cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation Enthalpies of Rare Earth Titanate Pyrochlores

High-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry and Rietveld refinements of powder X-ray diffraction data were used to investigate the structure (Fd3m; Z=8) and energetics of a series of RE2Ti2O7 (RE=Sm–Lu) compounds with the pyrochlore structure as well as La2Ti2O7 with a layered perovskite-type structure. All of the RE-titanates were found to be stable in enthalpy with respect to their oxides. In the pyrochlore series, Lu2Ti2O7 was least stable in enthalpy (DHf-ox at 298 K=� 56.074.0 kJ/mol); the most stable materials were Gd-, Eu-, and Sm2Ti2O7 with DHf-ox at 298 K=� 113.472.7, � 106.174.2, � 115.474.2 kJ/mol, respectively. In general, as the radius ratio of the A -t oB-site cations, RA=RB; decreases, the pyrochlore structure becomes less stable. The trend of ionicradius of the RE 3+ cation vs. DHf-ox at 298 K is non-linear and approximately parallels the increasing
Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of a Cationic Pd(II) N -heterocyclic Carbene Complex

Abstract A cationic palladium(II) complex, [1,3-bis(N-methylpyridinium-2-ylmethyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene] palladium(II) triiodide (3), was synthesized from the imidazolium salt 1,3-bis(N-methylpyridinium-2-ylmethyl)imidazolium triiodide (2) and characterized by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. X-ray crystallography revealed that the pyridinium substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligand exhibits very low steric bulk based on calculated %Vbur values. Catalytic application of 3 was tested via the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of aryl halides with phenylboronic acid in aqueous solutions. Catalytic results suggest 3 catalyzes boronic acid homocoupling while palladium nanoparticles are likely responsible for the observed cross-coupling.
Draft Genome Sequence of Turicella otitidis TD1, Isolated from a Patient with Bacteremia

ABSTRACT We report the draft genome sequence of Turicella otitidis strain TD1, isolated from a central line catheter sample from a patient with a history of bowel obstruction. It contained several genetic determinants of multidrug-resistant phenotypes such as a cfrA 50S methyltransferase, two major facilitator superfamily–type drug resistance transporters, and a putative beta-lactamase.
An Electronic Curriculum for Introductory Chemistry

We are creating a World-Wide Web (WWW) introductory chemistry site that will incorporate many key features of an electronic chemistry curriculum, including flexibility, interactivity, extensibility, diversity, and self-assessment. The site will be accessible from browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape. Advantages of serving introductory chemistry from a WWW site include expanding access to chemistry instruction, platform independence, easing transitions between university units, and creating a curriculum responsive to diverse needs. Contributions and suggestions from the chemistry community can be incorporated easily and rapidly into the electronic curriculum. Since the WWW site could be used by any campus in the world having Internet access, we expect that our electronic curriculum will have a far-ranging impact on the way introductory chemistry is taught.
Clinical study of contrast-enhanced ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholangiography and cholangiodrainage

Objective To discuss the clinical value of the ultrasonic cholangiography(USC) with contrast agent sonovue in ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage(UG-PTCD).Methods 37 patients with obstructive jaundice were enrolled in this study.All the patients underwent ultrasound-guided PTCD.Afterwards,the contrast agent solution was administrated from the transfixion pin or drainage tube slowly.After postoperative 2~12 h,the PTC was carried out in each patient.Severity and accuracy of biliary obstruction were assessed according to the PTCUS findings with a comparison to conventional PTC.Results For PTCUS and PTC,there was no statistical significance in the judgment of bile ducts' obstruction level,the display rate of intestinal tract(χ22=0.5,0.50P0.25)and the maximum visualization of branching orders(t=0.697,P0.25).PTCUS had a lower display rate in intestinal tract and gall bladder than PTC.The difference had statistics value(χ22 = 7.11,0.01P0.005).Conclusion PTCUS realized the carrying out of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic drainage and real-time ultrasonography in operation at the same time,offered more and accurate diagnosis information to operators.At last,the effectively drainage was to be realized.
Effect of occupational hazards on health status of workers in a cigarettes manufacture

[Objective]To understand the health condition of the workers in a cigarettes factory,to find out the occupational hazards to the health of these workers,and provide evidence for disease control.[Methods]The data were collected from the health examination at a cigarette factory in 2010 and 2011,then were analyzed by the chi-square test using SPSS 17.0 software.[Results] The abnormality rates of major diseases were significantly different between 2011 and 2010(P0.05).The abnormality rates of audiometry examination in 2011 was higher than that in 2010(P0.05).The abnormality rates of major diseases were significantly different between genders(P0.05).The abnormality rates of major diseases had statistical significance between the workshops with tobacco dust and noise exposure and the other workshops(P0.05).[Conclusion]The workers of cigarettes factory have more health problems.Integrated measures should be taken to prevent the discovered diseases.
Acute and Chronic Histological Changes of the Small Bowel Secondary to C. jejuni Infection in a Rat Model for Post-Infectious IBS

Background Campylobacter jejuni has been implicated in the pathogenesis of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) in humans, effects which may be because of cytolethal distending toxin (CDT). In this study, we characterized both acute and chronic-phase histological changes of the small bowel in rats exposed to wild-type C. jejuni 81-176, or a strain that does not produce CDT, by using a validated rat model of PI-IBS.
Pain recognition in reptiles and investigation of associated behavioural signs

Background: There is minimal research into reptile pain management and analgesic protocols, and current opinions surrounding this topic are outdated; the last significant study was carried out by Read in 2004. The aim of this current study was to consider the current ideas and highlight any advancements in reptile analgesia. Objective: To investigate current ideas within analgesia in reptiles, with focus on the creation of a behavioural ethogram for clinical reference. Methods: A survey was created using an online platform and distributed to experts in the field of reptile pain management (veterinarians and veterinary nurses) as well as experienced animal carers (herpetoculturists and pet owners). Results: A chi-square test revealed no statistical significance in behavioural signs recognised between veterinary professionals and animal carers. Continuity existed between the behavioural signs recognised by both expert groups. Conclusion: A lack of confidence was identified when assessing pain in reptiles. T...
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Linkage and Representation

The last chapter outlined the major political institutions whose interactions shape the contrasting patterns of governance found in democratic and authoritarian regimes. Taken together, these institutions comprise the governance framework within which political deliberation and discussion take place and public policy outcomes are decided. These outcomes involve in large part the passage of laws that are binding on the people to whom they apply, which is more often than not the population of the state as a whole. New laws are introduced, existing ones are amended, and some are repealed as governments respond to changes in their domestic and international social, economic, and political circumstances. Income tax levels may be raised, for example, to compensate for increased government spending as the result of involvement in war. Alternatively, the voting age may be reduced to allow for changing definitions of adulthood in society as a whole. Seen from an institutional perspective, governance could easily be seen as a one-way process of imposition from above – those in government decide what is best for their charges and shape and reshape their legal environment to promote newly appropriate behaviors and outcomes. It is misleading to see the governance process in this light, however. Previous chapters have reiterated that governments, even authoritarian ones, cannot ignore the wishes of their people without risking a popular reaction that might lead ultimately to their ejection from power. Such ejection will probably be peaceful and uncomplicated in democracies as governments forfeit the next election for having failed to satisfy their citizens. By contrast, it might take longer and be less than peaceful in authoritarian regimes where there is not the same shared expectation of responsiveness and accountability to the people and governmental power is forfeited only begrudgingly. Nonetheless, the bottom line in both types of regime is that governance is a two-way process; governors cannot function in the absence of the governed, and vice versa.
Exploring Black College Females’ Perceptions Regarding HIV Prevention Message Content

Media messages can facilitate the delivery of accurate information related to HIV and sexually transmitted infection. This study’s purpose was to examine preexisting media campaigns from the iMPPACS study to assess age-, gender-, and culturally appropriate components identified by African American females who attend historically Black colleges/universities. In 3 separate focus group sessions, 31 Black female college students (M age = 20) viewed 4 vignettes and heard 3 audio-only clips, then ranked and commented on them based on perceived satisfaction with HIV prevention content and appropriateness of delivery. Conventional qualitative analysis using NVivo software was performed until saturation of content was achieved and themes derived. Six major themes emerged and were designated as (a) social media; (b) mirror image; (c) visually dynamic advertisements; (d) the real world; (e) people, place, things; and (f) HIV knowledge. Visually stimulating content (i.e., graphics) was found to be most appealing in m...
Heterogeneous Agents, Social Interactions, and Causal Inference

Most causal analyses in the social sciences depend on the assumption that each participant possesses a single potential outcome under each possible treatment assignment. Rubin (J Am Stat Assoc 81:961–962, 1986) labeled this the “stable unit treatment value assumption” (SUTVA). Under SUTVA, the individual-specific impact of a treatment depends neither on the mechanism by which the treatment is assigned nor on the treatment assignments of other individuals. However, in the social world, heterogeneous agents enact most interventions of interest: Teachers implement curricula, psychologists enact family therapy, and precinct captains supervise community policing. Moreover, the potential outcomes of one participant will often depend on the treatment assignment of other participants (classmates, family members, neighbors). This chapter presents a model that relaxes the conventional SUTVA by incorporating agents and social interactions. We define a treatment setting for an individual participant as a local environment constituted by a set of agents and participants along with their treatment assignments. Our model assigns a single potential outcome to each participant in each of such treatment settings. In a cluster-randomized trial, if no interference exists between clusters and if cluster composition remains intact, the treatment setting is fixed for all participants in a cluster and SUTVA becomes reasonable. However, when participants are assigned to treatments within clusters, we need a model for within-cluster interference among participants. When clusters are spatially contiguous, social interactions generate interference between clusters. We also incorporate new models for interference as a part of the meditation mechanism. In general, when SUTVA is relaxed, new causal questions come to light. We illustrate these ideas using studies of grade retention in elementary school, community policing in cities, school-wide interventions for behavioral improvement, and system-wide curricular changes for promoting math learning.
Effect of deferoxamine on retinal lipid peroxidation in experimental uveitis.

PURPOSE To examine the effect of deferoxamine, an effective iron chelator, on experimental autoimmune uveitis. Because deferoxamine has been shown to reduce iron-catalyzed hydroxyl radical generation, the in vivo effect was sought in the experimental autoimmune uveitis-mediated retinal lipid peroxidation, which is presumably induced by the inflammatory cell-derived oxygen radicals including hydroxyl radicals. METHODS The experimental uveitis was induced in Lewis rats by retinal S-antigen. Deferoxamine infusion by osmotic pumps was started 2 days before the onset of the disease and was continued for 7 days. The extent of retinal lipid peroxidation was measured by the production of conjugated dienes, ketodienes, and thiobarbituric acid active substances. The inflammation associated free radical activity was measured by the luminol-amplified chemiluminescence. RESULTS Levels of conjugated dienes, ketodienes, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly decreased in the deferoxamine-treated animals. With Student's t test, the P values are < 0.025 for conjugated dienes between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals; < 0.025 for ketodienes between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals; and < 0.01 for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances between deferoxamine- and sham-treated animals. With in vitro addition of 10 mM deferoxamine, the free radical generation of inflamed retina was suppressed by nearly 40%. CONCLUSIONS The administration of deferoxamine resulted in reduction of retinal lipid peroxidation. Because photoreceptors contain a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, deferoxamine, in turn, will act to ameliorate the experimental autoimmune uveitis-mediated retinal degeneration.
Mixed-Probe Simulation and Probe-Derived Surface Topography Map Analysis for Ligand Binding Site Identification.

Membrane proteins represent a considerable fraction of pharmaceutical drug targets. A computational technique to identify ligand binding pockets in these proteins is therefore of great importance. We recently reported such a technique called pMD-membrane that utilizes small molecule probes to detect ligand binding sites and surface hotspots on membrane proteins based on probe-based molecular dynamics simulation. The current work extends pMD-membrane to a diverse set of small organic molecular species that can be used as cosolvents during simulation of membrane proteins. We also describe a projection technique for globally quantifying probe densities on the protein surface and introduce a technique to construct surface topography maps directly from the probe-binding propensity of surface residues. The map reveals surface patterns and geometric features that aid in filtering out high probe density hotspots lacking pocketlike characteristics. We demonstrate the applicability of the extended pMD-membrane and ...
Pre-touch sensing for sequential manipulation

The primary focus of this work is to examine how robots can achieve more robust sequential manipulation through the use of pre-touch sensors. The utility of close-range proximity sensing is evaluated through a robotic system that uses a new optical time-of-flight pre-touch sensor to complete a highly precise and sequential task — solving the Rubik's cube. The techniques used in this task are then extended to a more general framework in which ICP is used to match pre-touch data to a reference model, demonstrating that even simple pre-touch scans can be used to recover the pose of common objects that require sequential manipulation.
Design of high accuracy high conversion ratio single-stage switching power converter for modern FPGAs at 10MHz

With a significant input-to-output conversion ratio from 12V to 1V, single-stage DC-DC conversion solution has obvious benefits on efficiency and cost, compared to the cascaded counterparts, but is generally difficult to control and thus suffers from large regulation inaccuracy. To mitigate these issues, this paper presents a single-stage, adaptive on-time (AOT) hysteretic controlled converter. In this converter, a VO error compensation technique is proposed to adaptively update a controllable reference voltage for accurate VO regulation. In the meantime, a sub-ns delay high voltage level shifter for high side power switch is designed to facilitate high frequency operation at high conversion ratio (CR). With a 12V-to-1V CR, the proposed converter only experiences a VO undershoot/overshoot of 28mV/34mV to a load change of 3.5A within 200ns. In particular, 501ps and 751ps propagation delay for up- and down-level shifting are achieved, respectively. Thanks to the VO error compensation, 0.06mV/V line regulation and a 0.15mV/A load regulation are achieved. It achieves a maximum efficiency of 84.6% at 10MHz.
Sexually Dimorphic unc-6/Netrin Expression Controls Sex-Specific Maintenance of Synaptic Connectivity.

Nervous systems display intriguing patterns of sexual dimorphisms across the animal kingdom, but the mechanisms that generate such dimorphisms remain poorly characterized. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a number of neurons present in both sexes are synaptically connected to one another in a sexually dimorphic manner as a result of sex-specific synaptic pruning and maintenance [1-3]. We define here a mechanism for the male-specific maintenance of the synaptic connections of the phasmid sensory neuron PHB and its male-specific target, the sex-shared AVG interneuron. We show that the C. elegans Netrin ortholog UNC-6, signaling through its cognate receptor UNC-40/DCC and the CED-5/DOCK180 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, is both required and sufficient for male-specific synaptic maintenance. The dimorphism of unc-6 activity is brought about by sex-specific regulation of unc-6 transcription. Although unc-6 is transcribed in the AVG neuron of males and hermaphrodites during juvenile stages, unc-6 expression is downregulated in AVG in hermaphrodites during sexual maturation but is maintained during sexual maturation of males. unc-6 downregulation in hermaphrodites is conferred by the master regulator of hermaphrodite sexual identity, the Gli/CI homolog TRA-1, which antagonizes the non-sex-specific function of the LIM homeobox gene lin-11, a terminal selector and activator of unc-6 in AVG. Preventing the downregulation of unc-6 in AVG of hermaphrodites through ectopic expression of unc-6 in transgenic animals results in the maintenance of the PHB>AVG synapses in hermaphrodites. Taken together, intersectional transcriptional regulation of unc-6/Netrin is required and sufficient to cell autonomously pattern sexually dimorphic synapses.
Emotional overlap and the analytic potential of emotions in anthropology

Emotions have historically played a marginal role in many arenas of anthropological analysis, often limited to describing certain aspects of research informants' lives, or explaining the ethnograph...
Femtosecond Pulse Shaping by Metasurfaces

Metasurfaces provide extremely fine spatial control over the amplitude and phase of incident light. Here, we demonstrate shaping of <15 femtosecond ultrafast laser pulses using a silicon-metasurface acting as both spectral amplitude and phase mask.
Why do mammals hop? Understanding the ecology, biomechanics and evolution of bipedal hopping

Bipedal hopping is a specialized mode of locomotion that has arisen independently in at least five groups of mammals. We review the evolutionary origins of these groups, examine three of the most prominent hypotheses for why bipedal hopping may have arisen, and discuss how this unique mode of locomotion influences the behavior and ecology of modern species. While all bipedal hoppers share generally similar body plans, differences in underlying musculoskeletal anatomy influence what performance benefits each group may derive from this mode of locomotion. Based on a review of the literature, we conclude that the most likely reason that bipedal hopping evolved is associated with predator avoidance by relatively small species in forested environments. Yet, the morphological specializations associated with this mode of locomotion have facilitated the secondary acquisition of performance characteristics that enable these species to be highly successful in ecologically demanding environments such as deserts. We refute many long-held misunderstandings about the origins of bipedal hopping and identify potential areas of research that would advance the understanding of this mode of locomotion.
Role of Proteinases in Cutaneous Inflammation

Proteinases, which are enzymes capable of degrading proteins, are necessary for normal metabolic function of the epidermis (Lazarus et al., 1975). Epidermal cells are phagocytic, and proteinases are necessary for digestion of endocytosed exogenous proteins (Nordquist et al., 1966; Wolff and Schreiner, 1969; Wolff and Honigsmann, 1968, Wolff and Konrad, 1972). Proteinases also play a role in the programmed catabolism associated with keratinization (Lazarus and Hatcher, 1975), in the autolysis of sebaceous cells associated with sebum secretion (Brandes et al., 1965), and in the phagocytosis and degradation of melanin granules (Olson et al., 1970; Wolff and Honigsmann, 1972; Otaki and Seiji, 1971). This chapter will emphasize the importance of proteinases as inflammatory agents, and it will explore the role of proteinases in psoriasis and pemphigus vulgaris.
Avidin Adsorption to Silk Fibroin Films as a Facile Method for Functionalization

Silk fibroin biomaterials are highly versatile in terms of materials formation and functionalization, with applications in tissue engineering and drug delivery, but necessitate modifications for optimized biological activity. Herein, a facile, avidin-based technique is developed to noncovalently functionalize silk materials with bioactive molecules. The ability to adsorb avidin to silk surfaces and subsequently couple biotinylated macromolecules via avidin–biotin interaction is described. This method better preserved functionality than standard covalent coupling techniques using carbodiimide cross-linking chemistry. The controlled release of avidin from the silk surface was demonstrated by altering the adsorption parameters. Application of this technique to culturing human foreskin fibroblasts (hFFs) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on arginine-glycine-aspartic-acid-modified (RGD-modified) silk showed increased cell growth over a seven-day period. This technique provides a facile method for the ve...
Health System Affiliation and 30-Day Readmission After Heart Attack in Black Men

Introduction Black patients who experience acute myocardial infarction and receive care in high minority-serving hospitals have higher readmission rates. This study explores how hospital system affiliation (centralized versus decentralized/independent) impacts 30-day readmissions after acute myocardial infarction in black men. Methods In 2018, the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Database (2009–2013) was used to observe 30-day readmission for acute myocardial infarction by race, and data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey of Hospitals (2009–2013) to determine hospital system affiliation for the states Arizona, California, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. A series of hierarchic logistic regressions were conducted to determine if hospital system affiliation mediates the relationship between race and 30-day readmission. Results Of 63,743 hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction among men between 2009 and 2013, black men accounted for 7.1% of hospitalizations and 8.0% of readmissions. In both models, race significantly predicted 30-day readmission (unadjusted OR=1.25, 95% CI=1.14, 1.37, p Conclusions Black men appear to be more likely to be readmitted after acute myocardial infarction. Centralization does not appear to mediate the relationship between race and 30-day readmissions for acute myocardial infarction. Supplement information This article is part of a supplement entitled African American Men's Health: Research, Practice, and Policy Implications, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health.
A short proof of the Orlicz-Sobolev inequality

Abstract Optimal transport theory is used to give a short proof of the Orlicz-Sobolev inequality.
Target Site Specificity of Tamoxifen: A Balance of Estrogenic and Antiestrogenic Properties

Harper and Walpole [1–3] first reported the biological properties of the substituted triphenylethylene, ICI46,474 (tamoxifen; Novaldex®). The compound first attracted attention because it is an effective postcoital antifertility agent in rats; however, the drug was not developed for this purpose. In fact, and somewhat ironically, tamoxifen can induce ovulation in subfertile women and is used in some countries as a profertility agent [4].
The Integrator complex terminates promoter-proximal transcription at protein-coding genes

The transition of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) from initiation to productive elongation is a central, regulated step in metazoan gene expression. At many genes, Pol II pauses stably in early elongation, remaining engaged with the 25-60 nucleotide-long nascent RNA for many minutes while awaiting signals for release into the gene body. However, a number of genes display highly unstable promoter Pol II, suggesting that paused polymerase might dissociate from template DNA at these promoters and release a short, non-productive mRNA. Here, we report that paused Pol II can be actively destabilized by the Integrator complex. Specifically, Integrator utilizes its RNA endonuclease activity to cleave nascent RNA and drive termination of paused Pol II. These findings uncover a previously unappreciated mechanism of metazoan gene repression, akin to bacterial transcription attenuation, wherein promoter-proximal Pol II is prevented from entering productive elongation through factor-regulated termination.
The Influence of Size in Augmented Reality Telepresence Avatars

In this work, we explore how advances in augmented reality technologies are creating a new design space for long-distance telepres-ence communication through virtual avatars. Studies have shown that the relative size of a speaker has a significant impact on many aspects of human communication including perceived dominance and persuasiveness. Our system synchronizes the body pose of a remote user with a realistic, virtual human avatar visible to a local user wearing an augmented reality head-mounted display. We conducted a two-by-two (relative system size: equivalent vs. small; leader vs. follower), between participants study (N = 40) to investigate the effect of avatar size on the interactions between remote and local user. We found the equal-sized avatars to be significantly more influential than the small-sized avatars and that the small avatars commanded significantly less attention than the equal-sized avatars. Additionally, we found the assigned leadership role to significantly impact participant subjective satisfaction of the task outcome.
Roles of glycogen synthase kinase 3 alpha and calcineurin in regulating the ability of sperm to fertilize eggs

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) was identified as an enzyme regulating sperm protein phosphatase. The GSK3α paralog, but not GSK3β, is essential for sperm function. Sperm lacking GSK3α display altered motility and are unable to undergo hyperactivation, which is essential for fertilization. Male mice lacking sperm-specific calcineurin (PP2B), a calcium regulated phosphatase, in testis and sperm, are also infertile. Loss of PP2B results in impaired epididymal sperm maturation and motility. The phenotypes of GSK3α and PP2B knockout mice are similar, prompting us to examine the interrelationship between these two enzymes in sperm. High calcium levels must exist to permit catalytically active calcineurin to function during epididymal sperm maturation. Total and free calcium levels are high in immotile compared to motile epididymal sperm. Inhibition of calcineurin by FK506 results in an increase in the net phosphorylation and a consequent decrease in catalytic activity of sperm GSK3. The inhibitor FK506 and an isoform-selective inhibitor of GSK3α, BRD0705, also inhibited fertilization of eggs in vitro. Interrelated functions of GSK3α and sperm PP2B are essential during epididymal sperm maturation and during fertilization. Our results should enable the development of male contraceptives targeting one or both enzymes.
Lamotrigine-induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a case report

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare hematological syndrome characterized by excessive and uncontrolled activation of the immune system. The often nonspecific nature of early symptoms and the potential for progression to multiorgan failure and death if appropriate therapy is not started promptly, highlight the importance of heightened recognition for this uncommon disease. Although there are well-described associations of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with infectious, malignant, and autoimmune diseases and an established treatment protocol for these cases, the link between medications and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is less clearly established and the optimal treatment of these cases less well defined. Here we describe the case of a 45-year-old caucasian woman presenting with signs and symptoms consistent with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, induced by recent exposure to lamotrigine. She had a rapidly progressive clinical course, complicated by multiorgan failure including stress-induced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrest. With dexamethasone and etoposide therapy, she made a full and sustained recovery. This case highlights that medication-induced hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis appears to respond similarly to the same dexamethasone and etoposide treatment regimen developed for other non-drug-induced forms of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. With the continued cessation of the offending agent there has not been need for maintenance therapy and no relapse to date. In addition, given the risk for cardiomyopathy, a clinical complication not classically associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, echocardiogram and telemetry monitoring should be considered in the initial workup of suspected hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
On modelling environmentally transmitted pathogens

Many pathogens are able to replicate or survive in abiotic environments. Disease transmission models that include environmental reservoirs and environment-to-host transmission have used a variety of functional forms and modelling frameworks without a clear connection to pathogen ecology or space and time scales. We present a conceptual framework to organize microparasites based on the role that abiotic environments play in their lifecycle. Mean-field and individual-based models for environmental transmission are analysed and compared. We show considerable divergence between both modelling approaches when conditions do not facilitate well mixing and for pathogens with fast dynamics in the environment. We conclude with recommendations for modelling environmentally transmitted pathogens based on the pathogen lifecycle and time and spatial scales of the host-pathogen system under consideration.
Health Benefits of Mindful Meditation

Mindfulness meditation is a technique that can improve an individual’s physical health, mental health, and cognitive functioning when practiced regularly. This chapter provides a brief overview of mindfulness meditation based on mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). The rest of the chapter is divided into sections that discuss the benefits of practicing mindfulness for physical health, mental health, and cognitive functioning along with enhanced performance and wellness promotion. Evidence from research studies and clinical experiences will be provided in support of mindfulness meditation in all of these areas. The last section will discuss some of the well-known meditations used to promote mindfulness in everyday life. Please note that mental health disorders can overlap with physical symptoms, physical symptoms or disorders can trigger anxiety and/or depression, and cognitive issues and stress can be seen alone or in combination with any other aspects of health. These areas of health are not silos but rather intertwined aspects of the individual. It is essential for the provider to recognize the overlap for whole health promotion. Lastly, practicing mindfulness is strongly encouraged for the provider, not only for your personal benefit but also for the professional benefit of your clients.
CHAPTER 4 – Directed Graphs

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on directed graphs and associated concepts, and examines some of the uses of these graphs. In the study of directed graphs, multiple edges are often quite significant. Multiple arcs joining two vertices can be either parallel, that is, directed in the same direction; or antiparallel, that is, directed in opposite direction. As the directions on the arcs are used to indicate a flow of information or material, it is important to permit the use of multiple arcs in directed graphs. In a directed graph, a loop is an arc beginning and terminating at the same vertex. A directed graph is weakly connected if the same graph as an undirected graph, that is, ignoring the directions of the arcs, is a connected graph. A directed graph is unilaterally connected if, given any two vertices of the graph, there exists a path from one vertex to the other, although a reverse path does not necessarily exist. It is possible to split the degree of a vertex into two numbers called the indegree, which is the number of arcs incident to a vertex, and the outdegree, which is the number of arcs incident from a vertex.
Energy Density Comparison via Highspeed, In-situ Imaging of Directed Energy Deposition

Abstract Metal additive manufacturing has become an increasingly popular technology and receives interest from multiple business sectors that require optimally lightweight components and mass customization (aerospace, automotive, and medical device). Directed energy deposition (DED) is one of the main laser-based additive manufacturing processes, but a fundamental understanding of the process is lacking partly because it has not been the focus of highspeed, in-situ x-ray imaging studies like laser powder bed fusion has. A novel in-situ DED system is presented here, and an experimental study is performed to show that the small-scale system recovers processing parameter trends of a full-scale build. Observed meltpool lengths range from about 200 μm to 900 μm, while meltpool depths range from about 50 μm to 500 μm and can support high-fidelity modelling. Additionally, an investigation on the relationship between meltpool dimensions and global energy density GED' is performed. It was found that GED' is not a good predictor of meltpool dimensions due to the discrepancy in linear and exponential trends in laser powder and powder mass flowrate. Further studies and analysis using the presented novel DED system are needed to develop an appropriate energy density term to predict of meltpool dimension and clad height.
Using the NIAAA Brief Alcohol Screener in Social Work Practice for Selected Prevention Targeting Youth.

This article discusses the use of brief screeners in social work practice to identity adolescents in need of selected interventions for alcohol and other drug use problems. Brief screeners can incr...
The Thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Signature of Baryons in the Local Universe

Using cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, we investigate the prospects of the thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (tSZ) effect detecting the missing baryons in the local universe. We find that at least 80% of the tSZ luminosity is generated in collapsed structures and that ~70% of the remaining diffuse tSZ luminosity (i.e., ~15% of the total) comes from overdense regions with δgas > 10, such as filaments and superclusters. The gas present in regions with δgas < 10, despite making up 50% of the total baryon budget, leaves very little tSZ signature: it gives rise to only ~5% of the total tSZ luminosity. Thus, future cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations will be sensitive to, at best, 50% of the missing baryons, improving the current observational status but still leaving 50% unobserved. Since most of the tSZ effect is generated in halos, we find a tight correlation between gas pressure and galaxy number density. This allows us to predict the CMB Comptonization from existing galaxy surveys and to forecast the tSZ effect from the local structures probed by the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) galaxy catalog.
A review of tumor-specific fluorescence-guided surgery for colorectal cancer

The present study reviews the use of tumor-specific antibodies conjugated to fluorescent dyes in preclinical and clinical studies to enhance visualization of primary tumors and metastases for fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) in colorectal cancer (CRC). A search strategy was developed using the peer-reviewed National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database on PubMed. Studies using tumor-specific fluorescence imaging and FGS techniques on murine models of colorectal cell lines or patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) colorectal cancer are reviewed. A total of 24 articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria, 21 preclinical and 3 clinical trials. The most widely used target antigen in preclinical and clinical trials was carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Mouse studies and clinical studies have demonstrated that the use of FGS in CRC can aid in decreased residual tumor and decreased rates of recurrence. As the mainstay of colorectal cancer treatment is surgery, the addition of intraoperative fluorescence imaging can help locate tumor margins, visualize occult micro-metastases, drive surgical decision making and improve patient outcomes.
Influence of Baseline Positron Emission Tomography in Metastatic Gastroesophageal Cancer on Survival and Response to Therapy

Background The value of baseline fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) remains uncertain once gastroesophageal cancer is metastatic. We hypothesized that assessment of detailed PET-CT parameters (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax] and/or total lesion glycolysis [TLG]), and the extent of metastatic burden could aid prediction of probability of response or prognosticate. Methods We retrospectively analyzed treatment-naive patients with stage 4 gastroesophageal cancer (December 2002-August 2017) who had initial PET-CT for cancer staging at MD Anderson Cancer Center. SUVmax and TLG were compared with treatment outcomes for the full cohort and subgroups based on metastatic burden (≤2 or >2 metastatic sites). Results We identified 129 patients with metastatic gastroesophageal cancer who underwent PET-CT before first-line therapy. The median follow-up time was 61 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 18.5 months; the first progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.5 months. SUVmax or TLG of the primary tumor or of all metastases combined had no influence on OS or PFS, whether the number of metastases was ≤2 or >2. Overall response rates (ORRs) to first-line therapy were 48% and 45% for patients with ≤2 and >2 metastases, respectively (nonsignificant). ORR did not differ based on low or high values of SUVmax or TLG. Conclusions This is the first assessment of a unique set of PET-CT data and its association with outcomes in metastatic gastroesophageal cancer. In our large cohort of patients, detailed analyses of PET-CT (by SUVmax and/or TLG) did not discriminate any parameters examined. Thus, baseline PET-CT in untreated metastatic gastroesophageal cancer patients has limited or no utility.
Durability of external fiber-reinforced polymer strengthening systems

Publisher Summary Composites in construction offer many advantages such as higher strength, lighter weight, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility. Other factors that strengthen the case for using Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites in the rehabilitation and construction of structures are time and tailorability; strengthening techniques using FRP composites allow for cost-efficient retrofit options although in many cases the initial cost of FRP composites is higher than conventional materials. The alarming deterioration of the world's infrastructure and the susceptibility of steel to corrosion have caused engineers to seek out FRP composites as a retrofitting option, especially in structures like buildings, bridges, marine and water front constructions, and chemical plants. Although impressive inroads have been made into infrastructure applications, there are still barriers that need to be overcome to achieve the full potential of these materials in construction. Currently, the issue of most importance is durability. While a large number of experimental studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of externally FRP-strengthened Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures, important questions related to long-term behavior and durability still remain. When a concrete structure is strengthened with an externally bonded FRP fabric or pre-cured plate, the most critical aspect of its behavior is that the composite action in the system must be preserved during the designed service life of the structure. The durability performance of the parent material, including the interfacial bond between the FRP and the substrate, plays a very important role in the overall durability performance of a strengthened member.
Eulerian method for fluid-structure interaction and submerged solid-solid contact problems

We present a fully Eulerian, blurred-interface numerical method for fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) with extension to the case of fluid-immersed solids interacting through contact. The method uses the Eulerian-frame Reference Map Technique (RMT) to represent the solid phase(s), permitting simulation of large-deformation constitutive behaviors. We demonstrate the method with multiple examples involving a compressible Navier‐Stokes fluid coupled to a neo-Hookean solid. We verify the method’s convergence. The algorithm is faster and more stable than previous methods based on RMT. It is easily appended with a contact subroutine for multiple solids interacting within fluid, which we introduce and demonstrate with two examples.
The determinants of manufacturing ownership in less developed countries: A comparative analysis

Abstract The paper reports the results of an econometric analysis of the industrial economic determinants of manufacturing ownership in five less developed countries - Brazil, India, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. The analysis provides added empirical support for the industrial economic analysis of the role of multinational firms in industry; it extends the analysis to account for the roles of private local and state-owned enterprises; and it provides a basis for evaluation of the relative importance of market and political processes in the five countries.
The Yahoo Case and the International Democratization of the Internet

This essay examines the French court order requiring Yahoo to prevent French Internet users from accessing images of Nazi memorabilia available on its American web site. The essay uses the French case to challenge the popular belief that an entirely borderless Internet favors democratic values. Professor Reidenberg starts from the premise that while the Internet enables actors to reach a geographically dispersed audience, the Internet should not change the accountability of those actors for their conduct within national borders. Professor Reidenberg shows that Yahoo's extensive business in France justifies the application of France's democratically chosen law and argues that the decision has important normative implications for pluralistic democracy on the global network. Namely, the decision promotes technical changes in the Internet architecture that empower democratic states to be able to enforce their freely chosen public policies within their territories. At the same time, the infrastructure changes will not enhance the ability of non-democratic states to pursue repressive policies within their territories in violation of international law. The essay shows the French decision as a maturing of the Internet regulatory framework and argues that the policy rules embedded in the technical infrastructure must recognize values adopted by different states and must not be dictated by technical elites.
Regulation of the operon encoding ribonucleotide reductase: role of the negative sites in nrd repression.

Abstract Expression of the nrd genes was previously shown to be controlled by both positive and negative regulation (C. K. Tuggle and J. A. Fuchs, EMBO J. 5:1077-1085, 1986). Two regions, one located 5' and one located 3' of the nrd promoter (nrdP), were identified as negative regulatory sites since deletion of these sequences increased nrd expression. These regions of DNA have sequence similarities, and a looping mechanism was proposed to explain the requirement for two distinct sites in nrd repression. To investigate the role of these sequences in regulating nrd, a gel electrophoresis assay was used to detect the proteins that bind to the nrd regulatory sites. A protein that bound to restriction fragments containing the negative regulatory sites but not to other DNA fragments was identified in cell extracts and was partially purified. DNase I footprinting experiments showed that the binding protein protects the 5' negative site previously identified in vivo. The 3' negative site also identified in vivo was not required in vitro for high-affinity protein binding to the 5' site, but lower-affinity binding to this site could be detected. Specific binding to the 5' site was found to be elevated approximately 10-fold in crude extracts from thymine-starved cells as compared with that in extracts from unstarved cells. This higher activity was also evident in purified preparations, suggesting that thymine starvation increases the expression of the negative regulatory protein. The finding that a purified protein preparation binds both negative regulatory sites indicates that this preparation contains the nrd repressor protein or proteins. Insertion of 37 base pairs (3.5 helix turns) of DNA at a HpaII site or 35 base pairs (3.3 turns) at a MnlI site between the 5' regulatory sites and nrdP abolished the increase in nrd expression resulting from thymine starvation in vivo, but negative regulation appeared to be less affected than when either negative site was deleted. Insertion of DNA in these constructs was shown not to affect repressor binding in vitro, indicating either that a simple model of DNA looping to bring equivalent operator sites into physical proximity does not explain repression at nrd or that the distance between sites is sufficient that helical turns are of little importance.