cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of bradykinin and capsaicin on endings of afferent fibers from abdominal visceral organs

Stimulation of sensory endings in abdominal visceral organs with capsaicin or bradykinin reflexly increases heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility through afferent pathways in splanchnic nerves. To determine the afferent fiber types stimulated, we recorded impulses in the right splanchnic nerve in 12 anesthetized cats after either injecting capsaicin (50-200 micrograms) or bradykinin (6.5-20 micrograms) into the descending thoracic aorta or applying pledgets soaked with these chemicals to a visceral organ. We studied 26 A- and 23 C-fibers, each with one receptive field in the mesentery, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, or porta hepatis. Endings of C-fibers generally were mechanically insensitive, whereas endings of A-fibers were mechanically sensitive. After a latency of 10.7 +/- 3.3 s, capsaicin increased the activity of 10 of 26 A-fibers from 2.0 +/- 0.9 to 9.9 +/- 2.6 impulses/s and 23 of 23 C-fibers from 0.2 +/- 0.1 to 13.0 +/- 1.6 impulses/s after a latency of 3.3 +/- 0.9 s. Bradykinin increased the activity of 15 of 26 A-fibers from 2.6 +/- 0.9 to 7.4 +/- 1.5 impulses/s after a latency of 17.0 +/- 1.7 s and 16 of 22 C-fibers from 0.4 +/- 0.2 to 4.7 +/- 1.2 impulses/s after a latency of 19.0 +/- 1.9 s. Capsaicin stimulated significantly more C- than A-fibers (P less than 0.001) and a significantly greater fraction of C-fibers than did bradykinin (P less than 0.007). We conclude that stimulation of splanchnic C-fiber afferents by capsaicin and both A- and C-fiber afferents by bradykinin is primarily responsible for the reflex cardiovascular responses caused by these chemicals.
Sheryll Cashin, Place, Not Race: A New Vision of Opportunity in America (Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2014)

Since the early 1990s, academics and policymakers have increasingly embraced place as an essential part of solutions to minimize negative neighborhood effects while addressing major urban issues. T...
Optical frequency comb and spectroscopy with crystalline resonators in MIR

High-Q whispering gallery mode resonators have been mostly studied in the visible and near-IR wavelength regions for optical frequency comb and spectroscopy. With crystalline materials, their use can be extended to the mid-IR beyond 2 μm where molecular gases not only have very rich characteristic spectral lines but also very large absorption cross sections. In this paper, we describe our continued efforts of pushing whispering gallery mode resonator applications in the mid-IR wavelength region for spectroscopic applications including Kerr comb generation and molecular absorption spectroscopy. With a variety of mid-IR transmitting crystalline materials, we investigate their Q and limiting factors, dispersion and spectral engineering, parametric oscillation and comb generation. We have also explored the utility and limitation of using high Q resonators for ringdown molecular absorption measurements.
Hafnium Metallo-Organic Films and Gels Produced by Sol-Gel Processing

Metallo-organic materials are often used as precursors for highly refractory oxides and hightemperature composites. The feasibility of producing hafnium metallo-organic films and gels by sol-gel techniques is demonstrated in the present study. Since hafnium alkoxides are not commercially available, their preparation is an obstacle in the development of their sol-gel processing applications. A common synthesis technique was used to produce hafnium isopropoxide, which was subsequently hydrolyzed under acid catalyzed conditions to produce films and gels. The films were prepared by spin casting and remained optically transparent. Initially, the gels were also optically transparent, but became translucent upon drying. Raman, IR, and light scattering spectroscopies were used to characterize this sol-gel process, and it is compared with the analogous processing of titanium and zirconium alkoxides.
Training and Measurement at the Extremes: Developing and Sustaining Expert Team Performance in Isolated, Confined, Extreme Environments:

As exploration of new frontiers continues, the need for team training in extreme environments grows. Operating in isolated, confined, and extreme environments (ICE) demands novel approaches to team...
Development and Transformation:Trends,Strategies and Spontaneity Ability

If developing countries make use of the comparative advantage in their economic transformation and development,they then would have their advantage of backwardness,achieve rapid technological changes,and eventually catch up with the developed countries.Concepts,ideologies and social trends are the primal factors to decide whether a country can take the advantage of backwardness to gain rapid economic development.When a transforming country fully understands the real causes(elements and temperaments) behind its backwardness and thus makes its policy of industries in accordance with its comparative advantage,its enterprises will possess the spontaneity ability and make full use of its advantage of backwardness.Therefore,if developing countries can adopt their development strategies and choose their road of transformation according to their own status quo,they can achieve a rapid economic development even within their relatively weak institutional framework.
Effect of K+, valinomycin, tetraphenylborate and ouabain on lipolysis by white fat cells.

The omission of K+ from the phosphate buffer used for isolation and incubation of white fat cells potentiated the lipolytic action of theophylline but inhibited that of catecholamines. Omission of K+ reduced the lipolytic action of growth hormone and glucocorticoid in the absence of glucose from the medium. Valinomycin, a macrocyclic antibiotic which increases the K+ permeability of natural and artificial lipid membranes, inhibited the lipolytic action of theophylline if K+ was present in the medium. In the absence of K+ valinomycin had the opposite effect. Valinomycin did not mimic the stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose metabolism in buffer plus K+ where it acted as an antilipolytic agent. Ouabain stimulated glucose metabolism and inhibited the lipolytic action of norepinephrine only if K+ was present in the buffer. However, ouabain potentiated the lipolytic action of theophylline. These results indicate that the activation of lipolysis in fat cells does not have an absolute dependency upon K+ but can be indirectly influenced by alterations in medium K+ or by drugs which influence K+ influx and efflux across cell membranes.
Performing the Good Worker

Mainstream America regularly perceives Latino/a immigrants—and day laborers in particular—as a faceless mass of unskilled Spanish speakers. Locally and nationally constructed discourses that denigrate Latino/a immigrant workers reinforce their subordinate socioeconomic status. Yet, members of the Day Labor Center (DLC) demonstrated agency in the ways they responded to these ideologies through performances of the good worker in their everyday interactions. By performing certain aspects of their identities, such as speaking English or having particular trade skills, day laborers strategically positioned themselves within the local employment hierarchy. Workers not only performed social identities that highlighted their job skills for potential employers in fast-paced job negotiations but also preemptively directed performances at other day laborers and volunteers at the DLC as a means of differentiating themselves from their peers.
A Case Study on Common Mode Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of GaN HEMT and Si MOSFET Power Converters for EV/HEVs

Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN)-based power devices have become increasingly popular in the automotive industry due to their low on-state resistance and fast switching capabilities. These devices are sought to replace silicon (Si) devices in power electronics converters for vehicular applications. GaN devices dissipate less energy during each switching event, thus, GaN converter designers can significantly increase the switching frequency without increasing switching losses, relative to Si converters. However, one item of concern is that the high $dv/dt$ of GaN devices, due to the increased switching speed, has the potential to deteriorate the electromagnetic interference (EMI) emission of power converters, and thus may fail the corresponding regulations for vehicles. To understand these effects, this paper presents an experimental case study on the switching characteristics and common mode (CM) noise generation of a GaN-based half-bridge configuration operating in the synchronous boost mode. A comprehensive comparison has been made between the chosen GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) and Si MOSFET in terms of switching voltage waveforms, ground leakage currents, and CM noise spectrum. By parametrically increasing the gate resistance of GaN HEMT and Si MOSFET, the tradeoff between converter efficiency and CM noise generation is also quantified.
Endoderm Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) provide a virtually unlimited raw material to derive and engineer mature cell types with therapeutic value, including cell transplantation, disease modeling and drug screening. The first step to differentiate hPSCs into such cell types involves specification towards one of the three main embryonic cell populations, ecto-, endo- and mesoderm. Efficient induction into the correct lineage is critical to the success of subsequent differentiation steps and to the final yield of desired cells. Here we describe methods to generate definitive endoderm (DE), the progenitor cell population for such tissues as the thymus, liver, pancreas, stomach and intestine. In addition, we will provide methods to characterize and monitor the efficiency of DE differentiation, including expression of DE markers at the gene and protein level. Flow cytometry based methods described in this chapter can also be extended to isolate and purify cells with DE properties. Such enrichment strategies are useful to eliminate undesired cell populations, especially undifferentiated hPSCs, which harbor the potential risk for seeding tumors upon transplantation. Several of the methods for the manipulation of hPSCs and for their analysis outlined here are of general utility and are applicable to other hPSCs derivative cell populations.
Improving Teamwork and Resiliency of Burn Center Nurses Through a Standardized Staff Development Program.

For many acute care nursing units, such as the Burn Progressive Care Unit (BPCU) at the U.S. Army Burn center, staff stress and burnout is always a concern for leaders. Job stress not only contributes to nursing turnover, but can have a negative impact on patient care. The purpose of this project was to develop a training platform for nursing staff education and teambuilding with the intent of improving nurse satisfaction, increasing resiliency, building unit cohesion, enhancing morale, and increasing staff awareness of unit performance. All nursing staff were given an 8-hour training day, half of which was focused on education and the other half on teambuilding and resiliency. At the end of the staff development day (SDD), participants were encouraged to complete an evaluation; all activities were scored on a 10-point scale, with 10 representing the most informative. In total, 46 of 48 staff (96%) participated in the first two SDDs. During the first iteration (Spring 2015), participants scored all activities very high, with a total average score of 9.15 ± 0.26 (n = 246). In the Fall of 2015, the SDD program was again rated well, with an average score of 9.36 ± 0.13 (n = 276). The SDD program has been successful in supporting teamwork and resiliency among BPCU staff. Staff feedback supported success in meeting the objectives of building unit cohesion and increasing satisfaction and morale.
Stability and Control of Fractional Periodic Time-Delayed Systems

In this chapter, two new methods are proposed to study the stability of linear fractional periodic time-delayed (FPTD) systems. First, the explicit harmonic balance (EHB) method is proposed to find necessary and sufficient conditions for fold, flip, and secondary Hopf transition curves in linear FPTD systems, from which the stability boundaries are obtained as a subset. Transition curves of the fractional damped delayed Mathieu equation are obtained by using the EHB method. Next, an approximated monodromy operator in a Banach space is defined for FPTD systems, which gives the linear map between two solutions. The fractional Chebyshev collocation (FCC) method is proposed to approximate this monodromy operator. The FCC method is outlined and illustrated with three practical problems including obtaining the parametric stability charts of the fractional Hayes equation and the fractional second-order system with delay, and designing an optimal linear periodic gain fractional delayed state feedback control for the damped delayed Mathieu equation.
Low-dose splenic irradiation prior to hematopoietic cell transplantation in hypersplenic patients with myelofibrosis

For patients with myelofibrosis undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), splenomegaly can lead to a protracted post-transplant course and is associated with lower survival in some serie...
Inhibiting TGF-beta signaling preserves the function of highly activated, in vitro expanded natural killer cells in AML and colon cancer models

Natural killer cells harnessed from healthy individuals can be expanded ex vivo using various platforms to produce large doses for adoptive transfer into cancer patients. During such expansion, NK cells are increasingly activated and more efficient at killing cancer cells. Adoptive transfer however introduces these activated cells into a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment mediated in part by excessive transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) from both cancer cells and their surrounding stroma. This microenvironment ultimately limits the clinical efficacy of NK cell therapy. In this study, we examined the use of a TGF-beta receptor kinase inhibitor, LY2157299, in preserving the cytotoxic function of ex vivo expanded, highly activated NK cells following sustained exposure to pathologic levels of TGF-beta in vitro and in a liver metastases model of colon cancer. Using myeloid leukemia and colon cancer cell lines, we show that the TGF-beta driven impairment of NK cell cytotoxicity is mitigated by LY2157299. We demonstrate this effect using quantitative cytotoxicity assays as well as by showing a preserved activated phenotype with high NKG2D/CD16 expression and enhanced cytokine production. In a mouse liver metastases model of colon cancer, we observed significantly improved eradication of liver metastases in mice treated with adoptive NK cells combined with LY2157299 compared with mice receiving NK cells or TGF beta inhibition alone. We propose that the therapeutic efficacy of adoptive NK cell therapy clinically will be markedly enhanced by complementary approaches targeting TGF-beta signaling in vivo.
(Black) Non-Analysis: From the Restrained Unconscious to the Generalized Unconscious

This paper is a contribution to the ongoing studies revolving around the fields of Afro-Pessimism and Non-Philosophy. It is focused mostly on a short essay that Francois Laruelle wrote in 1989 called "The Concept of Generalized Analysis or 'Non-Analysis" that eventually became part of a larger work called Theorie des Etrangers , while also drawing on the latter for support. The focus is set not in terms of exegesis or commentary but in tandem with the work of Frank Wilderson III to borrow from both of their works and formulate a move from the "White restrained Unconscious" to the "(Black) generalized Unconscious". In the first section I articulate Laruelle and Wilderson's critiques of the common-sense image of the Unconscious. And in the second section I make the move from the White restrained Unconscious to the (Black) generalized Unconscious by arguing that the former is embedded within a metaphysical sovereignty of desires that excludes (Black) desires. The "White restrained Unconscious" is constituted by what Laruelle calls a "half loss" or a loss which loses itself. For this reason the (Black) generalized Unconscious cannot appear within it, for it is an absolute loss, or what Laruelle calls the Joui-sans-Jouissance. The White generalized Unconsicous blocks (Black) loss out by a transference mechanism. The opening up of the White restrained Unconscious to the (Black) generalized Unconscious which is its Identity in the last instance can only be done by "ending the World". Using Jared Sexton's notion of the "social life of social death" I show that this desire to end the world allows for a seeing from perspective of the "One" which is the subject position of the (Black) Non-Analyst and allows for a dualysis of the desires of the White restrained Unconscious. Â Â
History of co-occurring disorders and current mental health status among homeless veterans

Homeless veterans are at high risk for co-occurring disorders (COD), defined as mental illnesses that include at least one alcohol or other drug use disorder and at least one non-drug related mental disorder. However, epidemiological studies examining the prevalence of COD and associated mental health status in this population are limited. The objectives of the study were: (1) to describe a history of diagnosed mental disorders among homeless veterans admitted to a transitional housing program, and (2) to examine the associations of the prior diagnosed COD and other mental disorders with current mental health status. Study participants were male homeless veterans admitted to a transitional housing program from July 2015 to September 2017 in a large municipal area in Northeast Ohio, the United States. Cross-sectional, self-reported data from the admission assessment were included and analyzed. History of mental disorder diagnoses were aggregated into five categories for the purpose of this study: no mental disorders, only alcohol or other drug use disorder(s), one non-drug related mental disorder, two or more non-drug related mental disorders, and COD. Current mental status were measured as empowerment, mental component summary score (MCS) and physical component summary score (PCS) of health related quality of life (VR-12), and perceived overall well-being. Sample distribution of the five categories and their associations with current mental status were examined using Generalized Linear Model test. Of all participants, 76.7% had at least one prior diagnosed mental disorder, including 47.4% with any drug-related disorders. Over one-third (37.2%) reported having COD. Compared to those with no mental disorder history, those with COD scored significantly lower on MCS and empowerment scores; those with any prior diagnosed non-drug related mental disorders also scored significantly lower on MCS. No significant differences, however, were found in current mental health status between those with COD and those with mental disorders but not COD. COD prevalence among homeless veterans was within the parameter of other literature reports. Veterans with COD compared to veterans with no history of mental disorders tended to have lower MCS and empowerment scores. Veterans with COD had the same mental health status as those with other mental disorders.
Risk Assessment for Spent-Fuel Pool Cooling at Boiling Water Reactors

A risk assessment of potential events at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (SSES) is described wherein a loss of cooling occurs in a spent-fuel pool (SFP). This evaluation was performed as part of...
Sustainable Infrastructure Multi-Criteria Preference Assessment of Alternatives for Early Design

Abstract The tradeoffs between the economic, social, and environmental aspects of infrastructures are not easily evident to decision makers and stakeholders in the initial design phase. This lack of insight, often leads to designs that compromise the social and environmental aspects of designs in order to reduce the initial construction costs of infrastructure assets. In addition to the lack of insight, currently available methods for analyzing alternative infrastructure configurations with respect to decision maker preferences: require analysis on a case-by-case (e.g., pairwise) basis; are not appropriate for the initial design phase (e.g., are time-consuming); and are not adaptable to a range of alternative design solutions (e.g., adding and removing alternatives might require a re-ranking from the decision maker). This paper presents a modular preference function development strategy that aims to address these issues, termed Sustainable Infrastructure Multi-Criteria Preference assessment of aLternatives for Early Design (SIMPLE-Design). The proposed strategy develops utility functions (indifference curves) for assessing decision maker preferences with regard to various tradeoffs of alternative design options, and leverages available data to provide decision makers with a consistent frame of reference for assessing alternatives. An illustration presented for a decision support tool using the Simple-Design strategy assesses decision maker preferences for commercial buildings with respect to initial construction costs, building damage and business interruption costs, casualty costs (due to the occurrence of natural hazard events), and CO2 emission costs. The designed decision support tool provides streamlined information to support preference assessment with reasonably low cognitive load. Ten out of the twelve decision support tool users stated that allowing the decision makers to define alternatives of equal utility (value) in a systematic manner, and providing information on the various cost types (decision criteria), are the most essential elements of the assessment strategy. The presented modular preference assessment framework, as well as the decision support tool itself, are generalizable and can be adapted to other infrastructure types. The contribution to the body of knowledge is a holistic preference assessment framework that allows decision makers to make more informed decisions—and designers to better incorporate the preferences of the decision makers—during the early design process.
CDDO-Me, Sulforaphane and tBHQ attenuate the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation via activating the NRF2-mediated antioxidant response.

Metabolic bone diseases are global public health concerns and are primarily caused by uncontrolled osteoclast (OC) formation and activation. During OC differentiation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) stimulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) can serve as the signaling molecules to promote osteoclastic genes expression. Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (NRF2), a master mediator of cellular antioxidant response, also plays a critical role in OC differentiation through the regulation of redox homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of three NRF2 inducers on osteoclastogenesis, including Bardoxolone methyl (CDDO-Me), Sulforaphane (SFN), and tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ). By treating RAW cells with three compounds, we found that NRF2 was activated and its downstream antioxidant genes were upregulated, and the RANKL-induced intracellular ROS production and osteoclastogenesis were impaired. Additionally, the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATC1), C-FOS and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were inhibited after acute exposures (6 h) to the three compounds. Furthermore, suppressed the expression of osteoclast differentiation-associated genes, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K (CTSK), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP) were observed after prolonged exposures (5 days) to the compounds. Taken together, these results suggest that CDDO-Me, SFN and tBHQ attenuate RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via activation of NRF2-mediated antioxidant response. Among these compounds, relatively low concentrations of CDDO-Me showed stronger active and inhibitory effects on antioxidant response and osteoclastogenesis, respectively.
Pharmacist collaborative practice agreement for the management of anemia in malignant disease with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) reduce transfusions and increase hemoglobin levels in patients with anemia of malignant disease. A medication guideline and pharmacist collaborative practice agreement (CPA) were developed and implemented to standardize ESA prescribing workflow. The use of ESAs in malignant diseases, in accordance with institutional guidelines, was evaluated to ensure safe and effacious use. An observational study was conducted on all ESA doses given throughout a health system’s cancer clinics prior to and after implementation of an ESA guideline and pharmacist CPA. The primary outcome measured was ESA therapy initiated in accordance with guidelines before and after the intervention. Secondary outcomes evaluated were nurse and pharmacist satisfaction, vitals recorded prior to dose, and transfusion rates in patients receiving ESA therapy before and after the intervention. In the pre-implementation group, criteria for initiation were not met by any of the 39 patients; prior to therapy, 5.1 % of patients had not had hemoglobin drawn, 23 % of patients had no iron studies completed, and 29.4 % of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients had no erythropoietin levels drawn. In the post-implementation group, prior to therapy, all patients had hemoglobin levels drawn, 16.67 % did not have iron studies completed, and all MDS patients had erythropoietin levels drawn appropriately. Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) patients in the pre-implementation group had 71.4 % compliance with receiving chemotherapy within 8 weeks of ESA dose, and the post-implementation group had 100 % compliance. An ESA guideline and pharmacist CPA aligned prescribing practices with the NCCN and ASCO guidelines and improved staff satisfaction.
Clinical Differentiation of Gastrointestinal, Urologic, Gynecologic, and Musculoskeletal Pain

Chronic urogenital pain encompasses a broad differential from multiple organ systems including gastrointestinal, urologic, gynecologic, neurologic and musculoskeletal sources. Clinical differentiation is pivotal to optimize treatment and patient outcomes. Presented are key elements of the history and physical exam to assist with clinical differentiation.
Analysis of Outcomes in Living Donor Liver Transplants Involving Reconstructive Microsurgeons.

Background Living donor transplantation is becoming increasingly popular as a modality for patients necessitating liver transplantation. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) remains the most feared acute postoperative complication associated with living-donor liver transplantation. Preoperative planning, including scheduling reconstructive microsurgeons to perform the hepatic artery anastomosis using a surgical microscope or loupes, can decrease HAT rates. Methods A retrospective review of two reconstructive microsurgeons at a single institution was performed to analyze postoperative outcomes of adult and pediatric live donor liver transplants where reconstructive microsurgeons performed the hepatic artery anastomosis. One surgeon utilized the surgical microscope, while the other surgeon opted to use surgical loupes for the anastomosis. Results A total of 38 patients (30 adult and eight pediatric) met inclusion criteria for this study, and average patient age in the adult and pediatric population studied was 48.5 and 3.6 years, respectively. Etiologies of adult patients' liver failure were most commonly cholestatic (43%), followed by alcohol (23%), hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis (17%), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (7%), while etiologies of pediatric liver failure were most commonly cholestatic (62.5%). None of the patients (0%) experienced acute postoperative HAT. On average, 22 and 25 months of postoperative follow-up was obtained for the adult and pediatric cohorts, respectively, and only one adult patient was found to have any liver-related complication. Conclusion A collaborative relationship between reconstructive microsurgeons and transplant surgeons mitigates the risk of HAT and improves patient outcomes in living donor liver transplantation.
A 32-million year cycle detected in sea-level fluctuations over the last 545 Myr

Abstract Spectral analyses of past relative sea-level oscillations as represented by the ages of 57 Phanerozoic (the last 545 Myr) stratigraphic sequence boundaries from the Canadian Arctic show a strong spectral peak at 32 Myr (>99.9% confidence). These findings concur with previous reports of significant cycles with periods of around 30 Myr in various records of fluctuations of sea level, and in potentially related episodes of tectonism, volcanism, climate, and biotic extinctions. Sequence boundaries commonly coincide with stage boundaries based on biostratigraphy, and are correlated with episodes of extinction and times of flood-basalt volcanism. The connection between tectonics and sea-level variations may come from changes in rates of ocean-floor spreading and subduction, intraplate stresses from plate-reorganizations, and pulsations of hotspot volcanism. These coordinated periodic fluctuations in tectonics, sea level and climate may be modulated by cyclical activity in the Earth’s mantle, although some pacing by astronomical cycles is suspected.
Influence of Acetic Acid on the Integrity and Protectiveness by an Iron Carbonate (FeCO3) Corrosion Product Layer

The effect of undissociated acetic acid on the integrity of iron carbonate (FeCO3) layer formed on platinum and X65 steel substrates is investigated. Experiments were conducted using buffered solut...
Disclosure Games with Large Evidence Spaces

We study a disclosure game with a large evidence space. There is an unknown binary state. A sender observes a sequence of binary signals about the state and discloses a left truncation of the sequence to a receiver in order to convince him that the state is good. We focus on truth-leaning equilibria (cf. Hart et al. (2017)), where the sender discloses truthfully when doing so is optimal, and the receiver takes off-path disclosure at face value. In equilibrium, seemingly sub-optimal truncations are disclosed, and the disclosure contains the longest truncation that yields the maximal difference between the number of good and bad signals. We also study a general framework of disclosure games which is compatible with large evidence spaces, a wide range of disclosure technologies, and finitely many states. We characterize the unique equilibrium value function of the sender and propose a method to construct equilibria for a broad class of games.
The Mandatory Disclosure Provisions of the Uniform Trust Code: Still Boldly Going Where No Jurisdiction Will Follow -- A Practical Tax-Based Solution

Twelve years have passed since NCCUSL first proposed the Uniform Trust Code ("UTC") which has now been adopted in twenty-five jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the successful adoption of the majority of the provisions of the UTC in each of these jurisdictions, the mandatory disclosure provisions of the UTC have been universally rejected. These mandatory disclosure provisions are reform-based and beneficiary-friendly and have been widely criticized for contradicting the settlor's intent as stated in the plain language of the trust instrument. The majority of UTC adopting jurisdictions have simply deleted the mandatory disclosure provisions altogether and have adopted only the default disclosure provisions. A minority of jurisdictions have made exceptions or otherwise tempered the mandatory nature of the disclosure requirements in an effort to lighten the reporting requirements for trustees. Inasmuch as the primary purpose of any uniform law is to promote uniformity among the various jurisdictions and the mandatory disclosure provisions have failed to achieve adoption in even a single jurisdiction, NCCUSL should follow the majority of UTC adopting jurisdictions and delete the mandatory disclosure provisions of the UTC. The drafting committee should replace the current mandatory disclosure provisions with a mandatory provision that clarifies that the trustee must still make all disclosures to beneficiaries that are required for tax reporting purposes under the internal revenue code. Inasmuch as this is a mere clarification of the law that currently exists under the doctrine of preemption and is consistent with the law in the majority of UTC adopting jurisdictions, such a provision would likely gain widespread acceptance and would significantly remedy the lack of uniformity caused by the current version of the UTC mandatory disclosure provisions.
Male Sex Is Associated With Higher Rates of Liver-Related Mortality in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The impact of sex on the postcirrhosis progression of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has not been well defined. Prior studies have suggested that men have worse outcomes but present at more advanced stages of fibrosis than women. This observation, however, has been limited by small numbers of men and even fewer patients with cirrhosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We investigated the association of sex with the development of all-cause and liver-related mortality or transplantation, decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using competing-risk time-updating Cox proportional hazards models in a large cohort of predominantly male patients with PBC cirrhosis assembled from the Veterans Health Administration. In a cohort of 532 participants (418 male) with PBC-related cirrhosis with a total follow-up of 3,231.6 person-years (PY) from diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis, male participants had a higher unadjusted rates of death or transplantation (8.5 vs. 3.8 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001), liver-related death or transplantation (5.5 vs. 2.7 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001), decompensation (5.5 vs. 4.0 per 100 PY; P = 0.002), and HCC (0.9 vs. 0.3 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, male sex was associated with a higher risk of death or transplantation (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.01-3.19; P = 0.046), and liver-related death or transplantation (subhazard ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.15-4.08; P = 0.02). A sensitivity analysis that defined ursodeoxycholic acid response as normalization of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin revealed similar findings. CONCLUSIONS In patients with PBC and well-compensated cirrhosis, male sex is associated with a higher risk of both death and liver-related death or transplantation.
Biaxial softening of isolated cerebral arteries following axial overstretch.

Abstract Arteries play a critical role in carrying essential nutrients and oxygen throughout the brain; however, vessels can become damaged in traumatic brain injury (TBI), putting neural tissue at risk. Even in the absence of hemorrhage, large deformations can disrupt both the physiological and mechanical behavior of the cerebral vessels. Our group recently reported the effect of vessel overstretch on axial mechanics; however, that work did not address possible changes in circumferential mechanics that are critical to the regulation of blood flow. In order to address this in the present work, ovine middle cerebral arteries were isolated and overstretched axially to 10, 20, or 40% beyond the in vivo configuration. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in circumferential stiffness and strain energy, as well as an increase in vessel diameter following 40% overstretch (p
Dimensions of Sales Tax Exemption Policy: The Arizona Model

State exemption of qualified nonprofit organizations from paying sales taxes on certain purchases is one tool by which government encourages private development and delivery of public goods. We review Arizona’s “transaction privilege” exemption for health nonprofits through review of statutes, interviews with state officials, interviews with nonprofits that seek and make use of the exemption, and secret shopping with Arizona businesses to see how they react to requests for tax-exempt purchases. We conclude that public data is inadequate for a full policy evaluation and that current exemption procedures include imprecision regarding which nonprofits qualify for the benefit. Nonetheless, given the policy goal of advancing public goods, we suggest that the exemption might fruitfully be extended to other categories of qualified nonprofits.
Age Dependence and Regional Anatomical Variability of Cutaneous Irritation

Exogenous dermatoses can be of allergic or irritant type or a combination of both. Although irritant dermatitis is at least as common as allergic contact dermatitis, relatively little is known about its pathophysiology. In the present study the age dependence and regional anatomical variability of cutaneous irritation was investigated for the model irritant sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in two age groups of human volunteers (25.9± 1.4, mean± SEM, n = 7 and 74.6± 1.9, n = 8).
Eco-Industrial Development and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: Examining the Barrier Presumption

Environmental regulation certainly has its supporters and its critics, but even the most ardent endronmentalists recognize that regulation alone has not solved all environmental problems. Creative alternatives in land-use, pollution reduction, and sustainable development are continuously proposed and debated. One possible solution that bodes well for pollution reduction, or even prevention, has been the concept of eco-industrial development (EID). EID describes a closed-loop industrial cycle where generated materials or by-products are returned to the manufacturing process, either used by another facility, or as feedstock for the production of other products. It has been argued, usually by the regulated community, that ell viron men tal regulations create unnecessary impediments to creative solutions like EID. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations are often cited as the most obstructing. This Note examines whether RCRA creates barriers, and if so, to what extent RCRA regulations complicate EID in the United States. "They don't waste anything here, " said the guide . ... "They use everything about the hog except the squeal. "
The Structure and Properties of the Natural Fat Globule “Membrane”*: A Historical Review with Experiments Bearing on a Physico-Chemical Explanation

Summary The fat globules in cows’ milk are wholly or partially surrounded by a special group of substances whose origin may be due, in part, to their greater capillary activity. The other surface active substances occurring in major concentration in milk plasma evidently constitute the outer layers of the fat globule surfaces if indeed they are normally concentrated there at all. The latter are readily removed when cream is washed by dilution with water. Experimental work in the author's laboratory and by numerous other workers cited, has pointed to the importance of the natural “membrane” of the fat globules in creaming, churning, milk flavor (both normal and oxidized), decreased curd tension of natural sweet cream buttermilk, and in determining the desirable whipping qualities of ice cream mixes.
Pedagogical Dramas and Transformational Play: Realizing Narrative through Videogames Design

Whereas traditionally stories involve an author, a performer, and an audience, much of the power of videogames as media for advancing narrative springs from their affordance for the player to occupy more than one role--and sometimes all three--simultaneously. In the narratively-rich videogames that we design, players have the opportunity to perform actions, experience consequences, and reflect on the underlying social values that these situations were designed to engage. Here, our focus is on the use of these games to engage children in experiencing ideological struggles associated with realizing social commitments. Toward this end, we will present our theoretical argument for the power of games as a contemporary story medium, grounding this discussion in the demonstration of three game design projects and their implementations.
IT Recruiting Practices as Retention Predictors: Can Recruiters Make a Difference to Potential IT Employees?

The initial interaction between recruiters and potential employees can make a significant difference in not only whether these potential employees will join this particular company but how they project their duration of stay at this particular company. 278 potential IT employees who are graduating from a major Midwest university in the United States were asked to evaluate 40 commonly presented human resource practices during the recruitment process such as their future job nature, training and opportunities for advancement. The results show that among all practices, competitive salary ranks the highest while opportunities for professional growth, and high respect and fair treatment come second and third, respectively. The results also demonstrate that age, performance measurement and training are statistically significant and positively related to their duration of intended stay in this job; compensation and personal factors are also statistically significant but negatively related to the duration of intended stay in that job.
THE SYMMETRY BREAKING INTERACTION

The bootstrap idea is explored in terms of a non-linear equation projecting all hadron states out of one master field. The symmetries are assumed to derive from the non-strong interactions, the bootstrap's role being reduced to their regeneration as strong-interactions symmetries. The interaction responsible for the breaking of $SU\mathit{(}\mathit{3}\mathit{)}$ is reviewed and its non-bootstrap features are emphasized. Finally, some remarks are included with respect to an $R\mathit{(}\mathit{8}\mathit{)}$ extension of $SU\mathit{(}\mathit{3}\mathit{)}/Z\mathit{(}\mathit{3}\mathit{)}$ capable of yielding $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}S=\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}Q$ weak currents and the anomalous ${K}_{2}{}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ decay.
Triple‐Bond Isomerizations: 2‐ to 9‐Decyn‐1‐ol

Triple-Bond Isomerizations: 2- to 9-decyn-1-ol product: 9-Decyn-1-ol (12.8–13.5 g, 83–88%) Keywords: 1,3-diaminopropane; 1,3-diaminopropane, irritant
Non-Abelian phases in two-component ν = 2 / 3 fractional quantum Hall states: Emergence of Fibonacci anyons

Recent theoretical insights into the possibility of non-Abelian phases in $\ensuremath{\nu}=2/3$ fractional quantum Hall states revived the interest in the numerical phase diagram of the problem. We investigate the effect of various kinds of two-body interlayer couplings on the (330) bilayer state and exactly solve the Hamiltonian for up to 14 electrons on sphere and torus geometries. We consider interlayer tunneling, short-ranged repulsive/attractive pseudopotential interactions, and Coulomb repulsion. We find a 6-fold ground-state degeneracy on the torus when the interlayer hollow-core interaction is dominant. To identify the topological nature of this phase we measure the orbital-cut entanglement spectrum, quasihole counting, topological entanglement entropy, and wave-function overlap. Comparing the numerical results to the theoretical predictions, we interpret this 6-fold ground-state degeneracy phase to be the non-Abelian bilayer Fibonacci state.
Examining the efficiency of receptor/G‐protein coupling with a cleavable β2‐adrenoceptor–Gsα fusion protein

Reconstitution of high-affinity agonist binding at the β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR) expressed in Sf9 insect cells requires a large excess of the stimulatory G-protein of adenylyl cyclase, Gsα, relative to receptor [R. Seifert, T. W. Lee, V. T. Lam & B. K. Kobilka, (1998) Eur. J. Biochem.255, 369–382]. In a fusion protein of the β2AR and Gsα (β2AR-Gsα), which has only a 1 : 1 stoichiometry of receptor and G-protein, high-affinity agonist binding and agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis, guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP[S]) binding and adenylyl cyclase (AC) activation are more efficient than in the nonfused coexpression system. In order to analyze the stability of the receptor/G-protein interaction, we constructed a fusion protein with a thrombin-cleavage site between β2AR and Gsα (β2AR-TS-Gsα). β2AR-TS-Gsα efficiently reconstituted high-affinity agonist binding, agonist-stimulated GTP hydrolysis, GTP[S] binding and AC activation. Thrombin cleaves ≈ 70% of β2AR-TS-Gsα molecules in Sf9 membranes. Thrombin cleavage did not impair high-affinity agonist binding and GTP[S] binding but strongly reduced ligand-regulated GTPase activity and AC activity. We conclude that fusion of the β2AR to Gsα promotes tight physical association of the two partners and that this association remains stable for a single activation/deactivation cycle even after cleavage of the link between the receptor and G-protein. Dilution of Gsα in the membrane and release of activated Gsα into the cytosol can both prevent cleaved β2AR-TS-Gsα from undergoing multiple activation/deactivation cycles.
Breaking seed dormancy of Pinus bungeana Zucc, with Trichoderma-4030 inoculations

Seeds of Pinus bungeana are very dormant due to the impermeability of their seed coats. We have found that treatment with microorganisms (Trichoderma-4030) can effectively soften the seed coats, and thus promote germination. Further trials will be undertaken to confirm the practical application.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Driven Single-Electron Tunneling Junctions

In this paper we investigate the nonlinear dynamics of circuits made of single-electron tunneling junctions (SETJ) driven by a sinusoidal pump and biased by a DC voltage source. The mathematical model of an isolated SETJ circuit is a first-order nonautonomous impulsive differential equation. The tunneling effect of each SETJ can be realistically modeled by the impulsive effect of the junction voltage, which we choose to be the state variable of our circuit model. Based on this model we present theoretical results on the stability of the periodic and almost periodic solutions of driven SETJs. Our theoretical results show there are two phase states in each isolated SETJ circuit, which corresponds to two phase-shifted periodic solutions of our model. We present theoretical and numerical results of return maps of an isolated SETJ circuit. Our results also show that if the tunneling events are equipotentially almost periodic then the attractors generated by two-coupled SETJs will be confined to the vicinity of some periodic orbits. This result provides a foundation for implementing robust logic operations in nanoelectronics.
Craniotomy for cochlear implantation

Early cochlear implantation is an effective method for the treatment of prelingually deafened children as well as adults. The decreased thickness and increased curvature of the calvarium makes protrusion and rocking of the implant receiver-stimulator problematic in children and some adults. In addition to describing technical details associated with completion of a craniotomy to inset the receiver-stimulator portion of a cochlear implant, we describe a technique in which the calvarium is removed completely and dura exposed in creation of the bone well. By using this technique, the receiver-stimulator is recessed completely, which reduces protrusion and decreases the potential for rocking and mobility of the implant. The technique, when used properly, is safe for use in very young children as well as adults receiving cochlear implants, and can potentially avoid some of the late complications related to excessive protrusion or mobility of the receiver-stimulator.