cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Modern Tamil Novel: Changing Identities and Transformations

This essay examines the articulation of voices and genres of the Indian contemporary multilingual canon by introducing Tamil fiction and the impact of translation on it. Holmstrom reconstructs the development of the modern novel in Tamil in the past decades, discussing in particular some authors who have been deemed to be extremely influential on the course of recent Tamil literary history. Ashokamitran, Sundara Ramaswamy, Ambai, and Bama have narrated the story of the individual in times of political and social change both in Tamil Nadu and in India, each with their own innovative point of view, including feminist, Dalit, and diasporic perspectives. Many important works by these four novelists have been translated into other Indian languages as well as into English. Some have been translated into European languages such as French, Spanish, and German. Yet some translations have taken on a life of their own, while others have not. In the essay’s final remarks, the relationship between the original text and its successful translation is explored.
Dietary Green Pea Protects against DSS-Induced Colitis in Mice Challenged with High-Fat Diet.

Obesity is a risk factor for developing inflammatory bowel disease. Pea is unique with its high content of dietary fiber, polyphenolics, and glycoproteins, all of which are known to be health beneficial. We aimed to investigate the impact of green pea (GP) supplementation on the susceptibility of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Six-week-old C57BL/6J female mice were fed a 45% HFD or HFD supplemented with 10% GP. After 7-week dietary supplementation, colitis was induced by adding 2.5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days followed by a 7-day recovery period. GP supplementation ameliorated the disease activity index score in HFD-fed mice during the recovery stage, and reduced neutrophil infiltration, mRNA expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), IL-17, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in HFD-fed mice. Further, GP supplementation increased mucin 2 content and mRNA expression of goblet cell differentiation markers including Trefoil factor 3 (Tff3), Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4), and SAM pointed domain ETS factor 1 (Spdef1) in HFD-fed mice. In addition, GP ameliorated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as indicated by the reduced expression of Activating transcription factor-6 (ATF-6) protein and its target genes chaperone protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78), the CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), the ER degradation-enhancing α-mannosidase-like 1 protein (Edem1), and the X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) in HFD-fed mice. In conclusion, GP supplementation ameliorated the severity of DSS-induced colitis in HFD-fed mice, which was associated with the suppression of inflammation, mucin depletion, and ER stress in the colon.
Exploring backbone-cation alkyl spacers for multi-cation side chain anion exchange membranes

Abstract In order to systematically study how the arrangement of cations on the side chain and length of alkyl spacers between cations impact the performance of multi-cation AEMs for alkaline fuel cells, a series of polyphenylene oxide (PPO)-based AEMs with different cationic side chains were synthesized. This work resulted in samples with two or three cations in a side chain pendant to the PPO backbone. More importantly, the length of the spacer between cations varied from 3 methylene (-CH2-) (C3) groups to 8 methylene (C8) groups. The highest conductivity, up to 99 mS/cm in liquid water at room temperature, was observed for the triple-cation side chain AEM with pentyl (C5) or hexyl (C6) spacers. The multi-cation AEMs were found to have decreased water uptake and ionic conductivity when the spacer chains between cations were lengthened from pentyl (C5) or hexyl (C6) to octyl (C8) linking groups. The triple-cation membranes with pentyl (C5) or hexyl (C6) groups between cations showed greatest stability after immersion in 1 M NaOH at 80 °C for 500 h.
Bleeding with the artificial heart: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage in CF-LVAD patients

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) have significantly improved outcomes for patients with end-stage heart failure when used as a bridge to cardiac transplantation or, more recently, as destination therapy. However, its implantations carries a risk of complications including infection, device malfunction, arrhythmias, right ventricular failure, thromboembolic disease, postoperative and nonsurgical bleeding. A significant number of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) recipients may experience recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage, mainly due to combination of antiplatelet and vitamin K antagonist therapy, activation of fibrinolytic pathway, acquired von Willebrand factor deficiency, and tendency to develop small intestinal angiodysplasias due to increased rotary speed of the pump. Gastrointestinal bleeding in LVAD patients remains a source of increased morbidity including the need for blood transfusions, extended hospital stays, multiple readmissions, and overall mortality. Management of gastrointestinal bleeding in LVAD patients involves multidisciplinary approach in stabilizing the patients, addressing risk factors and performing structured endoluminal evaluation with focus on upper gastrointestinal tract including jejunum to find and eradicate culprit lesion. Medical and procedural intervention is largely successful and universal bleeding cessation occurs in transplanted patients.
Which Probiotics Should I Take? A Practical Guide for Family Physicians.

Find out what requirements should be met to know that you are offering your patients the highest quality probiotics to help prevent and treat disease.
Advances in understanding sulfur utilization efficiency in plants

Sulfur (S) is an essential mineral nutrient required for plant growth and development. It is found in amino acids, vitamins/cofactors, electron transport chains, and a host of stress response compounds. S fertilization in agriculture is required only under specific circumstances, but the S nutrition status of crops has a profound effect on growth and resistance to stresses. Plants have evolved integrated mechanisms to sense S status and to respond to ambient conditions. This book chapter summarizes recent progress on clarifying mechanisms that impact S utilization efficiency, including sulfate uptake and mobilization, S sensing, signaling, and the mobilization of stored S reserves.
Relation of the Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion to Risk for Intervention in Initially Asymptomatic Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Systolic Function.

Aortic valve intervention (AVI) in patients with a severe aortic stenosis (AS) and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is controversial. Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is an easily acquired metric of left ventricular longitudinal shortening. We sought to investigate if an asymptomatic decrease in MAPSE preceded the need for AVI in asymptomatic patients with AS and a preserved LVEF. In this retrospective cohort study, we identified 205 consecutive patients (56% male, 73 ± 11 years) with at least a moderate AS and a normal LVEF who underwent a serial outpatient transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) from 2006 to 2013. Apical TTE images were reviewed and (the average of septal, lateral, anterior, and inferior) MAPSE was measured. We examined the association of change in MAPSE with aortic valve area and LVEF over time and used time-varying Cox models to examine the risk of AVI. MAPSE correlated with aortic valve area (Spearman r = 0.18, p = 0.02) and decreased with subsequent TTE, whereas LVEF was “maintained.” For each 1-mm reduction in MAPSE, the age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for AVI was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01 to 1.31, p = 0.04). A MAPSE decrease of >2 mm/TTE was significantly associated with an increased risk of AVI, with an adjusted HR of 1.95 (95% CI 1.04 to 3.66, p = 0.04), whereas a MAPSE decrease of >1.5 mm/year trended toward an association with an increased risk of AVI (HR 1.61, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.74, p = 0.08). In conclusion, in asymptomatic patients with at least a moderate AS and a preserved LVEF, an asymptomatic decrease in MAPSE was associated with the clinical need for AVI despite ongoing preservation of LVEF.
Insight into the source of grapevine water acquisition during key phenological stages using stable isotope analysis

Background and Aims Stable isotope analysis of grapevine water provides insight into seasonal water use trends, soil depth of active water/nutrient uptake, and the role of water in the physiological processes of grapevines. This technique identifies the sources of water utilised and the functional rooting depth for vine water uptake over the growing season to support development of efficient irrigation strategies while managing grape and wine composition. Methods and Results The hydrogen stable isotope ratio (δD) values of vine water identify rain as the principal water source during budburst and flowering/fruitset, and various combinations of rain and groundwater in summer and autumn, with an increasing proportion of groundwater in the mixture, as veraison/ripening continues and fruit maturity is achieved at harvest. The seasonal water use trend demonstrates a variable functional rooting depth for grapevine water acquisition over time, with the shallow roots utilising rain water as a main source in spring and a root system that can reach progressively deeper into the soil profile as the growing season advances. Conclusions Water acquired by grapevines during the 2015 growing season originated from various depths and was derived from a combination of meteorological sources prior to recharging the soil water reservoir. The isotopic composition of grapevine water demonstrates that the functional rooting depth for water uptake is highly variable during the different phenological stages of the grapevines. Significance of the Study The preferential vine water use allows irrigation recommendations to be made/forecasted to maximise water uptake efficiency and water conservation. This study site has an udic moisture regime, potentially providing insensitive isotopic variations due to the evenness of rainfall; thus, the success of this approach suggests that these methods will be highly effective in identifying seasonal patterns in ustic and xeric moisture regimes.
Distributions. Sobolev Spaces

We conclude this book with a glimpse at the means available for treating some unorthodox situations encountered in various areas of physics and engineering, in particular, in dynamics, electromagnetism, quantum field theory, and optimization. We here have in mind problems in which such classical requirements as the regularity and differentiability of functions, convergence of series, and smoothness of boundary conditions cannot be maintained, but must be relaxed, either in part or completely. This happens most frequently when we are concerned with temporal impulses (i.e., high intensity actions of very short duration), localized (concentrated) forces and couples acting on structural systems, point sources of various kinds, point masses, point charges, and finally, supports along lines or at isolated points.
Compact multi-layer microstrip Rotman lens design using coupling slots to support millimetre wave devices

Millimetre wave technology is now considered as a key component for the next generation (5G) of cellular networks since they offer higher data rates and broader bandwidth compared to the current technology. However, since communication in this frequency band suffers higher propagation loss and atmospheric absorption (~12 dB/km), the use of highly directional antennas plays an important role in order to compensate for these losses. Therefore, it is necessary to design beamforming networks that are not only able to support these antennas but also offer practical and compact solutions to be placed in any modern transceiver system. Rotman lenses have long been used as analogue beamforming networks to support linear array antennas for electronic scanning. Their broad bandwidth and planar structure make them ideal for these types of applications. However, their overall dimensions can be prohibitively large, especially for systems requiring large scan angles. In this study, the authors propose a new compact configuration that reduces the overall dimensions of the conventional Rotman lens by as much as 50% without degrading its performance.
Interleukin 33 and interleukin 4 regulate interleukin 31 gene expression and secretion from human laboratory of allergic diseases 2 mast cells stimulated by substance P and/or immunoglobulin E.

Background Cytokine interleukin (IL) 31 has emerged as an important component of allergic and inflammatory diseases associated with pruritus, such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and mastocytosis. Mast cells (MC) are stimulated by allergic and nonallergic triggers, and play a critical role in such diseases by secreting histamine and tryptase as well as cytokines and chemokines. IL-33 has been reported to augment MC responses, but its effect on secretion of IL-31 is not known. Objectives To investigate whether IL-33 can stimulate the secretion of IL-31 from cultured human MCs and whether this response is augmented by either the neuropeptide substance P (SP) or immunoglobulin E (IgE) and anti-IgE in the absence or presence of IL-4. Methods Laboratory of Allergic Diseases (LAD2) human MCs were cultured in StemProH-34 SFM medium supplemented by stem cell factor and were stimulated either with IL-33 (10 ng /mL) or SP (2 μM), or preincubated with IgE (1 μg/mL) overnight, and then stimulated with anti-IgE (1 μg/mL) for 24 hours. IL-31 gene expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results IL-33 (10 ng/mL) induces IL-31 gene expression, synthesis, and secretion from LAD2 cells in the absence of degranulation, whereas SP and IgE on their own have no effect. However, the effect of IL-33 is augmented by SP (2 μM) and/or IgE and anti-IgE (1 μg/mL both) and especially their combination. Moreover, this response is significantly further increased when LAD2 cells are cultured in the presence of IL-4. Conclusion These findings provide evidence that IL-33 induced secretion of IL-31 from LAD2 MC, an action augmented by novel neuroimmune interactions that may help in the development of new treatments of allergic and inflammatory diseases, especially AD and mastocytosis.
Practical Ontologies for Information Professionals, by David Stuart

At first glance, the title would indicate this is a book on metaphysics due to the meaning of the word “ontology,” defined as “the branch of metaphysics that investigates the nature of being.”1 The...
Managing Millennials: looking beyond generational stereotypes

The purpose of this paper is to examine what managers perceive Millennial employees as doing in organizations to find generalizations rather than relying upon stereotypes.,In total, 25 interviews were conducted with managers in the hospitality industry. The transcribed data were analyzed to learn about identified category-bound activities described.,Three prominent findings are elaborated. First, Millennials express a desire for learning and training, because they see this as fostering advancement. Second, there were mixed evaluations of Millennials effectiveness in teamwork. Specific teamwork problems managers identified involved cliquish behavior. Finally, managers stated that Millennials desire feedback. In order for the Millennial employee to feel satisfied with the feedback, however, it needs to be ample, positive and personal.,The ability to generalize findings is limited because the objective of qualitative research is not to predict. The study does offer some patterned observations by managers that may be useful to future employees and other managers.,The analysis revealed that some practical problems managers may face when leading Millennial employees; however, these employees bring their own solution to the workplace: a desire for training.,Existing research on Millennials has not acknowledged the desire for training by Millennials. This is an important finding due to its implications for effective management.
Control of Rheumatoid Disease as a Requisite for Successful Outcome of Rehabilitation

Physiatrists have much to offer in the management of rheumatoid arthritis, yet a reluctance to do so often exists. This article reviews the fundamentals of diagnosis and an approach to treatment in a stepwise fashion. Many issues that come up frequently in clinical practice but are not often addressed in the literature are included, such as the interpretation and management of pain in rheumatoid arthritis. Control of inflammation is paramount for the successful outcome of rehabilitation of this disease. A coherent plan of management and its rationale are presented.
Outcome of patients with a final diagnosis of chest pain of undetermined origin admitted under the suspicion of acute coronary syndrome: a report from the Rochester Epidemiology Project.

Abstract Study objectives Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain after a recent negative inpatient evaluation for cardiac pathology represent a dilemma for the emergency physician. The purposes of this study were to assess the outcome of patients discharged with a diagnosis of chest pain of undetermined origin and to identify predisposing factors for further cardiac events. Methods The resources of the Rochester Epidemiology Project were used to identify all admitted ED patients with chest pain with suspected acute coronary syndrome who received a discharge diagnosis of chest pain of undetermined origin from 1985 through 1992. Patient records were reviewed for the occurrence of adverse cardiac events and subsequent ED visits for recurrent chest pain within 12 months of discharge. Associations between patient characteristics and an adverse cardiac event were evaluated univariately and summarized by using odds ratios (ORs). Long-term mortality was also determined. Results Among 1,973 admitted ED patients with chest pain, 230 were given a diagnosis of chest pain of undetermined origin. Ten (4.4%) of 230 patients experienced an adverse cardiac event. Factors significantly associated with an adverse cardiac event included an abnormal ECG on admission (OR 9.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0 to 45.8), preexisting diabetes mellitus (OR 7.1; 95% CI 1.8 to 27.2), and preexisting coronary artery disease (OR 28.4; 95% CI 3.5 to 229.0). Thirty-three (14%) patients returned to the ED within 12 months of discharge; 5 patients were given a diagnosis of a cardiac condition, and 5 were given a diagnosis of a gastrointestinal condition. In long-term follow-up, 46 patients died, with a mean time from hospital discharge to death of any cause of 6.1 years and an estimated 5-year survival of 91.4%. Conclusion Among patients discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of chest pain of undetermined origin, those with an initial abnormal ECG, preexisting diabetes, or preexisting coronary artery disease are at higher risk of a subsequent adverse cardiac event. In the absence of such factors, cardiac outcome is excellent.
Estimating Uncertainty in White Matter Tractography Using Wild Non-local Bootstrap.

Statistics derived from diffusion MRI data, especially those related to tractography, are often highly non-linear and non-Gaussian with unknown complex distributions. In estimating the sampling distributions of these statistics, many existing techniques are limited by their reliance on models that assume normality and that are yet to be verified in complex situations where various noise sources, such as physiologic variation, scanner instability, and imaging noise, might be simultaneously present. In complex conditions as such, a viable solution is the bootstrap, which due to its distribution-independent nature is an appealing tool for the estimation of the variability of almost any statistic, without relying on complicated theoretical calculations, but purely on computer simulation. In this paper, we will examine whether a new bootstrap scheme, called the wild non-local bootstrap (W-NLB) , is effective in estimating the uncertainty in tractography data. In contrast to the residual or wild bootstrap , which relies on a predetermined data model, or the repetition bootstrap , which requires repeated signal measurements, W-NLB does not assume a predetermined form of data structure and obviates the need for time-consuming multiple acquisitions. W-NLB hinges on the observation that local imaging information recurs in the image. This self-similarity implies that imaging information coming from spatially distant (non-local) regions can be exploited for more effective estimation of statistics of interest. In silico evaluations indicate that W-NLB produces distribution estimates that are in closer agreement to those generated using Monte Carlo simulations, compared with the conventional residual bootstrap. Evaluations using in vivo data show that W-NLB produces results that are in agreement with our knowledge on the white matter connection architecture.
Women, Migration, Conflict and Risk for HIV

Women now constitute the majority of those living with HIV/AIDS globally, even if only by a small margin (UNAIDS, 2007). While the lower status of women has been recognized as increasing their HIV risk, issues of migration and conflict combined with this lower status are believed to propel women’s risk for infection further, particularly in high infection areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa. Recommendations to address women’s risk for HIV in the context of migration and conflict are needed. However, such recommendations must be built upon our understanding of the global HIV epidemic among women as well as the needs of women facing conflict and migration.
Identifying and Characterizing Subpopulations of Heavy Alcohol Drinkers Via a Sucrose Preference Test: A Sweet Road to a Better Phenotypic Characterization?

Aims Sweet preference in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with family history of AUD and personality traits. Therefore, testing sweet preference may help identify subpopulations of AUD individuals. Short summary Sweet preference has been associated with family history of AUD and personality traits. We compared heavy drinkers based on their sweet liker status and using two cutoffs. Our findings support the role of sweet preference in heavy drinkers and point to the importance of how sweet likers are defined. Methods This study aimed at describing and comparing heavy drinkers based on their sweet liker status, through demographic, neuroendocrine, inflammatory, behavioral and drinking characteristics. Participants rated the pleasantness and intensity of sucrose solutions (0.05, 0.10, 0.21, 0.42 and 0.83 M). Two cutoffs were used to identify likers versus dislikers: Grouping A likers preferred 0.83 M and Grouping B likers preferred 0.83 or 0.42 M; the rest were dislikers. Results Sweet likers were 36% (n = 20) using Grouping A and 58.2% (n = 32) using Grouping B. Grouping B, but not Grouping A, sweet likers had higher BMI (P = 0.01). In Grouping B, sweet likers had higher plasma leptin and insulin concentrations and higher insulin resistance (P's < 0.05). C-reactive protein concentrations were higher in sweet likers in Grouping A (P = 0.0015) and at a trend level in Grouping B (P = 0.07). Grouping A sweet likers had higher alcohol craving (P = 0.0004). Sweet likers preferred spirits compared to nonspirits (wine and beer) across both grouping (P's < 0.05). Conclusions These results provide further support for the role of sweet liking phenotype in identifying subpopulations of AUD individuals. These findings also point to the importance of how sweet likers are defined, therefore highlighting the need for further research.
Exploration of Sulfur-Containing Analogues for Imaging Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter in the Brain

Sixteen new sulfur-containing compounds targeting the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) were synthesized and assessed for in vitro binding affinities. Enantiomers (-)-(1-(3-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)piperidin-4-yl)(4-(methylthio)phenyl)methanone [(-)-8] and (-)-(4-((2-fluoroethyl)thio)phenyl)(1-(3-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaph-thalen-2-yl)piperidin-4-yl)methanone [(-)-14 a] displayed high binding affinities, with respective Ki values of 1.4 and 2.2 nm for human VAChT, moderate and high selectivity for human VAChT over σ1 (≈13-fold) and σ2 receptors (>420-fold). Radiosyntheses of (-)-[11 C]8 and (-)-[18 F]14 a were achieved using conventional methods. Ex vivo autoradiography and biodistribution studies in Sprague-Dawley rats indicated that both radiotracers have the capacity to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, with high initial brain uptake at 5 min and rapid washout. The striatal region had the highest accumulation for both radiotracers. Pretreating the rats with the VAChT ligand (-)-vesamicol decreased brain uptake for both radiotracers. Pretreating the rats with the σ1 ligand YUN-122 (N-(4-benzylcyclohexyl)-2-(2-fluorophenyl)acetamide) also decreased brain uptake, suggesting these two radiotracers also bind to the σ1 receptor in vivo. The microPET study of (-)-[11 C]8 in the brain of a non-human primate showed high striatal accumulation that peaked quickly and washed out rapidly. Although preliminary results indicated these two sulfur-containing radiotracers have high binding affinities for VAChT with rapid washout kinetics from the striatum, their σ1 receptor binding properties limit their potential as radiotracers for quantifying VAChT in vivo.
Robust Virtual Network Function Provisioning Under Random Failures on Network Function Enabled Nodes

Network function virtualization enables on-demand network function (NF) deployment providing agile and dynamic network services. Early works on NF focused on its provisioning, design, and management with quality metrics – NF-service availability and reliability under system failure(s). To facilitate flexible NF service recovery and migration with high reliability against random NF-enabled node failures, with a known NF resource pool, we first introduce a new NF service evaluation metric to quantify the minimum reliability among all requested NFs for all end-to-end demands – a tight lower bound on individual NF’s service reliability among all requests. We then study the robust virtual network function (VNF) provisioning problem where only a limited number of VNF instances may be instantiated while maximizing the proposed evaluation metric. We present exact solution approach which guarantees the minimum reliability of all NF service to be in the range [76%, 94%] even when physical nodes may fail with a very high (50%) probability.
The epididymal amyloid matrix: structure and putative functions.

Background We previously demonstrated the normal mouse epididymal lumen contains a non-pathological amyloid matrix that surrounds spermatozoa and plays important roles in sperm maturation and protection. Objective The objective herein was to present a review of this work, including studies showing the amyloid structures of four members of the CRES (cystatin-related epididymal spermatogenic) subgroup are integral and essential components of the amyloid matrix. Methods We used conformation-dependent reagents that recognize the cross-β-sheet structure characteristic of amyloid, including thioflavin S (ThS), thioflavin T (ThT), anti-amyloid antibodies, and X-ray diffraction, as well as negative-stain transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize amyloid structures in the epididymal lumen. Antibodies that specifically detect each CRES subgroup family member were also used in indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Results and discussion The epididymal lumen contains an amyloid matrix that surrounds maturing spermatozoa and represents a functional amyloid. Alterations in the structure of the amyloid matrix by the loss of the CRES subgroup members or the overexpression of cystatin C result in epididymal pathologies, including infertility. Preliminary data suggest the epididymal amyloid matrix is structurally and functionally similar to bacterial biofilms. Conclusion Together, these results suggest the amyloid matrix serves important roles in epididymal function including sperm maturation and protection.
Electrodeposition of Metals on Conductive Polymer Films

The electrodeposition of copper on composite conductive polymer polypyrrole/polystyrenesulfonate PPy(PSS) has been studied. The morphology of copper deposits was investigated in the presence of thiourea and other additives. It has been found that in the presence of thiourea in the solution, the rate of copper deposition on a PPy(PSS) substrate is slightly inhibited but the rate of copper stripping is faster than in its absence. The Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance (EQCM) technique allowed us to simultaneously monitor voltamperometric and resonance frequency vs. potential or time characteristics. The amount of electrodeposited copper was controlled by monitoring the EQCM resonant frequency. Composite PPy(PSS) films functioning as cation-exchange membranes were used as substrate materials for metal deposition. They allowed us to electrodeposit copper not only on the surface of the conductive polymer but also inside the polymer matrix. The size of copper nanocrystals formed inside the polymer was controlled by the applied electrode potential. Copper crystals as small as 20 nm were detected with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Molecular basis for the acid initiated uncoating of human enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) belongs to a group of enteroviruses that contain a single positive-sense RNA genome surrounded by an icosahedral capsid. Like common cold viruses, EV-D68 mainly causes respiratory infections and is acid labile. The molecular mechanism by which the acid sensitive EV-D68 virions uncoat and deliver their genome into a host cell is unknown. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we have determined the structures of the full native virion and an uncoating intermediate (the A(altered)-particle) of EV-D68 at 2.2 A and 2.7 A resolution. These structures showed that acid treatment of EV-D68 leads to particle expansion, externalization of the viral protein VP1 N-termini from the capsid interior, and formation of pores around the icosahedral two-fold axes through which the viral RNA can exit. Moreover, because of the low stability of EV-D68 at neutral pH, cryo-EM analyses of a mixed population of particles demonstrated the involvement of multiple structural intermediates during virus uncoating. Among these, a previously undescribed state, the expanded ("E1") particle, shows a majority of internal regions (e.g, the VP1 N-termini) to be ordered as in the full native virion. Thus, the E1 particle acts as an intermediate in the transition from full native virions to A-particles. Molecular determinants, including a histidine-histidine pair near the two-fold axes, were identified that facilitate this transition under acidic conditions. Thus, the present work delineates the pathway of EV-D68 uncoating and provides the molecular basis for the acid lability of EV-D68 and of the related common cold viruses.
Power Quality Comprehensive Evaluation for Low-Voltage DC Power Distribution System

With the development of low-voltage DC (LVDC) power distribution system and more and more strict requirements on power quality of consumers, it has been more and more important to give a power quality comprehensive evaluation method for LVDC power distribution system. However, the existing comprehensive method of power quality, which focuses on AC power system, is not applicable to DC power distribution system well. In order to study DC power distribution system better and improve the power quality problems effectively, a new power quality comprehensive evaluation method for LVDC power distribution system should be put forward. This paper establishes the comprehensive evaluation indicator system for LVDC power distribution system, adopts the comprehensive weighting method combined with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight coefficient method, and applies grey relational analysis (GRA) in the comprehensive evaluation of power quality. Finally, a case study shows that the proposed comprehensive evaluation method can effectively evaluate the power quality of the object.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Pediatric Vestibular Schwannomas.

Objective:To review the demographics, treatment modalities, and survival of children with vestibular schwannomas.Study Design:Analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.Subjects and Methods:Pediatric patients from birth to 18 years in the SEER database were includ
Synthesis of β-Glucosides with 3-O-Picoloyl-Protected Glycosyl Donors in the Presence of Excess Triflic Acid: A Mechanistic Study

Our previous study showed that picoloylated donors are capable of providing excellent facial stereoselectivity through the H-bond-mediated aglycone delivery (HAD) pathway. Presented herein is a detailed mechanistic study of stereoselective glycosylation with 3-O-picoloylated glucosyl donors. While reactions of glycosyl donors equipped with the 3-O-benzoyl group are typically non-stereoselective because these reactions proceed via the oxacarbenium intermediate, 3-O-picoloylated donors are capable of providing enhanced, but somewhat relaxed, β-stereoselectivity by the HAD pathway. In an attempt to refine this reaction, we noticed that glycosylations are highly β-stereoselective in the presence of NIS and stoichiometric TfOH. The HAD pathway is highly unlikely because the picoloyl nitrogen is protonated under these reaction conditions. The protonation and glycosylation were studied by low-temperature NMR, and the intermediacy of the glycosyl triflate has been observed. This article is dedicated to broadening the scope of this reaction in application to a variety of substrates and targets.
Surveillance of postchemotherapy subcentimeter residual retroperitoneal mass (RRM) in metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (mNSGCT).

391Background: Approximately 30 – 60% of patients with mNSGCT treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBCT) achieve a complete response (CR), defined as normalization of serum tumor markers with...
Analyzing potential water conservation strategies in the Texas Panhandle

Water is a vital resource for agricultural crop production in the Texas Panhandle. This semi-arid region relies almost solely on the Ogallala Aquifer as the primary source of water. Agricultural production dominates water use in the area and is projected to account for 92% of total water use by 2020. Since agriculture is such an essential sector of the regional economy, prolonging irrigation capability through improvements in crop production methods is warranted. The area of concern and evaluation in this study consists of Texas’ northernmost 21 counties where groundwater withdrawal rates continue to exceed the aquifer’s recharge rate, resulting in less available irrigation resources. Within the region, seven counties in the Panhandle Water Planning Area of Texas are projected to incur water shortages in the 2020–2070 planning horizon. A regional analysis evaluating several agricultural water conservation strategies and combinations to address the decline of water use in the region is presented. The analysis examines potential water savings and implementation costs associated with the alternative strategies to provide useful information to stakeholders such as producers, groundwater conservation districts, and regional water planning groups.
Screening Sorghum Accessions for Resistance against Anthracnose and Grain Mold through Inoculating with Pathogens

Forty-seven sorghum accessions obtained from USDA National Plant Germplasm System were evaluated for resistance against the pathogens causing anthracnose and grain mold over three growing seasons at the Texas AgriLife Research Farm, Burleson County, Texas. Eleven accessions, including PI641874, PI656070, PI656115, PI656121, and PI534167 were consistently resistant when challenged with the anthracnose pathogen, Colletotrichum sublineola. Accessions PI574455, PI534047, PI533843, and PI656120 exhibited resistance grain mold response across treatments. Whereas five accessions were resistant when inoculated with A. alternata alone, six accessions when treated with a mixture of A. alternata, F. thapsinum and C. lunata, and six accessions under the control treatment. Also, accessions PI534047 and PI574455 showed grain mold resistance response when treated with alternata alone, a mixture of A. alternata, F. thapsinum and C. lunata, or under the control treatment. Accessions PI534138, PI656115, and PI656120 exhibited resistance response to anthracnose and to grain mold when inoculated with a mixture of A. alternata, F. thapsinum and C. lunata. In conclusion, the resistant accessions identified in this study can be used in breeding programs to develop anthracnose and grain mold resistance lines. However, further study will be required to determine the inheritance of the resistance genes in some of the accessions.
Allyship in Surgical Residents: Evidence for LGBTQ Competency Training in Surgical Education.

Abstract Background Studies have shown poorer health outcomes for people who identify as sexual and/or gender minority (LGBTQ+) compared to heterosexual peers. Our goal was to establish baseline levels of LGBTQ Ally Identity Measure (AIM) scores: (1) Knowledge and Skills, (2) Openness and Support, and (3) Awareness of Oppression of the LGBTQ+ in surgical trainees, and implement a pilot training in LGBTQ + cultural competency. Materials and methods General surgery residents from a single academic medical center participated in a 2-h educational training developed from the existing Health Care Safe Zone training at our institution. Utilizing the previously validated LGBTQ Ally Identity Measure (AIM), residents responded to 19 items on Likert-type scales from 1 to 5 pretraining and 6 wk posttraining. The residents’ perceptions of the utility of the training were also assessed. Data were analyzed by MANOVA, repeated measures MANOVA, and subsequent univariate analysis. Results 27 residents responded to the pretraining survey (52%), 22 residents participated in the training, and 10 responded at 6 wk posttraining (19%). The average baseline scores were Knowledge and Skills 19.38 ± 4.64, Openness and Support 25.96 ± 4.31, and Awareness of Oppression 17.15 ± 2.20. Participants who identified as women scored 4.46 (95% CI 0.77-8.15) points higher in Openness and Support compared to males. Of those respondents who completed pretraining and posttraining surveys (n = 10), training had a significant effect on AIM scores with an improvement in Knowledge and Skills (P = 0.024) and Openness and Support (P = 0.042). Residents found the training relevant to surgery patient care (71%), increased their competency in LGBTQ + patient care (86%), and all participants indicated they were better LGBTQ allies following the training. Conclusions Assessing LGBTQ + allyship in surgical residents, we found that training improved AIM scores over time with significant improvement in the Knowledge and Skills, and Openness and Support scales, suggesting a viable and valuable curriculum focused on sexual and gender identity-related competencies within the graduate medical education for surgical trainees.
Structural and Social Adversity and Food Insecurity in Families with Young Children: A Qualitative Metasynthesis

Food insecurity (FI) is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Approximately 14.3 million households in the U.S. are food insecure and FI is associated with numerous poor health and social outcomes, particularly in families with young children. There is growing recognition in research regarding the importance of understanding and addressing structural determinants of diet/nutrition more generally and FI specifically. Qualitative metasynthesis is a technique for generating new insights across qualitative studies and helps provide comprehensive interpretation of existing research. The purpose of this metasynthesis is to understand relations between social and structural adversity, specifically, incarceration, racism/discrimination, gender discrimination, and income/wage inequality and FI and its consequences for families with young children. The synthesis resulted in the identification of five themes: (1) FI is an indicator, consequence, and determinant of social and economic disadvantage; (2) multiple layers of disadvantage exist in FI families; (3) root causes of FI are poverty, unemployment, and lack of a living wage; (4) added burden of incarceration (a pathway to and consequence of FI); and (5) broken communities (racial/ethnic and economic segregation, FI, and food access). Findings highlight the need to consider structural factors in interventions addressing FI.
Castration Desire: Less Is More in Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go

According to orthodox psychoanalysis, “castration” is always negative: to lose the “phallus” is to lose everything. Against this account, this article argues that “castration desire” offers a model...
Ann Leckie’s Ancillaries: Artificial Intelligence and Embodiment

We can identify two different models for the development of artificial intelligence. In the first, AIs are complex data-processing or pattern-recognizing tools, lacking what we would describe as “human-like” intelligence. In this model, the ostensible reason for the lack of a specifically human-like intelligence is that the AIs are either not embodied or are “housed” in but not integrated with a body or body-like structure. In this model, the machine is the seat of the rational and intellectual, and emotion, insight, and intuition remain the product of the body. In the second model, intelligence is the result of integration of a “thinking” technology into a body of some sort, resulting in a recognizably human-like mind or intelligence. Ann Leckie’s portrayal of artificial intelligence is more in line with this second model. Using characters in which AIs are integrated into biological bodies and then into technological ones, she provides us with a more complex and forward looking picture of how AIs might come to have emotional experience, intuition, and flexibility of thought and action, a model that bears similarities to both the cyborgs of science fiction and the second of the two AI models above. Her nuanced portrait of such a being can be taken as a possible end-goal for the creation of a more organismal, less constrained artificial mind.
The Gold Standard and Related Regimes: Collected Essays

Foreword Anna J. Schwartz 1. The gold standard and related regimes: introduction to the collection Part I. History of Doctrine and the Gold Standard: 2. The gold standard: theory 3. The gold standard: the traditional approach 4. John E. Cairnes on the effects of the Australian gold discoveries, 1851-73: an early application of the methodology of positive economics Part II. The Gold Standard as a Commodity Standard: 5. The classical gold standard: some lessons for today 6. A model of the classical gold standard with depletion written with Richard Wayne Ellson Part III. The Gold Standard as a Contingent Rule: 7. The gold standard as a commitment mechanism written with Finn E. Kydland 8. The operation of the specie standard: evidence for core and peripheral countries, 1880-1990 written with Anna J. Schwartz 9. The gold standard as a 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval' written with Hugh Rockoff Part IV. Historical Case Studies: 10. A tale of two currencies: British and French finances during the Napoleonic Wars written with Eugene N. White 11. Money, deflation and seigniorage in the fifteenth century: a review essay Part V. The Bretton Woods International Monetary System: 12. The Bretton Woods International Monetary System: a historical overview 13. Is there a good case for a Bretton Woods International Monetary System? Index.
Time Domain System Identification for Small-Scale Unmanned Helicopters Using Fuzzy Models

The system identification method presented in this Chapter is based on a Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system that represents the translational and rotational velocity dynamics of the helicopter. For the parameter estimation of the Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy system a classical RLS algorithm is used, which allows the identification to take place on-line since parameter updates are produced whenever a new measurement becomes available. The validity of this approach is also tested using the X-Plane simulator.
Cellulose in Aqueous Sodium Hydroxide

This chapter reviews the experimental findings and the preparation of cellulose in aqueous sodium hydroxide. A process pertaining to cotton fabrics by treating cellulose with aqueous (aq.) alkali solution under tension—the swelling phenomena of cellulose with aq. alkali solution is called the process of mercerization of cellulose. Cellulose contains the alkali soluble part that is used to evaluate the lateral order distribution of cellulose fibers without considering the molecular weight fractionation effect by the alkali. It has been accepted that without direct evidence only the difference in the aggregate state of cellulose molecular chains influences the solubility of cellulose towards alkali. The regenerated cellulose is prepared under special conditions and is completely soluble in a 10 wt% aq. sodium hyroxide (NaOH) at 4 °C. The chapter also discusses the solubility of cellulose in terms of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The cellulose fibers and films wet spun are derived from cellulose aqueous alkali solution in four stages, namely preliminary wet spinning test, laboratory scale wet spinning, small size bench scale wet spinning, and bench plant wet spinning net process. Therefore, cellulose multifilaments with mechanical properties, equally matched to those of commercially available viscose filaments, can be produced by net process at the spinning velocity almost equal to that of viscose. The new cellulose fiber is an environment friendly innovation, offering outstanding potential as an alternative to the present commercially regenerated cellulose fiber, especially viscose and cuprammonium rayons.
Determination of the proximate teratogen of the mouse fetal alcohol syndrome: 1. Teratogenicity of ethanol and acetaldehyde

The proximate teratogen of the fetal alcohol syndrome is unknown. CD-1 mice were treated ip on Day 10 of gestation with 2, 4, 6, or 7 g/kg ethanol. The percentage of resorptions and malformed fetuses was increased and mean fetal weight was decreased in a dose-related manner. Treatment with 7 g/kg ethanol ip on one of gestational Days 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 significantly increased the percentage of malformed fetuses and decreased fetal weight. In addition, treatment on Days 10 or 11 significantly increased the percentage of resorptions. Coadministration of 100 mg/kg of 4-methylpyrazole, an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, orally with 6 g/kg ethanol ip on Day 10 of gestation dramatically increased the embryotoxicity of ethanol. Five ip treatments of 200 mg/kg acetaldehyde at 2-hr intervals on Day 10 of gestation did not significantly increase the percentage of resorptions and malformed fetuses or decrease fetal weight. These data suggest that ethanol is the proximate teratogen of the fetal alcohol syndrome in CD-1 mice.
Iatrogenic Pseudoaneurysm of the Middle Meningeal Artery after External Ventricular Drain Placement

External ventricular drain (EVD) placement is often a routine but lifesaving neurosurgical procedure performed throughout the world. Misadventures involving the procedure are well documented throughout the literature. However, we present a unique case of middle meningeal artery pseudoaneurysm formation after EVD placement not before described and provide a review of the literature.