cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to the commentary on: 'Sleep disordered breathing and the risk of psoriasis among US women'.

We thank Dr. Kawada for his interest in our study. Our prospective cohort study reveals an association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and incident psoriasis. While we do show a statistically significant association, it is clear to us that we are unable to make any comments about causation based on an individual epidemiologic study, or even a systemic review of epidemiologic studies. Inference into a causal relationship requires further studies, particularly the elucidation of potential etiologic mechanisms underlying the associations. We do, however, show a temporal relationship between OSA and risk of subsequent psoriasis in a longitudinal cohort by requiring women to have had a diagnosis of OSA for at least 2 years prior to a diagnosis of psoriasis. Therefore, while a bidirectional association between OSA and psoriasis has been reported from other sources [1], our study design requires a diagnosis of OSA prior to psoriasis for an inclusion of the association between psoriasis and risk of subsequent OSA. Our study is limited by the lack of male participants. However, we believe that our findings likely do apply to males given that there is no evidence that the relationship between OSA and psoriasis would be different in men and women. As we are still in the process of collecting further data on psoriasis severity and systemic treatment, we also cannot comment on risk based on disease severity or improvement of psoriasis with OSA management. We do believe, however, that in light of our findings it would be interesting to study the impact of the use of continuous positive airway pressure on psoriasis severity in individuals with both OSA and psoriasis.
Reflections on the Legal Battles Over Prisoners with Gender Dysphoria

Momentum has shifted in the legal battles over the provision of sex reassignment surgery (SRS) for male prisoners. In 2015, two court decisions granted the operation and were not appealed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The author, who has participated in some of these battles as an expert, analyzes the strengths and limitations of the medical illness, developmental, and minority rights paradigms for Gender Dysphoria that are used to reach psychiatric opinions about medical necessity. Courts are influenced by the recommendation of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) that inmates should be treated as are individuals in the community. This is a compassionate assertion, but one not fully informed by practical experience with SRS among prisoners. Most inmates requesting SRS through litigation are serving very long or life sentences. Their backgrounds are quite unlike most transgendered individuals encountered in the community. If long-term prisoners are provided with SRS, the study of their adaptations may enable future decisions to be based on adaptation data rather than the competing opinions of experts. Gathering such data may be challenged as an experiment, however, and viewed as unethical.
Familial Bartter’s Syndrome and the Effect of Indomethacin in One Family Member

Abstract A Japanese family in which a father, daughter and son had hypokalemia and hyperreninemia wasinvestigated. Both father and daughter had reduced vascular sensitivity to angiotensin II; in addition, the daughter had juxtaglomerular cell hyperplasia and dwarf glomeruli. These features are consistentwith Bartter’s syndrome occurring in 2 successive generations in 1 family. The 12-year-old girl hadgrowth retardation in spite of normal growth hormone secretion. No chromosomal abnormalitieswere found. Indomethacin administration to this patient in doses sufficient to reduce urinaryprostaglandin excretion resulted in a marked improvement of polydipsia and polyuria, and anincrease in serum sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations. Even though plasma aldosteroneconcentrations were reduced to within the normal range, serum potassium concentrations remainedlow, and plasma renin activity (PRA) remained elevated. Thus it is not likely that hypokalemia isinduced only by aldosteronism. These results suggest that prostaglandins are the major determinantof polydipsia, polyuria and high plasma aldosterone levels and contribute to the hypokalemiaobserved in this patient. However, the failure of complete correction of the hypokalemia and thepersistence of the raised PRA with a significant reduction of the prostaglandins suggest thepossibility that additional factors are involved in the pathogenesis of Bartter’s syndrome.
Median Nerve Compression by Radial Head Osteophyte

Congenital radial head dislocations are rare, and presentation with late complications is even less common. We present a case of a patient who presented with symptoms and findings of proximal median nerve compression secondary to large osteophytes associated with untreated congenital radial head dislocations.
Adiposity and fat metabolism during combined fasting and lactation in elephant seals

ABSTRACT Animals that fast depend on mobilizing lipid stores to power metabolism. Northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) incorporate extended fasting into several life-history stages: development, molting, breeding and lactation. The physiological processes enabling fasting and lactation are important in the context of the ecology and life history of elephant seals. The rare combination of fasting and lactation depends on the efficient mobilization of lipid from adipose stores and its direction into milk production. The mother elephant seal must ration her finite body stores to power maintenance metabolism, as well as to produce large quantities of lipid and protein-rich milk. Lipid from body stores must first be mobilized; the action of lipolytic enzymes and hormones stimulate the release of fatty acids into the bloodstream. Biochemical processes affect the release of specific fatty acids in a predictable manner, and the pattern of release from lipid stores is closely reflected in the fatty acid content of the milk lipid. The content of the milk may have substantial developmental, thermoregulatory and metabolic consequences for the pup. The lactation and developmental patterns found in elephant seals are similar in some respects to those of other mammals; however, even within the limited number of mammals that simultaneously fast and lactate, there are important differences in the mechanisms that regulate lipid mobilization and milk lipid content. Although ungulates and humans do not fast during lactation, there are interesting comparisons to these groups regarding lipid mobilization and milk lipid content patterns.
Amino Acids, Mineral Nutrients, and Efficacy of Vermicompost and Seafood and Municipal Solid Wastes Composts

Growing medium amino acids and mineral nutrients stimulate rhizosphere activities and plant growth. A greenhouse experiment was performed to compare amino acid and mineral nutrient profiles of seafood waste compost (SFWC) and municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) and vermicompost (VC). Their efficacies were also tested on onion (Allium cepa L. “Sweet Utah”). The control was Promix-BX™ alone. The MSWC, SFWC, and VC were composed of total of 36.4, 48.3, and 67.5 mg amino acids/100 g dry weight, respectively. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine were the highest while methionine, histamine, and cysteine were the least in all the amendments. The VC had the highest Ca content but the least P and K contents. SFWC had the highest content of P and K and most of the determined micronutrients. The MSWC had significantly ( ) the highest N and leaf chlorophyll contents followed by the VC. The MSWC significantly ( ) increased anthocyanin content while the control recorded the least. The maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) and the potential photosynthetic capacity (Fv/Fo) were least in the VC treated plants. Dry matter was not affected by the type of amendment. Overall, plant growth was improved by the MSWC. Future research should investigate effect on secondary metabolites.
Suffering I. Shared Vulnerability

“Suffering” deals with the issue of animal suffering and compassion, and explores the ambiguity of Levi’s reported attitude toward the suffering of non-human animals, underlining how Levi structures his fiction according to a double impossibility of identifying with these mute creatures that, paradoxically, triggers the ethical recognition of a shared vulnerability. This chapter begins such investigation by reconstructing for the first time the debate on animal vivisection that surrounded Levi’s article “Against Pain,” published in the Italian newspaper La Stampa in 1978.
Gangliosides as modulators of the coupling of neurotransmitters to adenylate cyclase.

Polysialogangliosides are characteristic components of nervous tissue, enriched in neurons, but little is known of their biological role in the CNS. Since the oligosaccharide moiety in GM1 ganglioside has been shown to confer binding specificity towards cholera toxin,1 this has become the model for gangliosides to act as receptors for a wide variety of biologically active compounds including hormones and neurotransmitters. However, in most of these cases the receptor has been subsequently characterized as a protein and the binding to ganglioside has turned out to be of rather low affinity and specificity. Examples of this are the thyrotropin2 and opiate receptors.3 Thus the precise function of gangliosides in the CNS remains problematical but of intense interest.
A temporally expressive planner based on answer set programming with constraints: preliminary design

Recently, a new language ACC was proposed to integrate answer set programming (ASP) and constraint logic programming (CLP). In this paper, we show that ACC can be employed to build a temporally expressive planner for PDDL2.1. Compared with the existing planners, the new approach put less restrictions on the planning problems and is easy to extend with new features like PDDL axioms, thanks to the expressive power of ACC. More interestingly, it can also leverage the inference engine for ACC which has the potential to exploit the best reasoning mechanisms developed in the ASP, SAT and CP communities.
An Exploration of Hope in Catholic School Students

Hope is a valuable asset for children, adolescents, and adults. Individuals with high hope are better able to navigate around obstacles by using pathways and agency thoughts towards their goals. Studies with children and adults have demonstrated that hope is related to several positive constructs, including academic and athletic ability, problem solving and coping, physical health, and psychological adjustment. This study explores hope in Catholic school students. Because Catholic schools provide a unique faith community for their students, a better understanding of the characteristics of children in these settings is important. Analyses showed that Catholic school student’s hope scores were significantly higher than the general mean of children’s hope scores. Implications and suggestions for fostering hope in the classroom are provided.
Intrastate Offerings Under Rule 147

ECTION 3(a)(11)1 of the Securities Act of 1933 exempts from the registration requirements2 of that Act the offer and sale of securities that are part of an issue offered and sold only to persons resident within a single state or territory where the issuer is a person resident and doing business within that state or territory.3 The intrastate exemption, as section 3(a)(11) is sometimes called, is intended to apply when local industries seek financing from local investors.4 Persons claiming the exemption have the burden of proving that (1) the issuer is a resident of the state in which the offering is to occur and, if it is a corporation, that it is incorporated in that state; (2) the issuer is doing a substantial amount of its business in that state; (3) the proceeds of the offering are to be used within that state; (4) all offerees and purchasers are residents of that state; (5) the securities offered pursuant to the exemption have come to rest5 in the hands of persons residing in that state; and (6) the entire issue of securities was offered and sold pursuant to section 3(a)(1 l).6 An issuer that fails to meet all
Evaluation of Gas Hydrate Formation Temperature for Gas/Water/Salt/Alcohol Systems: Utilization of Extended UNIQUAC Model and PC-SAFT Equation of State

Naturally occurring gas hydrates are of great importance as a strategic energy source. Hydrates affect coastal sediment stability, global climate change, and ocean carbon cycling. It is vital to understand the thermodynamic conditions of gas hydrates to control/manage and inhibit hydrate formation. A variety of equations of state (EOSs) have been utilized to model the thermodynamic behaviors of gas hydrates. In this study, the perturbed chain statistical association fluid theory (PC-SAFT) equation of state combined with van der Waals and Platteuw model is employed to determine the clathrate hydrate formation temperature of pure gases (e.g., methane, ethane, propane, isobutane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide) and binary and ternary systems of hydrate gases. In addition, the gas hydrate formation conditions are investigated where methanol, ethanol, glycerol, NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 as inhibitors are present. The UNIQUAC model is utilized in this work to obtain the hydrate formation conditions in s...
Psychometric Properties of the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Global Impairment Score in Children and Adolescents with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome.

Abstract Objectives: This study validates the caregiver-rated Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) Global Impairment Score (GIS), a single-item, 0–100 scale, for use in PANS. Meth...
Freud’s Mass Hypnosis with Spinoza’s Superstitious Wonder: Balibar’s Multiple Transindividuality

AbstractThis response focuses on Balibar’s method of thinking transindividuality through multiple figures, in their similarities as well as their productive differences. His essay ‘Philosophies of ...
A mixed-methods evaluation framework for electronic health records usability studies

Abstract Background Poor EHR design adds further challenges, especially in the areas of order entry and information visualization, with a net effect of increased rates of incidents, accidents, and mortality in ICU settings. Objective The purpose of this study was to propose a novel, mixed-methods framework to understand EHR-related information overload by identifying and characterizing areas of suboptimal usability and clinician frustration within a vendor-based, provider-facing EHR interface. Methods A mixed-methods, live observational usability study was conducted at a single, large, tertiary academic medical center in the Southeastern US utilizing a commercial, vendor based EHR. Physicians were asked to complete usability patient cases, provide responses to three surveys, and participant in a semi-structured interview. Results Of the 25 enrolled ICU physician participants, there were 5(20%) attending physicians, 9 (36%) fellows, and 11 (44%) residents; 52% of participants were females. On average, residents were the quickest in completing the tasks while attending physician took the longest to complete the same task. Poor usability, complex interface screens, and difficulty to navigate the EHR significantly correlated with high frustration levels. Significant association were found between the occurrence of error messages and temporal demand such that more error messages resulted in longer completion time (p = .03). Discussion Physicians remain frustrated with the EHR due to difficulty in finding patient information. EHR usability remains a critical challenge in healthcare, with implications for medical errors, patient safety, and clinician burnout. There is a need for scientific findings on current information needs and ways to improve EHR-related information overload.
Fiber-Coupled Luminescent Concentrators for Medical Diagnostics, Agriculture, and Telecommunications.

While luminescent concentrators (LCs) are mainly designed to harvest sunlight and convert its energy into electricity, the same concept can be advantageous in alternative applications. Examples of ...
Effects of salinity and pH on the spectral induced polarization signals of graphite particles

Author(s): Wu, Y; Peruzzo, L | Abstract: The electrical property of micrometre-sized graphite particles was investigated under different particle concentration, particle size, fluid conductivity and pH conditions. Due to its large internal electronic conductivity and ability to polarize under external potential field, significant enhancement of its spectral induced polarization (SIP) responses is observed when graphite is included in sand mixtures. While a small amount of graphite inclusion significantly increases the SIP response of its mixtures with sand, further concentration increase does not necessarily lead to a proportional increase of the SIP response. This is shown to be related to the formation of graphite aggregates at higher concentrations. Changes of fluid salinity have a significant effect on graphite's SIP behaviour. This includes a positive impact on normalized chargeability and imaginary conductivity, but a negative impact on chargeability and relaxation time constant. The effect of pH on the SIP response of graphite is small but shows consistent trend, where pH increase leads to a decrease of both the chargeability and relaxation time constant. The underlying cause of this effect is not clear.
The Systems Biology of Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters: Relevance to Quantitative Systems Pharmacology

Quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) has emerged as a transformative science in drug discovery and development. It is now time to fully rethink the biological functions of drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) and transporters within the framework of QSP models. The large set of DME and transporter genes are generally considered from the perspective of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs. However, there is a growing amount of data on the endogenous physiology of DMEs and transporters. Recent studies-including systems biology analyses of "omics" data as well as metabolomics studies-indicate that these enzymes and transporters, which are often among the most highly expressed genes in tissues like liver, kidney, and intestine, have coordinated roles in fundamental biological processes. Multispecific DMEs and transporters work together with oligospecific and monospecific ADME proteins in a large multiorgan remote sensing and signaling network. We use the Remote Sensing and Signaling Theory (RSST) to examine the roles of DMEs and transporters in intratissue, interorgan, and interorganismal communication via metabolites and signaling molecules. This RSST-based view is applicable to bile acids, uric acid, eicosanoids, fatty acids, uremic toxins, and gut microbiome products, among other small organic molecules of physiological interest. Rooting this broader perspective of DMEs and transporters within QSP may facilitate an improved understanding of fundamental biology, physiologically based pharmacokinetics, and the prediction of drug toxicities based upon the interplay of these ADME proteins with key pathways in metabolism and signaling. The RSST-based view should also enable more tailored pharmacotherapy in the setting of kidney disease, liver disease, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. We further discuss the pharmaceutical and regulatory implications of this revised view through the lens of systems physiology.
Some effects of digoxin on the heart and circulation in man; digoxin in enlarged hearts not in clinical congestive failure.

The early effect of intravenous Digoxin was observed in 12 patients with cardiac enlargement in whom there was no clinical or physiologic evidence of failure. There was either a fall or no change in the cardiac output and the intracardiac pressures did not alter following administration of the drug. The reaction to Digoxin in this type of patient with heart disease was in no way different from the response seen in two normal subjects included in the study but is in sharp contrast to the response elicited in patients in congestive heart failure.
Sidewall Metallization on CMOS MEMS by Platinum ALD Patterning

Patterned atomic layer deposition (ALD) that selectively coats sidewalls with platinum (Pt) is developed to improve performance on CMOS MEMS devices. The proposed fabrication process is the first, to our knowledge, to pattern metal ALD on high-aspect-ratio MEMS sidewalls. A reflow step for the lift-off resist is introduced to increase yield by solving stringer issues. Sidewall metallization enables higher sensitivity on capacitive sensors and eliminates dielectric charging. A Pt-coated resonator oscillator and a capacitive accelerometer are demonstrated as examples, showing the successful process results. The measurement on a Pt-coated resonator oscillator indicates much higher stability than with the original dielectric sidewalls. This metal sidewall coating also has potential for other CMOS MEMS devices, such as switches. [2020-0178]
Treating COVID-19 Positive Cancer Patients With Radiation Therapy: A Case Report From Epicenter of the Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (SARS-Cov-2 or COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in unprecedented clinical challenges across the globe. Outcomes of patients with this infection are likely dependent on underlying comorbidities that predict worse outcome in older patients. However, it is unknown whether COVID-19 infected cancer patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) have any different outcome than non-infected patients. We present the first series from our center of COVID-19 infected patients who received RT for malignancy, their outcome, and toxicities.
Circulating inflammatory biomarkers in adolescents: evidence of interactions between chronic pain and obesity.

Introduction The negative effects of chronic pain and obesity are compounded in those with both conditions. Despite this, little research has focused on the pathophysiology in pediatric samples. Objective To examine the effects of comorbid chronic pain and obesity on the concentration of circulating inflammatory biomarkers. Methods We used a multiple-cohort observational design, with 4 groups defined by the presence or absence of obesity and chronic pain: healthy controls, chronic pain alone, obesity alone, as well as chronic pain and obesity. Biomarkers measured were leptin, adiponectin, leptin/adiponectin ratio (primary outcome), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results Data on 125 adolescents (13-17 years) were analyzed. In females, there was an interaction between chronic pain and obesity such that leptin and CRP were higher in the chronic pain and obesity group than in chronic pain or obesity alone. Within the chronic pain and obesity group, biomarkers were correlated with worsened pain attributes, and females reported worse pain than males. The highest levels of interleukin 6 and CRP were found in youth with elevated weight and functional disability. We conclude that in adolescents, chronic pain and obesity interact to cause dysregulation of the inflammatory system, and this effect is more pronounced in females. Conclusion The augmented levels of inflammatory biomarkers are associated with pain and functional disability, and may be an early marker of future pain and disability.
Imaging of Pelvic Venous Disorders (PeVD); Should every patient get an MRI?

Pelvic venous disease (PeVD) is part of the broad differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain with a challenging diagnosis and clinical workup to identify those patients that are most likely to benefit from intervention. Ultrasound, MRI, CT, venography, and intravascular ultrasound can all provide information to aid in the diagnostic algorithm. The purpose of this article is to review imaging as a component of the outpatient workup of patients with chronic pelvic pain to guide appropriate understanding and use of imaging modalities to accurately identify patients suffering from PeVD. A favored approach is to begin with transabdominal sonography with selective use of MRI/MRV in specific patient populations.
Trends in physician reimbursements and procedural volumes for radiosurgery versus open surgery in brain tumor care: an analysis of Medicare data from 2009 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE Given its minimally invasive nature and effectiveness, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay for the multimodal treatment of intracranial neoplasm. However, no studies have evaluated recent trends in the use of SRS versus those of open resection for the management of brain tumor or trends in the involvement of neurosurgeons in SRS (which is primarily delivered by radiation oncologists). Here, the authors used publicly available Medicare data from 2009 to 2018 to elucidate trends in the treatment of intracranial neoplasm and to compare reimbursements between these approaches. METHODS By using CPT Professional 2019, the authors identified 10 open resection and 9 SRS codes (4 for neurosurgery and 5 for radiation oncology) for the treatment of intracranial neoplasm. Medicare payments (inflation adjusted) and allowed services (number of reimbursed procedures) for each code were abstracted from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Part B National Summary Data File (2009-2018). Payments per procedure and procedures per 100,000 Medicare enrollees were analyzed with linear regression and compared with tests for equality of slopes (α = 0.05). The average payment per procedure over the study period was compared by using the 2-tailed Welsh unequal variances t-test, and more granular comparisons were conducted by using ANOVA with post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests. RESULTS From 2009 to 2018, the number of SRS treatments per 100,000 Medicare enrollees for intracranial neoplasm increased by 3.97 cases/year (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.001), while comparable open resections decreased by 0.34 cases/year (R2 = 0.85, p < 0.001) (t16 = 7.5, p < 0.001). By 2018, 2.6 times more SRS treatments were performed per 100,000 enrollees than open resections (74.9 vs 28.7 procedures). However, neurosurgeon involvement in SRS treatment declined over the study period, from 23.4% to 11.5% of SRS treatments; simultaneously, the number of lesions treated per session increased from 1.46 to 1.84 (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.001). Overall, physician payments from 2013 to 2018 averaged $1816.08 (95% CI $1788.71-$1843.44) per SRS treatment and $1565.59 (95% CI $1535.83-$1595.34) per open resection (t10 = 15.9, p < 0.001). For neurosurgeons specifically, reimbursements averaged $1566 per open resection, but this decreased to $1031-$1198 per SRS session; comparatively, radiation oncologists were reimbursed even less (average $359-$898) per SRS session (p < 0.05 according to the Tukey HSD test for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Over a decade, the number of open resections for intracranial neoplasm in Medicare enrollees declined slightly, while the number of SRS procedures increased greatly. This latter expansion is largely attributable to radiation oncologists; meanwhile, neurosurgeons have shifted their involvement in SRS toward sessions for the management of multiple lesions.
Intellect and Revelation- Notes on Mullā Ṣadrā S̲h̲īrāzī’s Approach in His Commentary on Usul Al-Kafi.docx

The relation between intellect and revelation is one of the critical questions of theology, with roots extending back to both Muslim, Christian, and Jews. It has been mentioned that “The concept of ʿaql, “intellect,” is one of the most controversial in the history of Muslim thought. Also, it is well known that in Islamic history, there have been different approaches toward understanding religious texts and the correlation between intellect and revelation. Understanding Ṣadrā ’s conception of the relation between intellect and revelation and the way in which he explains their interaction is the concern of this essay.
Do We Know Where They Go? Obtaining Travel History in Pediatric Patients.

Objective To determine how often travel histories are obtained in pediatric patients. Methods A retrospective medical record review was performed at a single tertiary care children's hospital for patients aged 2 months to 18 years who were admitted October 2015-December 2017 with International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes for potential travel-related illnesses. Demographic information and travel history documentation were obtained, along with travel-related testing. From May to June 2018, prospective, single-blinded, direct observation of a convenience sample of pediatric residents was performed during the initial patient encounter to determine the frequency and quality of travel histories obtained regardless of documentation. Results Of 249 charts reviewed, 27 (10.8%) patients had a travel history query documented. Patients with complex chronic conditions were significantly less likely to have a travel history documented (37% vs 67%; P = 0.005). Age, sex, length of stay, race, payer status, and critical care admission did not significantly differ between groups. Those with a travel history documented were more likely to have a documented exposure history (100% vs 52%; P Conclusions Travel histories are rarely asked for in pediatric patients. Missed diagnoses may not only affect the patient but also have broader public health implications. Simulation is an effective tool to improve history-taking skills, yet more work is still needed.
Radical Kindness and Disability Identity on the Contemporary Spanish Stage

When the word kindness is used in the context of disability it often acquires troubling connotations. If kindness as typically conceived is yoked to ableist perspectives about disability that render the recipient passive, “radical kindness” can be defined as those practices that highlight the agency of disabled individuals both in everyday life and in cultural representation. In this view, theatre enacts radical kindness when it is put at the service of social change by allowing subjects with dis-ability to speak for themselves, countering prevailing ableist prejudices. In this essay, I examine the implications of this framing of radical kindness in relationship to depictions of disability in two contemporary Spanish plays: La extinta poetica [Extinct Poetics] by Eusebio Calonge and Deseos [Desires], by Antonio Alamo. By exploring specific representations of neurodiversity and non-normative bodies, these Spanish authors challenge some of the biases inherent in common perceptions of disability. Both productions pose embodied alterity not merely as a metaphor but rather as a form of resistance that interrogate existing ethical and aesthetic paradigms. But as they do so, they display different degrees of radical kindness in the extent to which they represent disabled agency, independence and strength with (or without) the participation of actors with disabilities.
Inferred expression regulator activities suggest genes mediating cardiometabolic genetic signals

Expression QTL (eQTL) analyses have suggested many genes mediating genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals but most GWAS signals still lack compelling explanatory genes. We have leveraged an adipose-specific gene regulatory network to infer expression regulator activities and phenotypic master regulators (MRs), which were used to detect activity QTLs (aQTLs) at cardiometabolic trait GWAS loci. Regulator activities were inferred with the VIPER algorithm that integrates enrichment of expected expression changes among a regulator’s target genes with confidence in their regulator-target network interactions and target overlap between different regulators (i.e., pleiotropy). Phenotypic MRs were identified as those regulators whose activities were most important in predicting their respective phenotypes using random forest modeling. While eQTLs were typically more significant than aQTLs in cis, the opposite was true among candidate MRs in trans. Several GWAS loci colocalized with MR trans-eQTLs/aQTLs in the absence of colocalized cis-QTLs. Intriguingly, at the 1p36.1 BMI GWAS locus the EPHB2 cis-aQTL was stronger than its cis-eQTL and colocalized with the GWAS signal and 35 BMI MR trans-aQTLs, suggesting the GWAS signal may be mediated by effects on EPHB2 activity and its downstream effects on a network of BMI MRs. These MR and aQTL analyses represent systems genetic methods that may be broadly applied to supplement standard eQTL analyses for suggesting molecular effects mediating GWAS signals.
Infrared remote sensing of convective clouds and amount of rainfall over the Tibet Plateau area

The pattern of heavy rainfall in the Tibet Plateau area is usually preceded by a high growth rate of the convective clouds followed by a rapid collapse of the cloud top as observed on satellite infrared remote images. This study shows that the amount of rainfall can be estimated from the volumetric dissipation of clouds per unit area passing through the area of interest. This study also shows that the ratio of ground observed rainfall over the volumetric dissipation of clouds per unit area is constant for relatively heavier rainfall, and is smaller for very light rainfall. This is due to the fact that the lighter rainfall consumes higher percentage of rain drops in evaporation before they reach the ground.
Six steps to successful financing

A serial entrepreneur provides his insights into the pitfalls you may face when seeking financing for your company and some key strategies to avoid them.
Environmental Refugees? Classifying Human Migrations Caused by Environmental Change

What distinguishes environmental refugees from other refugees—or other migrants? Are all environmental refugees alike? This essay develops a classification to begin to answer these questions and facilitate future policies and research on environmental refugees. Environmental refugees may have considerable control over the decision to migrate, but this varies by the type of environmental disruption. The origin, intention, and duration of environmental disruptions shape the type of refugee. Refugees from disasters and expropriations have limited control over whether environmental changes will produce migration. Gradual degradation allows “environmental emigrants” to determine how they will respond to environmental change.
Klein-Gordon radio and the problem of photon mass

Starting from massy-photon electrodynamics, we demonstrate how dipole radiation can be unambiguously expressed in terms of solutions to the Klein-Gordon equation with source. Radio signals from a rapidly receding massy-photon transmitter are shown to have special Doppler properties that arise from positivity of photon mass. An experiment is described which, by exploiting such properties, would provide new «dynamical» bounds on photon mass.
Probabilistic geomechanical analysis of compartmentalization at the Snøhvit CO2 sequestration project

Pressure buildup caused by large-scale CO2 injection is a key concern during a carbon sequestration project. Large overpressures can compromise seal integrity, reactivate faults, and induce seismicity. Furthermore, pressure buildup is directly related with storage capacity. In this work we study the geomechanical response to CO2 injection at Snohvit, to understand the potential for fault reactivation, leakage, and contamination of the producing interval through bounding faults. Furthermore, we evaluate the potential contribution of a structural component to reservoir compartmentalization. We combine simplified analytical models, based on critically stressed fracture theory and a Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, with a rigorous sensitivity analysis. Large stress uncertainties are present and reflected in the modeling results. It was found that under the most likely stress state the faults are fairly stable and caprock hydrofracturing would be expected before fault reactivation. In most of the analyzed cases, the critical pressure perturbation needed for reactivation is above 13 MPa, which was the limiting pressure increase before reaching the fracture pressure. Faults were found to be ~ 20% less stable when considering variations in SHmax orientation. In those cases, fault reactivation could be expected before caprock failure if injection continued. However, if the pressure increase did reach the critical values for seal failure estimated under the worst case (and least likely) stress state, no indication of such failure can be observed in the measured pressure response. Finally, the potential role of a structural component in the compartmentalization and fluid migration is difficult to assess due to the stress state uncertainty.
Spectra and structure of small ring molecules: Part XLIV. Vibrational spectra and conformational stability of cyclobutylmethyl ketone

Abstract The infrared (3500 to 30 cm−1) and Raman (3200 to 30 cm−1 spectra have been recorded for the gaseous and solid states of cyclobutylmethyl ketone, c-C4H7C(CH3)O. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values have been obtained. Evidence is presented based on the band contours in the infrared spectrum that the molecule exists predominantly in the equatorial-gauche conformation (the C(CH3)O group is in the equatorial position relative to the four-membered ring with the CO nearly eclipsing one of the CC bonds of the ring) in the gaseous and liquid states and exclusively in this conformation in the solid state. However, there is clear evidence in the Raman spectra of the fluid phases that a second conformer is present at ambient temperature and this conformer is believed to be the equatorial-trans where the CO is eclipsing the α-CH bond of the four-membered ring. The asymmetric torsion was observed as a very broad, structureless band centered at about 51 cm−1. From the relative intensities of the Raman lines of the liquid at 386 (equatorial-gauche) and 442 cm−1 (equatorial-trans) as a function of temperature, the enthalpy difference was found to be 480 ± 62 cm−1 (1.37 kcal mol−1) with the equatorial-gauche being more stable. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed based on infrared band contours, depolarization values, and group frequencies. The methyl torsion was tentatively assigned at 112 cm−1 from which a threefold barrier to internal rotation was calculated to have a value of 0.94 kcal mol−1 (331 cm−1). A few of the normal modes were observed to be split in the infrared spectrum of the solid which indicates that there are at least two molecules per primitive cell. These results are compared to similar quantities in some related molecules.
Effect of sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome on neonatal hearing screening outcomes following gentamicin exposure.

Abstract Objectives Hearing loss in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates range from 2% to 15% compared to 0.3% in full-term births, and the etiology of this discrepancy remains unknown. The majority of NICU admissions receive potentially ototoxic aminoglycoside therapy, such as gentamicin, for presumed sepsis. Endotoxemia and inflammation are associated with increased cochlear uptake of aminoglycosides and potentiated ototoxicity in mice. We tested the hypothesis that sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and intravenous gentamicin exposure increases the risk of hearing loss in NICU admissions. Methods The Institutional Review Board at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) approved this study design. Two hundred and eight infants met initial criteria, and written, informed consent were obtained from parents or guardians of 103 subjects ultimately enrolled in this study. Prospective data from 91 of the enrolled subjects at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital Neonatal Care Center were processed. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs; f2 frequency range: 2063–10,031 Hz) were obtained prior to discharge to assess auditory performance. To pass the DPOAE screen, normal responses in >6 of 10 frequencies in both ears were required; otherwise the subject was considered a “referral” for a diagnostic hearing evaluation after discharge. Cumulative dosing data and diagnosis of neonatal sepsis or SIRS were obtained from OHSU's electronic health record system, and the data processed to obtain risk ratios. Results Using these DPOAE screening criteria, 36 (39.5%) subjects would be referred. Seventy-four (81%) subjects had intravenous gentamicin exposure. Twenty (22%) had ≥4 days of gentamicin, and 71 (78%) had Conclusions We report an increased risk of referral with DPOAE screening for those receiving ≥4 days of intravenous gentamicin administration that may contribute to the greater prevalence of hearing loss in NICU graduates. We propose an expanded prospective study to gather a larger cohort of subjects, identifying those with sepsis or neonatal SIRS, to increase the statistical power of this study design. Subsequent studies also need to obtain follow-up diagnostic audiological data to verify whether the outcomes of DPOAE screening, in addition to the standard AABR screen, is a reliable predictor of permanent hearing loss following gentamicin exposure in the NICU.
DC bias analysis and small-signal characteristic of active-clamp forward-flyback DC-DC converter with a current doubler rectifier

The paper presents the steady-state and dynamic small-signal models for the active-clamp forward-flyback DC-DC converter with a current doubler rectifier. Based on the established models, several issues, such as inductor current sharing, transformer DC bias of magnetizing current and converter design, are discussed
Palatability and Chemical Defenses of Macroalgae in the Antarctic Peninsula

We examined palatability of 37 species of nonencrusting macroalgae from the Antarctic Peninsula. This represents approximately 30% of the entire antarctic macroalgal flora and 75% of the 49 nonencrusting species we collected. Organic extracts from most species were also prepared and mixed into artificial foods. We examined palatability using feeding bioassays with three common, macroalga-consuming animals (an omnivorous antarctic rockfish, Notothenia coriiceps; an omnivorous sea star, Odontaster validus; and a herbivorous amphipod, Gondogenia antarctica). Thallus pieces from 23 of 34 macroalgal species tested with the fish (68%) were rejected. Of the 23 species rejected as thallus, organic extracts of 16 were bioassayed using the fish with 9 (56%) unpalatable. Thallus pieces from 21 of 36 macroalgal species tested with the sea star (58%) were rejected. Of the 21 species rejected as thallus, organic extracts of 20 were bioassayed using the sea stars and 14 (70%) were unpalatable. Overall, 28 of the 37 species assayed as thallus (76%) were rejected by either or both the fish and sea stars. The amphipod assay was not suitable for use with thallus but was utilized with organic extracts of 23 macroalgal species that were rejected as thallus by either or both the fish and sea stars. Of these, 14 (61%) of the species' extracts were rejected by the amphipods. Unpalatability was highest among the brown algae examined with only an ephemeral, ectocarpoid species not rejected as thallus out of 10 species tested. Of the remaining nine brown algal species, six of seven tested were also unpalatable as extracts, including all the ecologically dominant, perennial species in the area. We conclude that unpalatability to herbivores is common in antarctic macroalgae and that chemical defenses may play an important role in the unpalatability of many algal species (NSF OPP9814538, OPP9901076).
Elastic field due to a dynamically transforming spherical inclusion

As a first step towards a systematic study of the interaction between a stress-pulse traveling in transformation toughened ceramics and possible phase transformation of zirconia particles, a dynamic inclusion problem is investigated. An exact closed-form solution is obtained for the case of a spherical inclusion. With this result, the dynamic Eshelby tensors for the inside and outside fields of the spherical inclusion are defined and determined
Contemporary surgical management of renovascular disease.

Abstract To examine the treatment methods and early results of renovascular repair in our contemporary patient population, we reviewed our surgical experience during a recent 54-month period. From January 1987 to July 1991, 200 patients ranging in age from 5 to 80 years (mean, 56 years) were operated on for correction of nonatherosclerotic (43 patients) and atherosclerotic (157 patients) renovascular disease. The group included 92 men and 108 women, with blood pressures ranging from 300/198 mm Hg to 120/70 mm Hg (mean, 205/113 mm Hg). Defined by preoperative serum creatinine, 129 patients (65%) had evidence of renal insufficiency (Cr ≥ 1.3 mg/dl), whereas 71 patients (36%) had severe renal insufficiency (Cr > 2.0 mg/dl; 11 patients were dependent on dialysis). One hundred forty-seven patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (94%) demonstrated organ-specific atherosclerotic damage. Operative management of 291 kidneys included unilateral renal artery repair in 117 patients (58%), bilateral repair in 78 patients (39%), and primary nephrectomy in five patients (2.5%). Simultaneous aortic reconstruction was required in 64 patients (32%). There were five operative deaths (2.5% mortality rate) and four occluded renovascular repairs (1.4% primary failure) within 30 days of surgery. Hypertension was considered cured in 21% and improved in 70% of 195 operative survivors. In 70 patients with severe renal insufficiency before operation, estimated glomerular filtration rate was improved in 49% (8 of 11 patients removed from dialysis), unchanged in 36%, and worsened in 15%. Renal function response was significantly influenced by the site of disease and the operation. Twenty-six additional postoperative deaths occurred during follow-up (range, 6 to 58 months; mean, 24.4 months). Extreme atherosclerotic-renovascular disease, preoperative renal insufficiency, failure to improve renal function, and progression to dependence on dialysis after operation were associated with follow-up deaths. Although most patients had a beneficial outcome, failure to improve extreme renal insufficiency was associated with a rapid rate of death during a relatively short follow-up period. ( J Vasc Surg 1992; 16:319–31.)
Screening prostate cancer using a portable near infrared scanning imaging unit with an optical fiber-based rectal probe

A portable near infrared scanning polarization imaging unit with an optical fiber-based rectal probe, namely Photonic Finger, was designed and developed o locate the 3D position of abnormal prostate site inside normal prostate tissue. An inverse algorithm, Optical Tomography using Independent Component Analysis (OPTICA) was improved particularly to unmix the signal from targets (cancerous tissue) embedded in a turbid medium (normal tissue) in the backscattering imaging geometry. Photonic Finger combined with OPTICA was tested to characterize different target(s) inside different tissue medium, including cancerous prostate tissue embedded by large piece of normal tissue.
Electrostatic rotation of spherical conductors

Electrostatic rotation is observed in experiments that comprise three conducting spheres fixed in space and held at constant electrical potential. Theory predicts that rotation is due to a constant torque acting on an asymmetric distribution of charge as a direct consequence of the Coulomb force and Gauss' law of electric potential. We propose that rotation is likely to be general and apply to systems of all size scales where the electrostatic force is the dominant operative force. This would include systems ranging in size from molecular to macroscopic and be relevant to manufacturing new materials with complex microstructures.