cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the energy-saving strategy of the elevator group control system based on the ant colony algorithm

The elevator group control system aims to allocate elevator services to different customers,which is a typical combinatorial optimization problem; on the other hand,the ant colony algorithm has good global optimization ability and fast convergence ability,which is good at solving the problem of discrete combinatorial optimization. However,the current study of this problem mainly focuses on the scheduling algorithm to reduce the waiting time, but ignores the elevator's energy consumption. In order to achieve the energy-saving goal,this paper gives the energy objective function and establishes an elevator group-control system based on the ant colony model,and the optimal solution and convergence of the algorithm is also given. Finally,the simulation results show that this algorithm is effective.
Processing of Peptides

Plant peptide signaling molecules are subject to proteolytic processing and/or to various forms of posttranslational modifications. Most signaling peptides are secreted and made as prepropeptides from which signal peptides are removed as they are translocated across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Proteolytic processing of propeptides may be required to regulate their activity, for peptides to fold properly, to navigate the secretory pathway, and to diffuse freely in the apoplast. Posttranslational modifications of peptides in plants include tyrosine sulfation, proline hydroxylation, and hydroxyproline arabinosylation. The proteases responsible for processing some plant peptides have been determined and shown considerable specificity for their propeptide substrates. New high-throughput screening technologies can be used to match up peptides to their processing machinery or identify propeptide substrates of various proteases.
Improved pseudopotential transferability for magnetic and electronic properties of binary manganese oxides from DFT + U + J calculations

We employ the fully anisotropic $\mathrm{DFT}+U+J$ approach with the PBEsol functional to investigate ground-state magnetic and electronic properties of bulk binary manganese oxides: MnO, ${\mathrm{Mn}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}, \ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, and $\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{2}$, in order of increasing Mn valence. The computed crystal structures, noncollinear magnetic ground states, and corresponding electronic structures are in good agreement with the experimental data and hybrid functional calculations available in the literature. We take into account the nonlinear core-valence interaction in our Mn pseudopotential designed by ourselves, as it has been proven to be important for transition-metal systems. Although the Hubbard $U$ term is capable by itself of opening a band gap, the explicitly defined exchange parameter $J$ plays an important role in improving the detailed electronic and noncollinear magnetic structure profiles. Appropriate band gaps are obtained with $U$ values smaller than those used in previously reported calculations. Our results suggest that pseudopotential design together with $\mathrm{DFT}+U+J$ enables the acquisition of accurate properties of complex magnetic systems using a nonhybrid density functional.
The Effects of Opioids on Immune Cells, Functions and Diseases

Opioid analgesics have been the foundation of human pain management for centuries. In spite of their many debilitating side effects, prescription opioids remain a gold standard for treatment of chronic pain. The human body naturally produces its own, endogenous opiate-like substances in order to modulate pain mechanisms. Endogenous opioids mediate our reactions to painful stimuli by binding to opioid receptors which are widely distributed throughout most tissues and organ systems.
Recurrent IDH2 R172X mutations in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy. Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma has long been considered a diagnosis of exclusion; to date, the molecular pathogenetic basis for sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is unknown. To identify potential oncogenic drivers in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, targeted next-generation sequencing of 300 cancer-related genes was performed on 11 cases of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. We identified IDH2 R172X mutations in 55% of sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas including R172S, R172T, and R172M. Multispecific mutant IDH1/2 immunohistochemistry was performed and identified mutant-specific protein expression in all cases with available tissue: 3/3 sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas with R172 mutations were positive and 4/4 wild-type cases were negative. Review of sequencing data for our institutional head and neck cohorts (n=412) confirmed the absence of IDH-activating mutations in other tumor types. Alterations in the IDH2-wild-type sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas included SMARCA4 loss-of-function with confirmed loss of immunohistochemical expression, NOTCH1 gain-of-function, and TET2 loss-of-function. We demonstrate that the majority of histologically defined sinonasal undifferentiated carcinomas are characterized by IDH2 R172X mutations and overexpression of mutant protein. IDH2 R172X mutations are specific to sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma among carcinomas of the head and neck, confirming this tumor type as a distinct clinicopathologic entity. These findings have significant implications for diagnosis and therapy with IDH inhibitors for patients with this rare and poorly understood tumor.
Long-Term Response of Stream and Riparian Restoration at Wilson Creek, Kentucky USA

Degradation, impoundment, and channelization of streams is a global problem. Although stream restoration projects have increased in recent years, post-restoration, long-term monitoring is rare. In 2003, a channelized section of Wilson Creek (Nelson Co., Kentucky) was restored by creating a meandering channel, re-connecting the channel to its floodplain, and planting native riparian species: giant cane and bottomland forest species. Our main objective was to conduct a ten-year post-restoration assessment to determine long-term restoration outcomes of channel water quality, growth of trees planted in the riparian area, and soil development. Water quality, soil, and tree data collected in 2013–2015 was compared to 2004–2006 data. Quality of water parameters changed over time: sulfate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, alkalinity, pH, iron, and temperature decreased, whereas dissolved oxygen increased. Overall, soil pH, extractable ammonium, extractable nitrate, total carbon (TC), and total nitrogen (TN) increased over time. Effects were observed in restored riparian areas for pH, extractable ammonium, and TC; while TC and TN exhibited depth-dependent interactions. The carbon-nitrogen ratio in these soils significantly decreased over time for the reference sites, and the treatments recovered to near reference level. Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore) and Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash) individuals had higher survival (80% and 79%, respectively) than individuals of Quercus palustris (pin oak; 22%). Shelter and herbicide treatments had no effect on tree survival or height growth; however, height growth varied by species. Platanus occidentalis exhibited a greater than five-fold increase, F. pennsylvanica slightly increased, and Q. palustris decreased in height growth. Overall, water and soil quality improved over time at the restoration site, while tree survival and height growth exhibited species-specific outcomes.
Segregation by District Boundary Line: The Fragmentation of Memphis Area Schools

Boundary lines have long served as a mechanism to divide people, determining the quality of available resources, and ultimately, educational opportunity. In recent years, new school district bounda...
Application of the Generalized Gamma Model to Represent the Full Rain Drop Size Distribution Spectra

Abstract We report on measurements of drop size distributions (DSD) using collocated instruments (a Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc., Meteorological Particle Spectrometer and a 2D-video disdrometer) from two locations with different rainfall climates (Greeley, Colorado, and Huntsville, Alabama, with measurements from the latter that include the outer rainbands of Hurricane Irma). The combination of the two instruments gives what we term as the “full” DSD spectra, the shape of which generally cannot be represented by the standard gamma model, but instead requires the additional flexibility of the generalized gamma model, which includes two shape parameters (μ and c). The double-moment normalization of DSDs using the third and fourth moments is used to arrive at the intrinsic shapes of the DSD with two shape parameters that are shown to capture simultaneously the drizzle mode as well as the precipitation mode, together with a “plateau” region between the two. The estimation of μ and c is done with a g...
The nextgen display: Microleds [News]

The race for the next great display technology may be nearing the finish line. British chipmaker Plessey Semiconductors claims it will be the first to market with a microLED display-a screen in which each pixel is made from bright, efficient gallium nitride-based LEDs. The company plans to begin selling a monochrome display in the first half of 2018. But Plessey is, in fact, a latecomer to a crowded field that includes big names like Apple, Facebook, and cash-caffeinated startups around the world.
Transition of Individuals With Autism to Adulthood: A Review of Qualitative Studies

Many young adults with autism spectrum disorder experience poor transition outcomes in key areas, including postsecondary employment, higher education, health care, social connectedness, and independent living, yet we lack a clear understanding of the specific factors that impact these outcomes. We reviewed qualitative research in which the perspectives of youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder, parents, services providers, and other stakeholders were gathered to identify barriers and facilitators to optimal outcomes. Findings revealed that poor transition outcomes are influenced by several factors, including poor person-environment fit, uncertainty about the roles of parents, and the lack of comprehensive or integrated services. These findings also revealed the aspects of familial, organizational, and policy contexts that may be targeted for interventions. Finally, stakeholders emphasized that supports should be individualized and focused on the changing aspects of the young adult's social and physical environment rather than behavior change. We discuss implications for policy and practice and provide recommendations for further research.
Education (Primary and Secondary Schools) and Gender

As differences in the academic performance and educational attainment of boys and girls continue to decrease in magnitude, increasingly researchers are suggesting that girls and boys may be more similar than they are different. Gender research appears to be moving from assumptions of homogeneity within the sexes to a more detailed examination of intragender differences among girls and boys, taking into account race, ethnicity, and social class. This article examines some of the academic and social challenges facing boys and girls as they progress from elementary school through secondary school.
An Experimental Framework to Study the Dynamics of Autophagic Response

In this chapter we present an experimental quantitative framework for measuring kinetic parameters such as autophagy flux, time course of autophagic response, and stress/response dynamics in single cancer cells including endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Some primary data are presented in this chapter.
Treatment of infections due to resistant staphylococcus aureus

This chapter reviews data on the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). This review covers findings reported in the English language medical literature up to January of 2013. Despite the emergence of resistant and multidrug-resistant S. aureus, we have seven effective drugs in clinical use for which little resistance has been observed: vancomycin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, tigecycline, telavancin, ceftaroline, and daptomycin. However, vancomycin is less effective for infections with MRSA isolates that have a higher MIC within the susceptible range. Linezolid is probably the drug of choice for the treatment of complicated MRSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs); whether it is drug of choice in pneumonia remains debatable. Daptomycin has shown to be non-inferior to either vancomycin or β-lactams in the treatment of staphylococcal SSTIs, bacteremia, and right-sided endocarditis. Tigecycline was also non-inferior to comparator drugs in the treatment of SSTIs, but there is controversy about whether it is less effective than other therapeutic options in the treatment of more serious infections. Telavancin has been shown to be non-inferior to vancomycin in the treatment of SSTIs and pneumonia, but has greater nephrotoxicity. Ceftaroline is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin with activity against MRSA; it is non-inferior to vancomycin in the treatment of SSTIs. Clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, rifampin, moxifloxacin, and minocycline are oral anti-staphylococcal agents that may have utility in the treatment of SSTIs and osteomyelitis, but the clinical data for their efficacy is limited. There are also several drugs with broad-spectrum activity against Gm-positive organisms that have reached the phase II and III stages of clinical testing that will hopefully be approved for clinical use in the upcoming years: oritavancin, dalbavancin, omadacycline, tedizolid, delafloxacin, and JNJ-Q2. Thus, there are currently many effective drugs to treat resistant S. aureus infections and many promising agents in the pipeline. Nevertheless, S. aureus remains a formidable adversary, and despite our deep bullpen of potential therapies, there are still frequent treatment failures and unfortunate clinical outcomes. The following discussion summarizes the clinical challenges presented by MRSA, the clinical experience with our current anti-MRSA antibiotics, and the gaps in our knowledge on how to use these agents to most effectively combat MRSA infections.
Surface conditions effect on energy exchange at the soil surface

INTRODUCTION THEORETICAL BACKGROUND MATERIALS AND METHODS RESULTS AND DISCUSSION GENERAL DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY 41a ACKNOWLEDGMENT 41b LITERATURE CITED 42 SECTION II. SOIL SURFACE ROUGHNESS EFFECTS ON 44 RADIATION REFLECTANCE AND SOIL HEAT FLUX ABSTRACT 45 INTRODUCTION 46 MATERIALS AND METHODS 49 RESULTS 53 DISCUSSION 65 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 72 LITERATURE CITED 7345 INTRODUCTION 46 MATERIALS AND METHODS 49 RESULTS 53 DISCUSSION 65 ACKNOWLEDGMENT 72 LITERATURE CITED 73
Relation of coronary events to spasm of coronary arteries, precariousness of obstructive lesions and availability of collateral channels.

Sudden death, myocardial infarction and prolonged anginal pain without infarction are considered coronary events. As such the coronary event becomes one of the most lethal diseases to afflict mankind since over half of its victims are dead before they reach the hospital (1). In the hope of increasing understanding of the natural history of coronary obstructive lesions so that coronary events might be more accurately predicted and perhaps more reliably prevented, several clinical observations are presented that appear to be pertinent to the understanding of coronary events.
Understanding Disparities in Surgical Outcomes for Medicaid Beneficiaries

Few studies have evaluated whether outcome disparities between Medicaid and private insurance beneficiaries are driven by the hospital at which the patient receives care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the hospital on surgical outcomes in Medicaid beneficiaries. We identified 139,566 non-elderly Medicaid and private insurance beneficiaries undergoing general, vascular, or gynecological surgery between 2012 and 2017 using a statewide clinical registry in Michigan. We calculated risk-adjusted rates of complications, readmissions, emergency department (ED) visits, and post-acute care utilization using multivariable logistic regression, accounting for patient and procedural factors. We then evaluated whether, and to what extent, the hospital influenced outcome disparities between Medicaid and privately insured beneficiaries. Risk-adjusted rates for all outcomes were higher in Medicaid beneficiaries. For example, overall post-discharge ED visit rates were 14.3% (95% CI 13.7% to 14.9%) for Medicaid compared to 7.5% (95% CI 7.1% to 7.9%, P < 0.01) for private insurance beneficiaries. Hospital factors explained 3.9% of the observed difference in complication rates between Medicaid and private insurance beneficiaries. In contrast, hospital factors explained a greater proportion of the disparities in readmissions (30.6%), ED visits (33.0%), and post-acute care utilization (16.1%). Results were similar when restricting the study population to elective cases only. Hospital factors account for a significant proportion of the disparities in post-discharge resource utilization between Medicaid and private insurance beneficiaries. Policies aiming to improve the quality and equity of surgical care for Medicaid beneficiaries should focus on the post-discharge period.
Effectiveness of Using Local Cues to Indicate Perspective in Tactile Diagrams for People with Visual Impairments

IntroductionThis study presents and evaluates the use of a method using local cues to indicate perspective in tactile diagrams as compared to the current use of visual perspective methods.MethodsPe...
Beyond the sleep-amyloid interactions in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis

Cognitive impairment in older adults is associated with sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances. Numerous studies have linked disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms with amyloid-β (A&β), a key patho...
Graduate studies in Acoustical Oceanography in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program

An overview of graduate studies in Acoustical Oceanography within the framework of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program is presented, including a brief history of the program, facilities, details of the courses offered, alumni placing, funding opportunities, and current program status, faculty members and research. Emphasis is given to the key role of the joint strengths provided by MIT and WHOI, the strong sea-going history of the program, and the potential for highly interdisciplinary research.
Vanadium Oxide Clusters as Building Blocks for the Synthesis of Metal Oxide Surfaces and Framework Materials: Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of [H6Mn3VIV15VV4O46(H2O)12]·30H2O

A novel mixed-metal oxide solid [H6Mn3VIV15VV4O46(H2O)12]·30H2O (1) has been synthesized and characterized. The structure of the mixed-valence compound consists of three-dimensional arrays of “spheres” of {V19O46}, each one linked by six μ2-{Mn(H2O)4} bridges to six neighboring {V19O46} units, generating a complex 3-D framework. The structure contains cavities occupied by readily removable lattice water.
Dancing Molecules: Rewiring Cooperative Communications within 14-3-3 ζ Docking Proteins

Allosteric engineering may play a key role in novel drug discovery. As allosteric interactions are often associated with disease states where protein active sites are rendered constitutively active. Due to their role in regulating signal transduction in cells, we attempted to rewire cooperative communications within the 14-3-3 {zeta} docking protein. To avoid disruption of evolutionarily tuned interaction networks, we attempted to do so by applying the "Fundamental Theory of the Evolution Force: FTEF". Whereby, we reversed the motion vector of the 14-3-3 {zeta} C terminal tail. We were also able to modify low frequency vibrational modes across 14-3-3 {zeta} conformational ensembles. Notably, synthetic evolution by FTEF anticipated evolution of the 14-3-3 {zeta} docking protein. And accentuated nonrandom patterns of deformation waves resulting in a gain of function mutation characterized by increased protein flexibility. As well as allowed us to discover a genome encoded spatial arrangement of strain that promotes translation of vibrational motions through protein structural layers. We also discovered a 14-3-3 {zeta} evolution blueprint that predetermines evolutional fate of the docking protein. The aforementioned suggests that the evolutionary fate of cells may be encoded in the genome, thusly may be predetermined.nnO_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/683466v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1">nView larger version (47K):norg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f701a7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18d7e00org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4b4021org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5f6afe_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG SignificanceAllostery plays a key role in disease. Wherein, mutations redistribute conformational ensembles and render proteins constitutively active. 14-3-3 docking proteins are key signaling proteins involved in multiple signal pathways that effect cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Saliently, the 14-3-3 {zeta} isoform is associated with neurodegenerative disease, cancer and glaucoma. Thusly, ability to rewire cooperative communications within 14-3-3 {zeta} offers opportunity for novel drug discovery.
856-P: Can Monetary-Based Reinforcement for Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose (SMBG) Impact Psychosocial Outcomes? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Members of our group previously reported that monetary reinforcement of SMBG related behaviors shows robust increases in frequency of SMBG and modest decreases in A1c among youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In these secondary data analyses, we explored effects on psychosocial functioning. Methods: Sixty youth ages 12-21 (Mage=15.58, SD=2.31) with T1D, A1c 7.5-13%, and Results: Generalized linear models showed no significant time x condition effects. In t-tests at discrete follow-ups, compared to the control group, the reinforce group had significantly lower youth-reported diabetes related family conflict at 12 weeks (22.39 vs. 25.11, p=.043) and significantly higher negative affective responses to out-of-range glucose results at 24 weeks (13.62 vs. 11.71, p=.047). Conclusion: Monetary reinforcers targeting SMBG behaviors may produce transitory decreases in youth perceptions of family conflict and transitory iatrogenic increases in youth’s negative affective responses to out-of-range glucose results. The timing of changes in family conflict, negative affect, and previously reported changes in A1c suggest that psychosocial changes may reflect youth responses to A1c as well as to reinforcers per se. For broader effects, the intervention could include psychosocial components that seek to directly maintain decreased family conflict and mitigate negative affect related to increased awareness of glucose control. Disclosure J.J. Wong: None. A. Addala: None. K.K. Hood: Consultant; Self; Lilly Diabetes. Research Support; Self; Dexcom, Inc. Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. J. Wagner: None. E. Cengiz: Advisory Panel; Self; Abvance, ADOCIA, MannKind Corporation, Novo Nordisk Inc. Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. E.M. Tichy: None. K. Weyman: None. D. Naranjo: Advisory Panel; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company. Speaker9s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Johnson & Johnson Diabetes Institute. Other Relationship; Self; Abbott. Funding National Institutes of Health
Measuring sensitivity to eye gaze cues in naturalistic scenes: Presenting the eye gaze FoCuS database

Objectives The ability to process information about eye gaze and its use for nonverbal communication is foundational to human social interactions. We developed and validated a database of stimuli that are optimized to investigate the perception and referential understanding of shifts in eye gaze. Methods The 245 Gaze Perception stimuli are digital photographs that test the ability to estimate and interpret eye gaze trajectory. The 82 Gaze Following stimuli are digital videos that measure the ability to follow and interpret eye gaze shifts online. Both stimuli were designed for a 4-alternative forced choice paradigm (4AFC) in which the participant identifies the gazed-at object. Results Each stimulus was validated by independent raters and only included if the endorsement of the correct item was ≥75%. Finally, we provided timestamps for 19 40-second video segments from adolescent-oriented entertainment movies that are matched on several factors. These segments involve social interactions with eye gaze shifts and can be used to measure visual social attention. Conclusions This database will be an excellent resource for researchers interested in studying the developmental, behavioral, and/or neural mechanisms supporting the perception and interpretation of eye gaze cues.
A fluorescence-based approach to screen for productive chemically mutagenized strains of Desmodesmus armatus

Abstract Non-photochemical quenching, alternative electron transport and respiration all reduce photosynthetic efficiency. Targeted or random mutagenesis engineering approaches affecting genes involved in these processes have been repeatedly utilized to identify proteins which are essential for maximum photosynthetic efficiency. Ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) was used here to randomly mutagenize wild type (WT) Desmodesmus armatus (SE00107). A chlorophyll a fluorescence-based screening procedure was utilized to analyse 6662 novel mutant strains and mutants with altered fluorescence trace kinetics, indicative of altered electron transport or photoprotection relative to WT. Mutants were subsequently analysed for improved biomass productivity. Cells were grown under a variety of experimental conditions, leading to the selection of mutants with increased photosynthetic parameters and growth rates relative to WT. Three of these mutants demonstrated on average 20, 28 and 37% improved biomass production compared to WT cultures in conditions that mimic outdoor cultivation. This research provides a framework for independent groups looking to rapidly isolate mutants with enhanced biomass productivity. It is also particularly relevant when working with organisms that have limited genomic sequencing available.
Lock Unlock: The Impact of COVID-19 on Health Security in Pakistani and Indian Prisons

This paper assesses the state of COVID-19 in the Pakistani and Indian prison systems. Using publicly available data, governmental documents, media, and non-profit organization reports, and scholarl...
Pilot study of an Alzheimer's disease risk assessment program in a primary care setting

Author(s): Korthauer, Laura E; Denby, Charles; Molina, David; Wanjiku, Janet; Daiello, Lori A; Drake, Jonathan D; Grill, Josh D; Ott, Brian R | Abstract: IntroductionThe goal of this study was to pilot a referral-based cognitive screening and genetic testing program for Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk assessment in a primary care setting.MethodsPrimary care providers (PCPs; Nn=n6) referred patients (Nn=n94; Mn=n63 years) to the Rhode Island Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Registry for apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping and cognitive screening. PCPs disclosed test results to patients and counseled them about risk factor modification.ResultsCompared to the Registry as a whole, participants were younger, more likely to be non-White, and had lower cognitive screening scores. Mild cognitive impairment participants correctly reported a higher perceived risk of developing AD. Patients who recalled being counseled about modifiable risk factors were more likely to report positive health behavior changes.DiscussionA referral-based program for cognitive and genetic AD risk assessment in a primary care setting is feasible, acceptable to patients, and yielded a more demographically diverse sample than an AD prevention registry.
Won't You Be My Neighbor? Uncovering ties between Social Capital and COVID-19 Outcomes at Local Levels (preprint)

Over the past thirty years, disaster scholars have highlighted that communities with stronger social infrastructure - including social ties that enable trust, mutual aid, and collective action - tend to respond to and recover better from crisis. However, comprehensive measurements of social capital across communities have been rare. This study adapts Kyne and Aldrich’s (2019) county-level social capital index to the census-tract level, generating social capital indices from 2011 to 2018 at the census-tract, zipcode, and county subdivision levels. To demonstrate their usefulness to disaster planners, public health experts, and local officials, we paired these with the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to predict the incidence of COVID-19 in case studies in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Illinois. We found that social capital and social vulnerability predicted as much as 95% of the variation in COVID outbreaks, highlighting their power as diagnostic and predictive tools for combating the spread of COVID.
The Cultivation of Social Work Knowledge: Toward a More Robust System of Peer Review:

In a recent issue of Families in Society, Caputo argues for the “centrality” of peer review in the cultivation of social work knowledge. Specifically, he favors the double-blind model of peer revie...
A compositional mediation model for a binary outcome: Application to microbiome studies

MOTIVATION The delicate balance of the microbiome is implicated in our health and is shaped by external factors, such as diet and xenobiotics. Therefore, understanding the role of the microbiome in linking external factors and our health conditions is crucial to translate the microbiome research into therapeutic and preventative applications. RESULTS We introduced a sparse compositional mediation model for binary outcomes to estimate and test the mediation effects of the microbiome utilizing the compositional algebra defined in the simplex space and a linear zero-sum constraint on probit regression coefficients. For this model with the standard causal assumptions, we showed that both the causal direct and indirect effects are identifiable. We further developed a method for sensitivity analysis for the assumption of the no unmeasured confounding effects between the mediator and the outcome. We conducted extensive simulation studies to assess the performance of the proposed method and applied it to real microbiome data to study mediation effects of the microbiome on linking fat intake to overweight/obesity. AVAILABILITY An R package can be downloaded from https://github.com/mbsohn/cmmb. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary files are available at Bioinformatics online.
Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment Mediates Mortality in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage With Impaired Consciousness.

Background and Purpose: Impaired level of consciousness (LOC) on presentation at hospital admission in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may affect outcomes and the decision to withhold ...
Techniques for Intraoperative Peripheral Nerve Assessment and Implications for Treatment

One of the main challenges of peripheral nerve surgery continues to be knowing when to operate and what strategies to use intraoperatively. Nevertheless, new techniques are increasingly allowing peripheral nerve surgeons to assess and treat nerve lesions with more precision. This chapter seeks to summarize the surgeon’s options for analyzing peripheral nerves intraoperatively. Methods discussed include electrodiagnostics, specifically intraoperative nerve actions potentials, somatosensory and motor-evoked potentials, histochemical stains, and radioisotopic analysis.
Ergonomics for rehabilitation professionals

General Concepts Rehabilitation Ergonomics: Conceptual Basis, S.Kumar Energy Cost Considerations in Common Disabilities: Scientific Basis and Clinical Perspectives, S.-J. Lin Pain, G.L. Moseley and L. Jones Aging and Ergonomics, L. Liu and R. Lederer Disorders and Disabilities Gait and Ergonomics: Normal and Pathological, S. Strike Wheelchair Ambulation: Biomechanics and Ergonomic Considerations, L.H.V. van der Woude, S. de Groot, D.H.E.J. Veeger, S. van Drongelen, and T.W.J. Janssen Seats, Seating, and Seat Selection: Implications to Pressure Ulcers, L.R. Solis and V.K. Mushahwar Exercise Rehabilitation and Return to Work Following a Cardiac Event, R. G. Haennel and C. R. Tomczak Musculoskeletal Disorders Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremity and Ergonomic Interventions, A. Freivalds Ergonomic Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremity: State of the Art, T. Jones and S. Kumar Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Neck and Shoulder and Ergonomic Interventions, M.E. Maitland Work-Related Low-Back Pain: Biomechanical Factors and Primary, J.H. van Dieen and A.J. van der Beek Ergonomics of Selected Interventions A Critical Analysis of Therapeutic Exercise for Subacute Low Back Pain and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, A. Fenety and K. Harman Effective Utilization of Assistive Devices in the Workplace, D. de Jonge and L. Gibson Current Designs in Assistive Technology, D.S. Bloswick and B. Howard Enabling Design, P. Anderberg, E. Olander, B. Joensson, and L. Sperling Functional Capacity Evaluation, M. Davidson Accommodation through Improved Design, S.F. Wiker Index
Managing Reproducible Computational Experiments with Curated Proteins in KINARI-2

KINARI-2 is the second release of the web server KINARI-Web for rigidity and flexibility of biomolecules. Besides incorporating new web technologies and making substantially improved tools available to the user, KINARI-2 is designed to automatically ensure the reproducibility of its computational experiments. It is also designed to facilitate incorporating third-party software into computational pipelines and to simplify the process of large scale validation of its underlying model through comprehensive comparisons with other competing coarse-grained models. In this paper we describe the underlying architecture of the new system, as it pertains to experiment management and reproducibility.
Studies of the use of dihexanoylleithin and other lecithins as substrates for phospholipase A, with addendum on aspects of micelle properties of dihexanoyllecithin.

Abstract Some properties of the phospholipase A from venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus have been studied using as substrate a water-soluble lecithin, dihexanoyl- l -α-glycerylphosphorylcholine (DHL). Ca ++ is required for activity, and the concentration required for maximal activation is about 0.004 M at pH 6.8–9.8. The pH optimum for the system in the presence of excess Ca ++ is pH 8. Ba ++ , Zn ++ , and Cd ++ inhibited the reaction. Inhibition by Ba ++ was competitive with Ca ++ , and most probably involves a site on the enzyme. Caproate, one of the products of the enzymic reaction, has essentially no effect on the reaction even at levels 10 times that of the substrate. Hexanoyllysolecithin, the other product, had no effect when tested at 5 × 10 −5 M . The influence of other lysolecithins, sodium dodecyl sulfate, Tween 20, and Tween 80 on the activity of the enzyme toward DHL, and toward the water-insoluble dioctanoyl-, dimyristoyl-, and ovolecithin is also described. Studies on the micellar properties of DHL, with estimates of the critical micelle concentration and micellar weight are also presented.
GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE OF GROWING-FINISHING LAMBS EXPOSED TO LONG OR SHORT PHOTOPERIODS

The effects of photoperiod (8 hr light: 16 hr dark [8L:16D] or 16L:8D) on performance of growing-finishing lambs were evaluated in an experiment with 24 rams and 24 wethers. All lambs were caged in groups of two in a controlled environment and fed a pelleted diet ad libitum for the duration of the study (10 to 22 weeks of age). Performance and carcass data showed that both photoperiod and sex of lamb affected growth rate (P less than .01) and feed efficiency (P less than .05) but that only sex of lamb affected carcass quality (P less than .05) and yield (P less than .10). A sex by photoperiod interaction not observed for any of the traits measured. Average daily gain (grams/per day) and feed efficiency (feed/gain) for lambs in the four treatment groups tested were: rams (16L:8D), 410 and 4.3; rams (8L:16D), 340 and 4.5; wethers (16L:8D), 345 and 4.6, and wethers (8L:16D(, 300 and 4.8 respectively. Carcass weight, like slaughter weight, was affected by photoperiod (P less than .01) and sex of the lamb (P less than .05); both rams and wethers exposed to long photoperiods had the heaviest carcasses. Ram carcasses were leaner, had better yield grades and were heavier than wether carcasses, yet both ran and wether carcasses graded Choice. Testosterone concentrations in serum were undetectable (less than .2 ng/ml) at 22 weeks of age in wethers but were elevated (P less than .01) in ram lambs exposed to short (3.4 +/- 1.4 ng/ml) or long (.8 +/- .2 ng/ml) photoperiods. Prolactin concentrations, on the other hand, were not influenced by sex of lamb but were influenced (P less than .01) by photoperiod; i.e., prolactin concentrations were high in rams (190 +/- 34 ng/ml) and wethers (178 +/- 28 ng/ml) exposed to long photoperiods and low in rams (43 +/- 9 ng/ml) and wethers (27 +/- 11 ng/ml) exposed to short photoperiods. These results suggest that testosterone and prolactin may independently affect growth and performance of growing-finishing lambs.
Determination of Bacterial Biomass from Flow Cytometric Measurements of Forward Light Scatter Intensity

This unit presents methods for measuring biomass of bacteria by flow cytometry. Such measurements are an integral part of determining growth rates and kinetics. This unit discusses calibration and standardization methods for bacterial studies using flow cytometry and provides a detailed discussion of the components involved. The serious microbiologist will appreciate the advantages flow cytometry brings to many aspects of microbial study, and this unit is no exception.
A leukotriene and thromboxane inhibitor (Sch 37224) blocks antigen-induced immediate and late responses and airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic sheep.

Peptide leukotrienes and thromboxane A2 are putative mediators of allergen-induced late responses and allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), respectively. Sch 37224 blocks antigen-induced leukotriene D4 and thromboxane B2 release in guinea pig lung fragments. It also inhibits leukotriene-mediated allergic guinea pig bronchospasm. Sch 37224 was, therefore, tested in allergic sheep (n = 6) with documented immediate and late airway responses and AHR to inhaled Ascaris suum antigen. For these studies, base-line airway dose-response curves to histamine and carbachol were determined on the same day. The sheep were challenged 1 to 2 days later with Ascaris suum antigen, once after placebo treatment and once after 10 mg/kg of Sch 37224, administered orally 18 and 2 hr before challenge (total dose, 20 mg/kg). Airway dose-response curves were subsequently performed 24 hr after antigen challenge. In the placebo trial, antigen challenge caused significant peak immediate and peak late increases over base line in specific lung resistance (SRL) of 286 +/- 51 and 196 +/- 29%, respectively. SRL returned to baseline values 24 hr later, but the sheep had AHR to both histamine and carbachol as indicated by 2.6- and 3.1-fold increases in the slopes of the dose-response curves (P less than .05). Sch 37224 treatment reduced the peak immediate and peak late increases in SRL to 128 +/- 32 and 43 +/- 17%, respectively (both P less than .05 vs. placebo). Furthermore, 24 hr later, the antigen-induced AHR to both histamine and carbachol was blocked (P less than .05 vs. placebo).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis and prediction of ecological and ecosystem dynamics with response structure models

Abstract A method of directly using data concerning species' responses to various combinations of levels of environmental factors is outlined. Examples of its utilization to analyze (and predict) the dynamics of the ecological processes of population growth, interspecific competition, and predation are given for simple systems; a simulation is presented wherein all of these processes interact within a simple ecosystem. A technique of summarizing the pattern and detail of variation of levels of combination of important environmental factors is also introduced. Together these methods permit application of real world information about the components of the biological community and the environment toward the modeling of ecosystems and the making of predictions concerning them to whatever degree of accuracy which may be useful. There are several major advantages of this approach: (1) It makes maximum use of real world data; the limits of its precision are determined only by the adequacy of the data available (hypothetical values also may be used where real data are unavailable and/or where such hypothetical values may be useful in model and theory development). (2) It is powerful (and applicable to the dynamics of diverse kinds of systems), mathematically very simple, and has important advantages in that non-linearities, thresholds, etc. are automatically and accurately taken into account. (3) It can be expressed numerically or graphically, and therefore is especially helpful in permitting visualization of ecological processes and the results of their action.
Cohesion and structure in alkali-metal GICs

Abstract We present results of two new calculations based on our recent Thomas-Fermi model. 1) Plane-plane cohesion is found to be much weaker in the hypothetical NaC 8 than in the neighboring compounds LiC 6 and KC 8 , suggesting a reason for the non-formation of Na-graphite. We explain this result in terms of the core atomic structure of Na. 2) We compute the T dependence of the shear modulus C 44 for KC 24 using a Monte Carlo technique. Agreement with recent experiment is good. The increase of C 44 as T is lowered correlates with the formation of domain walls in the intercalant lattice.
Dynamics and stability of a class of low Reynolds number swimmers near a wall

We study the dynamic stability of low Reynolds number swimming near a plane wall from a control-theoretic viewpoint. We consider a special class of swimmers having a constant shape, focus on steady motion parallel to the wall, and derive conditions under which it is passively stable without sensing or feedback. We study the geometric structure of the swimming equation and highlight the relation between stability and reversing symmetry of the dynamical system. Finally, our numerical simulations reveal the existence of stable periodic motion. The results have implications for design of miniature robotic swimmers, as well as for explaining the attraction of micro-organisms to surfaces.
Slow cooling of protein crystals.

Cryoprotectant-free thaumatin crystals have been cooled from 300 to 100 K at a rate of 0.1 K s−1 – 103–104 times slower than in conventional flash cooling – while continuously collecting X-ray diffraction data, so as to follow the evolution of protein lattice and solvent properties during cooling. Diffraction patterns show no evidence of crystalline ice at any temperature. This indicates that the lattice of protein molecules is itself an excellent cryoprotectant, and with sodium potassium tartrate incorporated from the 1.5 M mother liquor ice nucleation rates are at least as low as in a 70% glycerol solution. Crystal quality during slow cooling remains high, with an average mosaicity at 100 K of 0.2°. Most of the mosaicity increase occurs above ∼200 K, where the solvent is still liquid, and is concurrent with an anisotropic contraction of the unit cell. Near 180 K a crossover to solid-like solvent behavior occurs, and on further cooling there is no additional degradation of crystal order. The variation of B factor with temperature shows clear evidence of a protein dynamical transition near 210 K, and at lower temperatures the slope dB/dT is a factor of 3–6 smaller than has been reported for any other protein. These results establish the feasibility of fully temperature controlled studies of protein structure and dynamics between 300 and 100 K.
Biomass utilisation: A perspective of task X IEA bioenergy agreement 1992–1994

Abstract The program to be carried out within the framework of the IEA Bioenergy Agreement consists of cooperative research, development, demonstrations and exchange of information regarding bioenergy. Within Task X Biomass Utilisation, thirteen participating countries have focused research efforts on thermal processing of biomass, biological conversion of feedstocks, processing of specialised biomass, and cross-cutting topics of interest across several technical areas. This paper addresses the various work programs and summarises the progress of Task X Biomass Utilisation during the period 1992 through 1994.
Covered arbitrage with currency options: A theoretical analysis

Abstract This work demonstrates how a rational investor in the currency market can make risk-free profits by covering his risk exposure with call and put options. The conditions for such profit making is first derived, and then it is shown that by iterative arbitrage process he can compound his risk-free profits significantly. These results are derived both in the absence and in the presence of transaction costs.
Intelligent resource director

Intelligent Resource Director (IRD), a feature of the IBM eServer zSeries™ processors and the z/OS™ operating system, manages multiple heterogeneous workloads with various business priorities toward achieving their goals. It establishes a more synergistic relationship with the Workload Manager (WLM) component of z/OS and the zSeries hardware, and augments the adjustments that WLM makes to local sysplex members by managing the set of logical partitions on a particular central processing complex (CPC) that are part of the same sysplex, known as a logically partitioned (LPAR) cluster. This paper describes the three primary areas that IRD manages: LPAR CPU management, channel subsystem priority queueing (CSSPQ), and dynamic channel path management (DCM).
Andrews plots for multivariate data: some new suggestions and applications

Andrews plots (Biometrics 28 (1972) 125-136), as a tool to graphically interpret multivariate data, have recently gained considerable recognition. In this article, we first review the previous literature and then suggest a modification to the traditional Andrews plots. Finally, we illustrate a few new applications of these plots in robust design studies and in correspondence analysis, using real data.
Male-female differences in rat hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses to nicotine stimulation

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responsiveness differs physiologically and pharmacologically between the sexes (sexual diergism). Central nicotinic receptors modulate this endocrine axis. Previous studies have established that nicotine (NIC) stimulates the HPA axis; however, only male animals have been used. We have demonstrated that plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations showed greater responsiveness in male than in female rats pretreated with scopolamine (SCOP), a muscarinic antagonist, followed by physostigmine (PHYSO), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. These results suggest that the SCOP + PHYSO effects may have resulted from an indirect nicotinic effect caused by increased synaptic acetylcholine with simultaneous muscarinic antagonism. In the present study, we investigated nicotinic cholinergic influences on HPA axis activity in male and female rats by administering NIC (0, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 mg/kg) and determining plasma AVP, ACTH, and corticosterone (CORT) responses. Male rats had a significantly greater, dose-related AVP response to NIC than did females. In contrast, female rats had significantly greater, dose-related ACTH and CORT responses to NIC than did males. Hormone responses following NIC were similar to hormone responses following SCOP + PHYSO. These results suggest nicotinic receptors influence the HPA axis differentially in male and female rats.