cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of pathogenic bacteria in food sold on Guilin market in 2012

Objective To understand foods pollution level sold in Guilin and changes,to evaluate food safety status and provide essential data and scientific basis for formulating prevention strategic of analyzing epidemic trends of foodborne disease. Methods According to 2012 workbook of foodborne pathogenic bacteria surveillance,detected 9 common pathogenic bacteria of foodborne disease including staphylococcus aureus by bacterial culture and analyzed the characters of pathogenic bacteria in food sold on market from January to December in 2012. Results Tested 381 samples, and detected 4 kinds of pathogenic bacteria in which the positive rate was 2.10% from 8 samples. Pathogenic bacteria are 1 strain of staphylococcus aureus,1 strain of bacillus cereus,5 strains of enterobacter sakazakii,1 strain of vibrio parahaemolyticus.8 positive samples were detected from meat products,raw animal aquatic products,bakery products and infant food.Among 8 positive samples,5 samples from infant food and all these were detected enterobacter sakazakii. Conclusion The factor that some instant food in the main shopping and catering service places in Guilin are polluted by pathogenic bacteria is the most significant hazard in causing foodborne disease.
Regulatory Aspects of Embryo Testing: An American View

Introduction The sources of regulation of embryo testing for IVF in the United States are the Constitution, statutes and administrative regulations, case law, and guidelines established by the medical profession.
Anasazi origins: a perspective from preliminary work at Old Man Cave

ABSTRACTResolving the question of Anasazi origins partially depends upon finding Basketmaker II antecedents. An essential place to search for antecedents is in the Cedar Mesa area of southeast Utah where Basketmaker II remains were first discovered in the late 1800s, and where subsequent investigators have documented various aspects of Basketmaker II lifeways. Old Man Cave, located along the northeast edge of Cedar Mesa, casts some light on the origins issue. Test excavations at this site revealed Basketmaker II remains above a series of Archaic strata dating back to 7,790 years B.P. Since a substantial occupational hiatus is apparent, this site must be added to the list of sampled dry shelters in southeast Utah and northeast Arizona that do not contain evidence in support of the in situ model of Anasazi origins.
Spectral correlation and interference in CW non-degenerate photon pairs at telecom wavelengths

We apply single-photon, fiber-assisted spectroscopy to characterize photon-pair generation with CW pumping. Using this spectrometer, we observe biphoton interference with unequal biphoton arrival times at the beamsplitter.
Building from In Vivo Research to the Future of Research on Relational Thinking and Learning

This concluding commentary takes the perspective of research on practicing scientists and engineers to consider what open areas and future directions on relational thinking and learning should be considered beyond the impressive research presented in the special issue. Areas for more work include (a) a need to examine educational applications of relational thinking in divergent reasoning, rather than primarily in convergent reasoning; (b) considerations of when to not focus on relational reasoning in learning; (c) more research on the distributed nature of relational reasoning across students in a class, and to embedded physical, social, and historical contexts; (d) treatment of the hot components of relational reasoning including motivational and emotional processes; and (e) more attention to how relational reasoning is changed by the details of modalities rather than treating all contents as abstract symbols.
Endodontic Microbiology and Pathobiology: Current State of Knowledge

Newer research tools and basic science knowledge base have allowed the exploration of endodontic diseases in the pulp and periapical tissues in novel ways. The use of next generation sequencing, bioinformatics analyses, genome-wide association studies, to name just a few of these innovations, has allowed the identification of hundreds of microorganisms and of host response factors. This review addresses recent advances in endodontic microbiology and the host response and discusses the potential for future innovations in this area.
Tracheal Glomus Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Glomus tumors are rare neoplasms that typically occur within the dermis or subcutis of the subungual space. Primary glomus tumors of the thorax are exceedingly uncommon, thus standard-of-care management is lacking. In this report we describe the management of a patient presenting with a symptomatic glomus tumor of the posterior trachea, and provide a comprehensive review including all documented tracheal glomus tumor reports.
A rhodopsin in the brain functions in circadian photoentrainment in Drosophila

Animals partition their daily activity rhythms through their internal circadian clocks, which are synchronized by oscillating day-night cycles of light. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster senses day-night cycles in part through rhodopsin-dependent light reception in the compound eye and photoreceptor cells in the Hofbauer-Buchner eyelet. A more noteworthy light entrainment pathway is mediated by central pacemaker neurons in the brain. The Drosophila circadian clock is extremely sensitive to light. However, the only known light sensor in pacemaker neurons, the flavoprotein cryptochrome (Cry), responds only to high levels of light in vitro. These observations indicate that there is an additional light-sensing pathway in fly pacemaker neurons. Here we describe a previously uncharacterized rhodopsin, Rh7, which contributes to circadian light entrainment by circadian pacemaker neurons in the brain. The pacemaker neurons respond to violet light, and this response depends on Rh7. Loss of either cry or rh7 caused minor defects in photoentrainment, whereas loss of both caused profound impairment. The circadian photoresponse to constant light was impaired in rh7 mutant flies, especially under dim light. The demonstration that Rh7 functions in circadian pacemaker neurons represents, to our knowledge, the first role for an opsin in the central brain.
50 Years of Social Science Data Services: A Case Study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Data and Information Services Center (DISC), formerly known as the Data and Program Library Services (DPLS) has provided learning, teaching and research support to students, staff and faculty in social sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 50 years. What changes have our organization, collections, and services experienced? How has DISC evolved with the advancement of technology? What role does DISC play in the current and future landscape of social science data services on our campus and beyond? This paper gives answers to these questions and recommends a few simple steps in adding social science data services in academic libraries.
Post-operative bracing after pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar burst fractures: A cost-effectiveness study.

Abstract Purpose While frequently prescribed to patients following fixation for spine trauma, the utility of spinal orthoses during the post-operative period is poorly described in the literature. In this study, we calculated rates of reoperation and performed a decision analysis to determine the utility of bracing following pedicle screw fixation for thoracic and lumbar burst fractures. Methods Pubmed was searched for articles published between 2005 and 2015 for terms related to pedicle screw fixation of thoracolumbar fractures. Additionally, a database of neurosurgical patients operated on within the authors institution was also used in the analysis. Incidences of significant adverse events (wound revision for either dehiscence or infection or re-operation for non-union or instability due to hardware failure) were determined. Pooled means and variances of reported parameters were obtained using a random-effects, inverse variance meta-analytic model for observational data. Utilities for surgical outcome and complications were assigned using previously published values. Results Of the 225 abstracts reviewed, 48 articles were included in the study, yielding a total of 1957 patients. After including patients from the institutional registry, together a total of 2081 patients were included in the final analysis, 1328 of whom were braced. Non-braced patients were older then braced patients, although this only approached significance (p = 0.051). Braced patients had significantly lower rates of re-operation for non-union or clinically significant hardware failure (1.3% vs. 1.8%, p Conclusions Bracing following operative stabilization of thoracolumbar fracture does not significantly improve stability, nor does it increase wound complications. Moreover, our data suggests that post-operative bracing may not be a cost-effective measure.
Use of natural ores as oxygen carriers in chemical looping combustion: A review

Abstract Chemical looping combustion (CLC) has gained considerable ground in energy production due to its inherent carbon capture with a minimal energy penalty. The choice of metal oxide used as an oxygen carrier (OC) in CLC has a substantial weight on the overall efficiency of energy production as well as the ultimate cost per MW. While much work has gone into manufacturing synthetic OCs with high fuel conversions, harsh operating conditions and process limitations cause some unavoidable loss of the oxygen carrier. With low production costs and minimal conditioning required, natural ores have grown in interest as cheap alternative oxygen carriers. This work provides a substantial literature review of recent works studying the use of natural ores in CLC. Iron-based, manganese-based, copper-based and calcium based ores were found to be the main ores researched, along with mixtures of these ores and natural ores with minor additional compounds. Typical parameters have been collected for each study including; fuel conversion, stability, physical characteristics, and carbon capture efficiency. Natural ores are compared with purified metal oxides to highlight strengths and weaknesses of each ore and recommendations for future studies are made.
The effects of perceptions of staff–inmate boundary violations and willingness to follow rules upon work stress

While most correctional officers are professional in their interactions with inmates, some employees cross the line and engage in boundary violations, which potentially put everyone at risk. Using questionnaires collected from 501 correctional officers employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, this study examined the relationship between correctional officers’ perceptions of boundary violations and work stress. Ordinary Least Squares regression results indicated that higher levels of work stress were reported by respondents who perceived that coworkers behaved inappropriately with inmates, who reported higher role strain, who feared victimization, and who reported closely following organizational rules. Female officers and officers who viewed inmates as amiable rather than manageable were also found to experience high levels of work stress. The findings suggest that correctional supervisors are likely to be more effective than line staff in developing and sustaining a culture of professionalism and civility, which can lessen the stressors for those working behind prison walls.
Effect of flavoring chemicals on free radical formation in electronic cigarette aerosols

Abstract Background Flavoring chemicals, or flavorants, have been used in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) since their inception; however, little is known about their toxicological effects. Free radicals present in e-cigarette aerosols have been shown to induce oxidative stress resulting in damage to proliferation, survival, and inflammation pathways in the cell. Aerosols generated from e-liquid solvents alone contain high levels of free radicals but few studies have looked at how these toxins are modulated by flavorants. Objectives We investigated the effects of different flavorants on free radical production in e-cigarette aerosols. Methods Free radicals generated from 49 commercially available e-liquid flavors were captured and analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The flavorant composition of each e-liquid was analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS). Radical production was correlated with flavorant abundance. Ten compounds were identified and analyzed for their impact on free radical generation. Results Nearly half of the flavors modulated free radical generation. Flavorants with strong correlations included β-damascone, δ-tetradecalactone, γ-decalactone, citral, dipentene, ethyl maltol, ethyl vanillin, ethyl vanillin PG acetal, linalool, and piperonal. Dipentene, ethyl maltol, citral, linalool, and piperonal promoted radical formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ethyl vanillin inhibited the radical formation in a concentration dependent manner. Free radical production was closely linked with the capacity to oxidize biologically-relevant lipids. Conclusions Our results suggest that flavoring agents play an important role in either enhancing or inhibiting the production of free radicals in flavored e-cigarette aerosols. This information is important for developing regulatory strategies aimed at reducing potential harm from e-cigarettes.
Improving Reading and Numeracy Outcomes in Nigeria Through Strategic Trust Building

Non-governmental development organizations working with local government and community partners are often challenged by conflicting understandings of education practice and learning due to social, cultural, and political factors. Building trust so that education programs are implemented in equal partnership with communities is vital for addressing these challenges and, ultimately, achieving positive learning outcomes for students.
Precision Screening for Lung Cancer: Risk-Based but Not Always Preference-Sensitive?

Caverly and colleagues' modeling analysis explored the importance of disutilities in the lung cancer screening decision. The editorialist discusses the unavoidable tensions among the various goals ...
Newer hypolipidemic compounds.

The inhibition of lipidemia can be achieved in several ways. The most logical mechanism — interference with lipoprotein metabolism (synthesis, release or catabolism) — has not been approached in a rational manner. There are some effective hypolipidemic drugs but their mechanisms of action are not clear and the search for a more effective compound continues.
Homosexuality and Psychiatry

Psychiatry has served both to reflect and to help define Western societal attitudes toward homosexuality for much of the past two centuries. Perspectives on homosexuality—concerning its origins, its social and personal meanings, its diagnostic implications, and its clinical relevance—persistently represented one of the most contentious issues within American psychiatry during the latter part of the twentieth century. With a primary emphasis on the American experience, this article presents current definitions related to homosexuality and sexual orientation and examines the history of psychiatric theories and findings about homosexuality. The relationship between homosexuality and psychiatry in other countries and cultures has often paralleled what took place in the US but also reflects the diverse attitudes and policies regarding both sexuality and mental illness throughout the world. An example of such diversity is the recent legislation of gay and lesbian relationships by some European countries in contrast to the continued opposition to such acceptance in the United States.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiac Therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotential cells that can be isolated from a number of tissues but are readily isolated from bone marrow. These cells grow in culture as attached fibroblastic cells that expand readily in culture but maintain their contact inhibition as they reach confluence. Flow cytometry analysis of surface markers on MSCs shows that the cultured cells are very homogeneous, and differentiation assays indicate their potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types. Numerous experiments have demonstrated that these multipotential cells are not rejected by the immune system and therefore it may be possible to use the MSCs from one donor in multiple recipients. Additionally, these remarkable cells, found in all individuals, have the natural ability to migrate to sites of injury in the body, a finding the meaning of which is only beginning to be understood. Cardiac injury results in the loss of cardiomyocytes and reduced heart function. Cardiomyoplasty with MSCs is seen as a way to augment the myocardium with multipotential cells that may aid in repairing the heart and improving function. Animal studies have supported this approach, and human clinical trials have now begun.
Calcium transport in the pars recta and the loop of Henle.

In 1963 Lassiter et al1 concluded from micropuncture studies that approximately 60% of the filtered calcium was reabsorbed in the proximal tubule and 35% was absorbed by more distal segments. Since only about 10% of the filtered calcium remains at the early distal convoluted tubule,2 the loop of Henle must absorb about 30% of the filtered load. Comparing the findings at the hairpin bend of the loop of Henle in the hamster to those in the distal tubule of the rat, Lassiter et al1 concluded that the thick ascending limb (TAL) was the major site of calcium absorption. Five different laboratories, including our own, have investigated calcium transport in this segment directly using the isolated rabbit renal tubule perfused in vitro by the method of Burg et al.3
Residual Stress in Polycrystalline Alumina: Comparison of Two-Dimensional Maps and Integrated Scans in Fluorescence-Based Measurements

Abstract The spatially heterogeneous residual stress fields in a series of three polycrystalline alumina materials are compared using two fluorescence-based measurement techniques. In the first technique, 18 hyperspectral arrays of the Cr-based R1 and R2 ruby fluorescence line shifts are formed into two-dimensional maps of stress components, and experimental stress distributions are calculated using both spectral lines jointly. In the second technique, the data are formed into integrated scans reflecting the average spectra within the maps and assumed Gaussian stress distributions are calculated, using the spectral lines singly. Comparison of the distribution parameters shows that the single-peak-based integrated scan technique significantly overestimates the variation of the mean crystallographic stresses relative to the two-peak-based two-dimensional map technique. In addition, the integrated scan technique suggests standard deviations for the crystallographic stress distributions that are significantly greater than those determined from two-dimensional map observations. Although, when a sufficient area of the microstructure is examined, the averaged results of the two techniques agree, the two-dimensional map method is preferred as it makes full use of the two-peak spectra and provides explicit stress distribution determinations. For the approximately 15 μm grain size materials examined here the c-axis stress distributions determined from the mapping technique were characterized by means ± standard deviations of approximately (190 ± 40) MPa.
Do Deviations from Investor Tastes Signal Informed Trading

This paper provides a novel method for identifying informed institutional trading by conditioning on investors’ tastes. Given an information signal about a stock, an investor’s tastes for certain characteristics of that stock can influence his decision to trade. Thus, trades which deviate from an investor’s tastes are more likely to reflect information. I test this hypothesis with respect to institutional investors’ taste for positive (expected) skewness. Measuring skewness preferences by their past portfolio allocations, I find that the most skewness-averse institutions earn abnormal returns of 152-207 basis points per quarter on their holdings of stocks with high expected idiosyncratic skewness (EISKEW). Their holdings of high EISKEW stocks outperform those of the most skewness-loving institutions by 126-128 basis points per quarter, and this outperformance is stronger for fresh holdings and among the holdings of more aggressive institution types. I confirm the main result using an alternative proxy for skewness preferences based on local religious beliefs. An analysis of institutions’ sin stock holdings provides complementary evidence using another dimension of investor tastes, supporting the hypothesis that trades which deviate from an investor’s tastes are more likely to reflect information.
Psychiatric comorbidities go unrecognized in patients with epilepsy: “You see what you know”

Patients with epilepsy (PWE) have a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbid disorders involving depression, anxiety, psychotic, and attention-deficit disorders compared with the general population or patients with other chronic medical conditions. Currently, there is no systematic approach in the evaluation and management of psychiatric comorbidities in these patients. In addition, neurologists are not trained to recognize these disorders, and consequently, they remain undertreated. Despite the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients evaluated for epilepsy surgery, most epilepsy centers in North America do not include a psychiatric evaluation as part of the presurgical work-up. Despite the intimate relationship between psychiatric comorbidities and epilepsy, collaboration between epileptologists and psychiatrists is sparse at best and nonexistent at worse. The purpose of this paper was to highlight and try to understand the causes behind the persistent lack in communication between neurologists and psychiatrists, the gap in the training of neurologists on psychiatric aspects of neurologic disorders and vice versa and to propose new initiatives to fix the problem. This article is part of the Special Issue "Obstacles of Treatment of Psychiatric Comorbidities in Epilepsy".
Insufficient sleep is associated with a pro-atherogenic circulating microRNA signature

NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of the study Is habitual short sleep associated with altered circulating levels of specific inflammation- and vascular-related microRNAs? What is the main finding and its importance? Circulating levels of miR-125a, miR-126 and miR-146a were significantly lower in the short sleep compared with the normal sleep group. Altered circulating profiles of these vascular-related microRNAs have been linked to vascular inflammation, dysfunction and increased cardiovascular disease events. Sleep-related changes in these microRNAs are consistent with, and might play a role in, the aberrant vascular physiology and increased vascular risk associated with short sleep. ABSTRACT Habitual short sleep duration (<7 h night-1 ) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality attributable, in large part, to increased inflammatory burden and endothelial dysfunction. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in regulating vascular health, and circulating levels are now recognized to be sensitive and specific biomarkers of cardiovascular function, inflammation and disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression of circulating miR-34a, miR-92a, miR-125a, miR-126, miR-145, miR-146a and miR-150 is disrupted in adults who habitually sleep <7 h night-1 (short sleep). These were chosen based upon their well-established links with vascular inflammation, function and, in turn, cardiovascular risk. Twenty-four adults were studied: 12 with normal nightly sleep duration (six men and six women; age, 55 ± 3 years old; sleep duration, ≥7.0 h night-1 ) and 12 with short nightly sleep duration (seven men and five women; 55 ± 2 years old; sleep duration, <7 h night-1 ), and circulating miRNA expression was assayed by RT-PCR. All subjects were non-smokers, normolipidaemic, non-medicated and free of overt cardiovascular disease. Circulating levels of miR-125a (3.07 ± 1.98 versus 7.34 ± 5.34 a.u.), miR-126 [1.28 (0.42-2.51) versus 1.78 (1.29-4.80) a.u.] and miR-146a [2.55 (1.00-4.80) versus 6.46 (1.50-11.44) a.u.] were significantly lower (∼60, 40 and 60%, respectively) in the short compared with the normal sleep group. However, there were no significant group differences in circulating levels of miR-34a, miR-92a, miR-145 and miR-150. In summary, chronic short sleep is associated with a marked reduction in circulating levels of miR-125a, miR-126 and miR-146a. Dysregulation of these miRNAs might contribute to the increased inflammatory burden and endothelial dysfunction associated with habitual insufficient sleep.
Needs assessment for cooperative extension dairy programs in California

The present study aimed to identify dairy producer needs and how best to direct and deliver cooperative extension (CE) programming. In March 2017, we mailed a needs assessment survey to grade A dairy producers in California (n = 1,080). The response rate was 15.4% (n = 166) and herd size averaged 1,405 milking cows (range 83-5,500). The geographic distribution of survey responses was representative of the distribution of dairies throughout the state. Producers were asked to indicate the level of concern for a predetermined list of 11 issues. Rank of concern had 3 numeric levels: (1) very concerned, (2) somewhat concerned, or (3) not concerned. Mean and percentage of responses in each rank for each issue topic were calculated. The top 5 concerns/obstacles indicated were (1) milk price, (2) labor availability/quality, (3) environmental issues/regulations, (4) labor costs, and (5) water quality/availability. Surveyed respondents were also asked to determine the level of priority of a predetermined list of 13 CE research and educational opportunities. Producers ranked topics as low, medium, or high priority. The 5 highest priority research topics were (1) herd health, (2) environmental issues, (3) reproduction, (4) milk quality, and (5) water quality. The 5 highest priority educational topics were (1) herd health, (2) milk quality, (3) reproduction, (4) environmental issues, and (5) calf and heifer management. Producers were then asked to identify the target audience for CE information delivery and preferred information delivery method. Most respondents indicated that the target audience should be dairy owners (93%) or managers (66%). Fewer producers indicated a target audience of dairy employees (27%) or allied industry (23%). Preferable information delivery methods were newsletter or magazine articles (81%), half-day/short meetings (47%), and on-farm training/meetings (39%). Webinars and 2- or 3-d destination meetings were the least preferable methods (27 and 9%, respectively). Survey results will serve to develop future dairy cooperative extension programs in California.
NGOs, austerity, and universal health coverage in Mozambique

In many African countries, hundreds of health-related NGOs are fed by a chaotic tangle of donor funding streams. The case of Mozambique illustrates how this NGO model impedes Universal Health Coverage. In the 1990s, NGOs multiplied across post-war Mozambique: the country’s structural adjustment program constrained public and foreign aid expenditures on the public health system, while donors favored private contractors and NGOs. In the 2000s, funding for HIV/AIDS and other vertical aid from many donors increased dramatically. In 2004, the United States introduced PEPFAR in Mozambique at nearly 500 million USD per year, roughly equivalent to the entire budget of the Ministry of Health. To be sure, PEPFAR funding has helped thousands access antiretroviral treatment, but over 90% of resources flow “off-budget” to NGO “implementing partners,” with little left for the public health system. After a decade of this major donor funding to NGOs, public sector health system coverage had barely changed. In 2014, the workforce/ population ratio was still among the five worst in the world at 71/10000; the health facility/per capita ratio worsened since 2009 to only 1 per 16,795. Achieving UHC will require rejection of austerity constraints on public sector health systems, and rechanneling of aid to public systems building rather than to NGOs.
PREDICTORS OF MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY USING THE INTERNATIONAL TAKOTSUBO DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction classically understood to have a favorable prognosis. However, recent data show that outcomes in TTC are highly variable. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that were associated with
Free2Shard: Adaptive-adversary-resistant sharding via Dynamic Self Allocation.

Propelled by the growth of large-scale blockchain deployments, much recent progress has been made in designing sharding protocols that achieve throughput scaling linearly in the number of nodes. However, existing protocols are not robust to an adversary adaptively corrupting a fixed fraction of nodes. In this paper, we propose Free2Shard -- a new architecture that achieves near-linear scaling while being secure against a fully adaptive adversary. The focal point of this architecture is a dynamic self-allocation algorithm that lets users allocate themselves to shards in response to adversarial action, without requiring a central or cryptographic proof. This architecture has several attractive features unusual for sharding protocols, including: (a) the ability to handle the regime of large number of shards (relative to the number of nodes); (b) heterogeneous shard demands; (c) requiring only a small minority to follow the self-allocation; (d) asynchronous shard rotation; (e) operation in a purely identity-free proof-of-work setting. The key technical contribution is a deep mathematical connection to the classical work of Blackwell in dynamic game theory.
Figures of Merit for Piezoelectrochemical Energy-Harvesting Systems

Summary Mechanical micro-energy harvesting is a promising technology that could provide energy to small-scale sensors and other microelectronics without the need for traditional power sources. One such mechanism, called the piezoelectrochemical (PEC) effect, is of particular interest because many PEC systems have higher theoretical energy densities than other mechanical energy harvesters. This energy-harvesting mechanism has been demonstrated in multiple systems, including commonly used electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. However, due to the large variety of materials, it is difficult to consistently compare the utility of PEC systems, which makes the selection and optimization of PEC energy harvesters challenging. Here, we propose using figures of merit including short-circuit current ( Δ I S C ) , open-circuit voltage ( Δ V O C ) , fill factor ( F F ), and efficiency ( η E C ), which provide a unifying scheme to quantify the performance of different PEC systems. We experimentally validate this approach and demonstrate ways to increase voltage and current outputs of these harvesters.
The polynomial representation of the type An−1 rational Cherednik algebra in characteristic p | n

ABSTRACTWe study the polynomial representation of the rational Cherednik algebra of type An−1 with generic parameter in characteristic p for p | n. We give explicit formulas for generators for the maximal proper graded submodule, show that they cut out a complete intersection, and thus compute the Hilbert series of the irreducible quotient. Our methods are motivated by taking characteristic p analogues of existing characteristic 0 results.
Science and Service: Teacher Preparation at the American Museum of Natural History.

This article examines how the MAT program in Earth Science at the American Museum of Natural History was conceptualized and enacted within its institutional context. We argue that the program was c...
Cardiac Injury and Outcomes of Patients with COVID-19 in New York City.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies demonstrated that elevated troponin in patients with COVID-19 was associated with increased in-hospital mortality. However, the association of cardiac injury and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of cardiac injury with ECG abnormality and with in-hospital mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who were hospitalised with COVID-19 between 13 March and 31 March 2020. Those patients with troponin I measurement were included in the study and divided into those who had elevated troponin I (cardiac injury group) and those who did not (no cardiac injury group). Statistical analyses were performed to compare differences between the groups, and a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to assess the effect of cardiac injury on in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: One hundred and eight-one (181) patients were included, 54 of whom were in the cardiac injury group and 127 in the no cardiac injury group. The mean age was 64.0±16.6 years and 55.8% were male. The cardiac injury group was more likely to be older, have a history of coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure compared to the no cardiac injury group (all p<0.05); there was no difference in presence of chest pain (cardiac injury group versus no cardiac injury group: 17.0% versus 22.5%, p=0.92); the cardiac injury group had a significantly higher value of brain natriuretic peptide, procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and D-dimer (all p<0.05); they had numerically more frequent ECG abnormalities such as T wave inversion (13.2% versus 7.5%, p=0.23) and ST depression (1.9% versus 0.0%, p=0.13) although statistically not significant; they had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (42.3% versus 12.6%, p<0.001). With a multivariate logistic regression model, age (odds ratio [95% confidential interval]: 1.033 [1.002-1.065], p=0.034) and cardiac injury (3.25 [1.40-7.54], p=0.006) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 with elevated troponin I had a relatively low proportion of chest pain and ECG abnormality. Cardiac injury was independently associated with in-hospital mortality.
Progression-Mediated Changes in Mitochondrial Morphology Promotes Adaptation to Hypoxic Peritoneal Conditions in Serous Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological cancer in women, with a survival rate of less than 30% when the cancer has spread throughout the peritoneal cavity. Aggregation of cancer cells increases their viability and metastatic potential; however, there are limited studies that correlate these functional changes to specific phenotypic alterations. In this study, we investigated changes in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics during malignant transition using our MOSE cell model for progressive serous ovarian cancer. Mitochondrial morphology was changed with increasing malignancy from a filamentous network to single, enlarged organelles due to an imbalance of mitochondrial dynamic proteins (fusion: MFN1/OPA1, fission: DRP1/FIS1). These phenotypic alterations aided the adaptation to hypoxia through the promotion of autophagy and were accompanied by changes in the mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The tumor-initiating cells increased mitochondrial fragmentation after aggregation and exposure to hypoxia that correlated well with our previously observed reduced growth and respiration in spheroids, suggesting that these alterations promote viability in non-permissive conditions. Our identification of such mitochondrial phenotypic changes in malignancy provides a model in which to identify targets for interventions aimed at suppressing metastases.
Evaluation of the aerosol generating potential of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to renewed concerns of the transmission risks posed by surgeries on sites of high viral colonization such as the nasopharynx. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) involves the creation of a new tear duct from the lacrimal sac to the nasal cavity. The purpose of this project is to determine if endoscopic DCR is an aerosol generating procedure (AGP). Methods An optical particle sizer (OPS) was used to intraoperatively quantify aerosol concentrations during four cases of endoscopic DCR. The OPS sampled the air once every 60 seconds throughout the operations. The time of important operative steps were documented and correlated with OPS readings. Particle concentrations during each major surgical step were compared to baseline readings by the Mann Whitney U Test. Results There were statistically significant increases in median particle concentrations during laryngeal mask airway intubations for both particles 0.3 to 5.0 μm and >5.0 μm (P Conclusions Endoscopic DCR in itself does not appear to be an AGP. It is, however, associated with other aerosol generating events such as laryngeal mask intubation, and thus requires appropriate personal protective equipment. Cautious interpretation of the results is encouraged given the limitations of OPS. Level of evidence 4.
Enzyme Thermostability and its Enhancement by Genetic Engineering

Enzymes are observed to lose their catalytic activity as temperature is increased. Such thermal inactivation can be either reversible or irreversible, depending on whether return to ambient temperature restores enzymatic activity (1). Reversible conformational transitions that result in the denaturation (partial unfolding) of the enzyme can account for the loss of enzyme activity that is regained upon cooling; this phenomenon has been the subject of extensive investigation and is now well characterized (2–7). We have recently elucidated the major processes accounting for the irreversible thermoinactivation of enzymes. In studies of hen egg-white lysozyme (8), bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (9), and yeast triosephosphate isomerase (10), we have shown that the processes of irreversible enzyme inactivation at 90 – 100 C are deamidation of asparagine residues, hydrolysis of peptide bonds at aspartic acid residues, destruction of S-S bonds, and formation of incorrect (scrambled) structures. The relative contribution of each process depends on the nature of the protein and the pH.
Cells in Culture

Many cell types can now be isolated and maintained in large quantities for long periods as a result of recent improvements in tissue culture techniques. Thus, it is possible to maintain normal and abnormal cells in vitro and under controlled conditions in order to study many questions of major importance in cell biology including cell differentiation, cell-to-cell interactions, cell transformations, and cell chemistry. In the past it has been necessary when desiring details of these cells to examine them with phase contrast and Nomarski optics or to examine large numbers of extremely thin sections with the transmission electron microscope. These techniques have not and cannot provide the degree of information that can be provided by techniques of scanning electron microscopy. In order to study such problems as the surface structure of whole cells and their form under different environmental conditions as well as the processes associated with malignant transformation of cells, the depth of field and the resolution afforded by the SEM is invaluable.
Trends and variability in individual insurance products in California.

ABSTRACT: This paper examines recent trends in benefits and premiums for individual health insurance products purchased by Californians. There is much variability in the coverage available in the i...
Health significance and occurrence of injured bacteria in drinking water

Enteropathogenic and indicator bacteria become injured in drinking water with exposure to sublethal levels of various biological, chemical and physical factors. One manifestation of this injury is the inability to grow and form colonies on selective media containing surfactants. The resulting underestimation of indicator bacteria can lead to a false estimation of water potability. m-T7 medium was developed specifically for the recovery of injured coliforms (both "total" and fecal) in drinking water. The m-T7 method was used to survey operating drinking water treatment and distribution systems for the presence of injured coliforms that were undetected with currently used media. The mean recovery with m-Endo LES medium was less than 1/100 ml while it ranged between 6 and 68/100ml with m-T7 agar. The majority of samples giving positive results with m-T7 medium yielded no detectable coliforms with m-Endo LES agar. Over 95% of the coliform bacteria in these samples were injured. Laboratory experiments were also done to ascribe the virulence of injured waterborne pathogens. Enteropathogens including Salmonella typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica and Shigella spp. required up to 20 times the chlorine levels to produce the same injury in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and nonpathogenic coliforms. Similar results were seen with Y. enterocolitica exposed to copper. The recovery of ETEC was followed by delayed enterotoxin production, both in vitro and in the gut of experimental animals. This indicates that injured waterborne enteropathogenic bacteria can be virulent.
Geni TBX e patologia umana

I geni TBX appartengono ad una famiglia di geni omeotici (t-box) per la quale e stato dimostrato come le mutazioni dei geni comportino pesanti conseguenze sullo sviluppo. In particolare ci sono importanti evidenze a sostegno del coinvolgimento del gene TBX1 nella sindrome DiGeorge/Velocardiofacciale (DGS/VCFS) ed e stato dimostrato che i geni TBX3 e TBX5 sono implicati rispettivamente, nella UMS (Ulnar Mammary Syndhrome) e nella sindrome di Holt-Oram (HOS). Nel libro sono raccolte le informazioni sui geni TBX dell'uomo disponibili in letteratura fino ad ottobre 2001. L'esame dei dati ha consentito di arrivare ad interessanti considerazioni ed offre spunti per orientare le ricerche future.
Novel Phaseless Gain Characterization for Circularly Polarized Antennas at mm-Wave and THz Frequencies

We propose a new method of gain characterization for circularly polarized antenna arrays especially effective for mm-wave/THz frequencies. The method does not require phase-measurement or rotation of the antenna under test (AUT). It is thus ideal for waveguide-based frequency bands. In contrast to conventional methods, we use reflection-only measurements, utilizing readily available geometries, such as a PEC-plate and a PEC-dihedral corner reflector, to estimate the co- and cross-polarized gain of the AUT. Predicted error using this approach is less than 0.07 dB for the co-pol and 0.26 dB for the cross-pol for an AUT with 17 dBi gain at 100 GHz. Experimental results for a radial line slot array antenna, operating in F-band, show good agreement between the conventional method, and that proposed using phase-less method.
Laser heterodyne detection techniques

It is evident that heterodyne detection techniques can be employed in a variety of ways for atmospheric monitoring applications. Although progress has seemed painfully slow at times, results of laboratory experiments are encouraging. The time has come to move a few specialized instruments employing heterodyne detection out of the laboratory, and to test their performance in both ground-based and airborne experiments. The new few years will witness the use of such systems which employ gas laser local oscillators. Continued laboratory work with lasers which have more spectral flexibility should lead to their use in practical systems a few years from now.
Selection of permeability for optimum performance of a porous tube thermal stratification manifold

Abstract In this study, we investigate the ability of porous tubes to maintain thermal stratification in a water storage tank in comparison to a top-mounted inlet pipe. Transient distributions of temperature and velocity are presented for operating conditions and a tank geometry representative of solar domestic hot water systems using a transient two-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model. The stratification in the tank is quantified by a dimensionless exergy efficiency. The results demonstrate the importance of selection of the permeability of the manifold on performance. A porous manifold improves thermal stratification for intermediate charging, regardless of the choice of permeability. Over a large range of Richardson number, the manifold is most effective for a dimensionless permeability, defined by the ratio of the pressure drop across the porous wall to the axial pressure gradient, equal to 0.02. Such a manifold will deliver the fluid to the tank in a narrow band at the vertical position of neutral buoyancy and will prevent suction of warmer fluid stored at the top of the tank into the manifold. For top charging the porous manifold is comparable in performance to a well-designed inlet pipe. Recommendations of selection of porous material based on dimensionless permeability are provided.
V. A. Yakubovich -mathematician, "father of the field", and herald of intellectual democracy in science and society

Abstract The most important events of the remarkable life of V.A. Yakubovich the founder and chair (1970-2012) of the Department of Theoretical Cybernetics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Saint-Petersburg State University, the author/co-author of eight books and more than 300 journal articles and conference papers are considered through the lens of intellectual democracy movement in the modern Russia.
Broadening the statutory criteria for civil commitment: a reply to Durham and La Fond.

In its Spring 1985 issue, this Review published an article by Professors Mary L. Durham and John Q. La Fond attacking the use of therapeutically oriented criteria for involuntary civil commitment of the mentally ill. In their article, Durham and La Fond sharply criticized such criteria in general and the American Psychiatric Association's 1983 Model State Law on Civil Commitment (the A.P.A. Model Law) in particular.1 Durham and La Fond based their attack on an empirical study of what happened when the state of Washington enlarged its civil commitment power by expanding the scope of the "gravely disabled" criterion in its Involuntary Treatment Act. In their view, the study demonstrated that more expansive criteria resulted in: (1) a significantly higher rate of involuntary commitment and (2) an increased probability that patients so committed would become chronic users of state psychiatric hospitals. Durham and La Fond further asserted that the surge in involuntary commitments precluded increasingly overcrowded and understaffed inpatient facilities from accepting voluntary patients. Generalizing from their interpretation of the Washington experience, the authors rejected all therapeutically oriented civil commitment criteria as counterproductive for mental health policy. Durham and La Fond's article joined an ongoing national debate about the appropriateness of changing restrictive civil commitment criteria, which were typical of most state statutes in the 1960s and early 1970s. Their article's claim to significance is that it brought empirical data to bear on this debate rather than professional opinions or interests.
Making a Difference for Minorities: Evaluation of an Educational Enrichment Program

A comprehensive, quantitative evaluation of an educational intervention program designed to reduce the attrition of minorities from the biological sciences was undertaken to ascertain whether such efforts adequately address the problem. Program participants had greater odds of persisting in basic math and science courses, and of graduating in biology, than did a comparison group, controlling for demoaphics and academic preparation. Undergraduate research greatly increased the odds of positive graduation outcomes. Program participants were also more likely to pursue graduate study than were university graduates overall. This evaluation demonstrates the value of such programs in increasing the representation of minorities in science. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.