cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Allocation Of Troublesome Material

Abstract111 this work, we discuss the growth of solid waste output with special emphasis on the trend to the use of virtually non-disposable materials for packaging purposes. We argue that there exists some optimal quantity of these materials that should be permitted to enter an urban region per period; this optimal quantity should reflect the particular waste disposal capacity of the region for these materials and the preference structure of the population for these materials and the preference structure of the population for these materials relative to substitute packaging means. Given the target quantity, we then specify a non-linear programming allocation system which optimizes some goal related to community welfare. This approach then provides a measure of the marginal value (based on the chosen goal) to the region of the imposed materials (]uantity limitation. With such information the materials target may be appropriately adjusted in a manner reflecting the total welfare of the region. Moreover, in...
Inhaled medication usage in post-menopausal women and lifetime tobacco smoke exposure: The Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study

Abstract Objective While active smoking is a causal agent in respiratory disease, the independent role of secondhand smoke (SHS) merits further investigation. We investigated associations between lifetime active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke – studied independently – and current use of 1 or more inhaled medications as a surrogate for prevalent pulmonary disease in post-menopausal women. Study design Information on lifetime active and passive tobacco exposure and inhaled pulmonary medication usage at enrollment was collected from 88,185 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study from 1993 to 1998 at 40 centers in the United States. Participants were recruited from localities surrounding the study centers using a variety of methods, including informational mailings and mass media campaigns. Main outcome measures Multivariate adjusted regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% CI according to levels of active smoking and SHS exposure, and trends were tested across categories. Results Ever active smokers had an overall OR of 1.97 (95% CI 1.58–2.45) for having one or more prescribed inhaled medication compared with never-smoking women not exposed to active or passive smoke. The overall OR for using inhalers for never-smoking women exposed to any SHS compared with the same reference group was 1.33 (95% CI 1.07–1.65). In a quantified analysis of SHS, never-smoking women with the highest levels of lifetime SHS exposure had an estimated risk of inhaled medication usage of 1.74 (95% CI 1.32–2.30). Conclusions The risk of requiring one or more prescribed inhaled medications for pulmonary disease was significantly higher in post-menopausal women who ever smoked or who had lifetime exposure to SHS.
Taurine: Sodium-Dependent, High-Affinity Transport into Rat Brain Synaptosomes

Sodium-dependent transport of taurine into rat brain synaptosomes was studied using [3H]taurine of high specific activity (2.8 Ci/mmole). At 2.8 µM [3H]taurine, 57% of the total radioactive accumulation was directly proportional to the sodium ion concentration. The sodium-dependent, high-affinity transport was a linear function of added protein and incubation length, and was maximal between pH 6.6 and 8.6. Kinetic analyses indicated a high-affinity apparent Km value of 4.76 µM and an apparent Vmax value of 5.35 nmoles/g of protein per minute. After correction of the high-affinity transport for that portion contributed by the low-affinity system, the true kinetic constants of the high-affinity system were calculated to be 3.20 µM and 2.96 nmoles/g of protein per minute. Similarly, the true kinetic constants of the low-affinity system were calculated to be 3340 µM and 699 nmoles/g of protein per minute. The Hill plot for both the high- and low-affinity transport systems had a slope of about 1, which suggested a 1:l interaction between taurine and its transport molecule. The sodium-dependent, high-affinity transport of [3H]taurine was decreased by the removal of potassium or chloride ions, and was absent from lysed synaptosomes or when the assay was performed at 2°. The omission of glucose or the addition of dinitrophenol slightly reduced transport. Ouabain inhibited transport in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The Arrhenius plot of [3H]taurine transport revealed an energy of activation (Ea) of 15.6 kcal/mole and an energy quotient (Q10) of 2.34, each of which indicated an active process. The regional distribution of uptake showed that the midbrain, thalamus, and olfactory bulbs had the highest velocity of transport, while the cerebral cortex, spinal cord, and cerebellum had the lowest velocity of transport. Several structural analogues were inhibitors of taurine transport, and analyses of structure-activity relationships revealed that the uptake site was very specific. Only molecules with free anionic and cationic groups were potent inhibitors. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that taurine is a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the brain, and we have investigated some of the molecular characteristics of this transport.
Data-Driven Prediction and Visualisation of Dynamic Bushfire Risks

The potential impact of bushfires is a significant concern for communities and fire response agencies, and the ability to predict the fire risk timely and accurately is critical. However, that cannot be achieved without accessing and processing very large amounts of data in almost real time. We demonstrate a data-driven fire risk prediction system that leverages big geospatial and meteorological data, where the results are visualised and made available to communities and fire agencies for risk mitigation strategies.
Considerations in managing the fill rate of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Reservoir using a system dynamics approach

The purpose of this study is to evaluate simulated fill rate scenarios for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam while taking into account plausible climate change outcomes for the Nile River Basin. The region lacks a comprehensive equitable water resource management strategy, which creates regional security concerns and future possible conflicts. We employ climate estimates from 33 general circulation models within a system dynamics model as a step in moving toward a feasible regional water resource management strategy. We find that annual reservoir fill rates of 8-15% are capable of building hydroelectric capacity in Ethiopia while concurrently ensuring a minimum level of stream flow disruption into Egypt before 2039. Insofar as climate change estimates suggest a modest average increase in stream flow into the Aswan, climate changes through 2039 are unlikely to affect the fill rate policies. However, larger fill rates will have a more detrimental effect on stream flow into the Aswan, particularly beyond a policy of 15%. While this study demonstrates that a technical solution for reservoir fill rates is feasible, the corresponding policy challenge is political. Implementation of water resource management strategies in the Nile River Basin specifically and Africa generally will necessitate a national and regional willingness to cooperate.
DURATION OF ORAL LOOP DIURETICS AND 30-DAY READMISSION IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE DECOMPENSATED HEART FAILURE

Background: Heart failure (HF) is associated with high 30-day readmission rates and represents a significant financial burden to the health care system. Guidelines recommend intravenous loop diuretics to manage volume overload in patients presenting with acute decompensated HF (ADHF), but minimal
Brain Death and Management of the Potential Organ Donor

A structured and standardized approach to the diagnosis of brain death is essential to ensure that patients are appropriately classified. This involves a physical exam to establish coma and exclude reversible causes of coma, a comprehensive evaluation of the cranial nerves, and an apnea test. The inability to perform any of the physical exam elements necessitates the use of confirmatory studies. Management of the potential organ donor commences after the diagnosis of brain death is established. Donation after cardiac death should be considered in patients whose prognosis is futile and in whom care is to be withdrawn. Specific donor management goals have been established and have been associated with greater organ procurement. Hemodynamic management forms the cornerstone of brain-dead donor management. Echocardiography should be performed in all potential donors to evaluate cardiac function. Fluid resuscitation is frequently necessary as potential donors tend to be intravascularly volume depleted. Vasopressors should be used to support acceptable blood pressure and hemodynamic profiles. Donor lung management should utilize a lung protective strategy with ventilatory manipulations undertaken to ensure adequate systemic oxygenation and lung expansion. A coordinated donor management approach utilizing intensivists and OPO coordinators has been shown to more effectively manage the donation process, resulting in more organs procured and transplanted.
Supercapacitor to provide ancillary services

Supercapacitor technology has reached a level of maturity as a viable energy storage option available to support a modern electric power system grid; however, its application is still limited because of its energy capacity and the cost of the commercial product. In this paper, we demonstrate transient models of supercapacitor energy storage plants operating in coordination with run-of-the-river (ROR), doubly-fed induction generator hydropower plants (HPP) using a conceptual system control architecture. A detailed transient model of a supercapacitor energy storage device is coupled with the grid via a three-phase inverter/rectifier and bidirectional DC-DC converter. In addition, we use a version of a 14-bus IEEE test case that includes the models of the supercapacitor energy storage device, ROR HPPs, and synchronous condensers that use the rotating synchronous generators of retired coal-powered plants. In this paper, we emphasize the control coordination among the components of the power system. The control actions must be coordinated and prioritized based the capability, response time, the power rating, and the energy content of the components.
Security vulnerabilities in categories of clones and non-cloned code: an empirical study

Background: Software security has drawn immense importance in the recent years. While efforts are expected in minimizing security vulnerabilities in source code, the developers' practice of code cloning often causes multiplication of such vulnerabilities and program faults. Although previous studies examined the bug-proneness, stability, and changeability of clones against non-cloned code, the security aspects remained ignored. Aims: The objective of this work is to explore and understand the security vulnerabilities and their severity in different types of clones compared to non-clone code. Method: Using a state-of-the-art clone detector and two reputed security vulnerability detection tools, we detect clones and vulnerabilities in 8.7 million lines of code over 34 software systems. We perform a comparative study of the vulnerabilities identified in different types of clones and non-cloned code. The results are derived based on quan-titative analyses with statistical significance. Results: Our study reveals that the security vulnerabilities found in code clones have higher severity of security risks compared to those in non-cloned code. However, the proportion (i.e., density) of vulnerabilities in clones and non-cloned code does not have any significant difference. Conclusion: The findings from this work add to our understanding of the characteristics and impacts of clones, which will be useful in clone-aware software development with improved software security.
Estimation of contemporary effective population size and population declines using RAD sequence data

Large genomic data sets generated with restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq), in combination with demographic inference methods, are improving our ability to gain insights into the population history of species. We used a simulation approach to examine the potential for RADseq data sets to accurately estimate effective population size (N e) over the course of stable and declining population trends, and we compare the ability of two methods of analysis to accurately distinguish stable from steadily declining populations over a contemporary time scale (20 generations). Using a linkage disequilibrium-based analysis, individual sampling (i.e., n ≥ 30) had the greatest effect on N e estimation and the detection of population size declines, with declines reliably detected across scenarios ~10 generations after they began. Coalescent-based inference required fewer sampled individuals (i.e., n = 15), and instead was most influenced by the size of the SNP data set, with 25,000–50,000 SNPs required for accurate detection of population trends and at least 20 generations after decline began. The number of samples available and targeted number of RADseq loci are important criteria when choosing between these methods. Neither method suffered any apparent bias due to the effects of allele dropout typical of RAD data. With an understanding of the limitations and biases of these approaches, researchers can make more informed decisions when designing their sampling and analyses. Overall, our results reveal that demographic inference using RADseq data can be successfully applied to infer recent population size change and may be an important tool for population monitoring and conservation biology.
Baryonic Force for Accelerated Cosmic Expansion and Generalized U1b Gauge Symmetry in Particle-Cosmology

Based on baryon charge conservation and a generalized Yang-Mills symmetry for Abelian (and non-Abelian) groups, we discuss a new baryonic gauge field and its linear potential for two point-like baryon charges. The force between two point-like baryons is repulsive, extremely weak and independent of distance. However, for two extended baryonic systems, we have a dominant linear force α r . Thus, only in the later stage of the cosmic evolution, when two baryonic galaxies are separated by an extremely large distance, the new repulsive baryonic force can overcome the gravitational attractive force. Such a model provides a gauge-field-theoretic understanding of the late-time accelerated cosmic expansion. The baryonic force can be tested by measuring the accelerated Wu-Doppler frequency shifts of supernovae at different distances.
Adversity and Resilience Are Associated with Outcome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Military Service Members

The objective of this study was to assess the associations between resilience, adversity, post-concussion symptoms, and post-traumatic stress symptom reporting after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We hypothesized that resilience would be associated with less symptom reporting, and adversity would be associated with greater symptom reporting. This was a cross-sectional study of retrospective data collected for an ongoing TBI repository. United States military service members who screened positive for mTBI during a primary care visit completed the Trauma History Screen (THS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Data collected from February 2015 to August 2016 were used for the present study. Only participants with complete data for the above measures were included, yielding a sample size of 165 participants. Adversity (THS) and resilience (CD-RISC) scores were each correlated significantly with post-concussion (NSI) and traumatic stress (PCL-C) total and subscale scores in the hypothesized direction. Interactions between adversity and resilience were absent for all measures except the NSI sensory subscale. Four traumatic event types were significantly associated positively with most NSI and PCL-C total and subscale scores, but the age at which traumatic events were first experienced showed few and mixed significant associations. In conclusion, resilience and adversity were significantly associated with symptom endorsement after mTBI. Screening for cumulative adversity may identify individuals at greater risk of developing persistent post-concussion symptoms and/or PTSD, and interventions that increase resilience may reduce symptom severity.
High circulatory leptin mediated NOX-2-peroxynitrite-miR21 axis activate mesangial cells and promotes renal inflammatory pathology in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Abstract High circulatory insulin and leptin followed by underlying inflammation are often ascribed to the ectopic manifestations in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but the exact molecular pathways remain unclear. We have shown previously that CYP2E1-mediated oxidative stress and circulating leptin in NAFLD is associated with renal disease severity. Extending the studies, we hypothesized that high circulatory leptin in NAFLD causes renal mesangial cell activation and tubular inflammation via a NOX2 dependent pathway that upregulates proinflammatory miR21. High-fat diet (60% kcal) was used to induce fatty liver phenotype with parallel insulin and leptin resistance. The kidneys were probed for mesangial cell activation and tubular inflammation that showed accelerated NASH phenotype and oxidative stress in the liver. Results showed that NAFLD kidneys had significant increases in α-SMA, a marker of mesangial cell activation, miR21 levels, tyrosine nitration and renal inflammation while they were significantly decreased in leptin and p47 phox knockout mice. Micro RNA21 knockout mice showed decreased tubular immunotoxicity and proinflammatory mediator release. Mechanistically, use of NOX2 siRNA or apocynin,phenyl boronic acid (FBA), DMPO or miR21 antagomir inhibited leptin primed-miR21-mediated mesangial cell activation in vitro suggesting a direct role of leptin-mediated NOX-2 in miR21-mediated mesangial cell activation. Finally, JAK-STAT inhibitor completely abrogated the mesangial cell activation in leptin-primed cells suggesting that leptin signaling in the mesangial cells depended on the JAK-STAT pathway. Taken together the study reports a novel mechanistic pathway of leptin-mediated renal inflammation that is dependent on NOX-2-miR21 axis in ectopic manifestations underlying NAFLD-induced co-morbidities.
Glutamic acid–valine–citrulline linkers ensure stability and efficacy of antibody–drug conjugates in mice

Valine-citrulline linkers are commonly used as enzymatically cleavable linkers for antibody-drug conjugates. While stable in human plasma, these linkers are unstable in mouse plasma due to susceptibility to an extracellular carboxylesterase. This instability often triggers premature release of drugs in mouse circulation, presenting a molecular design challenge. Here, we report that an antibody-drug conjugate with glutamic acid-valine-citrulline linkers is responsive to enzymatic drug release but undergoes almost no premature cleavage in mice. We demonstrate that this construct exhibits greater treatment efficacy in mouse tumor models than does a valine-citrulline-based variant. Notably, our antibody-drug conjugate contains long spacers facilitating the protease access to the linker moiety, indicating that our linker assures high in vivo stability despite a high degree of exposure. This technology could add flexibility to antibody-drug conjugate design and help minimize failure rates in pre-clinical studies caused by linker instability.
Regulation by Sex Hormones of Immunoglobulins in Rat Uterine and Vaginal Secretions

During the past decade interest has focused on the existence of a local secretory immune system in the female genital tract. Early studies indicated that IgA, though normally found in small amounts in serum, is the predominant immunoglobulin in genitourinary secretions (1,2). These observations were based on IgA to IgG ratios in genital tract secretions which varied from 3:1 to 1:1 as compared to serum ratios of 1:5 (2–4). IgA in secretions of the genital tract is now known to have a sedimentation coefficient of 11S while serum IgA is 7S (5).
An exercise in self-replication: Replicating Shah, Mullainathan, and Shafir (2012)

Abstract Shah et al. (2012) examined how different forms of scarcity affect attention and borrowing behavior. Results from a series of lab experiments suggested that (1) various forms of scarcity have similar effects on cognition and behavior, (2) scarcity leads to attentional shifts and greater focus (3) scarcity can lead people to over-borrow, and (4) scarcity can lead to cognitive fatigue. Camerer (2018) recently conducted replications of studies from a set of social science papers, and failed to replicate the result on cognitive fatigue from Shah et al. (2012). In this paper, we present high-powered replications of all studies from Shah et al. (2012). We describe which results appear more robust and which results appear to be less robust. We conclude with some thoughts on the value of self-replications.
Least-Cost Joint Placement of PMUs and Flow Measurements for Ensuring Topological Observability under N-2 Contingencies While Improving State Estimation Accuracy

This paper discusses an optimal joint placement problem of phasor measurement units (PMUs) and flow measurement devices for ensuring topological observability of power systems under N-2 transmission contingencies. Previous relevant studies focus on topological observability with the least-cost deployment of PMUs and flow measurement devices. In comparison, besides minimizing the total investment cost of PMUs and flow measurements, the proposed optimal location-based joint placement model also optimizes their locations for avoiding PMUs on radial nodes and encouraging flow measurements incident to nodes that are adjacent to PMU installed buses. The proposed model can be equivalently formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem and solved via a decomposition based algorithm. Effectiveness of the proposed model is verified via a 14-bus IEEE power system. Numerical results show that, compared to traditional optimal joint placement models, optimal locations obtained by the proposed approach lead to noticeable improvements in state estimation accuracy when time skew errors are considered.
Use of thermal imaging and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for the pre-symptomatic detection of cucumber downy mildew

Most cultivars of cucumber are susceptible to Pseudoperonospora cubensis, the causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of two methods for the pre-symptomatic detection of downy mildew in cucumber. First, we observed the infection process of downy mildew using digital infrared thermography, as measured by the maximum temperature difference (MTD) and spot temperature of symptomatic areas. Under controlled conditions, visible symptoms were observed 5.36 ± 0.10 days after infection with P. cubensis, while thermal differences were detected 4.42 ± 0.16 days after infection. The MTD values of infected leaves were higher compared to those of non-infected leaves, but the MTD decreased sharply before the symptoms of downy mildew became visible. Significant differences in the spot temperatures of the symptomatic areas were apparent between the infected and healthy leaves from 4 days after infection. Second, we observed a changes in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra of infected leaves and three characteristic wavenumbers—2977 cm−1, 1544 cm−1, and 1050 cm−1—were selected for the pre-symptomatic detection of cucumber downy mildew. According to the peak areas at these wavenumbers, pre-symptomatic and symptomatic samples could be classified correctly. These results clearly demonstrate that both thermal infrared imaging and FTIR spectra allow for the discrimination of healthy and infected leaves before there are visible symptoms. The pre-symptomatic data may be useful for scheduling timely fungicide applications for early detection and subsequent control of this destructive disease of cucumber.
Proton-pump inhibitor use and the development of new ischemic heart disease in non-cardiac chest pain patients.

BACKGROUND The growing reports regarding cardiac-related adverse events of chronic proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) treatment, a mainstay therapy of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), have raised concerns about alteration of the natural course in NCCP patients using PPI. We aimed to determine if NCCP patients receiving PPI have a higher risk of developing ischemic heart disease (IHD) compared to those not receiving PPI therapy. METHODS Three groups of NCCP patients were included; PPI, histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), and no antireflux treatment. Diagnosis of NCCP had to precede diagnosis of IHD by at least 30 days, and in those receiving antireflux treatment at 30 days after starting the medication. Data analysis was corrected for 6 known confounding factors for IHD including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, smoking status, male gender, and diabetes mellitus. KEY RESULTS Of the patients on PPI or H2RA, 1280 and 250, respectively, developed IHD. Patients on PPI therapy displayed an increased odd of developing ischemic heart disease compared to patients never placed on therapy (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25, P-value .0093). Patients placed on H2RA therapy did not show a statistically significant change in risk compared to patients who were not placed on therapy (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.77-1.06, P-value .2049). Number needed to harm in the PPI and H2RA groups was 17 and 45, respectively. CONCLUSIONS PPIs confer a statistically significant, but marginal effect on the risk of IHD development in NCCP patients. Thus, PPI use in NCCP only minimally alters the overall benign natural course of the disease.
Intracellular Cryptococcus neoformans disrupts the transcriptome profile of M1- and M2-polarized host macrophages

Macrophages serve as a first line of defense against infection with the facultative intracellular pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans ( Cn ). However, the ability of these innate phagocytic cells to destroy ingested Cn is strongly influenced by polarization state with classically (M1) activated macrophages better able to control cryptococcal infections than alternatively (M2) activated cells. While earlier studies have demonstrated that intracellular Cn minimally affects the expression of M1 and M2 markers, the impact on the broader transcriptome associated with these states remains unclear. To investigate this, we used an in vitro cell culture model of intracellular infection together with RNA sequencing-based transcriptome profiling to measure the impact of Cn infection on gene expression in both polarization states. The gene expression profile of both M1 and M2 cells was extensively altered to become more like naive (M0) macrophages. Gene ontology analysis suggested that this involved changes in the activity of the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT), p53, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways. Analyses of the principle polarization markers at the protein-level also revealed discrepancies between the RNA- and protein-level responses. In contrast to earlier studies, intracellular Cn was found to increase protein levels of the M1 marker iNos. In addition, we identified common gene expression changes that occurred post- Cn infection, independent of polarization state. This included upregulation of the transcriptional co-regulator Cited1 , which was also apparent at the protein level. These changes constitute a transcriptional signature of macrophage Cn infection and provide new insights into how Cn impacts gene expression and the phenotype of host phagocytes.
Insights into Na + Diffusion in Silicon Modules under Operating Conditions: Measuring Low Concentrations by D-SIMS

Sodium induced shunting under an electric field is a challenging reliability issue in crystalline Si solar modules. THe source of this Potential-Induced Degradation of the Shunting type (PID-s) is well understood [1] and its influence on power loss has been intensively studied based on phenomenological models on cell or module level relating the experimental power-loss to stressing parameters (time, temperature, voltage) [1]. However, little is known about the Na ion migration kinetics, responsible for PID on a microscopic level, and its quantitative relation to the efficiency degradation. In this paper we present our investigations of sodium ion migration in Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and silicon through Dynamic Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (D-SIMS). Each sample was annealed at field relevant temperatures from 60–90 °C to address typical migration mechanisms of common PV installations. Analysis of the SIMS migration profiles revealed a diffusivity constant D 0,EVA = 0.09 ± 0.14 cm2/s and an activation energy E A,EVA = 0.85 ± .04 eV for Na in EVA and diffusivities higher than extrapolated literature values in silicon (D 0,Si = (3.03 ± 2.42)x10−5 cm2/s, and E A,Si = 0.98 ± 0.02 eV). The new insight will be included in a drift-diffusion based degradation model accounting for the partition coefficient across all relevant interfaces. This model can assist in predicting PID-failure in the field based on the given mudle stack and the diffusion of Na+ through each material. This tool can be used for process optimization as well as material selection significantly reducing the cost and time to validate a technology.
PROFESSOR PAUL H. STEEN 22 July 1952 ─ 4 September 2020

We recently lost a valuable colleague and friend, Paul Steen, and the text below is a brief overview of his life.
Midline Rotation of the Right Renal Hilum During Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy.

Background/Objectives Laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy (LLDN) of the right kidney is currently considered as part of standard of care; however, dealing with the renal hilum when performing ligation/division of its renal vessels is still a main concern. Here, we describe a simple-to-perform technique, i.e., flipping the fully mobilized right kidney to the midline so that the renal artery becomes anteriorly, which offers better visualization and easier dissection of the renal vessels (achieving maximized lengths) when performing hand-assisted LLDN of the right kidney. Methods Living donors who underwent hand-assisted LLDN of the right kidney, along with their respective renal transplant recipients, were included in this report. Donor characteristics included renal artery and vein lengths; recipient characteristics included creatinine at months 12 - 36. Graft vein and arterial anastomosis data were also reported. Results Nineteen living donors and 19 recipients, with median donor and recipient ages being 39 (24 - 60) and 53 (3 - 81) years, respectively, were included. None of the 38 patients had intra- or postoperative complications. Donor renal vein was anastomosed to the right external iliac vein (n = 16), right common iliac vein (n = 2), and inferior vena cava (n = 1). Gonadal vein (n = 1) and deceased donor iliac vein (n = 2) were used to increase the right renal vein length in 3 cases. Four donor kidneys had 2 arteries reconstructed side by side. None of the recipients developed any vascular or urological complications. Conclusions The laparoscopic technique described is safe and allows better visualization of the right hilum, mainly the renal artery, and helps in stapling the renal vein and renal artery.
Survival trends in chronic lymphocytic leukemia across treatment eras: US SEER database analysis (1985–2017)

In this population-based study, we used the SEER database (1985–2015) to examine survival outcomes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients followed up to the era of advanced treatments including targeted therapies. Data were extracted for patients 15 years or older with a primary diagnosis of CLL. A period analysis was performed to estimate 5- and 10-year relative survival rates for patients diagnosed during different calendar periods from 1985 to 2015. A mixture cure model was used to examine long-term survivors’ proportions among patients diagnosed in 1985–2015 and for two cohorts diagnosed in 2000–2003, followed up to 2012 and 2004–2007, and followed up to 2015. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used for the two cohorts to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of death adjusted for gender and age. The 5-year and 10-year age-adjusted relative survival rate ranged between 73.7 and 89.4% and from 51.6% to “not reached,” respectively, for calendar periods of 1985–1989 to 2010–2014. The long-term survivor proportions varied by age and gender from 0 to 59%. The HRs (95%CI) for the 2004–2007 cohort in comparison to the 2000–2003 cohort were 0.58 (0.43–0.78), 0.58 (0.48–0.70), 0.57 (0.49–0.0.67), 0.68 (0.54–0.85), and 0.83 (0.68–1.02) for the age categories of 45–54, 55–64, 65–74, 75–84, and ≥ 85 years, respectively. Overall, relative survival improved significantly for CLL patients diagnosed between 1985 and 2015. These improvements were markedly better following the introduction of targeted therapies.
Spatiospectral characterization of ultrafast pulse-beams by multiplexed broadband ptychography

Ultrafast pulse-beam characterization is critical for diverse scientific and industrial applications from micromachining to generating the highest intensity laser pulses. The four-dimensional structure of a pulse-beam, E~(x,y,z,ω), can be fully characterized by coupling spatiospectral metrology with spectral phase measurement. When temporal pulse dynamics are not of primary interest, spatiospectral characterization of a pulse-beam provides crucial information even without spectral phase. Here we demonstrate spatiospectral characterization of pulse-beams via multiplexed broadband ptychography. The complex spatial profiles of multiple spectral components, E~(x,y,ω), from modelocked Ti:sapphire and from extreme ultra-violet pulse-beams are reconstructed with minimum intervening optics and no refocusing. Critically, our technique does not require spectral filters, interferometers, or reference pulses.
Voluntary Programs: A Club Theory Perspective

The recent growth of voluntary programs has attracted the attention of policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, and scholars. Thousands of firms around the world participate in these programs, in which members agree to undertake socially beneficial actions that go beyond the requirements of government regulations, such as following labor codes in the apparel industry, adhering to international accounting standards, and adopting internal environmental management systems. This book analyzes the efficacy of a variety of voluntary programs using a club theory, political-economy framework. It examines how programs' design influences their effectiveness as policy tools. It finds that voluntary programs have achieved uneven success because of their varying standards and enforcement procedures.The club theory framework views voluntary programs as institutions that create incentives for firms to incur the costs of taking progressive action beyond what is required by law in exchange for benefits that nonmembers do not enjoy (such as enhanced standing with stakeholders). Voluntary Programs develops this theoretical framework and applies it to voluntary programs sponsored by industry associations, governments, and nongovernmental organizations, organized around policy issues such as "blood diamonds," shipping, sweatshops, and the environment. The wide diversity of cases--across sectors, sponsoring organizations, and objectives--provides valuable applications of the club framework, generates new insights for future research, and offers practical guidance for designing effective programs. Contributors: David P. Baron, Tim Bartley, Tim Buthe, Cary Coglianese, Elizabeth R. DeSombre, Daniel W. Drezner, Daniel Fiorino, Mary Kay Gugerty, Virginia Haufler, Matthew J. Kotchen, Mimi Lu, Jennifer Nash, Matthew Potoski, Aseem Prakash, Klaas van 't Veld
Pronombre relativo con antecedente humano

L'A. analyse l'usage des pronoms relatifs el cual, el que, que et quien avec antecedent humain, dans la langue parlee de onze villes espagnoles et sud-americaines. Il tente d'etablir les caracteristiques des differents usages des pronoms relatifs en espagnol
First Language Acquisition

How do young children learn language? When does this process start? What does language acquisition involve? Children are exposed to language from birth, surrounded by knowledgeable speakers who offer feedback and provide extensive practice every day. Through conversation and joint activities, children master the language being used around them. This fully revised third edition of Eve V. Clark's bestselling textbook offers comprehensive coverage of language acquisition, from a baby's first sounds to a child's increasing skill in negotiating, explaining and entertaining with language. This book, drawing together the most recent findings in the field, and illustrated with examples from a wide range of experimental and observational studies, including the author's own diary observations, presents an essential and comprehensive guide to first language acquisition. It will be fascinating reading for students of linguistics, developmental psychology and cognitive science.
Proportion of circulating Gc (vitamin D-binding protein) in complexed form: Relation to clinical outcome in fulminant hepatic necrosis

Abstract Alterations in circulating levels of vitamin D-binding protein (Gc) and the percentage of Gc in complexed form were further studied in normal subjects and in patients with fulminant hepatic necrosis in relation to clinical outcome. Levels of Gc were markedly reduced in all 7 patients studied, particularly in nonsurvivors. The percentage of Gc in complexed form was generally
Recombinant NFAT1 (NFATp) Is Regulated by Calcineurin in T Cells and Mediates Transcription of Several Cytokine Genes

Transcription factors of the NFAT family play a key role in the transcription of cytokine genes and other genes during the immune response. We have identified two new isoforms of the transcription factor NFAT1 (previously termed NFATp) that are the predominant isoforms expressed in murine and human T cells. When expressed in Jurkat T cells, recombinant NFAT1 is regulated, as expected, by the calmodulin-dependent phosphatasecalcineurin,anditsfunctionisinhibitedbytheimmunosuppressiveagentcyclosporinA(CsA).Transactivation by recombinant NFAT1 in Jurkat T cells requires dual stimulation with ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; this activity is potentiated by coexpression of constitutively active calcineurin and is inhibited by CsA. Immunocytochemical analysis indicates that recombinant NFAT1 localizes in the cytoplasm of transiently transfected T cells and translocates into the nucleus in a CsA-sensitive manner following ionomycin stimulation. When expressed in COS cells, however, NFAT1 is capable of transactivation, but it is not regulated correctly: its subcellular localization and transcriptional function are not affected by stimulation of the COS cells with ionomycin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Recombinant NFAT1 can mediate transcription of the interleukin-2, interleukin-4, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage colonystimulating factor promoters in T cells, suggesting that NFAT1 contributes to the CsA-sensitive transcription of these genes during the immune response. The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) was originallyidentifiedinTcellsasanessentialtranscriptionfactorfor
Faith-Based Intellectual Property

The traditional justification for intellectual property (IP) rights has been utilitarian. We grant exclusive rights because we think the world will be a better place as a result. But what evidence we have doesn’t fully justify IP rights in their current strong form. Rather than following the evidence and questioning strong IP rights, more and more scholars have begun to retreat from evidence toward what I call faith-based IP, justifying IP as a moral end in itself rather than on the basis of how it affects the world. I argue that these moral claims are ultimately unpersuasive and a step backward in a rational society.
The condensation of 6-propyl-2-thiouracil at the mercury—electrolyte interface

Abstract At the mercury—water interface, 6-propyl-2-thiouracil in aqueous 0.5 M NaF exhibits several regions of interfacial condensation at sufficiently high adsorbate concentrations, including a metastable region. The kinetics of formation of these films are described.
Transport of low- and medium-energy electron and ion beams in seawater and its vapors

A general theory of stopping power for electrons and ions in a target medium (gas, liquid, or thin solid foil) containing neutral as well as positive and negative ions is developed. The approach is quite accurate in the low- and medium-energy range (less than 1 MeV), where the Bethe stopping-power cross section is inaccurate. The energy transfer during individual collisions is treated by the binary-encounter approximation. The theory is applied to determine the stopping power of seawater, whose major components are H2O molecules and Na(+) and Cl(-) ions. The stopping-power cross sections for low- and medium-energy protons in water show excellent agreement with existing measurements.
Cardiovascular calcifications in pediatric patients receiving maintenance dialysis

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adult patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance dialysis. Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) contribute to the high prevalence of cardiac disease and are associated with hyperphosphatemia, an elevated calcium-phosphorus product (CaxP), and prolonged time on dialysis. Chronic inflammation and malnutrition are also associated with an increased risk for development of cardiac calcifications. Young adults receiving maintenance dialysis develop cardiac calcifications at a degree out of proportion to healthy adults of the same age and gender. Many of these young adults initiated dialysis as children or teenagers. Risk factors associated with the development of CAC are also seen in the pediatric dialysis population. To date, reports of cardiac calcifications in pediatric patients receiving maintenance dialysis are limited to post-mortem studies. We present two pediatric patients with ANCA-positive vasculitis diagnosed with cardiac calcifications while receiving maintenance dialysis. Hyperphosphatemia and an elevated CaxP product were seen in both patients and probably contributed to the development of extraskeletal calcifications. In addition, both patients had an underlying systemic inflammatory disease and significant weight loss/malnutrition that may have contributed to the early and rapid onset of cardiac calcifications.
Importance of Supercooling Points in the Overwintering of the Horn Fly and Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

Supercooling points were determined for eggs, 3rd instars, pupae, newly emerged unfed adults and 3-d-old engorged laboratory reared adults of Haematobia irritans (L.) and Stomoxys calcitrans (L.). Wild nondiapausing and diapausing pupae of H. irritans also were tested. Mean supercooling points ranged from -28.0 degrees C for H. irritans eggs to -6.8 degrees C for H. irritans larvae. Mean supercooling points of all H. irritans developmental stages were lower than those of comparable S. calcitrans developmental stages, with the exception of larvae where the reverse was true. The mean supercooling point of diapausing H. irritans pupae (-23.5 degrees C) was significantly lower than those of nondiapausing laboratory pupae (-20.8 degrees C) or nondiapausing wild pupae (-20.2 degrees C). Developmental stages of both species were freeze intolerant, with no survival following exposures to temperatures below the supercooling points. Results are discussed with respect to the disparate overwintering strategies of these species and in relation to typical climatic minima experienced in south central Texas. The cold tolerance of H. irritans and S. calcitrans pupae was compared at 4 degrees C, a temperature below their developmental threshold of 11.5 degrees C and above their mean supercooling points. The survival of H. irritans pupae was significantly greater than the survival of S. calcitrans pupae. Cold injury was a significant mortality factor for both species.
Further observations on the antepartum prediction of hemolytic disease of the newborn.

Summary The routine testing for Rh sensitization, throughout every Rh-incompatible pregnancy, is of definite value in the antenatal prediction of hemolytic disease of the newborn. This is especially true when five factors are taken into consideration: (1) the presence of “blocking” antibodies, (2) a significant quantity of antibodies, (3) their existence for more than ten weeks before delivery, (4) their presence on every successive test, and (5) the presence of ABO compatibility between mother and baby. When all five factors were “positive”, only two out of twenty-eight Rh-positive babies escaped hemolytic disease. If but one factor was “negative”, twenty-eight out of thirty babies escaped the disease, and if two factors were missing, all babies were healthy. Such predictions have been of value in planning neonatal therapy, and should be of great assistance in evaluating the effects of early induction of labor or the benefits resulting from any type of antenatal therapy.
From Tourists to Anti-Tourists to Tourist Attractions: The Transformation of the Amsterdam Squatters' Movement

Urban social movements are increasingly confronted by the growth in urban tourism and its influence over city development. This growth promises to create new opportunities for mobilization, resistance, and compromise. For both tourists and activists, place matters. However, place matters differently for each group, bringing conflicts over how the city should respond to their different, and sometimes opposing, needs. In this article, I examine the Amsterdam squatters’ movement and its relationship with tourists. I trace four major periods of the interaction between activism and tourism, from initial unity, to separation, to mutual antagonism, up to their ultimate reconciliation. I show that the interplay between tourism and urban social movements is more complex than a relationship of exploitation and resistance. Tourism has both the power to radicalize and depoliticize movements. Likewise, movements can both repel and attract tourists. This analysis emphasizes the role power differential plays in the evol...
Applications of array technology: identification of molecular targets in bladder cancer

High-throughput microarrays are being used in expression profiling analyses with the objecties of gene and pathway discovery, functional characterization of genes, and tumor subclassification. This review summarizes bladder cancer studies dealing with both in vitro models and clinical specimens, using distinct microarray platforms for target discovery.
The use of superlattices to probe and control reactions at buried interfaces

Abstract Little is known about the initial stages of solid state reactions, owing in part to the lack of suitable experimental probes for buried interfaces. We have taken advantage of the unique properties of multilayer composites to investigate the evolution of buried interfaces as a function of temperature and time. The high density of interfaces within the multilayer composite permits the thermochemistry of interfacial reactions to be followed using calorimetry. In addition, the regular composition variations within a superlattice result in Bragg reflections. Relative intensities of these reflections are determined by the composition variation across the interface. Development of interfacial structure during interdiffusion can be monitored by following the changes in the intensities of these Bragg reflections as a function of temperature and time. The sensitivity of this technique permits the intial stages of solid state reactions to be followed. We present a mechanism for the initial stages of solid state reactions.