cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bile acid sulfates. I. Synthesis of lithocholic acid sulfates and their identification in human bile

Sulfate esters of lithocholic, glycolithocholic, and taurolithocholic acids were synthesized using sulfur tri- oxide in pyridine; they were purified by crystallization from methanol or ethanol as the diammonium salts, and their chemical compositions, infared spectra, and chromatographic behavior were determined. Strong alkaline hydrolysis of these sulfates, as commonly performed during quantitative and qualitative analyses of conjugated bile salts, was found to result in a number of degradation products, presumably through disruption of the C-0 bond of the hydroxyl group and conversion of the original steroid to isolithocholate and other (possibly olefinic) compounds. After oral administration of lith~cholate-'~C to three patients with cholelithiasis, radio- active metabolites having the chromatographic properties of sulfated lithocholates were isolated from bile and, confirming a preliminary report (l), were identified as sulfated glycolitho- cholate and taurolithocholate by their characteristic chroma- tographic mobilities during a series of specific hydrolytic procedures and by crystallizing them to constant specific activities with the synthetic sulfates. The fraction of en- dogenous lithocholate present in bile as the sulfate was calculated for two patients by isotope dilution and was shown to be 41% and 75% of the total. Sulfation can be expected to affect the physiological and pharmacological properties of litho- cholates and may, therefore, influence the toxic properties of these compounds. acid, glucuronic acid, and glutathione are commonly used to conjugate neutral steroids and other relatively insoluble compounds, and could be used to conjugate lithocholates. The existence of bile alcohol sulfates in lower animals and the polarity characteristics of the unknown compounds led us to synthesize several lithocholic acid sulfates and to compare their properties with those of the previously described metabolites. This report describes the synthesis of lithocholic, glycolitho- cholic, and taurolithocholic acid sulfates, their degrada- tion by various hydrolytic and solvolytic procedures, and their identification as biological metabolites of en- dogenously formed lithocholic acid in human bile.
Study of Practical Adhesion of Metals to Glass Substrates

Metallic coatings on glass substrates are widely used in various microelectronic components. However, sometimes high residual stress generated in the deposition process or after leads to the loss of adhesion between the coating and the substrate, posing a threat to the reliability of the whole device. In this paper we showed results of our study of Cr and Cu metallizations on glass, which are of technological interest as conductors in the flat panel displays. Stress measurement and nanoindentation techniques are used to find out the stress state and probe the interfacial adhesion properties of the thin metallizations. Ways to increase the practical adhesion of the metallization to ceramic substrates will be discussed.
"Dark as a dungeon": environment and coal miners' health and safety in nineteenth century America.

The rapid industrialization and technological innovations that characterize late nineteenth century America affected every aspect of life including the environment and health of individuals exposed to unsafe and insalubrious factory and urban conditions. Accelerated growth caused environmental degradation, creating problems associated with air and water pollution, sewage disposal, growth of slums and resulting health hazards. Working conditions in factories and mines led to an inordinate number of occupational accidents and diseases. 257
Two-Generation Pediatric Care: A Modest Proposal.

To reduce inequities in child health, we need to reduce the gap between what we know and what we do. We must challenge our practices and traditions, develop new solutions and have the strength and courage to change how we practice. Based on my experience that the best way to help children is to help their parents, and the best way to reach parents is through their children, I propose a new frame of a 2-generation approach that focuses not only on the child but also on the parents and their relationship to guide our innovation and target improvements. Pediatricians’ knowledge and empathy for families is a special base to use new strategies to test ideas on a small number of families with minimal time and cost. Examples from our work includes the following: (1) identify and refer parents with mental health conditions and lack of effective contraception, (2) develop more effective approaches to explain illness and disease to parents, and (3) educate parents about the impact of social relations from infancy on; love can amplify and stress can impair brain and child development. I encourage clinicians to think about what should be changed and more importantly to be excited and brave enough to take the first steps to design and test an idea.
The progressive-stress voltage endurance test method for evaluation of high voltage, turbine-generator insulation systems

In conventional life testing for fatigue strength, voltage endurance, or insulation life, the normal procedure consists of holding a test specimen at a steady or fixed stress level until failure. Failure time is then recorded as the life, and further samples are tested at other stress levels until enough data have been accumulated to permit plotting a curve of failure time versus stress.
Franz-Josef-Land

Um 1870 war es offensichtlich geworden, dass Schiffe weder durch den Smith-Sund im hohen Nordwesten von Gronland noch entlang von dessen Ostkuste im Sommer einen offenen Wasserweg durch die Eismassen zum Nordpol finden wurden. Etwa gleichzeitig liefen aber immer mehr Berichte ein, dass Fischer und Robbenfanger die zuvor so zuverlassig vereiste Kara-See nun zuganglich gefunden hatten. Dies schien der Theorie von August Petermann zu entsprechen, wonach sich der warme Golfstrom zwischen Norwegen und Spitzbergen bis in hochste Breiten fortsetze und es nun an der Zeit sei, an Nowaja Semlja vorbei einen Vorstos zu unternehmen. Nachdem 1869–1870 die Zweite Deutsche Nordpolar-Expedition, die masgeblich von hanseatischen Kreisen getragen war, einen so starken Widerhall in breitesten deutschen Kreisen gefunden hatte, war es nun am rivalisierenden Kaiserreich Osterreich-Ungarn, das heute kaum noch bekannt damals auch eine Seemacht war und mit dem Hauptkriegshafen Pula auf Istrien eine grosere Kriegsflotte als das gerade entstandene wilhelminische Kaiserreich unterhielt, mit den deutschen Vettern in Sachen arktischer Unternehmungen gleichzuziehen. So versammelte sich im Juni 1872 in Bremerhaven, dem schon traditionellen Abgangsort mitteleuropaischer Arktisexpeditionen, eine aus allen Landesteilen der Habsburgermonarchie zusammengestellte 24-kopfige Expeditionsgruppe und protokollierte als Zweck des unmittelbar bevorstehenden Unternehmens.
Pathogenesis, Migration and Population Dynamics of ErwiniaAmylovora in Susceptible (Jonathan) and Resistant (Red Delicious) Apple Shoots

Fireblight is a vascular wilt disease of rosaceous plants caused by Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Smith. Thus far, the only practical way to control the pathogen on apple is with streptomycin sprays; however, differences in varietal susceptibility have been reported (7). Red Delicious is one of the apple cultivars which is relatively resistant to fireblight (1). However, not much is known of mechanisms that are responsible for resistance to this disease. For the incompatible combination of the susceptible apple cv. Jonathan (J) and an avirulent strain of E. amylovora three mechanisms involved in plant defense were found to be activated: (i) hypersensitive reaction of parenchymatous tissue (6), (ii) agglutination of bacteria in xylem vessels (5), (iii) destruction of agglutinated bacterial cells by a phagocytosis-like phenomenon followed by digestion of the bacteria in vacuoles of xylem parenchyma cells (5). Whether these mechanisms are involved in the resistant plant response to a virulent strain of pathogen remains unknown. Our studies were undertaken to reveal the nature of Red Delicious (Rd) resistance to fireblight.
The impact of obesity on compensatory mechanisms in response to progressive sagittal malalignment

Abstract Background Context Obesity's impact on standing sagittal alignment remains poorly understood, especially with respect to the role of the lower limbs. Given energetic expenditure in standing, a complete understanding of compensation in obese patients with sagittal malalignment remains relevant. Purpose This study compares obese and non-obese patients with progressive sagittal malalignment for differences in recruitment of pelvic and lower-limb mechanisms. Study Design/Setting Single-center retrospective review. Patient Sample A total of 554 patients (277 obese, 277 non-obese) were identified for analysis. Outcome Measures Upper body alignment parameters: sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and T1 spinopelvic inclination (T1SPi). Compensatory lower-limb mechanisms: pelvic translation (pelvic shift [PS]), knee (KA) and ankle (AA) flexion, hip extension (sacrofemoral angle [SFA]), and global sagittal angle (GSA). Methods Inclusion criteria were patients ≥18 years who underwent full-body stereographic x-rays. Included patients were categorized as non-obese (N-Ob: body mass index [BMI] 2 ) or obese (Ob: BMI≥30 kg/m 2 ). To control for potential confounders, groups were propensity score matched by age, gender, and baseline pelvic incidence (PI), and subsequently categorized by increasing spinopelvic (pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis [PI−LL]) mismatch: 20°. Independent t tests and linear regression models compared sagittal (SVA, T1SPi) and lower limb (PS, KA, AA, SFA, GSA) parameters between obesity cohorts. Results A total of 554 patients (277 Ob, 277 N-Ob) were included for analysis and were stratified to the following mismatch categories: 20°: n=96. Obese patients had higher SVA, KA, PS, and GSA than N-Ob patients (p 20°) PI−LL mismatch showed greatest forward malalignment (SVA, T1SPi) with significantly greater PS, and a concomitantly high GSA (12.86° vs. 9.67°, p=.005). Regression analysis for lower-limb compensation revealed that increasing BMI and PI−LL predicted KA ( r 2 =0.234) and GSA ( r 2 =0.563). Conclusions With progressive sagittal malalignment, obese patients differentially recruit lower extremity compensatory mechanisms, whereas non-obese patients preferentially recruit pelvic mechanisms. The ability to compensate for progressive sagittal malalignment with the pelvic retroversion is limited by obesity.
Natural history of untreated unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the elderly.

Background The effect of age on risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture is not well understood. We investigated the clinical course of patients 65 years and older with conservatively managed unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) and determined risk factors for rupture in this population. Methods We reviewed prospectively collected data on baseline characteristics and long-term follow-up for patients aged 65 years and older with an UIA that were initially managed with observation. The association between patient and aneurysmal characteristics and risk of rupture was performed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results There were 214 patients (mean age: 74.7 years, SD: 6.0) included in our study. The median follow-up time was 3.7 years, with a cumulative follow-up time of 883.7 person-years. During the study period, seven patients (3.3%) received interventional treatment of their UIA and eight patients (3.7%) experienced aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, yielding an annual risk of rupture of 0.9%. All aneurysms that ruptured were at least 10 mm in size. Increasing patient age [unit relative risk (RR) 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.36, P=0.002], larger aneurysmal size (unit RR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, P=0.021), and increasing PHASES Score (unit RR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.32-2.06, P Conclusions Our data do not suggest that UIA in older patients carry a high risk of rupture. A conservative approach appears justified in these patients, with the exception of selected patients with larger aneurysms (>10 mm in diameter) and low risk of interventional procedure.
Macrophage Bcl6 expression promotes viral dissemination and host inflammation during influenza infection

The role of Bcl6 in regulating anti-viral immune responses is relatively unclear currently. Further investigation was hindered by the development of lethal inflammation in global Bcl6 deficient mice. To circumvent this and explore the cell type-specific role of Bcl6 in regulating anti-viral immunity, we have generated myeloid cell-specific Bcl6 deficient mice (Bcl6 cKO) by crossing Bcl6 fl/fl mice to LysMcre mice. In contrast to global Bcl6 deficient mice, Bcl6 cKO mice exhibited no signs of autoimmunity and tissue inflammation under homeostatic conditions. Using a murine influenza A/PR8 (IAV) infection model, we found that Bcl6 cKO mice showed drastically increased host resistance to IAV. We observed that although airway virus titers are comparable between control and Bcl6 cKO mice, Bcl6 cKO mice had greatly diminished IAV spreading in the lungs. Correspondingly, Bcl6 cKO mice developed milder pulmonary inflammation compared to control mice, characterized by the decreased levels of airway cytokines/chemokines and diminished inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs. Interestingly, alveolar macrophage depletion abrogated the phenotype of decreased host morbidity and mortality to IAV infection in Bcl6 cKO mice, suggesting that Bcl6 deficiency in tissue resident alveolar macrophages mediates the effects of enhanced host resistance to IAV infection. Together, our data suggest that Bcl6 expression in lung resident macrophages dampens the efficient development of pulmonary anti-viral immune responses. Current studies are focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which macrophage Bcl6 expression inhibits host innate and adaptive immunity during IAV infection.
The (Modified) In Game: An Experimental Paradigm for Manipulating Interpersonal Rejection:

We offer a unique paradigm for manipulating interpersonal rejection that models the complexities of real-life rejection, allows for significant participant immersion in the rejection experience, an...
Characterizing the Intrinsic Assembly Behavior of the 5-HT3A Receptor Intracellular Domain

The domain topology of eukaryotic pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) from the Cys-loop receptors superfamily exclusively contains three domains: the most diverse and at the same time least studied intracellular domain (ICD), the extracellular domain (ECD) and the transmembrane domain (TMD). The recently published report from our laboratory has clearly established that the engineered chimera comprised of the ICD of the 5-HT3A receptor downstream of a maltose binding protein (MBP) assembles into stable pentamers in solution (Pandhare A. et al., Sci. Rep. 6, 23921(2016)). Notably, the ordered assembly behavior assigns a novel role for the ICD in receptor oligomerization along with the other two domains, and further enriches its functional repertoire. Therefore, in order to fully characterize ICD oligomerization, current studies are directed at identifying the molecular determinants of pentameric organization by employing site-directed mutagenesis as well as heterologous expression in E. coli and protein purification followed by size exclusion chromatography in line with multi-angle light scattering (SEC-MALS). Additionally, we are studying the intrinsic assembly kinetics of pentamer formation to determine self-association affinities by utilizing isothermal titration calorimetry.
Avalanches and Ripples in Sandpiles

In this paper we unify several approaches taken to model sandpile dynamics, with a focus on avalanches and ripples. Our approaches include a coupled-map lattice model of sand in a rotating cylinder as well as noisy coupled nonlinear equations to model sandpile dynamics and ripple formation.
Modifiable health-related factors (smoking, physical activity and body mass index) and health care use and costs among adult cancer survivors

To examine the associations between modifiable health-related factors, such as smoking, low physical activity and higher body mass index (BMI), and annual health care visits and expenditures among adult cancer survivors in the United States. Using data from the 2010–2014 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey, we identified 4920 cancer survivors (aged 18–64 years) and a matched comparison group. Our outcomes were number of annual health care visits [i.e., outpatient/office-based, hospital discharges and emergency department (ED) visits] and total health care expenditures. We examined health-related factors, demographics, insurance and health status (i.e., comorbidity and mental distress). Bivariate and multivariable analyses examined the associations between outcomes and health-related factors. Of survivors, approximately 21% were current smokers, 52% reported low physical activity and 35% were obese, vs. 19.6, 49.5 and 36.7%, respectively, of the comparison group. These factors were associated with greater comorbidity and mental distress in both groups. Current smokers among survivors were less likely to have outpatient visits [marginal effect on the number of visits (ME) = −3.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) −5.02 to −1.86, P < 0.001] but more likely to have ED visits (ME = 0.11, 95% CI 0.05–0.18, P = 0.001) than non-smokers. Physically active individuals in both groups had fewer ED visits, and lower total expenditures than those who reported low physical activity. Regular assessments of health-related factors should be incorporated in survivorship care to reduce the burden of cancer. Modification of survivors’ health-related factors (e.g., low physical activity) may help improve their health outcomes and reduce financial burden.
Small molecule inhibition of the CBFβ/RUNX interaction decreases ovarian cancer growth and migration through alterations in genes related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Abstract Objective Ovarian cancer survival and treatment have improved minimally in the past 20years. Novel treatment strategies are needed to combat this disease. This study investigates the effects of chemical inhibition of the CBFβ/RUNX protein-protein interaction on ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods Ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with CBFβ/RUNX inhibitors, and the effects on proliferation, DNA replication, wound healing, and anchorage-independent growth were measured. RNA-Seq was performed on compound-treated cells to identify differentially expressed genes. Genes altered by compound treatment were targeted with siRNAs, and effects on DNA replication and wound healing were measured. Results Chemical inhibition of the CBFβ/RUNX interaction decreases ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Inhibitor treatment leads to an S-phase cell cycle delay, as indicated by an increased percentage of cells in S-phase, and a decreased DNA replication rate. Inhibitor treatment also reduces wound healing and anchorage-independent growth. RNA-Seq on compound-treated cells revealed changes in a small number of genes related to proliferation and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. siRNA-mediated knockdown of INHBA and MMP1 – two genes whose expression decreases with compound treatment – slowed DNA replication and impaired wound healing. Conclusions Chemical inhibition of the CBFβ/RUNX interaction is a viable strategy for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Orthodontic clockwise rotation of maxillomandibular complex for improving facial profile in late teenagers with Class III malocclusion: A preliminary report

Objective: Orthodontic camouflage treatments improve occlusion but might worsen facial profile in patients with Class III malocclusion. It has been reported that surgical clockwise rotation of maxillomandibular complex (MMc) improves facial profile by reducing chin prominence and chin throat length in patients with Class III malocclusion. The purpose of this report was to illustrate two orthodontic techniques for clockwise rotation of the MMc in late teenagers with Class III malocclusion and preliminarily evaluate their clinical effects. Patients and Methods: Six patients in late teenage with Class III malocclusion were included in this preliminary report. Bite raisers were first placed on the upper molars to open the bite and clockwise rotate the mandible. Intermaxillary elastics were then applied vertically between the upper and lower dentitions in 3 patients for bimaxillary extrusion (Technique-1) or between the upper dentition and the lower temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in another 3 patients (Technique-2) for upper dentition extrusion and closure of the anterior open bite. The three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography images taken before and after orthodontic treatment were superimposed to evaluate the treatment effects of MMc clockwise rotation for both techniques. Results: The Technique-1 extruded the upper and lower dentitions, rotated the mandible clockwise 2.01°, moved chin down 2.98 mm, and back −1.64 mm, although the mandible grew 2.47 mm during the treatment period. The Technique-2 extruded the upper dentition, rotated the mandible clockwise 0.90°, moved chin down 1.78 mm, but slightly forward 0.47 mm due to the mandible grew 2.50 mm and lower dentition was not extruded. Conclusions: The orthodontic clockwise rotation of MMc is an effective technique for orthognathic camouflage. The applications of bite raisers and bimaxillary dentition extrusion could be more effective than single dentition extrusion with TADs in the mandible for clockwise rotation of MMc and improvement of occlusion and facial profile in late teenagers with Class III malocclusion. However, the comprehensive clinical effects and long-term stability need further clinical studies.
Ape imagination? A sentimentalist critique of Frans de Waal’s gradualist theory of human morality

This essay draws on Adam Smith’s moral sentimentalism to critique primatologist Frans de Waal’s gradualist theory of human morality. De Waal has spent his career arguing for continuity between primate behavior and human morality, proposing that empathy is a primary moral building block evident in primate behavior. Smith’s moral sentimentalism—with its emphasis on the role of sympathy in moral virtue—provides the philosophical framework for de Waal’s understanding of morality. Smith’s notion of sympathy and the imagination involved in sympathy is qualitatively different from animal sympathy. I argue that Smithian sympathy includes the ability to represent propositional attitudes and take into account multiple perspectives which are then synthesized into a singular impartial perspective. Furthermore, Smithian moral judgment requires the capacity for emotion regulation and moral self-cultivation, or the ability to shape and control one’s reactive attitudes. Taken together, these capacities far outstrip the capacities of animals, disrupting de Waal’s gradualism.
Signal transduction of the human granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulating factor and interleukin-3 receptors involves tyrosine phosphorylation of a common set of cytoplasmic proteins

Human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) exert multiple effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and function of myeloid lineage cells through their interaction with specific cell-surface receptors. There is a considerable degree of overlap in the biological effects of these two growth factors, but little is known about the mechanisms of postreceptor signal transduction. We have investigated the effects of GM-CSF and IL-3 on protein tyrosine-kinase activity in a human cell line, MO7E, which proliferates in response to either factor. Tyrosine-kinase activity was detected using immunoblotting with a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) specific for phosphotyrosine. GM-CSF and IL-3 were found to induce a nearly identical pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation using both one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of two cytosolic proteins in particular was increased more than 10-fold, a 93-Kd protein (pp93) and a 70-Kd protein (pp70). Tyrosine phosphorylation of pp93 and pp70 was observed within 1 minute, reached a maximum at 5 to 15 minutes, and gradually decreased thereafter. Other proteins of 150, 125, 63, 55, 42, and 36 Kd were also phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to both GM-CSF and IL-3, although to a lesser degree. Tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent on the concentration of GM-CSF over the range of 0.1 to 10 ng/mL and on IL-3 over the range of 1 to 30 ng/mL. Stimulation of MO7E cells with 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or cytokines such as G-CSF, M-CSF, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) did not induce tyrosine phosphorylation of pp93 or pp70, suggesting that these two phosphoproteins are specific for GM-CSF-or IL-3-induced activation. The extent and duration of phosphorylation of all the substrates were increased by pretreatment of cells with vanadate, an inhibitor of protein-tyrosine phosphatases. Importantly, culture of MO7E cells with vanadate (up to 10 mumol/L) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in GM-CSF-or IL-3-induced proliferation of up to 1.8-fold. These results suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation may be important for GM-CSF and IL-3 receptor-mediated signal transduction and that cell proliferation may be, at least partially, regulated by a balance between CSF-induced protein-tyrosine kinase activity and protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity.
GCI - ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

Summary Different facets of a broadly based environmental research program conducted at the Getty Conservation Institute are described and briefly discussed. Current research includes indoor and outdoor pollution studies of museum microenvironments and biodeterioration, and research on seismic isolation and mitigation. Future trends of the GCI's environmental research are also outlined and specified.
Impact of the implementation of a nurse-managed outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT) system in Baltimore: a case study demonstrating cost savings and reduction in re-admission rates.

Objectives Evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT). A registered nurse (RN)-managed multidisciplinary team OPAT model was implemented at our hospital. We evaluated the impact of the new OPAT model on readmissions during OPAT and other core OPAT processes. Methods All potential OPAT cases from 1 November 2013 to 31 June 2017 discharged from the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center were followed up in a retrospective cohort study. Relevant clinical and patient characteristics were collected for the first OPAT course per patient. The primary outcome was all-cause readmission to any facility part of the Johns Hopkins Health System within 30 days of OPAT discharge. Proportions of OPAT patients readmitted before and after the implementation of the new OPAT model were compared. A log-binomial regression was used to compare the risk of readmission, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, site of OPAT care, opioid dependence and OPAT treatment duration. Results Five hundred and seventeen OPAT patients were included in the analysis; 51.1% were discharged after the implementation of the new OPAT model. Readmission rates decreased from 20.2% to 13.3% following the RN-managed OPAT programme (P = 0.04). The results of the adjusted model indicated that nurse management was associated with a 39% reduction in the risk of readmission (adjusted relative risk 0.61; 95% CI 0.41-0.91; P = 0.01). Our financial evaluation estimated that the reduction in readmissions achieved by the RN-managed model saved the hospital $649 416 over 15 months. Conclusions The RN-managed OPAT programme was associated with a significant reduction in readmissions.
Abstract TP66: IV Thrombolysis May be Safe in Patients With Lower Platelet Counts

Background & Purpose: It has been well established that intravenous alteplase (IVa) administration for treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) improves clinical outcome at 3 months, and earlier tr...
Sustainable Wine Scoring System (SWSS): A life cycle assessment (LCA) multivariable approach

Sustainable practices have become accepted by a large part of the wine community as a necessary step to face climate change challenges and natural resources depletion. Also, in recent years, there is a rising influence of sustainability on consumer’s buying decision. However, buyers fail to distinguish sustainable attributes from wine that is promoted under different sustainability labels. Moreover, wineries find it challenging to quantify the improvement of their environmental impact when following a specific sustainable practice. The objective of this study is to evaluate the methodology for the development of a Sustainable Wine Scoring System (SWSS). The SWSS aims to be a single numeric index of the sustainable attribute of a bottle of wine, constituted by multiple normalized indicators. Our initial approach for the SWSS is to quantify different environmental impact categories following a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), to then normalizes and weighs the result regarding a reference region. We used as a case of study “Craft Wineries” in Indiana in the USA, as a non-traditional winemaking area. The impact assessment was conducted using SimaPro8.5 in accordance to TRACI2.1 for the USA. As result of our LCA, grape growing is the process that contributes the most to the ecotoxicity, non-carcinogenic, and eutrophication impact categories, while transportation stages contribute the most to global warming potential, smog, and ozone depletion. The calculated SWSS results vary from 279 for the scenario with the highest environmental impact to 350 for the best performance scenario. The SWSS has the potential to represent sustainable attributes of wine in a more suitable way than a single isolated indicator such as carbon footprint.
Integration of a photocleavable element into DNA nanoswitches

Reconfigurable DNA nanostructures can be designed to respond to external stimuli such as nucleic acids, pH, small molecules and enzymes. In this study, we incorporated photocleavable linkers in DNA strands that trigger a conformational change in binary DNA nanoswitches. We demonstrate control of the output using UV light, with potential applications in biosensing and molecular computation.
Structural Model Bifurcation under Random Excitation

Stochastic bifurcation of mean square response of a clamped-clamped beam under initial axial load excited by a wide band random excitation is investigated analytically, numerically, and experimentally. The nonlinear response is represented by the first three modes. The response statistics are examined in the neighborhood of a critical static axial load where the normal mode frequencies are commensurable. It is found that Gaussian closure fails to predict bifurcation of asymmetric modes. Both non-Gaussian closure and numerical simulation predicted bifurcation boundaries in terms of the axial load, excitation spectral density level, and damping ratios.
It Is a Wrap! Or Is It?: The Role of Fundoplication in Infant Feeding Intolerance.

Abstract Purpose: Fundoplication is one of the most common procedures performed by pediatric surgeons, frequently for gastroesophageal reflux with feeding intolerance. No consensus exists in its ma...
Evaluation of mating systems involving five breeds for integrated beef production systems: I. Cow-calf segment.

Computer models were used to simulate the feedlot segment of an integrated beef production system. Five breeds, Angus (A), Charolais (C), Hereford (H), Limousin (L), and Simmental (S), in three mating systems, pure-breeding and two- and three-breed rotational crossbreeding, were evaluated for feedlot and carcass performance. Breed data were taken from the literature. Feeder calves (steers and non-replacement heifers) entered the feedlot at 205 d of age. After a 35-d adjustment period, calves were custom-fed to four slaughter end points: 440 d, 457 d, 288-kg carcass weight, or low Choice. Cattle were fed to requirements (megacalories of ME). Input costs included feed and nonfeed expenses (purchase prices, transportation, yardage, and medicinal fees). Carcass values were $2.65 and $2.54/kg of carcass weight for steer and heifers, respectively, between 272 to 318 kg. Over- or underweight carcasses were discounted $.60/kg. At the 440-d end point, Select grade steer and heifer carcasses were discounted an additional $.22 and $17/kg, respectively. Biological efficiency was measured as megacalories of ME/kg of gain, and economic efficiencies were measured as input costs per kilogram of carcass weight, input costs per kilogram of lean weight, and input costs per carcass value. Continental breed combinations (C and S) were most efficient at age- and weight-constant end points for megacalories of ME per kilogram of gain and for input costs per carcass value and most efficient at all end points for input costs per kilogram of carcass weight and input costs per kilogram of lean weight. British breed combinations (A) were most efficient at a fat-constant end point for megacalories of ME per kilogram of gain and input costs per carcass value. Therefore, choosing breed combinations for feedlots depends on slaughter end point and measures of efficiency.
1084. A Pre- and Post-Intervention Study to Implement a Successful Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at an Urban Chronic Hemodialysis Center

Background Patients receiving chronic outpatient hemodialysis (CHD) are at high risk for bloodstream and vascular access infections due to the immune-compromised status of patients and repeated vascular access. CHD patients are especially vulnerable to multidrug-resistant organisms due to extensive exposure to antibiotics (ABX). It is estimated that more than 40% of CHD patients receive ≥1 ABX course each year. As data characterizing ABX use and reasons for inappropriate prescribing is still scarce in CHD patients, our objective was to assess ABX use pre- and post-implementation of antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP).
RECONSTITUTION OF OPERATOR DNA-ACTIVE LACTOSE REPRESSOR FROM SUBUNITS

Lactose repressor subunits, prepared with sodium dodecyl sulfate and purified by glycerol gradient centrifugation can be reassociated to form tetramers highly active in binding to operator DNA. Reassociation of a mix of wild-type and mutationally-altered subunits yields a population of repressors containing molecules with new operator binding properties.
Armed Ethnic Conflicts in Northeast India and Resurgence of Women’s Movement

In India, the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution provides for safeguarding the minorities. However, despite many provisions, the term ‘minority’ has not been defined even in the Constitution. Significant to this concept is where women stand. Women form 48.5% of the total population in India. For a long time, women in India have been subjected to discrimination in all spheres of life, however, women of minority or indigenous groups—especially in the northeastern states—experience double discrimination in the form of different kinds of violence. Militarization of the people in the region has become a very familiar phenomenon. This has been further aggravated after the introduction of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in 1958. More than 50,000 lives have been lost in the violence. This paper shows how women’s groups in northeast India have developed powerful programmes that are direct, non-violent, and action-designed to confront the fire of insurgency that has for long engulfed this strategic region since the late 1940s.
Dedicated emergency department physical therapy is associated with reduced imaging, opioid administration, and length of stay: A prospective observational study

Background Emergency department based Physical Therapy (ED-PT) has been practiced globally in various forms for over 20 years and is an emerging resource in the US. While there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that ED-PT has a positive effect on a number of clinical and operational outcomes in patients presenting with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain, there are few published narratives that quantify this in the US. Although there are international papers that offer outcome data on reduction of pain, imaging, throughput time, and the ability of physical therapists to appropriately manage MSK conditions in the ED setting, most papers to date have been descriptive in nature. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of ED-PT on imaging studies obtained, rates of opioids prescribed, and ED length of stay. Methods We prospectively identified patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain to an urban academic ED in Salt Lake City between January 2017 and June 2018. During the study, a physical therapist was in the ED three days (24 hours) per week and was available to evaluate and treat patients after consultation by the ED provider. We noted patient demographic information, imaging performed in the ED, medications administered and prescribed, and ED length of stay. We classified patients as those who received PT in the ED and those who did not and compared clinical outcomes between groups. We performed a subgroup analysis of patients presenting with low back pain and matched patients by age and gender. Results Over the 18-month study period, we identified 524 patients presenting to the ED with musculoskeletal pain. 381 (72.7%) received ED-initiated PT. The PT and non-PT groups were similar in average age (42.8 years vs. 45.1 years, p = 0.155), gender (% female: 53% vs. 46.9%, p-0.209), and primary presenting chief complaint (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar pain: 57.7% vs. 53.1%, p = 0.345). Patients who received PT had lower rates of imaging (38.3% vs. 51%, p = 0.009), ED opioid administration (17.5% vs. 32.9%, p<0.001), and a shorter average ED length of stay (4 hours vs. 6.2 hours, p<0.001). Rates of outpatient opioid prescriptions were similar between groups (16% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.129). In a subgroup analysis of patients presenting with low back pain, we found that PT patients had fewer imaging studies (PT 25% vs. non-PT 57%, p = 0.029) but found no difference in average ED length of stay (PT 3.7 hours vs. non-PT 4.6 hours, p = 0.21), opioid administration in the ED (PT 36% vs. non-PT 43%, P = 0.792), nor outpatient opioid administration (PT 17.9%. vs non-PT 17.9%, p = 1.0). Conclusion In our experience, being seen by a physical therapist for MSK pain within the ED was associated with reduced use of imaging and time spent in the ED. Patients seeing a Physical Therapist were also less likely to receive an opioid prescription within the ED, a potentially significant finding given the need for opioid reduction strategies.
An End-to-End Encryption Solution for Enterprise Content Applications.

The content host services (like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive) used by enterprise customers are deployed either on premise or in cloud. Because users may store business-sensitive data (contents) in these hosting services, they may want to protect their data from disclosure to anyone else, even IT administrators. Unfortunately, even contents (files) are encrypted in the hosting services, they sometimes are still accessible to IT administrators today. The sensitive data could be exposed to public if the IT administrator turns malicious (like disgruntled employee) or his account is compromised by hackers. We propose an end-to-end encryption (E2EE) solution to address this challenge. The user data is encrypted at client side (mobile device) and remains encrypted in transit and at rest on server. Specifically, we design a new method to allow master secret recover and escrow, while protecting them from being accessed by malicious administrators. In addition, we present a content (file) encryption scheme that achieves privacy, and granular access control. And it can be seamlessly integrated with major content host services used by business users today.
Overcoming emotional exhaustion in a sales setting

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how sales organizations can become sustainable by reducing or mitigating emotional exhaustion in their sales employees. Specifically, this paper examines...
Data Augmentation Using Artificial Immune Systems For Noise-Robust CNN Models

CNN based models are the state-of-the-art in object detection. The effect of noise on their performances has not been extensively examined. In this paper, we examine the models SSD, Yolo, and Faster RCNN, and show that their performance dropped greatly under white noise by an average mAP of 10.33 on the PASCAL-VOC dataset. We propose mitigating this issue by augmenting the training dataset with antibodies generated using Artificial Immune Systems (AIS). We then test the CNN models under different noise levels and show that our data augmentation approach significantly improves their performance under noise by more than 55%, i.e., the average mAP drop reduced to 4.37, without altering their speed. We also show that training of said CNN models under noise does improve their performance but interestingly less than when using our data augmentation AIS approach.
Behavioral response of feedlot cattle fallowing tail docking

Tail injuries commonly occur in feedlot cattle that are housed in barns with slatted floors, facilities that are commonly found in the Great Lakes Region. These injuries put cattle at risk of developing secondary complications such as tail infections, ascending myelitis, and paresis. The practice of docking the tails of cattle upon entry into these feedlot facilities was initiated to prevent tail injuries. According to a recent survey, approximately two-thirds of Michigan feedlots dock the tails of cattle at entry. Tail docking raises potential welfare concerns because it is painful and removes an important method of fly avoidance. The purpose of this study was to describe the behavioral response of cattle following tail docking.
Visualizing Pattern Formation in Polymer Blends Using Near-Field Vibrational Infrared Imaging

In this presentation, the molecular sensitivity of scattering-type near-field scanning optical microscopy (s-SNOM) will be demonstrated by imaging an organic thin film with thickness gradient that continuously vary from zero to over 200 nm on different substrates. We will then present recent s-SNOM experimental results that show phase separation and nanoscale pattern formation in thin films of blended polymers. The evolution of nanoscale domains and hierarchical patterns as a function of composition will be discussed. The results may help to understand the sensitivity of s-SNOM chemical imaging at the molecular “finger print” region of electromagnetic radiation and to realize the capability of the technique to resolve nanoscale domains and phase separation in multicomponent organic thin films.
Measurement of Two Low-Temperature Energy Gaps in the Electronic Structure of Antiferromagnetic USb2 Using Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy

Ultrafast optical spectroscopy is used to study the antiferromagnetic f-electron system USb(2). We observe the opening of two charge gaps at low temperatures (</~45 K), arising from renormalization of the electronic structure. Analysis of our data indicates that one gap is due to hybridization between localized f-electron and conduction electron bands, while band renormalization involving magnons leads to the emergence of the second gap. These experiments thus enable us to shed light on the complex electronic structure emerging at the Fermi surface in f-electron systems.
Reciprocal regulation of sex-dependent expression of testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylase (P-450(15 alpha)) in liver and kidney of male mice by androgen. Evidence for a single gene.

Testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylase activities and its mRNA levels are higher in kidneys than in livers from male 129/J mice. Castration of 129/J male mice resulted in repression of P-450(15 alpha) in kidney, but increased it in liver. Two types of cDNA (p15 alpha-29 (Type I) and -15 (Type II)) encoding P-450(15 alpha) were previously cloned from 129/J female livers (Burkhart, B.A., Harada, N., and Negishi, M. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15357-15361). With the use of p15 alpha-29 as a probe, Type I and II P-450(15 alpha) cDNAs were isolated from libraries of 129/J kidney poly(A)+ RNA. The nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs showed that Type I and II cDNAs from liver and kidney were identical and shared 98.3% similarity. The deduced amino acid sequence from a full-length Type I cDNA indicated that Type I P-450(15 alpha) consists of 494 amino acids with a molecular weight of 56,594. Nine amino acid substitutions were found in the Type II clone in 432 amino acids overlapping Type I. Type I cDNA clones accounted for approximately 90% P-450(15 alpha) clones isolated from a male kidney library, whereas approximately 90% of cDNA clones in a female kidney library were Type II. Liver cDNA libraries from males and females contained similar ratios of Type I and II. Effects of castration on Type I and II mRNAs were determined by Southern hybridization of a 32P-labeled ClaI-ClaI fragment from p15 alpha-29 to cDNAs synthesized from kidney and liver poly(A)+ RNAs prepared from sham-operated, castrated 129/J mice. The double-stranded cDNAs were digested with ClaI and PstI prior to gel electrophoresis to create the diagnostic restriction fragments specific for Type I or II. Castration resulted in decreased levels of Type I mRNA in male kidney. In male liver, only Type I mRNA rose significantly in response to castration. Testosterone administration returned the Type I mRNA to normal levels in castrated mice. It therefore appears that the high levels of P-450(15 alpha) in male kidney were due to androgen-dependent induction of Type I mRNA. Both Types I and II were repressed in male liver, which results in decreased levels of P-450(15 alpha). Androgen was responsible for the repression and expression of Type I in liver and kidney, but not Type II.
State in Society: THE STATE-IN-SOCIETY APPROACH: A NEW DEFINITION OF THE STATE AND TRANSCENDING THE NARROWLY CONSTRUCTED WORLD OF RIGOR

This introductory chapter frames the ideas that have preoccupied me over the past two decades, when the remaining essays in this book were written. I have four primary goals here. First, I want to present a concise statement of the state-in-society approach that is the centerpiece of the book, especially in light of the literature that I have drawn on – and have found wanting. My second aim is the principal one for this chapter: I present a new definition of the state in place of Max Weber's widely used one, which I believe has led scholars down sterile paths. My hope is that the new definition will offer social scientists a better, more grounded way to conceive of the state and will suggest new, innovative lines of inquiry to them. Third, implicitly these essays reject what has become standard method in political science and related social science disciplines. I want to spell out the point of how better to approach comparative research and state why I think political scientists should abandon the blinders that have limited their work. And, finally, I want to show how a state-in-society perspective can provide new and exciting answers to well-studied issues in comparative studies by recounting the work of several young scholars who have used the approach. State-in-Society as an Approach to Studying Domination and Change The themes explored in the essays in this book, domination and change, are by no means original.