cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Late Quaternary climate reconstruction from plant macrofossil proxy in Western North America

The Late Quaternary packrat (Neotoma spp.) midden plant macrofossil record in western North America is an exceptional record of biotic change that provides strong evidence of past climate. In this study we generate quantitative estimates of climate from plant community composition of more than 600 individual paleomiddens over the past 50,000 years. This is the first large-scale application of CRACLE, a quantitative climate inference method that uses plant community composition as a climatic proxy under and individualistic concept of plant community assembly. The results are spatiotemporally specific estimates of temperature, precipitation, available moisture, and seasonal patterns that are consistent with well understood global climate patterns, but provide previously unavailable detail and precision of the regional paleoclimate in western North America. Rapid warming is estimated at the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, at a conservative estimate of ca. 1 degree centigrade per millennium. Previously projected future temperature increases suggest a rate of increase of more than 2 degrees over the next century, an astonishing 10X the rate experienced at any point during the past 50,000 years in Western North America. These analyses form a baseline demonstration of how the growing paleoecological record of packrat midden plant macrofossils is able to provide quantitative estimates of paleoclimate that aid in understanding the complexities of, and biotic responses to the regional climate system.
Visual subcircuit-specific dysfunction and input-specific mispatterning in the superior colliculus of fragile X mice

Sensory processing deficits are frequently co-morbid with neurodevelopmental disorders. For example, patients with fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by a silencing of the FMR1 gene, exhibit impairments in visual function specific to the dorsal system, which processes motion information. However, the developmental and circuit mechanisms underlying this deficit remain unclear. Recently, the superior colliculus (SC), a midbrain structure regulating head and eye movements, has emerged as a model for dissecting visual circuit development and function. Previous studies have demonstrated a critical role for activity-dependent processes in the development of visual circuitry in the SC. Based on the known role of the FMR1 gene product in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, we explored the function and organization of visual circuits in the SC of a mouse model of FXS (Fmr1−/y). We utilized in vivo extracellular electrophysiology in combination with computer-controlled visual stimuli to determine the receptive field properties of visual neurons in the SC of control and Fmr1−/y mice. In addition, we utilized anatomical tracing methods to assess the organization of visual inputs to the SC and along the retinogeniculocortical pathway. Receptive fields of visual neurons in the SC of Fmr1−/y mice were significantly larger than those found in control animals, though their shape and structure were unaffected. Further, selectivity for direction of movement was decreased, while selectivity to axis of movement was unchanged. Interestingly, axis-selective (AS) neurons exhibited a specific hyperexcitability in comparison to AS neurons in control SC and to direction-selective (DS) neurons in both control and Fmr1−/y SC. Anatomical tracings revealed that retinocollicular, retinogeniculate, and geniculocortical projections were normally organized in the absence of Fmr1. However, projections from primary visual cortex (V1) to the SC were poorly refined. Fmr1 is required for the proper development of visual circuit organization and function in the SC. We find that visual dysfunction is heterogeneously manifested in a subcircuit-specific manner in Fmr1−/y mice, consistent with previous studies in human FXS patients. Further, we show a specific alteration of inputs to the SC from V1, but not the retina. Together, these data suggest that Fmr1 may function in distinct ways during the development of different visual subcircuits.
Biosensor Detection Systems: Engineering Stable, High-Affinity Bioreceptors by Yeast Surface Display

Over the past two decades, the field of biosensors has been developing fast, portable, and convenient detection tools for various molecules of interest, both biological and environmental. Although much attention is paid to the transduction portion of the sensor, the actual bioreceptor that binds the ligand is equally critical. Tight, specific binding by the bioreceptor is required to detect low levels of the relevant ligand, and the bioreceptor must be stable enough to survive immobilization, storage, and in ideal cases, regeneration on the biosensing device. Often, naturally-occurring bioreceptors or antibodies that are specific for a ligand either express affinities that may be too low to detect useful levels, or the proteins are too unstable to be used and reused as a biosensor. Further engineering of these receptors can improve their utility. Here, we describe in detail the use of yeast surface display techniques to carry out directed evolution of bioreceptors to increase both the stability of the molecules and their affinity for the ligands. This powerful technique has enabled the production of stabilized, single-chain antibodies, T cell receptors, and other binding molecules that exhibit affinity increases for their ligands of up to 1 million-fold and expression of stable molecules in E. coli.
Improving genetic algorithms by search space reductions (with applications to flow shop scheduling)

Crossover operators that preserve common components can also preserve representation level constraints. Consequently, these constraints can be used to beneficially reduce the search space. For example, in flow shop scheduling problems with order-based objectives (e.g. tardiness costs and earliness costs), search space reductions have been implemented with precedence constraints. Experiments show that these (heuristically added) constraints can significantly improve the performance of Precedence Preserving Crossover--an operator which preserves common (order-based) schemata. Conversely, the performance of Uniform Order-Based Crossover (the best traditional sequencing operator) improves less--it is based on combination. Overall, the results suggest that conditions exist where Precedence Preserving Crossover should be the best performing genetic sequencing operator.
Scraping Data from HTML Forms

In Chapter 5, we saw how to scrape data from HTML pages. In this chapter, we focus on a variation of this where we get the Web page containing the data we want by submitting an HTML form. Rather than using a Web browser, we submit the form from R, providing inputs to parameterize the request from data in R. We use functionality in the RCurl package such as getForm() and post-Form() to make the requests for the Web pages and then we scrape the data using the XML package and XPath. Since the forms are described in HTML documents, in many cases we can programmatically query the HTML form and learn about its parameters and their default and possible values. We can convert this information into an R function that acts as a proxy for the HTML form. The key ideas in this chapter are 1) to be able to get data programmatically via HTML forms as part of a reproducible workflow, and 2) to further automate the creation of the code that we use to get these data. These functions attempt to provide higher-level facilities and concepts relative to getForm() and postForm().
Glycosidase inhibitors as antiviral and/or antitumor agents.

Glycoprotein processing inhibitors prevent the normal processing of N-linked glycoproteins by inhibiting specific glycosidases involved in these reactions. Thus, a number of compounds are now known that inhibit alpha-glucosidase I and alpha-glucosidase II and therefore prevent the removal of glucoses from the high-mannose chains. Some of these compounds are more potent inhibitors of one or the other of these glucosidases. There are also a number of inhibitors that affect one of the processing alpha-mannosidases (i.e. mannosidase I or mannosidase II). These compounds; especially the glucosidase inhibitors, have been valuable tools to help us understand the role of carbohydrate in viral envelope glycoprotein function. Such processing inhibitors have also been used with various tumorigenic cell lines to determine the function of N-linked glycoproteins in cancer.
Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Spike-Time Reliability and Stochastic Synchronization: Insights and Predictions from the Phase-Response Curve

Neurons can respond with highly consistent spike patterns to repetitions of the same stimulus. Analogously, similar neurons receiving a common stimulus can fire highly consistent spike patterns. The former phenomenon is referred to as spike-time reliability, whereas the latter is an example of stochastic synchronization. Both phenomena are quite general and in fact, they also manifest in simplified models of single neuron dynamics, like phase oscillator models, in which the activity of the neuron is determined by its phase-response curve, which in turn is determined by the membrane conductances. Here, we use two measures of spike-time reliability and stochastic synchronization for real neurons and conductance-based models that have been recently introduced in the theory of phase oscillators: the Lyapunov exponent of the oscillator dynamics and the variance of the phase difference between two identical oscillators. Analyzing data from simulations and experiments, we show that, in response to manipulations of membrane conductances, a change of the phase-response curve leading to lower variance of the relative phase is a good predictor of increased spike-time reliability and stochastic synchronization in real and simulated neurons. We also explain why the Lyapunov exponent is not sufficient by itself. Our approach is then exemplified by investigating the effect of certain potassium currents, A and A-like currents, on spike-time precision. Finally, we discuss the biological relevance of our results.
Methods of Proton Resonance Assignment for Proteins

Correlation of protein activity with structure is essential to researchers seeking an understanding of life processes at the molecular level. It is becoming important as well to commercial enterprises, where protein production is geared toward medical, industrial, and agricultural applications. The number of identified proteins is growing faster than the number of proteins for which structural details are known. This dilemma has been exacerbated by the advent of site-directed mutagenesis and the resulting ease with which variant proteins can be produced. In the last few years, NMR spectroscopy has been called upon with increasing frequency for the necessary structural information.
Cell-to-cell tracer movement in cardiac muscle. Ruthenium red vs. lanthanum.

An attempt was made to label injured cardiac muscle cells by exposing them to two electron-opaque tracers, ruthenium red and lanthanum nitrate. To do this, false tendons of sheep hearts containing strands of Purkinje fibers were sectioned, allowed to heal, and then exposed to the tracer during fixation. After this treatment, a group of cells near the cut end were found to be labelled intracellularly with the tracers while the remaining cells in the strand were unlabelled.
Measuring key Sm isotope ratios in irradiated UO2 for use in plutonium discrimination nuclear forensics

As part of an experimental validation of a nuclear forensics methodology for Pu source reactor-type discrimination, destructive analysis has been performed on two irradiated UO2 pellets with different irradiation histories. Analysis has focused on measuring key Sm fission product isotope ratios used in a previously published maximum likelihood methodology to determine the most likely irradiation history of the pellets. A total of 21 Sm isotope ratios were measured within the irradiated pellets, and generally agreed within 20% of the irradiations as simulated using the Monte Carlo Radiation Transport and material depletion code, MCNP6. Results indicate the chosen approach can accurately measure the isotope ratios within 5% experimental error.
Update in Surveillance Recommendations in Individuals With Conventional Adenomas.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Conventional adenomas, which are precursors to almost 70% of colorectal carcinomas, are found in more than one-third of screening colonoscopies. Surveillance recommendations, based on adenoma size, histology, and number, have evolved over the years and are currently reflective of index adenoma categorization as either low-risk (LRA) or high-risk (HRA). In this review, recent guideline recommendations as well as primary data that have helped to shape these recommendations are presented. RECENT FINDINGS Recent data have demonstrated that individuals with HRA on index exams may be at increased risk for CRC while those with LRA may have a minimal long-term risk for CRC, similar to those adults with normal index exams. Furthermore, the quality of the index exams is important for minimizing CRC risk. While individuals with HRA may require close surveillance intervals of 3 years, those with LRA or normal exams may need longer such as 10-year follow-up.
992-P: Dulaglutide (DU) Has Better Glycemic Effectiveness vs. Basal Insulin (BI) in Injection-Naïve Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): The DISPELTM Study

The 2018 ADA-EASD consensus report recommends GLP-1 RAs over BI as the first injectable medication in most patients with T2D. The objective of this U.S. retrospective observational study was to compare 1-year real-world glycemic effectiveness among patients with T2D initiating DU vs. BI. Patients ≥18 years with T2D initiating DU or BI between Nov’14 - Apr’17 (index date=earliest fill date), and no claim for any antidiabetic injectable in 6 months pre-index period (baseline), continuous enrollment and ≥1 HbA1c result 6 months pre-index and 1-year post-index were identified from a U.S. claims database. DU users were propensity-matched 1:1 to BI users. The pre-matching mean baseline HbA1c for DU cohort (n=1,103) was 8.4% vs. 9.9% for BI cohort (n=3,193). Matched cohorts (903 pairs) were balanced in baseline characteristics with mean HbA1c: ∼8.6%, mean age: 54 years, SGLT2 inhibitor use: 24% and DPP-4 inhibitor use: ∼38%. At 1-year post-index, 11% of DU cohort used BI and 10% of BI cohort used GLP-1 RAs; DU patients used less rapid-acting insulin (2% vs. 16%) and DPP-4 inhibitors (24% vs. 39%) and more SGLT2 inhibitors (34% vs. 23%) vs. BI patients. The key glycemic effectiveness results are included in the Table. In this real-world study, patients with T2D initiating DU demonstrated significantly greater and clinically meaningful HbA1c reduction compared to those initiating BI. Disclosure R. Mody: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Q. Huang: None. M. Yu: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Lifelabs. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. X. Zhang: None. L. Wang: Employee; Self; HealthCore. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. M. Grabner: None. H. Patel: Employee; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Stock/Shareholder; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. Funding Eli Lilly and Company
One of the Substrate Waters for O2 Formation in Photosystem II Is Provided by the Water-Splitting Mn4CaO5 Cluster's Ca2+ Ion.

During the catalytic step immediately prior to O–O bond formation in Photosystem II, a water molecule deprotonates and moves next to the water-splitting Mn4CaO5 cluster’s O5 oxo bridge. Considerable evidence identifies O5 as one of the two substrate waters that ultimately form O2. The relocated oxygen, known as O6 or Ox, may be the second. It is currently debated whether O6 or Ox originates as the Mn-bound water denoted W2 or as the Ca2+-bound water denoted W3. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we analyzed the D–O–D bending mode of the water molecule that deprotonates/relocates to become O6/Ox. We show that this D–O–D bending mode is not altered by the D1-S169A mutation. Previously, we showed that this D–O–D bending mode is altered substantially when Sr2+ is substituted for Ca2+. Because Sr2+/Ca2+ substitution alters this D–O–D bending mode but the D1-S169A mutation does not, we conclude that the water-derived oxygen that relocates and becomes O6/Ox derives from the Ca2+-bound W3. This concl...
Echocardiographic Changes with Mineralocorticoid Antagonists in Heart Failure

Background Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) have been shown to improve mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF) and morbidity in those with preserved EF. It is unknown if cardiac anatomy changes over time in patients prescribed MRAs compared to those without a prescription. Hypothesis Patients prescribed MRAs have improved echocardiographic measurements compared to controls. Methods The electronic medical record was queried to find patients with heart failure who were prescribed MRA along with age-matched controls. Each subject had been prescribed a beta blocker (BB), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone blockade (RAAS), had creatinine clearance greater than 30 mL/min and serum potassium less than 5 mmol/L. For each subject, two transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) in the hospital image archive were quantitated and compared in a blinded fashion by three echocardiologists. Baseline TTEs were at least 3 months after initiating BB and RAAS therapy. Follow-up TTEs were at least 3 months after MRA prescription. For controls, follow-up TTEs were selected using the mean date-difference in MRA TTEs. Subgroup analyses were performed based on age and gender due to aldosterone-mediated effects associated with these factors. Continuous variables were analyzed with linear regression and categorical variables with logistic regression. All analyses controlled for the time difference between the two TTEs. Results Seventy-two subjects were identified: 29 MRA-treated (40%) and 43 controls (60%). Twenty-two (78%) MRA subjects and 29 (67%) controls had a baseline EF below 45% (p = 0.44). For the entire population, there were no significant echocardiographic changes between the MRA and control patients. For subjects over the age of 65 years, the mean change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was -13.3 g/m2 for MRA subjects and 17.4 g/m2 for control subjects (p=0.035). For the same population, left atrial volume index increased (+4.5 ml/m2) for MRA subjects and decreased (-3.9 ml/m2) for control subjects (p=0.06). The ejection fraction (EF) increased by 8.3% for the MRA subjects and did not change for control subjects (p=0.53). There were no differences in the gender subgroup. Conclusions LVMI deceased over time for individuals over the age of 65 years and prescribed MRA. EF increased, and while this measurement did not reach statistical significance, the sample size was small. These favorable echocardiographic changes may explain the clinical benefits of MRA therapy in HF.
First principles analysis of surface dependent segregation in bimetallic alloys.

Stability is an important aspect of alloys, and proposed alloys may be unstable due to unfavorable atomic interactions. Segregation of an alloy may occur preferentially at specific exposed surfaces, which could affect the alloy's structure since certain surfaces may become enriched in certain elements. Using density functional theory (DFT), we modeled surface segregation in bimetallic alloys involving all transition metals doped in Pt, Pd, Ir, and Rh. We not only modeled common (111) surfaces of such alloys, but we also modeled (100), (110), and (210) facets of such alloys. Segregation is more preferred for early and late transition metals, with middle transition metals being most stable within the parent metal. We find these general trends in segregation energies for the parent metals: Pt > Rh > Pd > Ir. A comparison of different surfaces suggests no consistent trends across the different parent hosts, but segregation energies can vary up to 2 eV depending on the exposed surface. We also developed a statistical model to predict surface-dependent segregation energies. Our model is able to distinguish segregation at different surfaces (as opposed to generic segregation common in previous models), and agrees well with the DFT data. The present study provides valuable information about surface-dependent segregation and helps explain why certain alloy structures occur (e.g. core–shell).
Agonistic behavior in juvenile blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus

Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, the largest catfish in North America and an invasive species in Chesapeake Bay estuaries, has experienced explosive population growth, negatively impacting native species. They have strong pectoral spines that can be locked and rubbed against the pectoral girdle to produce stridulation sounds although sound production during behavioral interactions is unstudied. We examined agonistic behavior in juveniles by allowing individuals to establish a territory and introducing an intruder. Big (43–50 cm total length) and small (36–41 cm) fish were paired within and across size ranges. Territory was considered established when a fish remained in its shelter for over an hour. Fish typically entered the shelter head first and maintained that orientation. They used a variety of agonistic behaviors in shelter defense including aggressive contact, caudal sweeping, and standoff but not the production of stridulation sounds. Individuals often utilized different behaviors indicating less stereotypy than in many fishes, and there were differences in incidence of behaviors between big and small fish. Residents and larger fish did not always win, perhaps due to juvenile status and low fitness consequences of territorial possession.
Synthetics, Mineral Oils, and Bio-Based Lubricants : Chemistry and Technology

PART I: FLUIDS Polyalphaolefins L.R. Rudnick Polyinternalolefins F. Navarrini, M. Ciali, and R. Cooley Esters S.J. Randles Neutral Phosphate Esters W.D. Phillips, D.C. Placek, and M.P. Marino Polymer Esters U. Wallfahrer and L. Bowen Polyalkylene Glycols S. Lawford Alkylated Aromatics M.M. Wu and S. Ho Perfluoroalkylpolyethers G.A. Bell and J. Howell Polyphenyl Ether Lubricants S. Hamid and S.A. Burian Cyclohydrocarbons S. Hamid Polychlorotrifluoroethylene Ronald M. Epstein and L.L. Ferstandig Silicones R. Perry, C, Quinn, F. Traver, and K. Murthy Silahydrocarbons Carl E. Snyder and F.A. Pettigrew Phosphazenes R.E. Singler and F.J. Gomba Dialkyl Carbonates L.R. Rudnick Alkylcyclopentanes Clifford G. Venier Polybutenes Serge Decroocq and Maryann Casserino Chemically Modified Mineral Oils H.E. Henderson Gas to Liquids H.E. Henderson Comparison of Synthetic, Mineral Oil, and Bio-Based Lubricant Fluids L.R. Rudnick and W.J. Bartz PART II: BIO-BASED LUBRICANTS Natural Oils as Lubricants L.R. Rudnick and S.Z. Erhan Chemically Functionalized Vegetable Oils S.Z. Erhan, .A. Adhvaryu, and B.K. Sharma Biotechnological Enhancement of Soybean Oil for Lubricant Applications M.A. Schmidt, C.R. Dietrich, and E.B. Cahoon PART III: APPLICATIONS Automotive Crankcase Oils S.C. Lakes Fluids for Conventional Automatic and Continuously Variable Transmissionns (CVTs) S. Hamid Automotive Gear Lubricants S.C. Lakes Industrial Gear Lubricants D.A. Lauer Synthetic Greases J.F. Braza Compressors and Pumps G.D. Short and K.C. Lilje Refrigeration Lubricants S.J. Randles Hydraulics D.G. Placek Environmentally Friendly Hydraulic Fluids S. Lawate Fire-Resistant Hydraulic Fluids K.L. Dickey Vegetable Oil Based Internal Combustion Engine Oil B.N. Rhodes Magnetizable Fluids Tom Black and J.D. Carlson Metalworking Fluids W.L. Brown and R.G. Butler Lubricants for Near Dry Machining R. Silverstein Lubricants for the Disk Drive Industry T.E. Karis Synthetic-Based Food-Grade Lubricants and Greases M. J. Raab Critical Cleaning of Advanced Lubricants from Surfaces R.L. Shubkin and B.F. Kanegsberg PART IV: TRENDS Automotive Trends in Europe R.D. Whitby Automotive Trends in North America S.C. Tung, M. L. McMillan, and S.E. Schwartz Diesel Automotive Trends E.A. Bardasz Automotive Trends in Asia R.D. Whitby Automotive Trends in South America R.D. Whitby Industrial Lubricant Trends G.M. Grega, J.J. Kurosky, D.J. Lesinski, M. J. Raab, and Z.A. Tahir Trends Toward Synthetic Fluids and Lubricants in Aerospace C.E. Snyder, Jr. and L.J. Gschwender Commercial Developments R. D. Whitby PART V: METHODS AND RESOURCES Lubricant Performance Test Methods and Some Product Specifications L.R. Rudnick Lubricant Industry Related Terms and Acronyms L.R. Rudnick Lubricant Industry Internet Resources L.R. Rudnick Appendix: Publisher's Note: The Meaning of "Synthetic" Subject Index
Thrombotic, inflammatory, and HIF-regulated genes and thrombosis risk in polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia

Thrombosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). The pathophysiology of thrombosis in these disorders remains unclear, and we hypothesized that upregulation of thrombotic, inflammatory, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-regulated genes may play a role in it. We performed unbiased RNA sequencing in granulocytes and platelets of PV patients and found differential expression of several thrombotic, inflammatory, and HIF-regulated genes. The expression of many of these genes positively correlated with JAK2 expression and JAK2V617F allelic burden. We then validated these findings by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses of selected gene transcripts in a larger number of PV and ET granulocytes and platelets (58 patients) and in 28 controls, and we compared these findings in patients with and without thrombosis. The study included 29 females and 29 males; of these, 28 had a history of thrombosis. We found that transcripts of several selected genes were upregulated in patients with PV or ET compared with controls. In granulocytes, the expression levels of F3, SELP, VEGFA, and SLC2A1 were significantly higher in patients with a history of thrombosis compared with those who did not have thrombosis. Patients with a history of thrombosis have significantly higher expression of IL1RAP (P < .05) in platelets compared with those without thrombosis. Our study confirms the presence of a thrombo-inflammatory state and augmented HIF activity in PV and ET and its role in thrombosis. These data may provide the background for targeted therapies in PV and ET.
Russian Mathematics Education After 1991

The aim of the present chapter is to trace the recent history of Russian mathematics education, considered as part of the social history of Russia. Although by contrast with what has taken place in politics, in mathematics education there has never even been talk about “perestroika” or restructuring, let alone any radical changes, the changes that have taken place over the last 30 years have in fact been significant and are clearly connected, even if often not directly, with social-economic changes. This chapter will focus on the main aspects of mathematics education: the organization of the learning process, textbooks, exams, the preparation and professional development of teachers, and so forth.
Processing white or yellow dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) into a heat treated flour enhances the iron bioavailability of bean-based pastas

Abstract Processing techniques can disrupt the cotyledon cell walls of raw beans, allowing digestive enzymes greater access to intercellular stores of micronutrients such as iron during digestion. This study evaluated the iron bioavailability of seven bean varieties with different seed coat colors (white, yellow, cranberry, red, black) either boiled or processed into spaghetti pastas formulated from heat treated bean flour as the major ingredient (90% bean flour). Iron bioavailability was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in spaghetti made from white or yellow bean varieties Snowdon, Alpena, Samurai and Canario when compared to boiled beans. Although cotyledon cells were broken and the phytate to iron molar ratios were significantly lower, the iron bioavailability of the cranberry (Etna), red kidney (Red Hawk) and black (Zenith) bean varieties did not improve after processing into spaghetti. Iron bioavailability of bean-based pastas was associated with procyanidin and cinnamtannin compounds that have a negative impact on the absorption of iron.
Stress related to electronic health record (EHR) use among oncology trainees: A quality improvement study to optimize information gathering.

11015Background: Poor EHR usability is associated with physician burnout [1]. Oncology providers are tasked with coordinating data from multiple sources/tabs within an EHR (biomarkers, genetic data...
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae in the U.S. Military, a Review.

Introduction Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), also known as ingrown hairs commonly results from adherence to military grooming standards in those who have curly facial hair. Many patients respond to specific grooming techniques or topical medications but severe cases often warrant restrictions on shaving or laser therapy. The treatment of PFB is challenged not only by grooming standards but also evolving readiness requirements. More recently, the Navy discontinued permanent restrictions on shaving because of concerns for poor gas mask fitting. The goal of this review is to outline the history of PFB in the military, describe current policies, and offer a more uniform approach to treating PFB in the military. We also discuss challenges that surround the management of PFB in the Armed Forces. Materials and methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature utilizing PubMed to identify both current and past management and discussion of PFB in both civilian and military settings. We also performed an internet search to identify pertinent military regulations and history of PFB within the Armed Forces. A query of TRICARE, the health care program for the U.S. Department of Defense Military Heath System, was also performed to assess civilian-referred laser treatment for Active Duty service members. Results PFB has a long history in the military dating back to World War I, when shaving was enforced not only to ensure good personal hygiene and to foster good order and discipline but also to ensure gas masks would seal in the event of a chemical attack. The management of PFB has presented a challenge in the military and even led to a social uproar in the 1970s. Policy changes in the military regarding shaving limitations, or profiles, have historically influenced how PFB is managed, but the basic tenets remain the same. Grooming techniques and topical medications can be effective in treating mild-to-moderate disease, but more severe cases of PFB respond best to laser therapy. Limitations on shaving remain an important part of management, especially during flares of the disease and while initiating therapy. Long-term shaving profiles may be needed for treatment-resistant cases. The impact of the Navy's recent policy on PFB is also discussed. Conclusions Pseudofolliculitis Barbae is a prevalent skin disease in the Armed Forces. A better understanding of the disease and patients' individual needs by the health care provider and commander is paramount.
The Correlation Between Immunohistochemistry Findings and Metastasis in Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer. Only 2% to 5% of SCCs metastasize; however, those do carry a poor prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is widely used by pathologists to characterize skin cancers and provide clinically useful information. Objective To evaluate the potential prognostic associations between IHC findings and metastasis in SCC. Methods Searches were conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed for articles published between 1999 and 2019. Search criteria included key words "immunohistochemistry" and "cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma." Six hundred and fifty-three articles were returned and screened, which ultimately left 31 for inclusion in our manuscript. Results Thirty-one articles analyzed in this review included a discussion of the expression of a particular IHC marker and the associated risk of metastasis and/or clinical utility of IHC markers in SCC, especially metastatic SCC. Markers that had several or more studies supporting clinical utility were E-cadherin, podoplanin, CD8+ T cells, PD-L1, epidermal growth factor receptor, and Cyclin D1. Conclusion Immunohistochemistry profiling of SCC may be useful in select cases when providing a prognosis remains challenging and in identification of potential therapeutic targets for high-risk or metastatic tumors.
Perceptions of Agent Loyalty with Ancillary Users

Intelligent agents are part of the smartphones, smart speakers, and home robots that millions of us own and interact with regularly. However, little is known about if or how these agents should be embodied. Additionally, as conversations with agents move from heavily structured and transactional to more flexible and, at times, social, embodiment may play a more nuanced and variable role. This paper describes an experimental study that examined the effects of embodiment and quality of information on people’s perceptions of an intelligent agent. We conducted a $$3 \times 2$$ between-subjects experiment in which participants completed an escape room-like task with the “help” of an artificial personal assistant that had a robotic embodiment, a virtual embodiment, or no embodiment. Participants were given either helpful or unhelpful information about the task. Findings suggest that people can attribute the quality of loyalty to an agent that belongs to someone else and may work on their behalf, and that in the context of a complex problem-solving situation that involves time pressure, people may prefer an embodied robot or a disembodied voice over a virtually embodied agent.
DNA methylation mediates the effect of maternal smoking on offspring birthweight: a birth cohort study of multi-ethnic US mother–newborn pairs

Maternal smoking affects more than half a million pregnancies each year in the US and is known to result in fetal growth restriction as measured by lower birthweight and its associated long-term consequences. Maternal smoking also has been linked to altered fetal DNA methylation (DNAm). However, what remains largely unexplored is whether these DNAm alterations are merely markers of smoking exposure or if they also have implications for health outcomes. This study tested the hypothesis that fetal DNAm mediates the effect of maternal smoking on newborn birthweight. This study included mother–newborn pairs from a US predominantly urban, low-income multi-ethnic birth cohort. DNAm in cord blood were determined using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. After standard quality control and normalization procedures, an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of maternal smoking was performed using linear regression models, controlling for maternal age, education, race, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index, alcohol consumption, gestational age, maternal pregestational/gestational diabetes, child sex, cord blood cell compositions and batch effects. To quantify the degree to which cord DNAm mediates the smoking-birthweight association, the VanderWeele-Vansteelandt approach for single mediator and structural equational model for multiple mediators were used, adjusting for pertinent covariates. The study included 954 mother–newborn pairs. Among mothers, 165 (17.3%) ever smoked before or during pregnancy. Newborns with smoking exposure had on average 258 g lower birthweight than newborns without exposure (P < 0.001). Using a false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 as the significance cutoff, the EWAS identified 38 differentially methylated CpG sites associated with maternal smoking. Of those, 17 CpG sites were mapped to previously reported genes: GFI1, AHRR, CYP1A1, and CNTNAP2; 8 of those, located in the first three genes, were Bonferroni significantly associated with newborn birthweight and mediated the smoking-birthweight association. The combined mediation effect of the three genes explained 67.8% of the smoking-birthweight association. Our study not only lends further support that maternal smoking alters fetal DNAm in a multiethnic population, but also suggests that fetal DNAm substantially mediates the maternal smoking–birthweight association. Our findings, if further validated, indicate that DNAm modification is likely an important pathway by which maternal smoking impairs fetal growth and, perhaps, even long-term health outcomes.
Mechanistic similarities in recognition of histone tails and DNA by epigenetic readers.

Abstract The past two decades have witnessed rapid advances in the identification and characterization of epigenetic readers, capable of recognizing or reading post-translational modifications in histones. More recently, a new set of readers with the ability to interact with the nucleosome through concomitant binding to histones and DNA has emerged. In this review, we discuss mechanistic insights underlying bivalent histone and DNA recognition by newly characterized readers and highlight the importance of binding to DNA for their association with chromatin.
A System-Wide Hospital Child Maltreatment Patient Safety Program.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hospital-wide patient safety programs have been used to ensure appropriate provision of care. Similar approaches have not been widely applied to child maltreatment. In this study, we describe a hospital-system child maltreatment safety program by characterizing the frequency of patients needing further intervention, associations between the age of patient and location of care and need for further intervention, and patients who require immediate intervention. METHODS For all staff concerns for child maltreatment, a social worker completed a patient at risk (PAR) form. All PAR forms were reviewed within 24 hours by the child abuse team and categorized on the basis of 6 types of interventions, most significantly an “immediate callback.” Wilcoxon rank and χ2 tests were used for group comparisons. RESULTS Over a 30-month period, program interventions occurred in 2061 of 7698 PARs (26.8%). The most common reason for a PAR form was physical abuse (32.5%). Subjects requiring an intervention were no different in age than those who did not (median age: 5.6 vs 5.2 years). PAR forms performed in the emergency departments or urgent care were more likely to require an intervention than inpatient (odds ratio: 4.4; 95% confidence interval 3.6–5.3) or clinic (odds ratio: 2.0; 95% confidence interval 1.7–2.3) PAR forms. Of the 53 immediate callbacks, potential diagnostic errors and safe discharge concerns occurred in nearly one-half, and >40% involved subjects with bruising. Immediate follow-up in the child abuse pediatrician clinic occurred in 87% (46 of 53) of cases, resulting in a new or changed diagnosis in 57% of such cases. CONCLUSIONS A child maltreatment safety program encompassing a health system can identify and address medical errors.
The role of federal and state policy in addressing early childhood achievement gaps: parent perceptions and student outcomes related to 21st Century Learning Centers programming in the United States

As policymakers and school communities work to address underlying causes of achievement gaps and access to quality early childhood education, this study considers the use of 21st Century Community Learning Centers to address early childhood education needs on western U.S. state, Idaho. The study sought to understand the relationship between federal and state policies related to out-of-school opportunities to enhance early childhood education. Utilizing data from a statewide evaluation of Idaho’s 21st Century Learning Centers, the study examined 92 centers providing after school, before school, or summer programs in grades preschool through the third grade to predominately at-risk children. Data collection included quantitative data from a survey given to parents (n = 183), as well as qualitative data collected through site-based interviews, focus groups and observations. Data included a review of historical and current data on participation rates; attendance rates; standardized test scores for program participants in grades PK-3 (n = 3258). Data were analyzed for themes and transfer. The study findings provide further insight into understanding possible relationships between U.S. federal and state policy regarding 21st Century Community Learning Centers on both students’ outcomes and parent satisfaction. The findings further support the role of out-of-school time (OST) experiences in the larger ecosystem of learning and provides insight into understanding how the OST activities are carried over into family life.
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Microcirculatory Perfusion in Acute Stroke in the SHR

In order to determine the effect of depleting circulating polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN's) on brain microcirculation and lesion size in an acute stroke model, Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) were injected intraperitoneally with either 2 ml RP-3 antineutrophil antibody followed in 4 hours by MCAO (n=5), 2 ml saline followed in 4 hours by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) (n=6), or 2 ml saline followed in 4 hours by sham operation (n=3). After 4 hours of ischemia or a 4 hour interval (sham-operated animals), microvascular perfusion was assessed by means of an intravascular fluorescent tracer technique: FITC-dextran and Evans blue were injected intravenously 10 seconds and 5 seconds, respectively, before decapitation. Lesion volume was calculated by interpolation from histologic sections cut from 8 predefined stereotactic levels. MCAO with the normal complement of neutrophils led to significant impairment of perfusion in nutrient vessels and a maximal ischemic lesion volume. Depletion of circulating leukocytes by RP-3 significantly attenuated the microvessel perfusion impairment and reduced the volume of ischemic brain injury.
A new quadratic form based frequency measurement algorithm

A new algorithm to measure both off-nominal and small frequency deviations is presented. The technique uses quadratic forms of sampled signals. It does not require a fixed sampling frequency. This property is very important since it leads to a simple algorithm to measure both off-nominal and small frequency deviations very accurately without requiring a look-up table. Also, because of this adaptive sampling property, the accuracy of the algorithm is immune to harmonic distortion which may be present in the signal. The algorithm is easy to implement and requires only seven multiplications per frequency estimate. The number of samples required per estimate is four. Unlike some algorithms using the same technique, the proposed algorithm is relatively insensitive to DC offsets and random noise, since it uses a data window length of a complete cycle. The method is fast since fewer estimates are needed to produce a stable result. This will accelerate the time for a tripping decision in a frequency protective relay. Some test results are presented. These results demonstrate that when random noise is present in the signal, the proposed algorithm has superior performance when compared with other algorithms using the same quadratic form based approach. Test results also show that using an adaptive sampling frequency improves the insensitivity to harmonic distortion.
A Probe into the Catalytic Activity and Subunit Assembly of Glycogen Phosphorylase DESENSITIZATION OF ALLOSTERIC CONTROL BY LIMITED TRYPTIC DIGESTION

Abstract Limited tryptic attack of phosphorylase a to produce phosphorylase b' is stimulated in the presence of the dissociating agents, glucose and hydrolyzed amylose. Phosphorylase b', a dimer, has been shown to exhibit no tendency to associate into a tetramer under conditions in which phosphorylase b, also a dimer, readily associates. The catalytic properties of phosphorylase b' have been investigated and found to differ strikingly from those of phosphorylase b. The apparent Michaelis constants of phosphorylase b' for substrates and activator were essentially independent of the concentrations of glycogen, inorganic phosphate, and AMP. No activation could be detected with NaF, and little or no inhibition was found with glucose 6-phosphate. The results suggest that the region of the primary structure released by trypsin, which contains the seryl residue phosphorylated in the phosphorylase b to a reaction, is involved in some way in dimer-dimer binding of phosphorylase a, and that this region is an essential part of the molecular structure which is responsible for the regulatory behavior of glycogen phosphorylase.
Structure of yeast hexokinase: IV. Low-resolution structure of enzyme—Substrate complexes revealing negative co-operativity and allosteric interactions

We conclude from X-ray diffraction studies at low resolution (7 A) that the binding of sugar and nucleotide substrates to dimeric yeast hexokinase BII crystals exhibits both negative co-operativity and positive allosteric co-operativity. Difference electron density maps show the positions of sugar and nucleotide binding sites and extensive substrate-induced structural changes in the protein. Sugar substrates and inhibitors bind in the deep cleft that divides each subunit into two lobes and nucleotide substrates bind nearby to one site per dimer, which lies between the subunits and on the molecular symmetry axis. Although the inhibitors o- and p-iodobenzoylglucosamine and o-toluoylglucosamine bind equally to both subunits, the degree of substitution of glucose or xylose is very different for the two subunits. The substrate analog β, γ-imido ATP shows only one strong binding site per dimer. This negative co-operativity in substrate binding may result from the heterologous or non-equivalent association of the two subunits (Anderson et al., 1974), which provides non-equivalent environments for the two chemically identical subunits. Further, there is a positive allosteric interaction between the sugar and nucleotide binding sites. Sugar binding is required for nucleotide binding at the intersubunit site and the binding of nucleotide modifies the binding of sugars. These positive heterotropic interactions appear to be mediated by extensive substrate-induced structural changes in the enzyme.
Abstract 11: mActive: A Blinded, Randomized mHealth Trial Supporting Digital Tracking and Smart Texting for Promotion of Physical Activity

Introduction: The recent advent of smartphone-linked wearable pedometers offers a novel opportunity to promote physical activity using mobile health (mHealth) technology. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that digital activity tracking and smart (automated, real-time, personalized) texting would increase physical activity. Methods: mActive (NCT01917812) was a 5-week, blinded, sequentially-randomized, parallel group trial that enrolled patients at an academic preventive cardiovascular center in Baltimore, MD, USA from January 17th to May 20th, 2014. Eligible patients were 18-69 year old smartphone users who reported low leisure-time physical activity by a standardized survey. After establishing baseline activity during a 1-week blinded run-in, we randomized 2:1 to unblinded or blinded tracking in phase I (2 weeks), then randomized unblinded participants 1:1 to receive or not receive smart texts in phase II (2 weeks). Smart texts provided automated, personalized, real-time coaching 3 times/day towards a daily goa...
The Power of Feminine Anger in Marie de France's "Yonec" and "Guigemar"

Feminine anger is a frequent and intriguing element in Mairie de France’s Lais. While some of this anger is of a stereotypical nature, such as that of the rebuffed queen in “Lanval” ( “Hell hath no...