cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production as social change: Policy sociology as a public good

ABSTRACTBurawoy described two ways sociology can aid the public, through: (1) instrumental (policy) sociology and (2) reflexive (public) sociology. This article elaborates the different assumptions of how social change occurs according to policy and public sociology (and how sociology effects social change). Policy sociology assumes social change occurs through the scientific elaboration of the best means to achieve goals. However, policy sociology largely takes the public as an object of power rather than subjects who can utilize scientific knowledge. Public sociology assumes that social change occurs through the exposure of contradictions in goals, which elaborates better goals. However, the elaboration of contradictions assumes that there is a fundamental thesis/antithesis in society. If there are multiple goals/theses, public sociology fails in at least three ways. Policy sociology, when reflexively selecting its public, provides the best way sociology can aid the public.
On “Moore’s Paradox”

In my comments, I will spend most of my time on Moore’s paradox—I want to raise some questions, first about just what problem the paradox poses, and what counts as a solution to it; second, about what solution to the problem is being proposed, and how it relates to what Wittgenstein said and thought about Moore’s paradox. But as Professor Goldstein says, he follows a circuitous path in his paper, and I can’t resist a brief comment about a bit of the scenery that he passes by on his route to his solution to the paradox. So before getting to Moore’s paradox I will first take a look at the story of Mei-Li.
Tolerability of Antihypertensive Medications in Older Adults

Several guidelines for hypertension have recently undergone revisions to incorporate an approach providing choices of medications based on age, race, and specific situations where hypertension may co-exist with disorders such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Initial recommendations include diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers; beta blockers are favored in some guidelines and are a choice in specific settings. Within the classes of drugs, several antihypertensive agents provide options. This review discusses antihypertensive drugs by class, including adverse effects and tolerability, with preferences in older adults and specific settings. Adverse drug events from antihypertensive medications are discussed by class and where applicable for specific agents. Data from select studies pertinent to tolerability and adverse effects are presented in tables for several classes of drugs. The rationale for nonadherence to medication is reviewed, including the roles played by tolerability and adverse drug effects. Antihypertensive therapy in typical settings in older adults is discussed; they include hypertension in association with impaired cognition, depression, diabetes, sexual dysfunction, and falls. The key to successful therapy and tolerability is to promote a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with medications as the approach, thereby also lowering the adverse drug effects. The eventual choice of the specific drug(s) is based on risks, benefits, and patient preferences, and is best tailored for each older adult.
Improved Release of Celecoxib from High Drug Loading Amorphous Solid Dispersions Formulated with Polyacrylic Acid and Cellulose Derivatives.

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) have been extensively exploited as a strategy for improving the dissolution performance of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, factors underpinning the observed dissolution profiles are not clearly understood, and the choice of polymeric carriers is largely empirical. In the current study, the dissolution performance of a high drug loading ASD containing the poorly water-soluble, anti-inflammatory agent, celecoxib, was optimized by using binary polymers combinations. Polyacrylic acid (PAA), a highly water-soluble polymer, was used to substantially increase the dissolution rate of the drug, while hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) or HPMC acetate succinate (HPMCAS) were added to stabilize the solid amorphous matrix against crystallization upon hydration, as well as to maintain supersaturation. Quantitative measurements of the impact of the polymers on the solution nucleation and growth rates of celecoxib revealed that, while the cellulose derivatives are effective nuc...
Initial Experience of Targeted Focal Interstitial Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer with MRI Guidance.

Introduction: To develop and evaluate a technique of 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance (MR) guided laser ablation based on 3-dimentional mapping biopsy (3DMB) for low risk prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the institutional review board and was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. The prospective study was performed on seven 3DMB proven low risk prostate cancer patients. In the first phase of the procedure the patient's prostate was aligned to a position concordant with prior 3DMB using the transperineal grid and fiduciary golden marker coordinates. In the second phase ablation was performed using MR thermometry to determine the ablation endpoint and lesion coverage. Immediately after treatment dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was done. Prostate-specific antigen testing was performed 3 and 12 months after the treatment and compared by ANOVA test. A follow up biopsy was done one year following ablation. Results: The entire procedure took less than 2 hours and all patients tolerated the procedure well. There was a significant difference in prostate-specific antigen value before and 3 months after the treatment (p = 0.005). Four out of 6 patients had positive follow up biopsy for cancer. Conclusion: This study verifies the feasibility and safety of treating low risk prostate cancer with laser therapy guided by 3.0T MR imaging based on 3DMB.
Microwave moisture meter for in-shell peanut kernels

Abstract A microwave moisture meter built with off-the-shelf components was developed, calibrated and tested in the laboratory and in the field for nondestructive and instantaneous in-shell peanut kernel moisture content determination from dielectric properties measurements on unshelled peanut pod samples. The meter operates at a single frequency of 5.8 GHz and uses free-space transmission measurement principles for determining the dielectric properties of the peanut pods. From these properties, a dielectric-based algorithm provides peanut kernel moisture content from measurements on pods. Field tests at a peanut buying station showed that moisture content of peanut kernels can be determined with a standard error of performance of 0.82% when compared to the official moisture meter which required the pods to be shelled before kernel moisture content can be determined. When performance of both the microwave moisture meter and the official meter were compared to the oven-drying standard method, values of the standard errors of performance were 0.53% for the microwave moisture meter and 0.87% for the official moisture meter.
Residential Mortgages and Public Policy: What to do with Fannie and Freddie?

The current debate on U.S. housing policy focuses on the role of the government in supporting the mortgage market. Existing organizations (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac) are in conservatorship status, and Congress is considering alternative structures and guarantees including the Johnson‐Crapo bill, to provide catastrophic insurance in support of the coverage from private companies. The resolution of this issue is complicated by the various activities involved in the issue - investment securities, public policy, macroeconomics, accounting, and insurance. This article reviews the impact of these activities on U.S. housing, with a discussion of the feasibility of creating a catastrophic insurance program similar to that of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The federal government has successfully operated catastrophic insurance programs in support of private sector initiatives, and this experience - while certainly not perfect - may be a reasonable approach to the current Fannie/Freddie dilemma.
A sign on CT that predicts a hazardous ureteral anomaly

Introduction An aberrant course of the distal ureter can pose a risk of ureteral injury during surgery for inguinal hernia repair and other groin operations. In a recent case series of inguinoscrotal hernation of the ureter, we found that each affected ureter was markedly anterior to the psoas muscle at its mid-point on abdominal CT. We hypothesized that this abnormality in the abdominal course of the ureter would predict the potentially hazardous aberrant course of the distal ureter.
Left Entorhinal Cortex and Amygdala Hypermetabolism in Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (P02.248)

Objective: To determine whether patients with mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) exhibit differences in resting state brain metabolism. Background Patients with MdDS experience a persistent sense of internal motion described as a rocking sensation triggered by prolonged exposure to passive motion, typically from sea travel. Structural brain imaging and vestibular function testing are normal in MdDS. Design/Methods: Twenty subjects with MdDS (15 female, mean age: 43.4 yrs) with symptoms ranging from 3 months to 20 years underwent resting state 18F FDG PET and structural MRI scans and were compared to 20 controls (15 female, mean age 43.0 yrs). A bootstrapping method was used to identify peak voxels that were either more active in MdDS subjects or controls. An initial exploratory group of 10 MdDS subjects and 10 controls was first used to determine regions of differential activity. These coordinates were screened in a confirmatory group of 10 patients and 10 controls with a corrected family-wise-error of p Results: The area of maximum difference in activity greater in MdDS was in the left entorhinal cortex and amygdala (T= 4.01). Controls had more activity in the left middle temporal gyrus (T= 4.35) and left inferior temporal gyrus (T= 3.94). Conclusions: MdDS subjects exhibit higher resting state metabolic activity in the entorhinal cortex, a key area of spatial information processing before storage in the hippocampus. The entorhinal cortex has been previously shown to exhibit sustained activity in the absence of stimuli and has a function enhanced by concurrent amygdala activity. These data further the understanding of the anatomical correlates of sustained perceptions of self-motion. Supported by: NIDCD: R03DC010451. Disclosure: Dr. Cha has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chakrapani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Baloh has nothing to disclose.
Reactions of Cu+(1S, 3D) and Au+(1S, 3D) with CH3Br

The reactions of Cu+(1S,3D) and Au+(1S,3D) with CH3Br have been carried out in the gas phase at 150 K using a drift cell. State specific product channels were identified by observing the occurrence of product ions when ionization conditions were manipulated to either produce or eliminate excited states of the two metal ions. Reactant ion state distributions were determined by electronic state chromatography. State-specificity was confirmed by correlating reactant and product arrival time distributions. Association products correlate to singlet metal ion states for both Cu+ and Au+. Additionally, Cu+(3D) participates in association under these conditions. The 3D state of both metals exhibits Br abstraction, and CH3 is abstracted by Au+(3D). Formation of AuCH2+ exclusively via Au+(1S) is also indicated. State-specificity with respect to bimolecular channels for both metals is consistent with thermochemical requirements and formal conservation of electron spin. Parallel formation of AuCH2+ and Au+·CH3Br sugg...
A recipe for designing molecules with ever-increasing electron affinities.

Halogens possess among the highest electron affinities of elements in the periodic table. Superhalogen molecules with electron affinities higher than those of halogen atoms have been known to form when a metal atom is surrounded with halogen atoms. Recently, it was discovered that a new class of molecules called hyperhalogens with electron affinities higher than those of superhalogens can form when the latter serve as the building block. By use of density functional theory and B3LYP hybrid exchange-correlation functional we show that molecules with electron affinities even higher can be formed by using hyperhalogens as building blocks. We demonstrate this by using Na and Li as metal atoms and F, BF4, and Na(BF4)2 as halogen, superhalogen, and hyperhalogen building blocks. The predicted electron affinities of Na[Na(BF4)2]2 and Li[Li(BF4)2]2 are 9.18 and 9.01 eV, which are, respectively, 0.85 and 0.5 eV higher than those of their hyperhalogen [Na(BF4)2 and Li(BF4)2] counterparts.
The Effects of Dimpled Surface Geometry on Heat Transfer in an Impinging Jet Flow

The objective of this study was to characterize the heat transfer performance of a dimpled surface in an impinging jet flow field. Using a statistical design of experiments approach we designed 8 (23 ) test plates to study the effects of dimple spacing, dimple depth and dimple diameter and compared them to smooth plate heat transfer. The plates were placed opposite a square jet and tests were run for Reynolds numbers based on jet hydraulic diameter of 10,000 to 30,000 at a range of jet to plate spacings. Plate averaged heat transfer coefficients, based on actual surface area (including dimple area) were measured under steady state conditions. The results show that the dimple spacing to diameter ratio has the most significant effect on heat transfer performance at high velocities, while the dimple depth to diameter ratio is more significant at lower velocities. The effect of dimple diameter was found to be significant only under poor heat transfer conditions. Particle Image Velocimetry images of the dimple surface flow field showed enhanced entrainment at high velocities which may explain why the dimple spacing to diameter effect is more significant at high velocities.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Dynein’s Life in the Slow Lane

Dynein synthesized in neuronal cell bodies is conveyed into the axon by slow transport, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this issue, Twelvetrees et al. (2016) propose a model where dynein is transported by direct—but transient—interactions with kinesin.
Discovery of the interstellar chiral molecule propylene oxide (CH3CHCH2O)

Life on Earth relies on chiral molecules—that is, species not superimposable on their mirror images. This manifests itself in the selection of a single molecular handedness, or homochirality, across the biosphere. We present the astronomical detection of a chiral molecule, propylene oxide (CH_3CHCH_2O), in absorption toward the Galactic center. Propylene oxide is detected in the gas phase in a cold, extended molecular shell around the embedded, massive protostellar clusters in the Sagittarius B2 star-forming region. This material is representative of the earliest stage of solar system evolution in which a chiral molecule has been found.
Evaluating focus group data : Barriers to screening for prostate cancer patients

There is no doubt that the quantitative sciences of mathematics and statistics have contributed enormously to the rapidly growing scientific knowledge in medicine. However, just as medicine combines the nonquantifiable art-of-care with the quantifiable science-of-medicine, health services research can profitably use nonmathematical data without sacrificing scientific practice. Health researchers used to reading tables full of t-tests and p-values may feel skeptical of the scientific validity of qualitative research. The purpose of this paper is to show how qualitative research using focus groups (FG) and content analysis can be use to advance knowledge about the attitudes of potential cancer patients. The focus of this study is demonstrating the proper way to use focus groups in research on prostate cancer (PC). An investigation the attitudes of selected at-risk elderly men toward a particular care-seeking behavior, having a digital rectal exam (DRE), is used as an illustration of the qualitative methodology. Throughout the paper, the methodological consideration, relating to research techniques behind the data are featured to clarify the methodology and reinforce the scientific value of the results.
The Mutational Robustness of Influenza A Virus

A virus’ mutational robustness is described in terms of the strength and distribution of the mutational fitness effects, or MFE. The distribution of MFE is central to many questions in evolutionary theory and is a key parameter in models of molecular evolution. Here we define the mutational fitness effects in influenza A virus by generating 128 viruses, each with a single nucleotide mutation. In contrast to mutational scanning approaches, this strategy allowed us to unambiguously assign fitness values to individual mutations. The presence of each desired mutation and the absence of additional mutations were verified by next generation sequencing of each stock. A mutation was considered lethal only after we failed to rescue virus in three independent transfections. We measured the fitness of each viable mutant relative to the wild type by quantitative RT-PCR following direct competition on A549 cells. We found that 31.6% of the mutations in the genome-wide dataset were lethal and that the lethal fraction did not differ appreciably between the HA- and NA-encoding segments and the rest of the genome. Of the viable mutants, the fitness mean and standard deviation were 0.80 and 0.22 in the genome-wide dataset and best modeled as a beta distribution. The fitness impact of mutation was marginally lower in the segments coding for HA and NA (0.88 ± 0.16) than in the other 6 segments (0.78 ± 0.24), and their respective beta distributions had slightly different shape parameters. The results for influenza A virus are remarkably similar to our own analysis of CirSeq-derived fitness values from poliovirus and previously published data from other small, single stranded DNA and RNA viruses. These data suggest that genome size, and not nucleic acid type or mode of replication, is the main determinant of viral mutational fitness effects.
Regulation of the Cellular Redox Environment by Superoxide Dismutases, Catalase, and Glutathione Peroxidases During Tumor Metastasis

The lethality of most cancers can be attributed to metastatic progression. Metastatic tumor cells adapt and cope with various stressful environments to enable survival during their metastatic journey which starts with the escape from the primary tumor and ends in colonization of secondary sites. Stressors of metastatic tumor microenvironments include deprivation of oxygen (hypoxia), inflammation, and chemo- and radiotherapeutic exposure, which have the propensity to expose cells to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, many tumor-associated cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, and senescent cells within the tumor microenvironment, contribute to this ROS production. In addition to these exogenous sources, tumor cells themselves produce and are able to cope with elevated intracellular ROS. Increased ROS production outside and within metastatic tumor cells has been associated with a number of pro-metastatic events including angiogenesis, invasion, migration, survival, and anchorage-independent cell survival (anoikis resistance). Large surges of ROS can lead to oxidation of macromolecules and largely irreversible damage that may cause mitochondrial damage, leading to alterations in cancer metabolism, and genomic instability and carcinogenesis. More subtle changes in ROS lead to redox-signaling, primarily by reversible oxidation of thiols, which has been shown to contribute to pro-metastatic behavior. To cope with these changes in both intracellular and extracellular redox environments, tumor cells have uniquely evolved to alter their antioxidant enzyme expression. The present review focuses on antioxidant enzymes important in the regulation of H2O2 balance within metastatic tumor cells. It aims to highlight some of the dichotomous roles demonstrated for these enzymes in cancer etiology, and how their enzymatic activity may further influence the tumor redox environment and consequently regulate carcinogenesis and metastasis. We focus on the role of superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione peroxidases and give examples on their demonstrated roles as both tumor suppressors and promoters. Specifically, we discuss how metastatic cancer cells uniquely adapt to alter expression of these enzymes and how this may contribute to changes in the intracellular redox environment to drive certain metastatic phenotypes. To therapeutically target these ROS-mediated pathways in metastatic disease will require further insights into the specificity of the ROS involved and their spatiotemporal regulation in the context of the antioxidant enzymes present.
Does worksite social capital enhance retention into a worksite weight-loss programme?

OBJECTIVE To determine if worksite social capital predicted retention in a worksite-based weight-loss programme using structural equation modelling. A secondary aim was to determine if worksite social capital was related to changes in weight at 6 months. METHODS Overweight or obese employees from 28 worksites enrolled in a larger 12-month worksite weight-loss trial. Workplace social capital was assessed using an eight-item scale specific to the workplace. Weight was measured using a HealthSpottm, and change in weight was computed from weigh-ins at baseline and 6 months and reported as pounds (lbs) lost. Retention was defined as those employees who completed a weigh-in at 6 months. RESULTS Across the trial, N = 1,790; age = 46.6 ± 11; 73% women; 73% White overweight or obese employees participated. The odds of participant attrition were 1.12 times greater with each unit decrease in social capital score at baseline (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increased worksite social capital was predictive of retention in a worksite weight-loss programme. To maximize return on investments for employee wellness and weight-loss programmes, employers may benefit from understanding the facets of the 'social' environment such as social capital that may increase the likelihood of sustained participation.
Generation and Reactivity Studies of Diarylmethyl Radical Pairs in Crystalline Tetraarylacetones via Laser Flash Photolysis Using Nanocrystalline Suspensions

The nanosecond electronic spectra and kinetics of the radical pairs from various crystalline tetraarylacetones were obtained using transmission laser flash photolysis methods by taking advantage of aqueous nanocrystalline suspensions in the presence of submicellar CTAB, which acts as a surface passivator. After showing that all tetraarylacetones react efficiently by a photodecarbonylation reaction in the crystalline state, we were able to detect the intermediate radical pairs within the ca. 8 ns laser pulse of our laser setup. We showed that the solid-state spectra of the radical pairs are very similar to those detected in solution, with λmax in the 330–360 nm range. Kinetics in the solid state was observed to be biexponential and impervious to the presence of oxygen or variations in laser power. A relatively short-lived component (0.3–1.7 μs) accounts for only 3–8% of the total decay with a longer-lived component having a time constant in the range of 40–90 μs depending on the nature of the substituents.
5-HT Neurons and Central CO2 Chemoreception

Abstract Many neurons within the medullary raphe project to nuclei that control respiratory motor output. Through release of serotonin (5-HT) and the colocalized neuropeptides substance P (SP) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone these neurons provide tonic drive that helps maintain ventilation. Many 5-HT neurons are closely associated with large arteries of the brainstem, where they respond to changes in arterial CO2 levels by increasing their firing rate. These properties allow them to play an important role as central respiratory chemoreceptors, causing an increase in ventilation in response to increased CO2 levels so that CO2 and pH return back to normal. Some 5-HT neurons in the midbrain play a similar role in sensing changes in blood CO2, and induce arousal when CO2 levels increase during sleep. Defects in 5-HT neurons occur in a variety of human diseases and may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and panic disorder, each of which may involve abnormalities of respiratory control and blood gas homeostasis.
Factors of Production in a CGE Model

In this chapter, we explore factor markets in a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Data in the Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) on factors of production describe factors’ sources of employment and income. Important factor market concepts in the CGE model are factor mobility assumptions, the effects of factor endowment and productivity growth, complementary and substitute factors, full-employment versus unemployment model closures, and the links between changes in factor supply and industry structure and between changes in industry structure and factor prices. Factors of production are the labor, capital, land, and other primary resources that producers combine with intermediate inputs to make goods and services. A nation's factor endowment is its fundamental stock of wealth because factors represent its supply of productive resources. In Chapter 5, we considered production activities’ demand for factors and how these adjust with changes in relative factor prices or output levels. Many other dimensions of factor markets in a CGE model also deserve study. In the next sections, we describe factor markets in standard CGE models in detail, focusing on those aspects that are of greatest practical importance for CGE modelers. We begin by studying the factor market data in the SAM. Then we consider the behavior of factor markets in the CGE model. We explain factor mobility assumptions, which govern the readiness of factors to change their employment in response to changing wages and rents across industries. We explore the effects of changes in the supply, or endowment, of factors and contrast it with changes in the “effective” endowment when factor productivity changes. We study the implications of assuming production functions, or industry technologies, that treat factors as complements (low factor substitutability) versus substitutes (high factor substitutability). We describe the CGE model's closures rules that specify full employment versus factor unemployment and demonstrate the importance of this assumption for model results. Finally, we examine the links between factor markets and the industry structure of an economy. We study how a change in factor endowments leads to changes in the industry structure, and we examine how changes in industry structure leads to changes in factor prices and factor input ratios across industries.
Roles of emotional reactivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and negative problem orientation on developing childhood worry

Abstract Although current literature has examined the associations between individual risk factors and the development of childhood worry, few studies have examined pathways including multiple vulnerability factors. The current study examined a specific pathway of risk towards childhood worry, examining the roles of intolerance of uncertainty and negative problem orientation on the association between emotionally reactive temperament and worry. Participants were 76 children and adolescents between ages 7 and 13 and their parents, from a community sample. Parents completed measures of child temperament, and youths completed measures of intolerance of uncertainty and negative problem orientation. Mediational analyses were conducted to examine the pathway between emotionally reactive temperament and worry. Overall, the data supported study hypotheses, and the association between emotionally reactive temperament and worry was serially mediated through intolerance of uncertainty and then negative problem orientation. These findings suggest high emotional reactivity may contribute to the development of intolerance of uncertainty, which may contribute to the development of negative problem orientation. Children with high negative problem orientation may then acquire an increased propensity to worry. Results showing a specific pathway of risk towards worry suggest a targeted approach for intervention and prevention is likely to be most efficacious.
COMPUTATIONAL ONTOLOGIES AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS: I. FOUNDATIONS

This paper provides a state-of-the-art review about computational ontologies to raise awareness about this research area in the IS discipline and to explore areas where IS researchers can engage in fruitful research. This paper discusses the basic foundations and definitions pertaining to the field of computational ontologies. It reviews the intersection of computational ontologies with the IS discipline. It also discusses methods and guidelines for developing computational ontologies. The paper concludes with recommendations for important and emerging directions for research. The technical aspects of ontologies are presented in a companion paper [Sharman et al., 2004]. The companion paper provides a comprehensive review of the formalisms, languages, and tools used for specifying and implementing computational ontologies.
Atrazine Contamination of Drinking Water and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Community Water Systems with Elevated Atrazine in Ohio, 2006–2008

Atrazine, a common water contaminant in the U.S., has been associated with adverse birth outcomes in previous studies. This study aimed to determine if atrazine concentrations in drinking water are associated with adverse birth outcomes including small for gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (term LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), preterm birth (PTB), and very preterm birth (VPTB). This study included 14,445 live singleton births from Ohio communities served by 22 water systems enrolled in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Atrazine Monitoring Program between 2006 and 2008. Mean gestational and trimester-specific atrazine concentrations were calculated. Significantly increased odds of term LBW birth was associated with atrazine exposure over the entire gestational period (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.10, 1.45), as well as the first (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08, 1.34) and second trimesters (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07, 1.20) of pregnancy. We observed no evidence of an association between atrazine exposure via drinking water and SGA, VLBW, PTB, or VPTB. Our results suggest that atrazine exposure is associated with reduced birth weight among term infants and that exposure to atrazine in drinking water in early and mid-pregnancy may be most critical for its toxic effects on the fetus.
Associations of abdominal intermuscular adipose tissue and inflammation: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Abstract Objective This study examined the associations between abdominal IMAT area and density with inflammatory markers associated with cardiometabolic disease. Methods 1897 participants enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent computed tomography to quantify body composition and measurements of adiponectin, leptin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and resistin. Results The mean age and body mass index of participants was 65 years and 28 kg/m2, respectively, and 50% were female. After adjustment for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, as IMAT area increased and density decreased from the first to fourth quartile, markers of inflammation increased linearly (p 0.05). Conclusions Abdominal IMAT area and density are associated with inflammatory markers, with these associations attenuated by central adiposity.
Coda: On Memory and Memorial

In this brief coda, I bring the reader up to speed on the rapidly changing memorial landscape of 2018 as a follow-up to the previous chapter on countermonuments. In the years and even months preceding the completion of this book, significant memorial work has been done in the United States and abroad in the larger project of commemorating the lives of the enslaved. I use the timely and continuing conversation around memorialization to reconnect to the ways in which writers have theorized and practiced public feelings in various forms of memoir-work.
Association of SLCO1B1 *14 Allele with Poor Response to Methotrexate in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Patients.

Objective Variants in the SLCO1B1 gene, encoding a hepatic methotrexate (MTX) transporter, affect clearance of high-dose MTX. We tested whether in the *14 and *15 alleles of SLCO1B1 influenced the response to low-dose MTX in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients. Methods The study included 310 JIA patients genotyped for three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SLCO1B1 (rs4149056, rs2306283, and rs11045819). A patient's SLCO1B1 diplotype was determined by combining the SNPs into the *1a, *1b, *4, *5, *14, and *15 alleles. Number of active joints at follow-up (visit closest to 6 months of treatment and prior to starting a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor) was used as the dependent variable in a negative binomial regression model that included active joint count at baseline as a covariate. Results The SLCO1B1*14 allele was associated with less response to MTX (P = 0.024) and the *15 allele was not associated with response to MTX (P = 0.392). Conclusion SLCO1B1 alleles may be associated with poor response to MTX in JIA patients. The *14 allele has been associated with fast clearance (low exposure) after high-dose MTX in patients with leukemia. Thus, the SLCO1B1 gene may be informative for precision dosing of MTX in JIA patients. Patients carrying the *14 allele may require a higher dose than noncarriers to achieve a similar response to MTX.
The association between exposure to violent pornography and teen dating violence in grade 10 high school students

Exposure to pornography in general has been linked with adolescent dating violence and sexual aggression, but less is known about exposure to violent pornography specifically. The current study examined the association of violent pornography exposure with different forms of teen dating violence (TDV) using baseline survey data from a sample of Grade 10 high school students who reported being in a dating relationship in the past year (n = 1694). Gender-stratified logistic regression models generated odds ratios adjusted for demographics, substance use, history of suspension/expulsion, gender equitable attitudes, and tolerance of rape myths to identify significant associations between violent pornography exposure and self-reported physical, sexual, and threatening TDV perpetration and victimization. Violent pornography exposure was associated with all types of TDV, though patterns differed by gender. Boys exposed to violent pornography were 2–3 times more likely to report sexual TDV perpetration and victimization and physical TDV victimization, while girls exposed to violent pornography were over 1.5 times more likely to be perpetrate threatening TDV compared to their non-exposed counterparts. Comprehensive prevention strategies for TDV may consider the potential risks associated with exposure to violent pornography, particularly for boys, and provide an alternative source of education about healthy sexual behavior and relationships.
Inflammatory mediators are potential biomarkers for extracorporeal shockwave therapy in horses

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can potentially mask painful injuries in equine athletes. Tests to detect whether a horse has received ESWT prior to competition are needed. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is known to affect inflammatory mediators in other species, and if these mediators are altered in the horse, these could serve as biomarkers of ESWT. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that a single application of ESWT will alter the circulating protein concentrations of 10 inflammatory mediators in horse plasma. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective repeated measures experimental study. METHODS: Eleven healthy horses were administered a single dose of ESWT on the dorsal surface of proximal MCIII. Blood samples were collected at -168, -144, -120, -96, -72, -70, -68, -66, -48, -24, -6, -4, -2, 0 h before and 2, 4, 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 168, 336 and 504 h after ESWT. Plasma concentrations of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-15, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), soluble toll-like receptor 2 (sTLR2) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured to assess the effects of ESWT on these mediators. RESULTS: Baseline concentrations of inflammatory mediators did not change substantially during the week prior to ESWT. Plasma concentrations of five inflammatory factors changed following ESWT. IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01), while TNF-α, IL-1RA and TLR2 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.01). The remaining cytokines were not significantly affected by ESWT. MAIN LIMITATIONS: This study was performed in a small number of sedentary, healthy pasture-kept horses using a single dose of ESWT applied to a single location. Additional studies are necessary to determine the effect of ESWT on inflammatory mediators in athletic horses undergoing treatment for musculoskeletal injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-6 and TLR2 were significantly affected by ESWT, and deserve further investigation as possible biomarkers of ESWT.
Optimization of In-Continuity Spring-Mediated Intestinal Lengthening.

Abstract Background Spring-mediated intestinal lengthening has been studied in numerous animal models to effectively achieve up to a 3-fold increase in length. In this study we are interested in optimizing this method of spring lengthening. Methods Juvenile mini-Yucatan pigs underwent laparotomy for spring implantation. Springs were secured by plicating the intestine around the springs. In one set of experiments, varying degrees of plication were compared to determine the necessary narrowing needed to confine the spring. In another set of experiments, dissolvable sutures were used for the plication to allow for spontaneous spring passage postoperatively. Intestinal segments were retrieved and evaluated for lengthening and histological changes. Results Pigs tolerated their diet advancement to a regular diet postoperatively. 10% plication resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in length, while 50% plication resulted in a 2.7-fold increase in length (p Conclusions A 50% reduction in lumen diameter achieves optimal spring-mediated intestinal lengthening. Springs can safely pass out of the intestine, thus avoiding a second operation for spring removal. These results may be important in developing future therapies for short bowel syndrome. Level of evidence Level I experimental study.
Local Geometry of Decoupled Pseudoconvex Domains

For any smoothly bounded, strongly pseudoconvex domain Ω in ℂ n , the boundary of a suitable ball in ℂ n locally approximates b Ω near p ∈ b Ω, i.e., their defining functions agree up to 3-jets near p. This approximation is often the first step taken when analyzing various domain dependent functions and operators on Ω (e.g., the Bergman and Szego kernels, the ∂-Neumann operator, Poisson kernels), as it allows certain results on the behavior of the operators (or functions) associated to the ball and various tools of classical analysis to be brought to bear on questions about the behavior of the operators on Ω. See, for instance, [F],[F-S],[P]. When the domain Ω is only weakly pseudoconvex, there is no single model domain which locally approximates b Ω, in any reasonable sense, near some z 0 ∈ b Ω. Moreover, the description of an appropriate approximating domain in terms of analytic information on the defining function is not known in general, even when the Levi form degenerates to finite order. Additionally, even when an approximating domain for b Ω near z 0 ∈ b Ω can be found, its shape may vary greatly from the shape of an approximating domain for b Ω near another z 1 ∈ bΩ, even when z 1 is close to z 0.
Deceptive accusations and concealed identities as misinformation campaign strategies

This paper presents a new social media phenomenon that sees users lying about their deceptive motivations by either dishonestly claiming that they are not bots or by asserting that real news is actually fake news. We analyzed the use of the #FakeNews and #NotABot hashtags in Twitter data collected on the 2019 Canadian federal elections. Our findings show that the #FakeNews hashtag was most likely to be connected to an established news source rather than an actual fake news site and that users of the #NotABot hashtag were no more likely to be human than other users in our data set. This phenomenon of lying about lying has been used to discredit well-known news organizations and amplify political misinformation, showing how online influence campaigns continue to evolve to manipulate social media users even as people have become more aware of the dangers of online misinformation.
Perforated diverticulitis associated with ocrelizumab infusion

Abstract Background Ocrelizumab is an intravenous disease modifying therapy for primary progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In the clinical trials (OPERA 1, OPERA 2, ORATORIO) and post marketing studies, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events prompting discontinuation occurred in 0.2% of patients. There have been two cases of colitis related to ocrelizumab and several cases of rituximab related GI adverse events, including colitis, diverticulitis, and colon perforation. Objective To report the first case of severe diverticulitis 48 hours after ocrelizumab infusion that progressed to perforation requiring surgical intervention. Method Case report Results 35-year-old man with a past medical history of obesity but no GI history was diagnosed with RRMS eleven months earlier by 2017 McDonald criteria. His initial DMT, dimethyl fumarate, was stopped for severe nausea. Due to an aggressive disease course and imaging instability, ocrelizumab was started. Two days after his third infusion, he presented with bilateral lower quadrant abdominal pain and a fever of 101.4 F. CT scans showed a perforated sigmoid diverticulitis with loculated extraluminal air in the sigmoid mesocolon. Conservative medical management was unsuccessful. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of a portion of the sigmoid colon. Conclusion GI adverse events requiring ocrelizumab discontinuation are extremely rare, but clinicians should remain vigilant of this potential complication of anti-CD20 therapy.
A Natural History of Homosexuality

A terrible sin, a gift from the gods, a mental illness, a natural human variation--over the centuries homosexuality has been defined in all these ways. Now, in a generous work which synthesizes research in biology, history, psychology, and politics, psychiatrist Francis Mondimore explores the complex landscape of sexual orientation and explains how homosexuality has been understood and defined from ancient times to the present. 11 illustrations.
Bursting Phenomena in the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

We [1] have investigated a model for the Belousov-Zhabotinskii reaction in a continuous flow, stirred tank reactor. The model consists of a system of three ordinary differential equations derived from a more complicated five-variable, Oregonator [2] model proposed by JANZ, VANECEK, and FIELD [3]. Over an appropriate range of physical parameters (e.g., lower flow rates) the system exhibits bursts of oscillations. As in some experiments (e.g., MAREK and SVOBODOVA [4]), the observer sees several spikes followed by an interval of quiescence (IQ) which is subsequently followed by a resumption of the spikes, etc. The bursting phenomenon results from a hysteresis loop in which the solution alternates between a stable periodic solution, during the oscillatory phase, and a stable steady state of low oxidation, during the IQ, of a two-variable batch-reactor sub-system. This bistable behavior is due to a subcritical Hopf bifurcation (hard-oscillation) in the two variable system. We have estimated analytically the IQ duration and its dependence on parameter values. For other parameter ranges we find qualitatively different bursting phenomena. In one example the CSTR system is excitable; there is a stable steady state and the response to an adequate perturbation is an excitation burst of several pulses and then a return to the steady state. At considerably higher flow rates, there are repetitive, single-spike bursts with IQ’s of high oxidation; such patterns resemble those calculated by SCHOWALTER, NOYES, and BAR-ELI [5] and observed experimentally by SCHMITZ, GRAZIANI, and HUDSON [6].
Arenavirus and West Nile virus in solid organ transplantation.

Abbreviations: ARF, acute renal failure; CDC, Centers for Diseases Control; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; EIND, emergency investigational new drug; ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; FDA, Federal Drug Administration; ID, individual donor; IFA, immunofluorescence assay; IgG, immunoglobulin G; IgM, immunoglobulin M; IVIG, intravenous immunoglobulin; LCM, lymphocytic choriomeningitis; LCMV, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; MP, Minipool; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NAT, Nucleic Acid Amplification Test; NVD, neuroinvasive disease; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; PRNT, plaque reduction neutralization assay; RNA, ribonucleic acid; SLEV, St. Louis Encephalitis virus; SNHL, sensorineural hearing loss; TMA, transcription mediated amplification; WNV, West Nile virus.
Carbon in Charge

Laboratory data suggest that enhanced conductivity in the deep mantle can be caused by extremely small amounts of carbon-rich melt.
Low-cost open-source voltage and current monitor for gas metal arc weld 3D printing

Arduino open-source microcontrollers are well known in sensor applications for scientific equipment and for controlling RepRap 3D printers. Recently low-cost open-source gas metal arc weld (GMAW) RepRap 3D printers have been developed. The entry-level welders used have minimal controls and therefore lack any real-time measurement of welder voltage or current. The preliminary work on process optimization of GMAW 3D printers requires a low-cost sensor and data logger system to measure welder current and voltage. This paper reports on the development of a low-cost open-source power measurement sensor system based on Arduino architecture. The sensor system was designed, built, and tested with two entry-level MIG welders. The full bill of materials and open source designs are provided. Voltage and current were measured while making stepwise adjustments to the manual voltage setting on the welder. Three conditions were tested while welding with steel and aluminum wire on steel substrates to assess the role of electrode material, shield gas, and welding velocity. The results showed that the open source sensor circuit performed as designed and could be constructed for <$100 in components representing a significant potential value through lateral scaling and replication in the 3D printing community.
Learning Identity: The Joint Emergence of Social Identification and Academic Learning

This book describes how social identification and academic learning can deeply depend on each other, both through a theoretical account of the two processes and a detailed empirical analysis of how students' identities emerge and how students learn curriculum over a year in one classroom. The book traces the identity development of two students, showing how they came habitually to occupy characteristic roles across an academic year. The book also traces two major themes from the curriculum, showing how students came to make increasingly sophisticated arguments about them. The book's distinctive contribution is to show in detail how social identification and academic learning became deeply interdependent. The two students developed unexpected identities in substantial part because curricular themes provided categories that teachers and students used to identify them. And students learned about those curricular themes in part because the two students were socially identified in ways that illuminated those themes.