cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma Cholesterol Responses to the Adrenocorticotropic Hormone in Japanese Quail Following Eighteen Generations of Divergent Selection

Abstract Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) lines were divergently selected for plasma cholesterol response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). Data for Generations 9 to 18 indicated a greater response in the low (L) line than in the high (H) line, which was contrary to selection responses for the first eight generations. During Generations 9 to 18, selection differentials were greater in the H line; however, heritability estimates were greater in the L line. These data suggest caution in the interpretation of early selection responses for plasma cholesterol. Selection for plasma cholesterol response following ACTH injection also resulted in divergence in plasma cholesterol levels in the H and L lines in the absence of ACTH. Body weights at 31 days were greater in the H line than in the L line, suggesting a possible relationship with the plasma cholesterol level.
JIT technology support modules in probability and statistics

With the advent of global competition and process re-engineering, the need for statistical reasoning is becoming increasingly important in a variety of business, managerial, and engineering applications. This paper presents a technology-enabled approach for providing just-in-time training for onsite learners in basic probability and statistics. By modularizing core concepts, instruction can be modified for students with varied mathematical backgrounds. Online review materials contain applications in business, engineering, and management and address alternative learning styles. Online materials also allow students to navigate through a variety of applications, download multimedia instruction, and complete interactive self-correcting exercises in each of the curricular modules.
Construct Validity for Alcohol Dependence as Indicated by the SUDDS-IV

Objective. This study considers the diagnostic construct validity of the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV) for “alcohol dependence”. Previous reports have indicated that “dependence” co...
ION-EXCHANGE CHROMATOGRAPHY AND ELECTROPHORESIS OF EGG YOLK PROTEINS

Pure egg yolk was fractionated using DEAE ion-exchange cellulose. Eluted components were simultaneously, detected by fluorescence and ultra-violet absorption. Selected chromatographic fractions were subjected to disc gel electrophoresis and assayed for total lipids, amino acids and phosphorus. Native egg yolk was separated into 18 peaks chromatographically and 23 bands electrophoretically. Multi-component chromatographic peaks were demonstrated by electrophoresis. Chromatographic peaks and corresponding electrophoretic bands, were identified by literature reference for lipovitellin, livetins, phosvitin and a low density fraction. A direct relationship existed between chromatographic position and electrophoretic mohility. Lipid and phosphorus concentrations were high in the same fractions.
Biochemical basis of skeletal defects induced by hydralazine: Inhibition of collagen synthesis and secretion in embryonic chicken cartilage in vitro

Hydralazine (1-hydrazinophthalazine) produces skeletal defects resembling those observed in experimentally induced manganese deficiencies. Since glycosylation of collagen, a step preceding its secretion, requires Mn2+, the effect of hydralazine on collagen secretion and the formation hydroxylysine glycosides was examined in explants of embryonic chicken long-bone rudiments. Auto-radiographic studies showed that hydralazine blocked collagen secretion. Secretion was restored by Fe2+ alone or Fe2+ + Mn2+ but not by Mn2+ alone, suggesting that a Fe2+-requiring step was involved. Biochemical analyses showed that hydralazine inhibited the formation of hydroxylysine, a step requiring Fe2+, but it did not inhibit the formation of hydroxylysine-glocosides by Mn2+-requiring steps, although the reaction was inhibited in vitro. Hydralazine also failed to inhibit intracellular mucopolysaccharide synthesis which involves several Mn2+-requiring enzymes. These observations suggest that the deleterious effects of hydralazine on bones are caused by its inhibition of hydroxylation steps in collagen synthesis.
Evidence for mafic lower crust in Tanzania, East Africa, from joint inversion of receiver functions and Rayleigh wave dispersion velocities

SUMMARY The S-wave velocity structure of Precambrian terranes in Tanzania, East Africa is modelled by jointly inverting receiver functions and surface wave dispersion velocities from the 1994‐1995 Tanzania broad-band seismic experiment. The study region, which consists of an Archean craton surrounded by Proterozoic mobile belts, forms a unique setting for evaluating Precambrian crustal evolution. Our results show a uniform crustal structure across the region, with a 10‐15 km thick upper crust with VS = 3.4‐3.5 km s −1 ,o verlying a gradational lower crust with S-wave velocities up to 4.1 km s −1 at 38‐42 km depth. The upper-mantle lid displays uniform S-wave velocities of 4.5‐4.7 km s −1 to depths of 100‐150 km and overlays a prominent low-velocity zone. This low-velocity zone is required by the dispersion and receiver function data, but its depth interval is uncertain. The high crustal velocities within the lowermost crust characterize the entire region and suggest that mafic lithologies are present in both Archean and Proterozoic terranes. The ubiquitous mafic lower crust can be attributed to underplating associated with mafic dyke emplacement. This finding suggests that in East Africa there has been little secular variation in Precambrian crustal development.
Uptake of all-trans retinoic acid-containing aerosol by inhalation to lungs in a guinea pig model system--a pilot study.

Systemic therapies with retinoic acid (RA) can result in toxic side effects without yielding biologically effective levels in target tissues such as lung. The authors adapted a PARI LC Star nebulizer to create a tubular system for short-term inhalation treatment of guinea pigs using a water-miscible formulation of all-trans RA (ATRA) or vehicle. Based on the initial average weight, animals received an estimated average ATRA doses of either 0.32 mg·kg −1 (low dose, 1.4 mM), or 0.62 mg·kg −1 (medium dose, 2.8 mM), or 1.26 mg·kg −1 (high dose, 5.6 mM) 20 minutes per day for 6 consecutive days. This system led to a rise of ATRA levels in lung, but not liver or plasma. Cellular lung levels of retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl stearate also appeared to be unaffected (245.6 ± 10.7, 47.4 ± 3.4, and 132.8 ± 7.7 ng·g −1 wet weight, respectively). The application of this aerosolized ATRA also induced a dose-dependent protein expression of the cellular retinol-binding protein 1 (CRBP-1) in lung, without apparent harmful side effects.
Vav Proteins Regulate the Plasma Cell Program and Secretory Ig Production

Plasma cell (PC) development is initiated following B cell activation and controlled by a B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein (Blimp)-1-dependent program involving the concerted action of several proplasma transcriptional regulators. However, the factors that control Blimp-1 expression remain largely unknown. In this context, mice deficient for all three of the Vav family of proteins (Vav(null)) develop substantial B cell populations, including marginal zone B cells, yet have a virtual absence of serum Igs, indicating that Vav may be specifically required in PC development and Ig production. We show in this study that mature marginal zone B cells from Vav(null) mice proliferate following stimulation with TLR ligands but exhibit severe defects in PC differentiation and Ig secretion. Under conditions inducing PC differentiation, Vav(null) B cells fail to efficiently induce Blimp-1, X box-binding protein-1, J chain, or secretory Ig mu transcripts but express IFN-regulatory factor-4 at levels similar to wild-type cells. These data indicate a previously unknown role for Vav as an upstream regulator of Blimp-1.
Effect of Using Automated Auditing Tools on Detecting Compliance Failures in Unmanaged Processes

The effect of using automated auditing tools to detect compliance failures in unmanaged business processes is investigated. In the absence of a process execution engine, compliance of an unmanaged business process is tracked by using an auditing tool developed based on business provenance technology or employing auditors. Since budget constraints limit employing auditors to evaluate all process instances, a methodology is devised to use both expert opinion on a limited set of process instances and the results produced by fallible automated audit machines on all process instances. An improvement factor is defined based on the average number of non-compliant process instances detected and it is shown that the improvement depends on the prevalence of non-compliance in the process as well as the sensitivity and the specificity of the audit machine.
Update on Salmonella spp contamination of pet food, treats, and nutritional products and safe feeding recommendations

JAVMA, Vol 238, No. 11, June 1, 2011 R there have been several recalls of commercial pet foods and treats in the United States because of contamination with Salmonella spp. This contamination creates a risk that pets ingesting these food items can become clinically ill or may become carriers of Salmonella organisms, but it is also a public health concern for pet owners who handle the food products and interact with these pets. As recalls and media attention make the public more aware of the potential for Salmonella contamination, clients may rely more heavily on veterinarians for advice in choosing safe diets for their pets and minimizing the risk of salmonellosis in their households. By keeping current on recalls and understanding the basics of how contamination with Salmonella spp can lead to disease, veterinarians can provide accurate and educated nutritional recommendations to clients as well as suggestions on public health and hygiene to minimize the risk of salmonellosis in their clients’ households.
A rapidly prototyped 2-axis positioning stage for microassembly using large displacement compliant mechanisms

Compliant mechanisms provide an attractive alternative to conventional rigid mechanisms in the design of ultra low-cost precision positioning systems. The desirable performance characteristics of these mechanisms including freedom from backlash, long life, light weight, and ease of fabrication/assembly make them an ideal solution to the problem of inexpensive precision positioning for microassembly. This paper presents a design for a 2 axis precision positioning system which makes use of large displacement compliant mechanisms, a room temperature and pressure molding fabrication process, commodity hardware, and a piecewise linear interpolation compensation scheme to achieve positioning performance suitable for automated assembly of sub-centimeter robotic and mechatronic devices
Design and fabrication of adjustable red-green-blue LED light arrays for plant research

Although specific light attributes, such as color and fluence rate, influence plant growth and development, researchers generally cannot control the fine spectral conditions of artificial plant-growth environments. Plant growth chambers are typically outfitted with fluorescent and/or incandescent fixtures that provide a general spectrum that is accommodating to the human eye and not necessarily supportive to plant development. Many studies over the last several decades, primarily in Arabidopsis thaliana, have clearly shown that variation in light quantity, quality and photoperiod can be manipulated to affect growth and control developmental transitions. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been used for decades to test plant responses to narrow-bandwidth light. LEDs are particularly well suited for plant growth chambers, as they have an extraordinary life (about 100,000 hours), require little maintenance, and use negligible energy. These factors render LED-based light strategies particularly appropriate for space-biology as well as terrestrial applications. However, there is a need for a versatile and inexpensive LED array platform where individual wavebands can be specifically tuned to produce a series of light combinations consisting of various quantities and qualities of individual wavelengths. Two plans are presented in this report. In this technical report we describe the practical construction of tunable red-green-blue LED arrays to support research in plant growth and development. Two light fixture designs and corresponding circuitry are presented. The first is well suited for a laboratory environment for use in a finite area with small plants, such as Arabidopsis. The second is expandable and appropriate for growth chambers. The application of these arrays to early plant developmental studies has been validated with assays of hypocotyl growth inhibition/promotion and phototropic curvature in Arabidopsis seedlings. The presentation of these proven plans for LED array construction allows the teacher, researcher or electronics aficionado a means to inexpensively build efficient, adjustable lighting modules for plant research. These simple and effective designs permit the construction of useful tools by programs short on electronics expertise. These arrays represent a means to modulate precise quality and quantity in experimental settings to test the effect of specific light combinations in regulating plant growth, development and plant-product yield.
The Political Determinants of International Trade: The Major Powers, 1907–1990

We test three arguments about the effect of international politics on trade flows. The first argument states that trade flows are greater between states with similar interests than those with dissimilar interests, the second that trade flows are greater in democratic dyads than nondemocratic dyads, and the third that trade flows are greater between allies. We examine trade flows between the major powers from 1907 to 1990. This period provides variation on all three independent variables of interest and allows us to separate the three arguments empirically. We estimate a gravity model of trade with the above political variables added. Our results demonstrate that joint democracy and common interests increase trade in a dyad, but alliances generally do not, even when controlling for polarity of the system.
Folly 2020! The Campaign for Foolishness in Twenty-First-Century Politics

This chapter examines twenty-first-century negative political advertisements alongside early modern representations of folly, particularly the Folly who speaks at length in Erasmus’s Praise of Folly. Much of the chapter is devoted to deconstructing political candidates’ required statements of disclosure, which force them to “approve” all the horrors rehearsed in the rest of their negative ads. Thus twenty-first-century attack ads echo several of the lessons Folly teaches in her long encomium to herself, the chief one being that praising the self while panning the other is always an exercise in folly. However, witnesses to this exercise may find in it a reason to engage more generously with the politics of knowledge. When we read negative political ads as Erasmian gestures, we may recognize what is alluring, even precious, about rhetorical philosophies that favor not orderly, intelligible communities but profoundly, dramatically—laughably—indistinct ones.
Bridging the gap between DeafBlind minds: interactional and social foundations of intention attribution in the Seattle DeafBlind community

This article is concerned with social and interactional processes that simplify pragmatic acts of intention attribution. The empirical focus is a series of interactions among DeafBlind people in Seattle, Washington, where pointing signs are used to individuate objects of reference in the im-mediate environment. Most members of this community are born deaf and slowly become blind. They come to Seattle using Visual American Sign Language, which has emerged and developed in a field organized around visual modes of access. However, as vision deteriorates, links be-tween deictic signs and the present, remembered, or imagined environment erode in idiosyncratic ways across the community of language-users, and it becomes increasingly difficult for partici-pants to converge on objects of reference. In the past, DeafBlind people have addressed this problem by relying on sighted interpreters. Under the influence of the recent “pro-tactile” movement, they have turned instead to one another to find new solutions to their referential prob-lems. Drawing on analyses of 120 hours of videorecorded interaction and language-use, detailed fieldnotes collected during twelve months of sustained anthropological fieldwork, and more than 15 years of involvement in this community in a range of capacities, I show how DeafBlind peo-ple are generating new and reciprocal modes of access to their environment, and how this pro-cess is aligning language with context in novel ways. I propose two mechanisms that can account for this process: deictic integration and embedding in the social field. I argue that together, these interactional and social mechanisms yield a deictic system set to retrieve a restricted range of values from the extra-linguistic context, thereby attenuating the cognitive demands of intention-attribution and narrowing the gap between DeafBlind minds.
Evaluation and management of the violent patient in emergency settings

The presentation of a violent or a potentially violent patient is a dreaded experience, but it is an eventuality that all mental health professionals should be prepared for. Discussed in this article are guidelines for appropriate triage and for the physical and psychopharmacologic management of the violent patient, and for interviewing and intervention techniques for the potentially violent patient.
A New Subgenus and Two New Species of Dactynotus (Homoptera: Aphididae)

Lambersius , type Siphonophora erigeronensis Thomas, includes also 5 other species formerly placed in the nominate subgenus Dactynotus Rafinesque and 2 new species, bradburyi and crepusisiphon , both from North Carolina. The 8 species are keyed, and the new species are illustrated by photographs and drawings.
Measurement Methodology for Field-Coupled Soft Errors Induced By Electrostatic Discharge

High-speed low-power mobile devices are sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD)-induced soft errors, such as unwanted reset, lock up, loss of user interface, disturbed displays, etc. ESD can couple via current and fields into the internal cabling, printed circuit board traces but also directly into the integrated circuits (ICs). Many portable devices shield nearly all traces using top and bottom layer ground planes, and they apply effective filters at cable entry points such that direct field coupling to the IC can dominate the system's ESD sensitivity. However, a little information is available on the robustness of ICs against direct ESD transient field coupling. A methodology for determining this robustness was developed and applied to a set of consumer electronic ICs to create an initial robustness database. Custom-made electric and magnetic field probes are driven by a 400-ps rise time transmission line pulser to evaluate 37 different ICs. The investigation showed that 50% of the ICs were disturbed at approximately 33 kV/m for the electric field injection and 142 A/m for the magnetic field injection at this rise time. This methodology can serve as the basis for further investigations of ICs. The database can be used to estimate the likelihood of field-coupled ESD-induced soft errors in electronic products.
On a modification of the VCG mechanism and its optimality

It is well-known that the VCG mechanism is optimal for a buyer procuring one unit from a set of symmetric suppliers. For procuring a unit from asymmetric suppliers, Myerson's optimal mechanism can be interpreted as a transformation of the VCG mechanism-both in terms of its allocation and payment-using the virtual cost function. For a more general setting in which multiple units need to be procured from asymmetric suppliers under an arbitrary set of feasibility constraints, we analyze the same transformation of the VCG mechanism. We show that this mechanism is optimal if the feasible region is a polymatroid. We also present an example of a non-polymatroidal feasible region for which this mechanism is sub-optimal.
Research on a New Multilevel SVG

Multilevel SVG has been researched and used widely because of its lower output harmonics and high power capability.A new topology of multilevel SVG is presented in this paper.The new topology achieves comprehensive compensation of reactive power,harmonics and three phase imbalance using two inverters with common DC capacitor.The structure and compensation principles of the new multilevel SVG are analyzed.And the main circuit and control circuit of hardware are designed using DSP and FPGA as the core of the system hardware.The design of software is introduced,including main program,the timer interrupt subprogram and FPGA module.Lastly,results of simulation and experimental verify that the proposed system has good effect in reactive power compensation and the voltage of DC capacitor is stable.
Non-invasive Genetische Pränatale Testung – ein ethischer Diskurs

Die Einfuhrung der non-invasiven genetischen pranatalen Testung in die pranatale Diagnostik fuhrt zu einer verbesserten Diagnostik der meisten autosomalen Aneuploidien und zu einer verminderten Anwendung invasiver Methoden. Andererseits ergeben sich durch die mogliche Anwendung als Screening Methode vielfaltige ethische Fragen, die von der fachlichen und der gesellschaftlichen Offentlichkeit bearbeitet und beantwortet werden mussen.
Longitudinal Changes in the Dietary Inflammatory Index: An Assessment of the Inflammatory Potential of Diet over Time in Postmenopausal Women

The dietary inflammatory index (DII) measured at one time point is associated with risk of several chronic diseases, but disease risk may change with longitudinal changes in DII scores. Data are lacking regarding changes in DII scores over time; therefore, we assessed changes in the DII in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). DII scores were calculated using data from repeated food frequency questionnaires in the WHI Observational Study (OS; n=76 671) at baseline and year 3, and the WHI Dietary Modification trial (DM; n=48482) at three time points. Lower DII scores represent more anti-inflammatory diets. We used generalized estimating equations to compare mean changes in DII over time, adjusting for multiple comparisons, and multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses to determine predictors of DII change. In the OS, mean DII decreased modestly from −1.14 at baseline to −1.50 at year 3. In the DM, DII was −1.32 in year 1, −1.60 in year 3 and −1.48 in year 6 in the intervention arm and was −0.65 in year 1, −0.94 in year 3 and −0.96 in year 6 in the control arm. These changes were modified by body mass index, education and race/ethnicity. A prediction model explained 22% of the variance in the change in DII scores in the OS. In this prospective investigation of postmenopausal women, reported dietary inflammatory potential decreased modestly over time. Largest reductions were observed in normal-weight, highly educated women. Future research is warranted to examine whether reductions in DII are associated with decreased chronic disease risk.
Conclusion: Is That All There Is?

In this book, I have provided a pluralist framework for understanding introspection and self-knowledge. Introspection is not a single faculty of the mind, as is commonly thought, but rather a heterogeneous collection of different kinds of first-person experiences and cognitive processes, with a variety of different epistemic qualities. In closing, I will summarize the main features of this account.
Introduction: Hans Kelsen for Americans

This chapter introduces readers to the chapters to follow by introducing them to the major theoretical themes of Kelsen’s work. After a quick review of Kelsen’s biography and the reception of his work in United States, the chapter moves on to a discussion of significant aspects of: the pure theory of law; Kelsen’s doctrine of the unity of law and international legal monism; and Kelsen’s views on justice and democracy. The chapter concludes with a brief review of Kelsen’s most recent book, Secular Religion.
The Paris Agreement: Destined to Succeed or Doomed to Fail?

Is the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change destined to succeed or doomed to fail? If all the pledges embedded in the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) are implemented fully, temperatures at the Earth’s surface are predicted to rise by 3–4 °C, far above the agreement’s goal of limiting increases to 1.5 °C. This means that the fate of the agreement will be determined by the success of efforts to strengthen or ratchet up the commitments contained in the national pledges over time. The first substantive section of this essay provides a general account of mechanisms for ratcheting up commitments and conditions determining the use of these mechanisms in international environmental agreements. The second section applies this analysis to the specific case of the Paris Agreement. The conclusion is mixed. There are plenty of reasons to doubt whether the Paris Agreement will succeed in moving from strength to strength in a fashion resembling experience with the Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting substances. Nevertheless, there is more room for hope in this regard than those who see the climate problem as unusually malign, wicked, or even diabolical are willing to acknowledge.
Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis: AGEP

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare clinical entity characterized by an acute onset of numerous sterile, nonfollicular, pinhead-sized pustules arising on an erythematous, edematous base accompanied by fever (>38 C), neutrophilia, and occasionally eosinophilia. In 1968, Baker and Ryan reported 104 cases of pustular psoriasis and specifically detailed five patients whom they diagnosed as having “exanthematic pustular psoriasis” most likely due to a drug or infectious etiology. These five patients did not have a history of psoriasis and were characterized as having pustular skin reactions of acute onset that quickly resolved and did not recur. Subsequently, in 1980, Beylot et al. reviewed the existing literature regarding pustuloses and reported four additional cases; they are responsible for coining the name of this distinct entity as “acute generalized exanthematic pustulosis.” Additional literature reports by Macmillan in 1973 and Staughton and Harper in 1984 denote pustular skin eruptions most likely representing AGEP which they termed as “generalized pustular drug rash” and “toxic pustuloderma,” respectively.
A cost-efficient spring-powered dermatome to treat skin trauma

Dermatomes are devices for the procurement of skin grafts, which are essential for successful skin transplantation. Technologically advanced dermatomes, although effective at skin harvesting, are costly to maintain. Severe skin injury is a major public health problem in resource-limited settings, where most dermatomes are manual and yield poor-quality grafts. To address this issue, this paper presents a prototype dermatome with an oscillating blade and a thickness control module that has low operation and maintenance costs. A spiral torsion spring provides energy for blade oscillation. Preliminary tests on porcine skin revealed reliable procurement of homogeneous grafts but decreased thickness control accuracy for thin (<0.45 mm) grafts. The operationally straightforward prototype holds promise for cutaneous reconstruction in austere medical environments.
A High Performance Block Eigensolver for Nuclear Configuration Interaction Calculations

As on-node parallelism increases and the performance gap between the processor and the memory system widens, achieving high performance in large-scale scientific applications requires an architecture-aware design of algorithms and solvers. We focus on the eigenvalue problem arising in nuclear Configuration Interaction (CI) calculations, where a few extreme eigenpairs of a sparse symmetric matrix are needed. We consider a block iterative eigensolver whose main computational kernels are the multiplication of a sparse matrix with multiple vectors (SpMM), and tall-skinny matrix operations. We present techniques to significantly improve the SpMM and the transpose operation SpMM $^T$ by using the compressed sparse blocks (CSB) format. We achieve 3-4 $\times$ speedup on the requisite operations over good implementations with the commonly used compressed sparse row (CSR) format. We develop a performance model that allows us to correctly estimate the performance of our SpMM kernel implementations, and we identify cache bandwidth as a potential performance bottleneck beyond DRAM. We also analyze and optimize the performance of LOBPCG kernels (inner product and linear combinations on multiple vectors) and show up to 15 $\times$ speedup over using high performance BLAS libraries for these operations. The resulting high performance LOBPCG solver achieves 1.4 $\times$ to 1.8 $\times$ speedup over the existing Lanczos solver on a series of CI computations on high-end multicore architectures (Intel Xeons). We also analyze the performance of our techniques on an Intel Xeon Phi Knights Corner (KNC) processor.
Librarians and Technology Evangelism

ABSTRACTBeing advocates, or evangelists, for certain tools is not a new idea for many librarians in terms of promoting our digital resources. However, what is new is our involvement in promoting digital technologies used for teaching and engagement to faculty and other college stakeholders. In addition, our role has expanded to working with those stakeholders to both understand the purpose and use of the tools and to create best practices for using them in a variety of learning environments. This article recounts the experiences of one librarian with this approach at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A new method for material point method particle updates that reduces noise and enhances stability

Abstract Current material point method (MPM) particle updates use a PIC approach, a FLIP approach, or a linear combination of PIC and FLIP. A PIC update filters velocity in each time step, which causes unwanted numerical diffusion, while FLIP eliminates that diffusion, but may retain too much noise. This paper develops a new particle update termed XPIC( m ) (for eXtended PIC of order m ) because it generalizes PIC updates. XPIC(1) is identical to current PIC methods, but higher orders of XPIC( m ) address the over filtering and numerical diffusion of PIC, while still filtering out noise caused by the nontrivial null space of the extrapolation matrix used in MPM. As m → ∞ , XPIC( m ) converges to a modified FLIP update with orthogonal removal of null space noise. The frequency response and filtering properties of XPIC( m ) are investigated and several numerical examples demonstrate its advantages over other update methods.
Fluorescent Brighteners Affect Feeding Rates of the Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Act as Enhancers and Sunlight Protectants for its Nucleopolyhedrovirus

Seven diaminostilbene disulfonic acid-derived fluorescent brighteners, including Blankophor BBH®, Blankophor HRS®, Blankophor P167®, Blankophor RKH®, Blankophor LPG®, Blankophor DML®, and Blankophor BSU® (Bayer, Rock Hill, SC), were tested for effects on feeding rates of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and as enhancers and sunlight protectants for the H. zea nucleopolyhedrovirus (HzSNPV). All tests were done using virus applied to plant material. Blankophor BBH and Blankophor RKH were feeding deterrents; the other brighteners did not affect feeding. Blankophor HRS caused the greatest increases in activity of HzSNPV, both with and without exposure to simulated sunlight.
SERS-fluorescence bimodal nanoprobes for in vitro imaging of the fatty acid responsive receptor GPR120

G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), as a member of the rhodopsin family of G-protein-coupled receptors, has been shown to function as a sensor for dietary fat in the gustatory and digestive systems. Its specific role in the chemoreception of fatty acids, which is thought to be crucial in understanding the mechanism surrounding the control of fat intake and, accordingly, in the treatment of obesity, remains unclear. Here we report a novel surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-fluorescence bimodal microscopic technique for detection and imaging of GPR120 in single living cells. CaMoO4:Eu3+@AuNR hybrid nanoparticles are synthesized and characterized as imaging probes. The biocompatibility and imaging capability of the probes are investigated using a model HEK293 cell line with an inducible GPR120 gene transfection. The cellular distribution of GPR120 is visualized by single-cell SERS and fluorescence imaging. A dose-dependent GPR120 response to linoleic acid treatment is revealed by SERS.
Radiologically Isolated Syndrome

The incidental finding of magnetic resonance imaging changes suggestive of multiple sclerosis in individuals with no clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis has been termed the radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). RIS in adults carries a 30% risk of a first clinical attack within 5 years. Here, we discuss the features of pediatric RIS and propose an investigational and follow-up algorithm.
Micro:bit Magic: Engaging K-12, CS1/2, and Non-majors with IoT & Embedded (Abstract Only)

Are you interested in a fun way to introduce a variety of students to significant contemporary CS topics, like wireless networking, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT)? Do you want to do so using a platform that is cheap, has a low barrier to entry, but where learning can translate to the real world and where advanced students can pursue advanced topics? If so, you need a micro:bit! The micro:bit is a platform developed by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to encourage children to pursue computing and electronics. Although designed for children, its capabilities are sufficient for a variety of postsecondary applications. It includes a 32-bit processor, lights, buttons, an accelerometer, digital I/O, and wireless communication, making it ideal for wearables and robotics. It also leverages some of the latest trends in introductory computing, like support for block-based languages (ala Scratch), while also being sophisticated enough for complex topics in Operating Systems and Networking. This workshop will introduce the micro:bit and focus on engaging, lightweight coverage of complex topics, including robotics, mesh networks, and IoT. Participants will work through classroom-ready exercises suitable for K-12 workshops, student recruiting events, CS1/2, or as bootstrap topics in IoT courses. The workshop will include some subjects not commonly covered in existing micro:bit material, like integration with mobile apps and IoT applications. Participants will be provided with hardware but will need a laptop with internet access and a mobile device (any OSes).
Sympathomimetic Drugs and Adrenergic Receptor Antagonists

Sympathomimetics are drugs that mimic the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. They are classified as directly acting (act directly on α or β receptors), indirectly acting (act by providing more norepinephrine to act on α or β receptors), or mixed acting (act by both mechanisms). These drugs are used clinically to treat glaucoma, anaphylactic shock, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypotension, hypertension, heart failure, nasal congestion, premature labor, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and acute or chronic asthma. The α or β adrenergic antagonists block or attenuate the effect of sympathomimetics on α or β receptors. Alpha blockers are used clinically to treat hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta blockers are used clinically to treat ischemic heart disease, essential hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, surgical removal of pheochromocytoma, nonparkinsonian tremor, migraine headache (prophylaxis), and a wide variety of anxiety situations.
Identifiability and Estimation of Marginal Survival Functions for Dependent Competing Risks Assuming the Copula is Known

We show that if the copula between the two marginal distributions is known then the competing risks data is sufficient to identify the marginal survival function. An estimator is constructed to estimate the marginal survival functions based on an assumed copula. This estimator is shown to be consistent and to reduce to the Kaplan-Meier estimator when the death and censoring times are independent. Results of a simulation study are presented to compare this estimator to other estimators.
Cross-Modal Reinstatement of Thalamocortical Plasticity Accelerates Ocular Dominance Plasticity in Adult Mice.

Summary Plasticity of thalamocortical (TC) synapses is robust during early development and becomes limited in the adult brain. We previously reported that a short duration of deafening strengthens TC synapses in the primary visual cortex (V1) of adult mice. Here, we demonstrate that deafening restores NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) of TC synapses onto principal neurons in V1 layer 4 (L4), which is accompanied by an increase in NMDAR function. In contrast, deafening did not recover long-term depression (LTD) at TC synapses. Potentiation of TC synapses by deafening is absent in parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons, resulting in an increase in feedforward excitation to inhibition (E/I) ratio. Furthermore, we found that a brief duration of deafening adult mice recovers rapid ocular dominance plasticity (ODP) mainly by accelerating potentiation of the open-eye responses. Our results suggest that cross-modal sensory deprivation promotes adult cortical plasticity by specifically recovering TC-LTP and increasing the E/I ratio.
Effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients with cat scratch disease.

Background Appropriate antibiotic treatment of cat scratch disease (CSD) in pediatrics is not well established. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response rates of antibiotic therapy in pediatrics with CSD. Methods The electronic medical records of a cohort of pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of CSD (2006–2016) were reviewed, retrospectively. Data collection included patient demographics, clinical and laboratory results, antibiotic treatment and follow-up evaluations. Results One hundred and seventy-five patients (aged 7.4 ± 4.4 years) had confirmed CSD. Azithromycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) were the largest groups with documented effectiveness at follow-up visits. Resolution and improvement of CSD was observed in 51.4% and 61.5% of patients with azithromycin and TMP/SMX, respectively among those with follow-up assessment. The effectiveness of azithromycin and TMP/SMX was comparable (p = 0.56). Conclusion Azithromycin and TMP/SMX were most frequently prescribed antibiotics. Azithromycin appeared to be an appropriate option for the treatment of CSD. TMP/SMX may be considered as an alternative antibiotic when azithromycin cannot be used.
Does CARMENA mark the end of cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) was established as the standard of care for the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) in the early 2000s. Since that time, systemic therapeutic options for mRCC have rapidly expanded and progressed. The CARMENA trial was a phase III prospective, randomized clinical trial that accrued patient from 2009 to 2017, and the results show that treatment with sunitinib is noninferior to treatment with CN followed by sunitinib. Because the findings of CARMENA suggest that systemic therapy should be considered alongside CN as frontline therapy for mRCC, it is therefore important to define the clear indications for CN in the management of mRCC which include palliation, nonclear cell histology, consolidative therapy after systemic therapy, and oligometastic disease. Furthermore, CN may become increasingly important as immunotherapeutic options become widely adopted in the future. Given the heterogeneous nature of mRCC, a multidisciplinary approach should be taken to tailor the use of systemic therapy and CN for each individual patient.
Aromaticity of unsaturated BEC4 heterocycles (E = N, P, As, Sb, O, S, Se, Te)

A compendium of pnictogen and chalcogen substituted boron heterocycles were assessed for their aromatic character by first principles density functional theory. Group-15 and Group-16 elements were placed at the ortho-, meta-, and para-positions of six-membered rings relative to boron to assess their impact on the aromaticity of the unsaturated heterocycles. Aromaticity was analyzed by a multidimensional approach using nuclear independent chemical shifts, gauge-including magnetically induced current, as well as natural bond orbital and natural resonance theory analyses. Based on these methods, we observe a general decline of aromaticity in heavier pnictaborines while the chalcogen analogues maintain relatively strong aromatic character. These general trends result from complementary π–π* natural bond order interactions that sustain resonance within the ring of each heterocycle establishing a pattern of cyclic delocalization. Consequently, natural resonance theory displays strong resonance, which is corroborated with the signed modulus of ring current, toroidal vortices of current maps, and elevated average induced current throughout the ring. The 1,3-configurations for pnictaborines and chalcogenaborines are generally more aromatic compared to the 1,2- and 1,4-isomers, which contain π-holes that limit diatropism within the heterocycles. However, an energetic trend favors the 1,2-heterocycles in both groups, with a few exceptions driven in large-part by π-donation of the lone pair on the heteroatom to the pz orbital on the adjacent boron resulting in stabilization. The importance of planarity for high aromaticity is demonstrated, especially in the pnictaborine isomers where pyramidalization at the pnictogen is favored, while bond regularity seems a less important criterion.
Toward a Geocentric Theory of Multinational Evolution: The Implications from the Asian MNEs as Latecomers

Despite their growing proliferation and importance, the multinational enterprises (MNEs) from the developing countries have not received adequate attention. Further, there is a growing concern with the validity of the extant MNE theories in the context of globalization and network. This paper seeks to address two questions: (1) how much can we apply the extant MNE theories (which are built on the evidence from the developed countries) to the MNEs from the developing countries as latecomers; and (2) how much can the evidence of the MNEs from the developing countries as latecomers offer to modify and enhance the extant MNE theories. The evidence of one longitudinal embedded case study shows that the extant MNE theories need modifications (so as to apply to the MNEs from the developing countries as latecomers) and enhancements (so as to better explain all MNEs). Also discussed are the significant implications for further theory building with regard to MNEs in the context of globalization and network.
Automated Modeling of Power System Protective Devices for Advanced Analysis of Protection System Performance

This paper presents automation-based approaches and tools for modeling of complex protection functions in modern power systems. The paper discusses the process steps and challenges related to data gathering, aligning primary network data and protection data, handling device settings from different vendors, and accurately modeling complex functions such as telecommunication schemes. The paper also discusses the processes that can be utilized for integration of automation with the legacy setting management procedure. The process for data and operational quality assurance of various protection elements is also presented and discussed. The presented modeling approaches and tools have been successfully utilized in several large-scale projects. Accordingly, the efficacy and feasibility of the proposed approaches in real-world projects are discussed.
Genetically Engineered Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles with Expressed Nanoluciferase Reporter for in Vivo Bioluminescence Kinetic Modeling through Noninvasive Imaging

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria play significant roles in the biomedical field as they can be facilely functionalized using genetic engineering tools and thus often serve as a versatile multifunctional nanoparticles for a variety of applications. In this study, we investigated the multifaceted bioluminescence kinetics of a NanoLuc luciferase-expressed outer membrane vesicle produced by E. coli. This multifunctional OMV emits strong blue luminescence at 460 nm after mixing with the substrate furimazine, which potentially can be used for bioluminescence-based optical imaging. Characterization of the vesicles was performed via dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis. A murine animal model was used to observe the in vivo behavior of the bioluminescence produced by outer membrane vesicles through post subcutaneous administration. The bioluminescence signal was tracked by noninvasive in vivo optical imaging, while in vitro cytotoxicity and ex vivo tissue his...
Mental State Expression During Peer Play: A Comparison of Typically Developing Children and Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder:

This study examined the relationship between mental state term use in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children engaged in play. Expression of mental state...
Drug delivery systems

New and emerging drug delivery systems for traditional drugs and the products of biotechnology are discussed, and the role of the pharmacist in ensuring the appropriate use of these systems is outlined. Advantages of advanced drug delivery systems over traditional systems are the ability to deliver a drug more selectively to a specific site; easier, more accurate, less frequent dosing; decreased variability in systemic drug concentrations; absorption that is more consistent with the site and mechanism of action; and reductions in toxic metabolites. Four basic strategies govern the mechanisms of advanced drug delivery: physical, chemical, biological, and mechanical. Oral drug delivery systems use natural and synthetic polymers to deliver the product to a specific region in the gastrointestinal tract in a timely manner that minimizes adverse effects and increases drug efficacy. Innovations in injectable and implantable delivery systems include emulsions, particulate delivery systems, micromolecular products and macromolecular drug adducts, and enzymatic-controlled delivery. Options for noninvasive drug delivery include the transdermal, respiratory, intranasal, ophthalmic, lymphatic, rectal, intravaginal, and intrauterine routes as well as topical application. Rapid growth is projected in the drug delivery systems market worldwide in the next five years. Genetic engineering has mandated the development of new strategies to deliver biotechnologically derived protein and peptide drugs and chemoimmunoconjugates. The role of the pharmacist in the era of advanced drug delivery systems will be broad based, including administering drugs, compounding, calculating dosages based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic monitoring, counseling, and research. The advent of advanced drug delivery systems offers pharmacists a new opportunity to assume an active role in patient care.
Efficacy of L-Leucine Supplementation Coupled with a Calorie-Restricted Diet to Promote Weight Loss in Mid-Life Women.

This study evaluated the effect of leucine supplementation coupled with a calorie-restricted diet over a 12-week period in mid-life overweight and obese women on body composition and resting metabo...
Solutions of Problems: Sinusoidal Steady-State Analysis

In this chapter, the problems of the first chapter are fully solved, in detail, step-by-step, and with different methods.