cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semiempirical pseudopotential surfaces for chemical reactions: The (AB)+ X - dialkali halide systems

A generalization of the Roach-Child semiempirical pseudopotential calculation for K + NaCl to several analogous dialkali halide systems has been used to elucidate the chemical interactions governing the reaction dynamics. The Li + LiF ground-state potential surface, which exhibits a ∼ 20 kcal/mole basin for isosceles Li2F, is qualitatively similar to one obtained in a recent configurational interaction calculation. It is shown that regions of the Na2Cl ground-state surface corresponding to Na2 + interacting with Cl- can be described in terms of an ion-pair Rittner potential model similar to that employed for the alkali halides. Chemical trends in the triangular complex well depths satisfactorily account for the experimentally observed transition between the collision complex mechanism (Rb + KCl) and the osculating complex model (Li + KBr) for the alkali-alkali halide exchange reactions at thermal energies. For collinear configurations with the alkalis on opposite ends, avoided intersections between the lo...
Civil Interactivity: How News Organizations' Commenting Policies Explain Civility and Hostility in User Comments

The digital transformation of journalism enables new modes of interactivity with the news. While user comments are nearly ubiquitous across news Web sites, there is little understanding about how to improve the quality of discussion spaces that many characterize as hostile and vitriolic. This study uses a keyword content analysis of user comments across 20 news Web sites to understand the organizational policies that encourage more productive dialogue. The findings show that specific policies regarding user registration, moderation of comments, and reputation management systems are effective facilitators of civil discussion.
Clinical and cytogenetic studies of patients with polycystic ovary disease

Chromosomal studies in patients with polycystic ovary disease have produced contradictory findings. Whereas some patients showed various sex-chromosome anomalies, the majority had a normal karyotype. However, banding techniques were not employed in any of those studies. This report presents the result of cytogenetic studies with the use of the trypsin-Giemsa banding technique in 15 patients with polycystic ovary disease. Ten patients had normal karyotypes. In five patients, pseudodiploidy with trisomy 14 was present in 2% to 4% of the cells analyzed. However, the missing chromosome in pseudodiploid cells was not always the same. The phenotype of these patients was normal, except for polycystic ovary disease. The finding of trisomy 14 in 2% to 4% of the cells in five of 15 patients (33%) with polycystic ovary disease is significant, since such an occurrence is extremely rare in the general population. The implication of this cytogenetic finding remains unclear. (Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 137:656, 1980.)
Provenance and Depositional Ages of Late Paleogene Fluvial Sedimentary Rocks In the Central Rocky Mountains, U.S.A.

Abstract The erosion and basin-filling histories of the central Rocky Mountains (Rockies) are critical to the understanding of landscape evolution in the interior of western U.S.A. Ages and sources of fluvial deposits formed during late Paleogene allow the reconstruction of paleogeography within an improved chronostratigraphic framework. Here we use detrital-zircon and single-grain-zircon U-Pb geochronology to constrain the provenance and depositional ages of upper Paleogene fluvial deposits in the central Rockies. A total of 885 concordant detrital-zircon dates from ten fluvial sandstone samples show major age populations of 24–44 Ma, 920–1326 Ma, 1334–1825 Ma, and 1830–3314 Ma, and minor age populations of 45–218 Ma and 227–708 Ma. The youngest population was derived from distal ignimbrite eruptions in western and southwestern North America. The populations older than 45 Ma were derived directly from local Precambrian basement-cored uplifts and recycled from Paleozoic–lower Cenozoic strata. The maximum depositional ages based on the weighted mean U-Pb ages of the youngest clusters of detrital zircons are generally consistent with the available ash radiometric ages for samples of latest Eocene–Oligocene, a time interval with high ignimbrite eruption flux in western and southwestern North America, suggesting that detrital-zircon U-Pb ages can be used to tightly constrain the depositional ages of these strata when pure ash beds are not present and when the strata contain abundant concurrent magmatic zircons. Sandstone samples of latest Eocene age have more Archean zircons (> 2500 Ma) than samples of Oligocene age in the central Rockies, suggesting that the Archean cores of the Laramide ranges were largely exposed until the Oligocene. By combining these results with previously published detrital-zircon provenance results of late Paleogene eolian sandstones in the same region, we suggest that the gradual burial of the Archean cores during the Oligocene resulted from widespread eolian deposition initiated during the latest Eocene–early Oligocene. Generally eastward-flowing fluvial systems and eolian depositional processes supplied unlithified source sediments for each other and promoted sediment recycling during the Oligocene. Furthermore, the abundance of zircons with 37–25 Ma ages in the late Paleogene deposits shows that the ignimbrite eruptions in western and southwestern North America were most active during this time interval.
PyTACC: HPC Python at the texas advanced computing center

Python-based applications at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) consume a significant and growing fraction of our computational resources. To meet this demand, TACC has developed an approach to provide its users a robust, performant, and flexible Python ecosystem. HPC Centers such as TACC have unique concerns when supporting Python due to their complex system environments and diverse user base: maintenance and usage tracking of multiple Python versions/distributions/compiler-bases and associated packages, deployment of this software in a manner that is compatible with our systems and readily usable to our users, optimization of the software to maximize scientific throughout, and user support and education.
Outsourcing Oversight and ARRA 2009: What Factors Explain State Agencies’ Decision to Pursue Collaborative Monitoring?

The research question raised is this study is: what factors affect state agencies' decisions to outsource oversight? The outsourcing of oversight here is conceptualized as a distinct occurrence of collaborative monitoring that expands the traditional principal–agent dyad common in the contracting literature to a small network of three agents. The adoption of the Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009 presents a workload surge for state agencies that need to implement novel monitoring requirements in addition to their traditional practices regarding the management of grants and contracts. As an external factor creating a dynamic contracting environment the Act is hypothesized to increase the probability that state agencies outsource oversight. Additionally professional capacity is also a factor that might affect state agencies’ decision to contract out monitoring functions. Results from logistic regressions suggest that on average the factors measuring workload surge due to ARRA increase the probability a sampled agency outsources oversight by roughly 5 to 10%. Professional capacity on the other hand was not found to be a significant factor in the estimated models.
Multi-Frequency Cloaking with Metamaterial Layered Shells

Exploiting the anti-phase scattering properties of plasmonic materials, we have recently explored the concept of electromagnetic cloaking with plasmonic covers. Here we generalize this concept to multi-layered covers, providing possibility of cloaking at multiple frequencies.
Shell Quality and Bacterial Infection of Shell Eggs

ABSTRACT SEVERAL investigators have suggested that the pores in egg shells provide a means for entrance of microorganisms into the egg with subsequent spoilage as a result (Bryant and Sharp, 1934; Gillespie and Scott, 1950; Haines and Moran, 1940; Lorenz and Starr, 1952). Walden et al. (1956) attempted to show a relation between infection of shell eggs and porosity, but concluded that porosity of the dry shell was not a reliable index of infectibility. With regard to arrangement of pores, the latter workers observed that the blunt end of the shell generally contained more pores than those found in the sharp end. This condition was not considered as generally prevalent by Almquist and Holst (1931) in a previous study. The porecounting technique employed by Tyler (1955) revealed that pores were arranged in a distribution somewhere between randomness and complete uniformity. The literature concerning microbiological spoilage of shell eggs is voluminous, and . . .
Wheel Revolution Sensor Has Application to Improve the Performance of Idle Control

There is a function of idle control when vehicle running for improving the security,it reduce risk of engine stop disturbed by temp load required while the vehicle is coasting down.Vehicle speed sensor(VS sensor) with the use of judging the vehicle running state,and the idle control when vehicle running function will never active after VS sensor error,it risk of security.It will more safe to use wheel revolution sensor instead of VS sensor.And keep the function active.
Characterization of HCV genotypes among 209 HIV-1 positive intravenous drug users in Guangdong

Objective To understand the genotypic distribution of HCV among HIV-1 /HCV co-infected injection drug users( IDUs). Methods Plasma samples of HIV-1 seropositive IDUs identified from2007 to 2012 were collected for the HCV sero-test. RNA genome of HCV-positive samples was purified,and then the HCV Core and NS5 B fragments were amplified by RT-nested PCR and sequenced. The target gene sequences were used for HCV genotyping / subtyping via phylogenetic analyses. Results A total of209 samples of IDUs aged between 18 and 49 years were collected from cities of Huizhou,Dongguan,Yangjiang,Yunfu,Qingyuan,Foshan,Zhongshan,and Jiangmen and 196 cases were males( 93. 78%).The samples of the IDUs were mainly from Yangjiang and Dongguan( 36. 84%). Among the 209 samples tested,166( 79. 4%) were found to be positive for HCV antibody. Phylogenetic trees showed that HCV sequences were clustered with standard strains la( 10. 6%),lb( 9. 9%),2a( 1. 4%),3a( 22. 7%),3b( 11. 3%),and 6a( 44. 0%),respectively. Conclusion The most predominant subtype was HCV 6a in IDUs infected with HIV-1 in Guangdong Province,followed by the 3a subtype.
Demo: FlashBack: Immersive Virtual Reality on Mobile Devices via Rendering Memoization

Virtual reality head-mounted displays (VR HMDs) are attracting users with the promise of full sensory immersion in virtual environments. Creating the illusion of immersion for a near-eye display results in very heavy rendering workloads: low latency, high framerate, and high visual quality are all needed. Tethered VR setups in which the HMD is bound to a powerful gaming desktop limit mobility and exploration, and are difficult to deploy widely. Products such as Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR purport to offer any user a mobile VR experience, but their GPUs are too power-constrained to produce an acceptable framerate and latency, even for scenes of modest visual quality. We present FLASHBACK, an unorthodox design point for HMD VR that eschews all real-time scene rendering. Instead, FLASHBACK aggressively precomputes and caches all possible images that a VR user might encounter. FLASHBACK memoizes costly rendering effort in an offline step to build a cache full of panoramic images. During runtime, FLASHBACK constructs and maintains a hierarchical storage cache index to quickly lookup images that the user should be seeing. On a cache miss, FLASHBACK uses fast approximations of the correct image while concurrently fetching more closely-matching entries from its cache for future requests. Moreover, FLASHBACK not only works for static scenes, but also for dynamic scenes with moving and animated objects. We evaluate a prototype implementation of FLASHBACK and report up to a 8x improvement in framerate, 97x reduction in energy consumption per frame, and 15x latency reduction compared to a locally-rendered mobile VR setup. In some cases, FLASHBACK even delivers better framerates and responsiveness than a tethered HMD configuration on graphically complex scenes.
PROP1 triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like process in pituitary stem cells

Mutations in PROP1 are the most common cause of hypopituitarism in humans; therefore, unraveling its mechanism of action is highly relevant from a therapeutic perspective. Our current understanding of the role of PROP1 in the pituitary gland is limited to the repression and activation of the pituitary transcription factor genes Hesx1 and Pou1f1, respectively. To elucidate the comprehensive PROP1-dependent gene regulatory network, we conducted genome-wide analysis of PROP1 DNA binding and effects on gene expression in mutant mice, mouse isolated stem cells and engineered mouse cell lines. We determined that PROP1 is essential for stimulating stem cells to undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition-like process necessary for cell migration and differentiation. Genomic profiling reveals that PROP1 binds to genes expressed in epithelial cells like Claudin 23, and to EMT inducer genes like Zeb2, Notch2 and Gli2. Zeb2 activation appears to be a key step in the EMT process. Our findings identify PROP1 as a central transcriptional component of pituitary stem cell differentiation.
The Maturing of High Contrast Imaging and Starlight Suppression Techniques for Future NASA Exoplanet Characterization Missions

Over 3000 exoplanets and hundreds of exoplanetary systems have been detected to date and we are now rapidly moving toward an era where the focus is shifting from detection to direct imaging and spectroscopic characterization of these new worlds and their atmospheres. NASA is currently studying several exoplanet characterization mission concepts for the 2020 Decadal Survey ranging from probe class to flagships. Detailed and comprehensive exoplanet characterization, particularly of exo-Earths, leading to assessment of habitability, or indeed detection of life, will require significant advances beyond the current state-of-the-art in high contrast imaging and starlight suppression techniques which utilize specially shaped precision optical elements to block the light from the parent star while controlling scattering and diffraction thus revealing and enabling spectroscopic study of the orbiting exoplanets in reflected light. In this paper we describe the two primary high contrast starlight suppression techniques currently being pursued by NASA: 1) coronagraphs (including several design variations) and 2) free-flying starshades. These techniques are rapidly moving from the technology development phase to the design and engineering phase and we discuss the prospects and projected performance for future exoplanet characterization missions utilizing these techniques coupled with large aperture telescopes in space.
The Ebola virus protein VP40 hexamer enhances the clustering of PI(4,5)P2 lipids in the plasma membrane.

The Ebola virus is a lipid-enveloped virus that obtains its lipid coat from the plasma membrane of the host cell it infects during the budding process. The Ebola virus protein VP40 localizes to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and forms the viral matrix, which provides the major structure for the Ebola virus particles. VP40 is initially a dimer that rearranges to a hexameric structure that mediates budding. VP40 hexamers and larger filaments have been shown to be stabilized by PI(4,5)P2 in the plasma membrane inner leaflet. Reduction in the plasma membrane levels of PI(4,5)P2 significantly reduce formation of VP40 oligomers and virus-like particles. We investigated the lipid–protein interactions in VP40 hexamers at the plasma membrane. We quantified lipid–lipid self-clustering by calculating the fractional interaction matrix and found that the VP40 hexamer significantly enhances the PI(4,5)P2 clustering. The radial pair distribution functions suggest a strong interaction between PI(4,5)P2 and the VP40 hexamer. The cationic Lys side chains are found to mediate the PIP2 clustering around the protein, with cholesterol filling the space between the interacting PIP2 molecules. These computational studies support recent experimental data and provide new insights into the mechanisms by which VP40 assembles at the plasma membrane inner leaflet, alters membrane curvature, and forms new virus-like particles.
On the thermodynamic properties of the solid electrolyte RbAg4I5

Abstract The non-random distribution of Ag + ions on three crystallographically nonequivalent sets of tetrahedral sites in RbAg 4 I 5 is a consequence of both site energy differences and mutual repulsion of silver ions on nearest neighbor sites. A method similar to the quasichemical approximation, used in the theory of order-disorder transformations, has been applied to obtain the eonfigurational entropy and excess specific heat associated with the disorder of the silver ions. Site energy differences of ∼ 0.027 and ∼ 0.042 eV between the different types of silver sites and a mutual repulsion energy between silver ions on nearest neighbor sites of ∼ 0.035 eV accounts well for the experimentally observed quantities. The configurational entropy is an appreciable fraction (∼ 10 per cent at 300°K) of the total entropy content.
ALPHA CHANNELING IN MIRROR MACHINES AND IN TOKAMAKS

The alpha channeling effect in tokamaks exploits the higher population of high-energy alpha particles in the tokamak interior compared to that of low-energy alpha particles at the periphery. Because of the population inversion, it is possible to inject waves that diffuse resonant particles along diffusion paths connecting these regions, so that hot alpha particles diffuse to the periphery and cool at the same time. This effect has been suggested as a way of achieving considerably higher performance in tokamak fusion reactors, and similar possibilities might be expected in mirror reactors.
Regulation and function of mast cell proteases in inflammation.

Mast cells (MC), which reside in connective tissue matrices and epithelial surfaces, are effector cells that initiate inflammatory responses. Activated MC release a variety of proinflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and serglycin proteoglycans. However, on a weight and molar basis, proteases that are enzymatically active at neutral pH are the major protein constituents exocytosed from activated MC. Tryptases, chymases, and carboxypeptidase A (MC-CPA) represent the three major families of proteases stored in the secretory granules of MC. Whereas only a few granule proteases have been identified in human (1-10), dog (11, 12), and gerbil (13, 14) MC, mouse (15-26) and rat (27-34) MC express various combinations of MC-CPA and at least 10 distinct serine proteases. MC are heterogeneous in tissues, and the specific panel of proteases a particular mouse MC expresses is a consequence of the regulatory factors to which this cell is exposed in its current and previous tissue microenvironments. Because MC express so many different granule proteases, the challenge ahead is to identify the biologic substrates of each enzyme. This
Mitosis interference of cancer cells during anaphase by electric field from NovoTTF-100A: An update.

e21078 Background: The NovoTTF-100A is a device that emits an alternating electric field (TTField) that kills mitotic cells and has been FDA-approved for the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Ex...
Nanoscale thermal transport aspects of heat-assisted magnetic recording devices and materials

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) relies on careful management of heat flow at the nanoscale. This article describes the heat-transfer aspects of such a system that must be considered above and beyond standard Fourier’s Law-based heat conduction. A background on nanoscale heat transport is provided that discusses energy carriers and the role of interfaces and microstructure in nanoscale conduction. These heat-transport concepts are applied to the key components of the HAMR system—the head (principally, the near-field transducer [NFT]) and the magnetic medium. This analysis frames the central challenge of thermal engineering for a HAMR system—getting the medium hot enough while maintaining a NFT that it is cool enough to avoid degradation over time. Of particular note are discussions on the role of the interface thermal conductance in the NFT and the importance of thermal anisotropy in the medium due to its granular microstructure.
Use of non-recycled plastics and paper as alternative fuel in cement production

Abstract The global cement industry produces over four billion tonnes annually. In recent years, the quest for increasing energy efficiency has led this industry to test and use “waste” materials as alternative fuels (AF). The objective of this study was to examine the use, as alternative fuel, of the shredded non-recycled plastics and paper residue (NRPP) of a materials recovery facility at the Balcones plant in San Antonio, Texas; this material has a Lower Heating Value (LHV) of about 17 MJ/kg and is called “engineered fuel” (EF). The results showed that EF consists of mostly paper fiber, a biogenic material, so its use helps to decrease CO2 emissions from cement production. In the US, on an average about 4.3 MJ of thermal energy are used to dry, decompose, and sinter the carbonate minerals to produce one kg of “clinker” that is then ground to cement powder and mixed with other compounds. If the maximum amount of EF that can be used by the U.S. cement industry (83 million tonnes of cement per year) were to be separated at Material Recovery Facilities and used as alternative fuel in cement kilns, the diversion of non-recycled paper and plastics from landfills would amount to 17.7 million tonnes of EF. The general methodology used for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is Eco-indicators 99 that uses the SimaPro database and four scenarios were assessed. The corresponding chemical structure of the EF was calculated and the associated emissions during combustion were determined. The laboratory analyses determined the average makeup of the sampled fuels consisted of 20% fossil based carbon and 80% biogenic. The use of EF in the cement industry reduces greenhouse gas emission by up to 3 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of EF used in place of a high-quality coal. The study also found that use of EF in cement production has no adverse effect on the stack emissions of cement plants, nor on the quality of cement produced. The mercury concentration in the stack gas of U.S. cement kilns is well below the U.S. standard and the total dioxin emissions of all cement plants amount to only 0.05% of the dioxins emitted by all U.S. sources. Furthermore, the cement process incorporates the residual ash in the EF into the final clinker, thus resulting in both energy and materials recovery.
Search for the decay πO → 4γ☆

Abstract We have searched for the decay πO → 4γ using the decay K± → π±πO as a source of kinematically defined πO,s. No events were observed, where one event would correspond to a branching ratio (πO → 4γ)/(πO → 2γ) of 2.7 × 10−5.
Juvenile Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) utilization distributions in the Gulf of Alaska

A utilization distribution quantifies the temporal and spatial probability of space use for individuals or populations. These patterns in movement arise from individuals’ internal state and from their response to the external environment, and thus can provide insights for assessing factors associated with the management of threatened populations. The Western Distinct Population Segment of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) has declined to approximately 20% of levels encountered 40 years ago. At the height of the decline, juvenile survival appeared to be depressed and currently there is evidence that juvenile mortality due to predation may be constraining recovery in some regions. Therefore, our objectives were to identify what spaces are biologically important to juvenile Steller sea lions in the Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound regions of the Gulf of Alaska. We examined geospatial location data from juvenile sea lions tagged between 2000 and 2014 (n = 84) and derived individual and pooled-population utilization distributions (UDs) from their movements. Core areas were defined from the UDs using an individual-based approach; this quantitatively confirmed that all individuals in our sample exhibited concentrated use within their home range (95% UD). Finally, we explored if variation in UD characteristics were associated with sex, season, age, or region. We found evidence that individual juvenile home ranges were region and sex-specific, with males having larger home ranges on average. Core space characteristics were also sex-specific, and exhibited seasonal patterns of reduced size, increased proximity to haulouts, and increased intensity of use in the summer, but only in the Kenai Fjords-Gulf of Alaska region. This study highlights the areas of biological importance during this vulnerable life history stage, and the demographic, seasonal, and spatial factors associated with variation in movement patterns for a marine mesopredator. This can be useful information for promoting species recovery, and for future efforts to understand ecological patterns such as predator-prey interactions.
The impact of child sexual abuse on adult interpersonal functioning: A review and synthesis of the empirical literature

Abstract The many studies that have examined the long-term impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) on adult functioning have primarily focused on the personal distress of survivors, largely ignoring the impact of CSA on interpersonal relationships. This article reviews empirical findings concerning the interpersonal distress of survivors as expressed in their intimate and sexual relationships. First, current conceptualizations of the relationship between CSA and interpersonal relationships are reviewed, with a focus on the theoretical models that appear to have implications for the long-term interpersonal sequelae associated with CSA. This is followed by a review of the research conducted on intimacy within the area of social psychology and a summary of the empirical findings related to intimacy functioning in CSA survivors. A hypothesized typology of intimacy functioning for survivors is suggested. The effects of CSA on three components of sexuality—sexual dysfunctions, underlying psychological components of sexuality, and sexual orientation—are discussed. Finally, the interpersonal issues believed to be most salient for CSA survivors in the therapeutic setting are discussed, along with implications for the client–therapist relationship. Methodological, assessment, and conceptual issues are discussed throughout. Recommendations for future research and clinical endeavors are suggested.
Predictors of Financial Capacity in Young Adults.

OBJECTIVE To examine several predictors of financial capacity as assessed via the Independent Living Scales Money Management (ILS-MM) subtest in a regression correlational design. METHOD One hundred and five college students were administered measures of financial literacy and financial experience, as well as multiple neuropsychological measures assessing language, processing speed, executive functioning, and arithmetic. Using hierarchical regression analyses, we sought to predict performance on the two subscales of the ILS-MM-Problem Solving and Performance/Information. The former assesses financial knowledge (e.g., defining financial terms such as health insurance) whereas the latter assesses financial abilities (e.g., computing a financial balance). RESULTS After controlling for demographic variables, financial literacy and experience predicted the Problem Solving subscale, but not the Performance subscale. Neuropsychological measures did not account for additional variance. In contrast, after controlling for demographic variables and financial literacy and financial experience, neuropsychological measures predicted the Performance but not the Problem Solving subscale. The key predictor was the Arithmetic subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test4, which is not surprising given the mathematical demands of the task. Measures of executive functioning were not related to this measure. CONCLUSIONS Financial capacity is a broad construct, encompassing many financial abilities and concepts. To predict these, a variety of measures is necessary: financial literacy and experience predict knowledge-based items, whereas neuropsychological measures, especially arithmetic, predict performance-based items. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed as well as directions for future investigation.
Development of Hepatic Steatosis After Chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common liver disorder in the developed world. Although typically reflecting caloric overload, it can also be secondary to drug toxicity. We aimed to describe the incidence and risk factors for de novo steatosis during chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In this retrospective case-control study, adult patients with NHL were treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone, and vincristine (R-CHOP) or R-CHOP + etoposide (EPOCH-R). Patients with liver disease or steatosis were excluded. Abdominal computed tomography was performed pretreatment and at 3- to 6-month intervals and reviewed for steatosis. Patients with de novo steatosis were matched 1:1 to controls by age, sex, and ethnicity. Of 251 treated patients (median follow-up 53 months), 25 (10%) developed de novo steatosis, with the vast majority (23 of 25; 92%) developing it after chemotherapy. Of those, 14 (61%) developed steatosis within the first 18 months posttreatment and 20 (87%) within 36 months. Cases had higher baseline body mass index (BMI; mean ± SD, 29.0 ± 6.5 versus 26.0 ± 5.2 kg/m2; P = 0.014) and hyperlipidemia (12% versus 2%; P = 0.035). Although their weights did not change during chemotherapy, BMI in cases increased by 2.4 ± 2 kg/m2 (mean ± SD) from end of treatment to steatosis compared to 0.68 ± 1.4 in controls (P = 0.003). Etoposide-containing regimens were associated with a shorter time to steatosis (median 34 weeks versus 154 weeks; P < 0.001) despite similar baseline risk factors. Conclusion: The recovery period from NHL chemotherapy appears to be a "hot spot" for development of fatty liver, driven by early posttreatment weight gain, especially in subjects with baseline risk factors.
Metformin in 2019

Metformin is the first-line pharmacologic treatment for type 2 diabetes and the most commonly prescribed drug for this condition worldwide, either alone or in combination with insulin or other glucose-lowering therapies. Metformin is a biguanide, a drug class of herbal origin that has been widely used to treat diabetes since the 1950s.1,2 Two other biguanides were withdrawn from clinical use because they caused lactic acidosis. Metformin was also taken off the US market due to concerns over lactic acidosis, but it subsequently has been proven safe and effective in lowering glucose levels and was reintroduced in 1995. Optimal metformin use requires clear understanding of its effects, dosing, safety, and alternatives.
Solar-driven tandem photoredox nickel-catalysed cross-coupling using modified carbon nitride

Nickel-catalysed aryl amination and etherification are driven with sunlight using a surface-modified carbon nitride to extend the absorption of the photocatalyst into a wide range of the visible region. In contrast to traditional homogeneous photochemical methodologies, the lower cost and higher recyclability of the metal-free photocatalyst, along with the use of readily available sunlight, provides an efficient and sustainable approach to promote nickel-catalysed cross-couplings.
Biochemistry of Cytosolic Sulfotransferases Involved in Bioactivation

Numerous studies have indicated that two classes of cytosolic STs are involved in the bioactivation of procarcinogens and drugs to reactive electrophiles, especially in rodent tissues. These two classes of STs are the hydroxysteroid STs, which are involved in the conjugation of hydroxymethyl PAHs, and the phenol STs involved in the sulfation of alkenylbenzenes and N-hydroxyarylamines. Purification studies of rat liver STs have clearly indicated that specific isoforms of hydroxysteroid and phenol STs are capable of sulfating procarcinogens in vitro. Rat liver STa and BAST I are structurally similar hydroxysteroid STs, which have been shown to sulfate and bioactive HMBA. Molecular cloning studies of the rat hydroxysteroid STs indicate that these enzymes are probably part of a family of closely related genes. The single human hydroxysteroid ST that has been characterized is very similar to the rat enzymes, but its role in the bioactivation of hydroxymethyl PAHs has not been established. Phenol STs have been demonstrated to have an important role in the bioactivation of alkenylbenzenes and N-hydroxyarylamines. Purification of rat phenol STs has identified several different forms, but only some appear to be involved in bioactivation of procarcinogens. Four isoforms (HAST I and II, AST III and IV) are apparently responsible for the majority of N-hydroxyarylamine sulfation. The relationship between these enzymes has not been established but they may represent similar enzymes. Different isoforms of rat phenol ST are also involved in the bioactivation of procarcinogens and drugs. However, the role of these phenol STs, PST-1, Mx-ST, and paracetamol ST, in carcinogenesis requires further study. In human tissues, only two phenol STs, P-PST and M-PST, have been identified. The role of these enzymes or unidentified STs in the sulfation of N-hydroxyarylamine procarcinogens has not yet been established. Initial reports of the molecular cloning and expression of the rat and human phenol ST genes will provide a valuable mechanism for the characterization of roles of the individual enzymes in bioactivation.
Olfactory Function After Surgical Treatment of CRS: A Comparison of CRS Patients to Healthy Controls.

BackgroundMany patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) have persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD) following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Few studies compare outcomes to control subjects so it...
The Detectability of High Redshift Lyman Alpha Emission Lines Prior to the Reionization of the Universe

For a source of Ly alpha radiation embedded in a neutral intergalactic medium (IGM) prior to the reionization epoch, the emission line is strongly suppressed by the intervening IGM. The damping wing of the so-called Gunn-Peterson trough can extend to the red side of the emission line, and erase a significant fraction of the total line flux. However, the transmitted fraction increases with the size of the local cosmological HII region surrounding the source, and therefore with the ionizing luminosity and age of the source. Motivated by the recent discovery of a Ly alpha emitting galaxy at a redshift z=6.56 (Hu et al. 2002), possibly prior to the reionization of the IGM, we revisit the effects of a neutral IGM on the Ly alpha emission line. We show that even for faint sources with little ionizing continuum, the emission line can remain observable. In particular, the line detected by Hu et al. is consistent with a source embedded in a neutral IGM. We provide characterizations of the asymmetry and total transmitted flux of the Ly alpha line as functions of the ionizing emissivity of its source. A statistical sample of Ly alpha emitters extending beyond the reionization redshift can be a useful probe of reionization.
Data visualization of the relationship between smoking and periodontal site-specific effects across the lifespan in the US adult population.

Background Data visualization techniques were used to ascertain (i) site-specific effects of cigarette smoking on the periodontium compared to never-smokers; (ii) patterns of site-specific effects by age among current and never-smokers using contour maps. Methods Data from 10,713 dentate participants aged ≥30y in NHANES 2009-2014 were used. Pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) for 6 sites/tooth were ascertained by smoking status and plotted using contour maps to identify new patterns. Results In the overall sample, 19%(n = 2,015) were current smokers and 56%(n = 6,013) were never-smokers. Contour maps of the overall sample showed teeth/sites most affected with mean PD>2.1mm were molars (2,3,15,18,19,30,31) in mesio-lingual (ML) and disto-lingual (DL) sites. Most affected sites for current smokers were interproximal sites of most posterior teeth. Among never-smokers, fewer teeth/sites were affected with PD>2.1mm, while among smokers, number of affected teeth/sites increased with age. Overall, teeth/sites most affected with mean CAL≥2.1mm were noted in 2,3(ML), 3(DL), 14(DF,DL), 15(MF,ML), 18(ML), 19(DL,ML), and 30-31(ML,DL) with upper anterior teeth least affected. Among current smokers, several teeth/sites were affected (CAL≥2.1mm): 2,3(all 6 sites), 4(ML,DL), 9(ML), 11-21(DL), 13-18(DF, ML, MIL, DL), 19-20(DF,ML,MIL), 14-18(MIF), 21(MIF, ML, DL), 22(MF), 23-27(MIL), 24-26(MIL, MF, DF in 26), 27(MF), 28(MF,ML,DL), 29-31(all 6 sites except MIF 30,31). As age increased, more teeth/sites were affected among smokers and by the 5th decade nearly all teeth/sites had CAL≥2.0mm. Conclusions Contour mapping identifies patterns and dramatically visualizes the substantial periodontal site-specific differences. Current smokers had more affected teeth and/or periodontal sites with a different contour pattern than never-smokers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Heat transfer simulation and improvement of autoclave loading in composites manufacturing

Composite manufacturing has proven to be a quintessential process for the improvement of a spectrum of industries from medical to automotive, and aerospace. Most composite manufacturing processes include a two-step process, lay-up, and autoclave curing. The autoclave process is often long and expensive. Therefore, improving its efficiency can reduce the production cost and increase the throughput significantly. However, there is a scarcity of studies in the literature that tackle production improvement of vacuum bag/autoclave molding processes. Thus, in this paper, in collaboration with an industry partner, the effect of quantity, location, and orientation of parts inside an autoclave on the curing cycle is investigated both computationally and experimentally. The objective is to improve the production rate without compromising quality. The quality of parts is being represented by their heat-up rate throughout the curing cycle. The results showed that, for a specific scenario, doubling the number of parts inside the autoclave could slow down the heat transfer without significantly affecting the heat-up rates. As a result, the lag could be negligible for the increase in the production rate that it provides.
The limits of egg recognition: testing acceptance thresholds of American robins in response to decreasingly egg-shaped objects in the nest

Some hosts of avian brood parasites reduce or eliminate the costs of parasitism by removing foreign eggs from the nest (rejecter hosts). In turn, even acceptor hosts typically remove most non-egg-s...
Forcing a □(κ)-like principle to hold at a weakly compact cardinal

Abstract Hellsten [17] proved that when κ is Π n 1 -indescribable, the n-club subsets of κ provide a filter base for the Π n 1 -indescribability ideal, and hence can also be used to give a characterization of Π n 1 -indescribable sets which resembles the definition of stationarity: a set S ⊆ κ is Π n 1 -indescribable if and only if S ∩ C ≠ ∅ for every n-club C ⊆ κ . By replacing clubs with n-clubs in the definition of □ ( κ ) , one obtains a □ ( κ ) -like principle □ n ( κ ) , a version of which was first considered by Brickhill and Welch [7] . The principle □ n ( κ ) is consistent with the Π n 1 -indescribability of κ but inconsistent with the Π n + 1 1 -indescribability of κ. By generalizing the standard forcing to add a □ ( κ ) -sequence, we show that if κ is κ + -weakly compact and GCH holds then there is a cofinality-preserving forcing extension in which κ remains κ + -weakly compact and □ 1 ( κ ) holds. If κ is Π 2 1 -indescribable and GCH holds then there is a cofinality-preserving forcing extension in which κ is κ + -weakly compact, □ 1 ( κ ) holds and every weakly compact subset of κ has a weakly compact proper initial segment. As an application, we prove that, relative to a Π 2 1 -indescribable cardinal, it is consistent that κ is κ + -weakly compact, every weakly compact subset of κ has a weakly compact proper initial segment, and there exist two weakly compact subsets S 0 and S 1 of κ such that there is no β κ for which both S 0 ∩ β and S 1 ∩ β are weakly compact.
Development and Assessment of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Tool for Skin Condition Diagnosis by Primary Care Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Teledermatology Practices.

Importance Most dermatologic cases are initially evaluated by nondermatologists such as primary care physicians (PCPs) or nurse practitioners (NPs). Objective To evaluate an artificial intelligence (AI)–based tool that assists with diagnoses of dermatologic conditions. Design, Setting, and Participants This multiple-reader, multiple-case diagnostic study developed an AI-based tool and evaluated its utility. Primary care physicians and NPs retrospectively reviewed an enriched set of cases representing 120 different skin conditions. Randomization was used to ensure each clinician reviewed each case either with or without AI assistance; each clinician alternated between batches of 50 cases in each modality. The reviews occurred from February 21 to April 28, 2020. Data were analyzed from May 26, 2020, to January 27, 2021. Exposures An AI-based assistive tool for interpreting clinical images and associated medical history. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary analysis evaluated agreement with reference diagnoses provided by a panel of 3 dermatologists for PCPs and NPs. Secondary analyses included diagnostic accuracy for biopsy-confirmed cases, biopsy and referral rates, review time, and diagnostic confidence. Results Forty board-certified clinicians, including 20 PCPs (14 women [70.0%]; mean experience, 11.3 [range, 2-32] years) and 20 NPs (18 women [90.0%]; mean experience, 13.1 [range, 2-34] years) reviewed 1048 retrospective cases (672 female [64.2%]; median age, 43 [interquartile range, 30-56] years; 41 920 total reviews) from a teledermatology practice serving 11 sites and provided 0 to 5 differential diagnoses per case (mean [SD], 1.6 [0.7]). The PCPs were located across 12 states, and the NPs practiced in primary care without physician supervision across 9 states. The NPs had a mean of 13.1 (range, 2-34) years of experience and practiced in primary care without physician supervision across 9 states. Artificial intelligence assistance was significantly associated with higher agreement with reference diagnoses. For PCPs, the increase in diagnostic agreement was 10% (95% CI, 8%-11%;P Conclusions and Relevance Artificial intelligence assistance was associated with improved diagnoses by PCPs and NPs for 1 in every 8 to 10 cases, indicating potential for improving the quality of dermatologic care.
Concurrent target detection is associated with better memory for object exemplars

Under continuous dual-task conditions, participants show better memory for background information appearing at the same time as a response target in a concurrent task than for information appearing with a nontarget (the attentional boost effect, or ABE). While this effect has been demonstrated across a wide range of stimuli, few studies have examined the perceptual specificity of the memory difference. Here, we explored whether the ABE affects general category memory or perceptually specific exemplar memory. In an encoding phase, participants memorized images of objects presented in a continuous stream. At the same time, they pressed the space bar when a square appearing in the center of each image appeared in a target color, ignoring distractor-colored squares. The following four-alternative forced-choice memory test included the previously seen image, a perceptually distinct exemplar from the same category as the previously seen image, and two images from a new category. Regardless of whether images appeared during encoding three times (Experiment 1) or once (Experiment 2), participants recognized the correct exemplar more often during testing for images that had appeared with a target in encoding than for images that had appeared with a distractor. The difference in exemplar memory was not associated with a difference in false memories for within-category foils. This suggests that the ABE reflects modulation of perceptually detailed exemplar memory, which may be related to facilitation of pattern separation by detection-induced changes in cortical-hippocampal connectivity.
From Citizens to Policy-Makers

The congruence and responsiveness models we have estimated paint a relatively homogeneous picture of representation in the region: although the quality of representation, as measured by the levels of both congruence and responsiveness, appears to be generally high during the period of study, there are systematic differences across institutional arrangements. These differences tend to be consistent across dimensions of the representation space: for legislatures, permissive systems tend to show high levels of both congruence and responsiveness, and the same is true for the strongest, restrictive constellations of electoral rules – a tendency that results in a U-shape relationship between electoral system strength and quality of representation. Executives, in turn, appear to be most congruent when they are elected under the least permissive rules, a pattern that results in a linear relationship between strength and congruence of all types.
Winter is Coming: The Starving Time at Jamestown Fort in 1609

The Starving Time was a dark part of colonial American history made even more gruesome due to the discovery of a single skull in a trash-pit in 2012. “Jane” as she would come to be known was a teenage girl living in Jamestown (1607) and the scratch marks on her skull would bring to light just how dark and gruesome the winter of 1609 truly was. Men were dying from illnesses, contaminated water, attacks from Natives, but mostly from starvation, and while supply ships would come bringing more colonists they brought very few provisions. All of this, along with the combination of John Smith leaving and George Percy taking over as leader, led to one of the worst periods in Jamestown history, The Starving Time. Death, betrayal, harassment from Natives and eventually cannibalism would all become a dark and tragic part of American history.
Nonlinear Behavior of Luminescence Emission Intensity of Rare Earth Ions with High Excitation Energy

The luminescence emission intensity of each transition of Tm and Ho in garnet and fluoride crystals has been measured as a function of absorbed power. The variation of the intensity with increasing absorbed power has been found to be linear, positive hyperbolic, and negative hyperbolic for the transitions originating from states near the excitation state, higher than the excitation state and lower than the excitation state respectively. By determining the relative intensity of each of each transition with respect to the others, it was possible to apply these measurements to a steady state rate equation model in order to understand the mechanism of energy transfer processes.