cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF LOVASTATIN ON BILIARY LIPID SECRETION AND BILE ACID METABOLISM IN HUMANS

Lovastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, lowers cholesterol saturation of bile. To determine the mechanism of this effect and further define the role of cholesterol synthesis in regulation of biliary lipid metabolism, we studied ten human volunteers in a control period and again after 5-6 weeks on lovastatin, 40 mg b.i.d. Mean sterol production from acetate in mononuclear leukocytes fell from 1.18 to 0.84 pmol/min per 10(6) cells on lovastatin (P less than 0.02). Concomitantly there was reduction in mean biliary secretion of cholesterol from 143 to 96 mumol/h (P less than 0.02). On lovastatin, mean pool size of bile acids by the Lindstedt method fell from 3193 to 2917 mumol (one-sided P = 0.05) and mean pool size by the one-sample method fell from 5158 to 4091 mumol (P less than 0.002). Lovastatin had no effect on mean fractional turnover rate of either cholic acid (0.77 vs. 0.74 day-1) or chenodeoxycholic acid (0.51 vs. 0.54 day-1). Mean total bile acid synthesis was lower on lovastatin (1443 vs. 1240 mumol/day), but the difference did not quite achieve statistical significance. In humans, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by lovastatin lowers biliary cholesterol saturation by reducing cholesterol secretion into bile. Bile acid pool size, and perhaps bile acid synthesis, are also reduced by this inhibition.
Mechanisms of sex differences in rat cardiac myocyte response to β-adrenergic stimulation

The purpose of this study was to investigate sex differences in the functional response of isolated rat heart ventricular myocytes to beta-adrenergic stimulation and in isoproterenol-stimulated signal transduction. Fractional shortening was measured using a video edge-detection system in control- and isoproterenol-stimulated myocytes that had been isolated from weight-matched rats. Number and affinity of the beta-adrenergic receptors and the L-type Ca(2+) channel were measured in ventricular cardiac membranes by radioligand binding studies. Control- and isoproterenol-mediated alteration in Ca(2+) current density (I(Ca)) was determined by patch clamping and cellular cAMP content was determined by radioimmunoassay. Study results demonstrate that female myocytes have higher Ca(2+) channel density and greater I(Ca) than male myocytes. However, isoproterenol elicits a greater beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated increase cell shortening, I(Ca) and cAMP production in male myocytes. Male myocytes were also found to have a higher beta-adrenergic receptor density. These results suggest that cardiac myocytes from male rats have an enhanced response to beta-adrenergic stimulation due to augmented beta-adrenergic signaling that results in a greater transsarcolemmal Ca(2+) influx.
Boom or Bust? Population Dynamics in Natural Resource-Dependent Counties

This chapter evaluates how migration streams by age, educational attainment, household income, and labor force status shape population composition and community assets in rural natural-resource-dependent US counties. Rural areas (and especially those dependent on natural resources) have long experienced out-migration of young adults, more educated people, and higher income households with serious implications for community sustainability. However, amenity destination places represent a different kind of natural resource dependence with correspondingly distinct migration patterns that have become more common around the world. In contrast to farming and mining dependent counties, counties dependent on serving as an amenity destination experience in-migration and attract high-income households, highly educated individuals, and older adults. Yet, we find that even amenity destinations experience net out-migration of young adults, remarkable levels of population turnover, and little gain in the employed population. These conditions could jeopardize the efficacy of local institutions (especially schools), curtail economic development, increase community ambivalence, and strain community services. In sum, migration flows in amenity destinations increase local financial capital but yield mixed outcomes for human and social capitals, bringing potential for community capital accumulation but introducing challenges as well.
Membranes in Food Processing

Membrane technology is well situated by virtue of its special features to play a major role in the food and beverage industry. Depending on the process chosen, one can either clarify (remove suspended matter) using microfiltration (MF), purify or fractionate macromolecules such as proteins in solution using ultrafiltration (UF), deplete salts using nanofiltration (NF) or electrodialysis (ED) and concentrate using reverse osmosis (RO). Dairy products and fruit juices have benefited the most from this technology in the past decade, but there is considerable activity in beverages (alcoholic, coffee, tea), animal products (gelatin, eggs, blood), grain processing (corn refining, soybean processing) and biotechnology (enzyme fractionation, membrane reactors). Among membrane processes, ultrafiltration probably is the largest application today in the food industry. Improvements in membrane chemistry and engineering design should see rapid growth in reverse osmosis and microfiltration applications in the next decade.
The NADase-Negative Variant of the Streptococcus pyogenes Toxin NAD+ Glycohydrolase Induces JNK1-Mediated Programmed Cellular Necrosis

ABSTRACT Virulence factors are often multifunctional and contribute to pathogenesis through synergistic mechanisms. For the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, two factors that act synergistically are the S. pyogenes NAD + glycohydrolase (SPN) and streptolysin O (SLO). Through distinct mechanisms, SLO forms pores in host cell membranes and translocates SPN into the host cell cytosol. Two natural variants of SPN exist, one that exhibits NADase activity and one that lacks this function, and both versions are translocated and act in concert with SLO to cause an accelerated death response in epithelial cells. While NADase + SPN is known to trigger a metabolic form of necrosis through the depletion of NAD + , the mechanism by which NADase − SPN induces cell death was unknown. In the studies described here, we examined the pathway of NADase − cell death through analysis of activation patterns of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). S. pyogenes infection resulted in activation of members of three MAPK subfamilies (p38, ERK, and JNK). However, only JNK was activated in an SLO-specific manner. NADase − SPN induced necrosis in HeLa epithelial cells associated with depolarization of mitochondrial membranes, activation of NF-κB, and the generation of reactive oxygen species. Remarkably, RNA interference (RNAi) silencing of JNK protected cells from NADase − -SPN-mediated necrosis, suggesting that NADase − SPN triggers a form of programmed necrosis dependent on JNK signaling. Taken together, these data demonstrate that SPN acts with SLO to elicit necrosis through two different mechanisms depending on its NADase activity, i.e., metabolic (NADase + ) or programmed (NADase − ), leading to distinct inflammatory profiles. IMPORTANCE Many bacterial pathogens produce toxins that alter how infected host cells interact with the immune system. For Streptococcus pyogenes, two toxins, a NAD + glycohydrolase (SPN) and streptolysin O (SLO), act in combination to cause infected cells to die. However, there are two natural forms of SPN, and these variants cause dying cells to produce different types of signaling molecules. The NADase + form of SPN kills cells by depleting reserves of NAD + and cellular energy. The other form of SPN lacks this activity (NADase − ); thus, the mechanism by which this variant induces toxicity was unknown. Here, we show that infected cells recognize NADase − SPN through a specific signaling molecule called JNK, which causes these cells to undergo a form of cellular suicide known as programmed necrosis. This helps us to understand how different forms of toxins alter host cell signaling to help S. pyogenes cause different types of diseases.
Persistence Stories and Survival Strategies of Cambodian Americans in College

AbstractContrary to traditional models of student persistence, Cambodian refugee students' survival strategies reflect and enhance the significance of reference points external to the academic and social domains of the university. Authorizing Cambodian student voices reveals the strengths and needs of their multidimensional backgrounds—particularly in relation to the curriculum and dynamics of teaching and learning in the classroom. (Cambodian Students, Southeast Asian Students, College Student Persistence, Student Voices)
A Study of Hibernating Populations of Myotis Velifer In Northwestern Texas

A 5-year study of hibernating colonies of Myotis velifer in northwestern Texas was conducted by recapture of banded bats and by experimentation. Nearly 17,000 captures of 12,000 bats provided most information. The bats occur in small hibernating colonies of 1,000–5,000 and rarely make major movements during the winter. Movements within a cave and to adjacent caves are frequent, perhaps for the purpose of selecting sites where the temperature is suitable for maintaining a metabolic rate optimal for maximum energy conservation. Short movements of less than 100 miles occur in the spring from hibernacula to nurseries in warmer caves. Temperature, relative humidity and air movement all seem important in effecting stability of clusters of hibernating bats. Weight loss occurs throughout hibernation, but especially in the early months. Most temperatures of hibernating bats range from 1–10° C, which is similar to the range in ambient temperatures. Sex ratios are unbalanced in favor of females and several factors responsible for this imbalance are discussed. About 25% of banded bats were not recovered in the season immediately after banding or were recovered in nonconsecutive hibernating seasons. This fact introduces some error into estimated population loss. The mean duration of the presence of a bat in the hibernating populations is about 2 years; bats older than 5 years apparently make up a small fraction of the breeding population. Ninety-five per cent of the banded bats accounted for returned to the same area for hibernation. Quantitative data are provided for the population parameters discussed, and comparative data for other species are presented.
Sharp regularity theory for second order hyperbolic equations of Neumann type

We consider the mixed problem for a general, time independent, second order hyperbolic equation in the unknown u, with datum g e L2(Σ) in the Neumann B.C., with datum f e L2(Q) in the right hand side of the equation and, say, initial conditions u0=u1=0. We obtain sharp regularity results for u in Q and u|∑ in e, by a pseudo-differential approach on the half-space.
TEMPORAL AND REGIONAL VARIATION IN HYSTERECTOMY RATES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1970–1975

Regional hysterectomy rates in the United States for 1970 and 1975 have been estimated from a one per cent sample of hospital discharges. All rates have been corrected for the number of women truly at risk, that is, with uteri intact, and regional and age-specific estimates of uterine prevalence in 1975 are provided. The rates rose by one-third in 1970-1975, with the increase taking place nearly uniformly over all ages below 65 years. Rates were greatest for 40--44-year-old women, but in 1970 there was a secondary peak for women between the ages of 65 and 69 years. That peak disappeared with rising rates for younger women in 1975. For women under age 35 years, the hysterectomy rate in the South was three times higher than that in the Northeast.
Opt Out: An Examination of Issues

Media reports have recently given significant attention to the opt-out movement, an organized effort to refuse to take standardized tests. Although the narrative often told in early press accounts was of a viral grass-roots effort led by parents who object to state-mandated testing, the reality has turned out to be more complicated. Through a synthesis of news accounts, research studies, survey results, and state and federal education department documents, this paper examines the opt-out movement and some of the dynamics that appear to underlie it. Several topics are covered, including the movement's extent, the demographics of those participating in it, how much time students devote to tests, what other factors might be motivating the movement, and the level of public support for testing in general. The paper concludes with suggestions for how the assessment community might respond to the concerns raised by the movement and by the general public.
DBSherlock: A Performance Diagnostic Tool for Transactional Databases

Running an online transaction processing (OLTP) system is one of the most daunting tasks required of database administrators (DBAs). As businesses rely on OLTP databases to support their mission-critical and real-time applications, poor database performance directly impacts their revenue and user experience. As a result, DBAs constantly monitor, diagnose, and rectify any performance decays. Unfortunately, the manual process of debugging and diagnosing OLTP performance problems is extremely tedious and non-trivial. Rather than being caused by a single slow query, performance problems in OLTP databases are often due to a large number of concurrent and competing transactions adding up to compounded, non-linear effects that are difficult to isolate. Sudden changes in request volume, transactional patterns, network traffic, or data distribution can cause previously abundant resources to become scarce, and the performance to plummet. This paper presents a practical tool for assisting DBAs in quickly and reliably diagnosing performance problems in an OLTP database. By analyzing hundreds of statistics and configurations collected over the lifetime of the system, our algorithm quickly identifies a small set of potential causes and presents them to the DBA. The root-cause established by the DBA is reincorporated into our algorithm as a new causal model to improve future diagnoses. Our experiments show that this algorithm is substantially more accurate than the state-of-the-art algorithm in finding correct explanations.
SIGACT news online algorithms column 4

From the editor: This issue's column contains an expository article by Leah Eppstein and Rob Van Stee on models and algorithms for buffer management in QofS networks. This area has seen a flurry of activity in the last four years. In spite of good progress, several fundamental, easy-to-state problems remain open. Many thanks to Leah and Rob for this timely contribution.
Grundlagen des Maßschneiderns — Der Therapeut

Wir erwahnten vorhin, das die nutzbringendste Art und Weise, die Frage nach dem Therapieergebnis zu formulieren — und zwar sowohl in bezug auf die klinische Praxis als auch bezuglich der Forschung — folgende ist: Bei welchen Behandlungsmethoden die von welchen Therapeuten bei welchen Klienten angewendet werden, konnen bei welchen spezifischen Problemen welche Ergebnisse vorausgesagt werden? Probleme, die relevant sind in bezug auf die Pra-Masschneiderungs-Bestandteile der Behandlungsmethode und des Klienten, sind oben angesprochen worden.
Marital Dissolution and Child Educational Outcomes in San Borja, Bolivia

Serial monogamy is likely an adaptive mating strategy for women when the expected future fitness gains with a different partner are greater than expected future fitness with one’s current partner. Using interview data from more than 400 women in San Borja, Bolivia, discrete-time event history analyses and random effects regression analyses were conducted to examine predictors of marital dissolution, separated by remarriage status, and child educational outcomes. Male income was found to be inversely associated with women’s risk of “divorce and remarriage,” whereas female income is positively associated with women’s risk of “divorce, but not remarriage.” Children of women who divorce and remarry tend to have significantly lower educational outcomes than children of married parents, but women with higher incomes are able to buffer their children from the negative educational outcomes of divorce and remarriage. Counter to predictions, there is no evidence that women with kin in the community have a significant difference in likelihood of divorce or a buffering effect of child outcomes. In conclusion, predictors of divorce differ depending on whether the woman goes on to remarry, suggesting that male income may be a better predictor of a serial monogamy strategy whereas female income predicts marital dissolution only. Thus, women who are relatively autonomous because of greater income may not benefit from remarriage.
An Organizational View of Affect: Illustration from the Study of Down’s Syndrome Infants

Many of the outstanding questions in the field of affective development may be put within a unified framework that can be described as an “organizational perspective” (Sroufe, in press; Sroufe & Mitchell, in press). For example, the question of age of onset of various emotions becomes subsumed under the objective of tracing the unfolding of various affect systems and their integration with cognitive and social development. The question is not whether the 3-week-old exhibits fear but rather what are the circumstances for eliciting negative reactions at this age and what is the developmental course of both the reactions and the changing conditions necessary and sufficient for eliciting them. How is earlier distress related to what might later be called wariness and later still fear (whatever terms are actually used)? What does the unfolding of the affect systems tell us about cognitive development, and how do maturational and cognitive changes impact upon the expression of affect?
Differential Effects of Dietary Fat Content and Protein Source on Bone Phenotype and Fatty Acid Oxidation in Female C57Bl/6 Mice.

Background Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64-amino acid glycophosphopeptide released from κ-casein during cheesemaking that promotes satiety, reduces body fat, increases bone mass and infers prebiotic and anti-inflammatory effects. The impact of adiposity and gender on bone health is unclear. Objective To determine how feeding female mice diets providing 60% Fat Kcal (high-fat) or 13% Fat Kcal (control) with either GMP or casein as the protein source impacts: body composition, ex vivo fatty acid oxidation, bone (femoral) biomechanical performance, and the relationship between body composition and bone. Methods Weanling female C57Bl/6 mice were fed high-fat (60% Fat Kcal) or control diets (13% Fat Kcal) with GMP or casein from 3 to 32 weeks of age with assessment of body weight and food intake. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Fatty acid oxidation was measured in liver, muscle, and fat tissues using 14C-palmitate. Plasma concentrations of hormones and cytokines were determined. Bone biomechanical performance was assessed by the 3-point bending test. Results Female mice fed high-fat diets showed increased fatty acid oxidation capacity in both gastrocnemius muscle and brown adipose tissue compared to mice fed the control diets with a lower fat content. Despite increased fat mass in mice fed the high-fat diets, there was little evidence of glucose impairment or inflammation. Mice fed the high-fat diets had significantly greater total body bone mineral density (BMD), femoral BMD, and femoral cross-sectional area than mice fed the control diets. Femora of mice fed the high-fat diets had increased yield load and maximum load before fracture, consistent with greater bone strength, but reduced post-yield displacement or ductility, consistent with bone brittleness. Female mice fed a high-fat GMP diet displayed increased fat oxidation capacity in subcutaneous fat relative to mice fed the high-fat casein diet. Regardless of dietary fat content, GMP increased total body bone mineral content and femur length. The prebiotic properties of GMP may mediate the beneficial effects of GMP on bone. Conclusions Female mice adapt to high-fat feeding by increasing oxidative capacity in muscle tissue and to a lesser extent brown adipose tissue. High-fat feeding in female mice leads to development of a bone phenotype where femora show increased BMD and are stronger, yet more brittle. The increased brittleness of bone was associated with increased body fat content due to high-fat feeding. In summary, high-fat feeding in female mice increases mineralization of bone, but negatively impacts bone quality resulting in brittle bones.
The impact of 3D conformal radiotherapy versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy on post-operative wound complications in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity and chest-wall

Pre-operative radiotherapy (RT) followed by limb-sparing resection is commonly used to treat soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremity and chest-wall; however, this is associated with an increased risk of post-operative wound complications (WCs) compared to adjuvant RT. The use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in STS has been investigated; however, the impact on WC is sparsely reported. In this study, we assess the rates of WC in patients who underwent pre-operative 3D conformal RT (3D CRT) versus IMRT followed by surgery for STS. From 2000 to 2012, 196 patients with localized STS were treated with RT +/− chemotherapy followed by resection. Patient, treatment variables, and outcomes were reviewed. Predictors for WC were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test for univariate analysis (UVA) and logistic regression for multivariate analysis (MVA). Median follow-up was 3.5 years. Of patients, 33.7 % were treated with IMRT and 66.3 % were treated with 3D CRT. Of patients, 28.6 % developed post-operative WCs. Eighteen percent of patients developed WCs when treated with IMRT versus 33 % who received 3D CRT (p = 0.03). In lower extremity tumors only, 20 % of patients that received IMRT and 43 % of patients that received 3D CRT patients had WC (p = 0.01). On MVA, both upper extremity STS (p = 0.0005, OR 0.14) and IMRT (p = 0.02, OR 0.40) predicted for a decreased propensity for post-operative WC. IMRT was associated with a significantly decreased risk of post-operative WCs compared to patients who received 3D CRT for their STS. Further studies and a larger sample size are needed to corroborate these findings.
Probing the Complex Binding Modes of the PPARγ Partial Agonist 2-Chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-((5-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)thio)phenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide (T2384) to Orthosteric and Allosteric Sites with NMR Spectroscopy

In a previous study, a cocrystal structure of PPARγ bound to 2-chloro-N-(3-chloro-4-((5-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)thio)phenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide (1, T2384) revealed two orthosteric pocket binding modes attributed to a concentration-dependent biochemical activity profile. However, 1 also bound an alternate/allosteric site that could alternatively account for the profile. Here, we show ligand aggregation afflicts the activity profile of 1 in biochemical assays. However, ligand-observed fluorine (19F) and protein-observed NMR confirms 1 binds PPARγ with two orthosteric binding modes and to an allosteric site.
Predicting far-field radiation with the emission models of power converters

The high switching frequencies of power converters always lead to severe radiated EMI. The modeling and analysis of the converter with undesired antenna such as input/output cables are very important for the research on radiation. This paper first develops the model for undesired antenna in converters and discusses its relationship with the radiated power. Then the antenna's interaction with converter source impedances is taken into account and is explored in detail. Finally, the analysis is applied to a specific converter and verified by simulations and experiments.
An Atypical Presentation of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (P4.016)

Objective: We describe a rare presentation of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) signal abnormalities restricted to the brainstem and cerebellum. Background: PRES can present with non-specific neurological symptoms such as headaches, seizures, altered mental status, or visual disturbances and is postulated to be secondary to acute elevation of blood pressure (BP) above the upper limit of cerebral blood flow autoregulation. It is typically seen in association with the use of immunosuppressive agents, sepsis, or in the setting of acute or chronic kidney disease (CKD). Brain MRIs typically show parieto-occipital lobe involvement, however, other regions of the brain can be affected. Design/Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 36-year-old man with a PMH of diabetes and CKD presented with headaches, nausea, vomiting, and slurred speech. Neurological exam was remarkable for poor orientation, mild extremity weakness, and upper extremity cerebellar findings. Brain MRI showed diffuse T2 and FLAIR (fluid attenuated inversion recovery) abnormalities along with small foci of restricted diffusion involving the brainstem and cerebellum. BP was persistently elevated to > 200s systolic and > 110s diastolic. The patient was aggressively treated to a target BP goal of Conclusions: This is a unique case of PRES presenting with imaging abnormalities restricted to the brainstem and cerebellum. The patient’s clinical and radiological findings, although atypical, and subsequent improvement after aggressive treatment of his BP are consistent with rare case reports in the PRES literature. Such presentations are important to recognize because prompt management of elevated BP can help reverse this potentially debilitating disease entity. Disclosure: Dr. Martinez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jillella has nothing to disclose. Dr. Donaldson has nothing to disclose.
Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

Importance By 2020, approximately 12.3 million individuals in the United States older than 50 years are expected to have osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures, particularly hip fractures, are associated with limitations in ambulation, chronic pain and disability, loss of independence, and decreased quality of life, and 21% to 30% of patients who experience a hip fracture die within 1 year. The prevalence of primary osteoporosis (ie, osteoporosis without underlying disease) increases with age and differs by race/ethnicity. With the aging of the US population, the potential preventable burden is likely to increase in future years. Objective To update the 2011 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for osteoporosis. Evidence review The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on screening for and treatment of osteoporotic fractures in men and women, as well as risk assessment tools, screening intervals, and efficacy of screening and treatment in subgroups. The screening population was postmenopausal women and older men with no known previous osteoporotic fractures and no known comorbid conditions or medication use associated with secondary osteoporosis. Findings The USPSTF found convincing evidence that bone measurement tests are accurate for detecting osteoporosis and predicting osteoporotic fractures in women and men. The USPSTF found adequate evidence that clinical risk assessment tools are moderately accurate in identifying risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. The USPSTF found convincing evidence that drug therapies reduce subsequent fracture rates in postmenopausal women. The USPSTF found that the evidence is inadequate to assess the effectiveness of drug therapies in reducing subsequent fracture rates in men without previous fractures. Conclusions and recommendation The USPSTF recommends screening for osteoporosis with bone measurement testing to prevent osteoporotic fractures in women 65 years and older. (B recommendation) The USPSTF recommends screening for osteoporosis with bone measurement testing to prevent osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women younger than 65 years at increased risk of osteoporosis, as determined by a formal clinical risk assessment tool. (B recommendation) The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for osteoporosis to prevent osteoporotic fractures in men. (I statement).
Prolonged stupor produced by subdural hygroma

T HE subdura1 space which Iies between the arachnoid and dura mater normaIIy contains a thin Iayer of fIuid caIIed subdura1 fI uid (Weed, Penfield). l AIthough the mechanism of production and accumulation of this subdura1 fluid is not known, it is definite that folIowing a head injury there may be an accumuIation of Auid in the subdura1 space which takes up voIume and exerts pressure against the brain in a manner simiIar to subdural hematoma or cIot. The term chronic subdura1 hydroma or hygroma, meaning an excessive amount of cIear fluid in the subdura1 space foIIowing a head injury, was first introduced by Dandy.2 Since then this condition has been described by Naffziger, Fay, Cohen, WaIsh and Sheldon, Love and others.3,4.5v6 It is the purpose of this paper to present three cases of head injury showing prolonged stupor produced by subdura1 hydromas and reIieved by simpIe trephine and drainage of the subdural space.
A Survey of Muslim Material on Comets and Meteors

Il y a de nombreuses sources litteraires qui peuvent etre trouvees dans la litterature arabe pour expliquer l'astronomie des cometes et des meteores
Spanish Society, 1348-1700

Beginning with the Black Death in 1348 and extending through to the demise of Habsburg rule in 1700, this second edition of Spanish Society, 1348–1700 has been expanded to provide a wide and compelling exploration of Spain’s transition from the Middle Ages to modernity. Each chapter builds on the first edition by offering new evidence of the changes in Spain’s social structure between the fourteenth and seventeenth century. Every part of society is examined, culminating in a final section that is entirely new to the second edition and presents the changing social practices of the period, particularly in response to the growing crises facing Spain as it moved into the seventeenth century. Also new to this edition is a consideration of the social meaning of culture, specifically the presence of Hermetic themes and of magical elements in Golden Age literature and Cervantes’ Don Quijote. Through the extensive use of case studies, historical examples and literary extracts, Spanish Society is an ideal way for students to gain direct access to this captivating period.
Examining determinants of rail ridership: a case study of the Orlando SunRail system

The current study contributes to the literature on transit ridership by considering daily boarding and alighting data from a recently launched commuter rail system in Orlando, Florida – SunRail. The analysis is conducted based on daily boarding and alighting data for 10 months for the year 2015. With the availability of repeated observations for every station, the potential impact of common unobserved factors affecting ridership variables are considered. The current study develops an estimation framework, for boarding and alighting separately, that accounts for these unobserved effects at multiple levels – station, station-week and station-day. In addition, the study examines the impact of various observed exogenous factors such as station level, transportation infrastructure, transit infrastructure, land use, built environment, sociodemographic and weather variables on ridership. The model system developed will allow us to predict ridership for existing stations in the future as well as potential ridership for future expansion sites.
Management of Estrogen Deficiency

The estrogen deficiency of menopause is hypothesized to be a contributing impetus for the dramatic rise in cardiovascular disease mortality seen in postmenopausal women. An unfavorable shift in cardiovascular risk factors is common during this life transition and has been attributed to estrogen decline. Observational studies have consistently demonstrated a cardioprotective effect of menopausal hormone therapy, in direct contrast to the results of the Women’s Health Initiative and other randomized controlled trials. Although questions still remain, this apparent contradiction has led to a better understanding of how estrogen influences the cardiovascular milieu. This chapter highlights the endogenous effect of estrogen on vasculature and cardiac biomarkers, as well as the current research regarding risks and benefits of exogenous hormone therapy in relation to coronary heart disease, venous thromboembolism, stroke, and diabetes. The latest evidence on timing of initiation, optimal route of delivery, dose, and duration of hormone therapy are discussed. The future of hormone therapy looks towards the development of new medications such as a tissue selective estrogen complex that may enhance the cardiovascular safety profile while simultaneously treating vasomotor symptoms.
An overly anionic metal coordination environment eliminates the T1-weighted response of quinol-containing MRI contrast agent sensors to H2O2

Abstract A previously reported quinol- and Mn(II)-containing MRI contrast agent sensor for H2O2 has the drawback of releasing the metal ion upon oxidation of the organic ligand. The release of potentially neurotoxic Mn(II) limits the sensor’s in vivo applicability. We prepared N,N′-bis(2,5-dihydroxybenzyl)ethanediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid (H6qc1) as a substitute ligand that could potentially remain bound to the metal ion after oxidation of the quinol portions to more weakly metal-binding para-quinones. The carboxylic acid groups deprotonate at ambient pH, providing a more anionic coordination environment that stabilizes its Mn(II) complex in water. Although the more anionic coordination sphere doesn’t introduce air sensitivity, it does render the metal center more susceptible to oxidation by hydrogen peroxide, as evidenced by electron paramagnetic resonance. The oxidation of the metal to less paramagnetic Mn(III) is proposed to lower the r1 enough to completely counter any increase in T1-weighted relaxivity that would result from improved aquation.
The Association of Public Insurance with Postpartum Contraception Preference and Provision.

Background Prior studies have noted that public insurance status is associated with increased uptake of postpartum contraception whereas others have pointed to public insurance as a barrier to accessing highly effective forms of contraception. Objective To assess differences in planned method and provision of postpartum contraception according to insurance type. Study Design This is a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study examining postpartum women delivered at a single hospital in Cleveland, Ohio from 2012-2014. Contraceptive methods were analyzed according to Tier-based effectiveness as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The primary outcome was postpartum contraception method preference. Additional outcomes included method provision, postpartum visit attendance, and subsequent pregnancy within 365 days of delivery. Results Of the 8281 patients in the study cohort, 1372 (16.6%) were privately and 6990 (83.4%) were publicly insured. After adjusting for the potentially confounding clinical and demographic factors through propensity score analysis, public insurance was not associated with preference for a Tier 1 versus Tier 2 postpartum contraceptive method (matched adjusted odds ratio [maOR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.69-1.15), but was associated with a preference for Tier 1/2 vs Tier 3/None (maOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.69). There was no difference between women with private or public insurance in terms of method provision by 90 days after delivery (maOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.75-1.17). Public insurance status was also associated with decreased postpartum visit attendance (maOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.43-0.68) and increased rates of subsequent pregnancy within 365 days of delivery (maOR 1.29, 95% CI 1.05-1.59). Conclusion Public insurance status does not serve as a barrier to either the preference or provision of effective postpartum contraception. Women desiring highly- or moderately effective methods of contraception should have these methods provided prior to hospital discharge to minimize barriers to method provision.
Spinal rod gripping capacity: how do 5.5/6.0-mm dual-diameter screws compare?

Biomechanical comparative study. To evaluate pedicle screw gripping capacity from five suppliers, comparing single-diameter (S-D) systems using 5.5-mm-diameter rods to dual-diameter (D-D) systems accepting 5.5- and 6.0-mm-diameter rods with both cobalt chromium (CoCr) and titanium alloy (Ti) rods. D-D systems have become increasingly prevalent; however, these systems theoretically may compromise spinal rod gripping, particularly when a smaller-diameter rod is used within a D-D pedicle screw. D-D pedicle screw systems from three suppliers (accepting 5.5- and 6.0-mm-diameter, Ti and CoCr rods), and S-D systems from two suppliers (accepting 5.5-mm-diameter, Ti and CoCr rods) were tested on an MTS MiniBionix machine. Axial load was applied in line with the rod to measure axial gripping capacity (AGC), and torsional load was applied to measure torsional gripping capacity (TGC) for each rod material and diameter. AGC and TGC were compared between D-D and S-D constructs, suppliers, rod diameters, and materials with subsequent classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. 5.5-mm rods within D-D screws were no weaker than 5.5-mm rods in S-D systems for AGC (dual > single, p = 0.043) and TGC (p = 0.066). As a whole, D-D systems had greater AGC than S-D systems (p = 0.01). AGC differed between suppliers (p 5.5 mm, p = 0.002). CoCr rods had greater TGC than Ti (p < 0.001). CART analysis revealed that Supplier and CoCr material were significant predictors for increased TGC. Despite 30%–70% variability in gripping capacity due to rod supplier and material, overall D-D pedicle screw systems had similar AGC and TGC as S-D systems. N/A.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and FMLP receptors are functionally linked during FMLP-stimulated activation of adherent human neutrophils

Human peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) plated onto fibrinogen and activated with FMLP release H2O2 and lactoferrin, a specific granule component, with parallel kinetics. Although tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) only primes PMN in suspension, it is a potent agonist of adherent PMN. Activation of adherent PMN by FMLP (10(-7) mol/L) stimulated detectable release of TNF alpha within 45 minutes of stimulation, with maximal release (45.5 pg/10(6) cells) detected by 90 minutes. TNF alpha release paralleled the release of both lactoferrin and H2O2. To determine if TNF alpha plays a role in H2O2 and lactoferrin release, we investigated the effect of anti-TNF alpha antibodies on FMLP-stimulated activation of adherent PMN. A neutralizing rabbit anti-TNF alpha antibody inhibited both H2O2 and lactoferrin release stimulated by FMLP, whereas rabbit lgG, anti-HLA-A,B,C, anti-CD 14, and anti-interleukin-8 antibodies were without effect. The simultaneous addition of TNF alpha (1,000 U/mL) with anti-TNF alpha antibody reversed the inhibition seen with anti-TNF alpha alone. Furthermore, treatment of PMN with either actinomycin D or cylcoheximide resulted in partial (33%) inhibition of H2O2 and lactoferrin release, suggesting that protein synthesis is required for FMLP-mediated activation of adherent PMN. The addition of TNF alpha to either cycloheximide or of actinomycin D-treated PMN overcame the inhibition, indicating that the effect was specific for TNF alpha. The addition of antibodies against either the 55-or 75-kD TNF alpha receptors (referred to as p55 and p75, respectively) resulted in partial (32%) inhibition of FMLP-mediated activation of H2O2 and lactoferrin release, whereas a combination of both antibodies reduced their release to control levels. These data indicate that both p55 and p75 are involved in FMLP activation of adherent PMN. Taken together, these findings indicate that the production of TNF alpha and ligation of TNF alpha receptors are central to FMLP activation of PMN adherent to fibrinogen.
"Early" and "Late" Hospital readmissions in the first year after kidney transplant at a single center.

Background Hospital readmission (HR) after surgery is considered a quality metric. Methods Data on 2371 first-time adult kidney transplant (KT) recipients were collected to analyze the "early" (≤30 days) and "late" (31-365 days) HR patterns after KT at a single center over a 12-year time span (2002-2013). Results 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year HR were 31%, 41%, and 53%, respectively. Risk factors for HR included age >50, female sex, black race, BMI >30, transplant LOS >5 days, and pre-transplant time on dialysis >765 days. Indications for early (n = 749) and late (n = 508) HR were similar. Early HR (OR: 3.80, P = .007) and black race (OR: 2.38, P = .009) were associated with higher odds of 1-year graft failure while frequency (1-2, 3-4, 5+) of HR (ORs: 4.68, 8.36, 9.44, P 50 (OR: 2.11, P = .007) were associated with higher odds of 1-year mortality. Transplant LOS > 5 days increased both odds of 1-year graft failure (OR: 3.51, P = .001) and mortality (OR: 2.05, P = .006). One-year graft and recipient survival were 96.7% and 94.8%, respectively. Conclusions Hospital readmission was associated with reduced graft and patient survival; however, despite a relatively high and consistent HR rate after KT, overall 1-year graft and patient survival was high.
Obviously You, Maybe You, Artificial You: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence Technologies on Consciousness and Personal Identity

In the acknowledgements section of her 2019 book Artificial You, Susan Schneider relates that “This book was a delight to write.” (Schneider 2019, 153) It shows. The book is a delight to read. Arti...
Association between methane yield and microbiota abundance in the anaerobic digestion process: A meta-regression

Abstract Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a bioprocess for extracting renewable bio-methane fuel from a variety of biomass substrates. A growing body of literature indicate that the structure of the microbiota community closely correlates with methane yield during AD. The correlations between methane yield and the relative abundance (RA) of microbial community, however, is mainly qualitative. The goal of this research was to collate the published data to determine the quantitative nature and extent of such correlations. Available literature on AD providing methane yields and microbiota RA, suitable for the random model, were gathered from the web of sciences and other available data bases for the meta-analyses and meta-regressions. In total, 1140-case studies, comprising 846 mesophilic and 246 thermophilic-AD processes, were used in the analysis. Data heterogeneity indicated that the RA of microbiota against methane yield of AD were different at different operating conditions. The main bacteria significantly determining methane yield, during AD processes, were Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. A unit increase (%) in the RA of Firmicutes resulted in about 2.9 mL g−1[VS] improvement in CH4 yield in non-stable mesophilic digesters, while the same improved CH4 yield by 4.5 mL g−1[VS] in stable mesophilic digesters. In stable mesophilic AD, a unit increase (%) in the RA of Bacteroidetes significantly improved CH4 yield by 7.0 mL g−1[VS] and by roughly 4.8 mL g−1[VS] in non-stable mesophilic digesters. Significant decline in CH4 yields corresponded to increases in the RA of two bacteria phyla (Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria) commonly related to overloaded digesters. In this regard, a unit increase (%) in Actinobacteria indicated a significant reduction in CH4 yield (18.7 mL g−1[VS]) in non-stable mesophilic digesters, while a unit increase (%) in Proteobacteria indicated around 4.9 mL g−1[VS] decline in CH4 yield in stable mesophilic digesters. The major archaea significantly contributing to CH4 yield were Methanosarcina indicating CH4 yields improvements ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 mL g−1[VS] for each percent increase in the RA of Methanosarcina, in either mesophilic or thermophilic digesters. The RA of other minor microbiota groups did not statistically correlate with CH4 yield. The HRT and OLR tended to positively correlate with the RA of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Methanosarcina.
First-Principles Computational and Experimental Investigation of Molten-Salt Electrolytes: Implications for Li–O2 Battery

Nitrate-based molten salts have been the most stable electrolytes in Li–O2 electrochemical systems. While the high temperature of operation is a disadvantage, the molten-salt electrolytes offer a c...
Multi-Fluid and Kinetic Models of Partially Ionized Magnetic Reconnection

Magnetic reconnection in partially ionized plasmas is a ubiquitous and important phenomenon in both laboratory and astrophysical systems. Here, simulations of partially ionized magnetic reconnection with well-matched initial conditions are performed using both multi-fluid and fully-kinetic approaches. Despite similar initial conditions, the time-dependent evolution differs between the two models. In multi-fluid models, the reconnection rate locally obeys either a decoupled Sweet–Parker scaling, where neutrals are unimportant, or a fully coupled Sweet–Parker scaling, where neutrals and ions are strongly coupled, depending on the resistivity. In contrast, kinetic models show a faster reconnection rate that is proportional to the fully-coupled, bulk Alfven speed, v A ⋆. These differences are interpreted as the result of operating in different collisional regimes. Multi-fluid simulations are found to maintain ν n i L / v A ⋆ ≳ 1, where νni is the neutral–ion collision frequency and L is the time-dependent current sheet half-length. This strongly couples neutrals to the reconnection outflow, while kinetic simulations evolve to allow ν n i L / v A ⋆ < 1, decoupling neutrals from the reconnection outflow. Differences in the way reconnection is triggered may explain these discrepancies.
Cash-for-Information Whistleblower Programs: Effects on Whistleblowing and Consequences for Whistleblowers

We study the effect of financial incentives on whistleblowing and the consequences for whistleblowers under the cash-for-information program of the False Claims Act (FCA). Exploiting appeals-court decisions that increase financial incentives for whistleblowing, we find that greater incentives increase the number of lawsuits filed with the regulator, the regulator’s investigation length, the percentage of intervened lawsuits, and the percentage of settled lawsuits. Using information from lawsuits, a professional networking site, and background checks for up to 1,168 whistleblowers, we find that whistleblowers’ long-term annual income decreases by approximately 8.6% or $6,500 but do not find evidence of social costs. In comparison, whistleblowers can expect to receive approximately $140,000 for blowing the whistle. Overall, our results suggest that the FCA cash-for-information program helps expose corporate misconduct and helps compensate whistleblowers for their income loss.
Hypergolic Hybrid Rocket Engine Ignition and Relights with Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen

Combined with a common fuel binder, solid hypergols can simplify the overall complexity of hybrid rocket engines, as the fuel grain can be ignited and reignited without any external power source or...
Ultrafast atomically-resolved movies of complex molecules captured with femtosecond electron diffraction

The conversion of light into mechanical and chemical energy, at the level of single molecules, drives many processes in nature such as vision and photosynthesis, and is important for solar energy conversion and storage applications. These changes take place at the atomic level, on femtosecond timescales. We use ultrafast electron diffraction, which probes changes in molecular structure with atomic (sub-Angstrom) resolution in space and femtosecond resolution in time. Here we show that we can retrieve, with a high level of detail, the structural dynamics that take place after photoexcitation of complex molecules.