cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
UNCLOS III and conflict management in straits

Abstract The legal regime articulated for international straits in the United Nations Convention of 1982 is a significant milestone in the reconciliation of competing interests attendant upon navigation in international straits. However, the author also submits that the refinement of respective rights and obligations of states in international straits can only be harmonized through the process of claim and counterclaim, a slow and somewhat tedious process. Extremely difficult, yet highly important questions deserve thoughtful analysis in the context of the 1982 Convention's territorial sea and straits provisions.
What Makes an Organization Health Literate

Low health literacy is associated with problems in managing chronic illness, increased chances of experiencing serious medication errors, difficulty communicating with health providers, increased r...
Balancing Uncertain Risks and Benefits in Human Subjects Research

Composed of scientific and technical experts and lay members, thousands of research ethics committees—Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in the United States—must identify and assess the potential risks to human research subjects, and balance those risks against the potential benefits of the research. IRBs handle risk and its uncertainty by adopting a version of the precautionary principle. To assess scientific merit, IRBs use a tacit ``sanguinity principle,'' which treats uncertainty as inevitable, even desirable, in scientific progress. In balancing human subjects risks and scientific benefits, IRBs use uncertainty as a boundary-ordering device that allows the mediation of the science and ethics aspects of their decisions. One effect is the entangling of methodological and ethical review. Some have suggested these should be more clearly separated, but decisions by research ethics committees depend in part on the negotiating space created by incommensurable approaches to uncertainty.
CT Angiography for Safe Discharge of Patients with Possible Acute Coronary Syndromes

A b s t r ac t Background Admission rates among patients presenting to emergency departments with possible acute coronary syndromes are high, although for most of these patients, the symptoms are ultimately found not to have a cardiac cause. Coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) has a very high negative predictive value for the detection of coronary disease, but its usefulness in determining whether discharge of patients from the emergency department is safe is not well established. Methods We randomly assigned low-to-intermediate-risk patients presenting with possible acute coronary syndromes, in a 2:1 ratio, to undergo CCTA or to receive traditional care. Patients were enrolled at five centers in the United States. Patients older than 30 years of age with a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score of 0 to 2 and signs or symptoms warranting admission or testing were eligible. The primary outcome was safety, assessed in the subgroup of patients with a negative CCTA examination, with safety defined as the absence of myocardial infarction and cardiac death during the first 30 days after presentation. Results We enrolled 1370 subjects: 908 in the CCTA group and 462 in the group receiving traditional care. The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. Of 640 patients with a negative CCTA examination, none died or had a myocardial infarction within 30 days (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0 to 0.57). As compared with patients receiving traditional care, patients in the CCTA group had a higher rate of discharge from the emergency department (49.6% vs. 22.7%; difference, 26.8 percentage points; 95% CI, 21.4 to 32.2), a shorter length of stay (median, 18.0 hours vs. 24.8 hours; P<0.001), and a higher rate of detection of coronary disease (9.0% vs. 3.5%; difference, 5.6 percentage points; 95% CI, 0 to 11.2). There was one serious adverse event in each group. Conclusions
Crystallization studies of poly(ε‐caprolactone). II. Lamellar thickening and melting

Crystals of poly(e-caprolactone) thicken at a measurable rate at the crystallization temperature. Melting points have been converted into lamellar thicknesses for three molecular weights and the lamellar thickening behavior analyzed using the Sanchez-Eby approach of a relaxation time for thickening. Isothermal thickening curves are S shaped and can be superposed through horizontal shifts for a given molecular weight. Data for different molecular weights can be superposed using a horizontal shift combined with a small vertical shift. Shift factors have been treated using an Arrhenius approach to give an activation energy for thickening of 100 kcal/mol. Analysis using the Sanchez-Eby approach leads to the conclusion that the active unit in thickening is approximately one stem length.
Bayesian methods for image segmentation

Bayesian segmentation of images shows great promise for the analysis of materials image datasets. This paper discusses the Bayesian segmentation technique and provides examples of its use.
Calorie restriction increases muscle insulin action but not IRS-1-, IRS-2-, or phosphotyrosine-PI 3-kinase

Skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity improves with a moderate reduction in caloric intake. We studied possible mechanisms in calorie-restricted [CR: 60% ad libitum (AL) intake] compared with AL rats...
The value of measurement of macular carotenoid pigment optical densities and distributions in age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders

There is increasing recognition that the optical and antioxidant properties of the xanthophyll carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin play an important role in maintaining the health and function of the human macula. In this review article, we assess the value of non-invasive quantification of macular pigment levels and distributions to identify individuals potentially at risk for visual disability or catastrophic vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, and we consider the strengths and weaknesses of the diverse measurement methods currently available.
Two-way source coding through a relay

A 3-node lossy source coding problem for a 2-DMS (X 1 ,X 2 ) is considered. Source nodes 1 and 2 observe X 1 and X 2 , respectively, and each wishes to reconstruct the other source with a prescribed distortion. To achieve these goals, nodes 1 and 2 send descriptions of their sources to relay node 3. The relay node then broadcasts a joint description to the source nodes. A cutset outer bound and a compress-linear code inner bound are established and shown to coincide in several special cases. A compute-compress inner bound is then presented and shown to outperform the compress-linear code in some cases. An outer bound based on Kaspi's converse for the two-way source coding problem is shown to be strictly tighter than the cutset outer bound.
Inequality Trends in Some Developed OECD Countries

This paper argues that income inequality has increased in several, but not all, developed countries over the last twenty years. The increase in some countries supports the conclusion that the deregulation of markets, resulting in the concentration of economic power, is the fundamental cause as well as the gross manifestation of inequality of both income and wealth. JEL classifi cation: D30 (General); D31 (Personal Income, Wealth and their Distributions); D33 (Factor Income Distribution).
Apolipoprotein AI and High-Density Lipoprotein Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects on Adipocytes via Cholesterol Transporters ATP-Binding Cassette A-1, ATP-Binding Cassette G-1, and Scavenger Receptor B-1

Rationale: Macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue associates with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular disease risk. We previously have shown that generation of reactive oxygen species and monocyte chemotactic factors after exposure of adipocytes to saturated fatty acids, such as palmitate, occurs via translocation of NADPH oxidase 4 into lipid rafts (LRs). The anti-inflammatory effects of apolipoprotein AI (apoAI) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on macrophages and endothelial cells seem to occur via cholesterol depletion of LRs. However, little is known concerning anti-inflammatory effects of HDL and apoAI on adipocytes. Objective: To determine whether apoAI and HDL inhibit inflammation in adipocytes and adipose tissue, and whether this is dependent on LRs. Methods and Results: In 3T3L-1 adipocytes, apoAI, HDL, and methyl-β-cyclodextrin inhibited chemotactic factor expression. ApoAI and HDL also disrupted LRs, reduced plasma membrane cholesterol content, inhibited NADPH oxidase 4 translocation into LRs, and reduced palmitate-induced reactive oxygen species generation and monocyte chemotactic factor expression. Silencing ATP-binding cassette A-1 abrogated the effect of apoAI, but not HDL, whereas silencing ATP-binding cassette G-1 or scavenger receptor B-1 abrogated the effect of HDL but not apoAI. In vivo, apoAI transgenic mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose, cholesterol-containing diet showed reduced chemotactic factor and proinflammatory cytokine expression and reduced macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. Conclusions: ApoAI and HDL have anti-inflammatory effects in adipocytes and adipose tissue similar to their effects in other cell types. These effects are consistent with disruption and removal of cholesterol from LRs, which are regulated by cholesterol transporters, such as ATP-binding cassette A-1, ATP-binding cassette G-1, and scavenger receptor B-1.
Prospects for Breakthrough Propulsion From Physics

"Space drives," "warp drives," and "wormholes:" these concepts may sound like science fiction, but they are being written about in reputable journals. To assess the implications of these emerging prospects for future spaceflight, NASA supported the Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Project from 1996 through 2002. This Project has three grand challenges: (1) Discover propulsion that eliminates the need for propellant; (2) Discover methods to achieve hyper-fast travel; and (3) Discover breakthrough methods to power spacecraft. Because these challenges are presumably far from fruition, and perhaps even impossible, a special emphasis is placed on selecting incremental and affordable research that addresses the critical issues behind these challenges. Of 16 incremental research tasks completed by the Project and from other sponsors, about a third were found not to be viable, a quarter have clear opportunities for sequels, and the rest remain unresolved.
Hypotonic hyponatremia by primary polydipsia caused brain death in a 10-year-old boy

Hypotonic hyponatremia by primary polydipsia can cause severe neurologic complications due to cerebral edema. A 10-year-and-4-month-old boy with a psychiatric history of intellectual disability and behavioral disorders who presented with chief complaints of seizure and mental change showed severe hypotonic hyponatremia with low urine osmolality (serum sodium, 101 mmol/L; serum osmolality, 215 mOsm/kg; urine osmolality, 108 mOsm/kg). The patient had been polydipsic for a few months prior, and this had been worse in the previous few days. A diagnosis of hypotonic hyponatremia caused by primary polydipsia was made. The patient was in a coma, and developed respiratory arrest and became brain death shortly after admission, despite the treatment. The initial brain magnetic resonance imaging showed severe brain swelling with tonsillar and uncal herniation, and the patient was declared as brain death. It has been reported that antidiuretic hormone suppression is inadequate in patients with chronic polydipsia, and that this inadequate suppression of antidiuretic hormone is aggravated in patients with acute psychosis. Therefore, hyponatremia by primary polydipsia, although it is rare, can cause serious and life-threatening neurologic complications.
Double Fourier Harmonic Balance Method for Nonlinear Oscillators by Means of Bessel Series

Abstract : The standard harmonic balance method consists in expanding the displacement of an oscillator as a Fourier cosine series in time. A key modification is proposed here, in which the conservative force is additionally expanded as a Fourier sine series in space. As a result, the steady-state oscillation frequency can be expressed in terms of a Bessel series, and the sums of many such series are known or can be developed. The method is illustrated for five different physical situations, including a ball rolling inside a V-shaped ramp, an electron attracted to a charged lament, a large-amplitude pendulum, and a Duffing oscillator. As an example of the results the predicted period of a simple pendulum swinging between 90 deg and +90 deg is found to be only 0.4% larger than the exact value. Even better, the predicted frequency for the V-ramp case turns out to be exact.
N-acetylcysteine decreased nicotine reward-like properties and withdrawal in mice.

N-acetylcysteine can increase extrasynaptic glutamate and reduce nicotine self-administration in rats and smoking rates in humans. The aim of this study was to determine if N-acetylcysteine modulates the development of nicotine place conditioning and withdrawal in mice. N-acetylcysteine was given to nicotine-treated male ICR mice. Experiment 1: reward-like behavior. N-acetylcysteine (0, 5, 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg, i.p.) was given 15 min before nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) or saline (10 ml/kg, s.c.) in an unbiased conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Conditioning for highly palatable food served as control. Experiment 2: spontaneous withdrawal. The effect of N-acetylcysteine (0, 15, 30, 120 mg/kg, i.p.) on anxiety-like behavior, somatic signs, and hyperalgesia was measured 18–24 h after continuous nicotine (24 mg/kg/day, 14 days). Experiment 3: mecamylamine-precipitated, withdrawal-induced aversion. The effect of N-acetylcysteine (0, 15, 30, 120 mg/kg, i.p.) on mecamylamine (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.)-precipitated withdrawal was determined after continuous nicotine (24 mg/kg, i.p., 28 days) using the conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm. Dose-related reductions in the development of nicotine CPP, somatic withdrawal signs, hyperalgesia, and CPA were observed after N-acetylcysteine pretreatment. No effect of N-acetylcysteine was found on palatable food CPP, anxiety-like behavior, or motoric capacity (crosses between plus maze arms). Finally, N-acetylcysteine did not affect any measure in saline-treated mice at doses effective in nicotine-treated mice. These are the first data suggesting that N-acetylcysteine blocks specific mouse behaviors associated with nicotine reward and withdrawal, which adds to the growing appreciation that N-acetylcysteine may have high clinical utility in combating nicotine dependence.
A systematic analysis of peptide linker length and liposomal polyethylene glycol coating on cellular uptake of peptide-targeted liposomes.

PEGylated liposomes are attractive pharmaceutical nanocarriers; however, literature reports of ligand-targeted nanoparticles have not consistently shown successful results. Here, we employed a multifaceted synthetic strategy to prepare peptide-targeted liposomal nanoparticles with high purity, reproducibility, and precisely controlled stoichiometry of functionalities to evaluate the role of liposomal PEG coating, peptide EG-linker length, and peptide valency on cellular uptake in a systematic manner. We analyzed these parameters in two distinct disease models where the liposomes were functionalized with either HER2- or VLA-4-antagonistic peptides to target HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells or VLA-4-overexpressing myeloma cells, respectively. When targeting peptides were tethered to nanoparticles with an EG45 (∼PEG2000) linker in a manner similar to a more traditional formulation, their cellular uptake was not enhanced compared to non-targeted versions regardless of the liposomal PEG coating used. Co...
Large Eddy Simulation of Pulsed Jets in High Speed Turbulent Crossflow

CH4/air), 1.0 (air/air) and 1.5 (CO2/air). The simulations show that the lower density jet develops faster than a higher density. This results in more jet spread for the lower density jet. Further, the existence of ‘side jets’ has been observed in this case. A variable density scaling law has been developed and used to predict jet penetration in the far eld.
QTL Detection for Leaf Morphology of Rice Using Chromosome Segment Substitution Lines

The morphological characteristic is one of profitable targets in rice promotion of plant type and yield.A population of chromosome segment substitution lines(CSSLs) derived from backcross between indica recipient 9311 and japonica donar Nipponbare was employed to map quantitative trait loci for the top three leaf size(i.e.,leaf length,width and area) and main panicle yield(i.e.,spikelet number of main panicle,1000-grain weight of main panicle,seed setting rate of main panicle,main panicle weight),and analyzed their correlation between leaf and yield traits.Correlation analysis revealed that there were significant correlation among traits of leaf size in CSSLs population.Traits of leaf morphology were significantly positively correlated with main panicle weight.Most of traits of leaf morphology had no correlation with seed setting rate,1000-grain weight.A total of 20 QTLs for the top three leaf size were located at 10 regions on 7 chromosomes except for chromosomes 2,7,8,10 and 12 in two years,with explained phenotypic variations ranging from 3.82% to 14.61% and that of six ones were above 10%.Various QTLs were distributed in cluster,and three QTLs were detected in both two years.Furthermore,eight QTLs were novel QTL,comparing with the other mapping results.A total of 16 QTLs for the traits of main panicle yield were detected at 13 regions on 7 chromosomes of 1,2,3,5,7,8 and 10 in two years,and 5 regions were in common with QTLs of leaf morphology and yield.
Minocycline Diffusion into Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

AbstractMinocycline, a broad-spectrum, highly lipid soluble tetracycline that has generated interest in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, was evaluated for its possible ability to be concentrated in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Drug levels in the prostate, plasma, fat, muscle and urine were measured in patients undergoing open prostatectomy after preoperative intravenous minocycline. The concentrations of the drug in the prostate and serum were close (4.16 versus 3.01µg. per gm.), while drug levels in striated muscle and fat were consistently lower (2.92 and 0.77µg. per gm.). Higher preoperative doses of the drug yielded higher tissue levels. Drug delivery closer temporally to the operation yielded higher serum and prostatic levels as opposed to striated muscle and fat, suggesting a rapid diffusion of the drug into benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Morphological characterization of dorsal horn spinal neurons in rats with unilateral constriction nerve injury: A preliminary study

AbstractA new animal model of neuropathic pain utilizing loose ligation of a peripheral nerve has been previously reported. In addition to displaying abnormal pain symptoms such as allodynia and hyperalgesia, physiologic and morphologic changes are seen in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons. Two weeks after ligation of the right common sciatic nerve, rat dorsal horn spinal cord neurons with signs of transsynaptic changes (dark neurons) were found on the side ipsilateral to the nerve injury. A few dark neurons were also found in the contralateral dorsal horn. The distribution of dark neurons in lumbar dorsal horn was limited to the superficial laminae (l-lll). The following changes which suggest altered cellular activity were seen under the electron microscope. The nuclear envelope appeared ruffled while the mitochondria appeared normal. In additioni, the dense cytoplasm was filled with rosettes of ribosomes as well as extensively developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and distended Golgi apparatus cisternae. ...
The Importance of Water is in Question: Aquatic Nature Images Do Not Have Significantly Higher Restorativeness Ratings than Green Nature Images

Previous research has indicated that aquatic features in nature may have additional restorative potential. The present study assessed the perceived restorativeness for nature images that contained only aquatic features (no greenery) and compared them to images that contained only greenery (no water) and only urban environments (no water or greenery) instead of using images that had various proportions of water and greenery, as conducted in previous research. There were no significant differences in ratings on the short-version of Perceived Restorativeness Scale’s (PRS) for aquatic-only compared to green-only images, but both had superior ratings on the short PRS compared to urban images. Thus, our findings indicated that aquatic-only images may not increase restorative potential compared to green-only images, at least not as assessed by the short PRS. Future research needs to assess the restorative effect induced by aquatic-only and green-only nature scenery on cognitive performance.
Application of eMMC Model to Fracture of Metal Sheets

The fracture properties of TRIP780 and magnesium AZ31B-H24 alloy sheets were investigated in this paper. Mechanical experiments were performed for TRIP780 under uniaxial tension, notch tension, punch test, and plane strain tension. Mechanical experiments were performed for magnesium AZ31B-H24 sheets under different loading conditions, including monotonic uniaxial tension, notch tension, in-plane uniaxial compression, wide compression (or biaxial compression), plane strain compression, through-thickness compression, in-plane shear, punch test, and uniaxial compression-tension reverse loading. The stress invariants based Modified-Mohr-Coulumb (MMC) fracture model was transferred into an all-strain based MMC (eMMC) model under the plane stress condition, predicting the fracture strain in the space of strain ratio or Φ angle, instead of stress triaxiality and Lode angle parameter. The strain ratio or Φ angle could be directly measured by digital image correlation (DIC), while the latter required finite element analysis to be determined. This method made it possible to study fracture of materials while bypassing plasticity. Using the fracture strain measured by DIC, fracture locus was calibrated by the all-strain based MMC model. The fracture strain was extended by using a linear transformation operating to the plastic strain tensor to incorporate the anisotropic fracture behavior. Good prediction capability has been demonstrated for these two materials.
What Lies Ahead

The birdcage economy that Zhao Ziyang so abhorred has served China well. By ignoring much of the Washington consensus, China has been able to avoid the pitfalls that other communist countries encountered after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Deng Xiaoping’s call to let some people get rich first has created an economic growth model that can feed on itself. China went through the industrial revolution in the time it takes to change a light bulb and it may master the robot revolution just as quickly. For rich countries, the redistribution of income from capital to labor is most urgent. Rather than the infinite concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, the Western world seems to teeter on the brink of a revolution.
Separating Double-Beta Decay Events from Solar Neutrino Interactions in a Kiloton-Scale Liquid Scintillator Detector By Fast Timing

Abstract We present a technique for separating nuclear double beta decay ( β β -decay) events from background neutrino interactions due to 8B decays in the sun. This background becomes dominant in a kiloton-scale liquid-scintillator detector deep underground and is usually considered as irreducible due to an overlap in deposited energy with the signal. However, electrons from 0 ν β β -decay often exceed the Cherenkov threshold in liquid scintillator , producing photons that are prompt and correlated in direction with the initial electron direction. The use of large-area fast photodetectors allows some separation of these prompt photons from delayed isotropic scintillation light and, thus, the possibility of reconstructing the event topology. Using a simulation of a 6.5 m radius liquid scintillator detector with 100 ps resolution photodetectors, we show that a spherical harmonics analysis of early-arrival light can discriminate between 0 ν β β -decay signal and 8 B solar neutrino background events on a statistical basis. Good separation will require the development of a slow scintillator with a 5 ns risetime.
Sequential Optimal Portfolio Performance: Market and Volatility Timing

This paper studies the economic benefits of return predictability by analyzing the impact of market and volatility timing on the performance of optimal portfolio rules. Using a model with time-varying expected returns and volatility, we form optimal portfolios sequentially and generate out-of-sample portfolio returns. We are careful to account for estimation risk and parameter learning. Using S&P 500 index data from 1980-2000, we find that a strategy based solely on volatility timing uniformly outperforms market timing strategies, a model that assumes no predictability and the market return in terms of certainty equivalent gains and Sharpe ratios. Market timing strategies perform poorly due estimation risk, which is the substantial uncertainty present in estimating and forecasting expected returns.
Do Marshallian Sources Drive Technological Relatedness? Implications for Firm Survival and Subsequent Success in China

Relying on a large panel of Chinese firms, this paper attempts to investigate the effects of technological relatedness on firm survival and subsequent success, e.g. profits and productivity. The results show that related establishments that colocate together outperform their counterparts located elsewhere, although it is not clear whether these findings are due to the presence of externalities or alternative explanations. To explore this issue, several proxies for the Marshallian sources of relatedness are further developed to better reveal the underlying mechanisms that drive relatedness. The findings show that technological proximity helps to respectively reduce the costs of moving goods, people, and ideas, thus provide strong support for Marshallian theories of agglomeration. The ownership structure of the firm matters, however. Specifically, wholly privately-owned enterprises are more successful than firms where the state is a minority shareholder at converting technological related spillovers into higher profits and higher efficiency gains.
Abstract 218: Chemical Induced Reductive Stress Causes Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy

Background: Progressive accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins is a symbol of impaired proteostasis and proteotoxicity. Such a chronic proteotoxicity is amenable to cell types that are post mitotically matured with lack of further differentiation or proliferation. Our recent discovery using a mouse model of familial human cardiac disease displayed protuberant shift in the redox state towards reductive stress (RS) in association with accumulation of toxic protein aggregates. Further, sustained trans-activation of Nrf2/antioxidant signaling caused RS in the myopathy hearts. Accordingly, we hypothesized that whether profound activation of Nrf2/antioxidant signaling and subsequent RS may cause pathological remodeling in cardiomyocyte. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sustained pharmacological activation of Nrf2 on cardiac remodeling. Methods: HL1 cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model to study the RS-mediated cardiac remodeling. They were treated with 2-10 μM of potential Nrf2-inducers; sulforaphane (SF), di-methyl fumarate (DMF) and novel small molecules (C-38, C-50, C-63 and C-66) to establish RS by sustained activation of Nrf2/antioxidant signaling. Next, we investigated the implications of RS in cardiomyocyte remodeling by analyzing transcriptional and translational mechanisms using immunoblotting, qPCR, immunofluorescence, GSH and NADPH redox measurements in HL1 cells. Results: Dose dependent effects for individual small molecules including known Nrf2 inducers (SF and DMF) revealed distinct pro-reductive and reductive intracellular (i.e. reductive stress) environments. In fact, the obligatory activation of Nrf2 signaling was associated with significant upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and small molecular thiols including glutathione (GSH). Surprisingly, while pro-reductive condition in HL1 cells was subdued, the RS induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was evident from microscopic examination and molecular signature (increased expression of ANF and BNF) after 24-48 hrs of Nrf2 activation. Conclusion: In summary, the chemical induced sustained activation of Nrf2 leading to formation of reductive stress showed hypertrophic remodeling in HL1 cardiomyocytes.
First Report of Cercospora apii s. lat. Causing a Leaf Spot on Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) in the United States

Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis L.: Campanulaceae) is a wildflower common throughout much of the eastern United States and grows in a variety of habitats. It is used as an ornamental plant because its bright red flowers appear in the fall and attract hummingbirds. The foliage is generally free of disease when the plant is not flowering, although a few leaf and stem lesions may be present during the growing season. In August/September 2016 and 2017, plants established in eastern Tennessee developed numerous spots on stems and leaves. The round- to lenticular-shaped lesions had dry, white, papery necrotic centers surrounded by reddish-purple host tissue. There were no signs of a pathogen. Leaves were washed in running water for 5 min, surface disinfested with 1.05% NaClO for 15 min, and rinsed three times in sterile water. Lesions and some green tissue from leaves were transferred to half-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) augmented with 10 mg rifampicin/liter, and incubated in the dark. Mycelium was i...
Effects of High Acidity on Phase Transitions of an Organic Aerosol.

Aerosol particle morphology influences the effect of particles on climate. Recent studies have documented the high acidity found in many ambient aerosol particles. The effect of this acidity on the phase transitions of mixed organic/inorganic aerosol particles has not been addressed. To investigate this effect, six organic compounds and ammonium sulfate were investigated individually with varying amounts of sulfuric acid to determine the role of low pH in the separation, efflorescence, and deliquescence transitions. All phase transitions were affected by the addition of sulfuric acid. This effect was attributed primarily to the change in the identity of the inorganic component as the ammonium/sulfate ratio (ASR) was changed from 2 to 1.5 to 1. The separation relative humidity (SRH) decreased with increasing amounts of sulfuric acid for each system studied, with the largest effect seen in compounds that have a lower SRH when mixed with ammonium sulfate. Control studies without an inorganic salt revealed th...
Multi-Database Description of Primary Splenic Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM Stage I splenic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is rare and there are few data to guide management. We sought to further define prognosis and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry to identify patients with stage I splenic DLBCL diagnosed 1973-2013. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the year of diagnosis (1983-2005; 2006-2013) as rituximab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for first-line treatment of DLBCL. RESULTS Utilization of splenectomy decreased after the approval of rituximab (82% pre- versus 72% rituximab-era). Disease-specific and overall survival were greater with splenectomy [hazard ratio (HR)=0.57, p=0.04; and HR=0.66, p=0.03, respectively], but this benefit was only seen in the pre-rituximab cohort, not in the rituximab-era cohort. There was a trend toward improved overall survival with the introduction of rituximab (HR=0.75, p=0.054). CONCLUSION Utilization of splenectomy for stage I splenic DLBCL has decreased with the introduction of rituximab without compromising outcomes.
Genetic and environmental growth trait parameter estimates for Brahman and Brahman-derivative cattle.

Beefmaster, Brahman, Brangus, and Santa Gertrudis field data records were used to determine genetic and environmental parameter estimates using a multiple-trait, pseudo-expectation approach. Adjusted birth weight, 205-d weight, and postweaning gain records were analyzed for each breed. Also, Brangus weaning sheath and navel scores were both analyzed using a single-trait, pseudo-expectation method to determine genetic parameter estimates. Additive birth weight heritability (h2A) estimates ranged from .22 to .37 and maternal birth weight heritability (h2M) estimates ranged from .12 to .55. Estimates for 205-d weight h2A for the four breeds varied from .21 to .25, and 205-d weight h2M estimates ranged from .15 to .21. Postweaning gain h2A estimates ranged from .16 to .56. The genetic correlation between direct and maternal portions of birth weight was negative for all breeds. This was also true for the genetic correlation between direct and maternal portions of 205-d weight, except in Brahman cattle, for which it was .15. The genetic correlation between additive portions of birth weight and 205-d weight was large and positive in all breeds. A moderately positive correlation between 205-d weight and postweaning gain was found for all breeds except Santa Gertrudis, whereas the environmental correlation between these two traits was a small to moderately negative estimate in all breeds. Brangus weaning sheath and navel score heritabilities indicated that genetic change for the size and shape of the sheath and navel area is possible.
Nutritional value of a genetically improved high-lysine, high-oil corn for young pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to compare the nutritional adequacy of a genetically improved high-lysine, high-oil corn (HLHOC; .408% lysine, 6.21% fat, as-fed basis) and a high-oil corn (HOC; .289% lysine, 5.97% fat, as-fed basis) for young growing pigs. Experiment 1 used four non-littermate barrows (initially 20.0 kg BW) fitted with ileal T-cannulas in a crossover-designed digestion study. The .75% total lysine diets contained 8.5% casein and an equal amount of lysine (.25%) from the test corn. Apparent ileal digestibilities of amino acids, GE, DM, and CP were similar (P > .10) between diets. Apparent ileal lysine digestibilities were 65 and 71% for the HOC and HLHOC, respectively, assuming the lysine in casein to be 100% digestible. Experiment 2 used 100 barrows reared in a segregated early-weaning environment (initially 8.3 kg BW and 27 d of age) to evaluate five corn-soybean meal-based diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement with main effects being corn type and dietary lysine (.80 or 1.15% digestible lysine). The fifth diet consisted of the .80% digestible lysine HOC diet supplemented with .23% additional L-lysine x HCl (.975% digestible lysine) to verify that lysine was the limiting amino acid in the low-lysine diets. Increasing digestible lysine from .80 to 1.15% increased (P .10). The results of these studies indicate that the lysine in HLHOC is as available as the lysine in HOC and that HLHOC can be used successfully in swine diets.
Thromboangiitis Obliterans (Buerger's Disease)

Figure 1. A 39-year-old man with a 22-year history of smoking one to two packs of cigarettes per day was referred to our hyperbaric facility because of an ulcer on the tip of the third finger of his right hand that had been present for six months (Panel A). He had a four-year history of blanching and coldness of the fingers on exposure to cold, and a previous ulcer of the tip of the left index finger had healed when he stopped smoking. The second ulcer appeared when he resumed smoking, but it did not heal when he again stopped . . .
The Influence of Parametric Uncertainty on Projections of Forest Land Use, Carbon, and Markets

This paper uses Monte Carlo methods and regression analysis to assess the role of uncertainty in yield function and land supply elasticity parameters on land use, carbon, and market outcomes in a long-term dynamic model of the global forest sector. The results suggest that parametric uncertainty has little influence on projected future timber prices and global output, but it does have important implications for regional projections of outputs. A wide range of outcomes are possible for timber outputs, depending on growth and elasticity parameters. Timber output in the U.S., for instance, could change by -67 to +98 million m3 per year by 2060. Despite uncertainty in the parameters, our analysis suggests that the temperate zone may sequester +30 to +79 Pg C by 2060 and +58 to +114 Pg C by 2090 while the tropics are projected to store -35 to +70 Pg C and -33 to +73 Pg C for the same time periods, respectively. Attributional analysis shows that uncertainty in the parameters regulating forest growth has a more important impact on projections of future carbon storage than uncertainty in the land supply elasticity parameters. Moreover, the results suggest that understanding growth parameters in regions with large current carbon stocks is most important for making future projections of carbon storage.
Mapping RNA splicing variations in clinically-accessible and non-accessible tissues to facilitate Mendelian disease diagnosis using RNA-seq

Purpose: RNA-seq is a promising approach to improve diagnoses by detecting pathogenic aberrations in RNA splicing that are missed by DNA sequencing. RNA-seq is typically performed on clinically-accessible tissues (CATs) from blood and skin. RNA tissue-specificity makes it difficult to identify aberrations in relevant but non-accessible tissues (non-CATs). We determined how RNA-seq from CATs represent splicing in and across genes and non-CATs. Methods: We quantified RNA splicing in 801 RNA-seq samples from 56 different adult and fetal tissues from GTEx and ArrayExpress. We identified genes and splicing events in each non-CAT and determined when RNA-seq in each CAT would inadequately represent them. We developed an online resource, MAJIQ-CAT, for exploring our analysis for specific genes and tissues. Results: In non-CATs, 39.7% of genes have splicing that is inadequately represented by at least one CAT. 6.2% of genes have splicing inadequately represented by all CATs. A majority (52.8%) of inadequately represented genes are lowly expressed in CATs (TPM 10). Conclusion: Many splicing events in non-CATs are inadequately evaluated using RNA-seq from CATs. MAJIQ-CAT allows users to explore which accessible tissues, if any, best represent splicing in genes and tissues of interest.
Surface Depletion Layers in Plasmonic Metal Oxide Nanocrystals

Strong infrared (IR) light-matter interaction and spectral tunability combine to make plasmonic metal oxide nanocrystals (NCs) a compelling choice for IR applications. In particular, visible transparency paired with strong, dynamically tunable IR absorption has motivated their implementation in electrochromic smart windows, but these NCs hold promise for a far broader range of plasmonically driven processes such as surface-enhanced infrared sensing, photothermal therapy, and enhanced photocatalysis. These unique properties result from localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sustained by a relatively low free charge carrier concentration, which in turn requires consideration of distinct materials physics relative to traditional plasmonic materials (i.e., metals). Particularly important is the formation of insulating shells devoid of charge carriers (depletion layers) near the NC surface. Surface states as well as applied surface potentials can give rise to a potential difference between the NC surface and its core that depletes free charge carriers from the surface, forming an insulating shell that reduces the conductivity in NC films, lowers the dielectric sensitivity of the LSPR, and diminishes the incident electric field enhancement. In this Account, we report recent investigations of depletion layers in plasmonic metal oxide NCs that have advanced understanding of the semiconductor physics underlying the optoelectronic properties of these NCs and the electrochemical modulation of their LSPR, establishing a conceptual framework with which to broaden their applicability and optimize their performance. As a result of surface depletion, larger, highly doped NCs have improved dielectric sensitivity compared with their smaller, lightly doped counterparts. Concentrating dopants near the NC surface compresses the depletion layer, resulting in improved conductivity of NC films. Moreover, atomic layer deposition of alumina to infill NC films enhances the film conductivity by more than 2 orders of magnitude, ascribed to the elimination of depletion effects by reactive removal of surface water species. At the conclusion, we reflect on how our newfound understanding of surface depletion in plasmonic metal oxide NCs is quickly leading to rational material design. This insight is already resulting in significant performance improvements, and the same principles can be applied to new, exciting opportunities in hot carrier extraction and resonant IR energy transduction.
Cannabis and the brain with special reference to the limbic system.

An hypothesis is presented which suggests that the cognitive, subjective-emotional and perceptual changes produced by psychoactive cannabinoids may be mediated in part by actions of these agents on limbic system structures and limbic cortical connections. The major cognitive alterations which are found following cannabinoid intoxication are impaired memory functioning, lapses in attention, altered speech production and general problems with complex information processing. Perceptual anomalies consist of alterations in time perception with moderate doses, and visual distortions and hallucinations with high doses of cannabinoids. Subjective-emotional changes reported following cannabinoid intoxication include feelings of euphoria, drowsiness, a sensation of well being with low to moderate doses and feelings of derealization and depersonalization with higher doses. The role of the limbic system structures such as septum, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus in the mediation of these cannabinoid effects along with feedback loops running between limbic structures, thalamus and frontal and temporal cortices was reviewed and analyzed.
The Functional Importance of Lamins, Actin, Myosin, Spectrin and the LINC Complex in DNA Repair

Three major proteins in the nucleoskeleton, lamins, actin, and spectrin, play essential roles in maintenance of nuclear architecture and the integrity of the nuclear envelope, in mechanotransductio...
Electrochemomechanics of lithium dendrite growth

A comprehensive roadmap describing the current density- and size-dependent dendrite growth mechanisms is presented. Based on a thermodynamically consistent theory, the combined effects of chemical diffusion, electrodeposition, and elastic and plastic deformation kinetics are analyzed to rationalize their contributions to experimentally observable morphologies. A critical current density, i* = ziliml(ΔGΩκi), in the tσ < t < tSand range, results in plastic flow at the tips, dendrite bifurcation, and bent and kinked morphologies. Three dendrite growth mechanisms are observed: (1) electrochemical shielding, where there is practically no electrodeposition/electrodissolution; (2) stress-induced electrodissolution and electrodeposition on those interfaces directly facing each other, generating a self-sustained overpotential that pushes the dendrites towards the counter electrode; and (3) local, lateral plastic extrusion in those side branches experiencing non-hydrostatic stresses. Six regimes of lithium electrodeposit growth are identified: (i) thermodynamic suppression regime, (ii) incubation regime, (iii) base-controlled regime, (iv) tip-controlled regime, (v) mixed regime, and (vi) Sand's regime.
Human Papillomavirus Related Multiphenotypic Sinonasal Carcinoma: Report of a Case with Early and Progressive Metastatic Disease.

Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC) is a newly described entity. The prognosis of this neoplasm is not well understood, but cases often demonstrate high-grade features and paradoxically indolent behavior. Case Report We present the case of a 65-year-old man referred with unilateral nasal congestion and epistaxis. Nasal endoscopy and imaging revealed an expansile mass filling the left nasal cavity. The patient underwent endoscopic-assisted medial maxillectomy, with complete resection and negative margins. Pathology revealed a basaloid tumor consisting of solid nests with multiple foci of cribriform architecture, with positivity for high-risk HPV, thus supporting the diagnosis of HMSC. Postoperatively, the patient received 66.6-Gy adjuvant three-dimensional proton therapy. Twenty-three months after surgical resection, he developed enlarging pulmonary nodules with biopsy features consistent with the primary sinonasal tumor. He was treated with three cycles of chemotherapy and eight cycles of immunotherapy, progressing on both therapies. He remains on palliative chemotherapy. Conclusion Here, we present a case of HMSC with early and progressive distant metastasis. We aim to add to an understanding of the behavior of this entity. Although this neoplasm may typically be indolent, further classification of high-risk features is necessary to identify rare aggressive cases.
Predicting Successful Evasion of Attempted Sexual Assault: Factors, Tactics, and Outcomes

ABSTRACTThe field of sexual violence prevention is based largely on implicit assumptions regarding individual-level skills and broader cultural beliefs and practices that predict victimization. As ...
Understanding Consumers’ Online Fashion Renting Experiences: A Data-Mining Approach

With the increasing demand for fashion products, the textile and apparel industry is facing huge challenges in resource management and environmental regulations. Fashion renting provides an option to reuse clothing products and also fulfills an individual’s fashion needs while reducing the production of new clothes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate consumers’ actual renting experiences and to identify the motivations and barriers for those consumers to rent fashion products. A data-mining approach was applied in this study. Consumers’ comments on renting experiences from three fashion rental companies, Rent the Runway (RTR), Gwynnie Bee (GB), and Bag Borrow Steal (BBS), were collected as a reliable data source to dig into and identify consumers’ motivations and concerns. Based on the theory of customer value, both benefits and costs for fashion renting were discovered. In addition, a comparison of the three fashion rental companies was also discussed. This study is the first attempt to use a data-mining method to thoroughly investigate the benefits and costs of fashion online renting through real consumers’ feedback of three different types of rental companies. It provides an in-depth text analysis of online fashion renting consumers’ experiences through the use of LDA topic modeling and word co-occurrence networks.