cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility to Cryptosporidium parvum Infections in Cytokine- and Chemokine-Receptor Knockout Mice

To determine the role of cytokines and a chemokine receptor in the susceptibility to, and outcome of, infection, 4 different knockout mice (IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and CCR5) were infected with Cryptosporidium parvum and monitored for infection intensity by collection of fecal pellets from individual mice. Because adult immunocompetent mice are refractory to infection, wild-type mice on the same background as the knockout mice (C57BL/6) were used as a negative control. No infection was detected over a 4-wk time period in IL-4, IL-10, and CCR5 knockout mice inoculated with 106 oocysts. IL-12 knockout mice inoculated with as little as 100 oocysts shed up to 10,000 oocysts/100 μl of feces on the peak infection day (day 8) and were able to fully recover by 2 wk after infection. IL-12 is an important inducer of IFN-γ, which probably accounted for susceptibility to infection. Previous studies using IFN-γ knockout mice have shown strain-related differences in infection intensity and outcome, with increased parasite l...
Basic Science of PET and PET/CT

Even though combined PET/CT scanners have been in production for only 4 years, the technology is undergoing rapid evolution. For PET, the introduction of new scintillator materials, detector concepts, and electronics is resulting in performance improvements in count rate, spatial resolution, and signal-to-noise. At the same time, the increasing number of detector rows and reduction in rotation time are transforming whole-body CT performance. The combination of high-performance CT with high-performance PET is a powerful imaging platform for the diagnosis, staging, and therapy monitoring of malignant disease. Although the PET scanners incorporated into current PET/CT designs are still offered by some vendors for PET-only applications, more than 95% of PET sales are now PET/CT, and the likelihood is that PET-only scanners will be replaced entirely by PET/CT in the future. It is expected that there will then be a demand for a design that offers less performance at less cost. To meet this demand, an entry-level or midrange PET/CT is required, possibly in a form similar to the original prototype with PET detectors mounted on the same rotating assembly as the CT. Because the performance of the PET components is the limitation on the overall imaging time, institutions requiring high throughput and large patient volumes will always demand the highest PET performance. Nevertheless, a 6- or 8-slice CT scanner should be adequate for most oncology applications, with a 16- or 64- slice CT appropriate for PET/CT applications in cardiology. As the current PET/CT technology becomes more widespread, appropriate future designs of this concept will doubtless emerge.
Paka Paka, una cartografía posible sobre la construcción de subjetividades y las tecnologías

Este trabajo nos aproxima a la senal de contenidos audiovisuales para ninos y ninas, Paka Paka, creada por el Estado Nacional argentino como un nuevo modo de interpelar a los ninos y las ninas con una propuesta educativa y de entretenimiento alternativa a la oferta comercial. Los ejes de interes del abordaje propuesto seran los modos en los que las narrativas de Paka Paka operan en la construccion de subjetividades, la articulacion con las logicas mercantiles hegemonicas y el lugar ocupado por las tecnologias como dispositivos sociales.
Oceanospirillales ord. nov.

The order Oceanospirillales was circumscribed for this volume on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences; the order contains the families Oceanospirillaceae, Alcanivoraceae, Hahellaceae, Halomonadaceae, Oleiphilaceae, and “Saccharospirillaceae”.
Visual function in patients with cone-rod dystrophy (CRD) associated with ABCR gene mutations

Mutations in the ABCR gene cause recessive Stargardt disease. In this study, we investigate the possibility that mutations in ABCR are associated with recessive cone- rod dystrophy (CRD) and use psychophysical, electroretinographic, and pupillometric techniques to characterize the phenotype.
The impact of managed health care policy on student field training

Abstract The growth of managed health care has created dramatic changes in social work agencies and in student training. Field instructors and graduate social work students were surveyed to identify the impact of managed health care on current practice demands. Agency stress levels, supervision time, practice skills, value conflicts, and coping strategies were measured. Findings confirmed impressions of ongoing agency stress, decreasing job security, and increased need for brief treatment and cognitive‐behavioral practice skills. Implications for curriculum development, field training, and school‐agency liaisons are discussed.
Detection of HTLV-III Antibody in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Patients with AIDS and Pre-AIDS with the Use of a Commercial Test System

Sixty-one paired sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were tested for the presence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLV-III) antibodies. Of 16 sera negative for HTLV-III antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the corresponding CSF results were also negative. Forty-two of 45 (93%) CSF specimens tested (in which the corresponding sera were HTLV-III antibody positive) were positive by ELISA. Western blot analysis (WB) of 24 paired specimens, as well as retrospectively acquired case histories, confirmed the results obtained by ELISA.
Reducing the stigma associated with seeking psychotherapy through self-affirmation

Psychotherapy may be underutilized because people experience self-stigma-the internalization of public stigma associated with seeking psychotherapy. The purpose of this study was to experimentally test whether the self-stigma associated with seeking psychotherapy could be reduced by a self-affirmation intervention wherein participants reflected on an important personal characteristic. Compared with a control group, we hypothesized that a self-affirmation writing task would attenuate self-stigma, and thereby evidence indirect effects on intentions and willingness to seek psychotherapy. Participants were 84 undergraduates experiencing psychological distress. After completing pretest measures of self-stigma, intentions, and willingness to seek psychotherapy, participants were randomly assigned to either a self-affirmation or a control writing task, and subsequently completed posttest measures of self-stigma, intentions, and willingness to seek psychotherapy. Consistent with hypotheses, participants who engaged in self-affirmation reported lower self-stigma at posttest. Moreover, the self-affirmation writing task resulted in a positive indirect effect on willingness to seek psychotherapy, though results failed to support an indirect effect on intentions to seek psychotherapy. Findings suggest that self-affirmation theory may provide a useful framework for designing interventions that seek to address the underutilization of psychological services through reductions in self-stigma.
Identified neurons in C. elegans coexpress vesicular transporters for acetylcholine and monoamines

We have identified four neurons (VC4, VC5, HSNL, HSNR) in Caenorhabditis elegans adult hermaphrodites that express both the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter. All four of these cells are motor neurons that innervate the egg-laying muscles of the vulva. In addition, they all express choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme for acetylcholine. The distributions of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and the vesicular monoamine transporter are not identical within the individual cells. In mutants deficient for either of these transporters, there is no apparent compensatory change in the expression of the remaining transporter. This is the first report of neurons that express two different vesicular neurotransmitter transporters in vivo.
Distributed Interactive Narrative Planning System.

(Riedl, Saretto, & Young 2003) describes narrative mediation, a plan-based technique for addressing human user actions that conflict with the story structure maintained by computer-controlled agents within interactive narrative environments. This technique is used to generate real-time system responses to unanticipated user actions while balancing user freedom with story coherence. Narrative mediation has previously only been used for a single plan representing an entire story. A high amount of computation is required to monitor user actions and, in response, replan as appropriate to avoid a threat to the story’s consistency. Toward the goal of maintaining plan consistency, use of a single planner is limited in that it can process only a single user’s actions. To handle multiple users, distributing the planning burden across several planners requires collaborative communication to maintain global consistency. We propose a method that extends Riedl, Saretto and Young’s mediation techniques to allow for mediation of exceptional user actions within a narrative environment consisting
An immunohistochemical study on the localization and distribution of epoxide hydrolase within livers of untreated rats.

Antiserum produced against epoxide hydrolase (EC 3.32.3) which had been purified to apparent homogeneity from rat hepatic microsomes was employed in unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase and indirect fluorescent antibody staining techniques to investigate the localization and distribution of the enzyme within livers of untreated rats. Using both immunohistochemical procedures, staining for epoxide hydrolase was detected within hepatocytes throughout the liver. However, differences were noted in the intensity of immunohistochemical staining of hepatocytes within the liver lobule. Microfluorometric determinations of the relative extents of binding of the anti-epoxide hydrolase to hepatocytes within the three regions of the liver lobule revealed that, although midzonal and periportal hepatocytes bound the antibody to similar extents, centrilobular hepatocytes bound significantly more anti-epoxide hydrolase. Similar patterns of intralobular distribution for the anti-epoxide hydrolase were determined within livers of untreated male and female rats. Furthermore, similar intralobular patterns of immunohistochemical staining were observed within the right, median, left, and caudate lobes of the liver.
Erectile dysfunction and symptoms of sleep disorders.

Study Objectives: Sleep apnea often is associated with impotence and/or erectile dysfunction (ED). The purpose of this study was to test whether a presentation for ED confers a pretest probability for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Design: A self-report survey for sleep complaints was conducted in consecutive male patients ( >16 years of age) presenting to a urologic practice site. Setting: The survey was provided to new and follow-up out-patients over a 2 month period of time. Other information collected included the presenting complaint, the clinical diagnosis for ED, and history of preexisting medical conditions. Participants: NIA Interventions: N/A Measurements and Results: 285 males [91% of the sample: 50 years old (range 16-82) and body mass index, 27.3 (range 16.8-52.5)] completed the survey. 181 (63%) had complaints of ED; of those, 76% had a final diagnosis of organic and 8.2%, psychogenic or both psychogenic and organic ED. Of all respondents, 35.4% reported persistent snoring, 14% reported persistent waketime sleepiness or fatigue, and 26.8% were at high risk (Netzer et al., 1999) for OSAHS. Some were high risk for insomnia (13.6%) and restless legs syndrome or for narcolepsy (2% each). There was a correlation between those with ED complaints (p<0.014) or those with a final diagnosis of organic ED (p < 0.029) and snoring. In a logistic model that included age, snoring, and preexisting conditions, only age, depression, and history of hypercholesterolemia, were found to vary significantly among those with and without ED. Conclusions: Urology patients will report a variety of sleep problems, but neither persistent snoring nor suspected OSAHS is correlated uniquely to ED.
Preclinical Principles of the Investigation of New Drugs

From this presentation it becomes apparent that preclinical investigation of new drugs is a multi-disciplinary endeavour. The need for close team work between the various scientists is necessary to...
Coordination Polymerization of 5,5'-Dinitro-2H,2H'-3,3'-bi-1,2,4-triazole Leads to a Dense Explosive with High Thermal Stability.

High-energy coordination polymers (CPs) based on nitrogen-rich ligands are an emerging class of explosives. However, modulation of the energetic properties of high-energy CPs and the establishment of their structure–function relationship remain in their infancy. In the present study, the utility of coordination polymerization as a technique to modulate the application of critical energetic properties, such as density and thermal stability, of a secondary explosive, 5,5′-dinitro-2H,2H′-3,3′-bi-1,2,4-triazole (DNBT), is presented. Ni-DNBT is a discrete octahedral complex with density lower than that of DNBT. Cu-DNBT also contains octahedral metal coordination, similar to that in Ni-DNBT, as the building unit; however, the partial reduction of CuII to CuI ions during the reaction and their unique geometrical preferences lead to linking of the octahedral CuII complexes by tetrahedral CuI ions and render the resultant material a one-dimensional polymer with high density. In fact, Cu-DNBT has the highest densit...
Static and Centralized Matching

This chapter presents the popular algorithms for optimization of static and centralized best matching problems, along with detailed numerical examples and illustrations from various manufacturing, supply, and service systems. The purpose is to introduce and exemplify different exact, heuristic, metaheuristic algorithms, and enable the development of new algorithms based on the standard algorithms introduced in this chapter for handling the computational complexity of different matching processes. The purpose is to explain the role of such algorithms in the context of best matching in systems, and their impact on systems’ value and performance.
Effects of intermittent intravenous saline infusions in patients with medication-refractory postural tachycardia syndrome.

The postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a heterogeneous group of disorders that results in symptoms of orthostatic intolerance. Excess blood pooling has been observed to cause low effective circulating volume in the central vasculature. Consequently, acute volume loading with IV saline has emerged as a potential strategy for clinical intervention. We evaluated the impact of acute volume loading on both the signs and symptoms of patients suffering from POTS. Fifty-seven subjects screened from our population of POTS patients and assenting to participation were administered the two surveys by telephone. Subjects completed each survey twice, before, and after initiating IV hydration therapy. The Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ) was used to assess change in clinical symptomatology, while the short form 36 health survey (SF-36) was employed to assess the impact of IV saline infusion on quality of life. Fifty-seven patients were included in the analysis. The average number of medications trialed before referral for IV hydration was 3.6 ± 1.7 medications. Saline infusions occurred with mean frequency of 11.3 ± 8.5 days and at a mean volume of 1.5 ± 0.6 l per infusion. The mean change of the OHQ was 3.1 ± 0.3 (95% CI 2.6–3.7; P < 0.001), with significant improvement in all the composite scores. The mean change in the SF-36 form was 19.1 ± 2.7 (95% CI −24.6 to −13.6; P < 0.001). Intermittent IV infusions of saline dramatically reduce symptoms and improve quality of life in patients suffering from POTS. Further work should explore its efficacy as a bridge study for patients of high symptomatic severity.
Extubating the Neurocritical Care Patient: A Spontaneous Breathing Trial Algorithmic Approach.

Delaying extubation in neurologically impaired patients otherwise ready for extubation is a source for significant morbidity, mortality, and costs. There is no consensus to suggest one spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) over another in predicting extubation success. We studied an algorithm using zero pressure support and zero positive end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) SBT followed by 5-cm H2O pressure support and 5-cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure (i.e., 5/5) SBT in those who failed ZEEP SBT. This is a retrospective analysis of intubated patients in a neurosciences intensive care unit. All eligible patients were initially challenged with ZEEP SBT. If failed, a 5/5 SBT was immediately performed. If passed either the ZEEP SBT or the subsequent 5/5 SBT, patients were liberated from mechanical ventilation. In total, 108 adult patients were included. The majority of patients were successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation using ZEEP SBT alone (82.4%; p = 0.0007). Fifteen (13.8%) patients failed ZEEP SBT but immediately passed 5/5 SBT (p = 0.0005). One patient (0.93%) required reintubation. We found high sensitivity of this extubation algorithm (100; 95% CI 95.94–100%) but poor specificity (6.67; 95% CI 0.17–31.95%). This study showed that the majority of patients could be successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation after a ZEEP SBT. In those who failed, a 5/5 SBT increased the successful liberation from mechanical ventilation.
P111 Can a virtual crossmatch be used for final donor selection for kidney transplantation

Aim Our transplant center has used virtual crossmatch (vXM) for donor selection for heart and lung transplantation for over 10 years with great success. The UNET match run for kidney transplant is used to select potential donor for final prospective crossmatches (fXM). Therefore, the match run can also be considered as a vXM process. A question has been raised if the vXM can be used for final donor selection to replace the fXM for kidney transplants. Routinely typing all of HLA gens including DQA1, DPB1 and DPA1 has become a standard practice in many HLA labs in the past a couple of years which may reduce the rate of unexpected positive fXM. This study was to retrospectively review fXMs performed in 2016 for kidney transplantation and to determine if a positive fXM could be predicated by the vXM. Methods 358 fXMs performed for kidney transplantation in 2016 were included in the study. Their fXMs were performed by flow cytometry. The donor cells were routinely treated with pronase to reduce background bindings. vXMs were performed either based UNET match run or by manually checking presence/absence of DSA detected in patients. Results Among these 358 fXMs, 19 (5%) fXMs were positive. Of these 19 positive fXMs, 14 positive could be predicated by vXM because of presence of DSA. The other 5 positive fXMs were non-HLA specific because of absence of detectable DSA. One (1) of the 5 non-specific positive fXMs was T cell positive and B cell negative caused by pronase treatment and it became negative with cells without pronase treatment. Another (1) T cell positive and B cell negative fXM might have been caused by presence of non-HLA antibodies because of absence of detectable DSA. fXM with non-pronase treated cells remained T cell positive and B cell negative. The other 3 positive fXMs were from the same patient who was HIV positive with no detectable DSA. It is well known that non-specific positive crossmatches occurred in HIV positive patients. Conclusions Based on the findings of our study, we can conclude that performing vXM can avoid positive fXMs caused by HLA antibodies and can be safely used for donor selection for kidney transplantation without performing a fXM.
Aerosols and methane in the ice giant atmospheres inferred from spatially resolved, near-infrared spectra: I. Uranus, 2001–2007

Abstract We present a radiative transfer analysis of latitudinally resolved H (1.487–1.783 µm) and K (2.028–2.364 µm) band spectra of Uranus, from which we infer the distributions of aerosols and methane in the planet's atmosphere. Data were acquired in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007 using the 200-inch (5.1 m) Hale Telescope and the Palomar High Angular Resolution Observer (PHARO) near-infrared adaptive optics (AO) camera system (Hayward, 2001). Observations sample a range of latitudes between ∼80°S and ∼60°N on the Uranian disk. At each latitude, a vertical distributions of aerosols was retrieved using a custom non-linear constrained retrieval algorithm. Two layers of aerosols are needed to match the observations: a thin upper layer peaking just below the 100-mb tropopause and a lower clouds at ∼1.9 bars. Latitudinal variations in aerosols are interpreted in context of notional circulation models, while temporal changes suggest potential seasonal effects. We infer significant reduction in aerosol scattering optical thickness in southern latitudes between 2001 and 2007, in agreement with trends reported in studies covering part of the same period using different data and retrieval algorithms (e.g., Irwin et al., 2009, 2010, 2012; Sromovsky et al., 2009). Best fits to the data are consistent with proposed models of polar depletion of methane (e.g., Karkoschka and Tomasko, 2011). Finally, a discrete cloud from 2007 is analyzed in context of simple parcel theory, with the goal of identifying likely formation mechanisms. The low scattering optical thicknesses of the discrete high cloud are consistent with formation associated with vortices and shallow lift rather than deep convection.
Managing the HIV/HCV-Co-Infected Patient in the Direct-Acting Antiviral Era: a Review of Pertinent Drug Interactions

Purpose of Review With the advent of direct acting antiviral (DAAs) drugs, hepatitis c is now a curabledisease. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis c virus (HCV) have similar risk factorsfor acquisition, and thus the co-infected patient population provides its own set of unique challenges. Theclinical course, monitoring and treatment of co-infected patients will be reviewed. Important druginteractions between DAAs and antiretroviral therapies (ART) will be highlighted. Recent Findings HIV accelerates the natural history of HCV, and liver complications (including end-stageliver disease) resulting from HCV are the most common cause of death in co-infected persons. Five DAAregimens are been well studied in HIV/HCV co-infected patients with sustained virologic responsesbetween 91-100%. Two new DAA regimens have been approved by the FDA and can be used with ART.Some DAA regimens are limited by genotype, underlying renal disease, and decompensated cirrhosis. Summary This review discusses the impact of HCV/HIV co-infection on morbidity and mortality inHIV-infected persons, focuses on the most current treatment options for HCV, reviews key druginteractions between ART and DAAs, and highlights future treatment options. We recommend thatall co-infected patients be treated for chronic HCV except those whose life expectancy is less than afew years and will not be remediated by HCV treatment.
“UNASHAMED”: Negative Affect, Money, and Performance in Immaturity and The Irrational Knot

Shaw’s self-deprecating remark in the Preface to The Irrational Knot that, as a 24-year-old writing his second novel, he had to “blind” himself to the “enormous importance” of money is not entirely accurate. For, as the readings of Shaw’s first two novels in this chapter confirm, the young novelist knew keenly how poverty feels, how money can preoccupy thought and create negative affects such as shame, and how it informs social convention. By the mid-1880s, given his meetings with Philip Wicksteed and other economists—including his exposure to the marginalist theories of William Stanley Jevons—he had also contemplated money’s use as currency in exchange, as capital in investment, and much more. However, as this chapter shows, long before hazarding a lengthy study of economic theory and the flows of capital, Shaw created novels in which characters’ interior lives are shaped by the power of wealth—and by poverty.
Real-Time Haptic Feedback in Laparoscopic Tools for Use in Gastro-Intestinal Surgery

One of the limitations of current surgical robots used in surgery is the lack of haptic feedback. While current surgical robots improve surgeon dexterity, decrease tremor, and improve visualization, they lack the necessary fidelity to help a surgeon characterize tissue properties for improving diagnostic capabilities. Our work focuses on the development of tools and software that will allow haptic feedback to be integrated in a robot-assisted gastrointestinal surgical procedure. In this paper, we have developed several tissue samples in our laboratory with varying hardness to replicate real-tissues palpated by a surgeon in gastrointestinal procedures. Using this tissue, we have developed a novel setup whereby the tactile feedback from the laparoscopic tool is displayed on the PHANToM haptic interface device in real-time. This is used for tissue characterization and classification. Several experiments were performed with different users and they were asked to identify the tissues. The results demonstrate the feasibility of our approach.
Getting to Know You: Welfare Fraud Investigation and the Appropriation of Social Ties:

State-level public assistance agencies completed nearly a million SNAP fraud investigations in fiscal year 2016. These investigations hinge on compiling incriminating information about clients. Dra...
A New Social Contract: Substituting the Neoliberal Public Policy Paradigm with a Participatory Public Policy Paradigm

Peter Hall introduced the concept of paradigm shifts into the public policy discourse. His account explains the seismic transition the world experienced in the 1980s. With this neoliberal paradigm ...
Purification of bacterial membrane proteins. The use of guanidinium thiocyanate and urea.

Guanidinium thiocyanate was shown to be effective in solubilizing over 80% of the protein of theE. coli cell envelope. Fractionation of the solubilized membrane polypeptides by ion exchange chromatography was achieved following removal of the guanidinium thiocyanate by dialysis against 6m urea.
Aqueous Permanganate Oxidations of Cycloalkenes to cis-Glycols and Cis to Trans Conversions

A series of cis-glycols including 1,2-cyclopentanediol, 1-methyl-1,2-cyclopentanediol, 1,2-dimethyl-1,2-cyclopentanediol, 1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1-methyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-dimethyl-1,2-cyclohexanediol, 1,2-cycloheptanediol, 1,2-cyclooctanediol, exo,exo-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-diol, and bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-2,3-diol have been prepared by permanganate oxidations of cycloalkenes using a turbulent stirring technique. Conditions for the reactions, methods of purification, and yields are presented. Both hydroxide ion and an aqueous environment are highly essential to the formation of glycols. Excessive solvent decreases yields. A procedure for converting certain cis- to trans-glycols is given. A preparation for very pure Δ9,10-octalin is included.
Emerging trends and the clinical impact of food insecurity in patients with diabetes.

Food insecurity is a major public health concern in the United States affecting 15 million households according to data in 2017 from the US Department of Agriculture. Food insecurity, or the inability to consistently obtain nutritious food, disproportionately affects socioeconomically disadvantaged households, as well as those with chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus (DM). This review article explores the literature over the past 10 years pertaining to the complex relationship between food insecurity, social determinants of health, and chronic disease with an emphasis on diabetes and glycemic control. Those with diabetes and food insecurity together have been shown to have worse glycemic control compared to those who are food secure, but it remains unclear exactly how food insecurity affects glycemic control. Prior interventional studies have targeted aspects of food insecurity in patients with diabetes but have reported variable outcomes with respect to improvement in glycemic control despite effectively reducing rates of food insecurity. Additionally, few data exist regarding long-term outcomes and diabetes-related complications in this population. It is likely that many factors at both the community and individual levels impact glycemic control outcomes in the setting of food insecurity. Further studies are needed to better understand these factors and to create multifaceted targets for future interventional studies aimed at improving glycemic control in this population.
The Regulation of Financial Product Innovation Typified by Bitcoin-Based Derivative Contracts

If Bitcoin and blockchain epitomize financial “product” and financial “process” innovation, respectively, the new innovative trend does not stop with Bitcoin and blockchain themselves. Bitcoin now represents an asset that offers the basis for the further development of financial “product” innovation through derivative contracts. The presence in the American financial markets of several types of Bitcoin-based derivative contracts, such as Bitcoin non-deliverable forwards, Bitcoin options, Bitcoin futures, and Bitcoin binary options is a clear signal of the new trend. It is notorious that one factor that has favored the creation and development of a market for Bitcoin-based derivative contracts is the attempt by the American-regulated derivative markets to attract the investment interests of institutional investors. Although Bitcoin-based derivative contracts offer the opportunity to gain exposure to the underlying asset through regulated designated contract markets (DCMs) and swap execution facilities (SEFs), they do not completely shield investors from some typical risks inherent in Bitcoin. Thus, there could be room for regulators to step in and support Bitcoin derivative markets in mitigating those risks. The present article aims to shed light on those risks and to suggest some regulatory interventions to mitigate them. The American Bitcoin derivative markets use different mechanisms for the determination of the reference price. These mechanisms present differences that are, in some cases, significant. Competition between derivative markets will likely lead to the natural selection of those markets with the most reliable mechanisms. Bitcoin-based derivative contracts may also offer the opportunity for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to exercise a de-facto regulatory power over non-U.S. Bitcoin trading venues. Indeed, trading venues may be strongly incentivized — by the return they may receive in terms of reputational gain — to be selected by a U.S.-regulated derivative market (a DCM or SEF) as a source for determining the reference price of Bitcoin. The CFTC could leverage these incentives by requiring the U.S.-regulated derivative markets to select, as a source for determining the reference price, those trading venues that meet certain listing and trading standards. Finally, derivative markets have not envisioned yet a sufficient and predictable response to the handling of hard forks. The CFTC should conduct thorough empirical and legal analyses of the consequences of hard forks for investors who hold positions in Bitcoin-based derivative contracts, and then decide on whether a regulatory response is needed to preserve investors’ rights.
Bidirectional Association Between Bullying Perpetration and Internalizing Problems Among Youth.

Abstract Purpose Identification of the temporal pattern of associations between bullying perpetration and mental health problems among youth is needed for the optimal targeting of intervention and prevention. We examined the bidirectional association between bullying perpetration and internalizing problems among youth in the U.S. Methods We used data from the prospective cohort study of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health waves 1 (September 12, 2013, to December 14, 2014) and 2 (October 23, 2014, to October 30, 2015), a nationally representative sample of youth. We analyzed the associations of bullying perpetration with internalizing problems using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. The 13,200 youths aged 12–17 years were included in the analytic sample. Results There was a cross-sectional association between bullying perpetration and moderate/high lifetime internalizing problems (ORmoderate vs. no/low = 3.13, 95% CI 2.67–3.65; and ORhigh vs. no/low = 8.77, 95% CI 7.53–10.20). In the prospective analyses, bullying perpetration was associated with increased likelihood of moderate/high internalizing problems at follow-up (ORmoderate vs. no/low = 1.49, 95% CI 1.15–1.94; and ORhigh vs. no/low = 1.71, 95% CI 1.23–2.38), and youth with moderate/high internalizing problems had higher odds of bullying perpetration at follow-up (ORmoderate = 1.95, 95% CI 1.65–2.31; and ORhigh = 3.21, 95% CI 2.74–3.76). Conclusions The association between bullying perpetration and internalizing problems appears to be bidirectional. Bullying behaviors prevention and intervention strategies among youth should consider how to take into account and handle negative feelings and mental health problems.
Divided Attention in Perception:A Unified Analysis of Dual-Task Deficits and Congruency Effects

How well can one perceive simultaneous stimuli at two widely spaced visual locations? Are the stimuli processed independently? If not, does the dependency affect perception, disrupt signals in later stages, or both? To address these questions, we measured effects of divided attention using a dual-task paradigm with stimuli presented in noise on either side of fixation. This paradigm was applied to detecting Gabor patches and to the semantic categorization of words. We measured dual-task deficits which are a decline in mean performance for a dual task compared to a single task. There was such a deficit for categorizing two words but relatively little deficit for detecting two Gabors. We also measured congruency effects which are when performance at one location depends on whether the stimulus at the other location requires the same response. There was such a congruency effect for detecting two Gabors but relatively little congruency effect for categorizing two words. Further experiments were consistent with the dual-task deficit in word categorization being perceptual, but the congruency effect in Gabor detection being due to later processes. Results of additional experiments showed that the congruency effect was consistent with either graded selection errors or with all-or-none selection followed by graded interactive processing. To answer our opening question: for Gabor detection, perceptual processes were largely independent but later processes caused congruency effects; for word categorization, perceptual processes had capacity limits but even in combination with later processes caused relatively little congruency effects. In summary, there was evidence for two different kinds of dependency. Such complementary dependencies are inconsistent with theories of divided attention that depend on a single dependency such as a single resource or single source of interactive processing.
Implementation Science Can Do Even More for Translational Ethics.

In their article “The ‘Ought-Is’ Problem,” Sisk and colleagues present a strong case for translating bioethics research and show how implementation science can help identify requirements and barrie...
Local strengthening and repair of concrete bridge girders using shape memory alloy precast prestressing plate

Whether due to accidents, natural hazards, or harsh environmental conditions, concrete structures and bridges, in particular, experience local damages throughout their service life. Based on their ...
Assessment of fatigue life and reliability of high-mast luminaire structures

Abstract Recent failures of high-mast luminaire poles have showcased the vulnerability of such structures to wind loading. High mast luminaire poles are long slender structures with low damping and highly susceptible to wind-induced vibrations that over a large number of cycles can result in fatigue failures during the life cycle of the structure. Such poles are constructed from sets of components that include base plate, reinforced cut-out hand holes, weld details and a hollow tubular pole supporting the luminaire. Among all these components, the base-to-tube connection was identified to have the lowest fatigue resistance through static analysis and previous fatigue experiments, so this study focuses on estimating the fatigue life of the base-to-tube connection under wind loading. Wind time histories were generated for different mean wind speeds and used to analyze fatigue performance in terms of stress cycle, failure, and damage indices. Simulated results were collected to build a damage fraction function to show the fatigue damage created in a certain period at different mean wind speeds. Local wind probability data was combined with the fatigue damage fraction function to estimate the fatigue life at different locations. Also, reliability analysis was carried out through running Monte Carlo simulations. The results provide a general framework for helping designers and fabricators to better determine the fatigue life and probability of failure of high-mast luminaire poles.
On the proportion of squarefree numbers among sums of cubic polynomials

In this paper, we give an asymptotic formula for the proportion of squarefree numbers among $$f_1(x_1)+f_2(x_2)+\cdots +f_s(x_s)$$ where $$f_i(x_i)$$ is a nonzero cubic polynomial with each $$x_i$$ belonging to an interval $$[a_iB,b_iB]$$ , where B tends to infinity. This formula agrees with what has been found in certain cases of single-variable polynomials and binary forms.
Learning to Lead.

The blind leading the blind. As I walked away from a busy ED shift, removed my N-95-and yet another layer of skin-from my face, this was the phrase that echoed in my mind. I was thinking about one of the patients I had just signed out, a young woman whose COVID pneumonia caused her to develop a saddle pulmonary embolism (PE). The PE in turn caused her to syncopize on her bathroom floor leaving her with rhabdomyolysis and likely a central cord syndrome.
Collection Efficiency Comparison of N95 Respirators Saturated with Artificial Perspiration

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, current high demand for N95 filtering facepiece respirators has placed them in short supply. Filtering facepiece respirator wearers have traditionally been instructed ...
Microbiota-Mediated Immune Regulation in Atherosclerosis

There is a high level of interest in identifying metabolites of endogenously produced or dietary compounds generated by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota, and determining the functions of these metabolites in health and disease. There is a wealth of compelling evidence that the microbiota is linked with many complex chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Macrophages are key target immune cells in atherosclerosis. A hallmark of atherosclerosis is the accumulation of pro-inflammatory macrophages in coronary arteries that respond to pro-atherogenic stimuli and failure of digesting lipids that contribute to foam cell formation in atherosclerotic plaques. This review illustrates the role of tryptophan-derived microbiota metabolites as an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand that has immunomodulatory properties. Also, microbiota-dependent trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) metabolite production is associated with a deleterious effect that promotes atherosclerosis, and metabolite indoxyl sulfate has been shown to exacerbate atherosclerosis. Our objective in this review is to discuss the role of microbiota-derived metabolites in atherosclerosis, specifically the consequences of microbiota-induced effects of innate immunity in response to atherogenic stimuli, and how specific beneficial/detrimental metabolites impact the development of atherosclerosis by regulating chronic endotoxemic and lipotoxic inflammation.
Triple Aim and the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program.

Objectives:Despite substantial attention on hospital readmission rates, the impact of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) on a comprehensive set of Triple Aim goals has not been studi...
Mechanism-based evaluation of compactability of asphalt mixtures

Compaction of asphalt mixtures is a critical component of the construction process of asphalt pavements. The quality of compaction has a significant consequence for the durability of asphalt paveme...
The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Weight-Related Health Behaviors in a National Sample of Children.

Abstract Objective To examine how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) relate to healthy weight behaviors in children. Methods We examined data from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. ACE scores were calculated from 6 measures of household dysfunction. Outcome measures included 5 healthy weight behaviors. Logistic regression models assessed associations between ACEs and healthy weight behaviors controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results Children 6 to 17 years of age (n = 32,528) with 0 ACEs had increased odds of: watching 2 hours or less of television daily (6–12 years: odds ratio [OR] 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–1.80, 13–17 years: OR 1.64; 95% CI, 1.39–1.94), using electronics for 2 hours or less daily (6–12 years: OR 1.44; 95% CI, 1.15–1.80, 13–17 years: OR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.60–2.16), sharing 4 or more family meals per week (6–12 years: OR 1.39; 95% CI, 1.17–1.66, 13–17 years: OR 1.68; 95% CI, 1.44–1.95), and getting adequate age-specific sleep (6–12 years: OR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.26–1.79, 13–17 years: OR 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11–1.55) when compared to children with one or more ACEs. Children 13 to 17 years of age with 0 ACEs had increased odds of exercising for 60 minutes daily (OR 1.27; 95% CI, 1.02–1.58) when compared to children with one or more ACEs. There was an overall gradient dose pattern; the odds of engaging in a healthy weight behavior decreased as the number of ACEs increased, with mixed significance levels. Conclusions In children, ACE exposure is associated with decreased healthy weight behaviors and behavior counseling alone may be insufficient. Trauma-informed care to address intra-familial adversity may be necessary.
Identification and characterization of de novo TP53 mutation carriers in Li-Fraumeni syndrome families: A single institution experience.

10538Background: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is an inherited cancer syndrome mainly caused by a deleterious mutation in TP53. An estimated 48% of LFS patients present due to a deleterious de novo mu...
Identification and characterization of the vesicular GABA transporter

Synaptic transmission involves the regulated exocytosis of vesicles filled with neurotransmitter. Classical transmitters are synthesized in the cytoplasm, and so must be transported into synaptic vesicles. Although the vesicular transporters for monoamines and acetylcholine have been identified, the proteins responsible for packaging the primary inhibitory and excitatory transmitters, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate remain unknown1,2. Studies in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have implicated the gene unc-47 in the release of GABA3. Here we show that the sequence of unc-47 predicts a protein with ten transmembrane domains, that the gene is expressed by GABA neurons, and that the protein colocalizes with synaptic vesicles. Further, a rat homologue of unc-47 is expressed by central GABA neurons and confers vesicular GABA transport in transfected cells with kinetics and substrate specificity similar to those previously reported for synaptic vesicles from the brain. Comparison of this vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) with a vesicular transporter for monoamines shows that there are differences in the bioenergetic dependence of transport, and these presumably account for the differences in structure. Thus VGAT is the first of a new family of neurotransmitter transporters.
Health Disparities in the United States: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, and Health, D. A. Barr

Perhaps because he begins by recounting for the reader the family illness story of a student that propelled him as a sociologist and a physician into an involvement with the content of this book, D...
Using Multicultural Resources for Teachers to Combat Racial Prejudice in the Classroom

As the American population continues to become more diverse there is a need to provide children in early education with factual information about all ethnic groups to decrease prejudice. First, teachers must examine their own beliefs prior to implementing a multicultural approach into the curriculum. Three questions are presented that will assist teachers in evaluating their views and behaviors toward ethnic groups. Informative resources are provided for teachers to educate themselves, parents, and students. Through children's literature, instructional materials, and Internet sources, teachers can promote more positive attitudes among students and educate children to be respectful and accept the individuality of others.
Probabilistic Approach to Estimating and Cost Control

The probabilistic nature of estimating and cost control is presented. An approach for selecting the operations within a project that can advantageously be estimated more precisely is analyzed. This approach compares the expected values of the optimal bids based on estimates of varying precision. Increased expected value of an estimate is used to indicate that the cost of a more precise estimate has been well invested. Using the methods outlined it is possible not only to monitor changes in expected cost but variation in risk of a project as it progresses.
A Multimedia System for Temporally Situated Perceptual Psycholinguistic Analysis

Perceptual analysis of video (analysis by unaided ear and eye) plays an important role in such disciplines as psychology, psycholinguistics, linguistics, anthropology, and neurology. In the specific domain of psycholinguistic analysis of gesture and speech, researchers micro-analyze videos of subjects using a high quality video cassette recorder that has a digital freeze capability down to the specific frame. Such analyses are very labor intensive and slow. We present a multimedia system for perceptual analysis of video data using a multiple, dynamically linked representation model. The system components are linked through a time portal with a current time focus. The system provides mechanisms to analyze overlapping hierarchical interpretations of the discourse, and integrates visual gesture analysis, speech analysis, video gaze analysis, and text transcription into a coordinated whole. The various interaction components facilitate accurate multi-point access to the data. While this system is currently used to analyze gesture, speech and gaze in human discourse, the system described may be applied to any other field where careful analysis of temporal synchronies in video is important.
Mesoscale Dispersion from a Large City

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a series of measurements of meteorological variables and contaminants in the neighborhood of a large, isolated city without complex terrain and compares the measurements with a simple model. The selected city is St. Louis, Missouri. The simple model—which gives good results—is based on the suggestion by Scorer that pollution from a city can be modeled by an “effective” point source placed some distance upwind of the city. Considering the many restrictive assumptions in the model, the agreement is remarkably good. In particular, there appears to be no systematic error in the model. The chapter summarizes the studies that were conducted to determine whether at large distances, observed concentrations would be systematically less than computed concentrations. These studies were limited to relatively low inversions and light winds.
J-Q interpolation for gain scheduled controllers

We propose a method for interpolating state-space descriptions of linear time-invariant controllers in order to generate a continuously-varying family of controllers that stabilizes a family of linear plants. The interpolation method is based on the state-space Youla parametrization of the controllers and is well-suited for the synthesis of gain scheduled controllers. Our approach is illustrated with the design of a gain scheduled missile autopilot.