cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-Dimensional Fold of Human AQP1 Water Channel Determined by Electron Cryo-Crystallography of 2-Dimensional Crystals Embedded in Ice

The entry and exit of water across the cell membrane is a fundamental physiological process. The observed high permeability of water in the case of mammalian erythrocytes and renal proximal tubules led to the discovery of water channels (aquaporins, AQP) (Denker et al., 1988; Smith and Agre, 1991). Aquaporins are members of the MIP (major intrinsic protein) superfamily (Gorin et al., 1984) and are found in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes where they serve as channels for rapid dissipation of osmotic gradients across the lipid bilayer (Agre et al., 1995; Verkman et al., 1996). In order to understand the structural elements that constitute and control the water-selective permeability of AQP1, a detailed knowledge of the high-resolution 3-D structure in the bilayer is essential. To this end, 2-D crystals of AQP1 have been used to examine the structure using electron crystallography. Projection maps of AQP1 were determined by electron cryo-crystallography by three groups (Jap and Li, 1995; Mitra et al., 1995; Walz et al., 1995) who used different conditions for 2-D crystallization and specimen preservation for microscopy. Subsequently, a 7A resolution, 3-D density map of AQP1 was determined by us (Cheng et al., 1997) from an analysis of minimal dose images and electron-diffraction patterns recorded from ice-embedded from ice-embedded 2-D crystals. 3-D density maps, at a similar resolution were reported by the other 2 groups (Li et aL9 1997; Walz et al., 1997) which were determined using specimens preserved in trehalose and the tilted projections comprised of images and electron diffraction patterns (Walz et al., 1997) and only images (Li et al.9 1997).
Wavelength-Selective Device Using a Phase Delay Layer and Two Polarization-Sensitive Gratings

Wavelength-selective optical device comprising an optimal phase delay layer (PDL) and two polarization-sensitive gratings has been reported and experimentally demonstrated. In our method, two incident wavelengths have orthogonal polarization states after through PDL and have diffracted by different gratings, independently. From the experimental results, the intensity ratios at 660 nm are 1.171 and 0.0072 for p- and s-polarization, meanwhile, the ratios at 780 nm are 1.980 for s-polarization and 0.084 for p-polarization state, respectively
Gang Norms and Risky Sex Among Adolescents With a History of Detention

Prior studies have examined whether or not belonging to a gang was associated with risky sexual behaviors. However, the literature has yet to explore whether it is not just gang membership but gang...
Enumeration of Salmonella from poultry carcass rinses via direct plating methods

Aim: To evaluate direct plating methods for the estimation of Salmonella load in poultry carcass rinses. Methods and Results: Two direct plating tools, the spiral plate count method (SPCM) and the hydrophobic grid membrane filtration (HGMF) method, were adapted to support quantification of Salmonella during poultry processing. Test samples consisted of 180 broiler carcasses from a commercial abattoir, 60 from each of three points in the processing line [pre-inside‐outside bird wash (preIOBW), prechill and postchill]. The SPCM was used to estimate Salmonella load in pre-IOBW rinses, while HGMF was used to estimate Salmonella levels in prechill and postchill rinses. Carcass rinses were also evaluated for Salmonella prevalence by enrichment methods. Mean prevalences of Salmonella were 95%, 100% and 41AE7%, and the geometric mean loads were 3AE7 · 10 1 , 5AE6 · 10 0 and 5AE0 · 10 )2 CFU ml )1 for pre-IOBW, prechill and postchill rinses, respectively. Conclusions: The methods described are useful for estimating the concentration of viable and typical Salmonella in poultry carcass rinses. Significance and Impact of the Study: Direct plating enumeration methods can facilitate the monitoring of Salmonella load on poultry carcasses throughout the production process, and the evaluation of new processing intervention
Porcine alveolar and pulmonary intravascular macrophages : comparison of immune functions

Although a substantial amount of information is available on pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM5), little Is known about pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs), a separate population of lung macrophages found apposed to the endothelium of pulmonary capillaries. We compared these two populations of lung immunocytes to determine their relative immunological activity. Our results suggest that PAMs are more phagocytic than PIMs; however, PIMs may be more efficient at lysing ingested bacteria than PAMs. Although similar in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, PIMs are more spontaneously cytolytic than PAMs. Depending upon the effector:target cell ratio studied, the tumoricidal activity of PIMs was less than or equal to that of PAMs. Both cell populations produced the cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-a at similar concentrations. These data suggest that PIMs are immunologically active, although the degree of activity may differ between PIMs and PAMs.
Development And Reliability Study On High Voltage RCP-XLPE Cables

The electrical qualities of recent RCP-XLPE cables, manufactured under the radiant curing process, will be presented in this paper. These can be satisfactorily used as high voltage cables of the 275 kV class. In order to obtain a still higher reliability of the cables, the statistical method is studied. A fundamental theory on the AC voltage full reel test is proposed and verified experimentally. According to our theory a higher test voltage assures higher reliability in service. Since a stress as high as 40 kV/mm does not do any damage to the insulation of RCP-XLPE cables, they can be assured to have a still higher reliability by a higher voltage reel test. An example of the effect of the reel test in actual is calculated, which shows that the failure probability in service rapidly decreases as the test voltage becomes more than twice the operating voltage.
Phosphoinositides function asymmetrically for membrane fusion, promoting tethering and 3Q-SNARE subcomplex assembly.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2) are essential for rapid SNARE-dependent fusion of yeast vacuoles and other organelles. These phosphoinositides also regulate the fusion of reconstituted proteoliposomes. The reconstituted reaction allows separate analysis of phosphoinositide-responsive subreactions: fusion with SNAREs alone, with the addition of the HOPS tethering factor, and with the further addition of the SNARE complex disassembly chaperones Sec17p and Sec18p. Using assays of membrane tethering, trans-SNARE pairing, and lipid mixing, we found that PI(3)P and PI(4,5)P2 have distinct functions that are asymmetric with respect to R-SNARE (Nyv1p) and the 3Q-SNAREs (Vam3p, Vti1p, and Vam7p). Fusion reactions with the Q-SNAREs and R-SNARE on separate membranes showed that PI(3)P has two distinct functions. PI(3)P on Q-SNARE proteoliposomes promoted Vam7p binding and association with the other two Q-SNAREs. PI(3)P on R-SNARE proteoliposomes was recognized by the PX domain of Vam7p on Q-SNARE proteoliposomes to promote tethering, although this function could be supplanted by the tethering activity of HOPS. PI(4,5)P2 stimulated fusion when it was on R-SNARE proteoliposomes, apposed to Q-SNARE proteoliposomes bearing PI(3)P. These functions are essential for the phosphoinositide-dependent synergy between HOPS and Sec17p/Sec18p in promoting rapid fusion.
Baseline bone morphometry and cellular activity modulate the degree of bone loss in the appendicular skeleton during disuse

Bone is sensitive to the removal of mechanical loading and the severity of unloading-induced bone loss may be influenced by an individual's genotype, gender, and the specific anatomical region. Whether these factors influence bone's mechanosensitivity directly or indirectly through differences in phenotypic baseline bone morphology and cellular activity is unknown. Here, we examined whether indices of baseline bone morphology and cellular activity are associated with the gender- and site-specific susceptibility of bone to unloading. Adult mice (4 months old, BALB/cByJ×C3H/HeJ) were assigned to one of six groups: male and female baseline controls (n=20 each), age-matched controls (n=10 each), or disuse (n=11 males, n=12 females). All baseline controls were sacrificed (0 day) to establish baseline bone morphology with micro-computed tomography (n=10 each gender) or baseline cellular activities using histomorphometry and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining (n=10 each gender). Age-matched control and disuse mice were sacrificed (21 days) to determine disuse-induced bone loss by micro-computed tomography. Following 21 days of unloading, trabecular bone loss in the distal femur and proximal tibia was, on average, 3-fold greater in the metaphyses than in the epiphyses and 2-fold greater in females than in males. Disuse-induced changes in cortical bone were 2-fold smaller than trabecular bone losses and were more apparent in females (5 of 6 regions) than in males (1 of 6 regions). Bone loss was inversely related to baseline bone volume fraction (R 2 =0.51 for females and 0.43 for males) and directly related to baseline bone surface to volume ratio (R 2 =0.69 for females and 0.60 for males). Additionally, trabecular bone loss was correlated with baseline mineral apposition rates and osteoclast surface to bone surface ratios (R 2 =0.86 and 0.46, respectively, genders combined). These data demonstrate that baseline bone morphology and cellular activity modulate bone
Burkholderia BcpA mediates biofilm formation independently of interbacterial contact‐dependent growth inhibition

Summary Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a phenomenon in which Gram-negative bacteria use the toxic C-terminus of a large surface-exposed exoprotein to inhibit the growth of susceptible bacteria upon cell–cell contact. Little is known about when and where bacteria express the genes encoding CDI system proteins and how these systems contribute to the survival of bacteria in their natural niche. Here we establish that, in addition to mediating interbacterial competition, the Burkholderia thailandensis CDI system exoprotein BcpA is required for biofilm development. We also provide evidence that the catalytic activity of BcpA and extracellular DNA are required for the characteristic biofilm pillars to form. We show using a bcpA–gfp fusion that within the biofilm, expression of the CDI system-encoding genes is below the limit of detection for the majority of bacteria and only a subset of cells express the genes strongly at any given time. Analysis of a strain constitutively expressing the genes indicates that native expression is critical for biofilm architecture. Although CDI systems have so far only been demonstrated to be involved in interbacterial competition, constitutive production of the system's immunity protein in the entire bacterial population did not alter biofilm formation, indicating a CDI-independent role for BcpA in this process. We propose, therefore, that bacteria may use CDI proteins in cooperative behaviours, like building biofilm communities, and in competitive behaviours that prevent non-self bacteria from entering the community.
Estimation of Parameterized Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Models

Spatio-temporal processes are often high-dimensional, exhibiting complicated variability across space and time. Traditional state-space model approaches to such processes in the presence of uncertain data have been shown to be useful. However, estimation of state-space models in this context is often problematic since parameter vectors and matrices are of high dimension and can have complicated dependence structures. We propose a spatio-temporal dynamic model formulation with parameter matrices restricted based on prior scientific knowledge and/or common spatial models. Estimation is carried out via the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm or general EM algorithm. Several parameterization strategies are proposed and analytical or computational closed form EM update equations are derived for each. We apply the methodology to a model based on an advection-diffusion partial differential equation in a simulation study and also to a dimension-reduced model for a Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) data set.
Understanding Racial Disparity in Adverse Pregnancy Outcome

Pregnancy complications are hard to diagnose and treat due to complex etiologies and pathophysiologies. Adding to this difficulty is the observation that the distribution of risk is not even across populations of different geographical ancestry. Pregnancy complications are disproportionately high in African American populations. This chapter provides an overview of various factors that can contribute to higher risk and likely racial disparity.
Remarks Honoring Dr. Edward E. Jones

It is my pleasure to speak for this conference which honors Dr. Edward E. Jones. So much of this present attribution-personality theory conference owes its original impetus to the ideas and work of Ned Jones that obviously his work is current. But likewise, we know that the roots of this work go back to the Greeks and come to us through William James and George Herbert Mead, so we know that it is timeless as well. I must say that when I was attempting to organize these remarks about Dr. Jones, I was a little prejudiced, wanting to emphasize my own interest in the actor-observer divergent perspectives hypothesis, but it would be unfair to limit this honor of his protean contributions to just attribution theory alone. Since 1954 he has published 73 articles and chapters in books as well as five books. He has published in such diversified areas, outside of attribution and self-perception theory as authoritarianism, interpersonal and social perception, evaluator’s perception, conformity, cognitive dissonance, ingratiation, attraction, risky-decision making and social stigma, a veritable litany of social psychology for the past 30 some odd years.
Development of High Quality Poly(α-Methylstyrene) Mandrels for NIF

Recently, we developed a new method for making spherical poly(α-methylstyrene) (PαMS) mandrels. The process utilizes a small amount (<0.1wt%) of high-molecular-weight poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in th...
Firm Capabilities and Industry Structure

We model firms as sets of scarce capabilities, where each capability provides a source of competitive advantage in some markets. Each market is also associated with a set of capabilities, those that are valued by it. Firm and market hypergraphs represent this information. Our approach provides a new perspective on several industrial organization literatures including merger analysis, strategic alliances and industry dynamics. We argue that merger analysis should be more holistic and that profitable joint ventures increase consumer surplus even when they reduce competition. We also provide formal foundations for a prominent theory of competitive advantage in the management literature.
Carcinomas of the Lung: An Ultrastructural and Immunocytochemical Study

Fifty-two primary carcinomas of the lung were studied by electron microscopy and by an immunoperoxidase method, using an anti-human keratin antiserum. The results were compared with light microscopic observations. One-third of the carcinomas of the lung showed ultrastructural evidence of both glandular and squamous differentiation. The group of small cell carcinomas was found to be particularly heterogenous ultrastructurally with only three out of eight tumors showing neurosecretory-type granules. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining revealed presence of a keratin-type protein in the vast majority of carcinomas, including foci of small cell carcinomas. Our studies emphasize the heterogeneity and frequent intermixing of the four major categories of lung carcinomas: squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, small cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. It is suggested that all these tumors might be derived from pluripotential "reserve" bronchial or bronchioalveolar cells. The segregation of small cell carcinomas from other groups continues to be justified on pragmatic grounds because these carcinomas constitute a group of predominantly small fast-replicating cells amenable to chemotherapy.
Influence of Meat Texture and Toxicants upon Bait Collection by the German Yellowjacket (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Attraction of German yellowjackets, Vespula germanica (F.), to Nebraska Brands Feline Food (NBFF) baits was unaffected by all meat-grinding methods investigated. However, when finely ground into a meat paste, NBFF baits were not collected by yellowjackets. Boiled ham, a very lean meat, was far more acceptable to yellowjackets than was NBFF. Addition of insecticide to either NBFF or ham did not reduce yellowjacket attraction to or collection of meat baits. High acceptance of toxic ham baits suggests that they be evaluated for yellowjacket abatement.
Postablation scar-related atrial tachycardia: turning the spotlight on P-wave analysis and window settings.

Left atrial flutter (AFL) and localized scar-related atrial tachycardia (AT) are the most common tachyarrhythmias that follow catheter or surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation. Three-dimensional activation mapping can be challenging due to large and often multiple areas of scar interspersed with areas of delayed conduction, resulting in complex reentrant circuits.1 In our experience, there are 3 components of mapping that are crucial to localizing the re-entry circuit and guiding catheter ablation: (1) analysis of the P wave on surface ECG, (2) right and left atrial (LA) intracardiac activation sequence from multielectrode catheters positioned at the right atrium (RA; 20 poles) and proximal coronary sinus (CS; 10 poles; Figure 1A), and (3) careful attention to the mapping window settings based on P-wave analysis and the cycle length of the tachycardia. Figure 1. A , Right anterior oblique (RAO) and left anterior oblique (LAO) fluoroscopic projections with duodecapolar catheter with 2-10-2 mm spacing placed in the right atrium (RA) at the tricuspid annular and a decapolar catheter with 2-5-2 mm spacing placed in the proximal coronary sinus (CS). B1 , Counter clockwise tricuspid annular atrial flutter (CCW-TA-AFL) with correlation of RA activation and P wave in leads V1, II, III, and aVF. B2 , Counter clockwise mitral annular atrial flutter (CCW-MA-AFL) with simultaneous atrial activation in the RA and CS and earliest RA activation at 9 to 10 pair electrodes indicating early RA activation at the high RA septum. The shallow upsloping portion in leads II, III, and aVF is much earlier than the P-wave onset in V1. B3 , CW-MA-AFL with early RA activation located at the low or mid septum, propagating to high and low RA with atrial activation in the proximal CS preceding the lateral atrial activation of RA. C , Activation mapping of the RA during CCW-TA-AFL. The atrial …
The Influence of Interfacial Effects on the Photophysics of Rhodamine 6G Thin Films on a Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Surface

The spectral response of ultrathin films of rhodamine 6G (Rh6G) cast onto polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) coated glass slides is studied to investigate a perceived fluorescence emission enhancement. Varying the thickness of the Rh6G layer (submonolayer to multiple layers) on the PVDF layer revealed the existence of multiple Rh6G species on the surface, similar to previous reports on glass. Excitation spectra show that J-type excitons are not responsible for an emission enhancement. Trends in the fluorescence emission intensity show that the surface roughness of the PVDF layer prevents the Rh6G molecules from organizing the way they would on a smooth glass surface. The PVDF surface roughness preserves the emissive monomers and excited-state excimers of Rh6G while reducing the self-quenching of aggregates. Coupled with this is an internal reflection effect that causes light to be trapped between the Rh6G/PVDF and PVDF/glass interfaces. This effect leads to multiple absorption events, and thus more efficient u...
Silicon/polypyrrole nanocomposite wrapped with graphene for lithium ion anodes

Herein, silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) are coated with conducting hydrogel and wrapped with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets via a facile and scalable solution-based sol-gel process. The in-situ polymerized polypyrrole (PPy) hydrogel forms an interconnected three-dimensional (3D) fiber matrix. Amine and hydroxyl groups from the hydrogel assist the encapsulation of the SiNPs through hydrogen bonding. The electro-conductive PPy fiber network and the wrapping of rGO offer efficient electron and ion transport pathways. The PPy/SiNPs/rGO electrodes can produce highly reversible capacities of 1312, 1285 and 1066 mAh g-1 at 100, 250 and 500 cycles at a current density of 2.1 A g-1, respectively.
Case 53: Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis Mimicking a Mass Lesion

56-old man with new onset diabetes mellitus and a history of alcohol abuse and two prior episodes of acute pancreatitis. The most recent episode of pancreatitis was 3 months ago.
Nicotine Prevents and Reverses Paclitaxel-Induced Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of CIPN.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a consequence of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration, continues to be a dose-limiting and debilitating side effect during and/or after cancer chemotherapy. Paclitaxel, a taxane commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, causes CIPN in 59–78% of cancer patients. Novel interventions are needed due to the current lack of effective CIPN treatments. Our studies were designed to investigate whether nicotine can prevent and/or reverse paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in a mouse model of CIPN, while ensuring that nicotine will not stimulate lung tumor cell proliferation or interfere with the antitumor properties of paclitaxel. Male C57BL/6J mice received paclitaxel every other day for a total of four injections (8 mg/kg, i.p.). Acute (0.3–0.9 mg/kg, i.p.) and chronic (24 mg/kg per day, s.c.) administration of nicotine respectively reversed and prevented paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. Blockade of the antinociceptive effect of nicotine with mecamylamine and methyllycaconitine suggests that the reversal of paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia is primarily mediated by the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype. Chronic nicotine treatment also prevented paclitaxel-induced intraepidermal nerve fiber loss. Notably, nicotine neither promoted proliferation of A549 and H460 non–small cell lung cancer cells nor interfered with paclitaxel-induced antitumor effects, including apoptosis. Most importantly, chronic nicotine administration did not enhance Lewis lung carcinoma tumor growth in C57BL/6J mice. These data suggest that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor–mediated pathways may be promising drug targets for the prevention and treatment of CIPN.
PRIME: A Novel Low-Mass, High-Repetition Approach to Improve Function in Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION The ability to maintain functional independence in a rapidly aging population results in an increased life expectancy without corresponding increases in health care costs. The accelerated decline in V˙O2peak after the age of 65 yr is primarily due to peripheral tissue changes rather than centrally mediated factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME) approach, consisting of a low-mass, high-repetition/duration skeletal muscle focused training regimen would provide superior functional benefits in participants older than 70 yr old and at risk for losing functional independence. METHODS In this clinical trial, 107 participants were randomized to 4 wk of either standard aerobic training (AT) or PRIME (phase 1). This was followed by 8 wk of a progressive whole-body aerobic and resistance training (AT + RT) for all participants (phase 2). The major outcome measures were cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen consumption [V˙O2peak]), muscular fitness (1 repetition maximal strength [1RM]), and physical function (Senior Fitness Test [SFT] scores). Results were analyzed under a per-protocol criterion. RESULTS Thirty-eight PRIME and 38 AT participants completed the 3-month protocols. V˙O2peak, 1RM, and SFT scores all increased significantly after 12 wk for both treatment groups (P < 0.05). However, relative to AT, participants randomized to PRIME demonstrated a greater increase in V˙O2peak (2.37 + 1.83 vs 1.50 + 1.82 mL·kg·min, P < 0.05), 1RM (48.52 + 27.03 vs 28.01 + 26.15 kg, P < 0.01) and SFT (22.50 + 9.98 vs 18.66 + 9.60 percentile, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Participants experienced greater increases in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and physical function when PRIME training was initiated before a combined AT + RT program. This novel exercise approach may be advantageous to individuals with other chronic disease conditions characterized by low functional capacity.
Toward a Positive Explanation of Student Differences in Reading Growth

BackgroundEducation has much in common with professions that are using positive psychology and positive organizational scholarship to transform practice, yet the science behind peak human and group...
Surgery of the Bovine Abomasum

Intensive management of cattle has resulted in an increased incidence of abomasal disorders. Many of these disorders require surgical intervention for the best outcome. This article reviews the anatomy and physiology of the abomasum, abomasal disorders that may be treated by surgery, and the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical approaches to those disorders.
Using the Combined Sensory Index for Higher Diagnostic Yield in Mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (P02.226)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of the "standard" median digit 2 (D2) sensory study to the combined sensory index (CSI) in diagnosing mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). BACKGROUND: Mild CTS is electrodiagnostically defined as a median sensory abnormality alone. Often, the D2 sensory study does not detect mild CTS. The CSI is the sum of three median comparison studies, the median-radial (thumbdiff), median-ulnar digit IV (ringdiff), and median-ulnar palmar (palmdiff), with 1.0 or greater being positive, and was demonstrated as sensitive in detecting mild CTS. We use the following algorithm, modified from Robinson et al: first we attempt the D2 sensory, but if that is normal and clinical suspicion is high, we perform the thumbdiff; if the thumbdiff is 0.6 ms, evaluation is stopped and called positive. DESIGN/METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients who presented with CTS symptoms between 11/2010-6/2012. Patients diagnosed as normal, those having mild CTS by D2 sensory, and those with mild CTS by CSI/thumbdiff were separated into groups for analysis. RESULTS: Among patients with mild CTS, 31/51 (60.8%) were diagnosed by either CSI or thumbdiff (p CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that the CSI/thumbdiff algorithm, although more labor-intensive, is more sensitive to diagnose mild CTS than the D2 sensory study. If mild CTS is diagnosed earlier, treatment can be initiated sooner. Also, our data suggests that the thumbdiff alone can be used in many cases, and may reduce patient discomfort compared with the full CSI. Disclosure: Dr. Zeidman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Singh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pandey has nothing to disclose.
Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education : The Unresolved Questions,

This article focuses on the recent trend of permitting liability of schools when students are sexually harassed, which the Supreme Court has only recognized for twenty years. I examine the majority and dissenting opinions of the Court’s most recent decision about this topic, Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education and analyze three questions brought to light by Davis and Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District. These questions are: (1) what qualifies as “actionable” sexual harassment, (2) who must receive notice, and (3) what satisfies the “deliberate indifference” standard from Davis. The answers to these questions are just beginning to take shape as lower courts face these issues in light of the Supreme Court’s recent holdings.
Calcium interference on americium and plutonium uptake on six extraction chromatographic resins

The retention of americium and plutonium on six commercially available extraction chromatographic resins was investigated in the presence of various concentrations of calcium. Results of batch study experiments showed that there was no significant interference due to calcium for the adsorption of plutonium or americium from both nitric and hydrochloric acid on the majority of the extraction chromatographic resins studied. However, the retention of americium on DGA resin from nitric acid decreased by over two orders of magnitude when calcium was introduced into the system. DGA was found to have a capacity for calcium of 4.53 ± 0.08 mg Ca g−1 DGA resin.
An efficient ascending auction for private valuations

Abstract Known dynamic implementations of the Vickrey–Clarke–Groves mechanism in general private-value auction settings utilize non-linear (not additively-separable over goods) and non-anonymous (bidder-specific) prices. The need for non-linear and non-anonymous prices — a complication that is often difficult to implement in practice — arises from limiting attention to elicitation processes based on demand queries (i.e., asking bidders to report their demands at posted prices). In this paper, we relax this restriction and allow the auctioneer to supplement demand queries with marginal value queries (i.e., requests to report value differences between pairs of commodity bundles) as needed. This added flexibility enables an iterative ascending auction design that achieves efficiency despite using linear and anonymous prices.
Abstract 051: High Salt Enhances ROS and Ang II Contractions of Glomerular Afferent Arterioles From Mice With Reduced Renal Mass

High salt intake, angiotensin II (Ang II), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) enhance progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We reported that myogenic contractions of renal afferent arterioles...
Understanding chronic aggression and its treatment in children and adolescents

Youth aggression is common and has a significant burden on individuals, families, and society. However, its treatment is often a challenge for clinicians. Thus, this review will examine the current understanding of youth aggression, conceptualize aggression as a symptom rather than its own disorder, and provide an overview of treatment strategies. Youth aggression is associated with complex genetic, neurobiological, and environmental risks. Prevention strategies are of the utmost importance for at-risk families and youth. Psychosocial interventions are the first line treatment. But if not fully effective, then pharmacologic interventions—including psychostimulants, alpha-2 agonists, atomoxetine, and risperidone—have shown benefits. Other medications, such as SSRIs, can be useful in certain scenarios. It is important to conceptualize youth aggression as being a trans-diagnostic symptom in psychopathology. Determining the underlying cause of aggression will help to guide treatment.
Post-discharge acute care and outcomes following readmission reduction initiatives: national retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States

Abstract Objectives To determine whether patients discharged after hospital admissions for conditions covered by national readmission programs who received care in emergency departments or observation units but were not readmitted within 30 days had an increased risk of death and to evaluate temporal trends in post-discharge acute care utilization in inpatient units, emergency departments, and observation units for these patients. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Medicare claims data for 2008-16 in the United States. Participants Patients aged 65 or older admitted to hospital with heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, or pneumonia—conditions included in the US Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. Main outcome measures Post-discharge 30 day mortality according to patients’ 30 day acute care utilization; acute care utilization in inpatient and observation units and the emergency department during the 30 day and 31-90 day post-discharge period. Results 3 772 924 hospital admissions for heart failure, 1 570 113 for acute myocardial infarction, and 3 131 162 for pneumonia occurred. The overall post-discharge 30 day mortality was 8.7% for heart failure, 7.3% for acute myocardial infarction, and 8.4% for pneumonia. Risk adjusted mortality increased annually by 0.05% (95% confidence interval 0.02% to 0.08%) for heart failure, decreased by 0.06% (−0.09% to −0.04%) for acute myocardial infarction, and did not significantly change for pneumonia. Specifically, mortality increased for patients with heart failure who did not utilize any post-discharge acute care, increasing at a rate of 0.08% (0.05% to 0.12%) per year, exceeding the overall absolute annual increase in post-discharge mortality in heart failure, without an increase in mortality in observation units or the emergency department. Concurrent with a reduction in 30 day readmission rates, stays for observation and visits to the emergency department increased across all three conditions during and beyond the 30 day post-discharge period. Overall 30 day post-acute care utilization did not change significantly. Conclusions The only condition with increasing mortality through the study period was heart failure; the increase preceded the policy and was not present among patients who received emergency department or observation unit care without admission to hospital. During this period, the overall acute care utilization in the 30 days after discharge significantly decreased for heart failure and pneumonia, but not for acute myocardial infarction.
Effect of Oxide Additions on the Polymorphism of Tantalum Pentoxide (System Ta2O5-TiO2).

The phase equilibrium relationships of the TiO2-Ta2O5 system were determined in air. An equimolar compound, TiTa2O7, was found to melt congruently at about 1662 °C and have a monoclinic unit cell a = 20.291 A, b = 3.804 A, c = 11.831 A, β = 120°14', apparently isostructural with TiNb2O7. In addition, two other compounds are postulated to occur at about TiO2:49Ta2O5 and TiO2:7Ta2O5 and to dissociate at about 1230 and 1190 °C, respectively. TiO2 apparently accepts a maximum of 9 mole percent Ta2O5 in solid solution at 1630 °C. Two eutectics occur in the system at 54 mole percent Ta2O5 and 1650 °C and 31 mole percent Ta2O5 and 1630 °C. The high temperature form of Ta2O5 is apparently triclinic at room temperature with a = 3.801 A, b = 3.785 A, c = 35.74 A, α = 90°54.4', β = 90°11.5', and γ = 89°59.9'. A metastable transition occurs at 320 °C to a monoclinic form which inverts to tetragonal at 920 °C with a = 3.81 A, c = 36.09 A. Several intermediate morphotropic phases are found with up to 9 mole percent TiO2 in solid solution.
Changing use of birds across the agricultural transition at Pınarbaşı, Turkey

Abstract Central Anatolia is one of the earliest areas to practice agriculture outside of the Fertile Crescent. This makes it an important case study in how the shift to agriculture affected the use of wild resources, in this case birds. The Pinarbasi site, located next to a major wetlands area on the Konya Plain in central Anatolia, has components from the 14th-12th millennia, 10th-9th millennia, and 7th millennium cal BC – spanning the Epipaleolithic to the Ceramic Neolithic. While agriculture is present in the region during the middle (10th-9th millennia) occupation, the Pinarbasi people remained foragers. The 7th millennium occupation is contemporary with the later levels at agricultural Catalhoyuk and very likely derives from seasonal use by task groups from that site. Not surprisingly given its location, waterbirds dominate throughout all these periods. Although the Epipaleolithic (14th-12th millennia) use of the site consists of a palimpsest of brief visits while the 10th-9th millennia occupation was permanent, the bird assemblages are very similar. However, the proportion of waterbirds reduces considerably in the 7th millennium. In contrast to the bird assemblage at nearby Catalhoyuk, which is weighted toward wings probably reflecting the extensive use of feathers, the Pinarbasi bird bones are spread fairly evenly through the body at all periods, suggesting that birds were taken primarily for food. This is true even in the 7th millennium assemblage, linked to Catalhoyuk; these Catalhoyuk people made quite different use of birds away from the site. Pinarbasi also differs from Catalhoyuk in the selection of waterbirds: whereas geese outnumber ducks in the contemporary levels at Catalhoyuk, geese are quite scarce at Pinarbasi in all periods, although proportionately slightly more common in the 7th millennium. More strikingly, ducks, which dominate the earlier assemblages, decrease sharply. With 7th millennium occupation during spring and fall migrations when geese and ducks should have been abundant, this does not appear to be a seasonal effect. Birds seem to have been less important to the shepherds and hunters visiting Pinarbasi than they were to the earlier foragers: farming reoriented relations to the landscape.
Responding to the Opioid Epidemic: Educational Competencies for Pain and Substance Use Disorder from the Medical Schools of the University of California

Objective The University of California (UC) leadership sought to develop a robust educational response to the epidemic of opioid-related deaths. Because the contributors to this current crisis are multifactorial, a comprehensive response requires educating future physicians about safe and effective management of pain, safer opioid prescribing, and identification and treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). Methods The six UC medical schools appointed an opioid crisis workgroup to develop educational strategies and a coordinated response to the opioid epidemic. The workgroup had diverse specialty and disciplinary representation. This workgroup focused on developing a foundational set of educational competencies for adoption across all UC medical schools that address pain, SUD, and public health concerns related to the opioid crisis. Results The UC pain and SUD competencies were either newly created or adapted from existing competencies that addressed pain, SUD, and opioid and other prescription drug misuse. The final competencies covered three domains: pain, SUD, and public health issues related to the opioid crisis. Conclusions The authors present a novel set of educational competencies as a response to the opioid crisis. These competencies emphasize the subject areas that are fundamental to the opioid crisis: pain management, the safe use of opioids, and understanding and treating SUD.
A 4-Gb/s Laser-Free Picosecond Impulse Transmitter With a Broadband On-Chip Antenna

This paper presents a 4-Gb/s oscillator-free, laser-free, impulse-based transmitter for long-range wireless communication. Picosecond impulses with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 2.5 ps are measured, corresponding to a wideband frequency comb from 330 GHz to 1.052 THz. A specular non-line-of-sight (NLOS) link was built using this transmitter, parabolic reflector antennas, and a plane mirror. A 2-m communication link is demonstrated in this paper.
Knee osteonecrosis incidence from two real-world data sources.

Abstract Background Anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) has shown promise for osteoarthritis (OA) pain efficacy, but an unanticipated joint safety signal occurred in trials. To what extent this was related to OA natural history, or was a consequence of anti-NGF agents is unclear. Of the adverse joint safety events identified, osteonecrosis has specific diagnostic codes available in the medical record to enable assessment of its frequency in the general community. We therefore investigated the rates of knee osteonecrosis in three real-world cohorts using two data sources to place these trial data in context. Methods We used data from UK-based IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) of adults diagnosed with incident knee OA between 2000 and 2018 to examine the incidence of knee osteonecrosis using different definitions. Additionally, we evaluated the incidence of knee osteonecrosis in the year prior to knee replacement in IMRD and among US Medicare beneficiaries who received a knee replacement in 2011–2014. Results In IMRD, among 122,343 subjects with incident knee OA (mean age 68 years, 58% female), incidence estimates for knee osteonecrosis were 0.006–0.10%, with incidence rates of 0.01–0.17 per 1000 person-years. Among the 81,807 who had a knee replacement, the incidence of knee osteonecrosis in the year prior to knee replacement was 0.004–0.06%. In Medicare, among 316,593 with knee replacement (mean age 74, 68% female), the incidence of knee osteonecrosis was 0.24–0.7%. Conclusion Knee osteonecrosis is rare among people with knee OA, including in the year prior to knee replacement. These data provide context for interpreting osteonecrosis events in NGF trials.
High Anti-Infliximab Antibody Titers Do Not Impact Response to Subsequent Adalimumab Treatment in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

While the role of anti-drug antibodies in mediating loss of response to infliximab (IFX) is known, it is possible that there are different clinical implications for high compared to low titers of antibodies to infliximab (ATI). The impact of ATI titer on efficacy of subsequent anti-TNF treatment has not been established previously. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study of individuals with IBD who discontinued infliximab due to development of ATI and were subsequently switched to adalimumab therapy. IFX anti-drug antibody titer level was measured using Mayo or Esoterix assays. We examined clinical and endoscopic response to adalimumab at 3 months, 12 months, and 2 years. Our study included 90 patients (69 CD, 17 UC, 4 CD of the ileoanal pouch) with IBD. The median antibody titer levels for the Esoterix (208 u/mL) or Mayo clinic laboratory (236 u/mL) were similar (p > 0. 50). Patients with high ATI titers (median 824 u/ml, IQR 405–1250 u/ml) were as likely to respond to adalimumab as those with low titers (median 76u/ml, IQR 41–129 u/ml). At 3 months and 12 months, the rates of clinical response/remission to adalimumab therapy were 78% and 77%, respectively, among those with high ATI titers and 81% and 84% among those with low ATI titers (p = 0.81 and 0.62, respectively). In patients who initiated a different therapeutic mechanism after adalimumab, the response rates were similar to that observed with adalimumab. The presence of high titers of anti-drug antibodies to IFX is not predictive of treatment failure with adalimumab.
Sperm DNA methylation mediates the association of male age on reproductive outcomes among couples undergoing infertility treatment

Parental age at time of offspring conception is increasing in developed countries. Advanced male age is associated with decreased reproductive success and increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Mechanisms for these male age effects remain unclear, but changes in sperm DNA methylation over time is one potential explanation. We assessed genome-wide methylation of sperm DNA from 47 semen samples collected from male participants of couples seeking infertility treatment. We report that higher male age was associated with lower likelihood of fertilization and live birth, and poor embryo development (p 750 genes enriched in embryonic development, behavior and neurodevelopment among others. High dimensional mediation analyses identified four genes (DEFB126, TPI1P3, PLCH2 and DLGAP2) with age-related sperm differential methylation that accounted for 64% (95% CI 0.42–0.86%; p < 0.05) of the effect of male age on lower fertilization rate. Our findings from this modest IVF population provide evidence for sperm methylation as a mechanism of age-induced poor reproductive outcomes and identifies possible candidate genes for mediating these effects.
A study of the growth rate of GaSb using TEGa and TMSb or TESb

Abstract The growth rate of gallium antimonide using triethylgallium and either trimethylantimony or triethylantimony has been studied over a wide temperature range, from 475 to 675 °C. In contrast to earlier reports of the growth being diffusion controlled when trimethylantimony is used, we find that it is kinetically controlled at temperatures below 650 °C. The growth rate of gallium antimonide when trietylantimony is used varies in a complex way with temperature but is ultimately diffusion controlled above 650 °C, with both trimethylantimony and triethylantimony yielding the same growth rate. For comparison, the growth rate of gallium arsenide was studied with triethylgallium and arsine or tertiarybutylarsine, and with trimethylgallium and arsine: in both case, it is diffusion controlled in the entire temperature range studied. However, the diffusion controlled growth rate of gallium antimonide predicted from the gallium arsenide growth rate is lower than what is experimentally observed.
Advances in Local Drug Release and Scaffolding Design to Enhance Cell Therapy for Diabetes

Islet transplant is a curative treatment for insulin-dependent diabetes. However, challenges, including poor tissue survival and a lack of efficient engraftment, must be overcome. An encapsulating or scaffolding material can act as a vehicle for agents carefully chosen for the islet transplant application. From open porous scaffolds to spherical capsules and conformal coatings, greater immune protection is often accompanied by greater distances to microvasculature. Generating a local oxygen supply from the implant material or encouraging vessel growth through the release of local factors can create an oxygenated engraftment site. Intricately related to the vascularization response, inflammatory interaction with the cell supporting implant is a long-standing hurdle to material-based islet transplant. Modulation of the immune responses to the islets as well as the material itself must be considered. To match the post-transplant complexity, the release rate can be tuned to orchestrate temporal responses. Mat...
Diagramming a Logic Strategy: Effects on Difficult Problem Types and Transfer

Twenty-five high school learning disabled subjects were randomly assigned to one of two computer-assisted instructional treatments in syllogistic reasoning—one required a deeper level of processing with a diagrammatic response, the other conventional responding. Instructional time was constant across the two groups, yet the subjects who provided diagrammatic responses required fewer trials to reach the mastery criteria. Also, diagramming produced significantly higher posttest and maintenance test scores. Overall, the instruction was effective in (a) producing better-than-chance scores, (b) improving performance on difficult problem types, and (c) teaching learning disabled students to perform complex logical-thinking tasks to a level equivalent to that of high-achieving populations. The deeper level of processing produced differences on more difficult problem types only. Transfer measures showed that students who learned the strategy also creatively modified it to work problems in less formal forms. Varia...