cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STUDY ON PERFORMANCE TEST OF YELLOW STRAW BIOMASS FIRING BOILER

Performance tests have been carried out on two yellow straw biomass firing boilers with vibrating gate,the measured boiler efficiency is 85.90% and 86.71,the concentration of NOx emission is 180 mg/m3 and 181 mg/m3(6% O2),the concentration of SO2 emission is 196 mg/m3 and 269 mg/m3(6% O2) respectively.The study shows that the main causes leading to lower boiler efficiency are as follows:lower calorific value of fuel due to higher water cotent and ash content in the fuel;higher discharged flue gas temperature resulting from ash fouling on the finned type flue gas cooler and tube blockage after low temperature corrosion;higher carbon content in ash and slag,and higher CO content in the discharged flue gas.Based on the results of tests,several measures,such as retrofitting the primary air box and flue gas cooler,optimizing the operation mode,and enhancing the quality of fuel etc.,have been put forward,so as to heighten the boiler efficiency.
Determination of styrene residue in disposable lunch boxes using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and its dissolving characteristic

Objective:To develop a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of styrene residue in disposable lunch boxes.And its dissolving characteristics were analysed in the five kinds of extract solution.Methods: Under the optimized chromatographic conditions,styrene was separated on a Agilent TC-C18(5 μm,150×4.6 nm) chromatography column and detected at 245 nm by using methanol in water(90∶ 10,V/V) as mobile phase when the column temperature was 45℃ and the flow rate was 1.0 ml/min.Results: The calibration curves of styrene showed good linearity in the ranges of 0.05～90.00μg/ml,the linear regression equation was H=2.45ρ-0.18(r=0.9997),the detection limit was 0.03 μg/ml.The recoveries were 92.00%～107.00%.The proposed method was specific,sensitive,accurate and suitable for the quantification of residue styrene in tableware.Conclusion: The migration rate and dissolving-out amount of styrene in disposable lunch boxes showed top in fat and oil kind food,followed by wine foods,the neutral food,the acid food and basic food in turn.
Predictors of success in undergraduate human physiology.

This study tested the hypothesis that measurable attributes in students' backgrounds are related to their successful completion of an undergraduate human physiology course. Demographic, general aca...
Substitutions of the Highly Conserved M2 Leucine Create Spontaneously Opening ρ1 γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors

All members of the receptor-operated ion channel family that includes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, nicotinic acetylcholine, and serotonin type 3 receptors have a conserved leucine near the center of the presumed second membrane-spanning domain. This leucine has been postulated to play a role in the gating of the pore. In this study, we examined the effects of mutating this leucine (L301) on the function of human homomeric rho1 GABA receptors. Oocytes expressing rho1 GABA receptors in which this leucine was substituted with alanine (A), glycine (G), serine (S), threonine (T), valine, or tyrosine, but not isoleucine or phenylalanine, demonstrated larger-than-normal resting conductances in the absence of GABA. This resting conductance had a reversal potential (and shifted reversal potential with chloride substitution) indistinguishable from that of the wild-type rho1 GABA-activated current. This resting conductance was antagonized by picrotoxin and, in the case of the A, G, S, and T substitutions, by GABA itself. Although the rho1 competitive antagonist 3-aminopropyl(methyl)-phosphinic acid did not block the resting conductance, this compound did competitively inhibit the GABA-mediated antagonism of the resting conductance. At higher concentrations, both 3-aminopropyl(methyl)-phosphinic acid and GABA directly activated the A, G, S, and T mutant receptors. Taken together, these data suggest that substitution of this highly conserved leucine with either small or polar residues produced rho1 GABA receptors that can open in the absence of GABA and support the hypothesis that this leucine may play a key role in the gating of the pore.
Mixed infections with rotaviruses : protocols for reassortment, complementation, and other assays.

Mixed infection of tissue culture cells is the primary means of studying genetic and nongenetic interactions between viral mutants. The purpose of the mixed infection is to place two different viral genomes into the same cell, where interactions between the genomes and their encoded gene products can take place. In some cases, interactions are observed in the context of the mixed infected cell, but generally the yield of progeny virus from the mixed infected cells is assayed to reveal the result of the interactions. Here, methods for mixed infections between conditional-lethal mutants of the temperature-sensitive (ts) phenotype will be presented and considered. (Mutants with ts phenotype are designated according to the following nomenclature: tsA [778], in which ts indicates the phenotype, A indicates the mutant belongs to recombination group A, and [778] indicates the number of the specific mutant in group A.) Temperature-sensitive mutants are particularly useful for genetic studies, because they can be propagated at the permissive temperature (PT; 31°C in the case of rotavirus [RV] ts mutants), but the mutant phenotype is expressed at the nonpermissive temperature (NPT; 39°C in the case of RV ts mutants). The conditional-lethality of the ts mutations allows the use of selective conditions in the analysis of the progeny of the mixed infections, so that the results of genetic and nongenetic interactions can be easily revealed.
Decreasing Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Is Associated With Increased Risk of Hospitalization After Kidney Transplantation.

Introduction After renal transplantation, decreased renal function is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, graft loss, and mortality. We investigated whether declining renal function was associated with hospitalization after transplantation. Methods Adult, first-time, kidney transplant recipients between 2004 and 2006 from the United Network for Organ Sharing database and hospitalizations 1 year after the 6-month posttransplant follow-up visit were examined. Generalized linear models explored the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measured at 6 months and the number of hospitalizations in the following year. Results Of 15,778 kidney transplant recipients, 19.1% were admitted in the year after the 6-month follow-up visit. Among those hospitalized, the mean number of hospitalizations was 1.71, which increased with decreasing eGFR. In multivariable models, a decrease in eGFR was significantly associated with increased hospitalizations: for every 10 ml/min per 1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR, there was an 11% increase in hospitalization rate (P Discussion Identifying patients with declining eGFR and other risk factors may help prevent morbidity and mortality associated with hospitalization after transplantation.
Tarapaya: An elite Spanish residence near colonial Potosí in comparative perspective

Research at a variety of Spanish colonial settlements in the circum-Caribbean region (Deagan 1983, 1988; Ewen 1991) has revealed consistent patterns in the types and proportions of indigenous and European artifacts in domestic assemblages. These results have suggested that acculturative processes influenced largely by gender were the standard adaptive response throughout the Spanish colonial world. Excavations at colonial sites in Peru by Rice and Smith (Rice and Smith 1989; Smith 1991, 1997) and in Bolivia by the author have yielded assemblages, however, which are differently structured and include much larger proportions of locally produced goods, including a wide variety of ceramics. These findings indicate that there were regional differences in the degree to which colonists incorporated indigenous technology into their domestic activities, a divergence that was influenced largely by local geographic and historical conditions.
PPV: Pixel-Point-Volume Segmentation for Object Referencing in Collaborative Augmented Reality

We present a method for collaborative augmented reality (AR) that enables users from different viewpoints to interpret object references specified via 2D on-screen circling gestures. Based on a user's 2D drawing annotation, the method segments out the userselected object using an incomplete or imperfect scene model and the color image from the drawing viewpoint. Specifically, we propose a novel segmentation algorithm that utilizes both 2D and 3D scene cues, structured into a three-layer graph of pixels, 3D points, and volumes (supervoxels), solved via standard graph cut algorithms. This segmentation enables an appropriate rendering of the user's 2D annotation from other viewpoints in 3D augmented reality. Results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over existing methods.
Phantom Prescribing: Examining the Frequency of Antimicrobial Prescriptions Without a Patient Visit

OBJECTIVE To investigate the scale of antimicrobial prescribing without a corresponding visit, and to compare the attributes of patients who received antimicrobials with a corresponding visit with those who did not have a visit. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. METHODS We followed up 185,010 Medicare patients for 1 year after an acute myocardial infarction. For each antimicrobial prescribed, we determined whether the patient had an inpatient, outpatient, or provider claim in the 7 days prior to the antimicrobial prescription being filled. We compared the proportions of patient characteristics for those prescriptions associated with a visit and without a visit (ie, phantom prescriptions). We also compared the rates at which different antimicrobials were prescribed without a visit. RESULTS We found that of 356,545 antimicrobial prescriptions, 14.75% had no evidence of a visit in the week prior to the prescription being filled. A higher percentage of patients without a visit were identified as white (P<.001) and female (P<.001). Patients without a visit had a higher likelihood of survival and fewer additional cardiac events (acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, stroke, all P<.001). Among the antimicrobials considered, amoxicillin, penicillin, and agents containing trimethoprim and methenamine were much more likely to be prescribed without a visit. In contrast, levofloxacin, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, vancomycin, and cefdinir were much less likely to be prescribed without a visit. CONCLUSIONS Among this cohort of patients with chronic conditions, phantom prescriptions of antimicrobials are relatively common and occurred more frequently among those patients who were relatively healthy. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:273-280.
Hacking the Matrix

Recently in Nature, Gjorevski et al. (2016) describe a fully defined synthetic hydrogel that mimics the extracellular matrix to support in vitro growth of intestinal stem cells and organoids. The hydrogel allows exquisite control over the chemical and physical in vitro niche and enables identification of regulatory properties of the matrix.
A phase 1b trial of mFOLFOX6 and everolimus (NSC-733504) in patients with metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (NCT01231399).

e15007 Background: Gastric cancer remains a significant problem worldwide with approximately 870,000 new cases and 650,000 deaths per year. Although the Granite trial did not show any benefit of everolimus over best supportive care in patients with advanced gastric cancer, preclinical combinations of platinum chemotherapy and mTOR inhibition have shown a synergistic effect. We conducted a phase 1 trial combining mFOLFOX6 with everolimus. Methods: Patients with metastatic gastric, gastroesophageal and esophageal adenocarcinoma were eligible. A standard 3+3 design was employed and patients received standard dose mFOLFOX6 and escalating doses of everolimus ranging from 2.5 to10 mg/day. Patients were evaluated for dose limiting toxicities during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Tumor tissue was collected for next generation sequencing. Results: Six patients were accrued to the first dose level of everolimus at 2.5 mg daily, four with metastatic gastric cancer and 2 with metastatic esophageal cancer. Two dose l...
Tuning harmonics with electronics: Voltage controlled nonlinear optics in nanostructured metals (Conference Presentation)

Metallic nanostructures have offered not only the exciting opportunity to manipulate light waves in unconventional manners, but also the exciting potential to create customized nonlinear media with tailored high-order effects. Two particularly compelling directions of current interests are active plasmonics, where the optical properties can be purposely manipulated by external stimuli, and nonlinear plasmonics, which enable intensity-dependent frequency conversion of light. By exploring the interaction of these two directions, we leverage the electrical and optical functions simultaneously supported in nanostructured metals and demonstrate electrically-controlled nonlinear processes from plasmonic metamaterials. We show that a variety of nonlinear optical phenomena, including the wave mixing and the optical rectification, can be purposely modulated by applied voltage signals. In addition, electrically-induced and voltage-controlled nonlinear effects facilitate us to demonstrate the backward phase matching in a negative index material, a long standing prediction in nonlinear metamaterials. Other results to be covered in this talk include photon-drag effect in plasmonic metamaterials and ion-assisted nonlinear effects from plasmonic crystals in electrolytes. Our results reveal a grand opportunity to exploit plasmonic metamaterials as self-contained, dynamic electrooptic systems with intrinsically embedded electrical functions and optical nonlinearities for signal generation, information processing, and biochemical sensing. Reference: L. Kang, Y. Cui, S. Lan, S. P. Rodrigues, M. L. Brongersma, and W. Cai, Nature Communications, 5, 4680 (2014). S. P. Rodrigues and W.Cai, Nature Nanotechnology, 10, 387 (2015). S. Lan, L. Kang, D. T. Schoen, S. P. Rodrigues, Y. Cui, M. L. Brongersma, and W. Cai, Nature Materials, 14, 807 (2015). S. Lan, S. P. Rodrigues, Y. Cui, L. Kang, and W. Cai, Nano Letters, 16, 5074 (2016).
Let's Keep Looking for Other Roads: Improving Approaches to Identifying and Addressing Key Drivers

Cucina, Walmsley, Gast, Martin, and Curtin (2017) provide several valid criticisms of survey key driver analysis (SKDA), which is an approach used to identify causes of important employee and organizational outcomes, such as job satisfaction or employee engagement.
Transport mechanisms for veterinary pharmaceuticals from beef cattle feedyards to wetlands: Is aerial deposition a contributing source?

Abstract Veterinary pharmaceuticals from beef cattle feedyards have, with increasing frequency, been identified as contaminants in aquatic systems. Transport of these pharmaceuticals has generally been assumed to be via manure land application, surface runoff, or groundwater percolation. However, veterinary pharmaceuticals in airborne particulate matter downwind of beef cattle feedyards have recently been documented, indicating that aerial transport and deposition are a potential transport mechanism in arid and semi-arid environments. In this study, 35 hydrologically discrete playa wetlands within 15 km of beef cattle feedyards were examined for occurrence of six steroid hormones and eight antibiotics. 17α-trenbolone, estrone, estradiol, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, tylosin, and monensin were all detected in either water or sediment samples. Concentrations for the majority of analytes were
Arab American Cognitive Aging: Opportunities for Advancing Research on Alzheimer’s Disease Disparities

Background and objectives This article highlights the dearth of and need for research on Arab American cognitive aging. We propose that studying cognitive health issues among older Arab Americans provides an innovative opportunity to advance knowledge about causes and consequences of Alzheimer's disease (AD) disparities and refine understanding of factors linked to immigrant health in the United States. Research design and methods Demographic information is provided on Arab Americans, who are on the cusp of being recognized by the U.S. government as a distinct ethnic group separate from whites. In the tradition of minority aging, we present a broad review of specific issues in the contemporary case of Arab Americans. Results We detail how including Arab Americans provides unique information on the importance of: (i) extending racial/ethnic group comparisons; (ii) linking social experiences to late-life cognitive health; and (iii) incorporating ethnic factors related to immigration and religion in the study of AD disparities. Discussion and implications Studying Arab American cognitive aging provides an innovative opportunity to more fully delineate factors that create and sustain health disparities, with special insights into both causes and consequences.
Increased odds of disordered eating in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We aimed to identify the risk of eating disorders (ED) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to controls. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that included women with well-defined PCOS and controls and used validated ED screening/diagnostic tools to measure mean ED score, prevalence of abnormal ED scores, and/or prevalence of specific ED diagnoses such as bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Eight studies, including 470 women with PCOS and 390 controls, met inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Meta-analysis of seven of those studies found that the odds of an abnormal ED score (OR 3.05; 95% CI 1.33, 6.99; four studies) and the odds of any ED diagnosis (OR 3.87; 95% CI 1.43, 10.49; four studies) were higher in women with PCOS compared to controls. Our study suggests that women with PCOS are at increased odds of having abnormal ED scores and specific ED diagnoses. Given the potential implications of an ED on weight management strategies, our findings support routine screening for ED in this population. Level I, systematic review and meta-analysis.
The Preparation of the Squid Giant Synapse for Electrophysiological Investigation

The giant axo-axonic synapse in the squid stellate ganglion has advantages as an experimental model of synaptic transmission that can not be equalled by other preparations. These advantages (listed below) all center on the extraordinarily large presynaptic nerve terminal. The object of this chapter is to introduce the experimental techniques that have been used to study the squid stellate ganglion, with particular emphasis on the giant synapse. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of the giant synapse as an experimental preparation are discussed. This report is not intended as a comprehensive review of scientific findings, but an attempt has been made to make reference to the original technical innovators.
Improving Medical Malpractice Liability by Allowing Insurers to Take Charge

This paper proposes a solution to many of the basic problems with the current system of medical malpractice liability. By all accounts, despite consuming more than $20 billion annually, this system has proven ineffective and probably counterproductive as a means of deterrence and source of insurance. High litigation cost precludes or suppresses vigorous prosecution of most meritorious claims, while it motivates filing of unmeritorious claims for nuisance value payoffs. Patients are compelled to buy "tort insurance" that not only doubles the coverage for economic loss they already have and can cheaply supplement from commercial and governmental suppliers of first-party insurance, but also mandates coverage for non-pecuniary harm that no one wants if they have to pay higher premiums and taxes to get it. The solution is simply to change the law of insurance subrogation as it applies to insurers acquiring their insureds' tort claims. Currently the rule limits subrogation to the amount an insurer paid in covering its insured's loss. The proposed change would allow insurers to acquire their insureds' potential malpractice claims without limitation, including recovery of all damages, non-pecuniary as well as economic. In short, the paper proposes unlimited insurance subrogation (UIS) as a natural and efficient vehicle for patients to assign their entire potential malpractice claims to their first-party insurers. UIS will thereby improve both deterrence and insurance results of medical malpractice liability. By making first-party insurers plaintiffs and placing them on the same footing as their defense-side counterparts, liability insurers, UIS should increase the rate at and effectiveness with which meritorious claims are prosecuted and also reduce meritless litigation, as these large-scale, longterm repeat players will possess the needed means of mutual deterrence and motive for mutual cooperation. At the same time, as first-party insurers lower premiums (and taxes) in anticipation of subrogated claim recoveries, UIS will operate to convert expensive, risky, dilatory, and to a large extent unwanted tort insurance into a greater amount of more optimal first-party insurance. In addition to these direct benefits, UIS should encourage first-party and liability insurers to establish by contract a "private" system for more efficaciously resolving medical malpractice claims. The paper addresses possible costs of UIS, notably loss of patient cooperation in subrogation suits and jury sympathy for plaintiffs; none is found to pose a substantial problem.
Costs and Benefits of Food Foraging for a Braconid Parasitoid

The costs and benefits of food foraging for the insect parasitoid, Phanerotoma franklini Gahan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), were examined. Feeding benefited P. franklini by increasing longevity, but did not influence egg maturation. Costs of feeding are represented by the time required to locate and consume food. Field observations of starved wasps revealed that wasps spent approximately 25% of their time grazing on substances on the surface of cranberry foliage. However, our initial laboratory tests to determine the value of these substances were inconclusive. We also examined how grazing behavior integrated with host foraging by comparing the attack rate of fed and unfed wasps held under different host densities. While feeding status did not affect the mean attack rate of wasps, starvation enhanced the probability that a wasp will engage in movement over the host plant foliage. We conclude that feeding benefits P. franklini by increasing longevity, that travel time to food sources is likely to be low, and that the observed food-foraging behavior does not appear to influence host-foraging efficiency.
Wintertime Transport of Reactive Trace Gases From East Asia Into the Deep Tropics

Author(s): Donets, Valeria; Atlas, EL; Pan, LL; Schauffler, SM; Honomichl, S; Hornbrook, RS; Apel, EC; Campos, T; Hall, SR; Ullmann, K; Bresch, JF; Navarro, M; Blake, DR
Covert infrared image encoding through imprinted plasmonic cavities.

Functional surfaces that can control light across the electromagnetic spectrum are highly desirable. Plasmonic nanostructures can assume this role by exhibiting dimension-tunable resonances that span multiple electromagnetic regimes. However, changing these structural parameters often impacts the higher-order resonances and spectral features in lower-wavelength domains. In this study, we discuss a cavity-coupled plasmonic system with resonances that are tunable across the 3–5 or 8–14 μm infrared bands while retaining near-invariant spectral properties in the visible domain. This result is accomplished by regime-dependent resonance mechanisms and their dependence on independent structural parameters. Through the identification and constraint of key parameters, we demonstrate multispectral data encoding, where images, viewable in the infrared spectral domain, appear as uniform areas of color in the visible domain—effectively hiding the information. Fabricated by large area nanoimprint lithography and compatible with flexible surfaces, the proposed system can produce multifunctional coatings for thermal management, camouflage, and anti-counterfeiting. A new device employing the science of ‘plasmonics’ allows control over the interaction of various wavelengths of light with its components, with implications for camouflage and anti-counterfeit applications. The device, designed by Debashis Chanda and colleagues of the University of Central Florida, is formed of a dielectric layer patterned with regularly-spaced nano-sized holes, sandwiched between a reflective metallic mirror and a thin upper gold layer with holes corresponding to the middle layer’s discs. Images are encoded onto the surface in spun coat films of thermoplastic. Changing the diameters and depths of the holes changes how different wavelengths of light react with the materials. The team was able to tune the device’s parameters in a way that made the surface appear as a uniform block of colour unless viewed through an infrared camera over a specific band, when the image can be seen.
Can post-hoc video review of robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy predict portal/superior mesenteric vein margin status in pancreatic adenocarcinoma?

Abstract Background Achieving margin negative resection is a significant determinant of outcome in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDA). However, because of the fibrotic nature of PDA, it can be difficult to discriminate fibrosis from active disease intra-operatively. We sought to determine if post-hoc video review of robotic pancreatico-duodenectomy (RPD) could predict the portal/superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) margin status on final pathology. Methods Experienced pancreatic surgeons, blinded to patient and operative variables, reviewed the PV/SMV margin for available RPD videos of consecutive PDA patients from 9/2012 through 6/2017. Results 107 RPD videos were reviewed. Of 76 patients (71%) predicted to have a negative vein margin on video review, 20 patients (26%) had a pathologic positive margin. 25 of 31 patients (81%) predicted to have positive margin on video review were positive on pathology. The specificity of video prediction was 90.3% with a sensitivity of 55.6% and an accuracy of 75.7%. Conclusion Post-hoc video review prediction is unable to reliably predict a positive (R1) margin at the portal vein/SMV, suggesting that intra-operative clinical assessment may be suboptimal in determining the need for more extensive resections.
Fairness and Delay in Heterogeneous Half- and Full-Duplex Wireless Networks

Full-duplex (FD) wireless is an attractive communication paradigm with high potential for improving network capacity and reducing delay in wireless networks. Despite significant progress on the physical layer development, the challenges associated with developing medium access control (MAC) protocols for heterogeneous networks composed of both legacy half-duplex (HD) and emerging FD devices have not been fully addressed. In [1], we focused on the design and performance evaluation of scheduling algorithms for heterogeneous HD-FD networks and presented the distributed Hybrid-Greedy Maximal Scheduling (H-GMS) algorithm. H-GMS combines the centralized Greedy Maximal Scheduling (GMS) and a distributed queue-based random-access mechanism, and is throughput-optimal. In this paper, we analyze the delay performance of H-GMS by deriving two lower bounds on the average queue length. We also evaluate the fairness and delay performance of H-GMS via extensive simulations. We show that in heterogeneous HD-FD networks, H-GMS achieves$16-30\times$ better delay performance and improves fairness between FD and HD users by up to 50% compared with the fully decentralized Q-CSMA algorithm.
Pseudo to pseudo connection: pseudoaneurysm draining into the pseudocyst causing pseudohaemobillia

Haemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is an exceedingly rare cause of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleed where pseudoaneurysm of the peripancreatic vessels ruptures into a pancreatic pseudocyst and blood travel through the pancreatic duct, thereby, draining into GI tract via the ampulla of Vater. 1 We present a case of 65-year-old African-American woman with a history of alcohol abuse presented with melena for 1 day. The contrast-enhanced CT of abdomen/pelvis showed peripancreatic vascular pseudoaneurysm with active haemorrhage. Angiography confirmed the diagnosis of HP and successful transcatheter embolisation was performed.
Reducing suspension and increasing equity through supportive and engaging schools

Abstract This chapter summarizes the latest research on district and school reliance on exclusionary discipline as a response to student misconduct and on the persistent racial and gender disparities in exclusionary discipline. Drawing on results from empirical studies, the authors make the case that a multifaceted approach to reform using their Framework for Increasing Equity in School Discipline can help schools shift toward equitable school discipline practices that approach student behavior from a bias-aware, social–emotional learning (SEL), and developmental perspective. Through their outlining of 10 principles in their Framework, the authors review research on specific reforms currently implemented in districts and schools, including multitiered system of supports, SEL curricula, and restorative justice/practices. They then call for future research that considers not only whether reforms result in reduced discipline disparities but also increased student engagement.
Association between dietary zinc intake and abdominal aortic calcification in US adults.

Background In animal studies, zinc supplementation inhibited phosphate-induced arterial calcification. We tested the hypothesis that higher intake of dietary zinc was associated with lower abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) among adults in the USA. We also explored the associations of AAC with supplemental zinc intake, total zinc intake and serum zinc level. Methods We performed cross-sectional analyses of 2535 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-14. Dietary and supplemental zinc intakes were obtained from two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Total zinc intake was the sum of dietary and supplemental zinc. AAC was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in adults ≥40 years of age and quantified using the Kauppila score system. AAC scores were categorized into three groups: no AAC (AAC = 0, reference group), mild-moderate (AAC >0-≤6) and severe AAC (AAC >6). Results Dietary zinc intake (mean ± SE) was 10.5 ± 0.1 mg/day; 28% had AAC (20% mild-moderate and 8% severe), 17% had diabetes mellitus and 51% had hypertension. Higher intake of dietary zinc was associated with lower odds of having severe AAC. Per 1 mg/day higher intake of dietary zinc, the odds of having severe AAC were 8% lower [adjusted odds ratio 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.86-0.98), P = 0.01] compared with those without AAC, after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and laboratory measurements. Supplemental zinc intake, total zinc intake and serum zinc level were not associated with AAC. Conclusions Higher intake of dietary zinc was independently associated with lower odds of having severe AAC among noninstitutionalized US adults.
Antibody blockade of semaphorin 4D to sensitize pancreatic cancer to immune checkpoint blockade.

26Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) carries a dismal prognosis, and will soon become the second leading cause of cancer mortality. Unfortunately, T-cell directed immunotherapies h...
Automated Detection of Vestibular Schwannoma Growth Using a Two‐Dimensional U‐Net Convolutional Neural Network

Objectives/hypothesis To determine if an automated vestibular schwannoma (VS) segmentation model has comparable performance to using the greatest linear dimension to detect growth. Study design Case-control Study. Methods Patients were selected from an internal database who had an initial gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan and a follow-up scan captured at least 5 months later. Two observers manually segmented the VS to compute volumes, and one observer's segmentations were used to train a convolutional neural network model to automatically segment the VS and determine the volume. The results of automatic segmentation were compared to the observer whose measurements were not used in model development to measure agreement. We then examined the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) to compare automated volumetric growth detection versus using the greatest linear dimension. Growth detection determined by the external observer's measurements served as the gold standard. Results A total of 65 patients and 130 scans were studied. The automated method of segmentation demonstrated excellent agreement with the observer whose measurements were not used for model development for the initial scan (interclass correlational coefficient [ICC] = 0.995; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.991-0.997) and follow-up scan (ICC = 0.960; 95% CI: 0.935-0.975). The automated method of segmentation demonstrated increased sensitivity (72.2% vs. 63.9%), specificity (79.3% vs. 69.0%), and AUC (0.822 vs. 0.701) compared to using the greatest linear dimension for growth detection. Conclusions In detecting VS growth, a convolutional neural network model outperformed using the greatest linear dimension, demonstrating a potential application of artificial intelligence methods to VS surveillance. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E619-E624, 2021.
Size-dependent vulnerability to herbivory in a coastal foundation species

Ecologists have long wondered how plants and algae persist under constant herbivory, and studies have shown that factors like chemical defense and morphology can protect these species from consumption. However, grazers are also highly diverse and exert varying top-down control over primary producers depending on traits such as body size. Moreover, susceptibility of plants and algae to herbivory may vary across life stages and size classes, with juveniles potentially the most vulnerable. Here, we focus on diverse grazing communities within giant kelp forests and compared consumption on two size classes of juvenile giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) across four herbivore species ranging in size. We also integrated field and literature densities to estimate impacts on populations of juvenile kelp. We found that purple sea urchins, a species known for exerting strong control over adult M. pyrifera, had weak per capita impact on microscopic kelp, on par with a much smaller crustacean species. While urchin consumption increased with macroscopic juvenile kelp, it never surpassed the smaller brown turban snail, suggesting that feeding morphology, in addition to herbivore body size, is a predictor of consumption at these small size classes. The smaller herbivores also occurred in high densities in the field, increasing their predicted population-level impacts on juvenile kelp compared to urchins and perhaps other larger, but less abundant, herbivores. This study highlights the variation in species’ roles within an herbivore guild and the importance of age-related changes in grazing vulnerability to better understand herbivore control on plant and algae population dynamics.
Characterization of mWake expression in the murine brain

Structure-function analyses of the mammalian brain have historically relied on anatomically-based approaches. In these investigations, physical, chemical, or electrolytic lesions of anatomical structures are applied, and the resulting behavioral or physiological responses assayed. An alternative approach is to focus on the expression pattern of a molecule whose function has been characterized and then use genetic intersectional methods to optogenetically or chemogenetically manipulate distinct circuits. We previously identified WIDE AWAKE (WAKE) in Drosophila, a clock output molecule that mediates the temporal regulation of sleep onset and sleep maintenance. More recently, we have studied the mouse homolog, mWAKE/ANKFN1, and found that its role in the circadian regulation of arousal is conserved. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of the expression pattern of mWake mRNA, protein, and cells throughout the adult mouse brain. We find that mWAKE labels neurons in a restricted, but distributed manner, in multiple regions of the hypothalamus (including the suprachiasmatic nucleus), the limbic system, sensory processing nuclei, and additional specific brainstem, subcortical, and cortical areas. Interestingly, mWAKE is also observed in non-neuronal ependymal cells. In addition, to describe the molecular identities and clustering of mWake+ cells, we provide detailed analyses of single cell RNA sequencing data from the hypothalamus, a region with particularly significant mWAKE expression. These findings lay the groundwork for future studies into the potential role of mWake+ cells in the rhythmic control of diverse behaviors and physiological processes.
Comparative analysis of coronavirus genomic RNA structure reveals conservation in SARS-like coronaviruses

Coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 the etiological agent of COVID-19 disease, have caused multiple epidemic and pandemic outbreaks in the past 20 years 1-3 . With no vaccines, and only recently developed antiviral therapeutics, we are ill equipped to handle coronavirus outbreaks 4 . A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate coronavirus replication and pathogenesis is needed to guide the development of new antiviral therapeutics and vaccines. RNA secondary structures play critical roles in multiple aspects of coronavirus replication, but the extent and conservation of RNA secondary structure across coronavirus genomes is unknown 5 . Here, we define highly structured RNA regions throughout the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 genomes. We find that highly stable RNA structures are pervasive throughout coronavirus genomes, and are conserved between the SARS-like CoV. Our data suggests that selective pressure helps preserve RNA secondary structure in coronavirus genomes, suggesting that these structures may play important roles in virus replication and pathogenesis. Thus, disruption of conserved RNA secondary structures could be a novel strategy for the generation of attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for use against the current COVID-19 pandemic.
What determines parasite species richness across host species

IN FOCUS Dattilo, W., Barrozo-Chavez, N., Lira-Noriega, A., Guevara, R., Villalobos, F., Santiago-Alarcon, D., Neves, F. S., Izzo, T., & Ribeiro, S. P. (2020). Species-level drivers of mammalian ectoparasite faunas. Journal of Animal Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13216. The question of what drives the number of parasite species able to infect a given host species is still a largely open question, despite decades of research. Dattilo and colleagues examine the potential drivers of ectoparasite species across a large set of host species to explore the taxonomic and trait drivers of host-parasite interactions. Here, we contextualize their findings, explore what is known about parasite species richness, and identify some potential next steps towards answers.
Combined genotype and fatty-acid analysis of single small field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) seeds increases the throughput for functional genomics and mutant line selection

Abstract The validation of an association between a genotype and a seed metabolic trait can be a time-consuming process. Strategies to speed this process are needed in this age of rapid and high throughput genomics. In this study, we have developed a protocol to associate the fatty-acid composition of a single pennycress seed as a phenotypic trait to a genotype. We use an approach that allows for parallel assessment of genotypes and fatty acid composition on a small single seed of field pennycress. We were able to show that fatty acid values predicted from a single seed are similar to the values of pooled seeds for linoleic acid (17.32% vs 18.10%), linolenic acid (11.10% vs 11.86%) and erucic acid (38.43% vs 38.74%) with the exception of oleic acid (10.79% vs 12.44%) and eicosenoic acid (8.56% vs 10.64%) based on the pair-wise Tukey’s test at a p-value of 0.05. We were also able to show that DNA can be extracted from the single defatted seeds and the DNA can be used for SNP genotyping. This approach was tested on two independent F2 segregating populations to demonstrate linkage between fatty acid composition and the respective genotypes. The F2 populations for this study were derived from crosses among the mutants of Fatty Acid Elongation 1 (Ta FAE1), Reduced Oleate Desaturase 1 (Ta ROD1) and Fatty Acid Desaturase 2 (Ta FAD2). We assessed fatty acid composition of single F2 seeds from each of the genotype classes in the segregating populations identified using allele-specific markers. We found that mutations in Ta FAE1 and Ta FAD2 had semi-dominant effect, and that the mutation in Ta ROD1 was recessive. Within each population, doubly homozygous single seeds for Ta fae1-1 and Ta rod1-1 or Ta fae1-1 and Ta fad2-2 created the most extreme fatty acid alteration compared to wild type. F2 single seeds genotyped as double mutants of Ta fae1-1/ Ta rod1-1 from the first population averaged 56.42% oleic acid compared to under 15% for wild type along with little to no detectable erucic acid compared to over 35% in wild type. F2 single seeds genotyped as double mutants of Ta fae1-1/Ta fad2-2 from the second population averaged 85.87% oleic acid with significant reduction in linoleic, linolenic, eicosenoic and erucic acid. Fatty acid compositions of these double mutants were further confirmed using a pool of seeds. This study demonstrates the rapid assessment of metabolites and genotypes, thus helping us characterize fatty acid genes in pennycress. Application of such methods to a species with small seeds like pennycress will increase the efficacy of functional genomics and can be applied towards other metabolite traits.
Classification of the FRW universe with a cosmological constant and a perfect fluid of the equation of state p = w ρ

We systematically study the evolution of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe coupled with a cosmological constant Λ and a perfect fluid that has the equation of state p = w ρ, where p and ρ denote, respectively, the pressure and energy density of the fluid, and w is an arbitrary real constant. Depending on the specific values of w, Λ, and the curvature k of 3-dimensional space, we separate all of the solutions into various cases. In each case the main properties of the evolution are given in detail, including the periods of deceleration and/or acceleration, and the existence of big bang, big crunch, and big rip singularities. In some cases, errors in classification and interpretation appearing in standard textbooks have been corrected.
Exploratory spatial analysis of autism rates in New York school districts: role of sociodemographic and language differences

Literature on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests lower ASD prevalence and higher age of diagnosis among children of color, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and from families with lower educational levels. These disparities have been attributed to factors such as limited access to diagnostic and treatment services, less opportunity for upward mobility to locales with ample resources, and linguistic barriers. However, few studies describe prevalence and geographic differences of ASD diagnoses by English Language Learner (ELL) status. The primary objectives of this study are to (1) spatially explore the prevalence of ASD among New York State school districts and (2) examine differences of ASD prevalence rates between ELLs and native English-speaking peers. Using the 2016–2017 district-level data on public and non-public school age students (3–21 years old) receiving special education services in New York, we analyzed sociodemographic trends among school districts with varying percentages (low, medium, and high ranges) of students with ASD and ELLs. To do this, we conducted exploratory spatial analyses using GIS software, analysis of school district level demographic data, and multivariate linear regression. In contrast to prior research on ASD prevalence among minority groups, we found disproportionately higher rates of ASD among school districts with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic students. Geographic analysis revealed statistically significant clustering of school districts with high ASD rates in New York City and Albany. Higher proportions of ELLs tended to be concentrated in densely populated, urban, and geographically smaller school districts and had higher proportions of Black, Hispanic, and Asian students. Schools with higher rates of ASD and ELL students tend to be concentrated in urban regions throughout New York and have higher representation of Black and Hispanic/Latino students, as well as higher rates of learning disabilities in general. Further research is warranted to explore possible reasons for this phenomenon.
Differential effects of larval and adult nutrition on female survival, fecundity, and size of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the principal vector of medically-important infectious viruses that cause severe illness such as dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika. The transmission potential of mosquitoes for these arboviruses is largely shaped by their life history traits, such as size, survival and fecundity. These life history traits, to some degree, depend on environmental conditions, such as larval and adult nutrition (e.g., nectar availability). Both these types of nutrition are known to affect the energetic reserves and life history traits of adults, but whether and how nutrition obtained during larval and adult stages have an interactive influence on mosquito life history traits remains largely unknown. Here, we experimentally manipulated mosquito diets to create two nutritional levels at larval and adult stages, that is, a high or low amount of larval food (HL or LL) during larval stage, and a good and poor adult food (GA or PA, represents normal or weak concentration of sucrose) during adult stage. We then compared the size, survival and fecundity of female mosquitoes reared from these nutritional regimes. We found that larval and adult nutrition affected size and survival, respectively, without interactions, while both larval and adult nutrition influenced fecundity. There was a positive relationship between fecundity and size. In addition, this positive relationship was not affected by nutrition. These findings highlight how larval and adult nutrition differentially influence female mosquito life history traits, suggesting that studies evaluating nutritional effects on vectorial capacity traits should account for environmental variation across life stages.
Enhanced Third Harmonic Generation in Lead Bromide Perovskites with Ruddlesden-Popper Planar Faults.

Lead halide perovskites provide a test bed for exploring nonlinear optical properties. Although the underlying centrosymmetric crystal structure of 3D lead halide perovskites precludes the phenomenon of second harmonic generation, the third and higher-order harmonic generation are allowed. In this work, we probe the third harmonic generation (THG) from CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) and compare it to the THG from CsPbBr3 NCs with Ruddlesden-Popper planar faults (RP-CsPbBr3), formed via postsynthetic fusion-growth. The THG from CsPbBr3 NCs is negligible compared with that of RP-CsPbBr3 NCs within a wide range of femtosecond excitation wavelengths. We further compare the THG from a thin film of RP-CsPbBr3 with that of a single crystal of methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3). The THG efficiency of RP-CsPbBr3 is found to be three times greater than that of MAPbBr3. An effective third-order susceptibility of the order of 10-18 m2 V-2 is obtained for a RP-CsPbBr3 film, opening up the prospect of inorganic halide perovskite NCs with planar defects for a range of nonlinear optical applications.