cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A molecular dynamics approach to identify an oxysterol-based hedgehog pathway inhibitor.

Abstract Background Multiple oxysterols (OHCs) have demonstrated the ability to act as agonists or antagonists of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, a developmental signaling pathway that has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target in a variety of human diseases. These OHCs are known to modulate Hh signaling through direct binding interactions with the N-terminal cysteine rich domain (CRD) of Smoothened, a key regulator of Hh signal transduction. Methods Homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and MM/GBSA energy calculations were utilized to explore binding interactions between the OHC scaffold and the human Smoothened CRD. Follow-up cellular assays explored the in vitro activity of potential Hh pathway modulators. Results Structural features that govern key molecular interactions between the Smoothened CRD and the OHC scaffold were identified. Orientation of the iso-octyl side chain as well as the overall entropy of the OHC-CRD complex are important for determining activity against the Hh pathway. OHC 9, which was previously thought to be inactive because it was not an Hh agonist, was identified as an inhibitor of Hh signal transmission. Conclusions Calculated MM/GBSA binding energies for OHCs in complex with the CRD of Smoothened correlate well with in vitro Hh modulatory activity. Compounds with high affinity stabilize Smoothened and are antagonists, whereas compounds with reduced affinity allow a conformational change in Smoothened that results in pathway activation. General significance Computational modeling and molecular dynamics simulations can be used to predict whether a small molecule that binds the Smoothened CRD will be an agonist or antagonist of the pathway.
The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera on the Deep Space Climate Observatory

The Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera takes images of the Earth in 10 ultraviolet and visible channels. This paper gives an overview of the optical design, calibrations performed, and corrections applied to obtain corrected count rates.
The Star Clustering Algorithm for Information Organization

We present the star clustering algorithm for static and dynamic information organization. The offline star algorithm can be used for clustering static information systems, and the online star algorithm can be used for clustering dynamic information systems. These algorithms organize a data collection into a number of clusters that are naturally induced by the collection via a computationally efficient cover by dense subgraphs. We further show a lower bound on the accuracy of the clusters produced by these algorithms as well as demonstrate that these algorithms are computationally efficient. Finally, we discuss a number of applications of the star clustering algorithm and provide results from a number of experiments with the Text Retrieval Conference data.
Preparing culturally safe student nurses: An analysis of undergraduate cultural diversity course reflections

Abstract This descriptive, qualitative study was conducted to gain insight into how pre-clinical nursing students' worldviews about people different from themselves are formed, changed, and expanded. 90 mid-term and 87 end- of-term reflection papers in a cultural diversity course were analyzed. Krathwohl's taxonomy of learning guided the evaluation of students' development. Our findings showed that the course content supported most students' in their affective development. It was also evident that students' perspectives, which were influenced by past experiences, changed as the course progressed. However, while a positive change in perspective towards providing culturally safe care was evident, this was not the case for all students. Our findings have implications for informing the development of undergraduate nursing courses that prepare future nurses for their professional role in providing culturally safe care.
Water Stress from High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Potentially Threatens Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Arkansas, United States.

Demand for high-volume, short duration water withdrawals could create water stress to aquatic organisms in Fayetteville Shale streams sourced for hydraulic fracturing fluids. We estimated potential water stress using permitted water withdrawal volumes and actual water withdrawals compared to monthly median, low, and high streamflows. Risk for biological stress was considered at 20% of long-term median and 10% of high- and low-flow thresholds. Future well build-out projections estimated potential for continued stress. Most water was permitted from small, free-flowing streams and “frack” ponds (dammed streams). Permitted 12-h pumping volumes exceeded median streamflow at 50% of withdrawal sites in June, when flows were low. Daily water usage, from operator disclosures, compared to median streamflow showed possible water stress in 7–51% of catchments from June–November, respectively. If 100% of produced water was recycled, per-well water use declined by 25%, reducing threshold exceedance by 10%. Future water...
Pre-tRNA and Pre-rRNA Processing in Bacteria

Transfer (tRNA) and ribosomal RNA (rRNA), key components for protein synthesis, comprise over 95% of total RNA (tRNA) in exponentially growing bacterial cells. tRNA and rRNA species are transcribed as precursors containing extra sequences at the 5′- and 3′ -termini, which are removed posttranscriptionally by ribonucleolytic activities. Bacteria genomes seem to encode different selections of ribonucleases for RNA processing. Processing pathways are determined by the availability and specificity of the enzymes and the sequence and structural features of the RNA precursors. Processing of complex precursors is usually initiated by endonucleolytic cleavages, followed by endo- or exonucleolytic reactions in the later maturation steps.
On The τT-Product of Symmetric and Subsymmetric Distribution Functions

Let F be a non-defective distribution function (d.f.) and let \(\bar F\) be the d.f. defined by \(\bar F\,(x)\, = \,1\,\, - \,\,\ell ^ + F\,( - x)\) Then F is symmetric if \(F \le \bar F\); and we say that F is subsymmetric if \(F \le \bar F\). If T is a continuous t-norm and τT is the induced triangle function, then for any non-defective d.f.’s F and G we have \(\tau _T (\bar F,\bar G) \le \overline {\tau _T (F,G)}\). It follows that if F and G are subsymmetric then \(\tau \,_T \,(F,\,G)\,\) is subsymmetric. However, \(\tau \,_T \,(F,\,G)\,\) is symmetric for all symmetric F and G only if T = Min.
Interpretation of Triaxial Compression Test Results on Partially Saturated Soils

A laboratory investigation was conducted to assess the influence of density on the shear strength of unsaturated soil. To vary density, compacted specimens of an expansive clay soil were subjected to different stress histories prior to shear. Tests were performed at a constant water content. The Hvorslev "true friction-true cohesion" concept was used to normalize the effects of density differences on the shear strengths of both saturated and unsaturated specimens. It was determined that shear strengths of unsaturated soils were dependent on the stress state, density, and water content of specimens at failure. A modified Mohr-Coulomb failure model to predict the shear strength of unsaturated soils is proposed. The effect of suction is to increase the value of the cohesion intercept in this model. The actual measurement of soil suction is not required to apply the model.
Introduction: What Is Islamic About Slavery in the Islamic World?

Scholars of slavery in the Islamic world of the Middle East and North Africa arrived as late-comers to the field of slavery studies and have, therefore, inherited a large body of research with various approaches to the subject that have informed the study of slavery in the Islamic world. One of the goals for this collection is to determine where slavery in the Islamic world fits within the global history of slavery and the various models that have been developed to analyze it. To that end, the proposed volume will also focus on a question about Islamic slavery that has frequently been asked but not answered satisfactorily, namely, what is Islamic about slavery in the Islamic world. Another goal is to contribute to the scholarly research on slavery in the Islamic lands, which continues to be understudied and under-represented in global slavery studies.
Against the Overgrowth Hypothesis: Shorter Costal Cartilage Lengths in Pectus Excavatum.

Abstract Background Pectus excavatum is a common chest wall deformity with no known cause. A common hypothesis is that in patients with pectus excavatum, there is an overgrowth of costal cartilage relative to healthy individuals. Materials and methods We obtained radiological curvilinear three-dimensional measurements of the fourth to eighth costal cartilage and associated ribs in 16 patients with pectus excavatum and 16 age- and gender-matched controls between the ages of 6 and 32 y. An analysis of variance was used to compare bone length, cartilage length, and their ratios between patients and controls. Results Relative to bone length, patients with pectus excavatum overall had shorter costal cartilage lengths (P Conclusions This is the first study to empirically test the overgrowth hypothesis of pectus excavatum for ribs 4 through 8. Although we and others have found no evidence to support this hypothesis, we surprisingly found the alternate hypothesis to be true: patients with pectus excavatum tend to have shorter costal cartilages. Future studies should expand on these results with larger sample sizes and consider volumetric measurements longitudinally during thoracic development.
Impact of Middle Turbinectomy on Airflow to the Olfactory Cleft: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

BackgroundThe impact of middle turbinate resection (MTR) on olfaction remains a point of debate in the current literature. Few studies have objectively evaluated olfactory cleft airflow following M...
Year in review 2012: Critical Care - respiratory infections

Over the last two decades, considerable progress has been made in the understanding of disease mechanisms and infection control strategies related to infections, particularly pneumonia, in critically ill patients. Patient-centered and preventative strategies assume paramount importance in this era of limited health-care resources, in which effective targeted therapy is required to achieve the best outcomes. Risk stratification using severity scores and inflammatory biomarkers is a promising strategy for identifying sick patients early during their hospital stay. The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is becoming a major hurdle in intensive care units. Cooperation, education, and interaction between multiple disciplines in the intensive care unit are required to limit the spread of resistant pathogens and to improve care. In this review, we summarize findings from major publications over the last year in the field of respiratory infections in critically ill patients, putting an emphasis on a newer understanding of pathogenesis, use of biomarkers, and antibiotic stewardship and examining new treatment options and preventive strategies.
Patient Develops Anastomotic Stricture After Low Anastomosis with Diverting Ileostomy

Rectal anastomosis should be endoscopically examined prior to reversing the protective stoma. Serial dilation can be performed safely for a narrow web or a stricture. If the lumen is not visualized, transillumination proximally to the anastomosis using a flexible endoscope can allow the surgeon to identify the lumen.
“Opening the door”: developing and pilot testing an adult protective services worker engagement training in New York city

About 10% of Americans over the age of 60 experience elder abuse (EA), but EA is frequently under detected. As the primary responders for alleged EA cases, Adult Protective Service (APS) caseworkers are ideally positioned to improve detection and intervention. The Opening the Door (OTD) training was developed in a multidisciplinary setting and designed in collaboration with APS workers to enhance their engagement skills in potential EA cases and thus maximize the possibility of disclosure. Rooted in a relational approach and utilizing adult learning theory, it is divided into three main topics: Preparing for Engagement, Engagement Practice, and Processing Engagement. The eight-hour training was piloted with three groups of urban APS caseworkers with a wide range of work experience. Pre- and post-tests and case reflections indicate a positive impact on caseworkers' sense of self-efficacy, while focus groups indicate the necessity for ongoing provision of trainings and development of additional supports for APS caseworkers. Future work could further explore the efficacy of the training and expand its reach.
Estresse de aculturação e carga alostática entre mulheres imigrantes mexicanas

Objetivos este estudo de caso-controle comparou os niveis de estresse e carga alostatica (CA) entre mulheres mexicanas nos EUA ( n = 19) e no Mexico ( n = 40). Metodo medidas de estresse incluiram a Escala de Estresse Percebido (EEP) e a Escala de Estresse Social das Mulheres Hispânicas (EESMH). Uma medida composta por 8 indicadores de CA (pressao arterial sistolica e diastolica, indice de massa corporal (IMC), relacao cintura-quadril, colesterol total, hemoglobina glicada (hemoglobina A1C), triglicerideos e proteina C-reativa) foi calculada. Resultados nao houve diferencas significativas entre os grupos na CA entre mulheres mexicanas imigrantes e nao imigrantes ( t = 1,55, p = 0,126). Uma analise fatorial de componentes principais foi realizada nos 8 indicadores de CA; uma solucao de 2 fatores explicou 57% da variância. As diferencas entre grupo nos dois fatores CA foram analisadas usando MANOVA. O IMC e a relacao cintura-quadril foram menores, mas a pressao arterial e os triglicerideos foram maiores no grupo dos EUA e foram mediados pelo tempo nos EUA. O maior estresse de aculturacao foi significativamente relacionado ao aumento da relacao cintura-quadril ( r = 0,57, p = 0,02). Consideracoes finais os resultados sugerem que algumas medidas de CA aumentam com o tempo nos EUA e o estresse de aculturacao pode ser um fator significativo.
The habitat and nesting biology of the african honey bee Apis mellifera scutellata in the Okavango river Delta, Botswana, Africa

The habitat and nesting biology were studied for naturally occurring colonies of the African honey bee,Apis mellifera scutellata, in the Okavango River Delta, Botswana. Vegetational surveys revealed that the forage available to Delta colonies was abundant and potentially available year round. Colonies had a density of 7.8 nests/km2. Nest cavities occurred with equal frequency in trees and termite mounds, had a volume of approximately 17 L, were unpropolized, and had south-facing, top-located entrances. Delta colonies were small (ca. 6,500 workers), constructed small amounts of comb (ca. 3,000 cm2), stored little food, devoted 78% of comb space to brood production, exhibited little nest defense, and experienced a 48% predation rate during the 5 month study period. The characteristics observed forscutellata in this study are discussed as adaptations to the hot climate, long foraging season, and high predation rate experienced in the Delta. Data for the Delta colonies are compared to those forscutellata in other tropical areas, and to honey bees in temperate climate regions.
Symbolic Conversations in Public Landscapes of the American South: Revisiting the Confederate Legacy

Especially in the South, the legacy of the American Civil War (1861–1865) remains entrenched in social conflict. To honor Confederate war dead, hundreds of monuments were erected in the South during the Jim Crow era, an overtly racist period beginning a generation after the war ended, up to the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964. This essay examines three prominent public Confederate monuments in the state of North Carolina—located in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Bitter controversies over the fate of Confederate monuments in public landscapes have pitted coalitions of Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists against leftist anti-racist counter-protesters. Some argue that monuments are “neutral” historical markers that honor those who died for their beliefs; others argue that they encode and empower intolerable racist ideology. Should such divisive “objects of remembrance” be allowed to remain in public places? This essay explores the responsibilities of designers who purport to represent a broad and increasingly diverse constituency and the function of public memorials for constructing narratives and counter-narratives.
When Collaboration Is Risky Business: The Influence of Collaboration Risks on Formal and Informal Collaboration:

In the last two decades, local governments have increasingly engaged in energy conservation and sustainability programs and policy. However, the benefits of these policies (i.e., cleaner air, less ...
Lp-PLA2 and dual antiplatelet agents in intracranial arterial stenosis.

Objective To evaluate the interaction effect of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity on the efficacy and safety of dual/single antiplatelet therapy in patients with and without intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) by the Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events trial. Methods Patients with both MRI analysis and Lp-PLA2 testing results were included in the current subanalysis. The interaction of Lp-PLA2 activity with the effects of dual and single antiplatelet therapy were analyzed through Cox proportional hazards regressions model. Results Among the 797 patients, the mean age was 63.1 ± 10.8 years, 518 (65%) were men, 356 (44.7%) had ICAS, and 441 (55.3%) did not. There were significantly more patients with elevated Lp-PLA2 activity in the ICAS group than in the non-ICAS group (43.8% vs 35.4%, p = 0.02). There was significant interaction between Lp-PLA2 activity levels and the 2 antiplatelet therapies for prevention of stroke recurrences and combined vascular events even after adjustment for confounding factors exclusively for patients with ICAS (p = 0.017, 0.017, respectively), but not for those without (p = 0.332, 0.674, respectively). Compared with aspirin alone, dual antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced the risk of stroke recurrences and combined vascular events (adjusted hazard ratio 0.33 [0.12–0.89], p = 0.028; 0.33 [0.12–0.89], p = 0.028, respectively) for patients with ICAS and nonelevated Lp-PLA2 activity. Conclusions Presence of both ICAS and nonelevated Lp-PLA2 activity may predict better response to dual antiplatelet therapy in prevention of recurrent strokes and combined vascular events for patients with minor stroke or high-risk TIA. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00979589.
Machine Learning Accelerated Transform Search For AV1

AV1 is the state-of-the-art open and royalty-free video compression format that achieves significant bitrate savings over previous generation of video codecs. One of AV1’s major improvement over its predecessor VP9 is the support of more diverse and flexible transform size and kernel selection. However, it also drastically increases the search space for transform unit rate-distortion optimization in AV1 encoders. Unlike conventional encoder speed features that are based on heuristics, we propose a machine learning (ML) based approach to accelerate the transform size and kernel search for AV1. The ML models use input features extracted from the prediction residue block such as standard deviation, correlation and energy distribution. The output of the models indicates the estimated likelihood of which transform size and kernel would be selected as the optimal choice. Based on the ML models, the encoder can prune out the transform size and kernel candidates that are unlikely to be selected and save unnecessary computation to compute their rate-distortion cost. The proposed approach is implemented and tested on the AV1 reference library libaom. The experimental results show that satisfactory encoding speed improvement can be achieved with extremely low compression performance loss. The framework and methodology can also be easily migrated to other video codecs and implementations.
Pre-LVAD CT-Derived Measures of RV Size and Function May Be Strong Identifiers of Right Ventricular Failure

Author(s): Scott, A; Kim, P; Adler, E; Kligerman, S; Tran, H; Pretorius, V; Contijoch, F | Abstract: PURPOSE:LVADs are a commonly used treatment for patients with end stage heart failure, though these patients are at a high risk of right ventricular failure (RVF) after implantation. ECG-gated, contrast enhanced functional CT provides quantitative volumetric and functional measures that may prove more useful in predicting RVF than traditional measures. METHODS:Since September 2017, ECG-gated CT scans of the heart were acquired on a Revolution Scanner (GE Healthcare) as part of a work-up in heart failure patients with GFR g 40. For this study, we included patients who received a functional CT scan and went on to receive an LVAD. RVF classification and severity was assessed within 6 months of the implant as per INTERMACs criteria for LVAD patients. Prognostic values for previously published risk scores and common predictors were compared to RV size and function. Area Under the curve (AUC) values, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were used to compare CT RV EDVI and RVEF to CVP, Creatinine, PAPI, Michigan Score, and CRITT score. RESULTS:Of the 62 scanned, 12 received LVADs. Post implantation, 7 patients had RVF (5 moderate, 2 severe). Patients were evaluated for their RV EDVI (131 ± 34 mL/m2), RVEF (30 ± 13%), CVP (9 ± 4 mmHg), Creatinine (1.17 ± 0.25 mg/dL), PAPI (2.74 ± 1.91), Michigan Score (2 ± 2), and CRITT score (0.5 ± 0.7). RV EDVI, RVEF, and PAPI were the strongest predictors (AUC = 0.75, 0.725, 0.714 respectively), with ideal cutoff of 144 ml/m2 for RVEDVI, 27% for RVEF, and 1.88 for PAPI. Creatinine was less predictive (AUC = 0.7), and the Michigan Score, CRITT score, and CVP were not predictive(AUC = 0.575, 0.5, 0.5). CONCLUSION:For this small cohort, functional CT derived parameters had high AUC in predicting RVF in LVAD patients, and may prove useful in future risk assessment.
Image-guided core needle biopsy for relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma: A focus on sample adequacy for genetic sequencing.

e22521Background: Relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma (NBL) is a prime target for novel therapies targeting specific mutations. The genomic landscape of NBL can change between time of initial dia...
Gratification Disorder as an Early Marker of Rett Syndrome: Two Pediatric Case Reports

Gratification disorder (GD) is a form of stereotyped posturing with mechanical pressure applied to the genitalia without manual manipulation and is generally considered benign. Here, we describe two patients who exhibited GD. Both were later diagnosed with Rett syndrome via genetic sequencing. In both patients, GD preceded the onset of the hallmark hand stereotypies of Rett syndrome. We therefore conclude that GD is not as benign as previously assumed and in fact can be an early sign of Rett syndrome. Further studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of GD in Rett girls with the MECP2 genotype.
Maternal working memory, emotion regulation, and responsivity to infant distress

Abstract Maternal responsivity is important to caregiving, reflecting a mother's capacity to initiate prompt behavioural responses to infant's cues, supporting the infant's own regulatory development. There is limited research examining cognitive and affective processes, including working memory and emotion regulation, in the context of maternal responsivity to infant distress. Therefore, we examined associations between working memory, emotion regulation, and behavioural responsivity to simulated infant distress in 61 mothers. Tests of direct and indirect effects showed (1) greater working memory capacity predicted increased engagement in cognitive reappraisal; (2) increased engagement in cognitive reappraisal predicted longer latency to pick-up a distressed infant simulator; and (3) greater working memory capacity indirectly, through increased engagement in cognitive reappraisal, predicted longer latency to infant distress. These findings indicate the importance of jointly considering maternal working memory and emotion regulation to understand their potential role in the assessment of, and behavioural response to, infant distress cues.
Afterword: The work of culture, heritage, and musealized spaces in “unprecedented times”

Writing at the midpoint of 2020, it has become cliche to say we are living in unprecedented times as the world copes with a confluence of events and challenges near cataclysmic proportions—the COVID-19 pandemic, civic unrest, social and political upheavals, and disrupted economies In these times, what should be the work of culture, heritage, and musealized spaces and those that study them? I reflect on the articles in the special section, which stand as examples of engaged research and scholarship that seek to make visible troubled histories and presents, and to amplify voices that have for too long been silenced or ignored Such visibility work surfaces what does and does not have precedent, what has and has not changed, and what is truly different and revolutionary The articles draws on historical, comparative, and global perspectives to enrich knowledge gained from firsthand observation and engagement with local communities Using Donna Haraway’s concept of “tentacular thinking,” I argue that we need not only to shed light on difficult chapters in our histories, but also to offer tools for understanding, guidance, and thoughtful actions in the present © The Author(s)
Localized high concentration electrolytes decomposition under electron-rich environments

Localized high concentration electrolytes have been proposed as an effective route to construct stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers near Li-metal anodes. However, there is still a limited understanding of the decomposition mechanisms of electrolyte components during SEI formation. In this work, we investigate reactivities of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI, salt), 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME, solvent), and tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)orthoformate (TFEO, diluent) species in DME + TFEO mixed solvents and 1M LiFSI/DME/TFEO solutions. By supplying an excess of electrons into the simulation cell, LiFSI is initially reduced via a four-electron charge transfer reaction yielding F− and N(SO2)23−. The local solvation environment has little effect on the subsequent TFEO reaction, which typically requires 6 |e| to decompose into F−, HCOO−, CH2CF−, and −OCH2CF3. Besides, the TFEO dehydrogenation reaction mechanism under an attack of anions is also identified. Unlike salt and diluent, DME shows good stability with any excess of electrons. The energetics of most relevant reactions are characterized. Most reactions are thermodynamically favorable with low activation barriers.
Host-Directed Therapies for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis exhibits a wide spectrum of clinical presentations from self-resolving infections to severe chronic disease. Anti-parasitic drugs are often ineffective in the most severe forms of the disease, and in some cases the magnitude of the disease can result from an uncontrolled inflammatory response rather than unrestrained parasite replication. In these patients, host-directed therapies offer a novel approach to improve clinical outcome. Importantly, there are many anti-inflammatory drugs with known safety and efficacy profiles that are currently used for other inflammatory diseases and are readily available to be used for leishmaniasis. However, since leishmaniasis consists of a wide range of clinical entities, mediated by a diverse group of leishmanial species, host-directed therapies will need to be tailored for specific types of leishmaniasis. However, there is now substantial evidence that host-directed therapies are likely to be beneficial beyond autoimmune diseases and cancer and thus should be an important component in the armamentarium to modulate the severity of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In moderately severe CAP stable after 3 d of β-lactam, stopping therapy was noninferior to 5 additional d.

SOURCE CITATION Dinh A, Ropers J, Duran C, et al. Discontinuing β-lactam treatment after 3 days for patients with community-acquired pneumonia in non-critical care wards (PTC): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Lancet. 2021;397:1195-1203. 33773631.
Impacts of COVID-19 social distancing policies on water demand: A population dynamics perspective

Abstract Social distancing policies (SDPs) implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to temporal and spatial shifts in water demand across cities. Water utilities need to understand these demand shifts to respond to potential operational and water-quality issues. Aided by a fixed-effects model of citywide water demand in Austin, Texas, we explore the impacts of various SDPs (e.g., time after the stay home-work safe order, reopening phases) using daily demand data gathered between 2013 and 2020. Our approach uses socio-technical determinants (e.g., climate, water conservation policy) with SDPs to model water demand, while accounting for spatial and temporal effects (e.g., geographic variations, weekday patterns). Results indicate shifts in behavior of residential and nonresidential demands that offset the change at the system scale, demonstrating a spatial redistribution of water demand after the stay home-work safe order. Our results show that some phases of Texas's reopening phases had statistically significant relationships to water demand. While this yielded only marginal net effects on overall demand, it underscores behavioral changes in demand at sub-system spatial scales. Our discussions shed light on SDPs' impacts on water demand. Equipped with our empirical findings, utilities can respond to potential vulnerabilities in their systems, such as water-quality problems that may be related to changes in water pressure in response to demand variations.
Clinical Trials in Advanced Unresectable Head and Neck Cancer

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the clinical trials of definitive, not palliative, treatment for patients with advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer. The chapter focuses on squamous cell cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx where surgery was felt to be a poor therapeutic choice based on the disease extent. Clinical trials for these patients have focused on either altered radiation therapy fractionation schedules or combinations of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. While many phase II, single-arm clinical experiences have been reported, the heterogeneity of patients studied precludes anything but a feasibility or toxicity analysis of this work. Meaningful conclusions can only be drawn from randomized phase III trials. Efforts to improve upon the disappointing consequences of radiation therapy have included altered radiation therapy fractionation schedules and the use of systemic chemotherapy in conjunction with radiation. Altered radiation fractionation schedules can be characterized as either accelerated fractionation or hyperfractionation. Hyperfractionated schedules have been associated with some increase in acute toxicity, but they have also demonstrated promising survival benefits. Accelerated fractionation schedules, however, have been more toxic, and a survival benefit has not been demonstrated consistently. Much of the success of recent multimodality treatments has come from an improvement in the ability to manage these toxicities.
Studies on P2 prophage-host relationships: I. Alteration of P2 prophage localization patterns in Escherichia coli by interstrain transduction

The linkage of P2 prophage location I in Escherichia coli C and location H in E. coli K with the histidine operon has been confirmed. Evidence is presented that alteration of the histidine region of the chromosome of E. coli K and E. coli C strains can result in alteration of the pattern of localization of P2 prophage.
A study of blood and urinary vitamin concentrations and of fat balance in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta)

A study of blood levels, urinary excretion of several vitamins, and fat balance was made in apparently healthy rhesus monkeys kept on a purified diet. For the same daily intake of thiamine, riboflavin, and pyridoxine (about 1 Mg/ day) there was excreted a greater quantity of riboflavin (about 0.32 mg/day) than of pyridoxine (about 0.025 mg/day) or of talamine (about 0.17 mg/day). On an intske of 20 to 30 mg/day of niacinamide about 1 mg/day was excreted as Ni- methylnicotinamide. On a daily ascorbic acid intake of 50 mg only 2 to 3 mg/day of ascorbic acid were found in the urine. The average excretion of pteroylglutamic acid ranged from 0.003 to 0.014 mg/day on an intake of about 0.2 mg/day. Determinations on serum samples revealed average levels of about 197 I.U.% of vitamin A, 6 mu g% of carotene (carotene-free diet), and 0.77 mg% of ascorbic acid. With 5% fat in the diet only 2.8 to 8.5% of the ingested fat was lost in the feces. The fecal fat concentration ranged from 6.1 to 13.4% of the dry weight of the feces. Because of the variation in fecal fat loss in an individual monkey from one collection period tomore » another, a long balance period is a more reliable index of fat absorption than a short-time study. (auth)« less
Comparison of health-related quality-of-life outcomes for African-American and Caucasian-American men after radical prostatectomy

Study Type – Therapy (outcomes) Level of Evidence 2c What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? In addition to a higher prevalence and biological aggressiveness of prostate cancer, African-Americans tend towards narrower pelvises than Caucasians resulting in a potentially more difficult surgical dissection doing radical prostatectomy and increased positive surgical margins. In this study, there was no difference in urinary or sexual HRQL or overall satisfaction between African-Americans and Caucasians 2 years after radical prostatectomy, suggesting that the potential technical challenges of a narrower pelvis do not translate into poorer outcomes for African-Americans. OBJECTIVE • To determine if any differences exist in postoperative health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) outcomes, e.g. erectile function and continence, after radical prostatectomy (RP) in African-American (AA) vs Caucasian-American (CA) men. PATIENTS AND METHODS • Between October 2000 and July 2008, 1338 CA and 56 AA men underwent open RP by a single surgeon and signed informed consent to participate in a prospective longitudinal outcomes study. • The American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA-SS) and University of California, Los Angeles, Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) and a global assessment of satisfaction were self-administered at baseline and after RP 24 months. • Urinary, sexual, and satisfaction outcomes were compared at 24 months. RESULTS • AA men had significantly higher rates of hypertension and diabetes. • There were no other significant baseline differences in age, co-morbidities, body mass index, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use, preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, AUA-SS, and UCLA-PCI scores. • There were no differences in the percentage of men undergoing nerve-sparing procedures, estimated blood loss, transfusion rates, or complication rates between the groups. • At 24 months after RP the mean UCLA-PCI urinary and sexual function and bother scores and global satisfaction scores were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION • AA and CA men experience no significant differences in urinary and sexual HRQL or overall satisfaction after open RP when performed by a single experienced surgeon.
Stock options and chief executive officer compensation

Although stock options are commonly observed in chief executive officer (CEO) compensation contracts, there is theoretical controversy about whether stock options are part of the optimal contract. Using a sample of Fortune 500 companies, we solve an agency model calibrated to the company-specific data and we find that stock options are almost always part of the optimal contract. This result is robust to alternative assumptions about the level of CEO risk-aversion and the disutility associated with their effort. In a supplementary analysis, we solve for the optimal contract when there are no restrictions on the contract space. We find that the optimal contract (which is characterized as a state-contingent payoff to the CEO) typically has option-like features over the most probable range of outcomes.Paper published as: "Endogenous Selection and Moral Hazard in Compensation Contracts" in Operations Research, Linthicum 58 (July/August 2010): 1090-1106.
AraC protein, regulation of the L-arabinose operon in Escherichia coli, and the light switch mechanism of AraC action

This review covers the physiological aspects of regulation of the arabinose operon in Escherichia coli and the physical and regulatory properties of the operon's controlling gene, araC. It also describes the light switch mechanism as an explanation for many of the protein's properties. Although many thousands of homologs of AraC exist and regulate many diverse operons in response to many different inducers or physiological states, homologs that regulate arabinose-catabolizing genes in response to arabinose were identified. The sequence similarities among them are discussed in light of the known structure of the dimerization and DNA-binding domains of AraC.
Integrating Viagra Into Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Sex Therapy

Some physicians and many in the media believe the introduction of sildenafil (Viagra) is the death knell for sex therapy, at least with males. The promise of Viagra is that it is the first user-friendly medical intervention with minimal side effects. This article argues for a therapeutic approach to assessing and intervening in the multicausal, multidimensional area of erectile dysfunction. The emphasis is on sexual dysfunction as an issue for the couple, not just something that affects the male or vascular functioning. Case studies illustrate how to successfully integrate Viagra into a comprehensive treatment plan. Other case studies examine the misuses of Viagra.
Electronic structure, charge distribution, and charge transfer in alpha- and beta-Si3N4 and at the Si (111)/Si3N4(001) interface

The electronic structure, charge distribution, and charge transfer in α- and β- Si3N4 and at the Si(111)/Si3N4(001) interface have been studied using a self-consistent first-principles LCAO method. The calculated charge transfer suggests that both in α- and β-phases, the ionic formula may be written as Si3+1.24N4−0.93. For the Si(111)/Si3N4(001) interface, the silicon atoms from the Si(111) side give some electrons to the N atoms of Si3N4 forming the Si-N bonds at the interface. One Si-N bond is associated with a charge transfer of about 0.31 electrons.
Two-electron excited states of helium

Abstract Energies of two-electron excited states of atomic helium are reported for 0 ⩽ L ⩽ 4, including both those under the n = 2 threshold of He + , and those between the n = 2 and n = 3 levels.
Saddlepoint approximations in resampling analysis

The technical validity of the saddlepoint technique for approximating the resampling distribution of the sample mean of i.i.d. and non-i.i.d. random variables is examined. The relative errors are shown to occur at the same rate as in parametric analysis. Disereteness in resampling problems is accounted for. The uniformity of the errors is also explored.
Nature and Classification of Viruses Affecting Small Animals

Nomenclature of viruses is often perceived as a morass of confusion that has little bearing on the disease, diagnosis, therapy, or prevention of viral infections. Because the above parameters are predicated on a classification schema, summaries and generalizations drawn from the species of viral classification are presented to facilitate understanding of viral infections of small animals.
Multidimensional unfolding: Determining configuration from complete rank order preference data

Within the model of isotonic space, a principle is presented which generalizes the unfolding technique to the multidimensional case. The availability of exhaustive configurational solutions given complete data is pointed out. Finally three criteria are suggested for the choice of a particular solution from among the set of all solutions, which are applicable in the case either of complete or incomplete data.
Defensive self-deception and social adaptation among optimists

Though optimism and self-enhancing deception are related, few researchers have tried to disentangle their relations to particular outcomes. Using a person-centered approach and longitudinal data, this paper reports comparisons between defensive and non-defensive optimists. Results suggest that defensive optimists may be less successful at forming intimate, supportive relationships with others over time, relative to non-defensive optimists. Further research should be directed toward understanding both the costs and the benefits of defensive psychological processes and optimism, especially as they may vary across different kinds of outcomes, and different intrapsychic, social, cultural, and developmental contexts.
Community health and reform in Hong Kong

In this paper I argue that the health crisis in the underdeveloped world today is not primarily one of shortages of services, but is a result of lack of power and control over economic, political and social institutions by the majority of the population. Hong Kong is presented as a case study in which a plural medical system is dominated by a political economy that shapes patterns of both sickness and health care. As an advanced capitalist colony, a financial center for the Pacific Basin, and a neutral area for China's foreign negotiations, social policies in Hong Kong aim at promoting business growth, often at the expense of the health of the population. Further, government and voluntary agencies attempts at reforming the health system have done little more than further solidify biomedicine and its social relations. Finally an attempt is made to define potential vehicles for change.
Use of persuasive techniques on Internet shopping sites

Huge strides in technological development combined with marketing strategies have led to dramatic changes in the way information is transmitted and communicated to the consumers, and subsequently used by the consumers. Information has become a dominant factor in determining why, where, what, and how consumers shop, process information, and make decisions. While marketing information has always been an important factor in consumer decision-making, its provision on demand and added convenience via the Internet has created a need to research the nature and amount of information that these technologies provide. Advertisements use different forms of persuasion to gain consumer attention, meet their economic and emotional shopping needs, to create a positive image of the product, brand, and the shopping medium, and influence consumers to purchase the product. Persuasion may be classified as functional congruity and self-congruity routes to persuasion (Johar & Sirgy, 1991). Fifty websites were studied for utilitarian and value-expressive forms of persuasion by product differentiation. The websites were classified as those selling tangible products only and those selling intangible products only, and those selling both tangible and intangible products. The paper will present results of the study along with a discussion and conclusion with implications on consumer well-being.
Returning Navajo-Churro Sheep for Navajo Weaving

AbstractNavajo-Churro sheep provided a traditional fiber resource for handwoven textiles produced by Navajo people. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers seeking riches in the American Southwest introduced their Spanish Churro sheep, a hardy desert variety whose descendants are the breed known today as Navajo-Churro. As a stable base for Navajo pastoralism, these sheep adapted to the harsh desert landscape of Navajo homelands and provided wealth, food, wool, and social cohesion for the Navajo people. After the mid-nineteenth century when more Anglo-Americans migrated into the Southwest, vast herds of Navajo-Churro sheep were reduced to near extinction through outright destruction and by crossbreeding with high-production breeds. During the 1970s, Navajo and non-Navajo herders and weavers joined in coordinated efforts to return the Navajo-Churro breed to Navajo lands and people. The contemporary Navajo organization Dine be' iina (abbreviated to DBI and translated as The Navajo Life way) provided leadership f...
Generically finite morphisms and formal neighborhoods of arcs

Let f : X → Y be a morphism of pure-dimensional schemes of the same dimension, with X smooth. We prove that if \({\gamma\in J_{\infty}(X)}\) is an arc on X having finite order e along the ramification subscheme Rf of X, and if its image δ = f∞(γ) on Y does not lie in J∞(Ysing), then the induced map TγJ∞(X) → TδJ∞(Y) is injective, with a cokernel of dimension e. In particular, if Y is smooth too, and if we denote by \({\widehat{J_{\infty}(X)_{\gamma}}}\) and \({\widehat{J_{\infty}(Y)_{\delta}}}\) the formal neighborhoods of \({\gamma\in J_{\infty}(X)}\) and \({\delta\in J_{\infty}(Y)}\) , then the induced morphism \({\widehat{J_{\infty}(X)_{\gamma}}\to \widehat{J_{\infty}(Y)_{\delta}}}\) is a closed embedding of codimension e.
Distribution transformer loading with deferred loads

Introduction of deferrable loads such as electric vehicles, on the distribution system will have major impact on the electric utility system operations and especially the loading of the distribution transformers. This paper addresses challenges associated with overloading on the distribution transformer and offers new approach to reducing its loading and extending its lifetime based on the pricing signals and customer preference.
A novel murine elastase saccular aneurysm model for studying bone marrow progenitor-derived cell-mediated processes in aneurysm formation.

BACKGROUND Although there are several large-species animal models for saccular aneurysms, there is a need for a simple, reproducible saccular aneurysm model in mice.
Nonradioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry in leukemic and nonleukemic culture.

Technical limitations are associated with conducting successful in situ hybridization. In this study, three cell types including a tumor neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro-2a), an oligodendrocyte primary culture, and a nonneuronal acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (Reh) were used to conduct successful nonradioactive in situ hybridization. Two cDNA probes were used. A 1 kb probe was used to identify the expression of proteolipid protein (PLP) mRNA in a primary culture of oligodendrocytes. A 760 bp cDNA was used to identify the expression of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1) mRNA in Neuro-2a and Reh cells. The probes were labeled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP, denatured, and hybridized with cells fixed on coverslips. The efficiency of the labeling was tested using dot blot analysis by comparing the intensity of our labeled probes with known concentration of the probe labeled by the provider. The nonspecific signals were washed off, followed by detection of a signal specific to the gene. The specificity of...
Foreign Technology and Customs Unions: Trade Creation and Trade Diversion

This article analyses the welfare implications of the customs unions in the presence of multinational corporations for a less than fully employed small open economy. The traditional two‐sector model, with a specific factor for the multinational corporation, is employed for this purpose. This article suggests that both trade creations I and II improve the social welfare and employment of the small open economy if the multinational sector is relatively capital‐intensive. However, the welfare and the employment effects of trade diversion I are ambiguous whereas trade diversion II affects employment level negatively. These results are in contrast with the previous studies on the theory of customs unions.