear Infections

Rising rates of antibiotic-resistant infections make reducing unnecessary antibiotic use for outpatient illness a key public health issue. This study examines the association between parent-provide...
Luminescence of Ce-doped aluminophosphate glasses

The effects of BaO network modifier on the structure, optical properties and luminescence of Ce-doped aluminophosphate glasses were investigated. Glasses were prepared by the melt quenching method in air with different chemical compositions: 50 or 60 mol% P2O5 + 5, 15 or 25 mol% SiO2 + 4–19 mol% BaO + 15 mol% Al2O3 + 1–6 mol% Ce2O3 such the total summed up to 100 mol%. Density was determined to be within 2.7–3.0 g/cm3, while the index of refraction was estimated using the Gladstone-Dale relation using the experimentally-obtained density values to be around 1.48. For each glass series, Raman spectra varied according to the BaO and/or Ce2O3 content. For 1 mol% Ce-doped glasses, the ultraviolet (UV) transparency cutoff was within 317–328 nm, with the cutoff wavelength increasing to 367–373 nm for 6 mol% doped glasses. Scintillation was characterized by radioluminescence (RL) measurements under X-ray excitation, and luminescence by photoluminescence emission (PL), excitation, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. PL and RL results showed a broad band centered around 3.3–3.6 eV with a fluorescence lifetime of about 30 ns. The highest RL output was observed from the 60P2O5·14BaO·5SiO2·15Al2O3·6Ce2O3 glass.
Characterization of the nutritional interactions between organic acids and inorganic bases in the pig and chick.

Four experiments were conducted to characterize the interactions between fumaric (FA), malic (MA), or citric acid (CA) and NaHCO3. In two experiments, seven diets were formulated containing 2.5% FA, MA, and CA, with or without 2.3, 1.9, or 1.4% NaHCO3, respectively, as well as a control diet (no addition of organic acids or NaHCO3) for 28-d-old pigs (Exp. 1, corn-soy protein concentrate-based diet) and 1-wk-old chicks (Exp. 4, corn-soy-based diet). In Exp. 1, at 2 and 4 wk, the FA+NaHCO3 treatment resulted in greater average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (ADFI) compared with the control (P < .05). In Exp. 2, 28-d-old pigs were fed corn-soy diets with .9, 1.6, and 2.3% NaHCO3 in addition to 2.5% FA. After wk 2, there was a quadratic response in ADG (P < .08) and ADFI (P < .05) when increasing levels of NaHCO3 were added to the diet. This was true at wk 4 for both ADG and ADFI (P < .05). In Exp. 3, finishing pigs were fed corn-soy diets containing 2.5% FA or 2.5% FA + 2.3% NaHCO3 added to a control diet. No effect (P < .05) of FA or NaHCO3 was observed. In Exp. 4, the combination of CA+NaHCO3 or MA+NaHCO3 was superior to FA+NaHCO3 for ADG (P < .08) and ADFI (P < .05) when fed to young chicks.
On the role of chemical weathering of continental arcs in long-term climate regulation: A case study of the Peninsular Ranges batholith, California (USA)

Abstract The long-term stability of atmospheric pCO2 is dominantly determined by the balance between the rate of CO2 input from magmatic/metamorphic degassing and the efficiency of CO2 uptake by silicate weathering via eventual precipitation as marine carbonate and by organic carbon burial. Silicate weathering is thought to represent a negative feedback to changes in atmospheric pCO2. The Late Cretaceous-Early Cenozoic was characterized by elevated atmospheric pCO2 and greenhouse climate, widely thought to be due to increased magmatic flux from mid-ocean ridges, flood basalts and continental arcs. Of interest here is the role of continental arcs in modulating long term atmospheric CO2 contents and climate. Continental arc magmatism is accompanied by rapid uplift and erosion due to magmatic/tectonic thickening of the crust, thus, the development of continental arcs might also enhance the global efficiency of silicate weathering, in turn increasing the efficiency of carbon sequestration. To assess the contribution of continental arcs to global carbon sinks, we conducted a case study in the Cretaceous Peninsular Ranges batholith (PRB) and associated forearc basin in southern California, USA, representing one segment of a Mesozoic circum-Pacific continental arc system. Arc magmatism occurred between 170-85 Ma, peaking at 100 Ma. Erosion occurred during magmatism and continued well into the early Eocene, with forearc sediments representing the products of this protracted unroofing of the arc. By calculating the depletion of Ca in forearc sediments relative to their arc protoliths, we estimate chemical weathering fluxes (in equivalent CO2) to be ∼106 mol km − 2 yr−1 near the end of magmatism, decreasing to ∼105 mol km − 2 yr−1 by the Early Eocene. Integrated over the entire magmatic and post-magmatic history of the batholith, the total amount of CO2 consumed through chemical weathering is comparable to that degassed. However, during magmatism, the regional degassing flux exceeds the regional weathering flux even though the efficiency of weathering is increased due to magmatic and tectonic uplift. After magmatism ends, continued erosion from remnant topography causes the arc to transition into a net regional sink, increasing the global efficiency of chemical weathering and amplifying cooling after magmatism ends. Understanding how atmospheric CO2 and climate vary over long timescales requires an understanding of how magmatic orogenies enhance degassing but also increase the strength of the global silicate weathering feedback.
Optimized Bonferroni approximations of distributionally robust joint chance constraints

A distributionally robust joint chance constraint involves a set of uncertain linear inequalities which can be violated up to a given probability threshold $$\epsilon $$ , over a given family of probability distributions of the uncertain parameters. A conservative approximation of a joint chance constraint, often referred to as a Bonferroni approximation, uses the union bound to approximate the joint chance constraint by a system of single chance constraints, one for each original uncertain constraint, for a fixed choice of violation probabilities of the single chance constraints such that their sum does not exceed $$\epsilon $$ . It has been shown that, under various settings, a distributionally robust single chance constraint admits a deterministic convex reformulation. Thus the Bonferroni approximation approach can be used to build convex approximations of distributionally robust joint chance constraints. In this paper we consider an optimized version of Bonferroni approximation where the violation probabilities of the individual single chance constraints are design variables rather than fixed a priori. We show that such an optimized Bonferroni approximation of a distributionally robust joint chance constraint is exact when the uncertainties are separable across the individual inequalities, i.e., each uncertain constraint involves a different set of uncertain parameters and corresponding distribution families. Unfortunately, the optimized Bonferroni approximation leads to NP-hard optimization problems even in settings where the usual Bonferroni approximation is tractable. When the distribution family is specified by moments or by marginal distributions, we derive various sufficient conditions under which the optimized Bonferroni approximation is convex and tractable. We also show that for moment based distribution families and binary decision variables, the optimized Bonferroni approximation can be reformulated as a mixed integer second-order conic set. Finally, we demonstrate how our results can be used to derive a convex reformulation of a distributionally robust joint chance constraint with a specific non-separable distribution family.
A Tour of Globalization

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, it was fashionable to take a Grand Tour of the world to round out one's education. In fact, such a Tour was generally restricted to Western Europe and perhaps North Africa and, as such, was decidedly eurocentric. Today, we travel widely across the globe, called by some a "global village." To understand the globalized space and time in which we live, I propose to undertake a "tour of globalization;" that is, to travel mentally in its realm. My aim is to "map" the topic as a project and as a research area. Globalization can be defined as a process taking place today before our eyes. It is also a historical process, whose origins must be sought far back into the past. Yet, I wish to contend that globalization as we know it is new in its intensity and in its dimensions-so much so that we can usefully speak of our entering a new period of history, a global epoch. Immediately, we are presented with a dating problem with regard to such an announcement: When did the global epoch begin?1 Was it in the 1950s, with the launch into space and the advent of nuclear power? Or was it the 1970s, with the spread of the information revolution and the extraordinary compression of space-time facilitated by computers? Or do we have to wait until 1989 and the beginning of the dissolution of the Soviet Union that ended a bi-superpolar world and made possible a truly global society? What distinguishes this new epoch is the synchronicity and synergy among the factors that make for globalization. It is in these terms that a dating decision will eventually be made. The factors include the following: humanity's step into space from which we have a new perspective on "spaceship earth;" the development of nuclear energy that gives us the potential to destroy ourselves, or at least our civilization, with one blow; the
Evaluation of complexity and deliverability of prostate cancer treatment plans designed with a knowledge-based VMAT planning technique.

PURPOSE Knowledge-based planning (KBP) techniques have been reported to improve plan quality, efficiency, and consistency in radiation therapy. However, plan complexity and deliverability have not been addressed previously for treatment plans guided by an established in-house KBP system. The purpose of this work was to assess dosimetric, mechanical, and delivery properties of plans designed with a common KBP method for prostate cases treated via volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). METHODS Thirty-one prostate patients previously treated with VMAT were replanned with an in-house KBP method based on the overlap volume histogram. VMAT plan complexities of the KBP plans and the reference clinical plans were quantified via monitor units, modulation complexity scores, the edge metric, and average leaf motion per degree of gantry rotation. Each set of plans was delivered to the same diode array and agreement between computed and measured dose distributions was evaluated using the gamma index. Varying percent dose-difference (1-3%) and distance-to-agreement (1 mm to 3 mm) thresholds were assessed for gamma analyses. RESULTS Knowledge-based planning (KBP) plans achieved average reductions of 6.4 Gy (P < 0.001) and 8.2 Gy (P < 0.001) in mean bladder and rectum dose compared to reference plans, while maintaining clinically acceptable target dose. However, KBP plans were significantly more complex than reference plans in each evaluated metric (P < 0.001). KBP plans also showed significant reductions (P < 0.05) in gamma passing rates at each evaluated criterion compared to reference plans. CONCLUSIONS While KBP plans had significantly reduced bladder and rectum dose, they were significantly more complex and had significantly worse quality assurance outcomes than reference plans. These results suggest caution should be taken when implementing an in-house KBP technique.
Clinical characteristics of children with pertussis and risk factors of severe cases in Xi’an

Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics in patients with pertussis in Xi’an, and to provide a scientific reference for treatment of pertussis. Methods The medical records of children with pertussis were in Xi’an from 2015 to 2016 reviewed, which were divided few groups according to age, vaccination and severity. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics were performed in every groups, and were analyzed and compared, retrospectively. Results Among the 857 patients with pertussis, the gender ratio (male︰female) was 1.21︰1, with the median age of 5.8 (3.1, 12.1) months. The cases with pertussis occur throughout the year, particularly peaking from June to September, 492 cases (57.4%) were exposed to those who coughed in their family. Compared with those older than 6 months, various symptoms such as spasmodic cough, crow-like echo, apnea and severe pertussis, severe pneumonia and respiratory failure were more common in those younger than 6 months, and had a prolonged hospital stay, with significant differences (χ2 = 26.517, 29.939, 25.632, 30.740, 15.046, 4.476, t = 4.940; all P 0.05). Compared with cases with ordinary pertussis, severe children were younger, with higher proportion of uninoculated DTP, higher incidence of fever and pneumonia, larger increase of white blood cells in routine blood detection, and longer length of hospitalization, with significant differences (χ2 = -5.713, 47.214, 53.394, 7.993; t = 7.938, -8.060; all P < 0.01). Among all the children, there were 515 (60.1%) cases with spasmodic cough disappeared within one week of hospitalization, 198 (23.1%) cases with significant remission; there were no death. The median number of hospitalization period was 8 (6, 10) days. Conclusions The cases of pertussis occur throughout the year in Xi’an, particularly peaking from June to September. A higher incidence was reported particularly in those who were younger than 6 months and with incomplete DTP vaccination, and suffered from severe conditions, most had good prognosis with active treatments. Severe-type pertussis was mostly found in children with significantly increased count of leukocytes in routine blood detection and those without inoculation of DTP vaccine. Key words: Pertussis; Clinical features; Risk factor
Preterm parturition and pre-eclampsia: The confluence of two great gestational syndromes.

Background Preterm birth (PTB) and pre-eclampsia independently, and frequently concurrently, adversely affect the pregnancy outcomes of millions of mothers and infants worldwide each year. Objectives To fill the gap between PTB and pre-eclampsia, which continue to constitute the two most important current global challenges to maternal and perinatal health. Methods Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception until December 2019 using the terms spontaneous PTB (SPTB), indicated preterm delivery (IPTD), early-onset pre-eclampsia, and pre-eclampsia. Results History of PTB and pre-eclampsia were the strongest risk factors contributing to the occurrence of SPTB or IPTB. The risk of PTB and pre-eclampsia among non-Hispanic African American women was higher than the rate among all other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been reported to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia by at least 10% and PTB by at least 14%. Lastly, women and their fetuses who develop early-onset pre-eclampsia are at higher risk for developing hypertension and cardiovascular disease later in life. Conclusions While better clarity is needed, efforts to coordinate prevention of both PTB and pre-eclampsia, even though imperfect, are critically important as part of any program to make motherhood as safe as possible.
Using the Reasoned Action Approach to Predict Active Teaching Behaviors in College STEM Courses

Active learning can have a substantial impact on STEM student learning outcomes. This study used the reasoned action approach to predict the presence of active teaching techniques. Instructor attitudes, perceived social norms, perceived behavioral control and intentions concerning active learning strategies were assessed before and after a teaching workshop, in addition to retrospectively. Behavioral teaching practices were recorded using the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS). Results indicated that instructor attitudes toward and perceived behavioral control over implementing active learning significantly contributed to STEM instructor intentions to use active learning. Further, instructor intentions assessed after the workshop and retrospectively were predictive of instructor behavior. Instructors with high intentions exhibited an increase in ‘active’ instructor behavior (group work) and a decrease in ‘passive’ instructor behavior (lecture). These results suggest that whether instructors view active learning as favorable or unfavorable, and whether instructors feel they have control over implementing active learning strategies, is critical to increasing the presence of active teaching intentions and behaviors. Professional development programs wishing to create instructional change should target instructor attitude and control beliefs, as well as discuss normative teaching practices in aim of contributing to instructors’ understanding of and future intentions to implement active learning.
Cross-dressing of CD8α+ Dendritic Cells with Antigens from Live Mouse Tumor Cells Is a Major Mechanism of Cross-priming

Live cells are the most abundant sources of antigen in a tumor-bearing host. Here, we used live tumor cells as source of antigens to investigate the mechanism underlying their immunogenicity in murine tumor models. The live tumor cells were significantly more immunogenic than irradiated or apoptotic tumor cells. We examined the interaction of live and apoptotic tumor cells with major subsets of antigen-presenting cells, i.e., CD8α+ dendritic cells (DC), CD8α- DCs, plasmacytoid DCs, and CD169+ macrophages at skin draining lymph nodes. The CD8α+ DCs captured cell-associated antigens from both live and apoptotic tumor cells, whereas CD169+ macrophages picked up cell-associated antigens mostly from apoptotic tumor cells. Trogocytosis and cross-dressing of membrane-associated antigenic material from live tumor cells to CD8α+ DCs was the primary mechanism for cross-priming of tumor antigens upon immunization with live cells. Phagocytosis of apoptotic tumor cells was the primary mechanism for cross-priming of tumor antigens upon immunization with apoptotic or irradiated cells. These findings clarify the mechanism of cross-priming of cancer antigens by DCs, allowing for a greater understanding of antitumor immune responses.
Larger patients shouldn't have fewer options: urethroplasty is safe in the obese.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of obesity on perioperative outcomes and urethral stricture recurrence after anterior urethroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed our prospectively maintained single-surgeon database to identify men with anterior urethral strictures who had undergone anastomotic or augmentation urethroplasty between October 2012 and March 2018. In all, 210 patients were included for primary analysis of perioperative outcomes, while 193 patients with at least 12 months follow-up were included for secondary analysis of stricture recurrence. Patients grouped by BMI were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses for perioperative outcomes and log rank testing for recurrence-free survival. RESULTS Overall, 41% (n=86) of patients were obese and 58.6% (n=123) had bulbar urethral strictures. Obese patients had significantly longer urethral strictures (mean=6.7cm±4.7) than nonobese patients (p< 0.001). Though urethroplasty in obese patients was associated with increased estimated blood loss (EBL) relative to normal BMI patients on both univariate (p=0.003) and multivariate (p< 0.001) analyses, there was no difference in operative time, length of stay, or complication rate between BMI groups. At a mean follow-up interval of 36.7 months, 15% (n=29) of patients had stricture recurrence, yet recurrence-free survival was not significantly different between groups (log rank p=0.299). Dorsal augmentation urethroplasty resulted in significantly fewer recurrences in obese patients compared to nonobese patients (p=0.036). CONCLUSION Despite the association with increased urethral stricture length and EBL, obesity is not predictive of adverse perioperative outcomes or stricture recurrence. Obese patients should be offered urethral reconstruction, but patient selection and preoperative counseling remain imperative.
Aging reduces the sensitivity to the reinforcing efficacy of morphine.

Abstract The US geriatric population is growing and using more opioids than ever before. The purpose of this study was to determine whether aging influenced the reinforcing efficacy of morphine in male and female rats using a rodent intravenous self-administration paradigm. Male and female aged (20–24 months) and young (2–4 months) Wistar rats were tested at 2 doses of morphine (0.75 mg/kg/infusion and 0.25 mg/kg/infusion). During 10 days of self-administration, aged rats took significantly less morphine than their younger counterparts at the 0.25 mg/kg/infusion dose. Aged males also earned significantly fewer infusions on a progressive ration reinforcement schedule at this dose, suggesting that the reinforcing efficacy of morphine is decreased for this group at this dose. These effects dissipated when a separate group of animals had access to the 0.75 mg/kg/infusion dose for both sexes. Our results indicate that morphine is less reinforcing at lower doses in aged male, but not female rats. This research has potential clinical implications for the chronic treatments involving opioids in aged individuals.
Sediment fate and transport: Influence of sediment source and rainfall

Abstract The capability of hydrologic models to spatially simulate the changes in hydrologic processes, like precipitation, is an important consideration in capturing the impacts of these processes on sediment prediction across the domain. Radar-derived precipitation (RDP) provides an enhanced detail of rainfall characteristics in time and space compared to estimates from rain-gauge precipitation (RGP) commonly used in hydrologic modeling. However, the impacts of these datasets on sediment fate and transport depend on how sediment sources were conceptualized in the model. This paper developed a modeling framework to simulate sediment transport from upland to the stream and to the outlet of the watershed based on a gridded conceptualization and to examine the impacts of RGP and RDP with different types of sediment sources on sediment prediction. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model was used to estimate daily sediment sources in a semi-distributed and fully distributed manner using the hydrologic model, MIKE SHE and MIKE 11. Model comparison was performed in a watershed in Illinois characterized by a dominant agricultural landscape. The results indicated that the use of RDP only ensured better model performance for sediment yield with the fully distributed sediment source. That is, combining both the ability of the RDP to capture the spatial variability of rainfall across the watershed and assessing sediment production at higher resolution improved the accuracy of predictions in sediment yield while decreasing uncertainties associated with sediment simulations. Advancing modeling capabilities will require the development of new modeling platforms that aim to seamlessly integrate large-scale distributed simulations and environmental input data at finer spatial resolutions.