cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prelimimary research on tolerance mechanisms of rice mutant to soil Hg stress.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the difference between wild type(Oryza sativa L.subsp.Japonica,cv.Zhonghua 11) and a Hg2+-tolerant mutant in Hg tolerance mechanisms by comparing the growth,yield,Hg2+ concentration,chlorophyll content,net photosynthesis rate,MDA content,activities of major antioxidant enzymes.The results indicated that the mutant was more tolerant to Hg2+.The growth and yield of wild type was more inhibited than those of the mutant.With increasing concentration of Hg2+,the chlorophyll content,net photosynthesis rate decreased more rapidly in wild type.Hg2+ induced more O2˙ generation and more H2O2 accumulation in wild type compared with mutant.Thus,wild type had higher level of lipid peroxidation.The activities of SOD,CAT in leaves of wild type and the mutant increased under lower Hg2+ concentration,but decreased under higher Hg2+ level.G-POD activity of the mutant and APX activity of wild type both increased with increasing Hg2+ level.The activities of antioxidant enzymes were more inhibited in wild type than those in the mutant.It can be concluded that higher tolerance of the mutant to oxidative stress plays an important role when the plants are exposed to Hg2+ stress.
Black-White Differences in Sex and Contraceptive Use Among Young Women

This study examines black-white and other sociodemographic differences in young women's sexual and contraceptive behaviors, using new longitudinal data from a weekly journal-based study of 1,003 18- to 19-year-old women spanning 2.5 years. We investigate hypotheses about dynamic processes in these behaviors during early adulthood in order to shed light on persisting racial differences in rates of unintended pregnancies in the United States. We find that net of other sociodemographic characteristics and adolescent experiences with sex and pregnancy, black women spent less time in relationships and had sex less frequently in their relationships than white women, but did not differ in the number of relationships they formed or in their frequency or consistency of contraceptive use within relationships. Black women were more likely to use less effective methods for pregnancy prevention (e.g., condoms) than white women, who tended to use more effective methods (e.g., oral contraceptives). And although the most effective method for pregnancy prevention-long-acting reversible contraception (LARC)-was used more often by black women than white women, LARC use was low in both groups. In addition, black women did not differ from white women in their number of discontinuations or different methods used and had fewer contraceptive method switches. Further, we find that net of race and adolescent experiences with sex and pregnancy, women from more-disadvantaged backgrounds had fewer and longer (and thus potentially more serious) relationships, used contraception less frequently (but not less consistently), and used less effective methods (condoms) than women from more-advantaged backgrounds.
MicroRNA-130a Regulation of Desmocollin 2 in a Novel Model of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy

Background MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that play a critical role in regulating physiological and disease processes. Recent studies have now recognized microRNAs as an important player in cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Molecular insight into arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) has primarily focused on mutations in desmosome proteins. To our knowledge, models of AC due to microRNA dysregulation have not been reported. Previously, we reported on miR-130a mediated down-regulation of Connexin43. Objective Here, we investigate miR-130a-mediated translational repression of Desmocollin2 (DSC2), as it has a predicted target site for miR-130a. DSC2 is an important protein for cell adhesion, which has been shown to be dysregulated in human AC. Method & results After induction of miR-130a, transgenic mice demonstrated right ventricular dilation. Surface ECG revealed spontaneous premature ventricular complexes confirming an arrhythmogenic phenotype in αMHC-miR130a mice. Using total protein from whole ventricular lysate, western blot analysis demonstrated an 80% reduction in DSC2 levels in transgenic myocardium. Furthermore, immunofluorescent staining confirmed downregulation of DSC2 in transgenic compared with littermate control myocardium. In transgenic hearts, histologic findings revealed fibrosis and lipid accumulation within both ventricles. To validate DSC2 as a direct target of miR-130a, we performed in vitro target assays in 3T3 fibroblasts, known to express miR-130a. Using a luciferase reporter fused to the 3UTR of DSC2 compared with a control, we found a 42% reduction in luciferase activity with the DSC2 3UTR. This reduction was reversed upon selective inhibition of miR-130a. Conclusion Overexpression of miR-130a results in a disease phenotype characteristic of AC and therefore, may serve as potential model for microRNA-induced AC.
Scaling mid-infrared ultrafast parametric sources to high peak and average power

Scaling mid-infrared parametric sources to high power motivates the use of high-performance nonlinear materials transparent beyond ∼2 μm. Recent progress in development of parametric amplifiers based on ZnGeP 2 , associated long-wavelength pumps, and diagnostics is discussed.
Unit Cell Level Thickness Control of Single-Crystalline Zinc Oxide Nanosheets Enabled by Electrical Double-Layer Confinement.

Ionic layer epitaxy (ILE) has recently been developed as an effective strategy to synthesize nanometer thick 2D materials with a nonlayered crystal structure, such as ZnO. The packing density of the amphiphilic monolayer is believed to be a key parameter that controls the nanosheet nucleation and growth. In this work, we systematically investigated the growth behavior of single-crystalline ZnO nanosheets templated at the water–air interface by an anionic oleylsulfate monolayer with different packing densities. The thicknesses of ZnO nanosheets were tuned from one unit cell to four unit cells and exhibited good correlation with the width of Zn2+ ion concentration zone (the Stern layer) underneath the ionized surfactant monolayer. Further analysis of the nanosheet sizes and density revealed that the nanosheet growth was dominated by the steric hindrance from the surfactant monolayer at lower surface pressure, while the nucleation density became the dominating factor at higher surface pressure. The ZnO nanos...
Ciliary Hedgehog Signaling Restricts Injury-Induced Adipogenesis.

Injured skeletal muscle regenerates, but with age or in muscular dystrophies, muscle is replaced by fat. Upon injury, muscle-resident fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) proliferated and gave rise to adipocytes. These FAPs dynamically produced primary cilia, structures that transduce intercellular cues such as Hedgehog (Hh) signals. Genetically removing cilia from FAPs inhibited intramuscular adipogenesis, both after injury and in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Blocking FAP ciliation also enhanced myofiber regeneration after injury and reduced myofiber size decline in the muscular dystrophy model. Hh signaling through FAP cilia regulated the expression of TIMP3, a secreted metalloproteinase inhibitor, that inhibited MMP14 to block adipogenesis. A pharmacological mimetic of TIMP3 blocked the conversion of FAPs into adipocytes, pointing to a strategy to combat fatty degeneration of skeletal muscle. We conclude that ciliary Hh signaling by FAPs orchestrates the regenerative response to skeletal muscle injury.
The Effects of Strain-Annealing on Tuning Permeability and Lowering Losses in Fe-Ni-Based Metal Amorphous Nanocomposites

Fe-Ni-based metal amorphous nanocomposites with a range of compositions (Fe100−x Ni x )80Nb4Si2B14 (30 ≤ x ≤ 70) are investigated for motor and transformer applications, where it is beneficial to have tunable permeability. It is shown that strain annealing offers an effective method for tuning permeability in these alloys. For an Fe-rich alloy, permeability increased from 4000 to 16,000 with a positive magnetostriction. In a Ni-rich alloy, permeability decreased from 290 to 40 with a negative magnetostriction. Significant elongations (above 60%) are observed during strain annealing at high stress. Crystallization products have been determined in all alloys heated to 480°C. γ-FeNi is formed in all alloys, while (Fe30Ni70)80Nb4Si2B14 also undergoes secondary crystallization at temperatures of approximately 480°C to form a phase with the Cr23C6-type structure and a likely composition of Fe21Nb2B6. Toroidal losses have been measured for (Fe70Ni30)80Nb4Si y B16−y (0 ≤ y ≤ 3) at various annealing temperatures. At an induction of 1 T and frequency of 400 Hz and 1 kHz, the toroidal losses obtained are W1.0T, 400 Hz = 0.9 W/kg and W1.0T, 1 kHz = 2.3 W/kg, respectively. These losses are lower than losses recently reported for state of the art 3.0% and 6.5% silicon steels, a Metglas Fe-based amorphous alloy, and some Fe-based nanocomposites.
Multispecies comparisons of adaptability to climate change: A role for life‐history characteristics?

Phenological advancement allows individuals to adapt to climate change by timing life-history events to the availability of key resources so that individual fitness is maximized. However, different trophic levels may respond to changes in their environment at different rates, potentially leading to a phenological mismatch. This may be especially apparent in the highly seasonal arctic environment that is experiencing the effects of climate change more so than any other region. During a 14-year study near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, we estimated phenological advancement in egg laying in relation to snowmelt for eight arctic-breeding shorebirds and investigated potential linkages to species-specific life-history characteristics. We found that snowmelt advanced 0.8 days/year-six times faster than the prior 60-year period. During this same time, six of the eight species exhibited phenological advancement in laying dates (varying among species from 0.1 to 0.9 days earlier per year), although no species appeared capable of keeping pace with advancing snowmelt. Phenological changes were likely the result of high phenotypic plasticity, as all species investigated in this study showed high interannual variability in lay dates. Commonality among species with similar response rates to timing of snowmelt suggests that nesting later and having an opportunistic settlement strategy may increase the adaptability of some species to changing climate conditions. Other life-history characteristics, such as migration strategy, previous site experience, and mate fidelity did not influence the ability of individuals to advance laying dates. As a failure to advance egg laying is likely to result in greater phenological mismatch, our study provides an initial assessment of the relative risk of species to long-term climatic changes.
CALCULATION OF STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS FOR SURFACE CRACKS IN STEAM GENERATOR TUBE SHEETS

ABSTRACT The evaluation of critical flaw sizes in tube sheets has to overcome difficulties arising in the calculation of stress intensity factors for cracks going through one or several ligaments. This paper presents the results of finite element calculations performed with the program SYSTUS in order to determine KI values in function of defect depth, number of cracked ligaments, type of loadings. The complete set of results leads to simplified formulae for computing KI values with a very satisfactory accuracy.
The Nature of Isothermal Desorption of Carbon-Oxygen Surface Complexes Following Gasification

This short note was formulated as a result of some of the discussion of our paper presented at this Workshop (Calo and Hall, 1990) in order to explore the isothermal desorption behavior of oxygen surface complexes following gasification. The analysis, employing a continuum model of oxygen surface complexes on carbon surfaces, demonstrates two interesting features: (1) The gross, two time-scale desorption behavior observed for oxygen surface complexes formed during steady-state CO2 gasification can be simply explained by the continuous nature of the distribution of desorption activation energies. There is no need to assume that the fast complexes are intrinsically different than the slow complexes; e.g., that the former are precursors of the latter. (2) The preceding behavior occurs whenever there is a significant population of desorption rate-controlled complexes on the surface in the desorption activation energy region where the complexes are “turning over” during steady-state gasification at the same temperature as the subsequent isothermal desorption. This result could be used to test whether the complexes involved in gasification are formation or desorption rate-controlled. When they are formation rate-controlled, the fast time scale will not be observed during subsequent isothermal desorption.
Requirement of Pitx2 for Skeletal Muscle Homeostasis

Skeletal muscle is generated by the successive incorporation of primary (embryonic), secondary (fetal), and tertiary (adult) fibers into muscle. Conditional excision of Pitx2 function by an MCKCre driver resulted in animals with histological and ultrastructural defects in P30 muscles and fibers, respectively. Mutant muscle showed severe reduction in mitochondria and FoxO3-mediated mitophagy. Both oxidative and glycolytic energy metabolism were reduced. Conditional excision was limited to fetal muscle fibers after the G1-G0 transition and resulted in altered MHC, Rac1, MEF2a, and alpha-tubulin expression within these fibers. The onset of excision, monitored by a nuclear reporter gene, was observed as early as E16. Muscle at this stage was already severely malformed, but appeared to recover by P30 by the expansion of adjoining larger fibers. Our studies demonstrate that the homeodomain transcription factor Pitx2 has a postmitotic role in maintaining skeletal muscle integrity and energy homeostasis in fetal muscle fibers.
Simulating Phishing Email Processing with Instance-Based Learning and Cognitive Chunk Activation

We present preliminary steps applying computational cognitive modeling to research decision-making of cybersecurity users. Building from a recent empirical study, we adapt Instance-Based Learning Theory and ACT-R’s description of memory chunk activation in a cognitive model representing the mental process of users processing emails. In this model, a user classifies emails as phishing or legitimate by counting the number of suspicious-seeming cues in each email; these cues are themselves classified by examining similar, past classifications in long-term memory. When the sum of suspicious cues passes a threshold value, that email is classified as phishing. In a simulation, we manipulate three parameters (suspicion threshold; maximum number of cues processed; weight of similarity term) and examine their effects on accuracy, false positive/negative rates, and email processing time.
Addition compounds of alkali metal hydrides : XVI. Facile reaction of trialkylboranes with lithium trimethoxyaluminohydride to form lithium trialkylborohydrides. Rapid and quantitative transfer of hydride from aluminum to boron

Abstract Addition of one mole equivalent of trialkylborane to a tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution of lithium trimethoxyaluminohydride (LTMA) at room temperature results in a facile and rapid displacement of aluminum methoxide as a polymeric gel, producing the corresponding lithium trialkylborohydride in quantitative yield. The reaction is quite general and applicable to trialkylboranes of widely varied structural requirements. The trialkylborohydrides thus produced can be directly utilized for the stereoselective reduction of organic functional groups without the necessity of removing aluminum methoxide. The present reaction provides a general, convenient in situ synthesis of lithium trialkylborohydrides where this is required in synthetic transformations.
The Relationship between the Development of a Peer Social System and Attachment

The opportunity for the very young child to establish social relationships with other children has not been considered an advantage or at least as beneficial as experiences with the mother. This attitude is evident in the current practice of home rearing within the nuclear family, which has heightened the importance of mother-child attachment while providing few opportunities for frequent peer contact. Group day care differs from home rearing in the nuclear family as a situation of daily separation from the mother and participation in a play group. Day care has not received unqualified acceptance for infants and toddlers because it has been thought that daily separation from the mother may be cause for some deviation in the “normal” mother-child attachment relationship (Bowlby, 1969, 1973; Ainsworth, 1963, 1973). This qualified acceptance has resulted in evaluations of the day care experience that have focused primarily on the effect of the child’s attachment relationship with the mother without reference to other social relationships (Blehar, 1974; Brookhart & Hock, 1976; Caldwell, Wright, Honig & Tannenbaum, 1970; Doyle, 1975; Maccoby & Feldman, 1972; Ricciuti, 1974). It appears that, by focusing so narrowly on the mother-child relationship and separation experiences, we may be ignoring a positive aspect of the day care experience, namely, the importance of peer relations for infants and toddlers.
Functional connectivity within lateral posterior parietal cortex in moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Objective Functional brain networks converge on areas of heteromodal processing such as lateral posterior parietal cortex (PPC). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters global connectivity patterns secondary to both focal and diffuse damage, but little is known about how it impacts regional environments. We examined local PPC functioning in individuals with moderate-severe TBI and controls during resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Method Eighteen individuals with moderate-severe TBI and 19 healthy controls underwent rs-fMRI and neurocognitive testing. Seed-based analyses characterized remote connectivity of PPC subregions. Voxelwise graph theoretical approaches were used to probe local PPC connectivity and modularity within and between groups, and to examine relationships between local functioning and cognition. Results Seed-based findings included increased connectivity from left and right hemispheric subregions to right-lateralized default mode and frontoparietal control networks in TBI compared to controls. Graph theoretical analyses revealed increased connection strength within right PPC relative to the contralateral region in TBI. Across groups, right PPC also showed decreased betweenness centrality compared with left PPC. Groups did not differ in the extent of modularity within left or right PPC, but there was less interindividual variability in modular structure within the TBI group. Right PPC modularity significantly predicted individual differences in cognitive performance. Conclusions Our findings substantiate hyperconnectivity on both local and global levels after TBI and propose a special role for local right hemispheric functioning in supporting cognition independent of neurologic status. Hyperconnectivity does not appear to result from breakdown in local modular organization and may reflect shared responses to neurologic disruption among those with TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Evaluation of elder abuse and financial exploitation

Abstract Chapter 5 discusses elder abuse, elder financial exploitation, and undue influence. Elder abuse is a huge and growing problem, vastly underreported and it is something that clinicians treating older people in every setting will encounter. Undue influence is a legal concept, but psychiatrists have unique expertise in evaluating an older person's vulnerability to coercion or manipulation.
Electronically tunable auxetic behavior of shunted piezoelectric elements

Abstract This work demonstrates auxetic behavior in a solid polycrystalline shunted piezoelectric cube. Piezoelectric elements are commonly bonded to structures to reduce vibrations by tuning an attached shunt circuit to resonate at the same frequency as the mechanical vibrations in the structure. Literature has provided an extensive analysis of vibration suppression in passively shunted piezoelectric systems, but in practice, the three-dimensional constitutive equations are almost always reduced to one-dimensional stresses and strains within the piezoelectric. In this work, resistive–inductive shunt circuits are applied to the electrical terminals of a harmonically forced piezoelectric cube, and the directional displacements are determined in all three dimensions when it is loaded parallel and perpendicular to the poling direction, as well as dilatationally. By comparing these directional displacements, the effect of the shunt circuit on Poisson’s ratio can be measured. It is demonstrated that an inductive shunt leads to a complex Poisson’s ratio with a real part approaching positive and negative infinity over a discrete band of frequencies, implying that a polycrystalline piezoelectric cube can become auxetic through the application of a properly engineered shunt circuit. The auxetic behavior is explored through finite element modeling, and the derivation of analytical expressions for Poisson’s ratio in shunted piezoelectric elements.
The Jews in Poland and Russia: Volume II: 1881 to 1914

In his three-volume history, Antony Polonsky provides a comprehensive survey - socio-political, economic, and religious - of the Jewish communities of eastern Europe from 1350 to the present. Until the Second World War, this was the heartland of the Jewish world: nearly three and a half million Jews lived in Poland alone, while nearly three million more lived in the Soviet Union. Although the majority of the Jews of Europe and the United States, and many of the Jews of Israel, originate from these lands, their history there is not well known. Rather, it is the subject of mythologizing and stereotypes that fail both to bring out the specific features of the Jewish civilization which emerged there and to illustrate what was lost. Jewish life, though often poor materially, was marked by a high degree of spiritual and ideological intensity and creativity. Antony Polonsky recreates this lost world - brutally cut down by the Holocaust and less brutally but still seriously damaged by the Soviet attempt to destroy Jewish culture. Wherever possible, the unfolding of history is illustrated by contemporary Jewish writings to show how Jews felt and reacted to the complex and difficult situations in which they found themselves. This second volume covers the period from 1881 to 1914. It considers the deterioration of the position of the Jews during that period and the new political and cultural movements that developed as a consequence: Zionism, socialism, autonomism, the emergence of modern Hebrew and Yiddish literature, Jewish urbanization, and the rise of popular Jewish culture. Galicia, Prussian Poland, the Kingdom of Poland, and the Tsarist Empire are all treated individually, as are the main towns of these areas. Volume 1 covers the period 1350–1881; Volume 3 covers 1914–2008.
Vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies of 1-nonadecanol. Isophytol, 2 Z- and 2 E-Phytol, and (2E,7R,11R) phytol by correlation gas chromatography

Abstract This work reports vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies of 1-nonadecanol, isophytol, 2E- and 2Z-phytol, and the phytol found naturally, (2E,7R,11R)-phytol. Both phytol and isophytol are important commercial substances. 2E and 2Z-phytol exhibit a variety of useful pharmaceutical properties, are used in many fragrance formulations, and have been approved as a food flavor in the US. Isophytol also exhibits a similar fragrance and flavor profile and is an intermediate in the synthesis of vitamins E and F1. Vaporization enthalpies at T = 298.15 K are evaluated as are vapor pressures from T = (298.15 to 450) K for the phytols and from T = (298.15 to 550) K for 1-nonadecanol. Reasons for the variations in the temperature range studied are discussed. Vapor pressures are fit to a second order polynomial. Results for 1-nonadecanol at elevated temperatures are in good agreement with previous work. Vapor pressures for isophytol at elevated temperatures are in qualitative agreement with previous literature values but the calculated vaporization enthalpy at T = 454.1 K evaluated in this work differs significantly from the literature value calculated using previously reported vapor pressure data.
Tooth Development Following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis in Neonates With Pierre Robin Sequence

BACKGROUND Mandibular distraction osteogenesis is a widely utilized surgical procedure in the pediatric population for the treatment of mandibular retrognathia. Patients with congenital abnormalities may display severe mandibular hypoplasia and associated functional problems. Distraction osteogenesis is effective in alleviating airway obstruction for these patients and is performed early in life, often during the neonatal period and during infancy. However, problems in tooth development may arise as a surgical complication. EVIDENCE REVIEW A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE to identify retrospective studies describing long term outcomes of mandibular distraction osteogenesis on tooth development. Each article was reviewed and relevant data were extracted, collected, and examined according to the type of dental injury, specific tooth effected, and frequency of occurrence. RESULTS Tooth injuries include positional change (35%), shape alteration/fracture (24%), missing tooth (15%), root injury/malformation (14%), follicle/bud perforation (9%), delayed eruption (2%), and dentigerous cyst (1%). The most commonly affected tooth is the permanent first molar, followed by the primary second molar. The least common tooth affected is the third molar. CONCLUSIONS Although tooth injuries exist following mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the pediatric population, the risk of pathology and major complications remain relatively low. Technological advancements in presurgical planning can be expected to continue reducing the risk of adverse effects to primary and permanent tooth development.
Bridging the Gap Between Primary and Tertiary Care: The Role of Community-based Healthy Weight Programs in Childhood Obesity Prevention and Control

Program Goals Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States is high and affects about 13.7 million children and adolescents. Numerous adverse health outcomes have been shown to be associated with obesity in children, providing strong support for intervening while they are still young. Intervention in children can come in many forms, but the role of community-based healthy weight programs (HWPs) is growing. Such programs offer families …
Assessing the role of cold-shock protein C: A novel regulator of Acinetobacter baumannii biofilm formation and virulence

Acinetobacter baumannii is a formidable opportunistic pathogen that is notoriously difficult to eradicate from hospital settings and can spread quickly via healthcare personnel despite preventive measures. This resilience is often attributed to a proclivity for biofilm formation, which grants A. baumannii a higher tolerance towards external stress, desiccation, and antimicrobials. Despite this, little is known regarding the mechanisms orchestrating A. baumannii biofilm formation. Herein, we performed RNA-seq on biofilm and planktonic populations for the multidrug resistant isolate, AB5075, and identified 438 genes with altered expression. To assess the potential role of genes upregulated within biofilms, we tested the biofilm forming capacity of their respective mutants from an A. baumannii transposon library. In so doing, we uncovered 24 genes whose disruption led to reduced biofilm formation. One such element, cold shock protein C (cspC), produced a mucoidal, non-mucoviscous colony phenotype. RNA-sequencing of this mutant revealed the down regulation of pili and fimbriae in the cspC mutant, which would explain the decreased biofilm observed. Using MIC assays, we note that the mutant displayed increased antibiotic tolerance that we hypothesize is mediated by overexpression of multi-drug efflux pumps and altered mRNA stability of their corresponding transcriptional repressor. Finally, we show that CspC is required for survival during oxidative stress and challenge by the human immune system, and plays a pivotal role during systemic infection. Collectively, our work identifies a cadre of new biofilm associated genes within A. baumannii and provides insight into the global regulatory network of this emerging human pathogen.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Heart and Cerebrovascular Disease Deaths During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

Background: Cardiovascular deaths increased during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. However, it is unclear whether racial/ethnic minorities have experienced a disproportionate rise in heart disease and cerebrovascular disease deaths. Methods: We used the National Center for Health Statistics to identify heart disease and cerebrovascular disease deaths for non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, and Hispanic individuals from March-August 2020 (pandemic period), as well as for the corresponding months in 2019 (historical control). We determined the age- and sex-standardized deaths per million by race/ethnicity for each year. We then fit a modified Poisson model with robust standard errors to compare change in deaths by race/ethnicity for each condition in 2020 vs. 2019. Results: There were a total of 339,076 heart disease and 76,767 cerebrovascular disease deaths from March through August 2020, compared to 321,218 and 72,190 deaths during the same months in 2019. Heart disease deaths increased during the pandemic in 2020, compared with the corresponding period in 2019, for non-Hispanic White (age-sex standardized deaths per million, 1234.2 vs. 1208.7; risk ratio for death [RR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.02-1.03), non-Hispanic Black (1783.7 vs. 1503.8; RR 1.19, 1.17-1.20), non-Hispanic Asian (685.7 vs. 577.4; RR 1.19, 1.15-1.22), and Hispanic (968.5 vs. 820.4, RR 1.18, 1.16-1.20) populations. Cerebrovascular disease deaths also increased for non-Hispanic White (268.7 vs. 258.2; RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03-1.05), non-Hispanic Black (430.7 vs. 379.7; RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.10-1.17), non-Hispanic Asian (236.5 vs. 207.4; RR 1.15, 1.09-1.21), and Hispanic (264.4 vs. 235.9; RR 1.12, 1.08-1.16) populations. For both heart disease and cerebrovascular disease deaths, each racial and ethnic minority group experienced a larger relative increase in deaths than the non-Hispanic White population (interaction term, p<0.001). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations experienced a disproportionate rise in deaths due to heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, suggesting that racial/ethnic minorities have been most impacted by the indirect effects of the pandemic. Public health and policy strategies are needed to mitigate the short- and long-term adverse effects of the pandemic on the cardiovascular health of minority populations.
Carbon Stoichiometry and Mechanical Properties of High Entropy Carbide

The search for new materials via compositional exploration has recently led to the discovery of entropy stabilized and high entropy ceramics. The chemical diversity in the cation sublattice of high entropy ceramics has led to many enhanced properties and applications such as reversible energy storage, low temperature water splitting, amorphous-like thermal transport in crystalline solids and enhanced mechanical properties. This work describes the synthesis and mechanical properties of high entropy (HfNbTaTiZr)Cx thin films as a function of carbon content. The nature of the bonding and microstructure evolves as the material transforms from metallic to ceramic to nanocomposite with variations in the quantity and types of carbon, yielding large variations in the film hardness. Through multiple characterization techniques and first principles investigations, we separate the roles of microstructure and bonding characteristics in the mechanical property development of (HfNbTaTiZr)Cx thin films. This study presents a strategy to establish the bonding, structure, and property relationships in chemically disordered high entropy ceramics, largely based on the relative populations of filled or empty antibonding states for which there are new abilities to do so in high configurational entropy systems that exhibit high solubility of diverse cations while retaining rocksalt structure.
Illegal wildlife trade and emerging infectious diseases: Pervasive impacts to species, ecosystems and human health

Emerging infectious disease (EID) events can be traced to anthropogenic factors, including the movement of wildlife through legal and illegal trade. This paper focuses on the link between illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and infectious disease pathogens. A literature review through Web of Science and relevant conference proceedings from 1990 to 2020 resulted in documenting 82 papers and 240 identified pathogen cases. Over 60% of the findings referred to pathogens with known zoonotic potential and five cases directly referenced zoonotic spillover events. The diversity of pathogens by taxa included 44 different pathogens in birds, 47 in mammals, 16 in reptiles, two in amphibians, two in fish, and one in invertebrates. This is the highest diversity of pathogen types in reported literature related to IWT. However, it is likely not a fully representative sample due to needed augmentation of surveillance and monitoring of IWT and more frequent pathogen testing on recovered shipments. The emergence of infectious disease through human globalization has resulted in several pandemics in the last decade including SARS, MERS, avian influenza H1N1,and Ebola. We detailed the growing body of literature on this topic since 2008 and highlight the need to detect, document, and prevent spillovers from high-risk human activities, such as IWT.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis: A nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND ICIs are used in the management of several malignancies. However, they can result in immune-related adverse events, such as colitis. The aim of this study is to obtain an epidemiological survey of patients who develop immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced colitis and identify underlying risk factors. METHODS A cohort study was performed using Explorys, a US-based population database. Our cohort included all patients in a five-year interval on an ICI. We further identified those who developed colitis after initiating an ICI. Demographic data and possible risk factors were assessed. Odds ratios were calculated and multivariable statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS 3.6% of patients developed ICI-induced colitis. Women [OR: 1.2; 95% CI 1.224-1.231, p <0.001], Caucasians [OR: 2.3; 2.284 - 2.299], individuals older than 65 years [OR: 1.3; 1.319 - 1.326], obese patients [OR: 3.3; 3.273 - 3.302], and those with a history of alcohol abuse [OR: 2.5; 2.485 - 2.523] were more likely to develop colitis. Patients who received Nivolumab [OR: 2.8; 2.563 - 3.022], Ipilimumab [OR: 4.9; 3.937 - 6.061], Pembrolizumab [OR 2.7; 2.463 - 2.868], and Atezolizumab [OR 2.9; 2.430 - 3.388] had an increased odds of developing colitis. The majority of cases were diagnosed in the first 6 months of therapy. CONCLUSIONS This is the largest study to describe the epidemiology of ICI-induced colitis and it is the first to identify underlying risk factors. Ipilimumab poses the greatest risk for ICI-induced colitis. The risk of colitis should be discussed with all patients prior to initiating an ICI, as it may be a factor in choosing among ICIs.
Theoretical Prediction and Interpretation of 237Np Mössbauer Isomer Shifts.

Different theoretical approaches for the calculation of 237Np Mossbauer isomer shifts are investigated. The traditional contact density route is compared to a previously proposed alternative approach that uses energy derivatives with respect to the nuclear radius. Both approaches yield similar results as long as suitable basis sets augmented with large exponents and relativistic methods are used. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations do not show a strong dependency of the 237Np isomer shift on the chosen functional. Wavefunction calculations show that dynamic electron correlation can be important when covalent bonding influences the isomer shift. Effects from spin-orbit coupling are small. The isomer shifts of ionic solids and Np(III) organometallic complexes are largely governed by the oxidation state of Np. Isomer shifts of organometallic Np(IV) complexes are strongly affected by donation bonding. Detailed analysis of the wavefunction results with different active spaces demonstrates that correlation among the outer core Np and occupied ligand frontier orbitals contributes significantly to isomer shifts of Np(IV) compounds.
Using Software Engineering Principles to Develop a Web-Based Application

In the United States, the software development industry is about a $220 billon industry. Therefore, the need to produce accessible, reliable and trustworthy software that is within budget and that also meets the demands of the heterogeneous user can sometimes become an overwhelming task by organizations. Since its inception in the late 1960s, software engineering has used software processes as systematic approaches that lead to the development of software applications. However, with the introduction of the Internet and the World Wide Web, there have been changes to the way that software is produced. The aim of this paper is to present the results of an inquiry that introduced to undergraduate software engineering students an approach to developing a web-based application. Traditionally, specialized web engineering courses are offered at the graduate level or as an elective course in an undergraduate curriculum. The paper presents a semester-long project that combines some traditional software engineering processes with web engineering processes. The results from the study suggest that introducing a hybrid approach inclusive of traditional software processes and web engineering techniques can be done successfully at the undergraduate level but not without certain challenges.
Handbook of Family Therapy

Gurman, Foreword: Ushering in a New Era. Sexton, Weeks, Robbins, Preface: A New Era of Couple and Family Therapy. Part I: Understanding Families and Couples: The Foundations of Practice. Becvar, Eras of Epistemology: A Survey of Family Therapy. Robbins, Mayorga, Szapocznik, The Ecosystemic "lens" to Understanding Family Functioning. Falicov, Ethnicity and Culture in Family Therapy: New Variations on a Fundamental Theme. Part II: Major Theoretical Models of Couple and Family Therapy. J. Scharff, D. Scharff, Object-relations and Psychodynamic Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy. Nichols, Family of Origin Treatment. Duncan, Miller, Sparks, Interactional and Solution Focused Brief Therapies: Evolving Concepts of Change. Anderson, Postmodern Social Construction Therapies. Dattilio, Epstein, Cognitive-behavioral Couple and Family Therapy. Mitrani, Structural-strategic Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy. Lebow, Integrative Approaches to Couple and Family Therapy. Part III: Evidence Based Couple and Family Intervention Programs. Sexton, Robbins, Hollimon, Mease, Mayorga, Efficacy, Effectiveness, and Change Mechanisms in Couple and Family Therapy. Johnson, Emotionally-focused Couples Therapy: Empiricism and Art. Atkins, Dimidjian, Christensen, Behavioral Couple Therapy: Past, Present and Future.Sheidow, Henggler, Schoenwald, Multisystemic Therapy. Sexton, Alexander, Functional Family Therapy: A Mature Clinical Model for Working with At-risk Adolescents and Their Families. Part IV: Special Applications/Special Populations. Plaut, Donahey, Evaluation and Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction. Ruddy, McDaniel, Medical Family Therapy. Ozechowski, Waldron, Turner, The Treatment of Adolescent Conduct Disorders and Drug Abuse. L'Abate, Treatment through Writing: A Unique New Direction. DeMaria, Psychoeducation and Enrichment: Clinical Considerations for Couple and Family Therapy. Storm, McDowell, Long, The Metamorphosis of Training and Supervision. Part V: The Future of Couple and Family Therapy. Sexton, Weeks, Robbins, The Future of Couple and Family Therapy.
Huichol Territory and the Mexican Nation: Indigenous Ritual, Land Conflict, and Sovereignty Claims

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Paul M. Liffman Year: 2011 Pages: 296 Publisher: University of Arizona Press ISBN: 978-0-8165-2930-8 (hard cover).
Isoprenylation mediates direct protein-protein interactions between hepatitis large delta antigen and hepatitis B virus surface antigen.

Abstract Hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) consists of two protein species of 195 and 214 amino acids, respectively, which are identical in sequence except that the large HDAg has additional 19 amino acids at its C terminus and is prenylated. Previous studies have shown that the large HDAg and the surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) together can form empty hepatitis delta virus (HDV) particles. To understand the molecular mechanism of HDV virion morphogenesis, we investigated the possible direct protein-protein interaction between HDAg and HBsAg. We constructed recombinant baculoviruses expressing the major form of HBsAg and various mutant HDAgs and used these proteins for far-Western protein binding assays. We demonstrated that HBsAg interacted specifically with the large HDAg but not with the small HDAg. Using mutant HDAgs which have defective or aberrant prenylation, we showed that this interaction required isoprenylates on the cysteine residue of the C terminus of the large HDAg. Isoprenylation alone, without the remainder of the C-terminal amino acids of the large HDAg, was insufficient to mediate interaction with HBsAg. This study demonstrates a novel role of prenylates in HDV virion assembly.
Characterization of storm flow dynamics of headwater streams in the South Carolina lower coastal plain

Epps, Thomas H., Daniel R. Hitchcock, Anand D. Jayakaran, Drake R. Loflin, Thomas M. Williams, and Devendra M. Amatya, 2012. Characterization of Storm Flow Dynamics of Headwater Streams in the South Carolina Lower Coastal Plain. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 1-14. DOI: 10.1111/jawr.12000 Abstract: Hydrologic monitoring was conducted in two first-order lower coastal plain watersheds in South Carolina, United States, a region with increasing growth and land use change. Storm events over a three-year period were analyzed for direct runoff coefficients (ROC) and the total storm response (TSR) as percent rainfall. ROC calculations utilized an empirical hydrograph separation method that partitioned total streamflow into sustained base flow and direct runoff components. ROC ratios ranged from 0 to 0.32 on the Upper Debidue Creek (UDC) watershed and 0 to 0.57 on Watershed 80 (WS80); TSR results ranged from 0 to 0.93 at UDC and 0.01 to 0.74 at WS80. Variability in event runoff generation was attributed to seasonal trends in water table elevation fluctuation as regulated by evapotranspiration. Groundwater elevation breakpoints for each watershed were identified based on antecedent water table elevation, streamflow, ROCs, and TSRs. These thresholds represent the groundwater elevation above which event runoff generation increased sharply in response to rainfall. For effective coastal land use decision making, baseline watershed hydrology must be understood to serve as a benchmark for management goals, based on both seasonal and event-based surface and groundwater interactions.
Statistical Thermodynamics and Microscale Thermophysics

Many of the exciting new developments in microscale engineering are based on the application of traditional principles of statistical thermodynamics. This book offers a modern view of thermodynamics, interweaving classical and statistical thermodynamic principles and applying them to current engineering systems. It begins with coverage of microscale energy storage mechanisms from a quantum mechanics perspective and develops the fundamentals of classical and statistical thermodynamics. Next, applications of equilibrium statistical thermodynamics to solid, liquid, and gas phase systems are discussed. The remainder of the book discusses nonequilibrium thermodynamics of transport phenomena and introduces nonequilibrium effects and noncontinuum behaviour at the microscale. Although the text emphasizes mathematical development, it includes many examples and exercises illustrating how the theoretical concepts are applied to systems of scientific and engineering interest. It offers a fresh view of statistical thermodynamics for advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners in mechanical, chemical, and materials engineering.
High speed low connectivity (HSLC) counter (using cellular automata concept)

A new type of nonbinary counter that represents one step toward overcoming the shortcomings of circuit complexity and interconnection delays is introduced. The counter is known as a high speed low connectivity (HSLC) counter. Its architecture employs a cellular logic design concept with judiciously chosen local logical rules for interconnecting its building modules. The realizability of such counters is thoroughly investigated with emphasis on construction rules to achieve the maximum count cycle. >
The Marriage of History and Art: A Cooperative Learning Activity

(1993). The Marriage of History and Art: A Cooperative Learning Activity. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 167-170.
Demographic factors and hospital size predict patient satisfaction variance—implications for hospital value‐based purchasing

BACKGROUND Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (HVBP) incentivizes quality performance-based healthcare by linking payments directly to patient satisfaction scores obtained from Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys. Lower HCAHPS scores appear to cluster in heterogeneous population-dense areas and could bias Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement. OBJECTIVE Assess nonrandom variation in patient satisfaction as determined by HCAHPS. DESIGN Multivariate regression modeling was performed for individual dimensions of HCAHPS and aggregate scores. Standardized partial regression coefficients assessed strengths of predictors. Weighted Individual (hospital) Patient Satisfaction Adjusted Score (WIPSAS) utilized 4 highly predictive variables, and hospitals were reranked accordingly. SETTING A total of 3907 HVBP-participating hospitals. PATIENTS There were 934,800 patient surveys by the most conservative estimate. MEASUREMENTS A total of 3144 county demographics (US Census) and HCAHPS surveys. RESULTS Hospital size and primary language (non–English speaking) most strongly predicted unfavorable HCAHPS scores, whereas education and white ethnicity most strongly predicted favorable HCAHPS scores. The average adjusted patient satisfaction scores calculated by WIPSAS approximated the national average of HCAHPS scores. However, WIPSAS changed hospital rankings by variable amounts depending on the strength of the predictive variables in the hospitals’ locations. Structural and demographic characteristics that predict lower scores were accounted for by WIPSAS that also improved rankings of many safety-net hospitals and academic medical centers in diverse areas. CONCLUSIONS Demographic and structural factors (eg, hospital beds) predict patient satisfaction scores even after CMS adjustments. CMS should consider WIPSAS or a similar adjustment to account for the severity of patient satisfaction inequities that hospitals could strive to correct. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:503–509. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine