cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pomegranate Juice Does Not Impair Clearance of Oral or Intravenous Midazolam, a Probe for Cytochrome P450‐3A Activity: Comparison With Grapefruit Juice

The effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) or grapefruit juice (GFJ) on CYP3A activity was studied in vitro and in healthy human volunteers. In human liver microsomes, the mean 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) for PJ and GFJ versus CYP3A (triazolam alpha-hydroxylation) were 0.61% and 0.55%, (v/v) respectively, without preincubation of inhibitor with microsomes. After preincubation, the IC(50) for PJ increased to 0.97% (P < .05), whereas the IC(50) for GFJ decreased to 0.41% (P < .05), suggesting mechanism-based inhibition by GFJ but not PJ. Pretreatment of volunteer subjects (n = 13) with PJ (8 oz) did not alter the elimination half-life, volume of distribution, or clearance of intravenous midazolam (2 mg). Administration of PJ also did not affect C(max), total area under the curve (AUC), or clearance of oral midazolam (6 mg). However, GFJ (8 oz) increased midazolam C(max) and AUC by a factor of 1.3 and 1.5, respectively, and reduced oral clearance to 72% of control values. Thus, PJ does not alter clearance of intravenous or oral midazolam, whereas GFJ impairs clearance and elevates plasma levels of oral midazolam.
Melt Compounding of Polymeric Nanocomposites

Abstract The clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites (CPNC) can be visualized as binary mixtures of strongly interacting, inorganic, plate-like molecules dispersed in a polymeric matrix. To be suc...
An evaluation of checkpoint recovery for massively multiplayer online games

Massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) have emerged as an exciting new class of applications for database technology. MMOs simulate long-lived, interactive virtual worlds, which proceed by applying updates in frames or ticks, typically at 30 or 60 Hz. In order to sustain the resulting high update rates of such games, game state is kept entirely in main memory by the game servers. Nevertheless, durability in MMOs is usually achieved by a standard DBMS implementing ARIES-style recovery. This architecture limits scalability, forcing MMO developers to either invest in high-end hardware or to over-partition their virtual worlds.In this paper, we evaluate the applicability of existing checkpoint recovery techniques developed for main-memory DBMS to MMO workloads. Our thorough experimental evaluation uses a detailed simulation model fed with update traces generated synthetically and from a prototype game server. Based on our results, we recommend MMO developers to adopt a copy-on-update scheme with a double-backup disk organization to checkpoint game state. This scheme outperforms alternatives in terms of the latency introduced in the game as well the time necessary to recover after a crash.
Temporal effect of alcohol consumption on reactivity of pial arterioles: role of oxygen radicals.

Chronic alcohol consumption reduces nitric oxide synthase-dependent responses of pial arterioles via mechanisms that remain uncertain. In addition, the temporal effects of alcohol on pial arteriole...
Sea ice control of Plio-Pleistocene tropical Pacific climate evolution

Marine proxies of sea surface temperature (SST) indicate that the tropical Pacific thermal gradient intensified through the Plio–Pleistocene and peaked during Pleistocene glaciations. The cause of this variability, which has been linked to the initiation of the Walker circulation, is uncertain. Here, we hypothesize that Plio–Pleistocene tropical climate variability was coupled to high-latitude Southern Hemisphere climate change, specifically sea-ice extent. We use a coupled ocean–atmosphere general circulation model to investigate the influences of sea-ice extent and atmospheric CO2 on the tropical Pacific thermal structure. In the model, CO2-radiative forcing in the absence of any sea-ice feedbacks has little influence on the tropical SST gradient. A 180 ppm reduction in CO2 causes the SST gradient to decrease by 0.4 °C. In comparison, an expansion of Southern Hemisphere, high-latitude sea ice reduces tropical SSTs and enhances the SST gradient in the tropical Pacific by as much as 3.5 °C. Tropical cooling is primarily due to the advection and upwelling of waters into the eastern equatorial Pacific that were cooled by sensible heat loss at the sea-ice margin in the Southern Pacific. An energy balance analysis indicates that the ocean heat flux into the eastern equatorial Pacific decreases by ∼ 44%. This mechanism provides an intimate coupling between the tropical Pacific and the high-latitude Southern Hemisphere through the thermocline circulation.
Purification of Pericytes from Rodent Optic Nerve by Immunopanning

This protocol describes the use of immunopanning to purify rodent pericytes from the optic nerve. Immunopanning permits the prospective isolation of pericytes from optic nerve tissue by relying on the binding of pericytes to an anti-PDGFRβ (platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta) antibody adhered to a Petri dish. The cells are viable at the end of this gentle procedure, and they can be analyzed acutely for gene expression or cultured alone or in coculture with other central nervous system (CNS) cell types, including CNS endothelial cells and CNS astrocytes. As written, this procedure is used for isolation of optic nerve pericytes from the rat. The same PDGFRβ antibodies can be used for purifying optic nerve pericytes from the mouse, but alternate negative panning antibodies must be used to ensure that astrocytes do not contaminate the preparation. This procedure can also be modified to purify pericytes from the brain. The same PDGFRβ antibody is used, but additional steps (specific dissections or negative panning) are required to ensure that other PDGFRβ-positive contaminants, including cells from the rostral migratory stream, are depleted from the cell suspension.
Wound Infection with Neisseria weaveri and a Novel Subspecies of Pasteurella multocida in a Child Who Sustained a Tiger Bite

A 7-year-old girl developed a wound infection as a result of a tiger bite she sustained. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the causative organisms were Neisseria weaveri and what is, to our knowledge, a previously undescribed subspecies of Pasteurella multocida, for which we propose the designation "Pasteurella multocida subspecies tigris subspecies nov."
Localising and seminormal composition operators on L2

Let (X, ∑, μ) denote a σ-finite measure space. We show that the kernel condition on a weighted composition operator acting on L2(X, ∑, μ), which is necessary for hyponormality of the adjoint, implies that a certain subset of X has the localising property defined by Lambert. For operators satisfying this condition, we find a reducing subspace whose orthocomplement in L2 is annihilated by both the operator and its adjoint, allowing us to obtain characterisations of seminormality for the operator by looking only at the restriction to the reducing subspace. This simplifies the analysis significantly, giving transparent characterisations for the hyponormality and quasinormality of the adjoint, as well as a characterisation of normality for the operator which does not require the computation of any conditional expectations. Several examples are given. We then characterise the semi-hyponormal class for both the operator and its adjoint.
Selective noise filtration of image signals using wavelet transform

Abstract This paper examines the technique of denoising and signal extraction using wavelet transform scale space decomposition. The noisy signal is decomposed into multiple scales by the dyadic wavelet transform. At a given position, the level of correlation is used to deduce the presence or absence of significant feature of signals or images, which is then passed through the filter. By comparing the correlation information of the data at that scale with those at larger scales, noise is preferentially removed from the data. In the wavelet transform domain, the desired features are identified and retained because they are strongly correlated across scales compared to noise. This denoising algorithm can be used to reduce noise to a high degree of accuracy, while preserving most of the important features of the signal. In this paper, this technique of scale space filtering is applied to sample signals and images. Representative results are presented which shows that considerable noise content in signals and images can be reduced while preserving the value of the desired signal.
Acellular Scanning Electron Microscopy of Spicular Renal Amyloidosis

Two human renal biopsies containing glomerular amyloid deposits organized into spicular formations (spicular amyloid) were studied by scanning electron microscopy following removal of the cellular components (acellular SEM). Following SEM studies, portions of the same acellular tissue were embedded in paraffin and plastic for light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Spicular deposits by acellular SEM appear as tapering conical formations interconnected by a delicate branching network of fibrils, which imparts a higher degree of organization than previously appreciated by two-dimensional LM and TEM. Silver stains of paraffin-and plastic-embedded acellular tissue showed persistence of argyrophilia in spicular deposits, while acellular TEM showed that the spicules appeared comprised “purely” of amyloid fibrils without visible contaminating material. We conclude that the argyrophilia of spicular amyloid is an inherent feature of the parallel organization of fibrils rather than a re...
Investigating the Risk--Return Relationship of Information Technology Investment: Firm-Level Empirical Analysis

This paper develops empirical proxy measures of information technology (IT) risk and incorporates them into the usual empirical models for analyzing IT returns: production function and market value specifications. The results suggest that IT capital investments make a substantially larger contribution to overall firm risk than non-IT capital investments. Further, firms with higher IT risk have a higher marginal product of IT relative to firms with low IT risk. In the market value specification, the impact of IT risk is positive and significant, and inclusion of the IT risk term substantially reduces the coefficient on IT capital. We estimate that about 30% of the gross return on IT investment corresponds to the risk premium associated with IT risk. Taken together, our results show that IT risk provides part of the explanation for the unusually high valuations of IT capital investment in recent research.
Fermat's interferometric principle for target-oriented traveltime tomography

An interferometric form of Fermat's principle is derived that allows for high-resolution estimation of the velocity distribution between deep interfaces. The data consist of reflection traveltimes from two deeply buried interfaces A and B recorded by sources and caused by receivers at the surface. Fermat's interferometric principle is then used to kinematically redatum the surface sources and receivers to interface A so that the associated reflection times correspond to localized transit times between the A and B interfaces. The velocity model above interface A does not need to be known, so the distorting effects of the overburden and statics are eliminated by this target-oriented approach. Interferometric target-oriented tomography promises to enhance the resolution of whole-earth and exploration tomograms.
Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations of the α1 glycine receptor reveals different states of the channel

Homology modeling is used to build initial models of the transmembrane domain of the human α1 glycine receptor (GlyR) based on the most recently published refined structure of nAChR (PDB ID: 2BG9). Six preliminary GlyR models are constructed using two different approaches. In one approach, five different homopentamers are built by symmetric assembly of α1 GlyR subunits using only one of the five unique chains of nAChR as a template. In a second approach, each nAChR subunit serves as a template for an α1 GlyR subunit. All six initial GlyR constructs are then embedded into a hydrated POPC lipid bilayer and subjected to molecular dynamics simulation for at least six nanoseconds. Each model is stable throughout the simulation, and the final models fall into three distinct categories. Homopentameric GlyR bundles using a single α nAChR subunit as a template appear to be in an open conformation. Under an applied external potential, permeation of Cl− ions is observed within several ns in a channel built on an α chain. Model channels built on non-α chains have a constriction either near the intracellular mouth or more centrally located in the pore domain, both of which may be narrow enough to close the channel and whose locations correspond to putative gates observed in nicotinicoid receptors. The differences between these three general models suggest that channel closure may be effected by either rotation or tangential tilting of TM2. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Increasing Situational Interest in the Classroom

This paper explores three ways to increase situational interest in the classroom. Situational interest is defined as temporary interest that arises spontaneously due to environmental factors such as task instructions or an engaging text. We review the history of interest research and summarize recent empirical work. We describe three ways to increase interest based on offering meaningful choices to students, selecting well-organized texts that promote interest, and providing the background knowledge needed to fully understand a topic. We conclude with six specific suggestions for increasing situational interest in the classroom.
Real-Time, Byzantine-Tolerant Information Dissemination in Unreliable and Untrustworthy Distributed Systems

In unreliable and untrustworthy systems, information dissemination may suffer network failures and attacks from Byzantine nodes which are controlled by traitors or adversaries, and can perform destructive behaviors. Typically, Byzantine nodes together or individually "swallow" messages, or fake disseminated information. In this paper, we present an authentication-free, gossip-based real-time information dissemination mechanism called RT-LASIRC, in which "healthy" nodes utilize Byzantine features to defend against Byzantine attacks. We show that RT-LASIRC is robust against blackhole and message-faking attacks. Our experimental studies verify RT-LASIRC's effectiveness.
Assignment of Jπ = 6+ to two states of 16O via the 12C(α, 8Be)8Be reaction

Abstract Excitation functions of the reaction 12C(α, 8Be)8Be have been measured for approximate c.m. angles of 90°, 69°, and 48°, the latter two angles corresponding to P4(cos θc.m) ≈ 0 and P6(cos θc.m.) ≈ 0. Angular distributions were measured at bombarding energies corresponding to the two prominent resonances in 16O at Eα = 21.3 and 22.31 MeV. A Jπ assignment of 6+ is made for each of these states.
PROTEIN BINDING TO THE LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTOR PROMOTER IN VIVO IS DIFFERENTIALLY AFFECTED BY GENE ACTIVATION IN PRIMARY HUMAN CELLS

Protein-DNA interactions within a region of the LDL receptor promoter involved in sterol-mediated feedback repression of transcription were examined using in vivo genomic footprinting with dimethylsulfate (DMS). A broad region of protein-DNA contacts spanning from repeat 1 to beyond the transcription start sites was observed in primary cultures of human skin fibroblasts and hepatocytes. Hypermethylation of guanine -59 within the sterol regulatory element-1 (SRE-1, repeat 2) occurred within a 4.0 h incubation of fibroblasts with media containing lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) and cholesterol synthesis inhibitors. Methylation of this residue was reduced to control levels within 2.0 h after the addition of a mixture of 25-hydroxycholesterol and mevalonic acid. The time-dependent changes in DMS-reactivity of guanine -59 induced by the cholesterol synthesis inhibitors or oxysterols were paralleled by alterations in LDL receptor mRNA. In contrast to the results with fibroblasts, neither cholesterol synthesis inhibitors nor oxysterols produced consistent effects on the DMS-reactivity of guanine -59 in hepatocytes despite induction or repression of LDL receptor mRNA in these cells. Interestingly, no other changes in the protection pattern over repeats 1, 2, and 3 were apparent in either fibroblasts or hepatocytes. These results demonstrate that hypermethylation of guainine -59 within the SRE-1 is positively associated with activation of LDL receptor gene transcription in skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, the absence of demonstrable changes in DMS-reactivity of other purines within this region suggests that the LDL receptor promoter is poised to activate transcription with only minimal changes of protein binding to the proximal promoter in vivo.
Planning with goal utility dependencies

Work in partial satisfaction planning (PSP) has hitherto assumed that goals are independent thus implying that they have additive utility values. In many real-world problems, we cannot make this assumption. In this paper, we motivate the need for handling various types of goal utility dependence in PSP. We provide a framework for representing them using the General Additive Independence model and investigate two different approaches to handle this problem: (1) compiling PSP with utility dependencies to Integer Programming; (2) extending forward heuristic search planning to handle PSP goal dependencies. To guide the forward planning search, we introduce a novel heuristic framework that combines costpropagation and Integer Programming to select beneficial goals to find an informative heuristic estimate. The two implemented planners, iPUD and SPUDS, using the approaches discussed above, are compared empirically on several benchmark domains. While iPUD is more readily amendable to handle goal utility dependencies and can provide bounded optimality guarantees, SPUDS scales much better.
Hurricane Protection Planning in New England

Hurricane Carol in August 1954 caused damages of $300,000,000 and the loss of 60 lives in New England, and triggered authorization of a hurricane survey of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. This paper describes some of the basic data and engineering methods used in the relatively new field of hurricane protection planning in the New England area, and especially for New Bedford and Narragansett Bay.
A novel approach to leveraging electronic health record data to enhance pediatric surgical quality improvement bundle process compliance.

Abstract Purpose Quality improvement (QI) bundles have been widely adopted to reduce surgical site infections (SSI). Improvement science suggests when organizations achieve high-reliability to QI processes, outcomes dramatically improve. However, measuring QI process compliance is poorly supported by electronic health record (EHR) systems. We developed a custom EHR tool to facilitate capture of process data for SSI prevention with the aim of increasing bundle compliance and reducing adverse events. Methods Ten SSI prevention bundle processes were linked to EHR data elements that were then aggregated into a snapshot display superimposed on weekly case-log reports. The data aggregation and user interface facilitated efficient review of all SSI bundle elements, providing an exact bundle compliance rate without random sampling or chart review. Results Nine months after implementation of our custom EHR tool, we observed centerline shifts in median SSI bundle compliance (46% to 72%). Additionally, as predicted by high reliability principles, we began to see a trend toward improvement in SSI rates (1.68 to 0.87 per 100 operations), but a discrete centerline shift was not detected. Conclusion Simple informatics solutions can facilitate extraction of QI process data from the EHR without relying on adjunctive systems. Analyses of these data may drive reductions in adverse events. Pediatric surgical departments should consider leveraging the EHR to enhance bundle compliance as they implement QI strategies.
Analysis on occupational health surveillance in Xiamen City from 2004-2013

[Objective]To understand the status of occupational hazards in Xiamen City. [Methods]The monitoring data about occupational hazard factors from 2004-2013 were collected and statistically analyzed. [Results]The total qualified rate of occupational hazard factors in Xiamen City from 2004-2013 showed a rising trend with the average qualified rate of 88.28%. The qualified rate of toxic substances was the highest(97.56%),followed by dust(88.87%),while the qualified rate of physical factors was the lowest(72.99%). There was statistically significant difference in the total qualified rate among domestic-funded enterprises,HK-Macao-Taiwan companies and foreign enterprises(P0.05). The annual qualified rates of foreign enterprises were the highest from 2004-2013.[Conclusion]The qualified rate of occupational hazard factors has increased gradually in Xiamen City from 2004-2013,reflecting a promotion on occupational health work of enterprises.
Surprisingly Big Rectification Ratios for a Very Small Unimolecular Rectifier.

To shrink electrical circuits beyond the looming practical limits of Moore's "Law", it has been a common goal to create carbon-based components. Here is the first example of a new class of donor-σ-acceptor rectifiers: hemibiquinones (HBQs). HBQs possess donor and acceptor moieties that are electronically isolated by inter-ring torsion. A HBQ-dinitrile self-assembles on a template-stripped gold surface through directed chemisorption, forming a 1.1 nm-thick monolayer. Rectification is measured through the monolayer or single molecules by using three different top electrode arrangements. Even though the HBQs are composed of relatively weak electrophores, rectification ratios ranging from 5 to 160 were observed at 2.5 V.
Decentralized adaptive tracking control of robot manipulators

Abstract This paper presents a new decentralized adaptive scheme for trajectory tracking control of robot manipulators. The proposed controller is extremely simple computationally, does not require knowledge of the manipulator dynamic model, and is implementable in either joint-space or taskspace with nonredundant and redundant manipulators and with robots containing closed kinematic chains. It is shown that the control strategy is globally stable in the presence of bounded disturbances, and that the ultimate size of the tracking errors can be made arbitrarily small. Results of laboratory experiments with a PUMA 560 manipulator demonstrate that the proposed controller provides a simple and effective means of obtaining high performance trajectory tracking.
Ubiquitin Chain Enrichment Middle-Down Mass Spectrometry (UbiChEM-MS) Reveals Cell-Cycle Dependent Formation of Lys11/Lys48 Branched Ubiquitin Chains

The dynamics of cellular signaling events are tightly regulated by a diverse set of ubiquitin chains. Recent work has suggested that branched ubiquitin chains composed of Lys11 and Lys48 isopeptide linkages play a critical role in regulating cell cycle progression. Yet, endogenous Lys11/Lys48 branched chains could not be detected. By combining a Lys11 linkage specific antibody with high-resolution middle-down mass spectrometry (an approach termed UbiChEM-MS) we sought to identify endogenous Lys11/Lys48 branched ubiquitin chains in cells. Using asynchronous cells, we find that Lys11-linked branched chains can only be detected upon cotreatment with a proteasome and nonselective deubiquitinase inhibitor. Releasing cells from mitotic arrest results in a marked accumulation of Lys11/Lys48 branched chains in which branch points represent ∼3–4% of the total ubiquitin population. This report highlights the utility of UbiChEM-MS in characterizing the architecture of Lys11 Ub chains under various cellular condition...
A Gene Module-Based eQTL Analysis Prioritizing Disease Genes and Pathways in Kidney Cancer

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common and most aggressive form of renal cell cancer (RCC). The incidence of RCC has increased steadily in recent years. The pathogenesis of renal cell cancer remains poorly understood. Many of the tumor suppressor genes, oncogenes, and dysregulated pathways in ccRCC need to be revealed for improvement of the overall clinical outlook of the disease. Here, we developed a systems biology approach to prioritize the somatic mutated genes that lead to dysregulation of pathways in ccRCC. The method integrated multi-layer information to infer causative mutations and disease genes. First, we identified differential gene modules in ccRCC by coupling transcriptome and protein-protein interactions. Each of these modules consisted of interacting genes that were involved in similar biological processes and their combined expression alterations were significantly associated with disease type. Then, subsequent gene module-based eQTL analysis revealed somatic mutated genes that had driven the expression alterations of differential gene modules. Our study yielded a list of candidate disease genes, including several known ccRCC causative genes such as BAP1 and PBRM1, as well as novel genes such as NOD2, RRM1, CSRNP1, SLC4A2, TTLL1 and CNTN1. The differential gene modules and their driver genes revealed by our study provided a new perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. Moreover, we validated the results in independent ccRCC patient datasets. Our study provided a new method for prioritizing disease genes and pathways.
Never events and hospital-acquired conditions after kidney transplant.

Introduction: Never events (NE) and hospital-acquired conditions (HAC) after surgery have been designated as quality metrics in healthcare by the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2002‒2012 was used to identify patientswho underwent kidney transplant. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to identify outcomes and risk factors of HAC and NE after transplantation; however, we were limited by using a retrospective database missing some important variables specified for the kidney transplant, such as some operative factors, donor factors, and cold and warm ischemia times. Results: Among 35 058 patients who underwent kidney transplant, there were 11 NEs, all of which were due to retained foreign bodies. Among HAC after surgery, falling was the most common (44.9%), followed by poor glycemic control (21.7%), vascular catheter-associated infection (21%), and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (8%). HAC and NE after surgery lead to a significant increase in mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.49; p=0.04), hospitalization length (13 vs. 7 days; p<0.01), and total hospital charges ($231 801 vs. $146 717; p<0.01). A significantly higher risk of HAC or NE was seen for patients who had more loss of function before surgey (AOR 3.25; p<0.01) and patients expected to have higher postoperative mortality before operation (AOR 1.62; p=0.03). Conclusions: Despite the limitations of the study, we found HAC and NE significantly increase mortality, hospitalization length, and total hospital charges of kidney transplant patients. Quality improvement initiatives should target HAC and NE in order to successfully reduce or prevent these events.
Negative regulation of type I IFN signaling.

Type I IFNs (α, β, and others) are a family of cytokines that are produced in physiological conditions as well as in response to the activation of pattern recognition receptors. They are critically important in controlling the host innate and adaptive immune response to viral and some bacterial infections, cancer, and other inflammatory stimuli. However, dysregulation of type I IFN production or response can contribute to immune pathologies termed "interferonopathies", pointing to the importance of balanced activating signals with tightly regulated mechanisms of tuning this signaling. Here, we summarize the recent advances of how type I IFN production and response are controlled at multiple levels of the type I IFN signaling cascade.
An Experimental Test of the Roles of Audience Involvement and Message Frame in Shaping Public Reactions to Celebrity Illness Disclosures.

Much research has investigated what happens when celebrities disclose an illness (via media) to the public. While audience involvement (i.e., identification and parasocial relationships) is often t...
Families and Economic Policies: An Instrumental Perspective:

The Reagan Administration's tax and budget policies are ineffective, according to the instrumental model. As a result, social workers are more likely to intervene in family interactions than in the...
Secondary peritonitis: principles of diagnosis and intervention

Secondary peritonitis accounts for 1% of urgent or emergent hospital admissions and is the second leading cause of sepsis in patients in intensive care units globally. Overall mortality is 6%, but mortality rises to 35% in patients who develop severe sepsis. Despite the dramatic growth in the availability and use of imaging and laboratory tests, the rapid diagnosis and early management of peritonitis remains a challenge for physicians in emergency medicine, surgery, and critical care. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of peritonitis and its potential progression to sepsis, discuss the utility and limitations of the physical examination and laboratory and radiographic tests, and present a paradigm for the management of secondary peritonitis.
PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS IN TWO DIMENSIONAL ROBOTIC ASSEMBLY

ABSTRACT This paper presents an approach to the mathematical modelling of the performances of a robot in assembly operations. The performance measure used is the probability of successful insertion, or the proportion of total assemblies attempted in which the robot will be successful. This performance is shown to be largely dependent on three factors: the geometry of the mating parts, manufacturing tolerances of the components to be assembled, and the repeatability of the robot assembly system. Two cases are presented for illustration.
Praktische Aspekte der FIR-Fourier-Spektroskopie in der Chemie

Es werden praktische Erfahrungen beim Einsatz der FIR-Fourier-Spektroskopie im Bereich der Chemie besprochen. Dabei wird auf die folgenden vier Themen eingegangen: Anforderungen an die Gerate; Auswahl der Gerateparameter; Probenpraparation; Qualitative Interferogrammauswertung.
Effect of Polymer Polarity on Ion Transport: A Competition between Ion Aggregation and Polymer Segmental Dynamics

In this work, we use computer simulations to demonstrate that there may be limits to which polymer polarity alone can be used to influence the ionic conductivity of salt-doped polymer electrolytes. Specifically, we use coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to probe the effect of the polarity of the polymer electrolyte upon ion mobilities and conductivities of dissolved salts. At low polymer polarities, increasing the polymer dielectric constant reduces ionic aggregation and the resultant correlated ionic motion, and increases the ionic conductivity. At higher polymer polarities, polymer–polymer and polymer–ion interactions slows polymer segmental dynamics, leading to a reduction in the conductivity of the electrolyte. As a consequence, ionic conductivity achieves an optimum at an intermediate polymer polarity.
Appalachia Has Got Talent, But Why Does It Flow Away? A Study on the Determinants of Brain Drain From Rural USA:

This study contributes to the understanding of factors that affect brain drain from Central Appalachia. Using empirical methods, the authors analyze a unique data set from a survey of Appalachian s...
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Plasma Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Midchildhood: A Cross-Sectional Study (Project Viva, United States)

Background: Identifying factors that impair bone accrual during childhood is a critical step toward osteoporosis prevention. Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has been associa...
In-field performance evaluation and economic analysis of residential ground source heat pumps in heating operation

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate the field performance, economic benefits, and environmental impact of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) for residential space heating compared with conventional natural gas furnaces in a severely cold climate. A total of 32 residential houses with 16 vertical and 16 horizontal loop GSHPs in Iowa, U.S. were included in this study. The required heating energy in each house was estimated by using the heating degree-day (HDD) method and the building characteristics obtained during the on-site energy audits. The monthly GSHP electricity use in each house was collected over two consecutive heating seasons. Based on the estimated heating energy and the monthly GSHP electricity consumption, the coefficient of performance (COP) was derived for each unit on a monthly basis over the dominant heating period. Results showed that the median values in the calculated COP were 2.8 for both horizontal and vertical loop systems. The calculated COPs were found to be 30%–124% of the nominal values for horizontal systems and 46%–110% for vertical systems, with an average being 80% of the nominal value for both horizontal and vertical systems. In addition, 28 out of 32 GSHPs showed lower calculated COPs compared with the nominal values. The economic analysis showed 44–86% savings in energy expenses as a result of using GSHPs in place of conventional natural gas furnaces, with median savings being 70–77% depending on the electricity rates. The environmental analysis showed 23%–61% CO2 emission reduction with a median of 45% compared with natural gas furnaces. These results quantified the economic and environmental benefits of using GSHPs in Iowa, U.S., which provided essential information for policy making and incentive program development. Also, the developed analytical approach to determining the field performance of GSHPs is suitable for large-scale, long-term GSHP performance evaluation given its minimum requirement on field measurements and readily available utility data.
Ferro-electret nanogenerators as flexible microphones

Research on flexible transducers capable of sensing acoustic signals has become increasingly important due to its implications in human interfaces with wearable electronics. The proof-of-concept for a flexible microphone/loudspeaker based on the use of a ferro-electret nanogenerator (FENG) was recently presented. Following that, this work characterizes FENG-based microphones, showing the sensitivity of a 5 cm × 5 cm, single layer FENG to be ~ .015 mV/Pa. The variance of sensitivity based on surface area is also studied and presented. Polar patterns or directivity is emphasized in this work by studying how various shapes (i.e. flat, concave and convex) affect the output. The spectral information of the output of FENG-based microphone to typical voice input is compared with a commercially available microphone.
Aging, Diabetes, Obesity, and Cognitive Decline: A Population‐Based Study

Background/objectives To investigate potential mechanisms underlying the well-established relationship of diabetes and obesity with cognitive decline, among older adults participating in a population-based study. Design/setting Ten-year population-based cohort study. Participants A total of 478 individuals aged 65 years and older. Measurements We assayed fasting blood for markers of glycemia (glucose and hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c]), insulin resistance (IR) (insulin and homeostatic model assessment of IR), obesity (resistin, adiponectin, and glucagon-like peptide-1), and inflammation (C-reactive protein). We modeled these indices as predictors of the slope of decline in global cognition, adjusting for age, sex, education, APOE*4 genotype, depressive symptoms, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and systolic blood pressure, in multivariable regression analyses of the entire sample and stratified by sex-specific median WHR. We then conducted WHR-stratified machine-learning (Classification and Regression Tree [CART]) analyses of the same variables. Results In multivariable regression analyses, in the entire sample, HbA1c was significantly associated with cognitive decline. After stratifying by median WHR, HbA1c remained associated with cognitive decline in those with higher WHR. No metabolic indices were associated with cognitive decline in those with lower WHR. Cross-validated WHR-stratified CART analyses selected no predictors in participants older than 87 to 88 years. Faster cognitive decline was associated, in lower WHR participants younger than 87 years, with adiponectin of 11 or greater; and in higher WHR participants younger than 88 years, with HbA1c of 6.2% or greater. Conclusions Our population-based data suggest that, in individuals younger than 88 years with central obesity, even modest degrees of hyperglycemia might independently predispose to faster cognitive decline. In contrast, among those younger than 87 years without central obesity, adiponectin may be a novel independent risk factor for cognitive decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:991-998, 2020.
Single-cell transcriptomics identifies limbal stem cell population and cell types mapping its differentiation trajectory in limbal basal epithelium of human cornea.

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to uncover novel cell types in heterogenous basal limbus of human cornea for identifying LSC at single cell resolution. Methods Single cells of human limbal basal epithelium were isolated from young donor corneas. Single-cell RNA-Sequencing was performed using 10x Genomics platform, followed by clustering cell types through the graph-based visualization method UMAP and unbiased computational informatic analysis. Tissue RNA in situ hybridization with RNAscope, immunofluorescent staining and multiple functional assays were performed using human corneas and limbal epithelial culture models. Results Single-cell transcriptomics of 16,360 limbal basal cells revealed 12 cell clusters belonging to three lineages. A smallest cluster (0.4% of total cells) was identified as LSCs based on their quiescent and undifferentiated states with enriched marker genes for putative epithelial stem cells. TSPAN7 and SOX17 are discovered and validated as new LSC markers based on their exclusive expression pattern and spatial localization in limbal basal epithelium by RNAscope and immunostaining, and functional role in cell growth and tissue regeneration models with RNA interference in cultures. Interestingly, five cell types/states mapping a developmental trajectory of LSC from quiescence to proliferation and differentiation are uncovered by Monocle3 and CytoTRACE pseudotime analysis. The transcription factor networks linking novel signaling pathways are revealed to maintain LSC stemness. Conclusions This human corneal scRNA-Seq identifies the LSC population and uncovers novel cell types mapping the differentiation trajectory in heterogenous limbal basal epithelium. The findings provide insight into LSC concept and lay the foundation for understanding the corneal homeostasis and diseases.
Physiological and pollen-based screening of shrub roses for hot and drought environments

Abstract Rose plants growing under natural conditions are exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions such as high temperature and drought, particularly around the blooming stage. This can reduce the reproductive potential and aesthetic value of commercial rose cultivars, which are often more sensitive to harsh conditions. Plants adjust to adverse environments by regulating several morpho-physiological and biochemical processes, which are the key to tolerance mechanisms. Thus, to examine genetic potential of 22 roses, we characterized 18 traits: gas exchange, leaf biophysical, pigments, and pollen germination characteristics using field-grown roses at the blooming stage. A broad genetic variability (P
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Associated Nocardia nova Endocarditis in a Patient Receiving Intravenous Antibiotics for Chronic Lyme Disease

Long-term antibiotics are not effective for the therapy of patients with persistent symptoms and a history of Lyme disease. However, some clinicians still prescribe these therapies. We present a case of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated Nocardia nova endocarditis in a patient who had been receiving intravenous antibiotics for the management of chronic Lyme disease. This case highlights an important risk associated with the unscientific use of indwelling peripheral catheters and intravenous antibiotics for the management of such patients.
Is There a Place for Opioids in Treating Osteoarthritis

In 2018, an estimated 269 million people used some form of illicit drugs worldwide, with 58 million using opioids.1 In that same year, 35.6 million people were reported to suffer from drug use disorders.1 In the United States, in response to the opioid crisis, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published guidelines for Prescribing Opioids in Chronic Pain in 2016, with an aim to provide guidance on the responsible prescribing of opioid pain medication for chronic pain in outpatient settings, excluding active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care.2 Publication of these guidelines was an important and essential step forward in tackling this problem,3 and had an immediate effect on prescription patterns in the US within as little as 1 year.4 Having a dramatic effect seems ideal, as this was the intent of publishing practice guidelines. However, there have also been numerous unintended consequences to the implementation of these guidelines. Several authors of the original CDC guidelines published an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019, reflecting on some of these effects, including that some policies derived from an effort to follow the CDC guidelines have been inconsistent and often exceeded those recommendations.5 These include rigid implementation of permitted dosage and durations of prescriptions and the abrupt enforcement … Address correspondence to Dr. G.H. Lo, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, BCM-285, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Email: ghlo@bcm.edu.
Cannabis Drug Interactions

Cannabis and its various derivatives continue to have a growing presence for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Due to such widespread use, health-care providers will need to develop a general, clinical understanding of cannabis and cannabinoids. Despite the general dearth of research within this field, this chapter will provide an overview of the routes of administration as well as highlight potential drug interactions that cannabis products may have with particular classes of pharmaceuticals.
On the Global Existence of a Generalized Shigesada-Kawasaki-Teramoto System

Abstract We establish the existence of strong solutions to a class of cross diffusion systems on R N ( N ≤ 3 ) which generalizes the Shigesada-Kawasaki-Teramoto (SKT) model in population dynamics. The SKT model on planar domains ( N = 2 ) with polynomial diffusions and advections is completely solved.
Capturing Slip Weakening and Variable Frictional Response in Localizing Geomaterials Using an Enhanced Strain Finite Element

The formation and propagation of faults, cracking of concrete structures, and progressive fracture in ceramics are examples of localized deformation in quasi-brittle geomaterials. In these materials, localization tends to take the form of a fractured surface rather than a deformation band of finite width.
Pediatrics in Perspective

Assessments of the state of pediatrics have been frequent in recent years.1–3 Most commentators see the discipline forced into new directions by its past successes, new problems, and societal demands, and are concerned by the immediate problems of the future. Few have analyzed the roles of pediatricians as they have changed or have recognized the growing behavior of pediatricians in contemporary society as major reformers of child health practices.
Methodology of Clinical Studies on Exposed Populations

Much progress has been made in the field of toxicology as it applies to safety evaluation and in the area of trace analysis for chemicals. It is now assume by many that this technology can simply be transferred to studies of human populations in field situations. Unfortunately, many problems are encountered when this is done. The heterogeneity of the general population, the long life span of humans, the lack of information about baseline data are but a few factors. Tests to detect subclinical effects have, in many instances, not been developed to the point where they can be used as screening tools. Other tests that are used may not really be relevant for specific problems. For many such tests, it is not known how they can be used to make predicitions about the health status of the individual at the time the test is done or about his or her health in the future.
The Popular Marian Hymn in Devotion and Liturgy

Plusieurs raisons peuvent conduire le pasteur a s'interesser au cantique dans le domaine de la devotion mariale. Le cantique combine la poesie, musique, force et influence. Le cantique marial est un moyen tout a fait efficace pour rendre compte de la riche tradition mariale de l'Eglise basee sur l'Ecriture, le magisterium ecclesial et le sensus fidei. Cette doctrine mariologique se trouve dans des textes poetiques ou des cantiques comme le Stabat mater. L'A. se limite a l'etude de l'hymnologie mariale produite en Angleterre et aux Etats-Unis au cours des cinquante dernieres annees. Il presente tout d'abord les documents officiels qui ont eu une influence sur le developpement de l'hymne
Effects of water deficit stress, shade, weed competition, and kaolin particle film on selected foliar free amino acid accumulations in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.).

Leaves of cotton plants, Gossypium hirsutum L., stressed by water deficit, reduced daylight, and weed competition, or treated with a kaolin wettable powder formulation were analyzed for levels of 17 free amino acids (FAAs) using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Water deficit stress resulted in heightened free proline levels (49.9-fold, P < 0.001) that were correlated with diffusive resistance (seconds per centimeter). Five other FAAs increased, and the amounts of total free essential (for insect growth and development) amino acids and total FAAs also increased (P ≤ 0.05). Cotton grown in 50% shade accumulated significantly more free arginine than control plants. In a small-plot weed competition assay, four FAAs increased and three FAAs decreased in association with weed competition, but because free proline levels were not altered and free arginine levels increased, other stresses aside from water deficit, possibly including shading by tall weeds, appear to have caused the changes. In a small-plot kaolin particle film assay, five FAAs were lower in cotton foliage sprayed weekly with kaolin. Because free proline was unaffected and free arginine was lower, it is possible that kaolin's reflectivity heightened light reception. The responses of free proline and arginine to the treatments used in these assays demonstrate that types and degrees of some stresses to cotton can be characterized by accumulations of certain FAAs. The study also demonstrates how some FAA levels can indicate degrees of cotton stress resulting from weed competition and from kaolin particle film application. Porometry and leaf water potential measurements assisted in corroborating some findings of the study.