cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Sorkin Situations”: The Television Auteur Meets the Digital Age

Falero discusses how the community at Television Without Pity took part in redefining authorship in the digital age. She explores the different dialogues on the site between community members as well as television industry insiders that touch upon ideas of power, control, and corporate influence. This chapter focuses on some of the heated arguments between those who have power in the television industry, and those on the site who attempt to assert some kind of cultural power via online discussion. In discussing the notion of authorship, she also discusses the role critics have played in popular media. This leads to an argument over whether communities like Television Without Pity are “democratizing” criticism, and explores the cultural impact of such a phenomenon.
The Life of the Longhouse: Premodern Upriver Trade

About trade in the hinterland of Brunei, two things stand out: first, Brunei's exports consisted largely of jungle produce, and second, the tokens of high status in Upriver longhouse communities were manufactured goods imported from Brunei. These facts alone are sufficient to show how closely the histories of coastal and interior societies were enmeshed. What is not clear is how these two things were connected, which is to say that data about the organisation of trade in Brunei's hinterland are scarce. By the time Westerners began observing Brunei, its ancient trading system was heavily disrupted and far sunk in decline. Meanwhile, written records from Brunei are primarily concerned with courtly matters and preserve few of the mundane details of trade. Finally, the oral histories of longhouse communities provide only sketchy information about trade before the colonial epoch. Nor is there much likelihood that archaeology will shed new light on the situation. In the swampy terrain, ancient living sites are difficult to locate and vulnerable to riverbank erosion. The situation is far from unique, however. In his analysis of rainforest collectors and traders in the Malay Peninsula before the nineteenth century, F. L. Dunn remarks that “little or nothing seems to have been recorded concerning the trading relationships of the hinterlands and secondary [i.e., less important] ports in this period” (1975:115 [brackets added]).
Prinzipielles zum Einsatz und zur Konstruktion von Robotern

Isaac Asimov last in ‚Auf der Suche nach der Erde‘ (siehe (2)) einen Ratsherrn die drei Roboterregeln zitieren, nachdem im vorangehenden Gesprach klar gemacht worden ist, das sich Roboter (vom Typ Androbot, wie wir ihn spater definieren werden) nicht besonders bewahrt haben.
The Emergence of Living Functions from Molecules

A first experimental retracement of the transition from appropriate prebiotic matter (thermal protein) to polybiofunctional protocells is discussed. (Many details are necessarily presented in the references). The experiments suggest a molecular matrix that fits well with Schrodinger’s “statistico-determinism.” The primary source of information is inferred to be the molecular selection involved in an ancient system displayed by laboratory protocells. The phenomena are judged as more primitive than modern, but as a group they are quite comprehensive. The total model provides a basis for defining some of the problems of living systems relative to symmetry and symmetry-breaking.
The Bells' Capture note TH-3054-CERN

This document revisits the paper by M. Bell and J. S. Bell “Capture of Cooling Electrons by Cool Protons” TH-3054-CERN (March 30, 1981). I expand the treatment to include e+e- capture.
Growth Kinetics in Layer-by-Layer Assemblies of Organic Nanoparticles and Polyelectrolytes.

The growth rates of layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies of polyelectrolytes (PEs) with oppositely charged polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles (NPs) as a function of molecular weight (MW) of the PEs, ionic strength of the media, and NP size and charge are systematically investigated. To optimize LbL growth, the effects of suspension concentration, pH of the media, and deposition time on the growth rate of multilayers are assessed. Both linear and exponential growth behaviors are observed and, under optimal conditions, films of up to around 1 μm thick can readily be assembled after 10 or so bilayers have been deposited. For many of the cases studied, an intermediate MW of PE leads to the fastest film buildup, for both cationic poly(ethyleneimine) deposited alternately with anionic PS NPs and for anionic poly(acrylic acid) deposited alternately with cationic PS NPs. The existence of an optimal MW suggests that growth rate is determined by a balance of thermodynamic factors, including density of polymer bridges between particles, and kinetic factors, specifically the diffusivity of polymer in the film. The optimal MW, however, is very sensitive to the materials used. Moreover, depending on the MW of the PE, increasing salinity could increase or decrease the growth kinetics. Finally, the surface morphology of the films is characterized with AFM and SEM to reveal that the roughness increases less than linearly with film thickness.
Potential Mediators in Parenting and Family Intervention: Quality of Mediation Analyses

Parenting and family interventions have repeatedly shown effectiveness in preventing and treating a range of youth outcomes. Accordingly, investigators in this area have conducted a number of studies using statistical mediation to examine some of the potential mechanisms of action by which these interventions work. This review examined from a methodological perspective in what ways and how well the family-based intervention studies tested statistical mediation. A systematic search identified 73 published outcome studies that tested mediation for family-based interventions across a wide range of child and adolescent outcomes (i.e., externalizing, internalizing, and substance-abuse problems; high-risk sexual activity; and academic achievement), for putative mediators pertaining to positive and negative parenting, family functioning, youth beliefs and coping skills, and peer relationships. Taken as a whole, the studies used designs that adequately addressed temporal precedence. The majority of studies used the product of coefficients approach to mediation, which is preferred, and less limiting than the causal steps approach. Statistical significance testing did not always make use of the most recently developed approaches, which would better accommodate small sample sizes and more complex functions. Specific recommendations are offered for future mediation studies in this area with respect to full longitudinal design, mediation approach, significance testing method, documentation and reporting of statistics, testing of multiple mediators, and control for Type I error.
Feasibility of Administering Oblimersen (G3139; Genasense) with Imatinib Mesylate in Patients with Imatinib Resistant Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) - Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 10107.

The CALGB studied the feasibility and effect of oblimersen (G3139; Genasense) with imatinib mesylate in patients with primary imatinib resistant CML. We hypothesized that CML cells that are resistant to imatinib mesylate (i.e., less than a complete hematologic remission after 8 weeks of treatment or less than a major cytogenetic remission after 6 months of treatment) are no longer being driven to proliferate by Bcr/Abl tyrosine kinase activity alone. Instead, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 would regulate one of the pathways controlling growth and/or viability. Thus, blocking both Bcr/Abl and Bcl-2 simultaneously with imatinib mesylate and G3139, respectively, would result in hematologic and cytogenetic improvement. Preclinical data suggested synergy. G3139 was administered via continuous intravenous infusion with an ambulatory pump over 10 days every 21 days, along with daily oral imatinib. Doses of both drugs were escalated in 3 cohorts; the initial dose of imatinib was 600 mg/day. The median age of the 21 enrolled patients (13 females and 8 males) who received any therapy was 54 years (range, 25–74), with 13 Caucasians and 8 African Americans. Twelve patients had primary imatinib resistance and 8 had secondary imatinib resistance (data are not yet available on 1 patient). Five patients had never achieved complete hematologic remission while only two patients had achieved major cytogenetic remission while on a prior imatinib therapy. Nine patients received 4 mg/kg/day G3139 and 600 mg of imatinib, 7 patients received 7 mg/kg/day G3139 and 600 mg of imatinib, and 5 patients received 7 mg/kg/day G3139 and 800 mg of imatinib. Progressive CML after the first (4 patients), second (1 patient), third (2 patients) or fourth course (1 patient) was noted in 8 patients whose imatinib dose had been reduced from 800 mg to 600 mg/day to comply with study entry requirements. Nine patients completed all 4 planned courses. Grade IV thrombocytopenia and fatigue (both at 7 mg/kg G3139 and 600 mg of imatinib) and deep vein thrombosis (at 7 mg/kg G3139 and 800 mg of imatinib) were noted in one patient each. One patient with primary imatinib resistance achieved complete hematologic remission following 2 courses of therapy at 4 mg/kg G3139 and 600 mg of imatinib. No patients had cytogenetic responses. Although the combination of G3139 and imatinib is safe and feasible, we did not detect clinical benefit in these patients with imatinib-resistant CML using these doses and schedule.
Optimal Disclosure and Fight for Attention

This paper presents a model in which a manager voluntarily discloses precision information in addition to fundamental information about firm profitability. The firm's stock price guides its real investment decision and the informational content of the price is affected by the voluntary disclosure decision, because informed trading is endogenous. We highlight a novel trade-off: on the one hand, more precise public information crowds-out traders' private information acquisition because it levels the playing-field. On the other hand, there can also be a novel crowding-in effect because high-precision disclosures indicate greater managerial confidence and thus higher investment, which increases the traders' value of private information. For positive fundamental information the net effect is ambiguous, for negative information the crowding-out effect dominates.
Finding Sarah: 49-Year Reunion with the Chimpanzee of David Premack's Language Studies:

Sarah the chimpanzee was the primary participant in David Premack's language studies initiated at University of California at Santa Barbara in 1967. The first author was an undergraduate assistant ...
The International Criminal Court as an International Judicial Control of the National Public Power? (the ICC’s Standpoint on the Complementarity Principle in the Prosecutor V. Simone Gbagbo Case)

The article is about the interpretation of the complementarity principle of the Rome Statute. By this principle, the governments participating at the Rome Diplomatic Conference, wanted to match the general claim of putting an end to impunity with the observance of the principle of sovereignty and the rules of rationality and efficacy. The article shows via the Simon Gbagbo case how the Pre-Trial Chamber and the Appeals Chamber applied the same person/same conduct test during their respective procedures.
Founder Prior Experience as a Driver of Market Scope of New Ventures

Founders’ strategic choices on market scope play a crucial role in new venture survival. Yet, little is known about how founders’ pre-entry experience influences such choices. My study fills this g...
The Formin, DIAPH1, is a Key Modulator of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

The biochemical, ionic, and signaling changes that occur within cardiomyocytes subjected to ischemia are exacerbated by reperfusion; however, the precise mechanisms mediating myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have not been fully elucidated. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) regulates the cellular response to cardiac tissue damage in I/R, an effect potentially mediated by the binding of the RAGE cytoplasmic domain to the diaphanous-related formin, DIAPH1. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of DIAPH1 in the physiological response to experimental myocardial I/R in mice. After subjecting wild-type mice to experimental I/R, myocardial DIAPH1 expression was increased, an effect that was echoed following hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in H9C2 and AC16 cells. Further, compared to wild-type mice, genetic deletion of Diaph1 reduced infarct size and improved contractile function after I/R. Silencing Diaph1 in H9C2 cells subjected to H/R downregulated actin polymerization and serum response factor-regulated gene expression. Importantly, these changes led to increased expression of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase and reduced expression of the sodium calcium exchanger. This work demonstrates that DIAPH1 is required for the myocardial response to I/R, and that targeting DIAPH1 may represent an adjunctive approach for myocardial salvage after acute infarction.
Absence of local fluctuating dimers in superconducting Ir 1 − x ( Pt , Rh ) x Te 2

The compound ${\mathrm{IrTe}}_{2}$ is known to exhibit a transition to a modulated state featuring Ir-Ir dimers, with large associated atomic displacements. Partial substitution of Pt or Rh for Ir destabilizes the modulated structure and induces superconductivity. It has been proposed that quantum critical dimer fluctuations might be associated with the superconductivity. Here we test for such local dimer correlations and demonstrate their absence. X-ray pair distribution function approach reveals that the local structure of ${\mathrm{Ir}}_{0:95}{\mathrm{Pt}}_{0:05}{\mathrm{Te}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{Ir}}_{0:8}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{0:2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{2}$ dichalcogenide superconductors with compositions just past the dimer/superconductor boundary is explained well by a dimer-free model down to 10 K, ruling out the possibility of there being nanoscale dimer fluctuations in this regime. This is inconsistent with the proposed quantum-critical-point-like interplay of the dimer state and superconductivity, and precludes scenarios for dimer fluctuations mediated superconducting pairing.
Ambient Excitation for Detection of Damage in Timber Bridges

As the needs for transportation systems change, the loading requirements and demands on the transportation infrastructure also change. This has resulted in increased number of bridges that are labeled structurally deficient or functionally obsolete since many of the bridges were built prior to present loading requirements [1]. Many of these bridges are open to vehicular and railroad traffic but only at posted loading limits or at reduced speed limits. In order to best use the existing bridge resource and/or schedule repair or replacement strategies, methods need to be developed to assess the actual condition of these transportation structures.
What is Inductance

While many of us feel that we understand it, in reality inductance is a commonly misunderstood concept. Inductance is important to EMI/EMC design considerations since it is one of the primary limiting factors in high-frequency design. Whenever there is metal, and current flows though that metal, inductance is present and will affect the current flow. At high frequencies, this intrinsic inductance dominates all components, traces, and metal planes. Capacitors and resistors become inductors.
Nonnative honeybee functions as pollinator for rare, native lily (Lilium michiganense, Liliaceae) in fragmented tallgrass prairie1

Lilium michiganense Farw. (Michigan lily) is a rare species native to the even rarer tallgrass prairie biome. In Iowa, extensive conversion of native prairie lands for agriculture has led to tallgrass plant communities existing only in scattered fragments. Fragmented landscapes provide challenges for animal-pollinated species, especially for rare plant species. Unfortunately, there is little published literature about the reproductive biology of many species, including the Michigan lily. We recorded pollinators of Michigan lily in three remnant prairies in northwest Iowa. We also examined nine 10- ×10-m tallgrass prairie plots, including Michigan lilies for plant species composition, because that may influence pollinator availability. Species composition (analysis of similarity, R = 0.93, P = 0.04) of the three prairies was significantly different. Species flowering coincident with Michigan lilies were both bee- and butterfly-pollinated species (floral visitors/pollinators were recorded on individual flowers of Michigan lilies only). This suggests that plant-species composition is not a limiting factor in pollination for the Michigan lily. Indicator species analysis identified distinct indicator species for each prairie; however, neither those species nor the most abundant animal-pollinated species were flowering at the same time as the Michigan lily. The observed pollinator of Michigan lily was the nonnative honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) with an 89% success rate. No other floral visitors to the lilies were observed throughout the study. Additional studies are needed to test for differences in pollinator availability and abundance because of annual weather variability.
Cancer’s Uncertain Identity: A Narrative and Performative Model for Coping:

I offer my former experiences coping with adolescent cancer as evidence to warrant my exploration into coping as a narrative and performative matter of identity. I articulate coping as performative...
Testosterone mediates hyperthermic response of mice to heat exposure

Abstract Aims Testosterone is implicated as a potential contributing factor to heat-induced injury. We examined effects of testosterone on thermal response of mice to heat exposure. Main methods Adult C57BL/6J male mice received gonadectomy or sham surgery subsequent vehicle (Gnx) or testosterone implants (Gnx+T). Body core temperature (Tc) of mice was recorded telemetrically during acute heat exposure. Thermal responses to heat exposure were also examined in age-matched female mice at each stage of the estrous cycle. Key findings Basal Tc was lower in sham male mice than females, but did not differ among sham, Gnx or Gnx+T males. No alterations in expression of uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 in the gastrocnemius muscle were found in either Gnx or Gnx+T mice compared to sham males. During heat exposure, sham male mice had a faster and greater rise in Tc, compared to females. This rapid hyperthermic response to heat was abolished in Gnx males, but not in Gnx+T males. No significant correlation was revealed between peak Tc values and plasma testosterone concentrations in Gnx+T males treated with either low- or high-dose testosterone. No effects of estrous cycle phase on the thermal response to heat exposure were detected in female mice. Significance We found that male mice were more susceptible to development of heat-induced hyperthermia than females and this was prevented by castration, not by castration with testosterone replacement. These results suggest that testosterone mediates heat-induced hyperthermia and is a heat stress susceptibility factor.
Geophysical inversion versus machine learning in inverse problems

Abstract Geophysical inversion and machine learning both provide solutions for inverse problems in which we estimate model parameters from observations. Geophysical inversions such as impedance inv...
Dynamic Exploitation of Myopic Best Response

How can a rational player manipulate a myopic best response player in a repeated two-player game? We show that in games with strategic substitutes or strategic complements the optimal control strategy is monotone in the initial action of the opponent, in time periods, and in the discount rate. As an interesting example outside this class of games we present a repeated “textbook-like” Cournot duopoly with nonnegative prices and show that the optimal control strategy involves a cycle.
Transitional endoplasmic reticulum membranes and vesicles isolated from animals and plants

The process of formation from endoplasmic reticulum and transfer to Golgi apparatus of small 50–70 nm transition vesicles has been reconstituted in a cell-free system. Fractions enriched in transition elements derived from part-rough, part-smooth transitional regions of the endoplasmic reticulum were prepared from elongation zones of hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings of soybean and coleoptiles of maize and were compared with those from rat liver. When activated with nucleoside triphosphate, cytosol and an ATP regenerating system, time- and temperature-dependent transfer of membranes to Golgi apparatus acceptor was demonstrated. The fractions enriched in transition elements were radioiodinated with125I by the Bolton-Hunter procedure. Acceptor Golgi apparatus stacks were immobilized to nitrocellulose strips to facilitate analysis. In heterologous transfer experiments, the plant and animal acceptors and donors could be interchanged. The transfer was limited primarily by the donor (rat liver > soybean hypocotyl > maize coleoptiles) and determined secondarily by the source of the acceptor. The acceptor fractions were most efficacious when prepared from the same source as the donor. Thus, 50–70 nm vesicles bud from transitional endoplasmic reticulum elements of plants function in a manner similar to those of animal cells to transfer membrane materials to the Golgi apparatus. The recognition signals that determine vesicle fusion appear to be conserved both among species and between the plant and animal kingdoms to the extent that donor and acceptor sources may be interchanged with only small reductions in overall efficiency of transfer.
Federal Agency Ombuds: The Costs, Benefits, and Countenance of Confidentiality

Based upon the largely beneficial experience in corporate America and in governments abroad, federal agencies increasingly have employed ombuds. Federal agencies use ombuds to work with private parties and agency employees to defuse agency-related problems before they escalate and to provide an outlet for dissatisfied employees or members of regulated communities to relay their concerns. Confidentiality plays a critical role in encouraging governmental employees and private parties to utilize the ombuds. Employees and regulated entities may fear reprisals or embarrassment if their contacts with ombuds are disclosed. Conversely, senior agency management may not confide in an ombud if such confidences could later be disclosed in a court proceeding or to any interested employee via a Privacy Act request. Moreover, the stature of the ombud office is tied to its seeming neutrality, and confidentiality enhances that appearance. Nonetheless, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed under the law currently. Ombuds, like other agency officials, must keep and retain all official agency "records" under the Federal Records Act, which include any notes bearing upon the agency's policy and programmatic objectives. Virtually all of the ombud's writings would so qualify. The Archivist may agree to limit any record retention period, but prior to disposal, agency records are subject to disclosure upon requests under FOIA and the Privacy Act. Moreover, courts have not uniformly recognized any privilege for ombuds protecting against disclosure in court. Thus, ombuds may have to testify in court proceedings relating to their contacts with the litigants or about matters subject to the litigation. Of the avenues for reform available, a legislatively-enacted privilege holds the most promise. A statute protecting communications to an ombud has the virtue of safeguarding both records and testimony. If the information sought falls within the privilege, the ombud need not disclose such information whether in response to a FOIA request, request from congressional staff, demand from agency management, or court subpoena. Protection for ombud confidentiality, however, should not extend to situations in which the public health or safety is at stake or the information is necessary to help establish a significant violation of law involving fraud, waste, or abuse. In addition, a catchall provision to allow disclosure so as to prevent "manifest injustice" should also be applicable, and would likely be relevant only rarely. Sound legislative policy suggests shielding confidential communications with ombuds while recognizing the overriding public interest in ordering disclosure either to prevent future harm or to protect the integrity of the judicial system.
False negative diagnostic errors with polymerase chain reaction for the detection of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis

The accuracy of the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) panel for the identification of Cryptococcus has recently been called into question. The primary objective of this study was to assess the agreement between the BioFire ME polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other markers of cryptococcal infection. This retrospective review identified five patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, 4 of whom had a negative ME panel for Cryptococcus. All five cases had positive serum cryptococcal antigens, and three of five had a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture for Cryptococcus. The BioFire ME panel does not appear to be reliable for ruling out Cryptococcus meningoencephalitis; multiple testing methods are recommended.
Oncologic kidney surgery in obese patients.

e15039 Background: Obesity adds significant operative challenge to kidney surgery. Its impact on minimally invasive kidney surgery has not been well defined. We evaluated the impact of obesity on o...
Fragile epitopes-Antibody's guess is as good as yours

Monoclonal antibodies recognize epitopes so specifically that altering a single residue can disrupt binding. In this issue of Science Signaling, Schuchner et al and Frohner et al report that flanking amino acids and an underappreciated posttranslational modification perturb epitope affinity for two groups of widely used monoclonal antibodies.
A 2 kW S-band RF source for multipactor research utilizing GaN HEMTs

A high power, pulsed RF source designated for use in multipactor research is described. Four gallium nitride high electron mobility transistors from Cree/Wolfspeed, capable of 700 W in long pulse mode (500 W rated output), are combined to achieve a maximum rated output of 2.8 kW with a pulse length of ∼100 µs. Custom splitters/combiners are used due to the power levels considered in addition to a custom power and sequencing control system to ensure the proper biasing and sequencing of the relatively delicate depletion mode GaN devices. With high efficiency and small size, gallium nitride devices present a good solution for lab based sources, and this paper aims to provide information helpful in the construction of such a source. The multipactor phenomenon itself is studied within a high impedance waveguide section—achieved with a tapered impedance transformer—placed in a WR284 traveling wave ring resonator, which increases the effective power up to a factor of 20, or ∼40 kW.
Novel Framework for Measuring Whole Knee Osteoarthritis Progression Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective We developed and validated a set of composite scores that combine quantitative magnetic resonance (MR)-based measurements of hyaline cartilage damage, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), and effusion-synovitis into composite scores. Methods We selected 300 participants (development cohort=100, validation cohort=200) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative with complete clinical, radiographic, and MR data at baseline and 24 months. We used semi-automated programs to quantify tibiofemoral and patellar cartilage damage, BML volume, and whole-knee effusion-synovitis volume. The candidate composite scores were formed by summing changes from baseline to 24 months based on pre-specified methods. We evaluated the candidate composite scores 1) ability to differentiate groups with and without KOA progression (17 radiographic and patient-reported definitions), 2) sensitivity to change (standardized response means), and 3) relative performance relating to legacy outcome measures of KOA progression. Results Three out of 13 developed composite scores qualified for testing in the validation cohort (ranked by sensitivity to change): 1) whole-knee cumulative cartilage damage, 2) unweighted total knee score, and 3) BML+effusion-synovitis volume. Change in cumulative cartilage damage associated with radiographic progression (Kellgren-Lawrence: OR=1.84; Joint Space Width Progression: OR=2.11). Changes in the unweighted total knee score (OR=1.97) and BML+effusion-synovitis score (OR=1.92) associated with WOMAC knee pain progression CONCLUSION: Two composite scores emerged, reflecting discrete domains of KOA progression. First, cumulative damage, which is measured by a whole-knee cartilage damage score, reflects the damage accrued over time. Second, dynamic disease activity, which is measured by a BML+effusion-synovitis score, relates with changes in a patient's state of disease and symptoms.
Looking at Our STEM Teacher Workforce: How to Model Self-Efficacy:

There is currently a severe shortage of teachers in the U.S. workforce. The problem is especially acute among science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers and exacerbated by hi...
Biosimilar formulary placement in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans: A case study of infliximab.

PURPOSE Biosimilars can generate competition and provide cost savings over reference biologics for the Medicare program and beneficiaries. The extent to which these benefits can be realized in the Medicare Part D program depends on how biosimilars and biologics are placed in the formulary. We conducted a study to examine Medicare formulary placement of the first biologic to have 2 biosimilars on the market-infliximab and its biosimilars infliximab-dyyb and infliximab-abda. METHODS All standalone and Medicare Advantage (MA) prescription drug plans (PDPs) offered in Medicare Part D were examined between September 2016 (ie, at the end of the last quarter before the launch of the first infliximab biosimilar) and September 2018, at which time a second biosimilar had been on the market for about 14 months. When PDPs covered both the reference biologic and a biosimilar, we compared the cost-sharing tier and the frequency of prior authorization and step therapy requirements for each drug. RESULTS Nearly all PDPs covered infliximab throughout the study period. By September 2018, 31.7% of MA plans and 14.9% of standalone PDPs were covering a biosimilar on the market. Nearly all plans that covered a biosimilar also covered the reference product. Most plans (98% of standalone PDPs and 89% of MA plans) had placed prior authorization restrictions on both the biologic and the biosimilar. All plans covering both products placed them in the same cost-sharing tier. No plan required step therapy for either product. CONCLUSION Formulary placement of infliximab biologic and biosimilars in Medicare Part D is not optimized to generate cost savings for the Medicare program and beneficiaries, whose cost sharing is often based on the drug's list price. The Medicare program should provide incentives for PDPs to expand biosimilar coverage.
Sexual Dysfunction and Preferences for Discussing Sexual Health Concerns Among Veteran Primary Care Patients.

Background: Sexual health is an important, yet often overlooked, aspect of overall health. Veterans may be particularly at risk for sexual dysfunction. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and correlates of sexual dysfunction and examine preferences among veterans for discussing sexual problems. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we mailed 1500 surveys to a random sample of primary care patients from 3 Veterans Affairs medical centers; 313 were returned (21% response rate) and 248 had complete data. Veterans (M age = 49.4 years) were mostly White (86.7%), women (60.9%), and married (79.0%). The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale was used to screen for sexual dysfunction. Results: Half of veterans, 62.3% of women and 32.0% of men, screened positive for sexual dysfunction. More than 60% of veterans agreed that the primary care team should provide information, proactively ask, and inquire on medical history forms about sexual problems; 59.3% were open to meeting with behavioral health providers. Conclusions: Primary care providers should ask veterans about sexual health, as sexual dysfunction was prevalent, especially among women and among men over age 65. Most veterans were receptive to being asked about sexual problems in primary care and preferred to be asked rather than bring it up.
Emphysematous Cystitis in a Patient Receiving Cyclophosphamide.

Emphysematous cystitis (EC) is a form of complicated urinary tract infection (UTI) well described in patients with diabetes. Other known risk factors include urinary tract obstruction, older age, and female gender. This case describes a patient who developed emphysematous cystitis while receiving induction therapy with intravenous cyclophosphamide to treat antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis that presented with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). The association between cyclophosphamide therapy and emphysematous cystitis has only been reported twice in literature.
Physical Stress as a Factor in Tissue Growth and Remodeling

The science of tissue engineering seeks to understand the behavior of living tissues, to control their growth and resorption, to produce them in desired quantities and to make them work for the benefit of man. It rests on several foundations, of which the most important are the molecular biological one and the biomechanical one. The importance of physical stress is well known. For example, high blood pressure or excessive flow causes hypertrophy of the heart.; whether a healing fracture in bone will calcify or not depends on the nature and magnitude of the stress acting in the bone. Similarly, the success of culturing and application of artificial tissues to man will depend on proper stress conditions.
Gulf of Alaska Shelf

The Gulf of Alaska forms the northeastern part of the Pacific Basin. The central part of the gulf, lying between Kayak and Kodiak islands, represents the seaward expression of a bight, where the northwest trending North American Cordillera bends to southwest at least 90° and merges into the eastern end of the Aleutian Arc and the trench. Tectonically the entire region has been active during and since the Tertiary and presently is a site for recurrent earthquakes. This tectonic activity is a result of the release of structural stress caused by the strong relative movement between the Pacific and American plates.
Probabilistic Solution of Zadeh’s Test Problems

Zadeh posed several Computing with Words (CWW) test problems such as: “What is the probability that John is short?” These problems assume a given piece of information in the form of membership functions for linguistic terms including tall, short, young, middle-aged, and the probability density functions of age and height. This paper proposes a solution that interprets Zadeh’s solution for these problems as a solution in terms of probability spaces as defined in the probability theory. This paper also discusses methodological issues of relations between concepts of probability and fuzzy sets.
Suggestions for Further Pluralist Research

In this chapter I do three quite different things. One is to give some indication of how to extend Maddy’s idea of making mathematician’s aspirations explicit, thereby marrying philosophy and mathematics. The second is to elaborate on the discussion of Lobachevsky by comparing intentional perspectives on Lobachevsky’s work. This is best done by a pluralist, since he has no agenda. The third is to demonstrate working in a trivial setting, in particular the work concerns Frege’s formal trivial system. A speculation is made about how we can learn more about the notion of cardinality. This is important since only the pluralist can see how to do this explicitly, consciously and seriously. Each of these developments suggests further directions for pluralist research.
Red cell iron uptake in hereditary microcytic anemia

The iron uptake in vitro of red cells from mice with hereditary microcytic anemia (gene symbol mk) was studied to examine the hypothesis of a generalized impairment of cellular iron uptake in this conidition. Reticulocyte-rich red cells from anemic (mk/mk) and acutely bled normal (+/+) mice were incubated in 59Fe-labeled mouse plasma and the radioiron uptake measured. The 59Fe uptake of the mk/mk and +/+ cells was related in the same way to the reticulocyte concentration, the duration of incubation, and the percentage saturation of the plasma iron-binding capacity. However, under the same conditions, the iron uptake of red cells from normal (+/+) mice was greater than that by red cells from anemic (mk/mk) mice. Furthermore, the cellular loss of radioiron on exposure to EDTA was greater for the mk/mk red cells, although the proportion of the radioiron taken up that was incorporated into heme was the same for mk/mk and +/+ red cells. These results support the hypothesis of a generalized impairment of cellular iron uptake in hereditary microcytic anemia and suggest that there might be a defect in red cell receptor sites for transferrin in this condition.
Assessment and modification of degenerate qPCR primers that amplify functional genes from etheneotrophs and vinyl chloride‐assimilators

Aims: Degenerate qPCR primer sets that target the functional genes etnC and etnE in etheneotrophs and vinyl chloride-assimilating bacteria were assessed and modified in an effort to improve performance. Methods and Results: Functional gene abundance in four pure cultures was estimated by qPCR using novel (MRTC and MRTE) and existing (RTC and RTE) degenerate primer sets and compared to abundances estimated with nondegenerate gene-specific primers (GSPs). Functional gene abundance in groundwater DNA extracted from several contaminated sites was also estimated with MRTC and MRTE primers. Conclusions: MRTC primers displayed significantly improved etnC quantification in both pure cultures and environmental samples. Significance and Impact of the Study: Application of MRTC and MRTE primer sets will enhance microbial ecology studies involving etheneotrophs and qPCR analyses that support vinyl chloride bioremediation strategies.
Online surrogate problem methodology for stochastic discrete resource allocation problems

We consider stochastic discrete optimization problems where the decision variables are nonnegative integers. We propose and analyze an online control scheme which transforms the problem into a surrogate continuous optimization problem and proceeds to solve the latter using standard gradient-based approaches, while simultaneously updating both the actual and surrogate system states. It is shown that the solution of the original problem is recovered as an element of the discrete state neighborhood of the optimal surrogate state. For the special case of separable cost functions, we show that this methodology becomes particularly efficient. Finally, convergence of the proposed algorithm is established under standard technical conditions; numerical results are included in the paper to illustrate the fast convergence of this approach.
Regulated expression of the calmodulin-related TCH genes in cultured Arabidopsis cells: induction by calcium and heat shock.

Abstract Expression of the calmodulin-related TCH genes of Arabidopsis is strongly and rapidly up-regulated in plants after a variety of stimuli, including touch. As an approach to investigating the mechanism(s) of TCH gene regulation, a manipulable cell culture system in which TCH gene expression is regulated has been developed. In response to increased external calcium or heat shock, TCH2, -3, and -4 mRNA levels significantly increased. Significantly, these two stimuli are known to result in cytoplasmic calcium increases, therefore implicating a role for calcium itself in the regulation of calmodulin-related genes. Further, external calcium is required for maximal heat-shock induction of expression of the TCH genes but not of the 70-kDa heat shock protein; therefore, there may exist at least two distinct mechanisms of heat shock induction of gene expression. Calcium ion regulation of genes encoding calcium-binding proteins may ensure the efficacy of calcium ion as a transient second messenger and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. This possible regulatory circuit would likely be relevant not only for plant cells but also for the great variety of animal cells that transduce extracellular stimuli, such as hormones and electrical impulses, into calcium signals.
Problems with popper: The initial goal is to develop viable theories, not disconfirm them

Abstract The Popperian epistemology underlying Levelt's (1992) commentary and other aspects of contemporary psychology has limited application and, in particular, does not apply to the creation or development of theory, the main goal of MacKay (1992a) . This is relevant to Levelt's questions, “What has changed?” and “What is the harvest?”: From a non-Popperian perspective, both changes and harvest are greater than Levelt's commentary would suggest and carry implications for the field at large.
Lipid-assisted protein folding.

Although there has been significant progress in our understand-ing of how water-soluble proteins fold (1, 2), the factors and mech-anism driving correct folding of integral membrane proteins arelargely unknown. The folding of membrane proteins, like theirsoluble counterparts, is dictated by their amino acid sequence andtheir environment (Fig. 1). Integral membrane proteins can alsointeract with other proteins within the membrane and with thehydrophobic and hydrophilic components of the lipid bilayer itselfduring and after attainment of native structure. The role of lipidsas an important structure-forming environment was elucidatedduring the last decade (3). However, the role individual lipids playas part of the protein folding machinery has been largely ignored.Are individual lipids mobilized to protect and guide the nascentpolypeptide chain during its membrane assembly? Do lipids act asspecific molecular chaperones or transient ligands during the as-sembly of a membrane protein?
Symmetrical property of dyadic Green's functions for layered nonreciprocal medium

In this paper, modified symmetry relations of the DGFs are derived for the two-layer non-reciprocal anisotropic geometry shown in Fig.1. It is important to note here that the anisotropic region (Region 1) is assumed to be a non-reciprocal medium. Furthermore, two different cases are considered here as shown in Fig.1 (a) and Fig.1 (b). The first case is when the source and field points are both in the isotropic region (Region 0), and the second case is when the source and field points are in different regions (Region 0 and Region 1). We show that the interchange of the field point and the source point of the DGF for both cases is possible with the help of complimentary medium, when the anisotropic region is filled with non-reciprocal medium.
MR fetography using heavily T2-weighted sequences: comparison of thin- and thick-slab acquisitions.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the use of MR-fetography sequences in identifying the major fetal structures and to compare thick- and thin-slab acquisitions for their diagnostic value. Materials and methods Twenty-one consecutive, pregnant women with suspected fetal pathology underwent fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 1.5 T MRI unit. Heavily T2-weighted, single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) sequences with a long echo train (MR-fetography) were acquired in a thick- and thin-slab modus. Thick- and thin-slab acquisitions were reviewed by two experienced radiologists with regard to the overall image quality and landmark anatomical structures (spinal canal, spinal cord, posterior fossa, cerebellum, brainstem, basal cisterns, stomach, urinary bladder and umbilical cord according to a three-scale grading system (good, moderate and poor). Visibility scores were calculated and compared between both sequences. Results Overall image quality was graded good in 76.2%, moderate in 19.0% and poor in 4.8% for thick-slab images and good in 81%, moderate in 14.3% and poor in 4.8% for thin-slab images. The visibility scores of the thick/thin-slab images for evaluation of the main fetal structures were as follows: for the spinal canal 2.8 ± 0.4/2.9 ± 0.54 ( p > 0.05), spinal cord 2.4 ± 0.75/2.7 ± 0.66 ( p > 0.05), posterior fossa components (cerebellum, brainstem and basal cisterns) 2.4 ± 0.68/2.8 ± 0.54; 2.4 ± 0.67/2.7 ± 0.66; 2.5 ± 0.51/2.7 ± 0.56 ( p p > 0.05), urinary bladder 2.8 ± 0.51/2.8 ± 0.54 ( p > 0.05) and umbilical cord 2.9 ± 0.30/2.6 ± 0.60 ( p Conclusion Heavily T2-weighted MR-fetography renders a quick overview of fetal contours, fetal position, amount of amniotic fluid and integrity and presence of several major fluid containing structures. Thick- and thin-slab acquisitions render complementary information. Thick-slab images display the entire fetus in one projection while thin-slab images provide more detailed anatomical information. The short imaging time usually allows measuring both thick- and thin-slab images. MR-fetography is as a helpful addition to conventional fetal MRI. MR-fetography should not be viewed as a single, stand alone sequence but as a supporting fast MR sequence in a well-designed multisequence fetal MRI protocol. Future studies evaluating larger patient groups are mandatory.
Analysis of Transitions Between Ferroelectric and Antiferroelectric States Under Conditions of Uniaxial Strain

The ferroelectric ceramic PZT 95/5, formed as a solid solution from the antiferroelectric, PbZrO 3 , and the ferroelectric, PbTiO 3 , is known to transform to an antiferroelectric state under pressure. This transition can be used to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy under shock conditions. A mathematical model for this transformation has been developed for conditions of uniaxial strain. It uses two order parameters as internal state variables to reflect the microscopic state of the material. One order parameter corresponds to the spontaneous lattice polarization. The other represents the microscopic alignment of the spontaneous polarization within the lattice with parallel alignment corresponding to a ferroelectric state and anti-parallel alignment corresponding to an antiferroelectric state. A numerical method for solution is used to illustrate dynamic material response resulting from the transition.
Making adaptive cruise control (ACC) limits visible

Previous studies have shown adaptive cruise control (ACC) can compromise driving safety when drivers do not understand how the ACC functions, suggesting that drivers need to be informed about the capabilities of this technology. This study applies ecological interface design (EID) to create a visual representation of ACC behavior, which is intended to promote appropriate reliance and support effective transitions between manual and ACC control. The EID display reveals the behavior of ACC in terms of time headway (THW), time to collision (TTC), and range rate. This graphical representation uses emergent features that signal the state of the ACC. Two failure modes-exceedance of braking algorithm limits and sensor failures-were introduced in the driving contexts of traffic and rain, respectively. A medium-fidelity driving simulator was used to evaluate the effect of automation (manual, ACC control), and display (EID, no display) on ACC reliance, brake response, and driver intervention strategies. Drivers in traffic conditions relied more appropriately on ACC when the EID display was present than when it was not, proactively disengaging the ACC. The EID display promoted faster and more consistent braking responses when braking algorithm limits were exceeded, resulting in safe following distances and no collisions. In manual control, the EID display aided THW maintenance in both rain and traffic conditions, reducing the demands of driving and promoting more consistent and less variable car-following performance. These results suggest that providing drivers with continuous information about the state of the automation is a promising alternative to the more common approach of providing imminent crash warnings when it fails. Informing drivers may be more effective than warning drivers.