cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quenching of electron transfer reactions through coadsorption: A study of oxygen photodesorption from TiO2(110)

Using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and photon-stimulated desorption (PSD), we show that coadsorbates of varying binding energies on the rutile TiO2(110) surface exert a commensurate inhibiting influence on the hole-mediated photodesorption of adsorbed O2. A variety of coadsorbates (Ar, Kr, Xe, N2, CO, CO2, CH4, N2O, acetone, methanol or water) were shown to quench O2 photoactivity, with the extent correlating with the coadsorbate's gas phase basicity, which in turn determines the strength of the coadsorbate–Ti4+ bond. Coadsorbed rare gases inhibited the photodesorption of O2 by ~ 10–25%, whereas strongly bound species (water, methanol, and acetone) nearly completely inhibited O2 PSD. We suggest that coadsorption of these molecules inhibit the arrival probability of holes to the surface. Band-bending effects, which vary with the extent of charge transfer between the coadsorbate and the TiO2(110) surface, are not expected to be significant in the cases of the rare gases and physisorbed species. Furthermore, these results indicate that neutral coadsorbates can exert a significant influence on charge transfer events by altering the interfacial dipole in the vicinity of the target molecule.
Family Quarrels (Dem. 39–40)

Much has been written already about the dispute between Mantitheos and Mantitheos-Boiotos (henceforth Boiotos), sons of Mantias of Thorikos; but the currently accepted chronology needs some modification and the relations between institutions and strategies have not been fully explored. The current view ( APF 9667, largely following J. Rudhardt, Mus. Helv. xix [1962] 39–64) has Boiotos born, in wedlock, c. 382; by c. 381 Mantias would have divorced Boiotos' mother Plangon and remarried, Mantitheos being born c. 380. Mantitheos entered the deme Thorikos and married c. 362; Boiotos succeeded in getting Mantias to present him to his phratry in autumn 359 and in summer 358, by which time Mantias was dead, presented himself to the deme under the name Mantitheos. Demosthenes xxxix is dated to autumn 348, [D.] xl to 347.
Adolescent Determinants of Abortion Attitudes Evidence from the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

The stability of abortion opinions suggests that pre-adult factors influence these attitudes more than contemporaneous political events. Surprisingly, however, we know little about the origins of abortion opinions, no doubt because the majority of research focuses on cross-sectional analyses of patterns across cohorts. We use a developmental model that links familial and contextual factors during adolescence to abortion attitudes years later when respondents are between 21 and 38 years old. Findings show that religious adherence and maternal gender role values are significant predictors of adult abortion opinions, even after controlling for contemporaneous religious adherence and the respondents' own views on gender roles. Adolescent religious adherence matters more than religious denomination for adult abortion attitudes. The results have important implications for future trends in abortion attitudes in light of declining religiosity among Americans.
Morphine injections in the taste aversion paradigm: Extent of aversions and readiness to consume sweetened morphine solutions

In three experiments, groups of rats were subjected to the procedures of classical taste aversion testing using morphine injections as the unconditioned stimulus. Subsequently, rats’ consumption of sweetened morphine solutions was tabulated. In both tests of taste aversion and of readiness to consume sweetened morphine solutions, there were marked individual differences in rats’ reactivity. The extent to which rats drank the flavored solution that had previously been paired with morphine injections was related to initial tendencies to consume sweetened morphine solutions. Extent of taste aversions established with lithium chloride, in a dose known to be poisonous, was greater than extent of aversions established with morphine. Extent of aversions following lithium injections was not related to consumption of morphine solutions. Rats’ readiness to consume morphine solutions is probably related to initial negative consequences that may accompany assimilation of morphine.
Quality matters: making commodities and manufacturing knowledge in the virtual university

From the vantage point of an ethnographically informed critical reflection, this presentation charts the subtle shifts taking place around the neoliberal management and control of knowledge in the ...
Modeling Research on Channel Attenuation Characteristic of the Low-voltage Power Line Carrier Communication

Low-voltage power line carrier communication(LV-PLC) has become an important mean of local communication in the Smart Grid construction.As the poor environment of the low-voltage power line affects the performances of LV-PLC,it is vital to explore and understand the power line channel characteristics.This paper summarizes and compares the merits and limitations of different modeling solutions of attenuation characteristics of LV-PLC channel described in literatures.Based on two-port network theory,transmission line theory and vector fitting theory,a complete,clear and easy-to-use modeling solution is put forward.At last,a small tree-like topology network is set up in the laboratory to simulate the low-voltage distribution network and confirm the validity of the attenuation characteristics model.The research results are helpful for the simulation of the LV-PLC channel.
Engineering electrical transport at the interface of conjugated carbon structures to improve thermoelectric properties of their composites

Abstract Thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion is based on electronic transport, and high TE performance requires both high electrical conductivity and high thermopower (or Seebeck coefficient). High electrical conductivity can be achieved by increasing the electronic carrier concentration but this diminishes thermopower, which has been one of the major hurdles in further improving TE performance. Here we propose an effective method to avoid the undesirable behaviors by engineering the interface of conjugated carbon materials with facile gas treatment methods for selective doping. To demonstrate the feasibility, carbon nanotube (CNT) and undoped polyaniline (PANI) were made into a composite. After HCl gas doping of the composite, ∼700% increase in electrical conductivity was observed but thermopower was maintained to be ∼90% value prior to the doping. We believe that the undoped PANI between CNTs was minimally doped due to their π–π interactions, maintaining an energy barrier to have a high thermopower. Electrical transport in the CNT network with PANI interfaces was also theoretically studied, suggesting the power factor can be remarkably improved by imposing an energy barrier at the interface of conjugated carbon structures. Our approach to selectively dope specific sites in the composites can be further extended to other composites to obtain desired transport properties.
Pitch and Duration Mismatch Negativity and Premorbid Intellect in the First Hospitalized Schizophrenia Spectrum

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a robustly abnormal brainwave in chronically ill schizophrenia that has generated interest as a disease presence biomarker. Reports of MMN reduction in first-episode schizophrenia have been equivocal, raising uncertainty about its reduction at first psychotic break. Here we tested 29 schizophrenia-spectrum participants under 1 year from their first hospitalization for psychosis and 40 age-, gender-, parental socioeconomic status-, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales III Information-matched healthy controls on both pitch and duration MMN. Participants performed a visual checkerboard tracking task while standard (1kHz, 50ms, 80%), pitch-deviant (1.2kHz, 50ms, 10%) and duration-deviant (1kHz, 100ms, 10%) tones were presented over headphones (75 dB) and EEG was recorded. Independent component analysis was used to remove eye movements and visual stimulus processing activity. Groups did not differ in pitch MMN or duration MMN amplitudes. Smaller pitch and duration MMN amplitudes were associated with lower estimates of premorbid intellect in all participants and independently with greater positive symptoms in first hospitalized schizophrenia. Overall MMN reduction was not present in these relatively high functioning individuals at the first episode of schizophrenia, and therefore is not a good disease presence biomarker for this sample. Future research is warranted to determine the degree of MMN reduction at the first episode of psychosis across a greater range of cognitive impairment, the utility of MMN as an indicator of risk or diagnosis, and its role for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms in emerging psychosis.
Treatment of accidental wounds.

The skin has an amazing ability to repair and reconstitute itself, and the physicians principal objective is to aid and promote healing.Treatment includes cleansing, debridement, hemostasis, wound closure without tension or creation of a dead space, and immobilization to aid healing.Meticulous initial repair of lacerations, particularly about the face, will avoid the need for later plastic revision.Technics used in anesthetizing, suturing and dressing are discussed.
Retinal Structure and Gene Therapy Outcome in Retinoschisin-Deficient Mice Assessed by Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

Author(s): Zeng, Yong; Petralia, Ronald S; Vijayasarathy, Camasamudram; Wu, Zhijian; Hiriyanna, Suja; Song, Hongman; Wang, Ya-Xian; Sieving, Paul A; Bush, Ronald A | Abstract: PurposeSpectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to characterize the retinal phenotype, natural history, and treatment responses in a mouse model of X-linked retinoschisis (Rs1-KO) and to identify new structural markers of AAV8-mediated gene therapy outcome.MethodsOptical coherence tomography scans were performed on wild-type and Rs1-KO mouse retinas between 1 and 12 months of age and on Rs1-KO mice after intravitreal injection of AAV8-scRS/IRBPhRS (AAV8-RS1). Cavities and photoreceptor outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness were measured, and outer retina reflective band (ORRB) morphology was examined with age and after AAV8-RS1 treatment. Outer retina reflective band morphology was compared to immunohistochemical staining of the outer limiting membrane (OLM) and photoreceptor inner segment (IS) mitochondria and to electron microscopy (EM) images of IS.ResultsRetinal cavity size in Rs1-KO mice increased between 1 and 4 months and decreased thereafter, while ONL thickness declined steadily, comparable to previous histologic studies. Wild-type retina had four ORRBs. In Rs1-KO, ORRB1was fragmented from 1 month, but was normal after 8 months; ORRB2 and ORRB3 were merged at all ages. Outer retina reflective band morphology returned to normal after AAV-RS1 therapy, paralleling the recovery of the OLM and IS mitochondria as indicated by anti-β-catenin and anti-COX4 labeling, respectively, and EM.ConclusionsSpectral-domain OCT is a sensitive, noninvasive tool to monitor subtle changes in retinal morphology, disease progression, and effects of therapies in mouse models. The ORRBs may be useful to assess the outcome of gene therapy in the treatment of X-linked retinoschisis patients.
Refractive Index Measurement in Sucrose Solution and Beverage Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Hetero-core Structured Fiber Optic

Abstract The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor was fabricated by depositing silver thin film on the surface of hetero-core structured fiber optic. The SPR sensor based on hetero-core structured fiber optic was applied to measure refractive index of sucrose solution and fruit juices. The sensor part was immersed in sucrose solution and/or juice and the propagating light spectra were measured. It was shown that the fiber optic SPR sensor showed a good agreement with that measured by conventional refractometer.
Peripheral Blood Cytogenetic Studies in Myelofibrosis: Overall Yield and Comparison with Bone Marrow Cytogenetic Studies

Background : Peripheral blood (PB) is sometimes used in place of bone marrow (BM) for cytogenetic studies in either primary (PMF) or post-polycythemia vera/essential thrombocythemia (post-PV/ET MF) myelofibrosis. In a retrospective study, we examined overall yield from PB cytogenetic studies in MF and where possible compared the results with those obtained by BM cytogenetic analysis. Methods : Standard laboratory techniques were used to perform cytogenetic studies in both the PB and BM. A successful study constituted the acquisition of at least two analyzable metaphases and an abnormal clone required the presence of a specific cytogenetic abnormality in at least two metaphases. Clinical and laboratory correlations were made using variables collected at the time of cytogenetic studies. Results I : A total of 242 PB cytogenetic studies were reviewed to identify 59 MF cases; 39 were PMF and 20 post-PV/ET MF. Median age was 60 years (range 36–77) and 37 were male patients. The median duration of the disease at the time of PB cytogenetic studies was 3.5 years (range 0.2–35). At least two analyzable metaphases (median 20, range 2–31) were obtained in 49 (81%) of the 59 study patients; in univariate analysis, this was predicted by presence and degree of circulating myeloid progenitor cells (p Results II: Twenty two cases had concomitant PB and BM cytogenetic studies performed. Of these, 9 patients had abnormal BM cytogenetic findings; the concomitant PB cytogenetic studies were also abnormal in 5 (56%) patients but normal in the other 4. Conversely, PB cytogenetic studies were abnormal in 12 patients; the concomitant BM cytogenetic studies were abnormal in 5 (41%) and normal in the remaining 7. PB cytogenetic studies were not successful in 4 of the 22 total cases; BM studies were successful in 3 of these 4 cases and the results were normal in all. Conclusion: In the presence of circulating myeloid progenitor cells, PB can be considered as an alternative to BM for cytogenetic studies in MF patients, especially in view of the difficulty getting BM aspirates in this disease. However, considering the prognostic value of specific cytogenetic abnormalities in MF, the non-trivial discordance between the BM and PB cytogenetic findings, observed in the current study, warrants a prospective evaluation for further clarification.
Hybrid spatiotemporal coherent pulse addition of a picosecond flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser

We demonstrate active and passive coherent pulse addition in a flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG amplifier chain for pumping OPCPA systems. The amplification of 200 ps pulses to 216 mJ is achieved with a 79% combination efficiency.
Interval laparoscopic ileocecectomy in a child with cecal diverticulitis

Abstract Cecal diverticulitis is a rare condition in children that can present diagnostic and surgical challenges. Cecal diverticulitis has a similar presentation to appendicitis, but the surgical management is much different. We present a case of cecal diverticulitis in a 13-year-old Hispanic male who was initially treated nonoperatively, but ultimately underwent laparoscopic assisted ileocecectomy as definitive treatment. This is the only case report to describe a delayed surgical approach to this rare medical condition. We feel this approach has particular merit with respect to cecal diverticulitis as the possibility of diagnostic uncertainty is high. Cecal diverticulitis is a rare disease process, particularly in children. Patients predictably present with right lower quadrant abdominal pain in a manner similar to appendicitis. Imaging may reveal a phlegmon, perforation, bowel wall thickening, or nonspecific inflammatory changes. These imaging findings may not always indicate a clear diagnosis, especially if the appendix cannot be well visualized. Urgent operation may be ill advisable in this situation as the surgeon may encounter a hostile operative field with dense inflammatory changes resulting in an increased risk of ileostomy creation. We present a case of cecal diverticulitis managed safely with a delayed surgical approach. We feel a delayed surgical approach may provide an alternative option for patients with an uncertain diagnosis or surgeons who wish to avoid a potentially hazardous dissection. A delayed approach may also help to facilitate a minimally invasive approach.
Application of phase change materials in gypsum boards to meet building energy conservation goals

Abstract Energy consumption in buildings has increased drastically during the last two decades. Reducing the energy demand in buildings by improving their thermal performance has therefore been the subject of many governmental plans and building codes. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of PCM-impregnated gypsum boards on improving the thermal performance of buildings in order to achieve such energy reduction goals. Computational simulations using Typical Meteorological Year data were conducted to study the performance of PCM-incorporated walls subjected to the real temperature profiles of different cities. Four different criteria were considered and a simplified cost analysis was performed. Utilizing PCM-incorporated gypsum boards was shown to be a promising strategy to achieve energy reduction goals for buildings. The results show that using a PCM with a melting point near the occupant comfort zone delays and reduces the inside peak temperature, increases the duration of time during which the inside temperature stays within the comfort zone, and decreases the cost and energy required by HVAC system to keep the inside temperature in this range. However, the efficiency of PCMs is completely dependent on the input temperature profile, and increasing the amount of the utilized PCM leads to diminishing returns on efficiency.
STPGA: Selection of training populations with a genetic algorithm

Optimal subset selection is an important task that has numerous algorithms designed for it and has many application areas. STPGA contains a special genetic algorithm supplemented with a tabu memory property (that keeps track of previously tried solutions and their fitness for a number of iterations), and with a regression of the fitness of the solutions on their coding that is used to form the ideal estimated solution (look ahead property) to search for solutions of generic optimal subset selection problems. I have initially developed the programs for the specific problem of selecting training populations for genomic prediction or association problems, therefore I give discussion of the theory behind optimal design of experiments to explain the default optimization criteria in STPGA, and illustrate the use of the programs in this endeavor. Nevertheless, I have picked a few other areas of application: supervised and unsupervised variable selection based on kernel alignment, supervised variable selection with design criteria, influential observation identification for regression, solving mixed integer quadratic optimization problems, balancing gains and inbreeding in a breeding population. Some of these illustrations pertain new statistical approaches.
Eyelid: Levator Advancement

Ptosis that obstructs the visual axis, causes visual disability, affects activities of daily living, and/or causes cosmetically unacceptable appearance are indications for this procedure. Patients should be educated about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the procedure prior to proceeding, and informed consent obtained.
Linking hygroscopicity and the surface microstructure of model inorganic salts, simple and complex carbohydrates, and authentic sea spray aerosol particles

Individual airborne sea spray aerosol (SSA) particles show diversity in their morphologies and water uptake properties that are highly dependent on the biological, chemical, and physical processes within the sea subsurface and the sea surface microlayer. In this study, hygroscopicity data for model systems of organic compounds of marine origin mixed with NaCl are compared to data for authentic SSA samples collected in an ocean-atmosphere facility providing insights into the SSA particle growth, phase transitions and interactions with water vapor in the atmosphere. In particular, we combine single particle morphology analyses using atomic force microscopy (AFM) with hygroscopic growth measurements in order to provide important insights into particle hygroscopicity and the surface microstructure. For model systems, a range of simple and complex carbohydrates were studied including glucose, maltose, sucrose, laminarin, sodium alginate, and lipopolysaccharides. The measured hygroscopic growth was compared with predictions from the Extended-Aerosol Inorganics Model (E-AIM). It is shown here that the E-AIM model describes well the deliquescence transition and hygroscopic growth at low mass ratios but not as well for high ratios, most likely due to a high organic volume fraction. AFM imaging reveals that the equilibrium morphology of these single-component organic particles is amorphous. When NaCl is mixed with the organics, the particles adopt a core-shell morphology with a cubic NaCl core and the organics forming a shell similar to what is observed for the authentic SSA samples. The observation of such core-shell morphologies is found to be highly dependent on the salt to organic ratio and varies depending on the nature and solubility of the organic component. Additionally, single particle organic volume fraction AFM analysis of NaCl : glucose and NaCl : laminarin mixtures shows that the ratio of salt to organics in solution does not correspond exactly for individual particles - showing diversity within the ensemble of particles produced even for a simple two component system.
Perspectives of newly diagnosed advanced cancer patients receiving dignity therapy during cancer treatment

Dignity therapy is a psychosocial intervention that has been used primarily at the end of life to improve quality of life and other patient outcomes, but many individuals are unable to complete it due to health decline and death. The purpose of this study was to identify what individuals with advanced pancreatic or lung cancer with limited life expectancy, undergoing active cancer treatment describe during the dignity therapy intervention as important to them when not immediately facing end of life. Twenty patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced cancer participated in a dignity therapy intervention study. Initial interviews were analyzed using descriptive content analysis. Family provided the overall context and background for emerging themes of defining events, accomplishments, and God’s plan, which led to lessons learned, and resulted in messages of hope. Interviews were often autobiographical in nature and contained much reminiscence, consistent with dignity therapy’s intent. Few participants spoke about their cancer diagnoses during the interview. This study adds unique insight into the use of dignity therapy for those still receiving active cancer treatment, different from work by others in which it was offered only at end of life. As part of supportive care, clinicians need to validate the importance of family to those with advanced cancer and to provide opportunities for patients to share what they have learned throughout life and to impart messages of hope to those closest to them.
METABOLISM OF BENZO(A)PYRENE AND ONCOGENIC TRANSFORMATION OF C3H/10T1/2 MOUSE EMBRYO FIBROBLASTS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene and oncogenic transformation of C3H/10T1/2 mouse embryo fibroblasts. A transformable cell line was developed from C3H mouse embryos. This cell line was referred to as C3H/10T1/2 clone 8 cells. These exhibit the properties described for the mouse prostate cells, and they can be oncogenically transformed by PAH in proportion to their carcinogenic activities. In this system, there is of an endogenous retrovirus during the process of chemical transformation. As in the prostate cells, transformed clones of the C3H/10T1/2 cells exhibit individual cell-surface tumor-specific transplantation antigens, but at the same time, they also have common cell-surface embryonic antigens. The transformation of these cells by alkylating agents is cell cycle phase-specific. Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) metabolism in cells that can or cannot be transformed by these compounds will contribute critical information on the precise role that microsomal activation plays in the process of oncogenic transformation and carcinogenesis.
Stability Aspects of Flow in Open Channels

Graphical solutions for uniform open channel flow problems are developed using Manning formula; charts derived for design of rectangular, trapezoidal, and circular channels; analytical procedure for defining several types of open channel flow in which criteria for tranquil, rapid, and pulsating flows are combined in single chart.
Web-based Physician Order Entry: An Open Source Solution with Broad Physician Involvement.

Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is a disruptive technology but holds great promise for reducing medical errors, improving workflow and in the long run, producing cost-savings. However, many studies have reported significant physician resistance to implementing CPOE. In this manuscript we present a two-prong strategy for quick implementation of CPOE: 1) a web-based deployment tool using an open source, secure environment that allows rapid development and deployment of content, and 2) the development of a large set of disease specific order sets and knowledge bases based on established vocabulary standards such as LOINC and SNOMED CT by teams of multidisciplinary content experts at the departmental level. The order sets can be viewed, edited and signed through a standard browser interface. This paper presents the conceptual framework and implementation requirements for such an endeavor.
Problematizing the Problem

Our interest is in methods used by participants in a Problem-based Learning (PBL) tutorial to recognize and mark a problem in shared understanding. We investigate how this is accomplished in a distributed meeting conducted via a chat interface. Doing so poses an interactional problem for participants and the sorts of solutions that they work out is our object of study here. We observe that a shared understanding becomes problematic through what we term a problematizing move. For an utterance to serve as a problematizing move, however, it must be followed by an uptake move on the part of one or more interlocutors. We argue that the methods members employ for problematizing problems are both important elements of what it means to do PBL and visible aspects of how learning itself is accomplished as a socially-organized practice.
4D flow MRI of the aorta demonstrates age- and gender-related differences in aortic size and blood flow velocity in healthy subjects

Background Three-dimensional, time-resolved phase contrast MRI (4D flow) was applied to characterize the aortic size and 3D hemodynamics continuously along the centerline of the thoracic aorta. The aim was to investigate the impact of age and gender on the variability of normal aortic size and velocities. Methods
Establishing thresholds for metal ion levels in patients with bilateral Articular Surface Replacement hip arthroplasty.

Introduction:The primary aim of the current study was to determine whether metal ion levels could identify well- from poorly-functioning implants in patients after undergoing bilateral Articular Su...
Prevalence and Predictors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Critically Ill Medical Patients Who Underwent Diagnostic Duplex Ultrasonography.

Introduction:Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a recognized but preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the medical intensive care unit (MICU). We examined the prevalence and risk factors for D...
Unscented Transformations for Probabilistic Load Flow

Distributed energy resources (DER) systems introduce uncertainties in the electrical grid that cannot be addressed by classical deterministic methods. Power system analytic tools, such as Load Flow (LF), should be revisited to address such uncertainties and dependencies. Probabilistic Load Flow (PLF) provides a solution to this problem by handling these uncertainties as random variables, which addresses the rising need for fast and accurate sampling methods. Among the existing methods, the Unscented Transform (UT) has provided reliable and fast estimations. In this paper, three variants of PLF based on the UT method, with the effects of their weighting and scaling parameters are described, analyzed and compared in the IEEE 30 test case.
Classical Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) Symbionts, Sinorhizobium fredii USDA191 and Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110, Reveal Contrasting Symbiotic Phenotype on Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp).

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) is cultivated widely in semiarid agricultural regions in over 90 countries around the world. This important legume can enter into symbiotic associations with a wide range of rhizobia including Bradyrhizobium and fast-growing rhizobia. In comparison with other major legumes such as soybean and common bean, only limited information is available on the symbiotic interaction of pigeon pea with rhizobia. In this study, we investigated the ability of two classical soybean symbionts—S. fredii USDA191 and B. diazoefficiens USDA110—and their type 3 secretion system (T3SS) mutants, to nodulate pigeon pea. Both S. fredii USDA191 and a T3SS mutant S. fredii RCB26 formed nitrogen-fixing nodules on pigeon pea. Inoculation of pigeon pea roots with B. diazoefficiens USDA110 and B. diazoefficiens Δ136 (a T3SS mutant) resulted in the formation of Fix− and Fix+ nodules, respectively. Light and transmission electron microscopy of Fix- nodules initiated by B. diazoefficiens USDA110 revealed the complete absence of rhizobia within these nodules. In contrast, Fix+ nodules formed by B. diazoefficiens Δ136 revealed a central region that was completely filled with rhizobia. Ultrastructural investigation revealed the presence of numerous bacteroids surrounded by peribacteroid membranes in the infected cells. Analysis of nodule proteins by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that leghemoglobin was absent in B. diazoefficiens USDA110 nodules, while it was abundantly present in B. diazoefficiens Δ136 nodules. Results of competitive nodulation assays indicated that B. diazoefficiens Δ136 had greater competitiveness for nodulation on pigeon pea than did the wild type strain. Our results suggest that this T3SS mutant of B. diazoefficiens, due to its greater competitiveness and ability to form Fix+ nodules, could be exploited as a potential inoculant to boost pigeon pea productivity.
A Step-Wedge in the Biochemical Diagnosis of Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the reasons for the great global burden of disease is the poor predictive value of high blood pressure and proteinuria (traditional markers for the disease) for related adverse outcomes (1). Angiogenic biomarkers developed and studied during the past decade are widely recognized as clinically sensitive and specific biomarkers, with excellent predictive values during the third trimester that complement and improve upon clinical signs and symptoms (2). Normally produced in pregnancy, soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase (sFLT1) is a placentally produced, antiangiogenic protein that mitigates rapidly progressing placental angiogenesis driven by proangiogenic proteins—placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor—in the latter third of gestation. Preeclampsia is characterized by enhanced production of placental sFLT1, which in turn binds to PlGF, causing the free concentration of serum PlGF to fall. Increased circulating sFLT1 and decreased free PlGF antedate the onset of preeclamptic signs and symptoms, allowing for accurate and minimally invasive risk assessment of the systemic vascular damage that characterizes preeclampsia (2). Furthermore, angiogenic biomarkers can be used to differentiate preeclampsia from mimickers of disease, such as chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, and chronic kidney disease (2). Despite the opportunity for early identification of disease before the onset of signs and symptoms, funding bodies have been reluctant to invest in the head-to-head comparisons of angiogenic biomarkers vs traditional factors, leading to a …
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality- and Gaming-Based Interventions for Upper Extremity Rehabilitation Poststroke: A Meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To investigate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)- and gaming-based interventions for improving upper extremity function poststroke, and to examine demographic and treatment-related factors that may moderate treatment response. Data Sources A comprehensive search was conducted within the PubMed, CINAHL/EBSCO, SCOPUS, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for articles published between 2005 and 2019. Study Selection Articles investigating gaming and VR methods of treatment for upper extremity weakness were collected with the following study inclusion criteria: (1) participants aged 18 years or older with upper extremity deficits; (2) randomized controlled trials or prospective study design; (3) Downs-Black rating score of ≥18; and (4) outcome measure was the Wolf Motor Functioning Test, the Fugl-Meyer, or the Action Research Arm Test. Data Extraction Thirty-eight articles met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome was proportional improvement on the Wolf Motor Functioning Test, Fugl-Meyer, or Action Research Arm Test. The following individual or treatment factors were extracted: VR or gaming dose, total treatment dose, chronicity (> or Data Analysis Random effects meta-analysis models were utilized to quantify (1) the proportional recovery that occurs after VR or gaming; (2) the comparative treatment effect of VR or gaming vs conventional physiotherapy; and (3) whether the benefit of virtual reality differed based on participant characteristics or elements of the treatment. Results On average, VR or gaming interventions produced an improvement of 28.5% of the maximal possible improvement. Dose and severity of motor impairment did not significantly influence rehabilitation outcomes. Treatment gains were significantly larger overall (10.8%) when the computerized training involved a gaming component vs just visual feedback. VR or gaming interventions showed a significant treatment advantage (10.4%) over active control treatments. Conclusions Overall, VR- or gaming-based upper extremity rehabilitation poststroke appears to be more effective than conventional methods. Further in-depth study of variables affecting improvement, such as individual motor presentation, treatment dose, and the relationship between them, are needed.
Research end points for diabetes digital health

Abstract Diabetes digital health is a field that has been rapidly expanding in clinical practice with great potential to impact health-care delivery. Despite its adoption, there is limited consensus as to how best to regulate and study digital health. Given the rapid pace with which technology becomes available and changes, traditional research study design does not necessarily apply and alternative methodologies should be considered. In addition, research outcomes should expand beyond clinical efficacy with regard to glycemic control to also encompass patient-reported outcomes, including potential impact on quality of life and burden.
Safety and tolerance of androgen receptor antagonists in nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer.

e17607Background: Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is a fatal disease. Nonmetastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) often predates mCRPC. Recently, three andr...
Two components of DNA replication-dependent LexA cleavage

Induction of the SOS response, a cellular system triggered by DNA damage in bacteria, depends on DNA replication for the generation of the SOS signal, ssDNA. RecA binds to ssDNA, forming filaments that stimulate proteolytic cleavage of the LexA transcriptional repressor, allowing expression of > 40 gene products involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. Here, using a DNA replication system reconstituted in vitro in tandem with a LexA cleavage assay, we studied LexA cleavage during DNA replication of both undamaged and base-damaged templates. Only a ssDNA–RecA filament supported LexA cleavage. Surprisingly, replication of an undamaged template supported levels of LexA cleavage like that induced by a template carrying two site-specific cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. We found that two processes generate ssDNA that could support LexA cleavage. 1) During unperturbed replication, single-stranded regions formed because of stochastic uncoupling of the leading-strand DNA polymerase from the replication fork DNA helicase, and 2) on the damaged template, nascent leading-strand gaps were generated by replisome lesion skipping. The two pathways differed in that RecF stimulated LexA cleavage during replication of the damaged template, but not normal replication. RecF appears to facilitate RecA filament formation on the leading-strand ssDNA gaps generated by replisome lesion skipping.
Review of Breaking Teleprinter Ciphers at Bletchley Park by James A. Reeds, Whitfield Diffie, and J. V. Field

There seem to be many works of English literature that have survived beyond the time period in which they were written and need an annotated and edited version to make sense to the modern reader. I...
Effects of Modes on THz Wireless Channels Inside Metal Enclosures

This paper studies the effects of the geometrical parameters of the rectangular metallic enclosure on the THz wireless link. Three rectangular conducting cavities of different sizes are fabricated and tested to explore the feasibility for THz wireless link. The dimensions of the boxes are selected to represent the physical sizes of the computer desktops. Measurements show that the mode interference and hence multipath depend upon the transverse dimensions of the cavity. Furthermore, for the same excitation, it is shown that due to the large value of the fractional frequency changes the smaller cavity has less path loss variation and reduced multipath.
Is clinical expertise a conflict of interest in research

Purpose:Doctors who research and provide abortion care have had their work characterized as a conflict of interest. We investigated whether surgeons who perform medical procedures other than aborti...
The unipotent modules of $${{\mathrm {GL}}}_{n}({{\mathbb {F}}}_{q})$$GLn(Fq) via tableaux

We construct the irreducible unipotent modules of the finite general linear groups from actions on tableaux. Our approach is analogous to that of James (Bull Lond Math Soc 8:229---232, 1976) for the symmetric groups, answering an open question as to whether such a construction exists. We show that our modules are isomorphic to those previously constructed by James (Representations of general linear groups, London Mathematical Society Lecture Note Series, vol. 94. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1984. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511661921) , although the two presentations are quite different. Key to our construction are the generalized Gelfand---Graev representations of Kawanaka (Generalized Gel'fand-Graev representations and Ennola duality. In: Algebraic groups and related topics (Kyoto/Nagoya, 1983), advanced studies in pure math., vol. 6, pp. 175---206. North-Holland, Amsterdam 1985).
Competition for fluctuating resources reproduces statistics of species abundance over time across wide-ranging microbiotas

Across diverse microbiotas, species abundances vary in time with distinctive statistical behaviors that appear to generalize across hosts, but the origins and implications of these patterns remain unclear. Here, we show that many of these patterns can be quantitatively recapitulated by a simple class of resource-competition models, in which the metabolic capabilities of different species are randomly drawn from a common statistical ensemble. Our coarse-grained model parametrizes the intrinsic consumer-resource properties of a community using a small number of macroscopic parameters, including the total number of resources, typical resource fluctuations over time, and the average overlap in resource-consumption profiles across species. We elucidate how variation in these parameters affects various time series statistics, enabling macroscopic parameter estimation and comparison across wide-ranging microbiotas, including the human gut, saliva, and vagina, as well as mouse gut and rice. The successful recapitulation of time series statistics across microbiotas suggests that resource competition generally acts as a dominant driver of community dynamics. Our work unifies numerous time series patterns under one model, clarifies their origins, and provides a framework to infer macroscopic parameters of resource competition from longitudinal studies of microbial communities.
An investigation of gravity effects on laminar gas jet diffusion flames

Gravitational effects on laminar gas jet diffusion flame stability, including zero gravity environment
Food Insecurity and Cardiometabolic Conditions: a Review of Recent Research

To understand recent literature that examines associations between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors. We included original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on the topic of food insecurity and cardiometabolic risk published from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Editorials, perspectives, and case reports were excluded. After the initial search, 3 reviewers selected studies for inclusion based on relevance and methods. Ultimately, fifty studies were included. We included 35 studies of adults (20 cross-sectional observational studies, 5 longitudinal observational studies, 5 interventional studies, and 5 meta-analyses/reviews). In adults, food insecurity is associated with greater prevalence of overweight/obesity (especially for women). It is also associated with hypertension, diabetes (including worse glycemic control and more diabetes complications), coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, and chronic kidney disease. We included 15 studies of children (11 cross-sectional observational studies and 4 longitudinal observational studies). In children, findings were more nuanced, and in particular, many studies did not find an association between food insecurity and overweight/obesity. However, authors noted that these conditions may not have had time to develop. With notable exceptions, many studies were cross-sectional, and there were few interventions. There is a robust association between food insecurity and cardiometabolic conditions and risk factors in adults, but the picture is less clear in children. Overt cardiometabolic clinical conditions develop more rarely in children, but childhood experiences may set a trajectory for worse health later in life. Detailed life course epidemiologic studies are needed to better understand this relationship. Future interventions should examine how to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity, and how best to improve health for those who experience food insecurity.
Design for everyone: Apple AirPods and the mediation of accessibility

This article provides a case study of the initial release of Apple’s wireless AirPods earbuds, and the subsequent implementation of a Live Listen feature (which in effect allowed the AirPods to per...
Tamarinus nigricollis (Black-and-red tamarin)

Two specimens of this species have been studied by us, one of which was blood chimeric; other specimens have been examined by Gengozian et al. The animals were identified according to Hill; since then Hershkovitz has endeavored to further define the members of this confusing genus. Wohnus and Benirschke have compared the idiogram of this species with those of other marmosets.
Superconducting transport properties and surface microstructure for YBa2Cu3O7-δ-based superlattices grown by pulsed laser deposition

YBa2Cu3O7−δ/PrBa2Cu3O7−δ, YBa2Cu3O7−δ/Pr0.7Y0.3Ba2Cu3O7−δ, and YBa2Cu3O7−δ/Pr0.5Ca0.5Ba2Cu3O7−δ superlattice structures have been grown by pulsed laser deposition. The superconducting properties of these YBa2Cu3O7−δ-based superlattices are shown to depend on the electronic properties of the barrier layers. In particular, the superconducting transition width decreases as the hole carrier density in the barrier layers is increased, while T c(onset) does not change with barrier layer carrier density. Tc(onset) is apparently determined by the YBa2Cu3O7−δ layer thickness, while the transition width, determined by long-range phase coherence of the superconducting wave function, depends on the electronic properties of the isolating barrier layers. Using scanning tunneling microscopy, we also have investigated the surface microstructure of epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition, and find a highly terraced, granular morphology. This morphology suggests that multilayer thin film structures possess a high density of steps within the individual layers. These steps should be quite important in the transport properties of these superconducting structures.
Veterans and Suicide: A Review of Potential Increased Risk

Veterans are thought to comprise as much as 20% of all suicides (Sundararaman, Panangala, & Lister, 2008, p. 1). Studies have suggested that male Veterans are at twice the risk of suicide than comp...
TU-EF-204-11: Impact of Using Multi-Slice Training Sets On the Performance of a Channelized Hotelling Observer in a Low-Contrast Detection Task in CT

Purpose: To investigate using multiple CT image slices from a single acquisition as independent training images for a channelized Hotelling observer (CHO) model to reduce the number of repeated scans for CHO-based CT image quality assessment. Methods: We applied a previously validated CHO model to detect low contrast disk objects formed from cross-sectional images of three epoxy-resin-based rods (diameters: 3, 5, and 9 mm; length: ∼5cm). The rods were submerged in a 35x 25 cm2 iodine-doped water filled phantom, yielding-15 HU object contrast. The phantom was scanned 100 times with and without the rods present. Scan and reconstruction parameters include: 5 mm slice thickness at 0.5 mm intervals, 120 kV, 480 Quality Reference mAs, and a 128-slice scanner. The CHO’s detectability index was evaluated as a function of factors related to incorporating multi-slice image data: object misalignment along the z-axis, inter-slice pixel correlation, and number of unique slice locations. In each case, the CHO training set was fixed to 100 images. Results: Artificially shifting the object’s center position by as much as 3 pixels in any direction relative to the Gabor channel filters had insignificant impact on object detectability. An inter-slice pixel correlation of >∼0.2 yielded positive bias in the model’s performance. Incorporating multi-slice image data yielded slight negative bias in detectability with increasing number of slices, likely due to physical variations in the objects. However, inclusion of image data from up to 5 slice locations yielded detectability indices within measurement error of the single slice value. Conclusion: For the investigated model and task, incorporating image data from 5 different slice locations of at least 5 mm intervals into the CHO model yielded detectability indices within measurement error of the single slice value. Consequently, this methodology would Result in a 5-fold reduction in number of image acquisitions. This project was supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01 EB017095 and U01 EB017185 from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.