cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reply to Glenn

Glenn maintains that the approach which we employ to detect mobility effects in the presence of main effects of origin and destination is flawed for several reasons. We wish to concede at the outset that the approach is not the ideal way to study mobility. As we discussed (Brody & McRae 1987, p. 223), the ultimate solution must involve attempts to measure the concepts for which the mobility terms serve as proxies, and our employment of these models is, following Pullum (1977), primarily heuristic. At that point, though, we part company with Glenn. Glenn dismisses our identifying restrictions as either being trivial or arbitrary. Our first restriction, that the effect of slight upward mobility is equal to the effect of immobility, is not based "only on the knowledge that the effects of two adjacent categories of mobility cannot be very different," but rather is based on the side information from Blau and Duncan (1967) that mobility in this country is characterized by small upward steps. Thus, those who are slightly upwardly mobile are not likely to find themselves in unusual circumstances since many of similar origins will have moved with them. Neither those who are immobile nor those who are slightly upwardly mobile are likely to face the serious problems, or rewards, that characterize greater movement. Given this argument, it would not have made sense to constrain, for example, the effect of being upwardly mobile seven steps to be equal to the effect of being upwardly mobile six steps. Our second constraint is based on similar logic and breaks the linear dependence of mobility on origin and destination by incorporating the consideration that the effect of mobility is likely to increase as mobility increases. As Glenn notes, nonlinear mobility effects are, "the kind most often predicted by theory." Our choice of an exponential form is, in a sense, arbitrary, in that several functional forms could accomplish this goal, but exponential effects do capture the nonlinearity in a way that is consistent with previous theorizing on mobility. We hasten to add that
Raman spectroscopy and theoretical characterization of nanohybrids of porphyrins with carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) hybrids with meso-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (TMPyP4) and meso-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) have been studied by the resonance Raman spectroscopy and by ab initio and molecular dynamic calculations. A comparison of the intensities of the bands assigned in the Raman spectrum to the radial breathing mode, as well as the relative band positions corresponding to the tangential modes of the hybrids with respect to the positions of these modes in the spectrum of the pristine SWCNT, indicates that the interaction of the nanotube with TMPyP4 is stronger than with TPP. A structure calculation (by the DFT/M05-2X method) of the TMPyP4 molecule adsorbed to a fragment of the zigzag (10,0) SWCNT surface shows that porphyrin adapts a saddled structure with the binding energy to the nanotube of −72.0 kcal/mol. The interaction energy in the complex of a TPP molecule with SWCNT, whose molecular structure is similar to TMPyP4, is only −19.3 kcal/mol and TP...
Application of Nonlinear Diffusion in Seismic Image Sequences

The seismic image sequences have line-like texture features.Some cases of linear diffusion have some side effects.At present,some kinds of software use mid-value filtering,but when events have obliquity,mid-value is not suitable.The coherent enhancing diffusion is used in this paper according to the line-like texture,which is an anisotropic diffusion.It can protect and enhance the edges and texture.It can make the event concatenate and also have the very great significance for exploring the geological reserves.And,the SNR is clearer than before.
Serious Infections Other than Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Intravenous Drug Abusers

This report summarizes presentations and discussions of experts in the fields of infectious diseases and drug abuse. These experts met to: (1) identify unresolved research issues and to set directions for future studies, (2) explore the feasibility of using surveillance for infectious diseases as surrogate markers for assessing trends of intravenous drug abuse in a community, and (3) assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on the clinical course of other infectious diseases and vice versa.
How to Generate Effective Block Jacobi Preconditioners for Solving Large Sparse Linear Systems

We present a procedure for creating effective block Jacobi preconditioners for solving large sparse linear systems using Krylov subspace methods. Such preconditioners are constructed using two techniques. The first is a reordering scheme based on weighted graph partitioning which strengthens the block diagonal structure of the coefficient matrix while simultaneously accommodating load balancing on distributed memory architectures. The second technique is the factorization of the resulting diagonal blocks, or the factorization of slightly perturbed diagonal blocks to guard against possible singularity. Focusing on a set of linear systems arising in several computational fluid dynamics applications, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our enhanced block Jacobi preconditioners. Compared to a well-known sparse direct linear system solver, our parallel solver (block Jacobi preconditioned Krylov subspace method) proves to be equally robust and achieves appreciable speed improvements on a distributed memory parallel computing platform.
Minimal Change Disease

Minimal Change Disease (MDC) is the most common type of nephrotic syndrome in childhood. Currently, advancements in podocyte biology suggest that podocyte may play a pathogenic role in the development of proteinuria in this disease. In the majority of children, MCD presents a relapsing pattern that may persist to adulthood. Steroids are considered the drug of choice to control proteinuria. Recently, new therapeutic modalities including ACTH and rituximab have been tried with variable results. There is a need for multicenter, randomized, controlled studies to define the efficacy of these drugs in MCD.
Research on fusion technology based on low-light visible image and infrared image

Image fusion technology usually combines information from multiple images of the same scene into a single image so that the fused image is often more informative than any source image. Considering the characteristics of low-light visible images, this study presents an image fusion technology to improve contrast of low-light images. This study proposes an adaptive threshold-based fusion rule. Threshold is related to the brightness distribution of original images. Then, the fusion of low-frequency coefficients is determined by threshold. Pulse-coupled neural networks (PCNN)-based fusion rule is proposed for fusion of high-frequency coefficients. Firing times of PCNN reflect the amount of detail information. Thus, a high-frequency coefficient corresponding to maximum firing times is chosen as the fused coefficient. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method obtains high-contrast images and outperforms traditional fusion approaches on image quality.
Novel DNA Cross-Linking Reagents

Abstract DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs) are the sources of the cytotoxicity of many anticancer agents. DNA cross-linking agents are used as anticancer agents, for DNA damage and repair study, for nucleic acid detection, and for construction of DNA nanomaterials. This chapter summarizes various novel methods and chemical reagents recently developed for inducing DNA ICL formation, the mechanisms involved for DNA cross-linking, and their applications. It starts by presenting photoinduced DNA ICL formation via [2+2] cycloaddition reaction, quinone methide, or carbocation formation. It then discusses novel DNA cross-linking agents activated by various chemical agents, including the arylboronate or boronic acid derivatives activated by hydrogen peroxide, silyl-protected bifunctional phenol derivatives triggered by fluoride, and phenyl selenides or furan analogs activated by oxidation reagents. General mechanisms involved formation of alkylating species, including quinone methide, nitrogen mustard, methide analogs, and enal formation. Enzyme-activated DNA cross-linking agents and their application for targeting cancer cells are also explained. By the end of the chapter, DNA ICL formation induced by “click” chemistry is highlighted.
A community-based interprofessional education fall prevention project

Abstract This paper describes a grant-funded, interprofessional education (IPE) project involving occupational therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacy students who screened older adults in an assisted living/independent living community for falls. Occupational therapy students completed environmental screenings, physical therapy students completed gait and balance screenings, and pharmacy students completed medication reviews. This program was evaluated before, during, and after the experience by the students, faculty leaders, and community partner. The students completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) Questionnaire and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Quantitative and qualitative analysis were completed to determine the value of this project for interprofessional learning. The results indicated changes in perception of the students for teamwork, communication, patient care, and safety. The students also reported this activity to be realistic and applicable to their future practice. Faculty leader and community partner feedback revealed positive perspectives for the project. This program was also well-received in the community.
Factors in Variability of Serial Gabapentin Concentrations in Elderly Patients with Epilepsy.

Objectives To characterize and quantify the variability of serial gabapentin concentrations in elderly patients with epilepsy. Methods This study included 83 patients (age ≥60 years) from an 18-center, randomized, double-blind, double dummy, parallel study from the Veterans Affairs Cooperative 428 Study. All patients were taking 1500 mg/day of gabapentin. Within-person coefficient of variation (CV) in gabapentin concentrations, measured weekly to bimonthly for up to 52 weeks, then quarterly, was computed. Impact of patient characteristics on gabapentin concentrations (linear mixed model) and CV (linear regression) were estimated. Results A total of 482 gabapentin concentration measurements were available for analysis. Gabapentin concentrations and intrapatient CVs ranged from 0.5-22.6 μg/mL (mean 7.9 μg/mL, standard deviation [SD] 4.1 μg/mL) and 2%-79% (mean 27.9%, SD 15.3%), respectively, across all visits. Intrapatient CV was higher by 7.3% for those with a body mass index (BMI) of greater than or equal to30 kg/m2 (coefficient=7.3, p=0.04). CVs were on average 0.5% higher for each 1 unit higher CV in creatinine clearance (coefficient=0.5, p=0.03), and 1.2% higher for each 1-hour longer mean time after dose (coefficient=1.2, p=0.04). Conclusions Substantial intrapatient variability in serial gabapentin concentration was noted in elderly patients with epilepsy. Creatinine clearance, time of sampling relative to dose, and obesity were found to be positively associated with variability. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Abstract IA11: Interactions between the genome and immune microenvironment in head and neck cancer

Precision oncology is a term used to describe the attempt to match every cancer patient9s tumor to the right drug or treatment, generally based on molecular or genomic features. At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the implementation of a targeted next-generation sequencing panel into routine clinical care for all patients with advanced tumors has allowed us to profile over 16,000 tumors in the past few years. The goal of such an approach has primarily been to match patients with recurrent and metastatic tumors to targeted therapies under the aegis of basket studies, and secondarily, to learn more about the unique biology of advanced cancers. This presentation will review the implementation of this precision oncology approach to patients with advanced head and neck cancer, particularly focused on squamous cell (HNSCC) and salivary carcinoma. The low number of targetable alterations in most head and neck tumor histologies has allowed for a modest degree of matching with targeted therapies. The program, however, has provided unprecedented insight into unique molecular features in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. Some of the unique aspects discussed will be the genetic findings in aggressive HPV+ HNSCC and major subtypes of salivary cancer including adenoid cystic and salivary duct carcinoma. We are now entering an exciting era where we now understand that immunotherapy is highly active in HNSCC. This is largely the result of decades of basic immunologic investigation into identifying and targeting specific T cell checkpoint molecules. Phenomenal responses have been observed in patients with HNSCC, with overall response rates for heavily pretreated patients with metastatic disease in the 15-25% range. Unfortunately, many patients currently do not experience tumor responses. There is therefore a critical need to understanding patient and tumor features that may be predictive of response to immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. Immunogenomic approaches can provide insight into some of the aspects of tumor cells (such as mutation or neoantigen burden), or the tumor immune microenvironment (such as immune cell infiltration, measures of T cell activation, and expression of immunoregulatory molecules). Implementation of such approaches for HNSCC and salivary cancers in the context of a precision oncology approach to cancer care, can provide important insights to guide the next steps of clinical research. Multidimensional immunogenomic analyses can provide new insights into how the tumor genome and immune system interact with and shape one another. Citation Format: Luc G. T. Morris. Interactions between the genome and immune microenvironment in head and neck cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; April 23-25, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(23_Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
Allegories of Fanaticism

Dominant perceptions of religious fanaticism today tend to be as polemical and reductive as they were in the Reformation. Contemporary scholars share with early modern philosophers and theologians a sense of fanaticism as the incarnation of religion devoid of reason. Shaped by a long history of polemics against fanaticism, scholars disenchant or condemn the fanatic’s claim that he knows and does God’s will, or that God works through him. Yet in doing so, Lerner argues, they misread the complex ways in which religious forms interacted with and shaped the emergence of what we call modernity. This chapter interprets Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene as an engagement with religious fanaticism, demonstrating that the fanatic’s claim to divine agency regularly creates an epistemological and representational crisis in the poem—an incapacity to know and depict the true origins of sacred violence. If allegory in The Faerie Queene works by analysis, parsing motives and causes into discrete parts, religious fanaticism's claim to manifest God’s undifferentiated will threatens to obliterate the allegorical distinctions that uphold the poem’s mythopoesis of the English nation. If, in Book I, The Faerie Queene achieves a seemingly knowable allegorical representation of Redcrosse as an ‘organ’ of divine might, the poem grows more worried about its capacity to distinguish between true instruments of the divine and false prophets like the Egalitarian Giant of Book V. Representations of fanaticism in the poem suggest that allegory in its purest form may no longer be allegory and may itself become fanatical: the emptying out of a character and incarnation of divine will.
Cotton GMO Adoption and Private Profitability

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the economic benefits and costs of Bt cotton, with detailed analysis of rent creation and distribution in 1996 and 1997, by using survey data. It provides the preliminary surplus estimates for Bt cotton in 1998 and then compares the preliminary results from 1998 both to estimates from 1996, and to the estimate from the 1997 planting season presented by Falck et al . The results indicate that farmers and the innovators share almost equally rents created by adopting Bt cotton. Farmers gain 43% of total rents whereas the innovators gain 47% of total rents. The regions with low adoption such as California and Missouri lost because farmers suffered a reduction in cotton lint prices without having the benefits of the technology. Finally, it discusses some of the implications of the estimated distribution of rents on farmer and society welfare and impacts of biotechnology varieties in the US and abroad. A sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate results by reducing the yield and/or cost change assumptions by half. In the worst case scenario, where yield increases and cost reductions were reduced by 50%, farmers still were able to capture 21% of the total rents, whereas the innovators gained 74% of total rents. Farmers share almost equally with the innovators the rents created by the technology even when a monopolistic structure for the input market is assumed.
The cocoon spinning behaviour of the chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi

Abstract The cocoon of Antheraea pernyi is constructed in four successive phases, as resolved through movement recordings and time-lapse cinematography and cinefluorography: (1) scaffolding and peduncle (9·2 hr), (2) outer cocoon (13·9 hr), (3) cocoon impregnation (0·7 hr), and (4) inner cocoon (26·9 hr). The caterpillar reverses spinning direction at frequencies characteristic for each phase. The number of cycles (360-degree turns) within a phase is relatively constant from individual to individual, although the length of phase two varies seasonally. During cocoon impregnation the larva executes turns in rapid succession, ensuring the even distribution of a hindgut exudate which coats the cocoon with crystals and speeds tanning of the silk. In the second and fourth phases intracycle behaviour consists of extension-recovery loops of the anterior segments, each followed by a repositioning of the abdomen.
Generation of Linear Groups

Let G be a finite, primitive subgroup of GL(V)= GL(n, D), where V is an n-dimensional vector space over the division ring D. Assume that G is generated by “nice” transformations. The problem is then to try to determine (up to GL(V)-conjugacy) all possibilities for G. Of course, this problem is very vague. But it is a classical one, going back 150 years, and yet very much alive today. The purpose of this paper is to discuss both old and new results in this area, and in particular to indicate some of its history. Our emphasis will be on especially geometric situations, rather than on representation-theoretic ones.
Diminishing Insurance Choices In The Affordable Care Act Marketplaces: A County-Based Analysis.

While the Affordable Care Act has expanded health insurance to millions of Americans through the expansion of eligibility for Medicaid and the health insurance Marketplaces, concerns about Marketpl...
The Difference Threshold of Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Stiffness for Persons with Transtibial Amputation

Most prosthetic feet behave like springs, and their stiffness affects many important facets of amputee gait. Despite the importance of prosthesis stiffness, the ability of amputees to sense stiffness changes-that is, distinguish between more or less stiff feet-is unknown. This perceptual resolution has implications for the methodology and overall significance of selecting the optimal foot stiffness during prescription. In this experiment, we used a custom, variable-stiffness ankle prosthesis to make small adjustments to stiffness in between steps, and below-knee amputees were asked to identify whether the ankle became more or less stiff. We determined that the average difference threshold of stiffness was 8%, meaning that subjects could correctly identify an 8% change in stiffness 75% of the time. This high sensitivity underscores the importance of optimizing prosthesis stiffness on an individual basis, and suggests a shift is needed in the characterization of commercial feet and the use of stiffness variation during the prescription process.
Flocculation in flow through pipes and in-line mixers

A laboratory investigation was performed on flocculation following the addition of polymer to slurries flowing through pipes and in-line (static) mixers. Results are presented showing the effects of flow velocity, pipe length, inline mixer elements and the use of multiple addition points. Flocculation performance was measured by the settling rate and the supernatant turbidity. The effects of agitation and mixing time are shown to be generally consistent with the results of equivalent tests (both batch and continuous) conducted in stirred tanks.
Swept-frequency ultrasonic phase evaluation of adhesive bonding in tri-layer structures.

As modern aerospace and automotive designs continually strive for higher performance, and thus rely on advanced composite structures where adhesive bonding is a preferred method of joining, the need for a robust quantitative nondestructive bond strength measurement method has increased. As such, advanced nondestructive evaluation methods have been researched for increased sensitivity to weak interfacial bonding and ultimately to detect “kissing” bonds. In this work, a phase-based method for interrogating bonded joints and detecting weak adhesion is developed by using swept-frequency phase measurements of ultrasonic waves reflected from an adhesive joint and modeling adhesive interfaces as a distributed spring system. The method's sensitivity to bond strength is explored by ultrasonic phase evaluation of tri-layer joints with bond quality varied by controlling ultraviolet light exposure and extracting interfacial stiffness constants of the bonds. Mechanical tensile tests found each joint failed adhesively, allowing a linear correlation to be drawn between interfacial stiffness and tensile strength, consistent with previous theoretical research. The ultrasonic phase measurement method identifies intermediate bond strengths, rather than simply detecting good or bad bonds. This technique has the potential for the verification of bond quality in lightweight aerospace and automotive designs utilizing advanced composite structures with adhesive attachments.As modern aerospace and automotive designs continually strive for higher performance, and thus rely on advanced composite structures where adhesive bonding is a preferred method of joining, the need for a robust quantitative nondestructive bond strength measurement method has increased. As such, advanced nondestructive evaluation methods have been researched for increased sensitivity to weak interfacial bonding and ultimately to detect “kissing” bonds. In this work, a phase-based method for interrogating bonded joints and detecting weak adhesion is developed by using swept-frequency phase measurements of ultrasonic waves reflected from an adhesive joint and modeling adhesive interfaces as a distributed spring system. The method's sensitivity to bond strength is explored by ultrasonic phase evaluation of tri-layer joints with bond quality varied by controlling ultraviolet light exposure and extracting interfacial stiffness constants of the bonds. Mechanical tensile tests found each joint failed adhesively,...
Do we need race-specific resting metabolic rate prediction equations?

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is a key determinant of daily caloric needs. Respirometry, a form of indirect calorimetry (IC), is considered one of the most accurate methods to measure RMR in clinical and research settings. It is impractical to measure RMR by IC in routine clinical practice; therefore, several formulas are used to predict RMR. In this study, we sought to determine the accuracy of these formulas in determining RMR and assess additional factors that may determine RMR. We measured RMR in 114 subjects (67% female, 30% African American [AA]) using IC. Along with standard anthropometrics, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to obtain fat-free mass(FFM) and total fat mass. Measured RMR (mRMR) by respirometry was compared with predicted RMR (pRMR) generated by Mifflin–St.Joer, Cunningham, and Harris–Benedict (HB) equations. Linear regression models were used to determine factors affecting mRMR. Mean age, BMI, and mRMR of subjects were 46 ± 16 years (mean ± SD), 35 ± 10 kg/m2, and 1658 ± 391 kcal/day, respectively. After adjusting for age, gender, and anthropometrics, the two largest predictors of mRMR were race (p < 0.0001) and FFM (p < 0.0001). For every kg increase in FFM, RMR increased by 28 kcal/day (p < 0.0001). AA race was associated with 144 kcal/day (p < 0.0001) decrease in mRMR. The impact of race on mRMR was mitigated by adding in truncal FFM to the model. When using only clinically measured variables to predict mRMR, we found race, hip circumference, age, gender, and weight to be significant predictors of mRMR (p < 0.005). Mifflin–St.Joer and HB equations that use just age, gender, height, and weight overestimated kcal expenditure in AA by 138 ± 148 and 242 ± 164 (p < 0.0001), respectively. We found that formulas utilizing height, weight, gender, and age systematically overestimate mRMR and hence predict higher calorie needs among AA. The lower mRMR in AA could be related to truncal fat-free mass representing the activity of metabolically active intraabdominal organs.
Radar bandwidth optimization for interference mitigation

This chapter investigates techniques that modify radar waveforms in order to share the band with communication systems while maximizing radar performance. These techniques are based on a coexistence strategy involving a two-step approach that characterizes the electromagnetic environment via spectrum sensing and then accesses the spectrum dynamically. Spectrum sensing can detect communication systems that are attempting to access the same band as the radar. For the paradigm considered here, the frequency locations of these communication systems are estimated using energy detection. Access to the spectrum is then achieved by identifying a channel, or sub-band, devoid of activity so as to minimize radio frequency interference (RFI). This approach avoids potentially harmful RFI while simultaneously reducing the radar spectral footprint. Proper sub-band selection is key to maximizing radar performance in the presence of RFI.
Distance Traveled to a Fetal Center and Pregnancy Outcomes in Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) is the definitive treatment for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Due to variability in geographic proximity to high-volume fetal centers, many patients travel great distances to receive experienced care. We sought to determine whether distance traveled (DT) is associated with gestational age (GA) at delivery and neonatal survival. METHODS A prospective cohort study of patients within the continental United States referred to our center between September 23, 2011 and July 25, 2018 undergoing planned FLP for TTTS (n = 393; GA 20.6 ± 2.5 weeks; stage I: n = 50; stage II: n = 118; stage III: n = 208; stage IV: n = 17) was performed. The great-circle distance to our center was calculated using patients' home zip codes. DT was stratified into groups containing equal patient numbers and pregnancy outcomes assessed. RESULTS A total of 393 patients met the inclusion criteria. The threshold distance from our center was <250 miles (n = 181), 250-499 miles (n= 119), and ≥500 miles (n = 93). There was no significant difference between any of the preoperative variables among the three groups, with the exception of race and rural status. Furthermore, there was no significant association between DT and GA at delivery (p = 0.34), time interval from procedure to delivery (p = 0.37), and the number of neonatal survivors (p= 0.21). Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) at <34 weeks was highest (47.9%, p = 0.04) in the group traveling 250-499 miles. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the largest study to show that in TTTS, DT is not associated with GA at delivery, time interval from procedure to delivery, or neonatal survival. Although PPROM at <34 weeks was higher in the group traveling 250-499 miles, there was no significant difference in GA at delivery. While patients with advanced disease may choose to seek treatment based on proximity, traveling long distances does not adversely affect pregnancy outcomes.
Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors: Lack of a Complete History Delays Diagnosis

On 15 May 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that administration of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could lead to ketoacidosis in patients with diabetes mell...
Compatibility of treprostinil sodium and dopamine hydrochloride during simulated Y-site administration.

PURPOSE To evaluate the physical and chemical compatibilities of treprostinil sodium and dopamine hydrochloride. METHODS Treprostinil sodium (4,000, 76,000, and 500,000 ng/mL) were mixed with dopamine hydrochloride (0.6, 3.2, 6, and 40 mg/mL). Samples were obtained at hours 0, 1, 2, and 4 for physical compatibility and chemical stability testing. Physical compatibility was assessed by visual examination and measurements of turbidity and pH. Drug concentrations were assessed using stability-indicating liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometry (LCMS) for treprostinil sodium and stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for dopamine hydrochloride. RESULTS Treprostinil sodium 4,000 and 76,000 ng/mL, when mixed with dopamine hydrochloride 0.6, 3.2, 6, and 40 mg/mL, were stable for 4 hours. Treprostinil sodium 500,000 ng/mL was stable when mixed with dopamine hydrochloride 0.6 mg/mL for 4 hours, but when mixed with dopamine hydrochloride 3.2, 6, and 40 mg/mL, significant precipitation was seen. CONCLUSION Treprostinil sodium 4,000 and 76,000 ng/mL were stable for 4 hours during simulated Y-site coadministration with dopamine hydrochloride 0.6, 3.2, 6, and 40 mg/mL. Treprostinil sodium 500,000 ng/mL is stable when mixed with dopamine hydrochloride 0.6 mg/mL.
Th17 cell inhibition in a costimulation blockade-based regimen for vascularized composite allotransplantation using a nonhuman primate model.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) is challenged by the morbidity of immunosuppression required to prevent rejection. The use of highly specific biologics has not been well explored in VCA. Given that psoriasis is T-cell mediated, as is rejection of skin-containing VCAs, we sought to assess the role of ustekinumab and secukinumab, which are approved to treat psoriasis by inhibiting Th17 cells. We combined these agents with belatacept and steroids in a VCA nonhuman primate model. Group I consisted of belatacept and steroids, group II was belatacept, ustekinumab with steroid taper, and group III was belatacept, secukinumab with steroid taper. Three animals were transplanted in each group. In group I, the mean graft survival time until the first sign of rejection was 10 days whereas in group II and III it was 10.33 and 11 days, respectively. The immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the number of IL-17a+ cells and the intensity of IL-17a expression were significantly reduced in both dermis and hypodermis parts in groups II and III when compared to group I (P < 0.01). Ustekinumab and secukinumab led to less T-cell infiltration and IL-17a expression in the allograft but provided no benefit to belatacept and steroids in VCA survival.
Impact of socioeconomic status on psychological functioning in survivorship following breast cancer and reconstruction.

Socioeconomic status (SES) remains an important population health risk factor and impacts a patient's experience of care during breast cancer. This study explored the relationship between SES and quality of life and satisfaction in survivorship following breast cancer and reconstruction. All patients underwent breast reconstruction at a single academic center from 2013 to 2017. Patients completed the five quality of life and satisfaction domains of the BREAST-Q, a validated patient-reported outcome measure. Estimated home value using a web-based real estate website was used to approximate a patient's socioeconomic status. Correlations were evaluated using Pearson's correlation methods, where appropriate, as well as analysis of covariance. Data were stratified for comparison utilizing t tests and linear regression models. Significance was defined as P ≤ .05. Four hundred patients underwent 711 breast reconstructions during the study time period. Satisfaction with the breast (P = .038) and psychosocial well-being (P = .012) had significant positive correlations with increasing socioeconomic status. When stratifying patients' socioeconomic status into thirds, the upper third had significantly higher psychosocial well-being (P = .001), satisfaction with breasts (P = .010), and physical well-being of the chest (P = .001) than the lower third. Significance persisted even after controlling for cancer stage, treatment, complications, and baseline comorbidities. Higher socioeconomic status is associated with greater satisfaction with breast reconstruction and psychosocial well-being following breast cancer treatment. Providing added social, psychological, and emotional support networks may be beneficial long after the initial cancer treatment and reconstruction are complete. Patients of lower socioeconomic status may benefit from additional resources.
A chegada da Cultura Caubói no Acre, Brasil

O presente artigo trata de aspectos da cultura rural/urbana no Acre, desenvolvidos durante o processo recente de reocupacao da regiao, trazidos por diferentes grupos migrantes. Tomando o gado bovino, o boi, como elemento a partir do qual se tracam analises da reorganizacao da vida nesse novo local, recriando com cores proprias a chamada cultura country, com roupas, musicas, dancas, apropriada por pessoas, geralmente jovens, sem relacoes com o universo rural e, por outro lado, o cotidiano dos pequenos proprietarios rurais, marcado pela dura rotina de trabalho, poucos recursos e sofrendo as atracoes do modo de vida urbano. Nesses cenarios onde o boi vai de anima de estimacao a commodity, reconstroem-se com cores proprias, as influencias trazidas de outros pontos do pais que pautam a construcao de relacoes sociais e economicas.
One-Class Ensembles for Rare Genomic Sequences Identification

The next-generation sequencing revolution has impacted biological research by allowing the collection and analysis of very large datasets. However, despite the large availability of data, current computational methods used by biologists present some limitations in challenging domains, such as extremely imbalanced datasets characterized by almost only negative examples. In this paper, we address the problem of identifying sequences from the zebra finch (songbird) germline-restricted chromosome (GRC), which is present only in reproductive tissues and missing from all other cells. Since the germline contains the GRC in addition to other chromosomes, sequencing germline DNA must be followed by separation into GRC or non-GRC sequences. The complexity of this task depends on the limited availability of known GRC sequences. In this paper, we propose a one-class ensemble learning method to solve this problem, and we compare its performance with state-of-the-art methods for one-class classification. Our results show that the proposed method is able to identify positive sequences with high accuracy, having been trained only with negative sequences, and tuned with a limited number of positive sequences. Moreover, a biological analysis revealed that positive sequences from a verified GRC gene were ranked in the top third of all the sequences, showing that our method is successful in demarcating GRC from non-GRC sequences. Our method thus represents a valuable tool for biologists, since model predictions can allow them to focus their limited resources towards the experimental validation of a subset of higher confidence sequences.
Dendrite-free Al recycling via electrodeposition using ionic liquid electrolytes: The effects of deposition temperature and cathode surface roughness

Abstract In this paper, the electrodeposition of Al from aluminum scrap alloys (A2020) on copper cathode substrates with varied surface roughness under different deposition temperatures was studied using low-temperature AlCl3-1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (BMIC) ionic liquid electrolytes. The bulk electrodeposition of Al was carried out under a voltage of 1.5 V at a stirring rate of 120 rpm using a fixed ionic liquid electrolyte concentration (molar ratio AlCl3: BMIC = 2:1). The effects of deposition temperature (range from 80 °C to 140 °C) and surface roughness of Cu cathode substrates (polished by 320, 600, 800, 1200 grits SiC sandpapers and mirror polishing process) on the morphology of deposited Al, current density, current efficiency and energy consumption, were investigated. The Al deposits were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), profilometer, and electrochemical measurements for current density, current efficiency, and energy consumption. It is demonstrated that the deposition temperature and surface roughness of Cu electrodes play a critical role in the nucleation and growth of Al deposits. Higher deposition temperature promotes the diffusion and/or migration of Al2Cl7− ions and then enhances the current density and efficiency during the electrodeposition of Al. Smoother surface of Cu electrodes is preferred for the formation of dendrite-free Al deposits. Typically, on the mirror polished Cu electrode, no Al dendrite structure was observed, and only plate-like Al deposits were formed at the deposition temperature of 100 °C. Pure metallic Al was successfully deposited on Cu electrodes in AlCl3+BMIC ionic liquid electrolytes for all experiments with a current efficiency range from 72% to 99% and energy consumption of 4.6–6.3 kW h/kg Al.
Close Binary Interactions of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes: Possible Ultra-Luminous X-ray Sources?

While many observed ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs, Lx > 10^39 erg s^-1) could be extragalactic X-ray binaries (XRBs) emitting close to the Eddington limit, the highest-luminosity ULXs (Lx > 3x10^39 erg s^-1) exceed the isotropic Eddington luminosity for even high-stellar-mass accreting black hole XRBs. It has been suggested that these highest-luminosity ULXs may contain accreting intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) binaries. We consider this hypothesis for dense, young (about 100 Myr) stellar clusters where we assume that a 50-500 solar mass central IMBH has formed through runaway growth of a massive star. Using numerical simulations of the dynamics and evolution of the central black hole's captured companions, we obtain estimates of the incidence of mass transfer phases and possible ULX activity throughout the IMBH's evolutionary history. We find that, although it is common for the central black hole to acquire binary companions, there is a very low probability that these interacting binaries will become observable ULX sources.
A New look at old pathogens

Control measures aimed at reducing the spread of and reservoir of mastitis infection are discussed. Special characteristics, diagnosis and control of Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus are outlined, and the influence of Se and, possibly, vitamin E, upon resistance to mastitis is considered. Mastitis infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycoplasma are briefly described; these forms of mastitis rarely respond to antibiotics therapy.
Highly sensitive spin-flop transition in antiferromagnetic van der Waals material M P S 3 ( M = Ni and Mn)

Recent developments in two-dimensional (2D) magnetism have motivated the search for van der Waals (vdW) magnetic materials to explore magnetic phenomena in the 2D limit. Metal thiophosphates, $M\mathrm{P}{X}_{3}$, are a class of magnetic vdW materials with antiferromagnetic ordering persisting down to the atomically thin limit. The magnetism in this material family has been found to be highly dependent on the choice of transition metal $M$. In this work, we have synthesized the intermediate compounds ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\text{\ensuremath{-}}x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ ($0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1$) and investigated their magnetic properties. Our study reveals that the variation of Ni and Mn content in ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{1\text{\ensuremath{-}}x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}\mathrm{P}{\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ can efficiently tune the spin-flop transition, likely due to the modulation of the magnetic anisotropy. Such effective tuning offers a promising candidate to engineer 2D magnetism for future device applications.
Genetically engineered mice for combinatorial cardiovascular optobiology

Optogenetic effectors and sensors provide a novel real-time window into complex physiological processes, enabling determination of molecular signaling processes within functioning cellular networks. However, the combination of these optical tools in mice is made practical by construction of genetic lines that are optically compatible and genetically tractable. We present a new toolbox of 21 mouse lines with lineage-specific expression of optogenetic effectors and sensors for direct biallelic combination, avoiding the multiallelic requirement of Cre recombinase -mediated DNA recombination, focusing on models relevant for cardiovascular biology. Optogenetic effectors (11 lines) or Ca2+ sensors (10 lines) were selectively expressed in cardiac pacemaker cells, cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, alveolar epithelial cells, lymphocytes, glia, and other cell types. Optogenetic effector and sensor function was demonstrated in numerous tissues. Arterial/arteriolar tone was modulated by optical activation of the second messengers InsP3 (optoα1AR) and cAMP (optos2AR), or Ca2+-permeant membrane channels (CatCh2) in smooth muscle (Acta2) and endothelium (Cdh5). Cardiac activation was separately controlled through activation of nodal/conducting cells or cardiac myocytes. We demonstrate combined effector and sensor function in biallelic mouse crosses: optical cardiac pacing and simultaneous cardiomyocyte Ca2+ imaging in Hcn4BAC-CatCh2/Myh6-GCaMP8 crosses. These experiments highlight the potential of these mice to explore cellular signaling in vivo, in complex tissue networks.
Involvement of pSYM Nodulation Genes in Production of Surface and Extracellular Components of Rhizobium trifolii Which Interact With White Clover Root Hairs

We are studying surface and extracellular molecules of Rhizobium trifolii which interact with white clover root hairs as a model of cell-cell communication in plant-bacterial interactions. To determine whether production of these components requires functional nodulation genes, we have examined a collection of mutant and recombinant strains of wild type R. trifolii 843. These have alterations in genes encoding 5 contiguous “nodulation regions” on a 14 kb HindIII fragment of pSym from the wild type strain. These strains were provided by Barry G. Rolfe, ANU, Canberra, Australia, and include: a heat-cured pSym-minus strain, mutants with a single Tn5 insertion in nodA, nodB, nodC, nodD, nodE, nodF, nodI, nodJ, or nodulation region IV; a deletion in nodulation region V, and recombinants of the pSym-minus strain containing all of the nod genes on the 14 kb HindIII fragment, nodABCDF only, or nodABCDIJ only (1). Using a variety of microscopic and biochemical techniques, we have found that some of these nod genes on the symbiotic plasmid are required for wild type expression of certain surface and extracellular components which interact with the white clover root hair.
A Model of Cerebellar Saccadic Motor Learning Using Qualitative Reasoning

We present a novel approach to modeling neural behavior using a “qualitative reasoning” algorithm. The Qualitative Reasoning Neuron (QRN) is capable of qualitatively reproducing single neuron behavior, but is computationally simple enough to use in large scale neural networks without loss of critical details. QRN simulations of a single Purkinje cell (∼1600 compartments) show significant speedup over a recent GENESIS model. A large scale model of the cerebellar cortex (256 neurons, ∼300,000 compartments) is used to simulate a saccadic eye movement task. The model reproduces in vivo Purkinje cell bursting patterns during saccades. We simulate rapid and gradual adaptation paradigms and show that error correction is possible when climbing fiber input is periodic and contains no error signal.
Technology Education as a Component of Fundamental Education: A National Perspective

Technology education is a bright new hope in curriculum reform. It provides school children with important content and contextual information about technology while using successful teaching methods which emphasize integrated, holistic, multi-disciplinary, multi-sensory, hands-on learning. While the extension of this curriculum to more schools and students is desirable, like previous curricular reforms it will have little impact on student achievement if structural reforms to improve the productivity of the educational system are not implemented as well. Such structural reforms include the development of accountability systems with performance standards, school-based management, more choice of schools and providers of curricula within schools, alternative credentialing of teachers, using technology to increase productivity, longer and more flexible school days, more performance-based (as opposed to attendance-based) funding, and deregulation in exchange for improved performance. Federal resources should be used to effect both structural and curriculum change, since the implementation of curriculum change is unlikely to have much impact without eliminating structural barriers in the educational system that impede change.
Infrastructure. The key to total communications

Discusses the role of the DSP processor within the total communications infrastructure. The transfer of data is considered and the author goes on to discuss the components of a communications system with the user interface. The MPC860 microcontroller is mentioned together with its communications processor component.
Use of a Climate-Controlled Chamber to Investigate the Fate of Gas-Phase Anthracene

Air-surface exchange of semivolatile organic compounds (SOC) isan important factor controlling the gas-phase concentrations ofthese compounds. In this study, the uptake of gas-phaseanthracene, an SOC, by the leaves of Ficus benjamina wasexamined in a large (30 m3) environmentally-controlledchamber. To investigate the effect of climate on air/leafexchange, the air flow-rate, temperature, and relative humidityin the chamber was controlled and continually monitored. Thelarge size of the chamber provides an opportunity to studygas/plant exchange at ambient gas-phase concentrations underrealistic meteorological conditions. Here we describe the resultsof several experiments performed to examine the effect of light,temperature, and relative humidity on the uptake of anthracene byFicus benjamina. Six to eight plants were placed in thechamber and gas-phase anthracene was injected at a constant flow- rate into the chamber. The lights were turned on and off oncedaily and air samples were collected regularly. Although thecycle is not predictable, results of three week-long experimentsindicate that gas-phase anthracene concentrations in the Ficus-populated chamber vary with light period. Stomatal andcuticular uptake are responsible likely for the varying concentrations.