cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Orientation of Dy 155 and Dy 157

The isotopes ${\mathrm{Dy}}^{155}$ and ${\mathrm{Dy}}^{157}$ were aligned at low temperatures in a single crystal of neodymium ethylsulfate, using the magnetic hfs method. Angular distribution of gamma radiation following the decay of these isotopes was studied as a function of temperature in the region $0.02\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{K}lTl1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{K}$. Spin assignments of $\frac{5}{2}\ensuremath{-}$ were made to states at 227 kev in ${\mathrm{Tb}}^{155}$ and at 327 kev in ${\mathrm{Tb}}^{157}$. Assuming $I=\frac{3}{2}$ for both dypsprosium isotopes as well as pure $L=1$ beta decay to the $\frac{5}{2}\ensuremath{-}$ states, nuclear moments of $|{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{155}|=0.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}.05$ nm and $|{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{157}|=0.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ nm were derived.
In situ oxygen plasma cleaning of microswitch surfaces-comparison of Ti and graphite electrodes

Ohmic micro- and nanoswitches are of interest for a wide variety of applications including radio frequency communications and as low power complements to transistors. In these switches, it is of paramount importance to maintain surface cleanliness in order to prevent frequent failure by tribopolymer growth. To prepare surfaces, an oxygen plasma clean is expected to be beneficial compared to a high temperature vacuum bakeout because of shorter cleaning time (<5 min compared to ~24 h) and active removal of organic contaminants. We demonstrate that sputtering of the electrode material during oxygen plasma cleaning is a critical consideration for effective cleaning of switch surfaces. With Ti electrodes, a TiO x layer forms that increases electrical contact resistance. When plasma-cleaned using graphite electrodes, the resistance of Pt-coated microswitches exhibit a long lifetime with consistently low resistance (<0.5 Ω variation over 300 million cycles) if the test chamber is refilled with ultra-high purity nitrogen and if the devices are not exposed to laboratory air. Their current–voltage characteristic is also linear at the millivolt level. This is important for nanoswitches which will be operated in that range.
518. Tumor Associated Macrophages Mitigate Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus Efficacy in Part Through TGF-β Signaling

Introduction: Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive bone tumor that is often lethal following recurrence or metastasis. Oncolytic viruses (OVs), such as the rRp450 herpes simplex virus, are promising anticancer therapeutics designed to selectively replicate in cancer cells. While OV anti-tumor efficacy is partially caused by direct infection and lysis of cancer cells, stimulation of an anti-cancer immune response also contributes to virus-mediated efficacy. Immunologic responses to infections are known to be modulated by macrophages via various cytokines and chemokines and it is now appreciated that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). M2 alternatively activated macrophages in particular express pro-tumor immunosuppressive cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-β. We hypothesize that TAMs reduce therapeutic efficacy by producing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via IL-10 and TGF-β signaling. Research methods: Human Ewing sarcoma xenografts were implanted into athymic nude mice and macrophages were depleted using liposomal clodronate (encapsula) prior to intratumoral injection of rRp450 oncolytic HSV. Tumors were allowed to grow for tumor progression. In vitro cytotoxicity was determined using MTS assay. In vitro and in vivo virus replication was determined through plaque assay. Bone marrow derived macrophages were cocultured with Ewing sarcoma cell lines and harvested for flow cytometry and PCR analysis of tumor inflammatory signaling and M1/M2 macrophage gene profiles. F4/80+ tumor associated macrophages were extracted from tumors using magnetic bead separation. TGF-β cytokine superfamily receptor signaling was inhibited with A83-01 (Sigma-Aldrich) small molecule treatment prior to intratumoral injection of rRp450. Results: Macrophage depletion significantly inhibited tumorigenesis and enhanced rRp450 anti-tumor efficacy in A673, but not 5838 Ewing sarcoma xenografts. No change in virus titer was observed in the macrophage depleted tumors, suggesting the effect isn't due to enhanced virus replication. Macrophages cocultured with A673 cells had higher expression of M2 pro-tumor macrophage genes than macrophages cocultured with 5838 cells. Macrophages in A673 tumors also demonstrated higher expression of IL-10 and TGF-β than 5838 tumor associated macrophages. Inhibition of TGF-β signaling enhanced rRp450 oncolytic virus anti-tumor efficacy in A673 tumors. Conclusions: Macrophages play a significant role in mitigating OV anti-tumor efficacy. Specifically, our tumor models that promote M2 macrophage polarization are significantly more resistant to oncolytic virus therapy, in part due to TGF-β signaling. Our results suggest that the combination of oncolytic virus therapy with a macrophage modulatory therapy will improve OV anti-tumor efficacy in patients with highly immunosuppressive tumors.
The Warm Glow of Restaurant Checkout Charity

Checkout charity is a phenomenon whereby frontline employees (or self-service technologies) solicit charitable donations from customers during the payment process. Despite its growing ubiquity, lit...
Association of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10 polymorphisms with motoric cognitive risk syndrome in an Ashkenazi Jewish population.

Abstract Motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome is a newly described predementia syndrome characterized by the presence of cognitive complaints and slow gait, which is associated with increased risk of conversion to dementia. The underlying biological mechanisms for MCR have not yet been established. Neuroinflammation mediated through cytokines plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of dementia. Hence, our objective was to prospectively examine whether variations in cytokine genes (CRP, IFNG, IL1A, IL1B, IL4, IL6, IL10, IL18, TNF, and IL12A) play a role in MCR incidence in 530 community-dwelling Ashkenazi Jewish adults aged 65 years and older without MCR or dementia at baseline enrolled in the LonGenity study. Over a median follow-up of 2.99 years, 70 participants developed MCR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the transcriptional regulatory regions of cytokine IL10, rs1800896 (hazard ratio adjusted for age, gender, and education, aHR: 1.667; 95% CI: 1.198–2.321) and rs3024498 (aHR: 1.926; 95% CI: 1.315–2.822), were associated with incident MCR. Functional analysis using in silico approaches indicated associated SNP rs3024498 “C” allele being the local expression quantitative trait locus. Associated alleles of both the SNPs, rs1800896 and rs3024498, were implicated with overexpression of IL10 gene. None of the variants in the neuroinflammatory pathway studied were associated with incident mild cognitive impairment syndrome. These observations support a role for the IL10 gene in dementia pathogenesis by increasing risk of developing MCR in older adults.
Pharmacological Interventions and the Neurobiological Basis of Mental Disorders

In psychiatry, pharmacological research has played a crucial role in the formulation, revision, and refinement of neurobiological theories of psychopathology. Besides being utilized as potential treatments for various mental disorders, pharmacological drugs play an important epistemic role as experimental instruments that help scientists uncover the neurobiological underpinnings of mental disorders (Tsou 2012). Interventions with psychiatric patients using pharmacological drugs provide researchers with information about the neurobiological causes of mental disorders that cannot be obtained in other ways. This important source of evidence for the biological causes of mental disorders is often overlooked in philosophical analyses of psychiatry, especially in skeptical analyses that debase the biological aspects of psychopathology (e.g., Szasz 1960; Scheff 1963; Laing 1967). In discussing pharmacological interventions as a form of evidence for the physical basis of mental disorders, this paper aims to clarify the nature, reliability, and limitations of this evidence. In addition, it illustrates the central role that pharmacological findings in applied clinical contexts play in the acquisition of neurobiological knowledge in research contexts.
Urinary Tract Infections in Children.

1. Eric Balighian, MD* 2. Michael Burke, MD* 1. *St Agnes Hospital, Baltimore, MD * Abbreviations: AAP: : American Academy of Pediatrics CFU: : colony-forming unit DMSA: : dimercaptosuccinic acid IV: : intravenous UTI: : urinary tract infection VCUG: : voiding cystourethrogram WBC: : white blood cell Consideration of risk factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in young children with fever is critical for accurate diagnosis, as well as prevention of overtesting. The use of perineal bags to collect urine from young children should be limited to specific indications in the diagnosis of UTIs. Screening for and managing bowel and bladder dysfunction reduces the risk of UTIs in older children. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the risk factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. 2. Review the interpretation of urinalysis and urine cultures. 3. Review antibiotic therapy choices for UTIs. 4. Describe which children need imaging after febrile UTIs. 5. Discuss prevention strategies to discuss with families. Charlotte is a 13-month-old girl with a history of 2 febrile urinary tract infections (UTIs) 4 and 6 months ago. She had normal renal and bladder ultrasonographic findings 6 months ago. She presents with a fever that began yesterday. She has no other new symptoms. Her 4-year-old brother had a self-limited febrile illness 1 week ago, which resolved. At examination, she is fussy but consolable and alert. She is non–toxic appearing. Her physical examination findings show tachycardia with a heart rate of 130 beats/min, without murmur. Her respiratory rate is 28 breaths/min, without distress or retractions. Her lungs are clear bilaterally. Her tympanic membranes appear normal. Her abdomen is soft and nontender. Her genital examination findings appear normal, without erythema or labial adhesions. Her temperature is 102.5°F (39.2°C). A bag is placed …
Temperature effects on multiphase reactions of organic molecular markers: A modeling study

Abstract Various molecular markers are used in source apportionment studies. In early studies, molecular markers were assumed to be inert. However, recent studies suggest that molecular markers can decay rapidly through multiphase reactions, which makes interpretation of marker measurements challenging. This study presents a simplified model to account for the effects of temperature and relative humidity on the lifetime of molecular markers through a shift in gas-particle partitioning as well as a change in viscosity of the condensed phase. As a model case, this study examines the stability of levoglucosan, a key marker species of biomass burning, over a wide temperature range relevant to summertime and wintertime. Despite the importance of wood combustion for space heating in winter, the lifetime of levoglucosan in wintertime is not well understood. The model predicts that in low-temperature conditions, levoglucosan predominantly remains in the particle phase, and therefore its loss due to gas-phase oxidation reactions is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the movement of the levoglucosan from the bulk of the particle to the particle surface is reduced due to low diffusivity in the semi-solid state. The simplified model developed in this study reasonably reproduces upper and lower bounds of the lifetime of levoglucosan investigated in previous studies. The model results show that the levoglucosan depletion after seven days reduces significantly from ∼98% at 25 °C to 1 week) even at 60% relative humidity irrespective of the assumed fragility parameter D that controls estimated diffusivity. The model shows that lifetime of an organic molecular marker strongly depends on assumed D especially when a semi-volatile marker is in semi-solid organic aerosol.
A Layperson's Primer on Multiple Stressors

This article introduces the concept of multiple stressors. It has been written for the layperson, in terms that do not require a strong scientific background. It has been written to facilitate scientists' communication with the public and funding agencies about multiple stressors. This article briefly explains several major classes of contaminants whose global dispersal and long-term persistence in the environment might cause them to contribute to multiple stressors. Highlighted is our lack of understanding about the poten- tial interactions among multiple stressors and the need for much additional research. Interactions are explained through a simple example of various plausible responses that an organism might exhibit when exposed to both cadmium and radiation. Our current approach for determining human and ecological risks from contaminants is explained such that the reader is aware of why multiple stressor research is needed. This article stresses the need for a coordinated, multinational, multidisciplinary research plan for multiple stressors.
Distinguishing physiologic from abnormal bladder activity during cerebrospinal fluid scintigraphy with Indium-111 DTPA

1973 Objectives In the absence of a direct site of CSF leak on scintigraphy, isolated early bladder activity has been reported as an indirect finding suggesting occult CSF leak. However, no available studies evaluate the timing of normal bladder appearance. This study assesses timing of bladder visualization in the absence of CSF leak. Methods A 5-year retrospective review was performed for intrathecal In-111 DTPA administrations via fluoroscopic-guided lumbar puncture. Exams performed for hydrocephalus (NPH) were included in the study, as were ENT studies for suspected leak with pledget counts and images both demonstrating absence of leak. Complex studies requiring multiple lumbar punctures or atypical access were excluded from review. Images during the day of injection were reviewed for bladder activity and degree of ascent of tracer. Results A total of 84 In-111 DTPA administrations were included, with 103 time points/images, at 0.25 - 9 hrs (mean 3.6 +/- 1.7). Bladder activity was noted in 70% of images within 9 hours. For the NPH subset, bladder activity was noted in 76%, though fewer imaging time-points are available for this subset, and imaging time was slightly later (mean 3.9 hrs +/- 0.62). In the absence of other evidence of CSF leak, physiologic bladder activity was correlated with degree of tracer ascent (i.e., radiopharmaceutical within the spinal canal, above the foramen magnum, within the basilar cisterns, and along the cerebral convexities). Bladder activity rarely was present when the radiopharmaceutical had not yet reached the foramen magnum, and when present, was typically associated with pathology (e.g. evident dose extravasation). Conclusions Bladder activity within a few hours of injection should not be immediately attributed to occult CSF leak. Instead, it should be correlated with ascent along the neural axis. Physiologic bladder activity can occur early after injection of the radiopharmaceutical if the tracer has ascended above the level of the foramen magnum
Signal Detection Theory (SDT) Is Effective for Modeling User Behavior Toward Phishing and Spear-Phishing Attacks.

Objective:To examine the utility of equal-variance signal detection theory (EVSDT) for evaluating and understanding human detection of phishing and spear-phishing e-mail scams.Background:Although t...
Mīrābāī—a Saint or a Rebel?

Mīrābāī—a Saint or a Rebel? There have been many attempts to narrate the life of Mīrābāī, the 16th-century Rajasthani princess and sant poetess. The extent of the texts centred around her life ranges from a few verses in Nābhādās’s Bhaktamāl from the beginning of the 17thcentury to the 20th/21st-century monographs. It substantially increases with time, especially in the past century, as well as does the quantity of information these texts provide to their readers. This paper compares the life writings by/about Mīrā from the two centuries after Mīrā’s alleged death with recent biographical material on Mīrā’s life and tries to classify the specific tendencies in interpreting her life in the recent publications as well as to identify the reasons behind them.
Combination of Clinically Utilized Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonist Nalfurafine With Low-Dose Naltrexone Reduces Excessive Alcohol Drinking in Male and Female Mice.

Background Nalfurafine is the first clinically approved kappa-opioid receptor (KOP-r) agonist as an antipruritus drug with few side effects in humans (e.g., sedation, depression, and dysphoria). No study, however, has been done using nalfurafine on alcohol drinking in rodents or humans. Methods We investigated whether nalfurafine alone or in combination with mu-opioid receptor (MOP-r) antagonist naltrexone changed excessive alcohol drinking in male and female C57BL/6J (B6) mice subjected to a chronic intermittent-access drinking paradigm (2-bottle choice, 24-hour access every other day) for 3 weeks. Neuronal proopiomelanocortin enhancer (nPE) knockout mice with brain-specific deficiency of beta-endorphin (endogenous ligand of MOP-r) were used as a genetic control for the naltrexone effects. Results Single administration of nalfurafine decreased alcohol intake and preference in both male and female B6 mice in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with nor-BNI (a selective KOP-r antagonist) blocked the nalfurafine effect on alcohol drinking, indicating a KOP-r-mediated mechanism. Pharmacological effects of a 5-dosing nalfurafine regimen were further evaluated: The repeated nalfurafine administrations decreased alcohol consumption without showing any blunted effects, suggesting nalfurafine did not develop a tolerance after the multidosing regimen tested. Nalfurafine did not produce any sedation (spontaneous locomotor activity), anhedonia-like (sucrose preference test), anxiety-like (elevated plus maze test), or dysphoria-like (conditioned place aversion test) behaviors, suggesting that nalfurafine had few side effects. Investigating synergistic effects between low-dose naltrexone and nalfurafine, we found that single combinations of nalfurafine and naltrexone, at doses lower than individual effective dose, profoundly decreased excessive alcohol intake in both sexes. The effect of nalfurafine on decreasing alcohol consumption was confirmed in nPE-/- mice, suggesting independent mechanisms by which nalfurafine and naltrexone reduced alcohol drinking. Conclusion The clinically utilized KOP-r agonist nalfurafine in combination with low-dose naltrexone has potential in alcoholism treatment.
Delay Minimization for NOMA-Assisted MEC Under Power and Energy Constraints

This letter considers delay minimization for offloading in a mobile edge computing network with multiple users. We first show that under the same power constraint, using non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) can reduce the overall delay compared with time-division multiple access (TDMA). However, in this case, NOMA also consumes more energy. To ensure a fair comparison, we also consider the case when NOMA and TDMA are constrained by the same energy. Depending on the available energy, three scenarios are identified, and the corresponding optimal strategies are introduced. Simulations are conducted, showing that the proposed NOMA scheme can achieve substantial delay reduction compared with TDMA.
Epistemic Closure and the Schechter Case

In Gundy Justice Gorsuch offered two characterizations of the facts in the Schechter case: (1) “Kosher butchers such as the Schechters had a hard time following [the rules that required ‘straight-killing’ of chickens].” (2) “Yet the government apparently singled out the Schechters as a test case; inspectors repeatedly visited them and, at times, apparently behaved abusively toward their customers.” Justice Gorsuch relied upon Amity Shlaes’s book The Forgotten Man to support these assertions. In a blog post I criticized Shlaes’s account, and used Justice Gorsuch’s reliance upon it to illustrate what I called epistemic closure in the construction of the law – by which I meant the reliance upon a closed set of sources written by authors who generally shared a specific outlook on the way the world works. Josh Blackman and Shlaes responded to my criticism. But, as I show here, their responses are largely mistaken and (or perhaps because) undertheorized because of their failure (or perhaps inability – an inability that may be intrinsic to the process) to recognize the existence of epistemic closure.
Pharmacological Treatments for Fragile X Syndrome Based on Synaptic Dysfunction

BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of monogenic hereditary cognitive impairment, including intellectual disability, autism, hyperactivity, and epilepsy. METHODS This article reviews the literature pertaining to the role of synaptic dysfunction in FXS. RESULTS In FXS, synaptic dysfunction alters the excitation-inhibition ratio, dysregulating molecular and cellular processes underlying cognition, learning, memory, and social behavior. Decades of research have yielded important hypotheses that could explain, at least in part, the development of these neurological disorders in FXS patients. However, the main goal of translating lab research in animal models to pharmacological treatments in the clinic has been so far largely unsuccessful, leaving FXS a still incurable disease. CONCLUSION In this concise review, we summarize and analyze the main hypotheses proposed to explain synaptic dysregulation in FXS, by reviewing the scientific evidence that led to pharmaceutical clinical trials and their outcome.
Effective inertial sensor quantity and locations on a body for deep learning-based worker's motion recognition

Abstract Construction tasks involve various activities composed of one or more body motions. As construction projects are labor-intensive and heavily rely on manual tasks, understanding the ever-changing behavior and activities is essential to manage construction workers effectively regarding their safety and productivity. While several research efforts have shown promising results in automated motion and activity recognition of the workers using motion sensors, there is still a lack of understanding about how motion sensors' numbers and their locations affect the performance of the recognition, which can contribute to improving the recognition performance and reducing the implementation cost. Moreover, further research is necessary to seek the motion recognition model that accurately identifies various motions using motion sensors attached to the workers' bodies. This study proposes a construction worker's motion recognition model using the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of motion sensors' numbers and locations to maximize motion recognition performance. The evaluation is conducted by generating different datasets containing motion sensor data collected from the sensors located on different body parts. Comparing the performance of five machine learning models trained using the datasets, the desired numbers and locations of motion sensors are identified. The quasi-experimental test with multiple subjects is conducted to validate the findings of the evaluation. Based on the findings, the LSTM network for recognizing construction workers' motions is developed. The LSTM network classifies various motions of the workers that can be utilized as primitive elements for monitoring the workers regarding their safety and productivity.
A pilot study of tazemetostat and MK-3475 (pembrolizumab) in advanced urothelial carcinoma (ETCTN 10183).

TPS607Background: Few patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) achieve a durable response despite early stabilization with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Mutations in the COMPASS-related ...
Grape pomace inhibits colon carcinogenesis by suppressing cell proliferation and inducing epigenetic modifications

Grape pomace (GP), a by-product of the wine and juice industry, is rich in bioflavonoids and dietary fibers. We hypothesized that GP has protective effects against colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC). Nine-week-old female mice were fed a control diet (CON) or CON with 5% grape pomace (GP) for 2 weeks, when mice were subjected to azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced-CRC induction. GP supplementation ameliorated the disease activity index (DAI) score, reduced tumor number, tumor size and pathological scores in AOM/DSS treated mice. Furthermore, dietary GP suppressed colonic expression of inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α, and inhibited NF-κB inflammatory signaling, while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β mRNA expression. Colorectal inflammation is known to enhance Wnt signaling and cell proliferation. In agreement, the content of β-catenin, a key downstream mediator of Wnt signaling, was reduced as was the expression of Cyclin D1, phosphorylation and content of p53 and PCNA level in GP-fed mice. In addition, GP reduced the expression of ALDH1, a marker of cell stemness, and increased the expression of Cdx2, a key transcription factor initiating epithelial cell differentiation, DNA methylation of the promoter region of Cdx2 gene and hypermethylation of CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), which commonly occurs during CRC carcinogenesis, was alleviated in the GP group. In conclusion, GP supplementation suppressed colitis-associated CRC carcinogenesis, which was associated with the suppression of inflammation and cell proliferation and the enhancement of DNA demethylation in Cdx2 and CIMP genes in the colon. These data suggest that dietary GP supplementation has preventive effects against colorectal carcinogenesis.
Anesthesia in the late 1960s at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston: A case report.

Abstract Background Regional and general anesthesia were widely available in the United States in the late 1960s. The risk of permanent neurological sequelae resulting from spinal anesthesia had largely been dismissed. Although many academic departments of anesthesiology had gained independent status, a significant number operated as divisions within the department of surgery. We present a case report from Peter Bent Brigham Hospital to illustrate the state of anesthetic techniques in use during the late 1960s, and the power dynamics vis-a-vis physician anesthesiologists and surgeons. Sources Hospital records and interviews with individuals familiar with the case. Findings An otherwise healthy patient underwent inguinal hernia repair. The resident anesthesiologist conducted a preoperative assessment the evening prior to surgery with the patient consenting to the spinal anesthesia, a plan agreeable to the faculty anesthesiologist. The attending surgeon was one of the most prominent surgeons in America and the chairman of their department. He disapproved of the planned anesthetic. Subsequent modifications to the anesthetic plans are discussed, as is the fallout from those actions. Conclusion Spinal anesthesia remained a popular anesthetic option during the late 1960s. General anesthesia with ether, halothane, and other agents an alternative. This case highlights various aspects of perioperative management during a period when many American academic departments of anesthesiology existed as divisions within the department of surgery. It also touches upon the careers of two prominent American physicians.
Heterogeneous trends in burden of heart disease mortality by subtypes in the United States, 1999-2018: observational analysis of vital statistics

Abstract Objective To describe trends in the burden of mortality due to subtypes of heart disease from 1999 to 2018 to inform targeted prevention strategies and reduce disparities. Design Serial cross sectional analysis of cause specific heart disease mortality rates using national death certificate data in the overall population as well as stratified by race-sex, age, and geography. Setting United States, 1999-2018. Participants 12.9 million decedents from total heart disease (49% women, 12% black, and 19% Main outcome measures Age adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) and years of potential life lost (YPLL) for each heart disease subtype, and respective mean annual percentage change. Results Deaths from total heart disease fell from 752 192 to 596 577 between 1999 and 2011, and then increased to 655 381 in 2018. From 1999 to 2018, the proportion of total deaths from heart disease attributed to ischemic heart disease decreased from 73% to 56%, while the proportion attributed to heart failure increased from 8% to 13% and the proportion attributed to hypertensive heart disease increased from 4% to 9%. Among heart disease subtypes, AAMR was consistently highest for ischemic heart disease in all subgroups (race-sex, age, and region). After 2011, AAMR for heart failure and hypertensive heart disease increased at a faster rate than for other subtypes. The fastest increases in heart failure mortality were in black men (mean annual percentage change 4.9%, 95% confidence interval 4.0% to 5.8%), whereas the fastest increases in hypertensive heart disease occurred in white men (6.3%, 4.9% to 9.4%). The burden of years of potential life lost was greatest from ischemic heart disease, but black-white disparities were driven by heart failure and hypertensive heart disease. Deaths from heart disease in 2018 resulted in approximately 3.8 million potential years of life lost. Conclusions Trends in AAMR and years of potential life lost for ischemic heart disease have decelerated since 2011. For almost all other subtypes of heart disease, AAMR and years of potential life lost became stagnant or increased. Heart failure and hypertensive heart disease account for the greatest increases in premature deaths and the largest black-white disparities and have offset declines in ischemic heart disease. Early and targeted primary and secondary prevention and control of risk factors for heart disease, with a focus on groups at high risk, are needed to avoid these suboptimal trends beginning earlier in life.
Drug library screen identifies inhibitors of toxic astrogliosis

Abstract Objective Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neuroinflammatory disorder, in which activated immune cells directly or indirectly induce demyelination and axonal degradation. Inflammatory stimuli also change the phenotype of astrocytes, making them neurotoxic. The resulting ‘toxic astrocyte’ phenotype has been observed in animal models of neuroinflammation and in multiple sclerosis lesions. Proteins secreted by toxic astrocytes are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients and reproducibly correlate with the rates of accumulation of neurological disability and brain atrophy. This suggests a pathogenic role for neurotoxic astrocytes in multiple sclerosis. Methods Here, we applied a commercially available library of small molecules that are either Food and Drug Administration-approved or in clinical development to an in vitro model of toxic astrogliosis to identify drugs and signaling pathways that inhibit inflammatory transformation of astrocytes to a neurotoxic phenotype. Results Inhibitors of three pathways related to the endoplasmic reticulum stress: 1) proteasome, 2) heat shock protein 90 and 3) mammalian target of rapamycin reproducibly decreased inflammation-induced conversion of astrocytes to toxic phenotype. Dantrolene, an anti-spasticity drug that inhibits calcium release through ryanodine receptors expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum of central nervous system cells, also exerted inhibitory effect at in vivo achievable concentrations. Finally, we established cerebrospinal fluid SERPINA3 as a relevant pharmacodynamic marker for inhibiting toxic astrocytes in clinical trials. Interpretation Drug library screening provides mechanistic insight into the generation of toxic astrocytes and identifies candidates for immediate proof-of-principle clinical trial(s).
Subcellular Substrates of Learning and Memory

As we have seen, a fundamental tenet of learning theory is that the proximity, in time, of certain stimuli profoundly influences brain function. Brain function, in turn, depends on processes at the cellular and subcellular levels. Simple, repetitive, and associative presentations of stimuli are thought to influence these processes relatively directly. This chapter is concerned with the possible effects of temporally associated stimuli on ionic conductances and other molecularly based functions that form the ultimate substrates of learning and memory.
Perceptions of tobacco product-specific COVID-19 risk and changes in tobacco use behaviors among smokers, e-cigarette users, and dual users.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health crisis, but its effects on tobacco users remain ill-defined. This report aimed to assess the relationship between tobacco product-specific risk perceptions for COVID-19 and changes in tobacco use since the start of the pandemic. METHODS: A sample (n=776) of past-30 day exclusive smokers (n=238), exclusive e-cigarette users (n=143), and dual users (n=395) residing in the US and aged 18 or older was collected using Mechanical Turk from April 27 to June 8, 2020. Adjusted associations between tobacco product-specific COVID-19 risk perceptions (i.e. risk that smokers/vapers are at for COVID-19 relative to non-smokers/non-vapers) and changes in tobacco use since the pandemic began were assessed using partial proportional odds models. RESULTS: A majority of those who used cigarettes (63.7%) and e-cigarettes (56.1%) felt that the risk of COVID-19 was greater for users of their tobacco product than for non-users. Twenty-four percent of smokers had increased their cigarette use since the start of the pandemic and 28.0% had decreased. Similarly, 27.3% of e-cigarette users had increased their e-cigarette use since the start of the pandemic and 23.8% had decreased. Higher risk perceptions for COVID-19 were associated with reductions in tobacco use since the pandemic began for exclusive e-cigarette users and dual users. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide support that tobacco product-specific COVID-19 risk perceptions may be an important correlate of changes in tobacco use during the pandemic. Targeted information to inform tobacco users regarding their risks for COVID-19 is needed during this public health crisis.
Bimolecular quenching of tryptophan fluorescence in a membrane protein: Evolution of local solvation and environment during folding into a bilayer

Abstract Fluorescence spectroscopy, including Stern-Volmer quenching, is a valuable tool for the study of protein dynamics. Changes in protein solvation during the folding reaction of a membrane protein, Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), into lipid bilayers was probed with bimolecular fluorescence quenching with acrylamide quencher. Six single-tryptophan OmpA mutants (W7, W15, W57, W102, W129, and W143) allowed for site-specific investigations at varying locations within the transmembrane β-barrel domain. A sphere-of-action quenching model that combines both static and dynamic components gave rise to Stern-Volmer quenching constants, K D , for OmpA denatured in 8.0 M urea, aggregated in 0.5 M urea, adsorbed onto small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), and folded in SUVs (t = 6 hrs). The average K D values were K D denatured ( 6.4 M - 1 ) > K D aggregated 5.9 M - 1 > K D adsorbed ( 1.9 M - 1 ) > K D folded ( 0.6 M - 1 ) . With knowledge of the fluorescence lifetimes in the absence of quencher, the bimolecular quenching constants, k q , were derived; the evolution of k q (and therefore K D ) during the folding reaction into SUVs (t = 0 hr to t = 6 hrs) revealed desolvation timescales, τ desolv of 41–46 min (W7, W15, W57, W102), 27 min (W129), and 15 min (W143). The evolution of λ max during folding revealed fast and slow components, τ environment fast and τ environment slow of 7–13 min and 25–84 min, respectively, for all mutants. For the five lipid- facing mutants (W7, W15, W57, W129, and W143), the general trend was τ environment fast 7 - 13 m i n τ desolv 15 - 46 m i n ≤ τ environment slow ( 25 - 84 m i n ) . These results suggest that there is an initial fast step in which there is a large change in polarity to a hydrophobic environment, followed by a slower desolvation process during evolution within the hydrophobic environment. These results complement previous mechanisms of concerted folding and provide insights into site-specific changes in solvation during formation of native β-barrel structure.
Takaful: Concept, Principles, Types, and Models

Takaful is social and ethical insurance based on the principle of Taʿawun (cooperation) and Tabarru, where the risk is shared collectively by members of a policy. The concept of Takaful is providing financial assistance to the participants based on mutual aid, brotherhood, and solidarity if the participants face misfortune.
Masking Discrimination: How the “Second Wave” of RFRAs Can Weaken Protections for LGB Individuals

This piece explores how state RFRAs have the potential to substantially weaken anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation. LGB rights groups and other progressive politicians and organizations have protested the proposal and enactment of recent state RFRAs because of this potential, but no article to date examines the doctrinal framework of exactly how the RFRAs damage existing anti-discrimination laws. Additionally, while there has been some litigation involving the clash between religious freedom and gay rights, many of these cases were decided under First Amendment jurisprudence, not the RFRAs. As this piece explains, religious litigants have more protections under RFRAs than they do under First Amendment and thus are more dangerous to anti-discrimination ordinances. This article concludes that these states' RFRAs will seriously decrease the effectiveness any current or future law protecting LGB citizens from discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
Neoliberalism and Culture in China and Hong Kong: The Countdown of Time

Introduction: The Role of Reunification with Hong Kong in the Neoliberalization of the Chinese State 1. The Hong Kong Question: From Sovereignty to Government 2. The Affective Economy of the Hong Kong Countdown: Media Convergence, Public Feelings, and Neoliberal Subjectivity 3. History as a Governmental Discourse 4. Morality and Pleasure in the Synchronization with the World 5. The Super Firm in Spatial Representations of Socialism and Capitalism 6. Memories of the Future in Hong Kong Conclusion: Is China Truly Neoliberal, or a State with Neoliberal Characteristics?
Single-Poly Embedded NVM Solution for Analog Trimming and Code Storage Applications

We report a single-poly embedded nonvolatile memory (eNVM) solution for analog trimming and code storage applications using a 0.13-μm BCDMOS process. Each cell has its own merits and demerits, depending on structure and operation methods. For analog trimming purposes, a conventional n-well coupling Fowler-Nordheim tunneling cell with a large unit cell size of 88 μm2 is used. On the other hand, a select gate lateral coupling (SGLC) cell for code storage purposes has a much smaller unit cell size of 2.82 μm2, which is comparable to the size of SRAM. The SGLC cell is fabricated using a combination of only 1.5-V and 5-V transistor-related processes for channel hot electron injection programming. The SGLC cell exhibits a high programming speed of 100 μs and is over-erase-free, which is suitable for a NOR array structure. In addition, both cells also had a retention lifetime of more than 10 years. Thus, these cells can be fabricated to match the requirements of various eNVM applications.
Prospects for Personalized Cardiovascular Medicine: The Impact of Genomics

Sequencing of the human genome has ushered in prospects for individualizing cardiovascular health care. There is growing evidence that the practice of cardiovascular medicine might soon have a new toolbox to predict and treat disease more effectively. The Human Genome Project has spawned several important "omic" technologies that allow "whole genome" interrogation of sequence variation (re-sequencing, genotyping, comparative genome hybridization), transcription (expression profiling, tissue arrays), proteins (gas or liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectroscopy [MS]), and metabolites (MS or nuclear magnetic resonance profiling); deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, protein, and metabolic approaches all provide more exacting detail of cardiovascular disease mechanisms and, in some cases, are redefining its taxonomy. Pharmacogenomic approaches are emerging across broad classes of cardiovascular therapeutics to assist practitioners in making more precise decisions about which drugs to give to which patients to optimize the benefit-to-risk ratio. Molecular imaging is developing chemical and biological probes that can sense molecular pathway mechanisms that will allow us to monitor health and disease. Together, these tools will enable a paradigm shift from genetic medicine--on the basis of the study of individual inherited characteristics, most often single genes--to genomic medicine, which by its nature is comprehensive and focuses on the functions and interactions of multiple genes and gene products, among themselves and with their environment. The information gained from such analyses, in combination with clinical data, is now allowing us to assess individual risks and guide clinical management and decision-making, all of which form the basis for cardiovascular genomic medicine.
A novel NBI suppression scheme for UWB communications using multiple receive antennas

In this paper, a narrowband interference (NBI) mitigation scheme for ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) signals using multiple receive antennas is examined. The low spatial fading of UWB signals compared to NBI signals is exploited to provide "interference diversity". Whereas classical diversity techniques are designed to increase the desired received signal power, the aim of interference diversity is to minimize the effective NBI power. Selection diversity (SD), equal gain combining (EGC) and maximal ratio combining (MRC) methods are investigated. It is shown that SD and ECG result in a 3-dB performance improvement when the number of receive antennas is doubled. Also, MRC yields additional gains over SD and ECG. The proposed methods are mathematically analyzed, then verified by simulation.
Diffusion of Ca and F in haplogranitic melt from dissolving fluorite crystals at 900°–1000°C and 100 MPa

[1] The diffusion rates of Ca and F into haplogranitic melt were determined by concentration profiles in glasses produced by dissolving fluorite crystals into haplogranitic melt at 900°–1000°C and 75–100 MPa. Starting products were synthesized from oxides of haplogranitic composition at two aluminosities ([Na2O + K2O]/Al2O3 = 1.05 and 1.68). Fluorite crystals or crystal powders were coupled with powders or solid cylinders of haplogranitic glass. Water was added to the runs, resulting in two runs at H2O = 1.20 and 1.40 wt% and three runs thought to be water saturated. The materials were then subjected to the conditions of interest in either a Stellite cold seal apparatus or an internally heated pressure vessel. Electron microprobe traverses of the quenched glasses produced in these experiments revealed negative concentration gradients in Ca and F away from the fluorite-glass boundary. These gradients are comparable to an error function solution (in the first approximation) for specific Ca and F diffusivities (DCa and DF, respectively). The Ca diffusion coefficient increased from 3.36 ± 0.19 · 10−9 to 2.16 ± 0.28 · 10−8 cm2/s and F diffusivity increased from 1.16 ± 0.09 · 10−8 to 6.59 ± 0.62 · 10−8 cm2/s as temperature increased from 900° to 1000°C. These diffusivities are comparable to other published melt diffusion data for the dissolution of multicomponent minerals where the diffusants move independently. Calcium and fluorine diffusivities increase from 2.77 ± 0.09 · 10−9 to 2.16 ± 0.28 · 10−8 cm2/s and from 2.27 ± 0.10 · 10−8 to 6.59 ± 0.62 · 10−8 cm2/s, respectively, with increasing water content at 1000°C, likely due to melt depolimerization. The large difference in the concentrations of Ca (C0Ca) and F (C0F) at the fluorite-glass interface suggests that these two elements diffuse independently in the melt. In contrast, the concentration gradient for Na parallels that of F, suggesting complexing between these two elements.
Using Intergroup Contact Theory to Reduce Stigma Against Transgender Individuals: Impact of a Transgender Speaker Panel Presentation

Sexual minorities experience significant stigma and prejudice. Much research has examined sexual stigma and prejudice impacting gay and lesbian individuals, but limited research has examined other sexual minorities, such as transgender persons or individuals whose gender identity or expression is incongruent with their assigned gender or anatomical sex. Research has found that interpersonal contact with sexual minorities is associated with lower sexual stigma and prejudice. Intergroup contact theory predicts that interaction between groups can reduce stereotyping and improve intergroup relationships. Using a randomized crossover design, this study compared the impact of exposure to a transgender speaker panel vs. a traditional transgender lecture presentation on transphobia. Results indicated greater immediate reductions of transphobia following the transgender speaker panel than traditional lecture.
Elastic neutron scattering in Quantum Critical Antiferromagnet Cr0.963V0.037

Abstract We have performed elastic neutron scattering studies of the quantum critical antiferromagnet Cr 0.963 V 0.037 . We have found that unlike pure Cr, which orders at two incommensurate wavevectors, Cr 0.963 V 0.037 orders at four incommensurate and one commensurate wavevectors. We have found strong temperature dependent scattering at the commensurate and incommensurate wavevectors below 250 K. Results indicate that the primary effect of V doping on Cr is the modification of the nesting conditions of the Fermi surface and not the decreasing of the Neel temperature.
The max K-armed bandit: a new model of exploration applied to search heuristic selection

The multiarmed bandit is often used as an analogy for the tradeoff between exploration and exploitation in search problems. The classic problem involves allocating trials to the arms of a multiarmed slot machine to maximize the expected sum of rewards. We pose a new variation of the multiarmed bandit--the Max K-Armed Bandit--in which trials must be allocated among the arms to maximize the expected best single sample reward of the series of trials. Motivation for the Max K-Armed Bandit is the allocation of restarts among a set of multistart stochastic search algorithms. We present an analysis of this Max K-Armed Bandit showing under certain assumptions that the optimal strategy allocates trials to the observed best arm at a rate increasing double exponentially relative to the other arms. This motivates an exploration strategy that follows a Boltzmann distribution with an exponentially decaying temperature parameter. We compare this exploration policy to policies that allocate trials to the observed best arm at rates faster (and slower) than double exponentially. The results confirm, for two scheduling domains, that the double exponential increase in the rate of allocations to the observed best heuristic outperfonns the other approaches.