cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Atlantic World and the road to Plessy v. Ferguson

The Gulf of Mexico has long been open to the movement of individuals and information as well as hurricanes. Throughout the nineteenth century, people circulated around the Caribbean Sea and the gulf in pursuit of work, security, and political alliances. During Reconstruction and its aftermath, some of those migrants helped frame the struggle against caste in the state of Louisiana in an innovative way. Their conceptual language and their experiences are worth recovering?to broaden our picture of southern history and perhaps also to enrich our thinking about constitutional frameworks of antidiscrimi nation.
Coalescence in the Thermal Annealing of Nanoparticles: An in Situ STEM Study of the Growth Mechanisms of Ordered Pt–Fe Nanoparticles in a KCl Matrix

Thermal annealing is essential for achieving ultrasmall size ferromagnetic properties in next-generation high performance nanocomposite magnetic materials. However, during the annealing process, growth and agglomeration of nanoparticles normally occurs, which destroys the narrow size distributions. Thus, the materials become less suitable for application in high-density magnetic recording. The mechanism of nanoparticle growth and sintering has been difficult to determine because of the lack of suitable in situ tools to probe subnanometer changes at the local level. Here we report a study using high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with an in situ thermal annealing stage of surfactant-free, monodispersed superparamagnetic PtFe (cubic) alloy nanoparticles (≈2 nm in diameter) stabilized in or on a KCl matrix. Ex situ experiments confirmed that annealing produces PtFe (tetragonal) ordered intermetallic nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 5 nm, and the in situ study reveale...
Interleukins and Interferons during EBV Infection

Primary infection with EBV results in a life-long carrier state with a small number of circulating B lymphocytes harboring the virus and infective virus being excreted into pharyngeal secretions.
New camerate crinoids of the suborder Glyptocrinina from the Lower Silurian Brassfield Formation (southwestern Ohio)

Patelliocrinus planus n. sp. (Patelliocrinidae), Manticrinus exaitos n. gen., n. sp. (Marsupiocrinidae), and Clematocrinus ohioensis n. sp. (Hapalocrinidae) are described from southwestern Ohio. These new Early Silurian crinoids are from the upper lower or middle Llandoverian Brassfield Formation. Patelliocrinus planus is the oldest member of this genus. It was originally designated as Platycrinid(?) by Foerste (1919) and, subsequently, Brower (1973) placed it in the Hapalocrinidae. Manticrinus is placed in the Marsupiocrinidae, previously a monogeneric family, and is the oldest member of this family. Manticrinus is judged to have evolved from Macrostylocrinus. Species assignments are clarified between Clematocrinus and Hapalocrinus. These genera are distinguished by character of the arms, primibrachial number, and presence of cirri. Clematocrinus ohioensis is the oldest member of this genus and perhaps of the Hapalocrinidae.
An analysis of the variability of anatomical body references within ready-to-wear garment sizes

Establishing a range of sizes for apparel that can effectively fit the body shapes of a diverse population is a complex task, that for ready-to-wear (RTW) apparel is often reduced to a solution that is cost-feasible, if not optimal. While prototype garments are developed with specific fit objectives relative to an individual fit model, that shape is made larger and smaller according to a defined set of increments between sizes. For RTW, the objective in selecting size parameters is usually based on aesthetics. However, as garment-integrated technologies that require more precise placement of integrated technologies (such as sensors) on the body surface become more common in clothing, the implications of current RTW sizing techniques for precise on-body placement is not yet fully understood. Here, we present a comparison of the variability in anthropometrics of a target population and the variability assumed by a sizing standard, with respect to the impact of this disparity for placement of chest-mounted sensing devices like ECG electrodes. We analyze a large (n=3982) publically available anthropometric database and compare our findings with a smaller (n=140) sample of more specifically measured landmarks manually collected from 3D body scans. We find that RTW sizing results in problematic variability of landmark position for a large portion of the population, with potentially important implications for the placement of garment-integrated sensors. Results illustrate the need for consideration of non-traditional sizing strategies for garment-integrated sensing.
The Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Alcohol-Related Problems in a Community Sample of African American Women

Purpose. This study examines the prevalence of alcohol-related problems, the factors underlying these problems, and whether or not there is evidence of syndemic effects in a community population of southern, urban African American women. Methods. Questionnaire-based interviews were conducted with 817 women, all African American, from 80 targeted census block groups in Atlanta, Georgia. Results. Most of the alcohol users (67.8%) experienced at least one problem as a result of their alcohol (ab)use, with most women experiencing two or more such problems. Eight factors were found to be associated with experiencing more alcohol problems: being aged 30 or older, having had no recent health insurance, lower levels of educational attainment, self-identifying as lesbian or bisexual, experiencing greater amounts of childhood maltreatment, greater impulsivity, perceiving one's local community or neighborhood to be unsafe, and having a larger number of criminally involved friends. Conclusions. Drinking-related problems were prevalent in this population. Numerous factors underlie the extent to which African American women experienced problems resulting from their alcohol use. There is strong evidence of syndemic-type effects influencing drinking problems in this population, and future efforts to reduce the negative impact of alcohol (ab)use ought to consider the adoption of programs using a syndemics' theory approach.
Harnessing Photovoltage: Effects of Film Thickness, TiO2 Nanoparticle Size, MgO and Surface Capping with DSCs

High photovoltage dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) offer an exceptional opportunity to power electrocatalysts for the production of hydrogen from water and the reduction of CO2 to usable fuels with a relatively cost-effective, low-toxicity solar cell. Competitive recombination pathways such as electron transfer from TiO2 films to the redox shuttle or oxidized dye must be minimized to achieve the maximum possible photovoltage (Voc) from DSC devices. A high Voc of 882 mV was achieved with the iodide/triiodide redox shuttle and a ruthenium NCS-ligated dye, HD-2-mono, by utilizing a combined approach of (1) modulating the TiO2 surface area through film thickness and nanoparticle size selection, (2) addition of a MgO insulating layer, and (3) capping available TiO2 film surface sites post film sensitization with an F-SAM (fluorinated self-assembled monolayer) treatment. The exceptional Voc of 882 mV observed is the highest achieved for the popular NCS containing ruthenium sensitizers with >5% PCE and compares...
Pre-B Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells Carrying a Bcr/Abl Translocation Retain Sensitivity to Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Specific T Cells but Are Resistant to Natural Killer Cells: Implications for Manipulation of Graft Versus Leukemia Effects.

Background : Some acute lymphoblastic leukemias with high risk genetic lesions such as bcr/abl are treated with allogeneic BMT. Results of allogeneic BMT generally have shown only a modest improvement over high-dose chemotherapy. The graft versus leukemia (GVL) effect associated with allogeneic BMT is generally considered to be less potent in ALL than in myeloid leukemias. One hypothesis explaining reduced sensitivity of lymphoblastic leukemia cells to GVL is that such cells may be intrinsically resistant to the effects of cytolytic T or NK cells in the posttransplant immune environment. Methods : Primary pre-B ALL leukemias with high risk human genetic lesions were induced by incubating bone marrow from mice null at the Ink4A/Arf locus with an ecotrophic retroviral vector containing a human bcr/abl fusion oncogene as well as a GFP marker. GFP+ leukemia cells were isolated and tested for sensitivity to T cells and NK cells. Minor histocompatibility antigen (mHA) specific T cells were generated by immunizing C3H.SW mice with irradiated C57BL/6 cells. NK cells were magnetically isolated from normal spleen cells using an anti-DX5 antibody. Leukemia cell populations were measured using a flow cytometry assay. 104 GFP-expressing leukemia cells were incubated with nonfluorescent T or NK cells in 96 well plates. At 48h leukemia cell population size was measured using fluorescent microspheres for quantitative internal controls. The percent survival of leukemia cells was expressed as a fraction of the absolute number of leukemia cells recovered from wells in which no cytolytic cells were present. In vivo sensitivity of the leukemia cells was measured by performing allogeneic BMT using donors that were naive or that had been previously sensitized to mHAs. 104 leukemia cells were infused at the time of transplant and survival and leukemia cell burden. Results/Conclusions : Pre-B ALL cells exhibited exquisite sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of anti-mHA T cells. In contrast, the lymphoblastic leukemia cells were resistant to the effects of NK cells. In vivo survival was prolonged and leukemia burden was reduced in those animals transplanted with specific anti-mHA T cells. These results suggest that mHA genes expressed in lymphoblastic leukemia cells may be suitable targets for post-transplant immunotherapy.
Anisotropy in the Intermediate State of Superconducting Mercury

Anisotropy of the domain structure in the intermediate state of type-I superconductors has first been observed in single-crystalline disks of lead-thallium alloys of several mm thickness /1/. Subsequently, similar observations of anisotropy in the intermediate state structure were reported for single-crystalline foils of lead and tin with thicknesses between 6 and 100 μm /2,3/. A similar correlation between the orientation and structure of the flux line lattice has also been observed in type-II superconductors, and several papers are given on this subject at the present conference. The anisotropy in the magnetic domain structure is, of course, related to the corresponding anisotropy of one or more fundamental superconducting parameters, like the order parameter. Theories have been proposed to explain the anisotropy in the magnetic flux structure of the superconductor in terms of anisotropy of the Fermi surface /4/ and of the elastic properties /5/ of the crystal.
Photoreductive Elimination of Chlorine from Antimony in an [SbPd]VII Complex

As part of our ongoing interest in main group species that support the photoreductive elimination of halogens, we have synthesized [Cl3SbVPdIICl2(o-dppp)2] (o-dppp = o-(Ph2P)C6H4), a palladium dichloride complex featuring a Lewis acidic trichlorostiborane moiety positioned within the ligand architecture. Upon UV irradiation, this complex undergoes a clean photoreductive chlorine elimination reaction which produces [Cl2SbIVPdICl(o-dppp)2], a complex with a covalent Sb–Pd bond. This transformation illustrates the viability of antimony as an element from which a halogen can be photoeliminated; it also shows that a metal halide can be photolytically coupled with a main group halide to generate a metal-element bond.
When does hypoxia affect management performance of a fishery? A management strategy evaluation of Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) fisheries in Hood Canal, Washington, USA

Management strategies for fisheries typically do not account for environmental stressors, such as hypoxia (dissolved oxygen < 2 mg·L−1). Hypoxia can lead to shoaling of organisms into normoxic habi...
Energy and Health Benefits of Shilajit

Abstract Shilajit (mumie, moomiyo, mummiyo, mumijo, salajeet) is a resinous phytomineral exudate found in sedimentary rocks that has been used for many years for a wide variety of illnesses and health benefits. Over the past 10 years, a growing number of studies have been published involving humans, animal, and in vitro systems in support of its uses and health-related effects. Animal and human studies support its use as a “revitalizer,” promoting physical and mental energy, enhancing physical performance, and relieving fatigue in association with enhanced adenosine triphosphate production. Various published research studies indicate that shilajit exhibits adaptogenic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and neurological properties. Studies also show that shilajit enhances spermatogenesis. Based on animal and human studies, the safety of shilajit is well documented. Shilajit is standardized to fulvic acids, and key constituents in shilajit responsible for its effects appear to be fulvic acids comprising oxygenated dibenzo-α-pyrones and their derivatives. The current literature regarding the efficacy and safety of shilajit is reviewed.
Have wars and violence declined

For over 150 years liberal optimism has dominated theories of war and violence. It has been repeatedly argued that war and violence either are declining or will shortly decline. There have been exceptions, especially in Germany and more generally in the first half of the twentieth century, but there has been a recent revival of such optimism, especially in the work of Azar Gat, John Mueller, Joshua Goldstein, and Steven Pinker who all perceive a long-term decline in war and violence through history, speeding up in the post-1945 period. Critiquing Pinker’s statistics on war fatalities, I show that the overall pattern is not a decline in war, but substantial variation between periods and places. War has not declined and current trends are slightly in the opposite direction. The conventional view is that civil wars in the global South have largely replaced inter-state wars in the North, but this is misleading since there is major involvement in most civil wars by outside powers, including those of the North. There is more support for their view that homicide has declined in the long-term, at least in the North of the world (with the United States lagging somewhat). This is reinforced by technological improvements in long-distance weaponry and the two transformations have shifted war, especially in the North, from being “ferocious” to “callous” in character. This renders war less visible and less central to Northern culture, which has the deceptive appearance of being rather pacific. Viewed from the South the view has been bleaker both in the colonial period and today. Globally war and violence are not declining, but they are being transformed.
Esophagus and Stomach

Many widely different esophageal lesions are clinically manifested by dysphagia, heartburn, or hematemesis. Inflammatory disease and carcinoma of the esophagus will be reviewed.
Postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass: predictors and consequences.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is a common, safe and effective bariatric procedure. Bleeding is a significant source of postoperative morbidity. We aimed to determine the incidence, outcomes, and predictors of postoperative bleeding after LRYGB. LRYGB patients included in the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) 2015 dataset were identified. Preoperative and intraoperative factors were tested for associations with bleeding using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Outcomes of length of stay, in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, discharge disposition, and 30-day complications among patients with and without clinically significant postoperative bleeding were compared using multivariable regression. In the 43,280 LRYGB patients included in this analysis, postoperative bleeding occurred in 652 (1.51%) patients. Of these, 165 (25.3%) underwent a re-operation and 97 (14.9%) underwent an unplanned endoscopy for ‘bleeding’. Postoperative bleeding was associated with a longer median postoperative length of stay (4 vs. 2 days), higher in-hospital mortality (1.23 vs. 0.04%), higher 30-day mortality (1.38 vs. 0.15%), discharge to an extended-care facility (3.88 vs. 0.6%), and higher rates of major complications (all P < 0.05). Independent predictors of postoperative bleeding included; a history of renal insufficiency (OR 2.55, 95% CI 1.43–4.52), preoperative therapeutic anticoagulation (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.69–3.53), and revisional surgery (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.06–1.97). Intraoperative associated factors included conversions (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.42–7.97), and drain placement (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.18–1.67). Robotic approaches resulted in independently lower postoperative bleeding rates (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.32–0.77). Postoperative bleeding occurs in 1.5% of patients undergoing a LRYGB and is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. We have identified patient and operative factors that are independently associated with postoperative bleeding.
An upstream enhancer regulates Gpihbp1 expression in a tissue-specific manner.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high density lipoprotein–binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1), the protein that shuttles LPL to the capillary lumen, is essential for plasma triglyceride metabolism. When GPIHBP1 is absent, LPL remains stranded within the interstitial spaces and plasma triglyceride hydrolysis is impaired, resulting in severe hypertriglyceridemia. While the functions of GPIHBP1 in intravascular lipolysis are reasonably well understood, no one has yet identified DNA sequences regulating GPIHBP1 expression. In the current studies, we identified an enhancer element located ∼3.6 kb upstream from exon 1 of mouse Gpihbp1. To examine the importance of the enhancer, we used CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to create mice lacking the enhancer (Gpihbp1 Enh/Enh). Removing the enhancer reduced Gpihbp1 expression by >90% in the liver and by ∼50% in heart and brown adipose tissue. The reduced expression of GPIHBP1 was insufficient to prevent LPL from reaching the capillary lumen, and it did not lead to hypertriglyceridemia–even when mice were fed a high-fat diet. Compound heterozygotes (Gpihbp1 Enh/− mice) displayed further reductions in Gpihbp1 expression and exhibited partial mislocalization of LPL (increased amounts of LPL within the interstitial spaces of the heart), but the plasma triglyceride levels were not perturbed. The enhancer element that we identified represents the first insight into DNA sequences controlling Gpihbp1 expression.
Speech recognition as a function of the number of channels in perimodiolar electrode recipients

This study investigated the number of channels needed for maximum speech understanding and sound quality in 30 adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients with perimodiolar electrode arrays verified via imaging to be completely within scala tympani (ST). Performance was assessed using a continuous interleaved sampling (CIS) strategy with 4, 8, 10, and 16 channels and n-of-m with 16 maxima. Listeners were administered auditory tasks of speech understanding [monosyllables, sentences (quiet and +5 dB signal-to-noise ratio, SNR), vowels, consonants], spectral modulation detection, as well as subjective estimates of sound quality. Results were as follows: (1) significant performance gains were observed for speech in quiet (monosyllables and sentences) with 16- as compared to 8-channel CIS, (2) 16 channels in a 16-of-m strategy yielded significantly higher outcomes than 16-channel CIS for sentences in noise (percent correct and subjective sound quality) and spectral modulation detection, (3) 16 channels in a 16-of-m strategy yielded significantly higher outcomes as compared to 8- and 10-channel CIS for monosyllables, sentences (quiet and noise), consonants, spectral modulation detection, and subjective sound quality, (4) 16 versus 8 maxima yielded significantly higher speech recognition for monosyllables and sentences in noise using an n-of-m strategy, and (5) the degree of benefit afforded by 16 versus 8 maxima was inversely correlated with mean electrode-to-modiolus distance. These data demonstrate greater channel independence with perimodiolar electrode arrays as compared to previous studies with straight electrodes and warrant further investigation of the minimum number of maxima and number of channels needed for maximum auditory outcomes.
Predictive Model for the [Rh2(esp)2]-Catalyzed Intermolecular C(sp3)–H Bond Insertion of β-Carbonyl Ester Carbenes: Interplay between Theory and Experiment

Intermolecular C(sp3)–H insertions of β-carbonyl ester dirhodium-carbenes are extremely rare. Toward developing efficient reactions of these carbenes, a model for their insertion into C(sp3)–H bonds is described using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In this study, the relevant electronic and steric components of β-carbonyl ester dirhodium-carbenes that affect intermolecular C(sp3)–H activation energies are explored, parametrized, and used to construct an intuitive model for predicting propensity for C–H insertion. The resulting insights from the theoretical investigation are actualized through experiments to establish reactivity trends for these species and reaction discovery. On the basis of these integrated computational and experimental efforts, examples of intermolecular C(sp3)–H insertions featuring secondary α-diazo-β-amide esters are reported. The resulting carbenes feature an intramolecular 1,6-hydrogen bond that affords increased stability and enhanced reactivity for C(sp3)–H insert...
Motion Transmissibility for Load Identification Based on Optimum Sensor Placement

Knowledge on loads acting on a structure is important for analysis and design. There are many applications in which it is difficult to measure directly the dynamic loads acting on a component. In such situations, it may be possible to estimate the imposed loads through a measurement of the system output response. Load identification through output response measurement is an inverse problem that is not only ill-conditioned but, in general, leads to multiple solutions. Therefore, additional information such as the number and locations of the imposed loads must be provided ahead of time in order to allow for a unique solution. This paper focuses on cases where such information is not readily available and uses the concept of motion transmissibility for the identification of loads applied to a structure. The identification of loads through measurement of structural response at a finite number of optimally selected sensor locations is investigated. Optimum sensor locations are identified using the D-optimal design algorithm to provide the most precise load estimates based on acceleration measurements using accelerometers. Simulation results for multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) discrete and continuous systems are presented to illustrate the proposed technique. It is seen that the proposed approach is effective in determining not only the number of applied loads as well as their locations but also the magnitude of applied loads.
Single-Shot, Sub-Picometer-Resolution Wavemeter Using Topologically Enhanced Optical Activity of OAM Fiber Modes

We demonstrate an instantaneous wavelength-measurement technique with record resolution < 0.3pm at 1 μm wavelengths by exploiting the inherent circular birefringence of OAM fiber modes yielding giant tailorable optical activity. © 2019 The Authors
Effect of Grazing Flow on Grooved Over-the-Rotor Acoustic Casing Treatments

After testing grooved over-the-rotor acoustic casing treatments on a turbofan rotor, a follow-on study was performed to investigate the effect of flow on grooved acoustic liners. The experiment was performed to understand the scaling of acoustic liner absorption with grazing flow and investigate a potential noise source from grooved acoustic liners. Acoustic liner absorption and reflection characteristics were quantified by examining the reduction in amplitude of a plane wave traveling over 2 inch liners with grazing flow. For all liners tested, as the grazing flow Mach number is increased, the absorption curves broadened and the frequency of peak absorption decreased. Grazing flow over a series of grooves was found to generate resonances up to 152 dB sound pressure level. Adding acoustic treatment to the bottom of these grooves was found to reduce the magnitude of this resonance by up to 10 dB sound pressure level and increase its frequency by up to 10%. The quantification of the grazing flow effect and identification of a mechanism behind the noise penalty from the prior turbofan rotor experiment will aid in the design of future over-the-rotor treatments.
Short-Term Estimates of Growth Using Curriculum-Based Measurement of Oral Reading Fluency: Estimating Standard Error of the Slope to Construct Confidence Intervals

Curriculum-based measurement of oral reading fluency (CBM-R) is an established procedure used to index the level and trend of student growth. A substantial literature base exists regarding best pra...
A Study of Jovian Magnetic Field Derived Parameters for Synchrotron Radiation Modeling

The Juno spacecraft arrived at Jupiter July 4, 2016 and is now in a 53.5-day polar orbit. Synchrotron radiation generated by ultra-relativistic electrons trapped in Jupiter's magnetosphere is detected and measured by the MWR Radiometer over a range of wavelengths from 2 cm to 50 cm. An extension of the Levin et al. (2001)multi-zonal, multi-parameter model to simulate synchrotron emission using assumed electron distributions and Jovian magnetic field models (VIP4 and the latest incarnation, JRM09)generates the four Stokes parameters of the synchrotron emission. The model depends on magnetic-field-derived quantities such as L-shell and B critical, the minimum magnetic field amplitude for a given L-shell at which electrons that mirror at or below the upper boundary of the atmosphere are lost. This study describes the modeling issues associated with aforementioned derived parameters and results for VIP4 and JRM09 models.
Are We Approaching a Biological Limit to Human Longevity

Until recently human longevity records continued to grow in history, with no indication of approaching a hypothetical longevity limit. Also, earlier studies found that age-specific death rates cease to increase at advanced ages (mortality plateau) suggesting the absence of fixed limit to longevity too. In this study, we reexamine both claims with more recent and reliable data on supercentenarians (persons aged 110 years and older). We found that despite a dramatic historical increase in the number of supercentenarians, further growth of human longevity records in subsequent birth cohorts slowed down significantly and almost stopped for those born after 1879. We also found an exponential acceleration of age-specific death rates for persons older than 113 years in more recent data. Slowing down the historical progress in maximum reported age at death and accelerated growth of age-specific death rates after age 113 years in recent birth cohorts may indicate the need for more conservative estimates for future longevity records unless a scientific breakthrough in delaying aging would happen. The hypothesis of approaching a biological limit to human longevity has received some empirical support and it deserves further study and testing.
A Matched-Pair Analysis of Prepectoral with Subpectoral Breast Reconstruction: Is There a Difference in Postoperative Complication Rate?

Background:The development of acellular dermal matrices has revolutionized implant-based breast reconstruction. The most recent development has been the introduction of prepectoral breast reconstruction. However, concerns have been expressed related to the quality of soft-tissue coverage and infecti
Zinc-independent activation of Toll-like receptor 4 by S100A9

ABSTRACT The homodimer formed by the protein S100A9 induces inflammation through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), playing critical roles in both healthy and pathological innate immune responses. The molecular mechanism by which S100A9 activates TLR4 remains unknown. Previously, the interaction between purified S100A9 and TLR4 was shown to depend on Zn2+; however, the Zn2+ binding site(s) on S100A9 were not identified. Here, we investigated the role of Zn2+ binding in the pro-inflammatory activity of S100A9. We found that the S100A9 homodimer was prone to reversible, Zn2+-dependent aggregation in vitro. Using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC), we identified multiple residues that contribute to Zn2+ binding in S100A9. We then used mutagenesis to construct a version of S100A9 with no detectable Zn2+ binding by either ITC or Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. This protein did not exhibit aggregation upon addition of saturating Zn2+. Further, despite the lack of Zn2+-binding, this protein was capable of activating TLR4 in a cell-based functional assay. We then modified the functional assay so the Zn2+ concentration was exceedingly low relative to the concentration of S100A9 added. Again, S100A9 was able to activate TLR4. This reveals that, despite the ability of S100A9 to bind Zn2+, S100A9 does not require Zn2+ to activate TLR4. Our work represents an important step in clarifying the nature of the interaction between S100A9 and TLR4.
Potential for Nd and Dy Recovery from End-of-Life Products to Meet Future Electric Vehicle Demand in the U.S.

Abstract Rare earth elements (REEs) such as Neodymium (Nd) and Dysprosium (Dy) are used in Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs). Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets offer the strongest magnetic field per volume among all the magnets available in the market, which enables lightweight and compact product designs. NdFeB magnets have thus become indispensable in emerging clean technologies such as wind turbines and electric vehicles (EVs). Global demand for these renewables is increasing due to environmental considerations, energy security, and consumer demand. However, China’s dominance in REE production and processing technology has led to concerns pertaining to supply chain risks. This is especially the case for the automotive industry that is experiencing a major shift from traditional internal combustion engines to EVs that employ these REPMs. The number of EVs on U.S. roads is projected to reach more than 18 million in 2030 up from 1.4 million in 2019. In order to mitigate supply chain brittleness, and thereby potentially reduce price volatility, secondary REE supply sources from end-of-life (EoL) products may be a viable option. This study quantifies the recycling potential of Nd and Dy from EoL EVs, HDDs and MRIs in the U.S. Factors used in the analysis were number of units manufactured each year, NdFeB magnet mass in each unit and REE composition of magnets employed. Using EV production forecasts, we estimate how much of the future Nd and Dy demands can be met by secondary supply from EoL products.
Quality gaps in public pancreas imaging datasets: Implications & challenges for AI applications

Abstract Objective Quality gaps in medical imaging datasets lead to profound errors in experiments. Our objective was to characterize such quality gaps in public pancreas imaging datasets (PPIDs), to evaluate their impact on previously published studies, and to provide post-hoc labels and segmentations as a value-add for these PPIDs. Methods We scored the available PPIDs on the medical imaging data readiness (MIDaR) scale, and evaluated for associated metadata, image quality, acquisition phase, etiology of pancreas lesion, sources of confounders, and biases. Studies utilizing these PPIDs were evaluated for awareness of and any impact of quality gaps on their results. Volumetric pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA) segmentations were performed for non-annotated CTs by a junior radiologist (R1) and reviewed by a senior radiologist (R3). Results We found three PPIDs with 560 CTs and six MRIs. NIH dataset of normal pancreas CTs (PCT) (n = 80 CTs) had optimal image quality and met MIDaR A criteria but parts of pancreas have been excluded in the provided segmentations. TCIA-PDA (n = 60 CTs; 6 MRIs) and MSD(n = 420 CTs) datasets categorized to MIDaR B due to incomplete annotations, limited metadata, and insufficient documentation. Substantial proportion of CTs from TCIA-PDA and MSD datasets were found unsuitable for AI due to biliary stents [TCIA-PDA:10 (17%); MSD:112 (27%)] or other factors (non-portal venous phase, suboptimal image quality, non-PDA etiology, or post-treatment status) [TCIA-PDA:5 (8.5%); MSD:156 (37.1%)]. These quality gaps were not accounted for in any of the 25 studies that have used these PPIDs (NIH-PCT:20; MSD:1; both: 4). PDA segmentations were done by R1 in 91 eligible CTs (TCIA-PDA:42; MSD:49). Of these, corrections were made by R3 in 16 CTs (18%) (TCIA-PDA:4; MSD:12) [mean (standard deviation) Dice: 0.72(0.21) and 0.63(0.23) respectively]. Conclusion Substantial quality gaps, sources of bias, and high proportion of CTs unsuitable for AI characterize the available limited PPIDs. Published studies on these PPIDs do not account for these quality gaps. We complement these PPIDs through post-hoc labels and segmentations for public release on the TCIA portal. Collaborative efforts leading to large, well-curated PPIDs supported by adequate documentation are critically needed to translate the promise of AI to clinical practice.
Compaction of fibrin clots reveals the antifibrinolytic effect of factor XIII: comment

The interesting article on the antifibrinolytic effect of Factor XIII by Rijken et al [1] was predicated on the assumption that fibrinolysis is mediated only by tPA, since that is what was studied. However, there is evidence that this common assumption should be put into question. In a study published almost thirty years ago, we showed that whereas spontaneous lysis of platelet poor plasma clots was mediated by tPA, that of platelet-rich plasma clots, with which this article was concerned, could not be abolished by tPA antibody, but instead was abolished by the addition of uPA antibody. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Prison after Vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 Positivity after Vaccination in a Prison In this study involving 2380 vaccinated persons in a Rhode Island prison complex, there were 27 breakthrough cases of Covid-19, all of which were...
Cardiac transplantation in adults with congenital heart disease: A single center case series.

BACKGROUND Adult congenital heart disease (CHD) transplant recipients historically experienced worse survival early after transplantation. We aim to review updated trends in adult CHD transplantation. METHODS We performed a single center case series of adult cardiac transplants from January 2013 through July 2020. Outcomes of patients with CHD were compared to non-CHD. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included a variety of post-operative complications. RESULTS 18/262 (7%) transplants were CHD recipients. CHD patients were younger with median age 41 (32-47) versus 58 (48-65) (P < .001). Fontan circulation for single ventricle physiology was present in 4/18 (22%) of CHD recipients, while 16/18 (89%) had systemic right ventricles. CHD recipients had higher rates of previous cardiovascular operations (94% vs. 51%, P < .001). 9/18 (50%) of CHD patients required reconstructive procedures at the time of transplant. Operative and cardiopulmonary bypass times were longer for the CHD cohort (7.5 h [6.6-8.5] vs. 5.6 h [4.6-7] P < .001) and (197 min [158-240] vs. 130 [105-167] P < .001), respectively. There were no differences in operative complications or survival between CHD and non-CHD recipients. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight the added technical challenges of performing adult CHD transplants. However, similar outcomes can be achieved as for non-CHD recipients. SUMMARY Modern advances in palliation of congenital heart defects (CHD) has led to increased survival into adulthood. Many of these patients require heart transplantation as adults. There are limited data on adult CHD transplantation. Historically, these patients have had worse perioperative outcomes with improved long-term survival. We retrospectively analyzed 262 heart transplants at a single center, 18 of which were for adult CHD. Here, we report our series of 18 CHD recipients. We detail the palliative history of all CHD patients and highlight the added technical challenges for each of the 18 patients at transplant. In our analysis, CHD patients had more prior cardiovascular surgeries as well as longer transplant operative and bypass times. Despite this, there were no differences in perioperative and long-term outcomes. We have added patient and institution specific data for transplanting patients with adult CHD. We hope that our experience will add to the growing body of literature on adult CHD transplantation.
Identifying nuclear phenotypes using semi-supervised metric learning

In systems-based approaches for studying processes such as cancer and development, identifying and characterizing individual cells within a tissue is the first step towards understanding the large-scale effects that emerge from the interactions between cells. To this end, nuclear morphology is an important phenotype to characterize the physiological and differentiated state of a cell. This study focuses on using nuclear morphology to identify cellular phenotypes in thick tissue sections imaged using 3D fluorescence microscopy. The limited label information, heterogeneous feature set describing a nucleus, and existence of subpopulations within cell-types makes this a difficult learning problem. To address these issues, a technique is presented to learn a distance metric from labeled data which is locally adaptive to account for heterogeneity in the data. Additionally, a label propagation technique is used to improve the quality of the learned metric by expanding the training set using unlabeled data. Results are presented on images of tumor stroma in breast cancer, where the framework is used to identify fibroblasts, macrophages and endothelial cells - three major stromal cells involved in carcinogenesis.
Elastic Remote Methods

For distributed applications to take full advantage of cloud computing systems, we need middleware systems that allow developers to build elasticity management components right into the applications.
Explaining the “Return of the State” in Middle-Income Countries Employment Vulnerability, Income, and Preferences for Social Protection in Latin America

In recent decades, developing and middle-income countries around the globe have adopted path-breaking reforms to their social protection systems. Latin America has been a pioneer region, expanding the state’s commitment on behalf of low-income citizens in key policy areas in many countries. This paper undertakes two tasks. First, it documents the surprising extension of noncontributory social protection policies across many Latin American countries, highlighting how tax-financed programs have come to play a central role in a variety of settings. Second, it examines citizen-level preferences that support this trend, arguing that employment vulnerability and threats to income continuity play a decisive role in shaping demand for public, rather than private, social protection. Survey data on labor-market risks and social policy preferences from eighteen countries corroborate these claims. Our findings suggest that other countries undergoing labor-market strains may experience similar demands for a “return of...
Finite volume renormalization scheme for fermionic operators

We propose a new finite volume renormalization scheme. Our scheme is based on the Gradient Flow applied to both fermion and gauge fields and, much like the Schr\"odinger functional method, allows for a nonperturbative determination of the scale dependence of operators using a step-scaling approach. We give some preliminary results for the pseudo-scalar density in the quenched approximation.
LOCALIZATION OF STRUCTURAL FLAWS USING CROSS TRANSFER FUNCTION ZEROS

Abstract Frequency based localization is a technique which locates structural flaws by monitoring changes in transfer function pole and zero frequencies. This technique has been successfully applied to isolate simulated structural flaws in a modal database representation of a spacecraft using transfer function poles and driving point zeros. However, the number of usable frequencies and, therefore, the achievable spatial resolution, was limited by high modal density and narrow excitation bandwidth. In this paper, the feasibility of improving spatial resolution by incorporating the zeros of cross transfer functions is demonstrated. The frequency based procedure was developed specifically to support structural health monitoring in an environment that is less than ideal for modal testing. For spacecraft on-orbit, testing to detect structural flaws is constrained by the limited availability of sensors and excitation sources, and by the requirement for minimal impact on mission operations. Frequency based localization is well suited for this application, since measurements of input forces and modal frequencies only arc required. This greatly reduces the requirements for sensors and data acquisition compared to localization techniques that rely on measurements of mode shapes.
THE BLOOD PLATELETS THE RATE OF THEIR UTILIZATION IN THE CAT

1. The rate of utilization of blood platelets in radiated, thrombopenic cats has been measured directly. Thrombopenic animals, incapable of significant platelet regeneration, were cross circulated via carotid to carotid anastomoses with normal animals. After return to independent circulation the rate of disappearance of cross circulated platelets was measured by periodic counts. 2. By this method it was possible to elevate the platelet count anywhere from 100,000 to around 400,000 per cubic millimeter. The highest count obtained followed cross circulation with a splenectomized animal. In most instances the platelet level attained was within the physiologic range of that found for normal cats by the same method. 3. The cross circulated platelets gradually disappeared from the circulation over a two to a slightly more than four day period. Under the conditions of this experiment the entire platelet mass would have to be replaced therefore every two to five days. The same figures probably apply within narrow limits to the normal cat. 4. The average rate of platelet utilization was approximately 2500 per cubic millimeter per hour. In seven of eight experiments the rate of disappearance varied from about 1600 per cubic millimeter per hour to about 2800 per cubic millimeter per hour. In the experiment using a splenectomized donor the rate of disappearance was about double the average for the rest of the group. 5. Attention is called to possible therapeutic implications of these findings in idiopathic thrombopenic purpura.
Laboratory Blast Simulator for Composite Materials Characterization

Blasts and explosives have raised serious concerns in recent years due to the fatal injury and catastrophic damage they have caused in the combat zones and due to industrial accidents. Owing to their lightweight and complex damage process, fiber-reinforced composite materials have been found to have higher energy absorption capability and to be able to generate less lethal debris than conventional metals when subjected to impact loading. In order to characterize the blast resistance of composite materials, a piston-assisted shock tube has been modified for simulating blast tests in the laboratory due to its high safety, repeatability, accessibility and low cost. Although real blasts can be simulated relatively easily by using TNT or other chemicals, they, however, cannot be performed in general laboratories like many materials and structures testing due to their potential danger and restriction, hence hindering the design of new materials with high blast resistance. By carefully adjusting the individual components, piston-assisted shock tube has been shown to be able to produce blast waves for characterizing composite materials.
Incontinentia Pigmenti (IP)

Incontinentia pigmenti type 2 (IP2) (to differentiate it from hypomelanosis of Ito, which was previously referred to as IP1) is an X-linked dominant hereditary disease with cutaneous, neurological, ocular, and musculoskeletal changes, which is lethal in males. It is caused by inactivating mutations in the gene for NF - κ B essential modulator ( NEMO)/I κ B kinase- γ ( IKK γ ).
An analysis of the complementary stereoselective alkylations of imidazolidinone derivatives toward α-quaternary proline-based amino amides.

Abstract Alkylations of proline-based imidazolidinones are described based on the principle of self-regeneration of stereocenters (SRS), affording high levels of either the cis or trans configured products. Stereoselectivity is dictated solely on the nature of the ‘temporary’ group, where isobutyraldehyde-derived imidazolidinones provide the cis configured products and 1-naphthaldehyde-derived imidazolidinones afford the complementary trans configured products. These stereodivergent products can be readily cleaved to afford both α-alkylated proline enantiomers from readily available l -proline. A series of imidazolidinones were alkylated to investigate the origin of the anti-selectivity. Potential contributions toward the observed anti-selectivity are discussed on the basis of these experiments, suggesting a refined hypothesis for selectivity may be in order.
Long Memory via Networking

Many time series exhibit “long memory”: Their autocorrelation function decays slowly with lag. This behavior has traditionally been modeled via unit roots or fractional Brownian motion and explained via aggregation of heterogeneous processes, nonlinearity, learning dynamics, regime switching, or structural breaks. This paper identifies a different and complementary mechanism for long‐memory generation by showing that it can naturally arise when a large number of simple linear homogeneous economic subsystems with short memory are interconnected to form a network such that the outputs of the subsystems are fed into the inputs of others. This networking picture yields a type of aggregation that is not merely additive, resulting in a collective behavior that is richer than that of individual subsystems. Interestingly, the long‐memory behavior is found to be almost entirely determined by the geometry of the network, while being relatively insensitive to the specific behavior of individual agents.
Que Lastima Zapata! Bad CISG Ruling on Attorneys' Fees Still Haunts U.S. Courts

A. The District Court Decision in Zapata B. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Decision in Zapata V. Discussion A. Why Some Commentators Believe That Judge Posner Was Right B. Why Judge Posner Was Wrong 1. Disregard for the CISG's International Character 2. Article 74 Contemplates the Inclusion of Attorneys' Fees 3. The Ignored CISG General Principle of Full Compensation 4. Inappropriate Distinction Between Substantive and Procedural Law 5. Awarding Attorneys' Fees Would Not Cause "Abnormalities"