cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressure natriuresis and prostaglandin secretion by perfused rat kidney

Pressure natriuresis and prostaglandin secretion by perfused rat kidney. Isolated rat kidneys respond to elevations of perfusion pressure with an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), filtration fraction (FF), and sodium excretion (U Na V) and a fall in fractional sodium reabsorption (FR Na ). Significant linear correlations exist between each of these dependent variables and the renal artery pressure (P). In control kidneys, pressure natriuresis is seen to result both from an increase in filtered sodium load and a decrease in FR Na . In kidneys treated with indomethacin in doses which curtail the release into the perfusate of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and the prostacyclin metabolite, 6-keto-PGF 1α , the regression lines relating GFR, FF, and U Na V to P are shifted to the right. Thus, prostaglandin-inhibited kidneys require higher pressures than control kidneys to maintain comparable rates of filtration and sodium excretion. Total renal vascular resistance (RVR) is also higher in inhibited kidneys. These findings suggest that in the isolated perfused rat kidney, prostaglandins promote pressure natriuresis by maintaining afferent arteriolar dilation. Their inhibition leads to afferent constriction, which raises RVR, lowers FF and GFR, and reduces sodium excretion. Natriurese d'hyperpression et secretion de prostaglandines par le rein de rat perfuse. Les reins de rat isoles repondent a des elevations de la pression de perfusion par une augmentation de debit de glomerulaire filtration (GFR), de la fraction de filtration (FF), et de l'excretion de sodium (U Na V) et par une chute de la reabsorption fractionnelle de sodium (FR Na ). Des correlations lineaires significatives existent entre chacune de ces variables dependantes et la pression de l'artere renale (P). Chez les reins controles, la natriurese d'hyperpression resulte a la fois d'une augmentation de la charge filtree de sodium et d'une diminution de FR Na . Dans des reins traites par des doses d'indomethacine supprimant le relargage dans le perfusat de prostaglandine E 2 (PGE 2 ) et du metabolite de la prostacycline, la 6-ceto-PGE 1α , les droites de regression reliant GFR, FF, et U Na V a P sont decalees vers la droite. Ainsi les reins ayant une inhibition des prostaglandines ont besoin de pressions plus fortes que les reins controles pour maintenir des debits de filtration et d'excretion sodee comparables. La resistance vasculaire renale totale (RVR) est egalement plus elevee chez les reins inhibes. Ces resultats suggerent que dans le rein de rat perfuse isole, les prostaglandines permettent une natriurese d'hyperpression en maintenant la dilatation arteriolaire afferente. Leur inhibition conduit a une constriction afferente, laquelle augmente RVR, diminue FF et GFR, et reduit l'excretion de sodium.
Soil Insecticides for the Japanese Beetle

A brief summary of the materials which have been tested to determine their effectiveness for destroying the beetle in the soil about the roots of nursery plants.
Alanine Aminotransferase and Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E Antibodies Relationship

Objective To study the alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and hepatitis a,hepatitis e immunoglobulin M(IgM) relationship.Methods The Alt test done by dry biochemical method,hepatitis a,hepatitis e antibody detection was performed by enzyme-linked method.Results The study detected 3180 people,of whom 181 people ALT40u/L,ALT positive rate was 5.69%.Conclusion In the process of examination,hepatitis a,hepatitis e positive probability is very small,so you can through the screening to detect alanine aminotransferase,can save more human and financial resources.
Safely increasing the efficiency of thyroidectomy using a new bipolar electrosealing device (LigaSure) versus conventional clamp-and-tie technique.

Operative time in thyroid surgery can be safely reduced through use of a new bipolar electro-sealing device (LigaSure). We evaluated consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery from January 200...
U.S. Volunteering in the Aftermath of the Great Recession: Were African Americans a Significant Factor?

The Great Recession weakened U.S. families’ abilities to make charitable gifts. Although African Americans are generally especially hard hit by these types of economic crises, they have a long and distinctive history of volunteerism and mutual assistance. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to examine African American volunteering in nonprofit organizations in the aftermath of the 2008–2009 recession. Specifically, we examined race as well as other factors with the potential to influence volunteering in four categories of organizations: poverty organizations, senior service agencies, social action groups, and religious affiliated organizations. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data, this secondary analysis produced significant findings regarding volunteerism among African Americans in these community-based organizations.
THE POLITICAL USE OF ISLAMIC VARIATION IN INDONESIAN ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION

The Indonesian State Islamic Higher Education (PTAIN) system was created to encourage a progressive form of Islam to oppose political Islam and to be apolitical. Because PTAIN are the official government form of Islamic higher education, PTAIN faculty members can be important opinion makers in the Indonesian Islamic community. PTAIN are critical to understanding the Indonesian Islamic community because they engage in innovative scholarship on Islamic theology, ethics, law, and practice and in the education of young Muslim leaders in many fields. This article explores some of the ways PTAIN have been politicized to play a role in the debates about the future of Indonesian Islam which is developing (or at least showing) more complex variations. It offers a theoretical model for understanding the variation found in Islam.
The Emergence of Global Trading Blocks: Will it Lead to Global Free Trade?

Today’s U.S. economy can be characterized as truly global. Our prosperity depends in large measure on the prosperity of our trade partners (Sundquist 1991). It has been argued that free trade is good and all parties benefit. One case given where this is especially true is the case of the world’s principle trading nations (i.e., the three major regional trading blocks of North America, the European Community, and industrialized Asia). These blocks account for 15 percent of the world’s population, yet produce 72 percent of its wealth (Sundquist 1991).
Effects of protein species and surface physicochemical features on the deposition of nanoparticles onto protein-coated planar surfaces

Proteins are often an important component of many bulk surfaces in biological and environmental systems that are coated with complex organic compounds that may also interact with NPs. We investigated the deposition of bare hematite NPs onto various proteins adsorbed on either negatively- or positively-charged bottom surfaces. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme, and ubiquitin were used as model proteins and total protein extracts from two bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens, were used as complex protein mixtures. The NP deposition extents and rates were shown to be significantly different depending on the protein. The maximum difference observed was 8.6 ± 3.2 fold between E. coli and P. fluorescens proteins adsorbed onto positively-charged planar surfaces. These differences in NP deposition characteristics are attributed to the differences in physicochemical features of the topmost surface of the protein layer, such as the amino acid profiles, surface charge, and hydrophilicity. Such differences were likely driven by differences in species, orientation, and conformation of the adsorbed proteins. In particular, NP deposition was driven by various combinations of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. This study indicates that NP deposition onto surface-adsorbed proteins is an important mechanism in protein–NP interactions and that the deposition is strongly dependent on both the conformation and chemical characteristics of the adsorbed protein layer.
Affective Contagion and Political Thinking

There are now hundreds of attitude priming studies in the literature (Petty, Fazio, and Brinol, 2009; Wegner and Bargh, 1998), and as seen in earlier chapters we have found strong experimental support for the spontaneous processing of affective information, but to our knowledge there are no experimental analyses of the effects of preconscious feelings on people when they stop to think and reason about political issues (Nosek, Graham, and Hawkins, 2010). What is more, there is good reason to believe that the way citizens evaluate public policy issues may be different from the way they think about and evaluate political persons. Zaller and Feldman (1992) make the case that when evaluating political issues, especially when the political parties take opposing positions (Zaller, 1992), citizens are apt to see two or more sides, and their awareness of the pros and cons may prevent them from forming a crystallized evaluation, especially if they are ambivalent about the issue (Basinger and Lavine, 2005; Lavine, Steenbergen, and Johnston, forthcoming). If this is the case, when called on to form or report a summary evaluation for an issue, citizens may not possess a readily available positive or negative affective tag to retrieve from memory, but rather may rely on memory-based piecemeal processing to sample whatever considerations are accessible in memory and only then construct an evaluation by integrating these conscious recollections into an evaluation (Fiske and Pavelchak, 1986; Tourangeau, Rips, and Rasinski, 2000; Zaller and Feldman, 1992). Our JQP account of how political judgments are formed and expressed claims that the feelings aroused in the initial stages of processing sociopolitical concepts, including candidates, groups, and political ideas or issues, inevitably color all phases of the evaluation process. When a citizen is called upon to make a judgment, given sufficient time to think and motivation to query memory, the sample of considerations that enters consciousness will be biased by the valence of initial affect. That is, our theory posits that considered thought will be the joint product of memory-based processing and initial feelings, which are routinely triggered by affective tallies formed through online processes as well as affect aroused by contextual events and mood.
Discrete tyre model application for evaluation of vehicle limit handling performance

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study is twofold, first, to understand the transient and nonlinear effects of anti-lock braking systems (ABS), road undulations and driving dynamics on lateral performance of tyre and second, to develop objective handling manoeuvres and respective metrics to characterise these effects on vehicle behaviour. For studying the transient and nonlinear handling performance of the vehicle, the variations of relaxation length of tyre and tyre inertial properties play significant roles [Pacejka HB. Tire and vehicle dynamics. 3rd ed. Butterworth-Heinemann; 2012]. To accurately simulate these nonlinear effects during high-frequency vehicle dynamic manoeuvres, requires a high-frequency dynamic tyre model ( Hz). A 6 DOF dynamic tyre model integrated with enveloping model is developed and validated using fixed axle high-speed oblique cleat experimental data. Commercially available vehicle dynamics software CarSim® is used for vehicle simulation. The vehicle model was validated by comparing simu...
Modularity maximization using completely positive programming

Abstract Community detection is one of the most prominent problems of social network analysis. In this paper, a novel method for Modularity Maximization (MM) for community detection is presented which exploits the Alternating Direction Augmented Lagrangian (ADAL) method for maximizing a generalized form of Newman’s modularity function. We first transform Newman’s modularity function into a quadratic program and then use Completely Positive Programming (CPP) to map the quadratic program to a linear program, which provides the globally optimal maximum modularity partition. In order to solve the proposed CPP problem, a closed form solution using the ADAL merged with a rank minimization approach is proposed. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated on several real-world data sets used for benchmarks community detection. Simulation results shows the proposed technique provides outstanding results in terms of modularity value for crisp partitions.
Cities under Siege: Flood in 1931 and Environmental Challenges of Chinese Urban Modernization

The paper explores the connection between China’s urban modernization and the resulted environmental vulnerabilities revealed in the 1931 flood. The flood in 1931 is believed to be the deadliest disaster in 20th century China with one-fourth of China’s population affected. The paper challenges the conventional view that the flood was an “unavoidable” natural disaster mainly caused by bad weather conditions (namely heavy rain, a historic high water level, and low-lying ground of the Jianghan plain). The explanation does not address why key urban centers along the Yangzi appeared unusually vulnerable and suffered great loss in the flood of 1931. The paper takes the worst affected urban region in 1931—Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang as focus of the study. Flood prevention was historically important to the three riverine cities. In traditional China the walled cities with designed hydraulic schemes often provided shelters for people from rural hinterland during the time of flooding. However the three cities were only found defenseless in 1931 after experiencing the rapid urban modernization since the late 19th century. The study specifically examines the urban reconstruction efforts made in the Qing and the Republic and their impacts on the urban flood protection prior to 1931. It explores how the shifting focus of the government from agriculture to trade prioritized urban developmental pattern incompatible with the traditional water-control design. For instance, the rapid urban sprawl since the late Qing caused the reclamation of wetlands and lakes outside city walls preserved as high-water discharge zone. The dismantling of the flood-resistant city walls, locks and moat seriously weakened the traditional urban drains system. In addition, the birth of “the developmental state” in the Republic era marked a new chapter of the Chinese centralized urban modernization with technocratic confidence and industrial ambition. After 1927 the urban social reform reflected a drastic rupture in the government’s policy and societal practice in water control. The concentration of power on the revolutionary government in the cities resulted in the decline of local organizations used to assume water control responsibility at the community level. They were replaced by centrally appointed modernist urban planners who were often ignorant about local condition and traditional wisdom and practice of water control.
The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence: How Automation is Changing Auditing

ABSTRACT: This paper provides an overview of the emergence of artificial intelligence in accounting and auditing. We discuss the current capabilities of cognitive technologies and the implications these technologies will have on human auditors and the audit process itself. We also provide industry examples of artificial intelligence implementation by Big 4 accounting firms. Finally, we address some potential biases associated with the creation and use of artificial intelligence and discuss implications for future research.
Condition assessment of corroded steel rebar in free space using synthetic aperture radar images

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging of construction materials offers civil engineers an opportunity to better assess the condition of aging civil infrastructures such as reinforced concrete (RC) structures. Corrosion of steel rebar in RC structures is a major problem responsible for their premature failure and unexpected collapse. In this paper, SAR imaging is applied to the quantitative assessment of corroded steel rebar in free space as the first step toward the use of SAR imaging for subsurface sensing of aging RC structures. A 10 GHz stripmap SAR system was used inside an anechoic chamber. The bandwidth of the radar system was 1.5 GHz. Steel rebar specimens were artificially corroded to different levels by regularly applying a mist of 5% NaCl solution for different durations of time in order to simulate the condition of natural corrosion. Two sizes (No. 3 and No. 4) of steel rebar were used in this research. Different orientations of steel rebar were considered. Corrosion level was determined by measuring the mass loss of corroded steel rebar specimens. From our results, feasibility of SAR images for the condition assessment of corroded steel rebar was experimentally demonstrated. It was found that the presence of surface rust on corroded steel rebar reduces the amplitude in SAR images. The SAR image of corroded steel rebar also exhibited a distribution of SAR amplitudes different from the one of intact steel rebar. In addition, it was also found that there is an optimal range for the condition assessment of corroded steel rebar in free space. In our experiment, the optimal range was determined to be 30.4 cm.
Endogenous institutional selection, building trust, and economic growth

Abstract Private-order market institutions founded on trust-based relational contracts suffer adverse selection and moral hazard problems, while public-order market institutions have a limited capacity to enforce contracts. I model agent selection between contract enforcement institutions and demonstrate that the state's contract enforcement capacity is complementary to private-order contract enforcement institutions for low to moderate levels of public-order enforcement capacity. This suggests that initial improvements to public-order institutions cause the accumulation of trust and result in economic growth in both institutions. However, I show that the private-order institution must collapse once the public-order contract enforcement capacity is too great.
Identifying Blood and Bone Marrow Abnormalities in the Laboratory

Automated analysis of peripheral blood samples for complete blood count (CBC) and leukocyte differential represents the current initial approach for quantitative determination of cellular constituents of whole blood and the main avenue through which hematologic abnormalities first come to light. Automated hematology analyzers play a dual role in diagnosis and screening, in that certain findings warrant microscopic smear review for their confirmation or exclusion. Therefore, a general understanding of the methods underlying automated CBC and leukocyte differential analysis, as well as sources of error, confounding variables, and artifacts that may cause spuriously low or high cell counts, is critical to a sound diagnostic approach to disorders involving the blood and, by extension, originating from the bone marrow. This chapter provides an overview of automated analysis of whole blood constituents focusing on these issues, as well as a discussion of traditional microscopic evaluation of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate smears.
Assessing multiple risk behaviors in primary care: Screening issues and related concepts

The concept of behavioral risk refers to health behaviors that increase the likelihood of a variety of illness conditions. With increased scientific research, it has become clear that this concept is useful in understanding the linkage between behavior and health. This paper reviews scientific, conceptual, and practical issues related to the identification of health risk behaviors in primary care. It includes both a literature review and an analysis of the feasibility of screening and health risk appraisal from a public health perspective, giving special attention to four behavioral risk factors: cigarette smoking, alcohol misuse, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet. The review indicates that there are a wide variety of acceptable screening tests that can be used for population screening programs, and a large number of health risk appraisal instruments to employ in medical and work settings where preventive health services are available. Given the variety of available assessment procedures, the choice of a given instrument will depend on the target population, the purpose of the program, the time available for assessment, and a number of other practical considerations, such as cost. Multiple risk factor screening is feasible, but there is no single instrument or procedure that is optimal for all risk factors or populations. Based on the results of this review, the specific test or combination of tests is less important than the use of screening to make both patients and healthcare providers more aware of the critical importance of monitoring behavioral risk factors on a routine basis. We conclude that while further research and development work needs to be done, sufficient progress has been made to warrant a more ambitious effort that would bring behavioral risk factor screening into the mainstream of preventive medicine and public health.
A Ribosomal Perspective on the Mechanism of Selenocysteine Incorporation

Selenocysteine (Sec) is cotranslationally inserted into polypeptides during the elongation phase of protein synthesis in response to specific UGA codons. As UGA normally signals translation termination, the Sec incorporation complex is required to modify the canonical translation machinery. Thus, a thorough understanding of the Sec incorporation mechanism necessitates careful consideration of the intricacies of general translation, specifically during the elongation phase. Here, we consider the current body of evidence that supports a key role for the ribosome in regulating the process of Sec incorporation.
The Doctoral Graduate in Public Administration: Apprentice or Master?

Doctoral programs in public administration have been criticized for failing to produce productive scholars who make substantial contributions to the field. The authors argue that critics have focus...
Axon registry® data validation accuracy assessment of data extraction and measure specification

Objective To conduct a data validation study encompassing an accuracy assessment of the data extraction process for the Axon Registry®. Methods Data elements were abstracted from electronic health records (EHRs) by an external auditor (IQVIA) using virtual site visits at participating sites. IQVIA independently calculated Axon Registry quality measure performance rates based on American Academy of Neurology measure specifications and logic using Axon Registry data. Agreement between Axon Registry and IQVIA data elements and measure performance rates was calculated. Discordance was investigated to elucidate underlying systemic or idiosyncratic reasons for disagreement. Results Nine sites (n = 720 patients; n = 80 patients per site) with diversity among EHR vendor, practice settings, size, locations, and data transfer method were included. There was variable concordance between the data elements in the Axon Registry and those abstracted independently by IQVIA; high match rates (≥92%) were observed for discrete elements (e.g., demographics); lower match rates ( Conclusion There was a range of concordance between data elements and quality measures in the Axon Registry and those independently abstracted and calculated by an independent vendor. Validation of data and processes is important for the Axon Registry as a clinical quality data registry that utilizes automated data extraction methods from the EHR. Implementation of remediation strategies to improve data accuracy will support the ability of the Axon Registry to perform accurate quality reporting.
Glucose time in range and peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.

​Objective Compared with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may better capture risk of diabetes complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We hypothesized that glucose time in range (TIR), measured by CGM, is associated with DPN symptoms among participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and moderate-to-severe CKD. ​Research design and methods We enrolled 105 people with type 2 DM treated with insulin or sulfonylurea, 81 participants with CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ​Results Participants with CKD had a mean age of 68 years, diabetes duration 20 years, eGFR 38 mL/min/1.73 m2 and HbA1c 7.8%, 61 mmol/mol. Sixty-two participants reported ≥2 DPN symptoms, 51 (63%) with CKD and 11 (46%) controls. Less TIR and higher GMI were associated with higher risk of MNSI questionnaire score ≥2 (OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.52) per 10% lower TIR, and OR 1.79 (95% CI 1.05 to 3.04) per 1% higher GMI, adjusting for age, gender and race). Similar results were observed when analyses were restricted to participants with CKD. In contrast, there was no significant association of HbA1c with DPN symptoms. ​Conclusions Symptoms of DPN were common among participants with long-standing type 2 DM and CKD. Lower TIR and higher GMI were associated with DPN symptoms.
Obesity-associated methylation in breast tumors: a possible link to disparate outcomes?

As a primary risk factor and modifier of breast cancer incidence and prognosis, obesity may contribute to race disparities in breast cancer outcomes. This study examined association between obesity and DNA methylation in non-Hispanic Black and White women diagnosed with breast cancer. Genome-wide DNA methylation was measured in the breast cancer tumor tissue of 96 women using the EPIC array. To examine the association between obesity and tumor methylation, linear regression models were used—regressing methylation β value for each cytosine and guanine (CpG) site on body mass index adjusting for covariates. Significance was set at false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05. In the top 20 CpG sites, we explored the interactions with race and estrogen receptor (ER) status. We used multivariable Cox-proportional hazard models to examine whether methylation in the top 20 sites was associated with all-cause mortality. While none of the CpG sites passed the FDR threshold for significance, among the top 20 CpG sites, we observed interactions with race (TOMM20) and ER status (PSMB1, QSOX1 and PHF1). The same CpG sites in TOMM20, PSMB1, and QSOX1 were associated with all-cause mortality. We identified novel interactions between obesity-associated methylation and both race and ER status in genes that have been associated with tumor regulation. Our data suggest that dysregulation in two sites may associate with all-cause mortality.
Lifetime Exposure to Conversion Therapy and Psychosocial Health Among Midlife and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Background and objectives: Conversion therapies to minimize same-sex attractions are classified as a dangerous practice by numerous scientific institutions in the United States. These practices may contribute to poor long-term psychosocial health, thereby interrupting processes of healthy aging. Few studies have examined psychosocial differences between persons with and without prior experiences of conversion therapy. We assessed associations between prior conversion therapy experiences and psychosocial health among midlife and older men who have sex with men (MSM; age 40+ years). Research design and methods: Participants included a multicity sample of MSM (N = 1156) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study completed health surveys (2016-2019) as part of their bi-annual study visits. Using multivariable regressions, we investigated the associations of prior conversion therapy with current depressive symptoms, internalized homophobia, post-traumatic stress, and cumulative psychosocial conditions. Using a trait-level measure (e.g., life purpose and perseverance), we tested whether resilience moderated these associations. Results: The full sample was predominantly Non-Hispanic White with a mean age of 62.6 years. Fifteen percent of men (n = 171/1156) reported prior conversion therapy. In multivariable models, men exposed to conversion therapy were more likely to have depressive symptoms and above-average internalized homophobia. Men exposed to conversion therapy had 2 to 2.5 times the odds of reporting 1 and ≥2 psychosocial conditions, respectively, compared with those who reported 0 conditions. Resilience did not moderate these associations. Discussion and implications: Conversion therapies are non-affirming social stressors for MSM and may compromise critical psychosocial aspects of healthy aging among MSM.
Predicting Solar X-ray Flux Using Deep Learning Techniques

The accurate prediction of solar X-ray flux is a difficult problem due to noise and miscalibration of sensors, missing data, and the effects of the Earth’s position relative to the line of sight from the sensing satellite to the Sun. Most work on this problem has focused on predicting large sudden increases in flux known as solar flares that can have severe detrimental effects on human activities. Since solar flares are relatively rare and have heterogeneous characteristics, it has been difficult to train machine learning models for their prediction. In this work we approach the problem as regression rather than classification, addressing it as a time series prediction problem. We use X-ray data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) gathered at one-minute intervals to predict the flux after time intervals ranging from one to five hours. We evaluate three deep neural network architectures — a convolutional neural network, Long Short-Term Memory, and a hierarchical dense residual network and compare with two conventional baselines. Our experiments show that all three architectures provide better results than the baseline algorithms, with the hierarchical residual network providing the best results.
Capillary waves on a falling film

This paper shows that the wavelength and rate of spatial attenuation of the small ripples accompanying the large waves that form on a liquid film flowing down an inclined plane are dictated by the requirement that their velocity equal the velocity of the large wave. For this purpose numerical simulations of film flow are carried out and validated by comparison with published work. The wavelength and rate of spatial attenuation of the computed capillary waves are shown to equal, to an excellent approximation, the corresponding quantities obtained from an approximate form of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation in which the phase velocity is set equal to the velocity of the large waves. Thus the overall structure of the falling film waves is similar to that encountered in many other problems exhibiting a wave-hierarchical structure, such as waves in dusty or reacting gases, hydraulic jumps, undular bores, and others.
Current Upper Blepharoplasty and Ptosis Management Practice Patterns Among The Aesthetic Society Members.

BACKGROUND Patients presenting for upper blepharoplasty can exhibit different aging patterns and we have anecdotally observed wide variability in upper blepharoplasty approaches among surgeons. However, upper blepharoplasty practice patterns have not been systematically analyzed among members of The Aesthetic Society. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to report upper blepharoplasty practice patterns, the recognition of different patient presenting features, and to assess the incidence and management of ptosis as reported by members of The Aesthetic Society. METHODS A 29-item electronic questionnaire was distributed to 1729 Aesthetic Society members with available email addresses. RESULTS In total, 214 Aesthetic Society members submitted the questionnaire, for a response rate of 12.4%. There was a significantly increased rate of volume preservation among surgeons with greater experience (≥10 years in practice) and a high-volume (≥100 cases in past 12 months) of upper blepharoplasty cases. Furthermore, high-volume upper blepharoplasty surgeons were significantly more likely to perform concomitant upper lid fat grafting (P = 0.03), browlift (P = 0.02), and ptosis repair (P = 0.01). Ninety-five percent of respondents reported a mild/moderate ptosis (MRD1 2 to <4mm) incidence of <25%. Among surgeons who perform ptosis repair, 97.4% utilize levator advancement or plication as their most commonly used technique. CONCLUSIONS High-volume upper blepharoplasty surgeons are more likely to preserve upper lid volume and perform concomitant browlift and ptosis repair. Our data suggest that different upper eyelid aging patterns and mild/moderate ptosis are underrecognized.
Revealing a Preference for Mixtures: An Experimental Study of Risk

Using a revealed preference approach, we conduct an experiment where subjects make choices from linear convex budgets in the domain of risk. We find that many individuals prefer mixtures of lotteries in ways that systematically rule out expected utility behavior. We explore the extent to which an individual's risk preferences are related to a preference for randomization by comparing choices from a convex choice task to the decisions made in a repeated discrete choice task. We find that risk preferences are positively correlated with behavior from repeated discrete choice tasks.
Genetic analysis of dicyemid infrapopulations suggests sexual reproduction and host colonization by multiple individuals is common

Dicyemida is a group of small-bodied marine parasites infecting cephalopods with many unknown life history details, such as their population structure and diversity, and their relation to sexual and asexual reproductive stages. To reveal (infra)population structure of Dicyema moschatum Whitman, 1883 in its host (Eledone moschata Lamarck, 1798), we isolated microsatellite sequences from a draft genome of D. moschatum and tested the loci for amplification success and genetic diversity. Eight microsatellite loci were selected for an analysis of D. moschatum populations from several octopus individuals sampled at two Mediterranean localities. The majority of microsatellite alleles were shared across the studied range, but several private alleles were also identified. Analysis of population structure identified two to four genetic clusters, mostly concordant with the geographic origin of the samples. Allelic patterns seen in individual dicyemid genotypes revealed that although dicyemids inside one host individual show low genetic variance, they do not represent genetically identical clones. These results suggest that infection is established by several dicyemid larvae within the lifetime of the host and sexual reproduction of dicyemids occurs inside the host.
Association of Alpha-Crystallin with Fiber Cell Plasma Membrane of the Eye Lens Accompanied by Light Scattering and Cataract Formation

α-crystallin is a major protein found in the mammalian eye lens that works as a molecular chaperone by preventing the aggregation of proteins and providing tolerance to stress in the eye lens. These functions of α-crystallin are significant for maintaining lens transparency. However, with age and cataract formation, the concentration of α-crystallin in the eye lens cytoplasm decreases with a corresponding increase in the membrane-bound α-crystallin, accompanied by increased light scattering. The purpose of this review is to summarize previous and recent findings of the role of the: (1) lens membrane components, i.e., the major phospholipids (PLs) and sphingolipids, cholesterol (Chol), cholesterol bilayer domains (CBDs), and the integral membrane proteins aquaporin-0 (AQP0; formally MIP26) and connexins, and (2) α-crystallin mutations and post-translational modifications (PTMs) in the association of α-crystallin to the eye lens's fiber cell plasma membrane, providing thorough insights into a molecular basis of such an association. Furthermore, this review highlights the current knowledge and need for further studies to understand the fundamental molecular processes involved in the association of α-crystallin to the lens membrane, potentially leading to new avenues for preventing cataract formation and progression.
Effect of Adjacent Support Condition on Premature Wood Crosstie Failure

Railroad crossties (sleepers) are a key component of the track structure and play an important role in the support of the track structure and the distribution of train loading through the track. The condition of the crossties has been traditionally monitored by visual inspection, which has, in recent years, been supplemented with automated crosstie inspection systems. These provide more accurate information about the condition of each individual crosstie and as such are important in planning and optimizing tie replacement. By using inspection data taken from the same track in different years, it is possible to determine the degradation of ties, and corresponding life of the ties, and to develop improved tie life models that take into account local conditions. The aim of this paper is to provide a method to predict and model tie life based on support condition, as defined by the condition of adjacent crossties. Tie life is modeled using mathematical techniques, such as piecewise reconstruction which allows for the determination of the probability of tie failure as a function of loss of support. The analysis approach, using Dijkstra’s algorithm and Markov chains, is based on the use of tie condition data from two different inspections performed over a span of 3 years. The dataset, which consists of approximately 100,000 ties, included tie inspection data for inspections carried out on the same track during the period 2016 to 2019. Ties are grouped based on their support condition, specifically the loss of support associated with the presence of poor or failed ties on either side of the study tie. The results present average tie life as a function of different support conditions and confirm the fact that loss of support contributes measurably to premature tie failure. This reduction in tie life is presented as a function of tie support condition and compared to earlier studies.
Reactive Power Optimization for Power System with Distributed Generations Using PSO Hybrid SCA Algorithm

As more and more distributed generations (DGs) are introduced into the power system, the original power flow distribution and voltage quality are changed. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has been attested to be an effective way to solve reactive power optimization in electrical power system, but it is prone to fall into the local optimization solution and premature convergence. Aiming at these weaknesses, an improved PSO which hybrid sine cosine algorithm (SCA) is proposed. SCA can attract and reject the particles because of the character of sine and cosine functions. This can guarantee the diversity of PSO, and the convergence speed and accuracy are improved effectively. The effectiveness of algorithm is verified by simulations on IEEE 14-bus system including a DG. The results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain a better optimization effect and faster convergence speed.
Near-electrode pH change for voltammetric detection of insoluble lead carbonate.

Abstract Lead contamination of drinking water is a concern to all inhabitants of old cities where lead pipes and soldering are still present. Simple on-site electrochemical detection methods are promising technologies that have gained attention recently. However, conventional electrochemical techniques only quantify soluble forms of lead in water without accounting for insoluble particulates. Herein, a simple voltammetric technique for quantification of insoluble lead species is reported. Lead carbonate (PbCO3) was used as a model compound to show the possibility of detecting particulate lead species directly in solution without chemical treatment. Specifically, electrochemical generation of protons was used as an alternative method to dissolve PbCO3 and thus obtain a more realistic assessment of lead contamination. Lead was detected using cathodic stripping square wave voltammetry (CSSWV). After applying a high oxidizing potential to the electrode immersed in a PbCO3 solution with solid PbCO3 particulates, a significant increase in current was observed as compared to that of a saturated PbCO3 solution. The signal was proportional to the amount of added PbCO3, even when the solubility limit was exceeded. Thus, the combination of a local pH change with CSSWV provides a simple, rapid, and reagentless method for an in-situ detection of insoluble lead species.
The Effects of Haptic Feedback and Transition Type on Transfer of Control Between Drivers and Vehicle Automation

When driving conditions exceed the design limits of an automation system, transfers of control back to a human driver become necessary. Such transfers may compromise safety, since a driver typically requires time to get back into the loop. Various schemes for combining human and automatic control over steering have been proposed to address the challenges of transferring control smoothly. This article presents the findings from a simulator study that compared four such schemes. The driver initiated a transfer of control either by pressing a button and assuming full control of the vehicle (switching transition) or by overpowering an automation that continued to act on the vehicle. Two additional factors in the $\text{2} \times \text{2} \times \text{2}$ factorial design are the availability of haptic feedback and the inclusion of a secondary task. To examine the robustness of each scheme, all driving scenarios involved nominal and off-nominal conditions. The findings from this study demonstrate the benefits of haptic shared control (i.e., overpowering transitions with haptic feedback) for facilitating transfers of control between a human driver and vehicle automation. Haptic-feedback-enhanced drivers’ awareness of automation input and the status of the vehicle while the overpowering transitions improved the smoothness of interventions, compared to switching transitions.
Improved parameterized upper bounds for vertex cover

This paper presents an O(1.2738k + kn)-time polynomial-space parameterized algorithm for Vertex Cover improving the previous O(1.286k + kn)-time polynomial-space upper bound by Chen, Kanj, and Jia. The algorithm also improves the O(1.2745kk4 + kn)-time exponential-space upper bound for the problem by Chandran and Grandoni.
Bone morphogenic proteins 2 and 4 and their receptors in the adult human cornea.

PURPOSE. TO examine the expression of transforming growth factor family members bone morphogenic proteins 2 and 4 (BMP2, BMP4), their receptor mRNAs, and BMP2 and BMP4 proteins in the cells of the human cornea. The effects of BMP2 and BMP4 on corneal fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis were also examined. METHODS. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoprecipitation, and western blot analysis were used to examine mRNA and protein expression in cultured human corneal cells. Immunocytochemistry was applied to examine protein localization in fresh frozen human cornea cells. Stimulation and inhibition of nuclear factor-KB (NF-KB) activation was evaluated by gel shift assay. Apoptosis was examined using trypan blue exclusion, laddering of DNA, CPP32 assay, and transmission electron microscopy. Proliferation was monitored by counting cells. RESULTS. BMP2 and BMP4 mRNAs and proteins were expressed in cultured human corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes, and corneal endothelial cells. BMP2 and BMP4 were detected in each major corneal cell type in fresh frozen human cornea. BMP receptor IA, IB, and II mRNAs were also detected in cultured human corneal epithelial cells, keratocytes, and endothelial cells. BMP2 and BMP4 stimulated activation of NF-KB. Actinomycin D and SN50 peptide, but not SN50M control peptide, inhibited NF-KB activation in response to BMP2 or BMP4. BMP2 and BMP4 stimulated apoptosis of corneal fibroblast cells when NF-KB activation was inhibited with the nonselective inhibitor actinomycin D or selective inhibitor SN50. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents ketorolac tromethamine and diclofenac sodium augmented the effect of BMP2 on corneal fibroblast apoptosis. BMP2 and BMP4 both stimulated proliferation of corneal fibroblast cells in the absence of inhibitors of NF-KB activation. CONCLUSIONS. BMP2, BMP4, and their receptors are expressed in the cells of the adult human cornea. The functions regulated by these cytokines may include keratocyte proliferation and apoptosis. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39:2626-2636)
Left atrial size and function are related to pulmonary hypertension in coronary artery disease.

Background: Left atrial (LA) size reflects diastolic burden and is a prognostic parameter of common cardiovascular death. However, the association between LA size and function and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been well investigated. We hypothesized that LA size and function are associated with PH in CAD. Methods: One hundred seven patients with CAD were studied. LA size was determined in three different methods; namely, LA volume index (LAV), LA area index, and LA dimension. LAV total emptying fraction was also determined. Pulsed Doppler E, A, E/A, DT, tissue Doppler E′, A′, and E/E′ were measured. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was estimated. Results: All LA size parameters are significantly associated with PH. LAV emptying fraction, age, E, E/A, E/E′, and A′ were also associated with PH significantly. CAD patients with PH showed larger LA size, higher E, E/A, and E/E′ and lower LAV emptying fraction, A and A′ than CAD patients without PH. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that maximum LAV, E, E/A ratio, and age were independent predictors of PH. Maximum LAV > 35.6 mL/m2 predicted PASP > 40 mmHg with a sensitivity of 83.9% and specificity of 62.2%. Conclusion: LAV is associated with PH in CAD patients. (Echocardiography 2012;29:535-540)
Evaluation of the Satisfaction with Appearance Scale and Its Short Form in Systemic Sclerosis: Analysis from the UCLA Scleroderma Quality of Life Study

Objective. Changes in appearance are common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and can significantly affect well-being. The Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (SWAP) measures body image dissatisfaction in persons with visible disfigurement; the Brief-Satisfaction with Appearance Scale (Brief-SWAP) is its short form. The present study evaluated the reliability and validity of SWAP and Brief-SWAP scores in SSc. Methods. A sample of 207 patients with SSc participating in the University of California, Los Angeles Scleroderma Quality of Life Study completed the SWAP. Brief-SWAP scores were derived from the SWAP. The structural validity of both measures was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency reliability of total and subscale scores was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Convergent and divergent validity was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire. Results. SWAP and Brief-SWAP total scores were highly correlated (r = 0.97). The 4-factor structure of the SWAP fit well descriptively; the 2-factor structure of the Brief-SWAP fit well descriptively and statistically. Internal consistencies for total and subscale scores were good, and results supported convergent and divergent validity. Conclusion. Both versions are suitable for use in patients with SSc. The Brief-SWAP is most efficient; the full SWAP yields additional subscales that may be informative in understanding body image issues in patients with SSc.