cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central Plains Tradition Smoking Pipes in the Glenwood Locality of Iowa: Within a Landscape of the Rising and Falling Sky

Central Plains tradition (AD 1150–1400) earth lodges are present in Iowa only within the Glenwood locality, an approximately 30 square mile region located immediately east of the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers. Numerous investigations in this locality during the last century have produced a sizable collection of smoking pipes, many of which are housed at the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist. This collection includes a variety of effigy forms, as well as more common obtuse-angle and elbow varieties. A review of this collection offers insights into potential smoking rituals that may have been performed. Pipe styles and methods of decoration provide information on possible interactions with groups both within and outside of the Central Plains as well as offering possible explanations concerning the occupation of this locality.
Dialogue across Civilizations in the Age of Globalization and Pluralization

Globalization is the continual extension and expansion of modernization. Like modernization, globalization has its diversity as well. Because of its own cultural heritage and unique environment, East Asia follows a different model from the west. Through enlightened reflections in the background of globalization and a dialogue across civilizations in the context of pluralization, we may identify some deficiencies in the value pursuit dominated by the western discourse since the Enlightenment and reestablish the Chinese culture as an important player. In the dialogue across civilizations, we will be able to open up broader perspectives if we try to avoid the blind spots since the Enlightenment and reconstruct a new spirit of humanism.
The Application of Lua script language in the SCADA system of hydropower plant

Script language is a simple programming language.In general,the script language grammar structure is simple,interpretive execution,so it must be easier than C,C + +,JAVA and other languages,has a strong practical value.
1982 Memorial Award Paper. Detection of regional myocardial dysfunction during ischemia with computerized tomography: documentation and physiologic basis.

Cross-sectional imaging techniques have the potential for measuring left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (WTh) dynamics. This proposition was assessed in a canine experimental model, using prospectively gated computed tomography (CT) scans before and after occlusion of a coronary artery. Gated CT scans detected loss of wall thickening in the LV anterior segment immediately after occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery in two dogs. After demonstrating the feasibility of using gated CT scans to demonstrate ischemic functional abnormalities by monitoring wall thickness changes, we assessed the relationship between regional wall thickening dynamics and coronary blood flow in eight anesthetized dogs. Graded circumflex (Cx) coronary artery stenosis (CAS) was produced while sonomicrometer crystals continuously recorded LV WTh and extent of wall thickening (EWTh) in the anterior descending and the Cx distributions. The first significant change in EWTh in the ischemic segment occurred at 33% decrease in CBF (P less than .05) which corresponded to an 80% CAS. At 33% decrease in CBF, there was a concomitant increase in EWTh in the normal segment. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the feasibility of using gated CT to detect myocardial ischemia by monitoring WTh dynamics. Physiologic studies document a close relationship between regional wall thickening dynamics and coronary blood flow and should provide a basis for interpretation of dynamic cross-sectional images of the left ventricle in ischemic heart disease.
Growth-regulatory properties of atrial natriuretic factor.

Recent evidence supports the notion that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has growth-regulatory properties. In the adrenal gland, ANF inhibits growth specifically in the zona glomerulosa. In the kid...
POTENTIAL NITRATE LEVELS IN EDIBLE PLANT PARTS

Over 25 important vegetables were grown at low to high rates of nitrogen fertilization, and their potential to accumulate nitrates determined. Leaf and stem tissues accumulated the highest levels of nitrate, followed by the roots. Fruits and floral parts accumulated only small amounts of nitrate. Some nitrate accumulation is a natural and necessary process and the levels of nitrate in the plants cannot be reduced much without reducing yield. The stage of maturity of the produce at harvest had little effect on nitrate accumulation. Differences in nitrate levels between cultivars of the same species were generally small. Nitrate accumulation increased as the rate of nitrogen fertilization increased. Nitrate sources of fertilizer resulted in higher nitrate accumulation than did ammoniacal sources. Even at the highest rates of nitrate accumulation observed, the possibilities of an adult consuming enough food to cause nitrate toxicosis are exceedingly remote. The levels of nitrate currently found in food pose no major health hazards to human adults.
Measuring the Impact of Using Daily Objectives to Provide Rapid Feedback in Construction Courses

ABSTRACTIn order to develop a systematic way to determine when students would benefit from additional in-class examples, a prior study presented the case study of using daily learning objectives as a rapid feedback system. This study presents a measurement of the impact of using these daily objectives as a rapid feedback system for construction science courses. The five separate courses implementing the system cover a breadth of construction topics providing a thorough investigation of construction education and the impact of the daily objective rapid feedback approach. The courses investigated were Structural Analysis, Construction Estimating, Construction Project Management, Understanding the Concrete Construction System, and Industrial Management and Scheduling. The assessment tools used to determine the impact of the system include pre and post questionnaires, and student grades with a comparison to offerings of each course in which the daily objective system was not implemented. Within the questionna...
Vaccine purchasing groups in the United States: An overview of their policies and practices.

Abstract Background Vaccine purchasing groups (VPGs) may help reduce the upfront cost of vaccines. The objective of this study was to describe key business practices of VPGs in the United States. Methods Semi-structured, qualitative telephone interviews were conducted with representatives from 11 VPGs, based on a sampling frame of 53 VPGs. Interviews were transcribed and summarized by topic. Results Characteristics of the 11 VPGs interviewed reflect the broader VPG population: 64% national vs 36% regional; 8% charge a membership fee; membership ranging from 40 to over 300,000 sites. VPGs establish agreements with vaccine manufacturers, typically with either GlaxoSmithKline or Merck and Sanofi Pasteur; 1 VPG reported a single-product (Trumenba) agreement with Pfizer. VPG agreements specify “product loyalty” benchmarks (proportion of that manufacturer’s product line) that the VPG and its members must meet to receive discounted vaccine pricing. The amount of discount is considered proprietary. Practices may actively participate with only one VPG; the member discount is automatically applied by the manufacturer at the time of ordering. Vaccine manufacturers monitor sales data to ensure compliance with product loyalty terms; practices that do not meet benchmarks may be removed from the VPG. VPGs are paid administration fees by the manufacturers. VPGs use these fees to cover their operating expenses and often rebate a portion of these fees back to their members. All 11 VPGs offer additional services to members, ranging from immunization-focused education and technical assistance to discounts on a broad range of medical and business supplies. Conclusions VPGs can facilitate access to reduced purchase prices for most vaccines routinely recommended in the United States. Data on the magnitude of the price reductions were not publicly available. VPG members must balance loyalty-based price reductions against considerations of having a wider choice of vaccine products.
Spot-Scanning Proton Arc (SPArc) Therapy: The First Robust and Delivery-Efficient Spot-Scanning Proton Arc Therapy

Purpose To present a novel robust and delivery-efficient spot-scanning proton arc (SPArc) therapy technique. Methods and Materials A SPArc optimization algorithm was developed that integrates control point resampling, energy layer redistribution, energy layer filtration, and energy layer resampling. The feasibility of such a technique was evaluated using sample patients: 1 patient with locally advanced head and neck oropharyngeal cancer with bilateral lymph node coverage, and 1 with a nonmobile lung cancer. Plan quality, robustness, and total estimated delivery time were compared with the robust optimized multifield step-and-shoot arc plan without SPArc optimization (Arcmulti-field) and the standard robust optimized intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plan. Dose-volume histograms of target and organs at risk were analyzed, taking into account the setup and range uncertainties. Total delivery time was calculated on the basis of a 360° gantry room with 1 revolutions per minute gantry rotation speed, 2-millisecond spot switching time, 1-nA beam current, 0.01 minimum spot monitor unit, and energy layer switching time of 0.5 to 4 seconds. Results The SPArc plan showed potential dosimetric advantages for both clinical sample cases. Compared with IMPT, SPArc delivered 8% and 14% less integral dose for oropharyngeal and lung cancer cases, respectively. Furthermore, evaluating the lung cancer plan compared with IMPT, it was evident that the maximum skin dose, the mean lung dose, and the maximum dose to ribs were reduced by 60%, 15%, and 35%, respectively, whereas the conformity index was improved from 7.6 (IMPT) to 4.0 (SPArc). The total treatment delivery time for lung and oropharyngeal cancer patients was reduced by 55% to 60% and 56% to 67%, respectively, when compared with Arcmulti-field plans. Conclusion The SPArc plan is the first robust and delivery-efficient proton spot-scanning arc therapy technique, which could potentially be implemented into routine clinical practice.
Disease dynamics in a coupled cholera model linking within-host and between-host interactions

A new modelling framework is proposed to study the within-host and between-host dynamics of cholera, a severe intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The within-host dynamics are characterized by the growth of highly infectious vibrios inside the human body. These vibrios shed from humans contribute to the environmental bacterial growth and the transmission of the disease among humans, providing a link from the within-host dynamics at the individual level to the between-host dynamics at the population and environmental level. A fast-slow analysis is conducted based on the two different time scales in our model. In particular, a bifurcation study is performed, and sufficient and necessary conditions are derived that lead to a backward bifurcation in cholera epidemics. Our result regarding the backward bifurcation highlights the challenges in the prevention and control of cholera.
The Representation of Time from 1700 to the Present

Leibniz influenced the contemporary cosmologists Roger Penrose and Lee Smolin, an influence I trace at the beginning of this chapter, which examines debates over the nature of time in recent centuries. I look at the revision of the concept of time occasioned by 19th c. Thermodynamics, and then Boltzmann’s attempt to reconcile it with Newtonian mechanics: is the arrow of time (so referentially compelling) real, or can it be explained away by an analytic discourse? During the 20th century, in a sense classical General Relativity Theory continued the Newtonian tradition of an analytic, geometrical theory of time, and Quantum Mechanics continued the Leibnizian tradition of a referential theory of time elicited from the dynamical object (molecular, atomic, and subatomic particles); and the dialectic, modified, continues into the current century. I argue that the heterogeneity of the discourses and their complementarity are useful for the advance of science; and that the interesting philosophical question is how the two approaches interact.
Pattern of calcium and parathyroid hormone normalization at 12-months follow-up after parathyroid operation.

Background At 12 months after a parathyroid operation, we expect cured patients to have biochemical profiles similar to those of healthy individuals. The aim of the current study was to compare the biochemical characteristics patients at 12 months after parathyroidectomy for primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism with those of healthy controls. Methods A total of 547 patients who underwent parathyroid neck operation for primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism from 2000–2014 were analyzed. A control group consisted of 74 healthy subjects. Calcium and parathyroid hormone were collected perioperatively. Graphic plots of the relationship between calcium versus parathyroid hormone (95% confidence intervals) were used to compare the biochemical profiles of patients after parathyroid operation and controls. Results Preoperatively, patients with primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism had a calcium level of 10.9 ± 0.5 mg/dL and parathyroid hormone level of 124.4 ± 68.5 pg/dL vs controls' values of 9.2 ± 0.3 mg/dL and 34.4 ± 13.4 pg/dL, respectively. Before operation, all primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism patients had calcium versus parathyroid hormone values outside the normal zone. At 12 months after operation, 335 (69%) patients showed normalization of the chemical profile; 13 (2.7%) had absolute elevation of calcium and parathyroid hormone, reflecting persistent disease; 2 (0.4%) patients had hypoparathyroidism after subtotal parathyroidectomy; and 149 (31%) had calcium and parathyroid hormone values outside the normal zone, not fitting into the above categories. There were no marked differences between patients with simple adenoma those with multiple-gland disease. Conclusion Longer follow-up might be needed for patients after parathyroid operation to confirm stabilization of biochemical profiles.
Preliminary Results of a Phase II Study of Low Dose Decitabine as a Single Agent in Older Patients (age≥60) with Previously Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Abstract The hypomethylating agent decitabine inhibits DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymatic activity and is approved by the FDA for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes. We previously performed a phase I trial in AML of decitabine (with or without the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid); the trial was designed to establish a biologically effective dose (BED) of decitabine based on drug-induced re-expression of methylated and silenced genes. With the derived BED of 20mg/m2/day given for 10 days, every 4 weeks, clinical activity was observed in previously untreated older AML patients (pts, CR in 4/12); clinical response correlated with gene re-expression (Blum, JCO 2007). The addition of tolerable doses of valproic acid did not appear to improve clinical results or increase gene re-expression compared to decitabine alone. Therefore, we designed a phase II study of single agent decitabine for previously untreated AML pts of age≥60 who were not candidates for intensive chemotherapy (or who refused it). Performance status was ECOG
Melanoma risk assessment based on relatives' age at diagnosis.

The aim of this study was to determine risk for melanoma among individuals who have a first- or second-degree relative with a history of melanoma, based on the unaffected individual’s age and age at diagnosis of the relative. The study employed a case–control design using a statewide database linked with a Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results cancer registry. A population-based sample of individuals who received at least one diagnosis of first primary, malignant melanoma (n = 14,281), as well as their first- and second-degree relatives, was included. Control individuals with no history of melanoma (n = 70,889) were matched to cases on birth year, gender, race/ethnicity, and county at birth. Risk for melanoma among relatives of melanoma patients declined with relative’s age and age at diagnosis. Individuals between ages 40 and 49 who are first-degree relatives of melanoma patients diagnosed between ages 40 and 49 had the greatest risk for melanoma compared with individuals without a first-degree relative with a melanoma history (HR 4.89; 95% CI 3.11–7.68). Increased melanoma risk among second-degree relatives of patients was typically lower than that for first-degree relatives. Risk for melanoma, at earlier ages than expected, is increased among relatives of individuals with a history of melanoma, particularly if the melanoma case was diagnosed at a young age. Further research on the relationship between age at diagnosis and relative’s melanoma risk could inform melanoma screening recommendations for individuals with a family history of the disease.
Understanding Campus Mental Health Services and the Campus System of Care

For mental health practitioners already working with college-bound patients and families, part of necessary transition work includes helping patients and parents early in the college selection process become familiar with mental health and supportive services at each college being considered. Even within the same geographic region and within similar college types, there is incredible variability in services offered. The proactive provider will actively support patients and families in identifying the college with services that best match the needs of the young person transitioning to college.
Temperature dependent effects of carbon dioxide on avoidance behaviors in bigheaded carps

Effective behavioral deterrents are needed to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering novel ecosystems. One deterrent strategy that shows promise is elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in water which can alter the behavior of freshwater fishes, including invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). However, few studies have evaluated behavioral responses to elevated CO2 concentrations at different water temperatures. The objective of this study was to quantify CO2 concentrations needed to achieve avoidance (voluntary response) and narcosis (involuntary response observed by loss of equilibrium) behaviors in silver carp (H. molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) at 5, 15, and 25 °C. Overall, silver carp and bighead carp displayed avoidance and narcosis behaviors to CO2 at each water temperature, however bighead carp responded at higher CO2 concentrations than silver carp. Behavioral avoidance and narcosis were observed at approximately 40% lower CO2 concentrations in 5 °C water relative to 25 °C suggesting considerable influence of water temperature on a CO2 stimulus for both species. Results indicate that fluctuating water temperature (e.g., spatial and temporal variation across management sites) can influence how fish respond to elevated CO2, and may usefully be considered when applying CO2 as a behavioral deterrent.
Haplotype Imputation for Association Analysis

This chapter discusses extending association analyses to include a larger set of hypotheses beyond just the single markers that have been genotyped in a particular study. This chapter first reviews haplotype frequency estimation and imputation. It gives the details of EM estimation and haplotype imputation for a small number of SNPs using data from unrelated subjects and then considers the extension of this method to larger number of SNPs. The partition-ligation EM algorithm is detailed as a method of obtaining haplotype count estimates for individuals in an association study for a moderate number of SNPs.
Keeping Foster Children Connected to Their Biological Parents: The Impact of Foster Parent Training and Support

A primary goal of the foster care system is to reunite foster children with their biological parents. Keeping foster children connected to their biological parents, through visiting and other forms of contact, is essential for reunification because it helps to reestablish and maintain family ties during out-of-home placement. Parent-child contact can also increase the child's well-being while in care. Although foster parents are expected to help foster children stay connected to their biological parents, their actual involvement in this process remains problematic. This study tests the hypothesis that agencies can promote foster parent involvement in the parent-child connection by providing foster parents with specialized training and ongoing support. The findings support the notion that training and support increases the involvement of foster parents in parent-child contact.
The impact of therapeutic alliance in physical therapy for chronic musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of the literature

To systematically determine the specific impact of therapeutic alliance (TA) on chronic musculoskeletal pain, identify factors influencing TA between physical therapists and patients with chronic m...
Reevaluation of the Kidney Donor Risk Index.

Background The Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) is a score applicable to deceased kidney donors which reflects relative graft failure risk associated with deceased donor characteristics. The KDRI is widely used in kidney transplant outcomes research. Moreover, an abbreviated version of KDRI is the basis, for allocation purposes, of the "top 20%" designation for deceased donor kidneys. Data upon which the KDRI model was based used kidney transplants performed between 1995 and 2005. Our purpose in this report was to evaluate the need to update the coefficients in the KDRI formula, with the objective of either (a) proposing new coefficients or (b) endorsing continued used of the existing formula. Methods Using data obtained from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we analyzed n = 156069 deceased donor adult kidney transplants occurring from 2000 to 2016. Cox regression was used to model the risk of graft failure. We then tested for differences between the original and updated regression coefficients and compared the performance of the original and updated KDRI formulas with respect to discrimination and predictive accuracy. Results In testing for equality between the original and updated KDRIs, few coefficients were significantly different. Moreover, the original and updated KDRI yielded very similar risk discrimination and predictive accuracy. Conclusions Overall, our results indicate that the original KDRI is robust and is not meaningfully improved by an update derived through modeling analogous to that originally employed.
Implications of Foster Care on Attachment: A Literature Review:

This article provides a review of the literature in attachment theory, outcomes of being in foster care, impacts of trauma, and long-term attachment outcomes of foster care alumni. Thus far, minima...
Effects of electron-rich ancillary ligands on green and yellow-emitting bis-cyclometalated iridium complexes

Six new green to yellow-emitting heteroleptic bis-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of the type Ir(C⁁N)2(L⁁X) (C⁁N = cyclometalating ligand, L⁁X = monoanionic chelating ancillary ligand) bearin...
Vitamin B requirements and duodenal deliveries in lactating dairy cows: organization of a limited literature.

Abstract The eight vitamins of the B vitamin (BV) complex (i.e., thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folate, cobalamine) are vital to numerous facets of mammalian metabolism. However a lack of organized requirements and duodenal delivery predictions limits their ability to be used in formulating rations for dairy cows. The objective was to create a model to evaluate dairy cow diets for their predicted duodenal BV deliveries relative to predicted requirements. Requirements for each BV were calculated in a factorial fashion with the total requirement for each being the sum of its needs for maintenance (including gestation) and lactation. The amount of each BV exiting the forestomachs was also calculated factorially, with the total outflow of each BV being the sum of its outflow from the diet, from particle free rumen fluid and in rumen escape microbial biomass. Initial model evaluation revealed over- or under-prediction of some BV sufficient to suggest that net forestomach disappearance and/or endogenous secretions not captured in the model were impacting correct prediction of duodenal flows of some duodenal BV. After correction of flows of some BV based upon relationships of net forestomach BV disappearance or appearance derived from relationships with milk true protein production, the final model suggested the sequence and extent of potential BV oversupply for a representative dairy cow was biotin (∼3300% of requirement), niacin (∼2200%), cobalamine (∼1500%), riboflavin (∼340%), pantothenic acid (∼220%), vitamin B6 (∼190%), thiamine (∼140%), and folate (∼105%). Further evaluation of these predicted BV supplies using published studies, where available, of performance responses of lactating dairy cows to supplementation of individual BV suggested that only dietary supplementation of folate has consistently positively impacted performance of lactating dairy cows, although evaluations of riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamine and vitamin B6 were severely hampered by a lack of studies. Research on dairy cattle responses to supplemental BV, except biotin, cobalamin and niacin, is suggested, although it is recommended that all dietary BV levels, and an estimate of ruminal microbial outflow, be reported in such studies.
Predictions of energy recovery from hydrochar generated from the hydrothermal carbonization of organic wastes

Abstract Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a wet, low temperature thermal conversion process that continues to gain significant attention for the sustainable generation of value-added solid, liquid, and gas products from organic waste streams. Although it is well documented that both waste properties (e.g., elemental composition) and carbonization process conditions influence hydrochar properties, their specific influence on the total energy that can be recovered using HTC remains unclear. Non-linear random forest models were developed based on data collected from HTC-related literature to describe hydrochar yield and energy content, both of which are required to determine the total energy recovered in the hydrochar. Results indicate that total recoverable energy from organic wastes using HTC is correlated with feedstock carbon content; overall, the total energy content for feedstocks with carbon contents ranging from approximately 40 - 48% are similar. In addition, the total energy that can be recovered from the feedstock remains fairly constant when the initial solids concentrations are greater than 20%. Reaction time appears to have little influence on total recoverable energy from each feedstock at reaction times greater than approximately 150 min, while increases in reaction temperature result in a slight decline in total recoverable energy because of decreases in hydrochar yields at higher temperatures.
Shedding the Constraints of Formal Systems in Research on Child Maltreatment Through High-Quality Measurement and Broad Population Surveys

Improvements in our knowledge about child maltreatment require that we understand a exposures in the natural environments in which children live and (b) the nature of maltreatment based on current, shared definitions validated through empirical findings. These developments require (a) appropriately defining and measuring proximal maltreatment exposures with high quality, (b) determining the impacts of these exposures on a range of relevant indicators of child well-being, and (c) assessing these effects in the context of co-occurring factors such as other forms of maltreatment and factors in environments that may serve as prevention or intervention points. Research establishing maltreatment measures would benefit from independence from definitions used by the formal regulatory systems responsible for child welfare, i.e., Child Protective Services (CPS) and the associated legal infrastructure. Equally important is to observe child maltreatment in the lives of all children through engagement with populations outside of formal child welfare regulatory systems and across social, cultural, political, or institutional boundaries. This allows for the discovery of the etiology of maltreatment which may inform novel prevention strategies. In this article, we appeal for more “systems-free” research in measurement, modeling, data collection, and sampling with the goal of new discoveries in defining and recognizing childhood maltreatment and the varied social pathways of prevention. These methods would provide new insights into what to prioritize for prevention and intervention as well as discovery of contextual points of prevention and intervention, many of which may not involve existing child welfare systems.
A Critical Role of PCSK9 in Mediating IL-17-Producing T Cell Responses in Hyperlipidemia

We previously demonstrated that atherogenic Ldlr -/- Apobec1 -/- (LDb) double knockout mice lacking both low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide-1 (Apobec1) had increased serum IL-17 levels, with T cell programming shifted towards Th17 cells. In this study, we assessed the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in T cell programming and atherogenesis. We deleted the Pcsk9 gene from LDb mice to generate Ldlr -/- Apobec1 -/- Pcsk9 -/- (LTp) triple knockout mice. Atherosclerosis in the aortic sinus and aorta were quantitated. Lymphoid cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, ELISA and real-time PCR. Despite of dyslipidemia, LTp mice developed barely detectable atherosclerotic lesions. The IL-17, was very low in plasma and barely detectable in the aortic sinus in the LTp mice. In the spleen, the number of CD4+CD8- cells and splenocytes were much lower in the LDb mice than LTp mice, whereas, the IL-17-producing cells of γδTCR+ T cells and effector memory CD4+ T cells (CD44hiCD4+) in the spleen were significantly higher in the LDb mice than in the LTp mice. The Rorc mRNA expression levels were elevated in LDb mice compared to LTp mice. When re-stimulated with an anti-CD3 Ab, CD44hiCD4+ T cells from LDb mice secreted more IL-17 than those from LTp mice. T cells from LDb mice (with PCSK9) produce more IL-17 at basal and stimulated conditions when compared with LTp mice (without PCSK9). Despite the dyslipidemic profile and the lack of LDLR, atherogenesis is markedly reduced in LTp mice. These results suggest that PCSK9 is associated with changes in T cell programming that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis.
Performance of a Machine Learning Algorithm in Predicting Outcomes of Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background This study evaluated the performance of a machine learning (ML) algorithm in predicting outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Methods Adult patients undergoing isolated SAVR in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) National Database between 2007 and 2017 (n = 243,142) were randomly split 4:1 into training and validation sets. Outcomes that were evaluated were those for which STS models exist. The ML algorithm extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) was used. Model calibration was measured by the ratio of observed to expected risk, calibration-in-the-large, and slope of calibration curve, and model discrimination was measured by the c-index. Results XGBoost demonstrated excellent calibration, with an average observed-to-expected ratio of 0.985, calibration-in-the-large of −0.017, and slope of calibration curve of 0.944. The c-index of XGBoost was significantly improved compared with STS models for 5 of 7 outcomes: operative mortality (77.1% [95% confidence interval {CI}, 75.8% to 78.4%] vs 76.2% [95% CI, 75.0% to 77.6%]; P = .007), prolonged ventilation (73.9% [95% CI, 73.1% to 74.6%] vs 72.6% [95% CI, 71.9% to 73.4%]; P Conclusions The ML algorithm XGBoost demonstrated excellent calibration and modest improvements in discriminatory ability compared with existing STS models in this study of isolated SAVR.
Measurements of Cosmic Ray Muon Distributions with IceTop and IceCube

The IceTop detector is the surface component of the IceCube Observatory: an array of 81 ‘‘stations’’ of two frozen water tanks. Each tank contains two photosensors, and is sensitive to both the electromagnetic component of cosmic ray air showers as well as surface muons. While the electromagnetic component dominates in tanks close to the shower core, the signals from muons become more pronounced at large distances and at high zenith angles. Additionally, the deeply-buried in-ice component of IceCube can measure the high-energy penetrating muons from air showers. Together, these detectors can study the distributions of these air shower muons, and by comparing to the predictions of various hadronic interaction models, use them to constrain these models.
Longwall mining, shale gas production, and underground miner safety and health

Abstract This paper presents the results of a unique study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) from 2016 to 2019 to evaluate the effects of longwall-induced subsurface deformations on shale gas well casing integrity and underground miner safety and health. At both deep-cover and shallow-cover instrumentation sites, surface subsidence measurements, subsurface in-place inclinometer measurements, and underground pillar pressure measurements were conducted as longwall panels were mined. Comparisons of the deep-cover and shallow-cover test site results with those from a similar study under medium cover reveal an interesting longwall-induced response scenario. Under shallow and medium covers, measured horizontal displacements within the abutment pillar are one order of magnitude higher than those measured under deep cover. On the other hand, measured vertical compressions under deep cover are one order of magnitude higher than those under shallow and medium covers. However, FLAC3D simulations of the casings indicate that, in all three cases, the P-110 production casings remain intact under longwall-induced deformations and compressions, which has serious implications for future mine design in areas where shale gas wells have been drilled ahead of mining.
From Mandates to Governance: Restructuring the Employment Relationship

Employers are saddled with a dizzying array of responsibilities to their employees. Meant to advance a wide array of workplace policies, these demands have saddled employment with the burden of numerous social ends. However, that system has increasingly come under strain, as companies seek to shed employment relationships and workers lose important protections when terminated. In this Article, we propose that employers and employees should be given greater flexibility with a move from mandates to governance. Many of the employment protections required from employers stem from employees’ lack of organizational power. The imbalance is best addressed by providing workers with governance rights within the firm. In exchange for these governance rights, governments can lift or relax many employment mandates. In addition, certain responsibilities currently assigned to employers will be lifted and placed on the larger society—where they would be more appropriately carried. This rebalancing of the employment relationship will lead to a more economically secure and empowered populace while at the same time freeing businesses to better pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Accidental Injuries in Preschoolers: Are We Missing an Opportunity for Early Assessment and Intervention?

Objective Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk for accidental injuries, but little is known about age-related changes in early childhood. We predicted that ADHD would be associated with greater frequency and volume of accidental injuries. We explored associations between ADHD and injury types and examined age-related changes within the preschool period. Methods Retrospective chart review data of 21,520 preschool children with accidental injury visits within a large pediatric hospital network were examined. We compared children with ADHD (n = 524) and without ADHD (n = 20,996) on number of injury visits by age, total number of injury visits, injury volume, and injury type. Results Children with ADHD averaged fewer injury visits at age 3 and 90% more visits at age 6. Children with ADHD had injury visits in more years during the 3-6 age. There were no differences in injury volumes. Among patients with an injury visit at age 3, children with ADHD had 6 times the probability of a subsequent visit at age 6. At age 3, children with ADHD were estimated to have 50% fewer injury visits than children without ADHD, but by age 6, children with ADHD had an estimated 74% more injury visits than children without ADHD. Risk for several injury types for children with ADHD exceeded that for patients without ADHD by at least 50%. Conclusions Early identification and treatment of preschool ADHD following accidental injury may prevent subsequent injuries. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed with emphasis on the maintenance of parental monitoring into the older preschool years.
Asymptomatic Pre-Operative COVID-19 Screening for Essential and Elective Surgeries: Early Results of Universal Screening at a Midwestern Academic Medical Center

Background: During the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide pandemic, viral testing has largely focused on patients presenting with fever and respiratory symptoms. Although Centers for Disease Control has reported 1,551,095 cases in the United States as of May 21, 2020, asymptomatic infection rates remain unknown within the U.S., especially in geographically disparate regions. Methods: On April 7, 2020 our hospital established universal SARS-CoV-2 screening using RT-PCR RNA detection from nasopharyngeal swabs from asymptomatic patients prior to essential and elective surgeries. This study included 1,997 asymptomatic patients undergoing surgical procedures and 1,797 admitted for medical management at a Midwestern academic hospital between April 7, 2020 and May 21, 2020. Results: As of May 21, asymptomatic testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection had been completed for 1,997 surgical patients and 1,797 non-surgical patients. Initial testing was positive in 26 patients, with an additional four positive tests occurring during repeat testing when greater than 48 hours had elapsed since initial testing. Overall asymptomatic infection rate was 0.79%. Asymptomatic infection rate was significantly lower in surgical patients (0.35% vs. 1.28%, p=0.001). Surgical patients tended to be older than non-surgical patients, although this was not statistically significant (51, IQR 27-65 vsx 46, IQR 28-64, p=0.057). Orthopedic surgery patients were significantly younger than those from other surgical services (42 vs. 53 yrs, p<0.001), however orthopedic and non-orthopedic surgical patients had similar asymptomatic infection rates (0.70% vs. 0.25%, p=0.173). Conclusion: Among asymptomatic patients tested at a Midwestern academic medical center, 0.79% were infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. These findings will help guide screening protocols at medical centers while providing essential and elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the asymptomatic infection rate was low, this data substantiates the threat of asymptomatic infections and potential for community viral spread. These results may not be generalizable to large urban population centers or areas with high concentrations of COVID-19, each region must use available data to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of universal testing vs universal contact precautions. Level of Evidence: IV.
Electron microscopic and biochemical patterns of the normal and malignant trophoblast.

Abstract The malignant trophoblast in cell culture (BeWo line) known to produce human chorionic gonadtropin (HCG) consists of single cells with cytoplasmic ultrastructures similar to that of the placental cytotrophoblast. One of the striking features of the trophoblastic cells is the excessive accumulation of cytoplasmic glycogen, which may be depleted by epinephrine, and, to a lesser extent, by glucose “starvation.” Glycogenolysis is accompanied by a concomitant increase of endoplasmic reticulum. Hence, the development of this cytoplasmic organelle may reflect at least two different phases of functional activity in trophoblastic cells: (1) hormone synthesis and (2) carbohydrate metabolism. It is cocluded that the cytotrophoblast, in addition to its role as progenitor of syncytium, also actively synthesizes HCG. Hormone synthesis may be reflected by the development of endoplasmic reticulum but is not determined by the phase of differentiation of trophoblastic cells at which syncytium is formed. The enzyme pattern of the BeWo cells resembles that of other malignant tumors. A mucoprotein layer surrounding the BeWo cells is revealed by colloidal iron stain, and its significance is discussed. Present studies indicate that the placenta at term is still an actively functioning organ.
Waltzing with O2

Surface oxygen vacancies play an important role in catalysis and photocatalysis involving transition metal oxide surfaces. In his Perspective, [Campbell][1] highlights the report by [Schaub][2] et al ., who have discovered a fundamentally new mechanism for the migration of these vacancies on titanium dioxide. The mechanism probably operates on many transition metal oxide surfaces and will be particularly important when molecular oxygen is present. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5605/357 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/299/5605/377
Cell wall assembly in Fucus zygotes: II. Cellulose synthesis and deposition is controlled at the post-translational level

Abstract An alkali-insoluble cell wall component of Fucus distichus embryos is shown to be cellulose. Cellulose is not found in eggs, but within 20 min following fertilization is present in cell walls of zygotes. Incorporation of [ 3 H]glucose or NaH 14 CO 3 confirms that this cellulose in zygotes of F. distichus and F. vesiculosus is newly synthesized, with the highest rate of synthesis occurring within the first 60 min. Use of specific inhibitors indicates that the increase in cellulose does not require protein or RNA synthesis. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that the initiation of cellulose synthesis triggered by fertilization is controlled at the post-translational level.
Effect of Ambient Conditions on Conformations of Tryptophan Transfer Ribonucleic Acid of Escherichia coli

Abstract The interconversion of two conformations of tryptophan transfer RNA of Escherichia coli, Form I (native form) and Form II (denatured form), is a reversible, first order reaction. The two forms are metastable at low temperatures, and their interconversion is accelerated by increasing temperature. The free energy change of denaturation decreases with decreasing cation concentration and increasing temperature. Changes of enthalpy and entropy of denaturation and activation for both denaturation and renaturation are positive, indicating that breakage and formation of hydrogen-bonded base pairs and changes in base stacking are probably involved in the process of interconversion. High concentrations of monovalent cations favor Form I. On the other hand, low concentrations of monovalent cations favor Form II and competitively inhibit the production of Form I by divalent cations. The tryptophan tRNA in acidic buffer (pH 3.5 to 4.0) or in water is converted instantly to Form I when added to the acylation mixture. At equilibrium, the fractional amounts of Form I and Form II are independent of the tRNA concentration.
MIDDLE ADULTHOOD: A LIFESPAN PERSPECTIVEEDITED BY SHERRY L. WILLIS AND MIKE MARTIN

Amidst the attention given alternatively to young adults (GenX, Generation Y, etc.) and an aging population, middle age is finally getting its due. For some time the scholarly literature on middle ...
A development platform for wireless Internet connected robotic devices

This paper addresses the demands of project based educational need at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to stay up to date with the technological developments in the ever-changing wireless communication field. The targeted audiences are from the ABET accredited Computer Science program students in their senior year of the undergraduate program and/or the students in the graduate program with concentration in networking or communication. This project provides a platform for a hands-on environment that integrates the concepts in the topic areas such as computer architecture, communication, networking, and programming. The purpose of this paper is to outline the hardware and software architectures necessary for a remote robotic car to be controlled over the Internet. It serves as a building block to describe a general remote robotic architecture that can be used to support a variety of remote robotic applications. In this paper, a project consisting of building a remote control model car that can be controlled through a wireless internet connection is illustrated. A person sitting at a host PC will be able to drive the car by clicking on controls displayed on the screen. The controls will allow the person to steer and accelerate the vehicle. The Internet connected robotic device is built using the Internet technologies and Intel's Stargate board. The architecture designed in this project can be used to support the most demanding applications requiring multimedia functionality such as live video.
Quantitative model of magnetic coupling between solar wind and magnetosphere

Preliminary results are presented of a quantitative three-dimensional model of an open steady-state magnetosphere configuration incorporating a normal-component distribution corresponding to the subsolar merging-line hypothesis. The distribution of the normal magnetic-field component at the magnetopause is used as input and is used to calculate an interconnection magnetic field that links the internal and external fields. The interconnected field is then used to map the solar-wind electric field onto the polar cap. The resulting polar-cap flow patterns are found to be in agreement with observations.
Cavity quantum electrodynamics

As Casimir pointed out many years ago, conducting surfaces and cavities alter the structure of the vacuum states, and these alterations can have physical effects. This is the underlying principle of the Casimir force and also the point of departure for a series of recent studies on atom-vacuum interactions in the microwave and millimeter wave regimes. The natural scale for such effects is set by the spontaneous emission rate. At microwave wavelengths this rate is normally too small for spontaneous emission to be observable, In Rydberg atoms, however, the rate is enhanced by a factor n4 (n is the principal quantum number, typically 20-40). Advances in experimental techniques for Rydberg atoms have opened the way to the study of the atom-vacuum interaction at long wavelengths. The result has been a renewed interest in physical effects due to the vacuum, essentially a new area of macroscopic quantum phenomena. Recent experiments with Rydberg atoms and also with free electrons are described. I will attempt to set the stage by reexamining some of the physical effects of the vacuum and illustrating the ideas with an experiment in which spontaneous emission was effectively turned off by tuning below cutoff a waveguidelike structure that surrounded the atom.1 (Invited paper, 25 min)