cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reflection Electron Microscopy and Diffraction from Crystal Surfaces

The recent revival of techniques for the imaging of crystal surfaces, using electrons forward-scattered in the RHEED mode and employing modern electron microscopes, has lead to the introduction of valuable new methods for the study of surface structure. Either fixed beam or scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) instruments may be used and in each case a lateral resolution of 10A or better is possible. Simple theoretical treatments suggest that the contrast from surface steps may be attributed to a combination of phase-contrast, diffraction contrast and geometric effects. With a STEM instrument the image information can be combined with information on the local composition and crystal structure by use of microanalysis and microdiffraction techniques. Examples of applications include studies of the surface structure of metals, semiconductors and oxides, and the surface reactions.
EVALUATION OF MEDICATION PERSISTENCE IN THE IMPROVE-IT TRIAL

Cholesterol-lowering medications reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular disease, though medication discontinuation limits effectiveness. We evaluated medication persistence in the IMPROVE-IT trial: a long-term, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of simvastatin vs simvastatin/ezetimibe in
Differentiation of TRIC and LGV organisms based on enhancement of infectivity by DEAE-dextran in cell culture.

Pretreatment of HeLa-229 cell monolayers by washing with DEAE-dextran (30 M-g/ml) before inoculation of the trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIG) agent resulted in enhanced infectivity, as shown by a 10-fold or greater increase in the number of inclusions and a two- to three-log greater infectivity. The infectivity for cell cultures of the morphologically and immunologically closely related lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) organisms was not enhanced by treatment with DEAE-dextran. This effect provides a basis for initial classification of Chlamydia isolated from the human genital tract. Trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIG), and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) organisms have been classified together in a species under the genus Chlamydia (Bedsonia) [1]. These organisms produce intracytoplasmic inclusions in infected cells; the inclusions are morphologically rigid and compact and contain detectable glycogen, and their growth in the yolk sac is inhibited by sodium sulfadiazine. Chlamydia organisms are being isolated from persons with urethritis or cervicitis, as well as from apparently normal genitourinary tracts [2, 3]. At the moment, strains that are isolated from patients with the classical LGV syndrome are called LGV, and other chylamydiae isolated from the genital tract are usually considered TRIG. Serologic differentiation of these organisms has recently been made practical by a microimmunofluorescence test which showed broad immunologic cross reaction between LGV and some TRIG strains [4, 5]. DEAE-dextran and magnesium have been re
Reproduction in Paramecium as Affected by Small Doses of X-Ray and Beta Radiation

SummaryBeta radiation administered at a level of from 0.77 to 3.13 rep per hour and X-ray radiation given at 4 or 8 r per hour stimulates reproduction in Paramecium. The stimulation is not due to mutation since it disappears immediately on removal of the cell from the influence of the radiation.
POLLEN-TUBE COMPETITION, SIRING SUCCESS, AND CONSISTENT ASYMMETRIC HYBRIDIZATION IN LOUISIANA IRISES.

Postpollination mechanisms can play an important role in limiting natural hybridization in plants. Reciprocal hand pollination experiments were performed to study these mechanisms in two species of Louisiana iris: Iris brevicaulis and I. fulva. Relative pollen-tube growth rates changed significantly through time, with I. fulva tubes increasingly outperforming I. brevicaulis tubes in both conspecific and heterospecific styles. However, this pattern of change in relative performance was a poor predictor of siring success: the majority of seeds sired by both maternal species was conspecific rather than hybrid. Experimental crosses and field studies show consistent asymmetric hybridization in Louisiana irises, with I. fulva being a more successful father and a more selective mother than both I. brevicaulis and a third species, I. hexagona. The cause of this pattern is not yet clear, but the pattern itself is unusual. Typically, short-styled species tend to be less successful in reciprocal crosses than long-styled relatives, but I. fulva has shorter styles than either I. brevicaulis or I. hexagona. The effects of pollen-tube competition, differential fertilization, and selective abortion in causing this pattern of asymmetric hybridization is discussed.
Detection Mechanism of DoS Attacks in Peer-to-Peer Networks Based on Support Vector Machine

Peer-to-peer network technology has improved quickly in recent years,however the security problem is always the most important issue that impede the further improvement of P2P application which should be solved immediately.Among all these security issues the denial-of-service(DoS) attacks are becoming one of the major threats in peer-to-peer networks which are loosely connected.First describe the characters of DoS attack in P2P environment,then propose a DoS attack detection model based on support vector machine mechanism.The model can extract flow statistics feature when DoS attack occurs offline and can identify the event online.The result of the experiment shows that this model has high detection rate and low false reject rate in detecting DoS attack in P2P environment.
A comparison of thromboelastography with heparinase or protamine sulfate added in vitro during heparinized cardiopulmonary bypass

Thromboelastography (TEG) has been used after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to diagnose excessive postoperative hemorrhage. Conventional TEG during CPB is not possible due to the sensitivity of the TEG to even small amounts of heparin, which produces a nondiagnostic tracing. The purpose of this study was to compare heparin neutralization using heparinase or protamine in TEG blood samples obtained during CPB. TEG testing was performed on 48 patients before, during and after CPB. Tissue plasminogen activator activity and antigen were measured on a subset of 32 patients. We found: 1) heparinase neutralized at least 10 IU/ml heparin while 1.6 ug/ml protamine neutralized up to 7 IU/ml heparin, 2) in samples with complete heparin neutralization by both methods, there was no significant difference in the R values, 3) while there was good correlation for other TEG parameters between heparinase and protamine treated samples, heparinase treatment produced shorter K values and higher angle, MA and A60, 4) while fibrinolysis was detected using both methods, heparinase treatment suppressed fibrinolysis in the TEG in both samples from patients and after in vitro addition of tissue plasminogen activator, 5) TEG was not a sensitive indicator of t-PA activity, detecting only 21% of samples with increased t-PA activity during bypass, and 5) heparinase was at least 100 times more expensive than protamine. We conclude that while both heparinase and protamine can be used to neutralize heparin in TEG samples obtained during CPB, protamine neutralization is more sensitive to fibrinolysis and less expensive, but the protamine dose must be carefully selected to match the heparin level used at individual institutions.
Rapid Growth Of Antipsychotic Prescriptions For Children Who Are Publicly Insured Has Ceased, But Concerns Remain.

The rapid growth of antipsychotic medication use among publicly insured children in the early and mid-2000s spurred new state efforts to monitor and improve prescription behavior. A starting point for many oversight initiatives was the foster care system, where most of the children are insured publicly through Medicaid. To understand the context and the effects of these initiatives, we analyzed patterns and trends in antipsychotic treatment of Medicaid-insured children in foster care and those in Medicaid but not in foster care. We found that the trend of rapidly increasing use of antipsychotics appears to have ceased since 2008. Children in foster care treated with antipsychotic medications are now more likely than other Medicaid-insured children to receive psychosocial interventions and metabolic monitoring for the side effects of the medications. However, challenges persist in increasing safety monitoring and access to psychosocial treatment. Development of specialized managed care plans for children i...
A Needle and the Damage Done

This case discusses a pharmacokinetic drug interaction between buprenorphine, ritonavir, and atazanavir. Buprenorphine is a cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate. Ritonavir and atazanavir are both potent 3A4 inhibitors.
The Gaza Trenches

As this poem suggests, the Second Battle of Gaza and the days that followed were some of the darkest of the war for the men of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In many ways trench lines recreated the underground life that was common in other theaters of the Great War. Artillery barrages, sniper duels, and raids became a matter of routine, just as they were in France and had been in Gallipoli, though often with a distinctly Palestinian air.
Folded Strip/Slot Antenna With Extended Bandwidth for WLAN Application

A compact and novel printed antenna for 2.4-GHz WLAN/Zigbee/Bluetooth applications is proposed in this letter. To extend the bandwidth, a strip mode and a slot mode are combined together, which generate a dual-mode response inside the radiating band. To miniaturize the overall size, the structure is folded in order to fully utilize the available antenna space. The antenna is fabricated on a 1-mm FR4 board and excited by an SMA connector using a short microstrip line. It achieves a –10-dB bandwidth of 5.09% with a compact size of 0.073 λ 0 × 0.052 λ 0 × 0.008 λ 0 (9.2 × 6.5 × 1 mm3) and an in-band radiation efficiency above 73%. It is small and low-profile, which can be fabricated at a low cost using the standard printed circuit board (PCB) process. It shows good radiation performance and therefore is suitable for applications in Internet of Things and smart home devices.
Predicting the Occurrence of Cave-Inhabiting Fauna Based on Features of the Earth Surface Environment

One of the most challenging fauna to study in situ is the obligate cave fauna because of the difficulty of sampling. Cave-limited species display patchy and restricted distributions, but it is often unclear whether the observed distribution is a sampling artifact or a true restriction in range. Further, the drivers of the distribution could be local environmental conditions, such as cave humidity, or they could be associated with surface features that are surrogates for cave conditions. If surface features can be used to predict the distribution of important cave taxa, then conservation management is more easily obtained. We examined the hypothesis that the presence of major faunal groups of cave obligate species could be predicted based on features of the earth surface. Georeferenced records of cave obligate amphipods, crayfish, fish, isopods, beetles, millipedes, pseudoscorpions, spiders, and springtails within the area of Appalachian Landscape Conservation Cooperative in the eastern United States (Illinois to Virginia and New York to Alabama) were assigned to 20 x 20 km grid cells. Habitat suitability for these faunal groups was modeled using logistic regression with twenty predictor variables within each grid cell, such as percent karst, soil features, temperature, precipitation, and elevation. Models successfully predicted the presence of a group greater than 65% of the time (mean = 88%) for the presence of single grid cell endemics, and for all faunal groups except pseudoscorpions. The most common predictor variables were latitude, percent karst, and the standard deviation of the Topographic Position Index (TPI), a measure of landscape rugosity within each grid cell. The overall success of these models points to a number of important connections between the surface and cave environments, and some of these, especially soil features and topographic variability, suggest new research directions. These models should prove to be useful tools in predicting the presence of species in understudied areas.
Agency Partnering: Identifying Extra-Agency Collaboration in the Administrative State

Agencies are partnering with external actors to achieve objectives that neither party could achieve unilaterally, a previously-unidentified phenomenon that represents a new variation on the burgeoning trend of collaboration within administrative law. Justifications for partnering operate around efficiency arguments, but raise questions fundamental to the democratic underpinnings of the administrative state. This Article suggests that agencies rely on external actors to further agency mandates by generating resources, reducing litigation risk, insulating mandates from political change, shielding mandates from oppositional actors, and undertaking experimentation. External actors play an enormous, previously-unappreciated role in some government functions. Partnering, however, presents democratic and distributional concerns.
Recent Advances in the Low Valent Approach to f-Element Organo-Metallic Chemistry

The low valent organometallic chemistry of the lanthanide elements has been investigated by cocondensing lanthanide metal vapor with neutral unsaturated hydrocarbons at −196°C. Preparative-scale reactions of this type provide a variety of new classes of organolanthanide complexes as well as insight into the lanthanide metal unsaturated hydrocarbon interaction. The utility of this low valent approach in preparing divalent and trivalent organolanthanide hydrides and soluble divalent organosamarium complexes is also discussed.
Characteristics, needs, and experiences of U.S. veterans on a specialized prison unit.

Abstract The Veterans Service Unit (VSU) in Connecticut is one of several all-veterans prison units that are being created throughout the United States. This study examined the characteristics, needs, and experiences of veterans on the Connecticut VSU. This study utilized data from a quality improvement survey that was completed by 87 of the 110 veterans on the Connecticut VSU (79% response rate). The majority of veterans on the VSU were white, aged 41–56, never married, and had an honorable or general military discharge making them potentially eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare upon release. The most common psychiatric diagnoses reported by veterans were substance use disorders and 29% reported posttraumatic stress disorder. Veterans on the unit reported a variety of needs related to legal, housing, basic needs, health, income, and community re-entry. The majority of veterans reported positive experiences on the VSU with 61% reporting the VSU was better than other units they have been on. Together, these findings illustrate how regional partnerships between state Departments of Corrections and VA medical centers may benefit veterans. More rigorous evaluation of the VSU model is needed to inform innovations to address the needs of incarcerated veterans and prepare them for successful community reintegration.
More Than Just Keeping Busy: The Protective Effects of Organized Activity Participation on Violence and Substance Use Among Urban Youth.

Violence and substance use disproportionately affect African American youth in urban, disadvantaged communities. Expanding positive peer and adult connections is a mechanism by which organized activity participation may reduce risk of negative outcomes. We assessed if organized activity participation decreases the likelihood of later negative outcomes through expanding positive social connections using a parallel mediation model (Wave 1: N = 681; 50% female; Mage = 14.86 years; SD = 0.65). We found indirect effects from participation to cigarette use (b = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01) and violent behavior (b = -0.04; 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01) through positive peer connections. We did not find indirect effects through positive adult connections. This may be because of the notable influence of peers on negative outcomes during adolescence. Organized activities can help youth expand positive peer connections, which, in turn, reduces risk of later negative outcomes. Implications for prevention are discussed.
Management of closed head injury

OBJECTIVE To review current concepts regarding the management of severe closed head injury and determine the possible causes of brain damage in these patients. DEVELOPMENT Severe closed head injury causes a high rate of mortality and disability in developed countries. The diagnosis and management of these patients has progressed in recent years, from the availability of brain scanning to varied therapeutic methods based on brain metabolism and intracranial dynamics. We have reviewed the different neuropathological processes in relation to closed head injury and emphasized the importance of recognition and control of the secondary lesions, which may have disastrous consequences for the patient. After clinical evaluation and early cardiorespiratory stabilization, the patients are taken to a critical care unit for continuous monitoring of the intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral extraction of oxygen. We have discussed several therapeutic interventions taking into account the values obtained by continuous monitoring of these patients. As well as traditional measures (hyperventilation, manitol and barbiturate coma), there are other possibilities for treatment of these patients such as hypothermia, hypertonic saline solutions and neuroprotector agents. CONCLUSIONS All patients with closed head injuries should be evaluated and treated as emergencies, and admitted to a critical care unit to avoid secondary lesions such as hypoxemia, arterial hypotension and cerebral edema. Treatment should be aimed at maintenance of the intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion within normal limits and also maintenance satisfactory jugular saturation.
Random vibrations of an isochronous SDOF bilinear system

A single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system with bilinear restoring force and damping characteristics is excited by a white-noise force. For the case of small damping the asymptotic method of quasi-conservative stochastic averaging is applied, which reduces the problem to that of a single Ito stochastic differential equation (SDE) for total energy of the response. A special case of the isochronous system is considered, where the static equilibrium position coincides with the slope discontinuity point of the system's characteristics, such as that of a moored body without slack and pretension in the mooring cable. For this case an analytical solution is obtained for autocorrelation function of the response energy. For the limiting case of a vibroimpact system the results are shown to agree with the exact solution.
Electron Spin Polarization in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

This chapter focuses on electron spin polarization (ESP) in photosynthetic reaction centers (RCs). The photosystems are facilitated by both the unique understanding of the sequential electron transfer steps that yield the stabilized charge-separated state and the availability of the crystal structure of its RC protein. In addition, the purple bacterial RC protein can be modified in a number of ways, allowing the rates of electron transfer or the magnitudes of the magnetic interactions in the transient radicals produced by this process to be varied systematically. Three models have been invoked to explain the ESP of the charge-separated state P870 + Q – observed in purple bacterial RCs. The expected ESP for all cases from predominantly chemically induced dynamic electron polarization (CIDEP), to a mixture of CIDEP and the correlated radical pair polarization (CRPP), to pure CRPP by varying the lifetime of P870 + I – , are simulated. The electron transfer sequence in green sulfur bacteria is believed to be analogous to PSI yet, unlike PSI sample reduction, is required to observe ESP in green sulfur bacteria. The observed ESP behavior in these reduced samples more closely resembles the CIDEP behavior observed with Quinone-replaced iron-containing purple bacterial RCs than the predominant CRPP behavior observed with PSI. Assuming that the ESP arises from the first stabilized charge-separated state, this observation suggests that green sulfur bacteria have some properties similar to those of purple photosynthetic bacteria.
Custom Epoch Estimation for Surveys

ABSTRACTThe paper provides a method for generating epoch estimates for time series survey data, allowing for different periods of time (or even point estimates) according to user demand. The method...
Abstract 941: Method for sensitive detection of tumor fingerprints in plasma

Presence of excess unaltered, wild-type DNA providing no information of biologic or clinical value may often mask rare alterations containing diagnostic or therapeutic clues for cancer. There is a growing demand for removing unaltered DNA over large pools-of-sequences, especially for applications in liquid biopsies with circulating DNA (cfDNA). We recently developed nuclease-assisted minor-allele enrichment with probe-overlap (NaME-PrO), a single-step approach that removes WT-DNA prior to DNA amplification, following which current genomic analysis processes remain unchanged. NaME-PrO employs a double-strand DNA-specific nuclease (DSN) and overlapping oligonucleotide-probes interrogating multiple DNA targets. Following genomic-DNA denaturation, the temperature is lowered and the probes form transient double-stranded regions with their targets, and DSN is added to provide nuclease digestion to the selected sites. Mutations create mismatches that inhibit DSN digestion; thus, subsequent amplification yields DNA with alterations enhanced at multiple targets. In this manner, WT DNA at hundreds or thousands of DNA regions can be digested simultaneously. We also show that addition of organic solvents like DMSO in the NaME-PrO reaction enables DNA denaturation at lower temperatures that do not inactivate the enzyme (DSN). This enables DSN addition from the beginning of the reaction, enabling homogeneous, closed-tube application of the approach and avoids contamination-prone sample manipulations due to open-tube addition of DSN enzyme after denaturation. Using NaME-PrO ± DMSO we demonstrate several-hundred-fold multiplexed mutation enrichment in diverse human samples on multiple clinically relevant targets in 50-plex reactions. Application with targeted resequencing of tumor-circulating DNA demonstrated detection of mutations at the 0.01-0.1% levels with few sequence reads. In ongoing studies aiming to detect minimal residual disease using cfDNA in late-stage breast cancer, we used tumor exome sequencing to identify multiple clonal mutations for individual patients. We then performed multiplexed NaME-PrO to trace the "tumor fingerprint" in plasma. In ~50-plex reactions we showed that the majority (>60%) of the tumor-specific mutations were also detected in plasma. To evaluate the ultimate sensitivity of the method to identify such "tumor fingerprints," we applied NaME-PrO in serial dilutions of cfDNA from breast cancer patients into cfDNA from cancer-free, normal patients. We demonstrated that dilutions down to 1,000-10,000-fold, corresponding to mutations at Citation Format: Fangyan Yu, Mariana Fitarelli-Kiehl, Ka Wai Leong, Viktor Adalsteinsson, Heather Parsons, Mike G. Makrigiorgos. Method for sensitive detection of tumor fingerprints in plasma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 941.
Artificial Intelligence for Diabetes Case Management: The Intersection of Physical and Mental Health

Diabetes is a major public health problem in the United States, affecting roughly 30 million people. Diabetes complications, along with the mental health comorbidities that often co-occur with them, are major drivers of high healthcare costs, poor outcomes, and reduced treatment adherence in diabetes. Here, we evaluate in a large state-wide population whether we can use artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to identify clusters of patient trajectories within the broader diabetes population in order to create cost-effective, narrowly-focused case management intervention strategies to reduce development of complications. This approach combined data from: 1) claims, 2) case management notes, and 3) social determinants of health from ~300,000 real patients between 2014 and 2016. We categorized complications as five types: Cardiovascular, Neuropathy, Opthalmic, Renal, and Other. Modeling was performed combining a variety of machine learning algorithms, including supervised classification, unsupervised clustering, natural language processing of unstructured care notes, and feature engineering. The results showed that we can predict development of diabetes complications roughly 83.5% of the time using claims data or social determinants of health data. They also showed we can reveal meaningful clusters in the patient population related to complications and mental health that can be used to cost-effective screening program, reducing the number of patients to be screened down by 85%. This study outlines creation of an AI framework to develop protocols to better address mental health comorbidities that lead to complications development in the diabetes population. Future work is described that outlines potential lines of research and the need for better addressing the 'people side' of the equation.
Author Correction: Inhibiting amyloid-β cytotoxicity through its interaction with the cell surface receptor LilrB2 by structure-based design

In the version of this Article originally published online, the upper right panel of Fig. 5a was mistakenly a repeat of the lower right panel. This has now been corrected in all versions of the Article.
Holding All the Cards-How Fanconi Anemia Proteins Deal With Replication Stress and Preserve Genomic Stability

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a hereditary chromosomal instability disorder often displaying congenital abnormalities and characterized by a predisposition to progressive bone marrow failure (BMF) and cancer. Over the last 25 years since the discovery of the first linkage of genetic mutations to FA, its molecular genetic landscape has expanded tremendously as it became apparent that FA is a disease characterized by a defect in a specific DNA repair pathway responsible for the correction of covalent cross-links between the two complementary strands of the DNA double helix. This pathway has become increasingly complex, with the discovery of now over 20 FA-linked genes implicated in interstrand cross-link (ICL) repair. Moreover, gene products known to be involved in double-strand break (DSB) repair, mismatch repair (MMR), and nucleotide excision repair (NER) play roles in the ICL response and repair of associated DNA damage. While ICL repair is predominantly coupled with DNA replication, it also can occur in non-replicating cells. DNA damage accumulation and hematopoietic stem cell failure are thought to contribute to the increased inflammation and oxidative stress prevalent in FA. Adding to its confounding nature, certain FA gene products are also engaged in the response to replication stress, caused endogenously or by agents other than ICL-inducing drugs. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic aspects of the FA pathway and the molecular defects leading to elevated replication stress believed to underlie the cellular phenotypes and clinical features of FA.
Acute adverse drug reactions following cardiac catheterization: evidence-based guidance for providers and systems

Cardiovascular disease represents a leading source of health loss globally, with an estimated 422 million cases and 18 million deaths attributed to cardiovascular disease in 2015 (1). Diagnostic and therapeutic coronary catheterization (CC) are critical interventions for many of these patients, and over 1 million catheterizations are performed in the United States alone each year (2). CC can generally be performed with low peri-procedural risk. For diagnostic procedures, risk of mortality is less than 0.1% and, when combined with percutaneous coronary intervention, between 0.5% and 2% (3,4). Nevertheless, as with any invasive procedure, there are complications of varying severity associated with CC including contrast-induced nephropathy, cholesterol embolization, local vascular injury, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, conduction disturbance, stroke and myocardial infarction (5).
Hemorrhagic Presentation of Rathke Cleft Cysts: A Surgical Case Series.

Background Rathke cleft cysts (RCCs) are benign sellar and suprasellar lesions commonly presenting as asymptomatic incidental findings. Rarely, RCCs hemorrhage and mimic pituitary apoplexy on presentation. Objective To review a series of hemorrhagic RCCs for physicians encountering this rare presentation. Methods A database review of >1700 transsphenoidal pituitary operations was performed at the USC Pituitary Center to identify patients with pathologically confirmed RCCs presenting with acute symptoms and evidence of hemorrhage at the time of surgery. Surgical treatment involved transsphenoidal RCC fenestration and drainage. Clinical, endocrine, and imaging outcomes were reviewed. Results A total of 119 RCCs were identified, and 6 (5.0%) presented with hemorrhage mimicking pituitary apoplexy. Presenting symptoms included acute onset headaches (5/6), vision loss (2/6), and oculomotor nerve palsy (n = 1). Endocrine disturbances at presentation included pre-existing amenorrhea in all female patients (3/3), hypothyroidism (n = 2), panhypopituitarism (n = 2), and one with profound hyponatremia (Na 116 meq/L). All patients underwent endonasal transsphenoidal fenestration and drainage with no major complications. Over mean follow-up of 38.4 mo, 2/2 patients with vision loss reported improvement, and 2/5 patients with headaches reported improvement. Although all women resumed menses, patients with preoperative hypopituitarism did not experience pituitary axis improvement. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging showed no instances of RCC recurrence with a mean imaging follow-up of 38.6 mo. Conclusion RCCs occasionally present with hemorrhage and clinical symptoms that may be confused with apoplexy. Outcomes following hemorrhagic RCC treatment are excellent when treated at tertiary pituitary centers. Although hyperprolactinemia often improves following surgery, other pituitary axis deficits typically do not.
High Enantiomeric Excess In-Loop Synthesis of d-[methyl-11C]Methionine for Use as a Diagnostic Positron Emission Tomography Radiotracer in Bacterial Infection.

Currently, there exists no accurate, noninvasive clinical imaging method to detect living bacteria in vivo. Our goal is to provide a positron emission tomography (PET) method to image infection by ...
Adopting evidence-based practices in community information engagement for sustainable development in Nigeria: the strategies and innovations

These/Ziel: Das Ziel des Beitrags war die Untersuchung der beweisbasierten Strategien, Innovationen und Herausforderungen im Bereich der Informationsvermittlung in der Gemeinschaft fur eine nachhaltige Entwicklung in Nigeria. Forschungsmethode : Diese Untersuchung wurde in zwolf Gemeinschaften in Hochland- und Flussregionen im Informationszentrum der Nichtregierungsorganisation (NGO) im Land Anambra angestellt. Ihre Einwohner waren mithilfe von gemeinschaftlichen Besuchen, Gruppendialogen, Interviews und Beobachtungen zu verschiedener Zeit eingebunden. Die Angaben stellte man aufgrund einer systematischen logischen Analyse dar, die auf die Einteilung von Aufgaben, Produkten und Resultaten hinwies. Ergebnisse: Die Bewertung der Strategien und Innovationen im Bereich der Einbindung der Gemeinschaft bewies, dass die Informationsdienste notwendig sind und hochgeschatzt werden, und zwar durch gute Praktiken in den Bereichen Anwaltschaft, Zusammenarbeit, Freiwilligendienste, Schaffung von Raumen, lokales Wissensmanagement, Medien, Lernen und Bereitstellung. Als Herausforderung galten: Mangel an Vertrauen, Sprachbarrieren und Zugang zur Gemeinschaft. Die Angaben wurden anhand einer logischen Rahmenanalyse dargestellt. Schlussfolgerungen: Nach der Untersuchung stellte man fest, dass die missachtete Einbindung der Gemeinschaft zur Ausgrenzung der Einwohner fuhrt, und die Bibliotheks- und Informationsdienste als unklare und unwichtige Aufgaben betrachtet werden. Aus diesem Grund empfahl man den LIS-Fachleuten, in bestimmten Sektoren eine zentrale Rolle bei der Einbindung der lokalen Bevolkerung zu spielen und bewahrte Verfahren in den Bereichen der Informationsstrategien und Innovation anzuwenden.
Communication framework for Hybrid Fire Testing: developments and applications in virtual and real environments.

Abstract The response of structural systems to fire loads is typically assessed through performing ‘standard’ fire tests on individual members under constant mechanical boundary conditions. Full scale tests showed different behavior compared to the standard tests, but remain impractical. A promising approach to predict the behavior of full scale tests through testing individual structural members is Hybrid Fire Testing technique, where a subset of the structural system (Physical Substructure PS), is physically tested, while the remaining structure (Numerical Substructure NS), is simultaneously numerically analyzed. During the test, the mechanical boundary conditions on the PS and NS are continuously updated, and the updates are enabled by the communication framework. The communication framework is a key element for a successful hybrid fire test and this paper will present the development of such communication in MATLAB. To validate the communication framework, first, a single degree of freedom linear system was analyzed, followed by a ten-story steel frame structure exposed to design fire. The analysis of the latter underlined the importance of considering the effect of the cold surrounding in assessing the fire behavior of structures under design fires. Sensitivity analysis showed the importance of several parameters (time step and substructures stiffness) in hybrid fire testing.
Optimal individualized decision rules using instrumental variable methods.

There is an extensive literature on the estimation and evaluation of optimal individualized treatment rules in settings where all confounders of the effect of treatment on outcome are observed. We ...
Captive While Waiting to Be Free: Legal Violence and LGBTQ Asylum Applicant Experiences in the USA

In this article, I demonstrate how US asylum practices and immigration regulations impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) asylum applicants in distinct and traumatic ways. I conducted interviews with 18 LGBTQ applicants from Caribbean and African countries in 2018. In the analysis, I show that legal mechanisms intended to curb fraud—including work restrictions and shifting asylum timelines—produce traumatic outcomes for LGBTQ asylum applicants in four ways: isolation and loneliness, prolonged uncertainty, mental vulnerability, and physical vulnerability. This trauma is compounded by broader systems of homophobia and transphobia that make disclosing gender identity and sexual orientation difficult and prevent the development of protective social networks within immigrant communities and white, US-born LGBTQ spaces. I argue that legal procedures are not necessarily preventing or flushing out fraudulent cases; they serve as regulatory practices predicated on heteronormativity and inflict legal violence on LGBTQ asylum applicants. This work has implications not only for the scholarly study of sexuality and immigration, but also for immigration reform, starting from how particular kinds of migration are conceptualized at the bureaucratic level. Reconceptualizing asylum policy will require a shift in focus from fraud to protection, from assuming illegitimacy to ensuring human rights for all.
Actions now can curb food systems fallout from COVID-19

COVID-19 is disrupting food systems globally and governments must stabilize food supply chains and thoughtfully expand social safety nets now to avert social unrest. Lessons learned from the 2008–2012 food price crises point to seven actionable points to consider.
Recent insights on the use of topical steroids in eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory disorder of the esophagus. Topical steroids have been used in the management of EoE for over 15 years. However, there are ...
Gem5Panalyzer: A Light-weight tool for Early-stage Architectural Reliability Evaluation & Prediction

Aggressive technology scaling boosts the embedded processor performance but deteriorates the system resilience to soft errors. To balance trade-offs between reliability and design overheads, we developed Gem5Panalyzer: a novel light-weight reliability evaluation tool built on top of the gem5 simulator. It computes vulnerability factors (VFs) of the programs running on ARMv7-like CPUs and constructs a dataset for machine learning studies. Gem5Panalyzer features satisfactory compatibility and extensibility. Another highlight of our tool is the integration of reliability and machine learning. We validated Gem5Panalyzer by evaluating the behavior of selected MiBench programs’ VFs. Additionally, a study using Neural Network and Gem5Panalyer to predict VFs shows that for the qsort application, the predictor performance has become saturated when the training set size reaches 43%. This finding attests the idea that predicting future VFs of large applications is possible based on a limited prior knowledge of vulnerability.
Expression patterns of ASR1 , PIN2, and PAL genes in tomato and eggplant after treatment with different inducers

Salicylic acid (SA) and β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) are signaling compounds that regulate a large number of defense responses in plants after exposure to the biotic and abiotic stresses. The antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum is well-known as a potential biocontrol agent that also induces defensive responses. In the present study, we tested the up- and down-regulation of defense responses of eggplant and tomato mediated by root application of SA and BABA as well as T. harzianum. Especially, we analyzed and compared the expression of ASR1, PIN2, and PAL in 4, 10, and 14 d post treatment. In all time courses, the root Trichoderma application + root β-aminobutyric acid application (RT + RBABA)- and root Trichoderma application + root salicylic acid application (RT + RSA)-treated plants had a much higher expression of genes than those on RT-treated plants and controls. Also, control and treated plants had significantly higher expression of ASR1 and PIN2 on the 4th day compared to other time courses. The PAL gene expression reached the maximum level at 10 days after treatment and it increased to about twofold level than 4 days after treatment. Information on expression profiles of the genes in different plants and under various inducers helps to identify candidates to the increase of resistance to environmental stress conditions.
A scalable and spatiotemporally resolved agricultural life cycle assessment of California almonds

California’s Central Valley produces more than 75% of global commercial almond supply, making the life cycle performance of almond production in California of global interest. This article describes the life cycle assessment of California almond production using a Scalable, Process-based, Agronomically Responsive Cropping System Life Cycle Assessment (SPARCS-LCA) model that includes crop responses to orchard management and modeling of California’s water supply and biomass energy infrastructure. A spatially and temporally resolved LCA model was developed to reflect the regional climate, resource, and agronomic conditions across California’s Central Valley by hydrologic subregion (San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley, and Tulare Lake regions). The model couples a LCA framework with region-specific data, including water supply infrastructure and economics, crop productivity response models, and dynamic co-product markets, to characterize the environmental performance of California almonds. Previous LCAs of California almond found that irrigation and management of co-products were most influential in determining life cycle CO2eq emissions and energy intensity of California almond production, and both have experienced extensive changes since previous studies due to drought and changing regulatory conditions, making them a focus of sensitivity and scenario analysis. Results using economic allocation show that 1 kg of hulled, brown-skin almond kernel at post-harvest facility gate causes 1.92 kg CO2eq (GWP100), 50.9 MJ energy use, and 4820 L freshwater use, with regional ranges of 2.0–2.69 kg CO2eq, 42.7–59.4 MJ, and 4540–5150 L, respectively. With a substitution approach for co-product allocation, 1 kg almond kernel results in 1.23 kg CO2eq, 18.05 MJ energy use, and 4804 L freshwater use, with regional ranges of 0.51–1.95 kg CO2eq, 3.68–36.5 MJ, and 4521–5140 L, respectively. Almond freshwater use is comparable with other nut crops in California and globally. Results showed significant variability across subregions. While the San Joaquin Valley performed best in most impact categories, the Tulare Lake region produced the lowest eutrophication impacts. While CO2eq and energy intensity of almond production increased over previous estimates, so too did credits to the system for displacement of dairy feed. These changes result from a more comprehensive model scope and improved assumptions, as well as drought-related increases in groundwater depth and associated energy demand, and decreased utilization of biomass residues for energy recovery due to closure of bioenergy plants in California. The variation among different impact categories between subregions and over time highlight the need for spatially and temporally resolved agricultural LCA.
Cyber-ethnography of cannabis marketing on social media.

Background Since 2012, several states have legalized non-medical cannabis, and cannabis businesses have used social media as a primary form of marketing. There are concerns that social media cannabis exposure may reach underage viewers. Our objective was to identify how cannabis businesses cultivate an online presence and exert influence that may reach youth. Methods We chose a cyber-ethnographic approach to explore cannabis retailers on social media. We searched cannabis retailers with Facebook and Instagram presence from Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, and identified 28 social media business profiles. One year of content was evaluated from each profile. In-depth, observational field notes were collected from researchers immersed in data collection on business profiles. Field notes were analyzed to uncover common themes associated with social media cannabis marketing. Results A total of 14 businesses were evaluated across both Facebook and Instagram, resulting in 14 sets of combined field notes. A major theme was Normalization of Cannabis, involving both Broad Appeal and Specific Targeting. Conclusions It is concerning that Normalization of Cannabis by cannabis businesses may increase cannabis acceptability among youth. In a digital world where the majority of youth are spending time online, it is important for policymakers to examine additional restrictions for cannabis businesses marketing through social media.
Escherichia coli and coliform contamination of a primary and secondary use waterway in Clarksville, Arkansas

The existence of a live-chicken processing plant about 20 meters from a water source in Clarksville, Arkansas, raises concerns about bacteria contamination in the water. Over a period of three days, water samples from three different locations (upstream, across from the processing plant, and downstream) and for three different types of water at each location (running, stagnant in the middle, stagnant near bank) were collected in triplicate. Bacterial colonies were grown on 3M Escherichia coli/Coliform Petri-Film to identify and count E. coli, coliforms, and other Gram-negative bacteria. E. coli colonies were isolated and antibiotic resistance assays were performed for Ciprofloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim. Coliform and other Gram-negative bacterial counts were higher across and downstream from the chicken processing plant as compared to upstream (p < 0.05). High levels of bacteria are not above EPA markers, but are still alarming for the community. There is no significant difference in E. coli antibiotic resistance among locations, but most colonies analyzed were resistant for one of the antibiotics, and no isolate gave a susceptible result, providing more evidence for the increase in antibiotic resistance in wild strains.
The Delaney Paradox Resurfaces: Regulating Pesticides as Food Additives under Federal Law

Cancer has been the most longstanding public health concern of modem society,1its causes and cures remaining elusive for decades. During the early to mid-twentieth century, emerging scientific evidence showing that some forms of cancer were likely caused by dietary additives sent Congress scrambling to enact strict food safety laws. The culmination of this legislative activity was the 1958 enactment of a relatively low-profile provision of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (Food & Drug Act) called the Delaney clause. The Food & Drug Act prohibits the sale of any food containing an "unsafe" additive, and the Delaney clause declares that any additive which is a carcinogen shall automatically be deemed unsafe: “[N]o additive shall be deemed to be safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal, or if it is found, after tests which are appropriate for the evaluation of the safety of food additives, to induce cancer in man or animal....” The clause rests on the assumption that absolutely no risk of cancer is acceptable in the food supply as long as the scientific community cannot accurately determine a safe dose for carcinogens in humans. It is a clear and unambiguous congressional mandate that no cancer risk will be tolerated, no matter how negligible, and its ultimate goal is to provide a national food supply free from added carcinogens. The Delaney clause's farthest felt and most controversial impact has been in the area of pesticide regulation. The use of pesticides and other chemicals has increased dramatically in this country since the end of World War II. The EPA, the federal agency charged with regulation of the pesticide industry, is required to register every pesticide under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In addition to FIFRA registration, pesticides used on food crops, whether for human or animal consumption, are treated as food additives and subject to the provisions of the Food & Drug Act. EPA regulators argue that conflicting standards and requirements contained in these two statutes create an unworkable regulatory scheme, which they fondly call the "Delaney paradox." This Note discusses the implications of the Delaney paradox and the legislative reform proposals under current debate in Congress. Part H addresses agency arguments that enforcement of the Delaney clause leads to absurd results in pesticide regulation. Part II reviews the de minimis doctrine used by agencies to interpret the Delaney clause and judicial rejection of this doctrine. Part IV examines the significance of Les v. Reilly for Congress and federal agencies, and Part V discusses aspects of legislative reform.