cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Buildup of proactive inhibition as a function of temporal spacing and adult age

Glenberg's theory of temporal distinctiveness (Glenberg, 1987; Glenberg & Swanson, 1986) was used to examine whether the buildup of proactive inhibition (PI) may be interpreted as an overloading of temporal retrieval cues. The Brown-Peterson task was selected on the basis of the assumption that successful performance on such a task requires the use of a recency rule where the subject must use temporal cues to retrieve the contents of the most recent study list. Two variables were manipulated that were presumed to affect the utilization of temporal cues: length of intertrial interval (ITI) (0 or 90 s) and adult age (young or elderly). Glenberg's theory suggests that temporal spacing improves memory by enhancing the distinctiveness of temporal retrieval cues. Thus, it was predicted that PI buildup should be less in the 90-s condition than in the 0-s condition. Assuming that older adults are more sensitive to the overloading of temporal cues, it was anticipated that older adults would experience a greater buildup of PI than younger adults at the 0-s condition. Results showed that although PI buildup varied with length of ITI, it did not vary with adult age. Analysis of delayed measures of recall, recognition, and temporal memory suggested that a retrieval interpretation based on Glenberg's theory is insufficient as an explanation of the current results; encoding difficulties also appear to contribute to the buildup of PI.
Transferability of Preference Models across Segments and Geographic Areas

Differences in preference models between segments often are influenced by the background characteristics of individuals. Based on the relationship between preference weights and background characte...
Ruled by Music——China ancient time's unique concept of administering a country

Ancient China once treated the music as a kind of law,and a way of administering.The principle of Ruled by Music is that make the people live in a harmonic atmosphere,with same feeling,and improves human nature,then transforms social traditions.Finally,runs the country well and gives the people peace and security.The study on the topic can introduce a new mode of thinking,and helps to construct the harmonic society.
Identifying successful strategies for resolving static analysis notifications

Although static analysis tools detect potential code defects early in the development process, they do not fully support developers in resolving those defects. To accurately and efficiently resolve defects, developers must orchestrate several complex tasks, such as determining whether the defect is a false positive and updating the source code without introducing new defects. Without good defect resolution strategies developers may resolve defects erroneously or inefficiently. In this work, I perform a preliminary analysis of the successful and unsuccessful strategies developers use to resolve defects. Based on the successful strategies identified, I then outline a tool to support developers throughout the defect resolution process.
Increased activity in a renal cell carcinoma imaged using 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid.

Abstract An unusual case is presented in which a hypervascular renal tumor was imaged as an area of increased activity in a patient with mild renal failure using technetium 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, a renal cortical imaging agent. Possible explanations for this occurrence are discussed.
The World's Search for Sustainable Development: A Perspective from the Global South

Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. Social dimension of sustainability Part I. Consumption in an Unequal World: Framing International Cooperation: 2. Geopolitics of the global environment 3. Natural science - policy - institutions interface 4. Focus on developing countries 5. Limitations of multilateral environmental agreements Part II. Climate Policy: Global to National: 6. Political origins of climate policy 7. Questions on the framework 8. Burden shifting rather than burden sharing 9. Development of a shared vision 10. The middle class and global ecological limits 11. The new climate regime Part III. Sustainable Development: National to Global: 12. Conceptual and institutional foundation 13. Politics within the United Nations 14. Limitations of the building blocks of sustainability 15. Use of natural resources 16. Distribution of natural resources Part III. Consumption in a More Equal World: Shaping Societal Functions: 17. Geoeconomics of human well-being 18. Social science - policy - society interface 19. Reframing the 'common concern' from a physical to a social problem 20. Developing a shared global vision Part IV. Geopolitics to Geoeconomics: Rural-Urban Divide, Rather Than between Countries: 21. Urban areas: sustainable development and human well-being 22. Rural areas: climate change, fragile states and human security 23. Global sustainable development goals 24. Transformative impact of the re-emergence of China Part V. The Asian Century: 25. Moving from ideas to reality will depend on how Asia structures its urban future Index.
Synthesis of Amino Sugars with Retention of Configuration: 4-Dimethylamino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy-d-erythro-hexose (Isomycamine)

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the synthesis of amino sugars with retention of configuration 4-dimethylamino-2,3,4,6-tetradeoxy- d -erythro-hexose (isomycamine). The synthesis involves a double inversion with the introduction of nitrogen on the second displacement. Ethyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-p-tolylsulfonyl-α- d -threo-hexopyranoside can be made either by the sequence outlined below or directly from d -galactose pentaacetate. A solution of 4.15 gm of ethyl 2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-methylsulfonyl-α- d -erythro-hexopyranoside—prepared in nine steps from d -glucose pentaacetate—and 5 g of potassium acetate in 30 ml of N,N-dimethylformamide is heated at the reflux temperature. Alternatively, the reaction can be conducted using dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent at 140°. The progress of the reaction is followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on silica gel G using 3:7 v/v ether–pentane.
Metabolomic profiling for early cancer detection: current status and future prospects

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in the United States with the number of new cases expected to rise to 22 million individuals within the next two decades. National expenditures for cancer car...
Protection of Trichoderma Reesei Cellulase from Inactivation Due to Shaking

Cellulases can be added to the list of enzymes that are inactivated by shaking, agitation, or shearing. Of the cellulases, the most susceptible component is cellobiohydrolase (CBH). A survey of compounds that protect CBH against shaking reveals that some non-ionic surfactants are most potent, being active in the range of one molecule per molecule of enzyme. Under shaking conditions (50°, 350 rpm) where the CBH half-life is 1.5 hours, the presence of Zonyl·FSN increased the half-life to 180 hours. The addition of surfactant to enzyme already inactivated by shaking does not lead to recovery of activity. The presence of surfactant does not improve heat stability of the enzyme under unshaken conditions; nor does it affect the initial rate of hydrolysis. Long time (3 day) hydrolyses of crystalline cellulose under shaking conditions are markedly improved by the presence of surfactant, the improvement resulting from protection of the CBH against inactivation.
Women on Parole, Identity Processes, and Primary Desistance:

The current study employs a prospective mixed-methods design to examine women parolees’ identities early in their supervision and the association of their identity development at that point to their record of subsequent arrests. Guided by narrative identity theory, we first conduct quantitative analysis of the relationship between redemption and contamination narratives and subsequent arrests. We then return to the qualitative interview data to search for additional explanatory themes that shed further light on women’s identity and desistance from crime. Results indicate that identity verification from parole officers and others increases women’s self-esteem and assists them in overcoming barriers to desistance.
Field repeatability in frequency diverse imaging

We consider multi-static imaging systems composed of frequency-diverse transmitting antenna arrays (or apertures). In these frequency diverse imaging modalities, accurate near-field characterization of the antennas is vital to achieving imaging. It is shown that considerable simplification in system characterization can be achieved without compromising the image quality when planar cavity antennas are used, because their radiation characteristics can be manufacture repeatable. In contrast, it is also demonstrated that the increased complexity of antennas utilizing sub-wavelength elements significantly reduces fabrication tolerances, making it necessary to characterize the metamaterial apertures individually.
Applications of Microbial Enzymes in Food Systems and in Biotechnology

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the applications of enzymes in food and biotechnology and suggests the future trends and applications. Selected strains of molds, bacteria, and yeasts are currently used as sources of enzymes for food processing. Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, and Bacillus subtilis are the three most useful, well-known, and safe microbial sources for enzymes. Enzymes have great utility in food processing. For example, the processing of common foods such as bread, beer, cheese, and soft drinks requires microbial enzymes as an integral part of their manufacture. There are several advantages of enzymes in food processing over alternative physical or chemical manipulations. First, enzymes catalyze a specific action, avoiding potentially undesirable side reactions resulting from less specific processing methods, second, the extremes of pH or temperature necessary for chemical or physical treatments are avoided by using enzymes and this minimizes the side reactions as well. Many of the enzymes used in biotechnology are derived from microbial sources. Microbial enzymes are often used in analysis, such as the clinical use of fungal glucose oxidase and bacterial catalase to measure blood glucose to monitor the diabetic condition.
From “Spiritual Paralysis” to “Spiritual Liberation”: Joyce’s Samaritan “Grace”

In this chapter, Jack Dudley pairs Joyce’s famous letter to his brother Stanislaus about paralysis with Joyce’s criticism of Irish Catholicism. Dudley argues that Joyce saw the Catholic religion as stifling and paralytic, thereby offering Dubliners as an escape route that could free readers and characters from Catholic paralysis. However, Joyce might have been anti-Catholic, but his work was not barren of religiosity, spirituality, or the sacred. Reconsidering the way that Dubliners engages with the spiritual, Dudley reads “Grace” as antithetical to Catholicism but not a rejection of religion itself. Instead, the story “demonstrates that the central idea of redemption and liberation for Joyce was a spiritual one, framed and described out of the material of his religious upbringing, set to new but nonetheless transcendent purposes.”
Electric vehicle adoption decisions in a fleet environment

Abstract Increasing long-term gasoline price and concerns on the impact of emissions have inspired alternative technologies like electric vehicles (EVs). As a part of the initiative to improve local air quality, cities encourage the adoption of EVs in mass transit system, in particular taxicabs. Motivated by the above, we study a fleet environment, like taxicabs, and build a model that captures the factors influencing EV adoption. We consider a vertically-integrated entity that is a combination of a taxicab company and an infrastructure service provider. We model the entity’s decision-making problem that includes (i) fleet renewal using either internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs) or EVs; and (ii) infrastructure planning corresponding to investing in fast chargers, and swap stations with stocked EV batteries. We characterize EV adoption in terms of problem parameters such as the mean and coefficient of variation of miles driven. We find that the adoption decision can switch between adopt and do not adopt and vice versa as the mean miles increases. EVs may be adopted at higher variability in miles driven even when they are not adopted at lower variability. To address the operational characteristics of taxicabs to a greater extent, we relax key model assumptions and find that the above conclusions based on the mean and coefficient of variation of miles driven remain valid. This research has practical implications on the attractiveness (or lack thereof) of EV taxicabs / swap stations and on the impact of various government or R&D improvement actions on EV adoption.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Emotion Regulation in Acute-Care Psychiatric Inpatients: Associations With Suicidality

ABSTRACTPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology has been positively associated with suicidality (suicidal ideation and attempts), but less is known about factors that might exacerbate that association. The present study examined the main and interactive effects of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation in association with four suicidality outcomes. Participants included 128 adults in an acute-care psychiatric inpatient setting. Results revealed that PTSD symptom severity was significantly incrementally associated with self-reported suicidal ideation (s = .30, p = .02). Difficulties in emotion regulation were significantly associated with suicide as the reason for current admission (p = .01). The interactive effect of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation was significant only for self-reported suicidal ideation (s = .24, p < .001). Participants with high levels of PTSD symptom severity and difficulties in emotion regulation exhibited the highest leve...
From Anthrax to Zika: Fifteen Years of Public Health Emergency Preparedness.

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss various reports within the journal on topics including public health emergency preparedness in the twenty-first century, competencies in biosurveillance, and funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A scheme for wide input range precision SAR ADC

This paper presents a new scheme for enabling wide input voltage range for SAR (successive approximation register) ADCs. Precision ADC usually favors large input voltage range (>3V), while a push for higher throughput often calls for the use of low voltage devices in fine lithography. There are elegant solutions to bridge the gap. Recently a new type of SAR ADCs using passive charge sharing technique or reservoir capacitor techniques emerges. Previous solutions of dealing with large input range are not compatible with this newly developed SAR ADCs. This paper presents a new scheme to make a wide input voltage range possible for this type of ADCs. Simulation results confirmed it is an appealing and elegant solution. This scheme is not very exciting for traditional SAR ADCs. But it is the only elegant solution for the passive charge sharing ADC as the author now knows.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of duplex ultrasound surveillance for infrainguinal vein bypass grafts.

Abstract Objective Duplex ultrasound (DUS) surveillance of infrainguinal vein bypass grafts is widely practiced, but the evidence of its effectiveness compared with other methods of surveillance remains unclear. Methods Following an a priori protocol developed by the guidelines committee from the Society for Vascular Surgery, this systematic review and meta-analysis included randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies that enrolled patients who underwent infrainguinal arterial reconstruction and received DUS surveillance for follow-up compared with any other method of surveillance. The search included MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus through November 2016. Outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, limb viability, and graft patency reports. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model. Results We included 15 studies. Compared with ankle-brachial index and clinical examination, DUS surveillance was not associated with a significant change in primary, secondary, or assisted primary patency or mortality. DUS surveillance was associated with a nonstatistically significant reduction in amputation rate (odds ratio, 0.70 [95% confidence interval, 0.23-2.13]). The quality of evidence was low because of imprecision (small number of events and wide confidence intervals) and high risk of bias in the primary literature. Conclusions A recommendation for routine DUS surveillance of infrainguinal vein grafts remains dependent on low-quality evidence. Considering that DUS offers the opportunity of early intervention and because of its noninvasive nature and low cost, vascular surgeons may incorporate DUS as they individualize the follow-up of lower extremity vein grafts.
Tuned support vector regression by modified particle swarm optimization for online power system static security evaluation

Secure operation of power systems requires fast, efficient, and accurate contingency screening, selection, and ranking. Different machine learning methods have been proposed in the literature to replace the traditional numerical Newton-Raphson load flow (NRLF) method for online static security evaluation (SSE). Recently, a technique using support vector regression and particle swarm optimization (SVR-PSO) was proposed for a different application, namely the reliability prediction of systems. The performance of SVR heavily depends on the tuning of its three parameters. This is an optimization problem which SVR-PSO solved by modifying the process of adapting the inertial weight of PSO. In this paper, the SVR-PSO approach is extended and employed for online SSE of power systems. In particular, adaptation of the inertia weight is modified further, so that it is different for each one of the particle dimensions. The proposed tuned support vector regression by modified particle swarm optimization (TSVR-MPSO) method is compared with several techniques, such as SVR-PSO, support vector regression grid search (SVR-GS), radial basis function network (RBFN), and multi-layer feedforward neural network (MLFN). Experimental results demonstrate that TSVR-MPSO method provides a lower RMSE compared to other methods. The IEEE-14 bus and IEEE-118 bus test systems have been used in the simulations.
High burn-up spent nuclear fuel transport reliability investigation

Abstract Transportation packages for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) must meet safety requirements under normal and accident conditions as specified by federal regulations. During road or rail transportation, SNF will experience unique conditions that could affect the structural integrity of the cladding due to vibrational and impact loading. Lack of SNF inertia-induced dynamic fatigue data, especially for the high burn-up (HBU) SNF systems, has brought significant challenges to quantify the reliability of SNF during transportation with a high degree of confidence. To address this shortcoming, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed a SNF vibration testing protocol without fuel pellets removal, which has provided significant insight regarding the dynamics of mechanical interactions between pellet and cladding. This research has provided a detailed understanding about the effect of loading rate and loading mode on the fatigue damage evolution of HBU SNF under normal conditions of transport (NCT). Static and dynamic loading experimental data were generated for SNF under simulated transportation environments using a cyclic integrated reversible-bending fatigue tester (CIRFT), an enabling hot-cell testing technology developed at ORNL. SNF flexural tensile strength and fatigue S-N data from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactor (BWR) HBU SNF are presented in this paper, including the potential effects of pellet-cladding interface bonding, hydride reorientation, and thermal annealing to SNF vibration reliability. These data can be used to meet the nuclear industry and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission needs in safety of SNF transportation operations.
Lymphocyte Dysfunctions Associated with Enzyme Defects

Nowadays three heritable molecular defects have been recognized as the primary cause of the associated immune deficiency syndrome. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency usually is associated with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) deficiency is associated with cellular immune deficiency and absence of transcobalamine II (TC II) is associated with agammaglobulinemia (as well as with defects in the cells of the erythropoietic and myelopoietic cell lineage) (1). These causal associations imply the involvement of purine (and pyrimidine) metabolism and of cobalamine in the development and function of the lymphoid system (2). A low activity of another enzyme of the purine metabolic pathway, i.e. ecto-5’-nucleotidase (ecto-5’-NT) has been found in the lymphocytes of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia (3). Meanwhile lymphocytic ecto-5’-NT has been shown to be a marker of the maturation stage of the lymphocytes and low lymphocyte ecto-5’-NT activity in hypogammaglobulinemia may reflect a maturation arrest of the lymphocytes in these patients (2,3). More recently an as yet unexplained association of lymphocytic ecto-5’-NT deficiency with the syndrome of Omenn and concurrent combined immune deficiency has been reported (4).
An Experimental Investigation of the Dynamic and Thermal Characteristics of the Ceramic Stock Removal Process

Analysis of the ceramic stock removal system is a complex process, basically involving the transfer of energy from the grinding wheel to the ceramic workpiece. This involves the various factors generally accompanying the phenomenon of material failure under ballistic impact. However, the shock front normally encountered in ballistic impact is not generated here, since the impact velocities are subsonic. On one hand, this simplifies the matter by avoiding the complications associated with shock front propagation while on the other hand theoretical schemes to analyze the fracture under subsonic impact are not as fully developed as those for the shock front propagated fracture. Furthermore, the existing theoretical models for either the static or the shock failure cannot be directly applied to the stock removal process for at least the following reasons: 1. Many major phenomena act simultaneously, such as high velocity impact, crack propagation, wear and friction processes. 2. Experimental parameters: specific conditions and their variations are often extreme. As an example, interfacial pressures may reach levels of 25 kilobars, within one tenth of a microsecond; temperatures of around 1500° Kelvin are experienced. 3. The process is a continuous dynamic process; that is, there is a very definite time period over which the material continues to be subjected to impact parameters, after the initial impact is made.
Robotic Surgical Procedures for Male Infertility

The use of the operating microscope ushered in a new era in dealing with male reproductive issues. First described by Sherman J. Silber in 1975, a Zeiss operating microscope was used to fashion a two-layer vasovasostomy, achieving a higher vasal patency rate and pregnancy rate than that achieved with non-microscopic repair (Schultheiss D, Denil J, Andrologi 34(4):234–241, 2002; Silber SJ, Urology 6(2):150–153, 1975). In subsequent years the use of the operating microscope has been suggested as a valuable adjunct in several operative procedures relating to male infertility. The da Vinci® Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) provides a steady platform with multiple tool manipulation and a three-dimensional view with 10–15 times magnification. Human tremors are “filtered out” and the surgeon is in a comfortable, ergonomic position (Thiel DD, Winfield HN, J Endourol/Endourol Soc 22(4):825–830, 2008). It seems almost intuitive that the aforementioned advantages already suggested by the prior use of the operating microscope can only be enhanced by the incorporation of the surgical robot. As urological reproductive surgeons skilled in microsurgery become more familiar with the surgical robot it will also become apparent as the stability of the instrument allows them to not only see, but perform fine manipulations over extended periods of time that reduce the tremors and fatigue which “flesh is heyre to.” (Shakespeare W, Hamlet, Act III Scene 1, 1600).This chapter presents a detailed description of the surgical techniques that we have developed for robotic vasovasostomy, robotic vasoepididymostomy, robotic varicocelectomy, and robotic testicular sperm aspiration (TESE).
Designed Complex Adaptive Systems Exhibiting Weak Emergence

A requirements engineering methodology is introduced for the design of complex adaptive systems organized as a system-of-systems to achieve anticipated performance capabilities for desired weak emergent behavior, while accounting for potential undesired consequences. This applies to the fusion of autonomy, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies in autonomous-collaborative systems.
Randomized, open-label, perioperative phase II study evaluating nivolumab alone or nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients with resectable HCC.

185Background: In HCC, surgical resection is associated with high recurrence rate, and no effective neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies currently exist. On the basis of previous reports on the effica...
The Use and Abuse of the 'Public Interest' in the ITC and in Article III Courts: Public Interest Comment in 337-ITC-1065

This essay was filed as a public comment in an International Trade Commission (ITC) investigation. In this case, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) found imported smartphones to contain technology that infringed U.S. patents, but denied issuing an exclusion order given his belief that this was contrary to the “public interest.” This decision reflects a trend in which Article III judges and ALJs are increasingly refusing to issue injunctive remedies against ongoing, commercial infringement of patent rights. This practice is contributing to a systemic degradation in the reliable and effective patents historically secured to innovators by the U.S. patent system. This essay surveys the historical role of the “public interest” factor in issuing injunctions or exclusion orders as a remedy for patent infringement in both Article III courts and the ITC. It identifies the expansive use of the “public interest” factor following the Supreme Court’s 2006 decision in eBay v. MercExchange, and how this has contributed to a significant decrease in injunctive remedies being requested by or awarded to patent-owners. It highlights the ITC case as an example of this trend, detailing significant evidentiary and legal differences between the use of the “public interest” factor in past ITC investigations and how it was used improperly in this case to deny the exclusion order. In addition to addressing the ALJ’s mistaken assumptions about the global market in smartphones, it also addresses the ALJ’s concern about the U.S. losing its comparative advantage over China in technological innovation. The ALJ is right to be concerned, but by denying a proper legal remedy for patent infringement, the ALJ is in fact contributing to the U.S. losing its competitive advantage in fostering new innovation.
Effect of Laundering Procedures and Functional Finishes on Removal of Insecticides Selected from Three Chemical Classes

Eleven pesticides from three chemical classes were chosen for comparison of residues after laundering. Pesticide was introduced to the fabric surface of one of three fabrics-unfinished (UN), renewable consumer applied fluorocarbon finished (RF), and commercially applied fluorocarbon finished (CM) fabric. The fabrics were laundered using one of three laundry treatments-a heavy-duty liquid detergent (HDL) alone, an HDL with a prewash spray, and an HDL with an agriculturally marketed pretreatment. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that the fluorocarbon-finished fabrics absorbed only 10% of the pesticide absorbed by the UN fabrics. Residues after laundering were significantly different both among and within classes. Although both fluorocarbon finishes reduced absorption of pesticide, they did not facilitate removal of the contaminant through laundering. Laundry additives significantly aided residue reduction.
Epiglotic anomaly yields reduced airway protection in an infant

Abstract Proper laryngeal anatomy is crucial for airway protection. Congenital malformations of the airway are one cause of respiratory distress in children. An almost 5 month old male presented with increased work of breathing and worsening cough. Laryngoscopy showed the entire lingual surface of the epiglottis was tethered/compressed/grown to the base of tongue and was curled into a slight omega-shape. The arytenoid cartilages also hooded the glottis. The patient had airway collapse and did not have any visible tracheal rings consistent with severe tracheomalacia. A wedge-sling combination for sleeping, continuation of reflux medications, and follow up with the nutrition and feeding team were recommended. Direct laryngoscopy follow-up, sixteen months later, revealed floppy shortened epiglottis with more disconnect between the base of tongue and epiglottis. Moderate tracheomalacia with posterior collapse and right mainstem lateral collapse was also noted, with nearly complete resolution of his symptoms.
Keynote: Community-Based Sensing, Activity Recognition, and Behavior Change Techniques

In this keynote, I will present a new perspective on wearable sensing to enable community-based behavior change to promote improved health and well-being for an individual belonging to the community. These emerging ideas are grounded in planning activities for Project Healthy After Childbirth (HATCH), which seeks to develop an intervention to promote physical activity, breastfeeding, and sustained abstinence from smoking among postpartum, low SES women through a smart and connected community. We envision an intervention facilitated by wearable devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) that enables: ‐the study of physiological, social, and environmental conditions that influence these 3 cancer-preventative behaviors, ‐the study of community-based behavior change techniques (BCTs) to motivate cancer-preventative behaviors in a way that considers interactions of smoking, breastfeeding, and physical activity, ‐the creation of an adaptive, community-based BCT recommendation framework that applies to interactive, related cancer-preventative behaviors and is sensitive to physiological, social, and environmental conditions, and ‐an intervention that is implemented using the adaptive BCT recommendation framework.
Using Continuous Student Feedback to Course-Correct during COVID-19 for a Nonmajors Chemistry Course

The two major impetuses to improve STEM education are the shift to online learning and increasing active learning and engagement. Although the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online...
A meta-analysis of SARS-CoV-2 patients identifies the combinatorial significance of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, lymphocyte, and neutrophil values as a predictor of disease severity

Author(s): Singh, Kunwar; Mittal, Sasha; Gollapudi, Sumanth; Butzmann, Alexandra; Kumar, Jyoti; Ohgami, Robert S | Abstract: BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), known to be the causative agent of COVID-19, has led to a worldwide pandemic. At presentation, individual clinical laboratory blood values, such as lymphocyte counts or C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, may be abnormal and associated with disease severity. However, combinatorial interpretation of these laboratory blood values, in the context of COVID-19, remains a challenge.MethodsTo assess the significance of multiple laboratory blood values in patients with SARS-CoV-2 and develop a COVID-19 predictive equation, we conducted a literature search using PubMed to seek articles that included defined laboratory data points along with clinical disease progression. We identified 9846 papers, selecting primary studies with at least 20 patients for univariate analysis to identify clinical variables predicting nonsevere and severe COVID-19 cases. Multiple regression analysis was performed on a training set of patient studies to generate severity predictor equations, and subsequently tested on a validation cohort of 151 patients who had a median duration of observation of 14ndays.ResultsTwo COVID-19 predictive equations were generated: one using four variables (CRP, D-dimer levels, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil count), and another using three variables (CRP, lymphocyte count, and neutrophil count). In adult and pediatric populations, the predictive equations exhibited high specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values.ConclusionUsing the generated equations, the outcomes of COVID-19 patients can be predicted using commonly obtained clinical laboratory data. These predictive equations may inform future studies evaluating the long-term follow-up of COVID-19 patients.
Temporal regulation of motor behavior on a modified forelimb dexterity test in mice

ABSTRACT Hand and arm manual dexterity is a hallmark of humans and non-human primates. While rodents are less dexterous than primates, they provide powerful models for testing neural circuit function in behavioral output, including dexterous behaviors. In rodents, the single pellet reach task has been used extensively to study both dexterous forelimb motor learning as well as recovery from injury; however, mice exhibit high variability in task acquisition in comparison to rats and a significant percentage fail to learn the task. We have created a recessed version of the task that requires greater dexterity. This subtle modification increases both task difficulty as well as the proportion of mice that show an improvement with training. Furthermore, motor cortex inactivation shows a greater effect on the execution of the recessed forelimb reach task, with distinct effects on reach targeting vs grasping components depending on the timing of inhibitory activation. Kinematic analysis revealed differences in reach targeting upon transient cortical inhibition prior to reach onset. In summary, the recessed single pellet reach task provides a robust assessment of forelimb dexterity in mice and a tool for studying skilled motor acquisition and execution.
Exploring the Impact of Affine Loop Transformations in Qubit Allocation

Most quantum compiler transformations and qubit allocation techniques to date are either peep-hole focused or rely on sliding windows that depend on a number of external parameters. Thus, global optimization criteria are still lacking. In this paper we explore the synergies and impact of affine loop transformations in the context of qubit allocation and mapping. With this goal in mind, we have implemented a domain specific language and source-to-source compiler for quantum circuits that can be directly described with affine relations. We conduct an extensive evaluation spanning 8 quantum circuits taken from the literature, 3 distinct coupling graphs, 4 affine transformations (including the Pluto dependence distance minimization and Feautrier's minimum latency algorithms), and 4 qubit allocators. Our results demonstrate that affine transformations using global optimization criteria can cooperate effectively in several scenarios with quantum qubit mapping algorithms to reduce the circuit depth, size and allocation time.
Health-related quality of life of caregivers of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a congenital defect associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We sought to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of infants/children with CDH and determine risk factors for poorer HRQoL. METHODS Families were recruited from a CDH-specific outpatient clinic and HRQoL was assessed by a validated HRQoL instrument (PedsQLTM Family Impact Module) at several time points. Mixed models were used to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with worse HRQoL for caregivers. RESULTS A total of 29 subjects were recruited at a mean age of 2.4 ± 2.3 years. In terms of defect size, 6.9% had a Type A, 37.9% a Type B, 31.0% a Type C, and 24.1% a Type D. The mean HRQoL score at the first encounter was 67.6 ± 18.3; scores are reported from 0 to 100 with higher scores representing the higher reported quality of life. Lower median household incomes (p = .021) and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p = .013) were associated with poorer HRQoL scores. The presence of respiratory symptoms decreased HRQoL for caregivers, including daytime symptoms (p < .001) and nighttime symptoms (p < .001). While emergency department visits were not associated with a decrease in HRQoL, hospital admissions (p = .002), and reoperations for CDH (p < .001) were. CONCLUSION Our study found a reduced quality of life associated with socioeconomic factors and severity of ongoing disease. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and identify strategies for aiding families cope with the chronicity of this congenital disease.
Identification of filovirus entry inhibitors targeting the endosomal receptor NPC1 binding site.

Abstract Filoviruses, mainly consisting of Ebola viruses (EBOV) and Marburg viruses (MARV), are enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses which can infect humans to cause severe hemorrhagic fevers and outbreaks with high mortality rates. The filovirus infection is mediated by the interaction of viral envelope glycoprotein (GP) and the human endosomal receptor Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1). Blocking this interaction will prevent the infection. Therefore, we utilized an In silico screening approach to conduct virtual compound screening against the NPC1 receptor-binding site (RBS). Twenty-six top-hit compounds were purchased and evaluated by in vitro cell based inhibition assays against pseudotyped or replication-competent filoviruses. Two classes (A and U) of compounds were identified to have potent inhibitory activity against both Ebola and Marburg viruses. The IC50 values are in the lower level of micromolar concentrations. One compound (compd-A) was found to have a sub-micromolar IC50 value (0.86 μM) against pseudotyped Marburg virus. The cytotoxicity assay (MTT) indicates that compd-A has a moderate cytotoxicity level but the compd-U has much less toxicity and the CC50 value was about 100 μM. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) study has found some analogs of compd-A and -U have reduced the toxicity and enhanced the inhibitory activity. In conclusion, this work has identified several qualified lead-compounds for further drug development against filovirus infection.
Effects of D-serine treatment on outer retinal function

Abstract The role of the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) in the outer retina is unclear despite expression of the NMDAR-complex and its subunits in the outer retina. The flash-electroretinogram (fERG) offers a non-invasive measurement of the retinal field potentials of the outer retina that can serve to clarify NMDAR contribution to early retinal processing. The role of the NMDAR in retinal function was assessed using a genetic mouse model for NMDAR hypofunction (SR-/-), where the absence of the enzyme serine racemase (SR) results in an 85% reduction of retinal D-serine. NMDAR hypo- and hyperfunction in the retina results in alterations in the components of the fERG. The fERG was examined after application of exogenous D-serine to the eye in order to determine whether pre- and post-topical delivery of D-serine would alter the fERG in SR-/- mice and their littermate WT controls. Amplitude and implicit time of the low-frequency components, the a- and b-wave, were conducted. Reduced NMDAR function resulted in a statistically significantly delayed a-wave and reduced b-wave in SR-/- animals. The effect of NMDAR deprivation was more prominent in male SR-/- mice. A hyperfunction of the NMDAR, through exogenous topical delivery of 5 mM D-serine, in WT mice caused a significantly delayed a-wave implicit time and reduced b-wave amplitude. These changes were not observed in female WT mice. There were temporal delays in the a-wave and amplitude and a decrease in the b-wave amplitude and implicit time in both hypo- and NMDAR hyperfunctional male mice. These results suggest that NMDAR and D-serine are involved in the retinal field potentials of the outer retina that interact based on the animal's sex. This implicates the involvement of gonadal hormones and D-serine in retinal functional integrity.
Herbaceous perennial ornamental plants can support complex pollinator communities.

Human-designed landscapes can host diverse pollinator communities, and the availability of floral resources is central to supporting insect biodiversity in highly modified environments. However, some urban landscapes have relatively few pollinator-attractive plant species and management in urban environments rarely considers the function of these plants in generating and supporting a stable ecological community. Evaluations of 25 cultivars within five commercially popular herbaceous perennial ornamental plant genera (Agastache, Echinacea, Nepeta, Rudbeckia, and Salvia) revealed variation in the total and proportional abundance of visitors attracted. These varieties supported multiple pollinator functional groups, however bees were the primary visitors to in this system. Cultivars were assessed according to their function within a plant–pollinator network. Comparisons of artificial networks created with the six most attractive and six least attractive cultivars demonstrated that a planting scheme using the most attractive cultivars would attract nearly four times as many bee species, including several specialists and rare species. Plant diversity in the landscape was correlated with abundance and diversity of pollinator visitors, demonstrating that community context shapes a plant’s relative attractiveness to pollinators. We conclude that herbaceous perennial cultivars can support an abundance and diversity of pollinator visitors, however, planting schemes should take into consideration the effects of cultivar, landscape plant diversity, floral phenology, floral area, and contribution to a stable ecological community.
COVID-19 testing in schools: Perspectives of school administrators, teachers, parents, and students in Southern California

ABSTRACT Background School-based COVID-19 testing is a potential strategy to facilitate the safe reopening of schools that have been closed due to the pandemic. This qualitative study assessed attitudes toward this strategy among four groups of stakeholders: school administrators, teachers, parents, and high school students. Methods Focus groups and interviews were conducted in Los Angeles from December 2020 to January 2021 when schools were closed due to the high level of COVID transmission in the community. Results Findings indicated similarities and differences in attitudes toward in-school COVID-19 testing. All groups agreed that frequent in-school COVID-19 testing could increase the actual safety and perceived safety of the school environment. School administrators and teachers expressed pessimism about the financial cost and logistics of implementing a testing program. Parents supported frequent testing but expressed concerns about physical discomfort and stigma for students who test positive. Teachers and parents noted that testing would prevent parents from sending sick children to school. Students were in favor of testing because it would allow them to return to in-person school after a difficult year of online learning. Conclusion In-school COVID-19 testing could be a useful component of school reopening plans and will be accepted by stakeholders if logistical and financial barriers can be surmounted and stigma from positive results can be minimized.
Untwisted α-synuclein Filaments formed in the Presence of Lipid Vesicles

Accumulation of filamentous aggregates of α-synuclein is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson9s disease (PD). Interaction between α-synuclein and lipids has been shown to play a critical role in the aggregation of α-synuclein. Most structural studies have, however, been focused on α-synuclein filaments formed in the absence of lipids. Here, we report structural investigation of α-synuclein filaments assembled under the quiescent conditions in the presence of anionic lipid vesicles using electron microscopy (EM) including cryo-EM. Our transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses reveal that α-synuclein forms curly protofilaments at an early stage of aggregation. The flexible protofilaments were then converted to long filaments after a longer incubation of 30 days. More detailed structural analyses using cryo-EM reveal that the long filaments adopt untwisted structures with different diameters, which have not been observed in previous α-synuclein filaments formed in vitro. The untwisted filaments are rather similar to straight filaments with no observable twist that are extracted from patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Our structural studies highlight the conformational diversity of α-synuclein filaments, requiring additional structural investigation of not only more ex vivo α-synuclein filaments, but also in vitro α-synuclein filaments formed in the presence of diverse co-factors to better understand the molecular basis of diverse molecular conformations of α-synuclein filaments.
Efficiency of the silver futures market: An empirical study using daily data

Abstract This paper investigates whether the silver futures market is efficient with respect to the information contained in the time series of daily price changes. An analysis of the serial correlation of returns on silver futures supports the hypothesis that successive price changes are independent. However, a series of first and second order Markov chain models built using the direction as well as the magnitude of price change, reveals some short-term dependence. This result regarding the non-independence of successive price changes is reinforced by an analysis of upward and downward cycles, and by the extraordinary profits generated by using mechanical filter rules. The conclusion of this study is that the silver futures market does not seem to be efficient even in the weak form and that astute traders and investors can make modest excess risk-adjusted returns by using appropriate trading strategies.
On the mechanism of action of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Stimulation of deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase and thymidine kinase activities in adrenal glands.

Abstract Adrenocorticotropic hormone administration to guinea pigs resulted in an increase in the content of DNA of adrenal glands and the stimulation of the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into nuclear DNA thereby indicating an induction of DNA synthesis. The activities of thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase of adrenal glands were concomitantly increased following adrenocorticotropic hormone treatment. The response in time of both enzymes to hormone administration was quite similar. No differences were detected in the properties of DNA polymerase of adrenal glands from adrenocorticotropic hormone-treated and control animals. Hormone treatment resulted in the stimulation of DNA polymerase activity in both the nuclear and supernatant fractions. The DNA polymerase activity of nuclei utilizes preferentially native DNA as the primer, whereas the enzyme activity in the supernatant fraction prefers denatured DNA.