cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review : Immunobiology of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia has been recognized clinically since the time of Hippocrates: however its etiology and pathophysiology remain enigmatic. This pregnancy-specific syndrome typically presents in late pregnancy as hypertension, edema, and proteinuria. Investigations over the past 15 years have revealed that preeclampsia is associated with abnormal placentation, reduced placental perfusion, endothelial cell dysfunction, and systemic vasospasm. Since it occurs more commonly in primigravidae and in women with underlying collagen-vascular diseases, an immunological component has long been suspected. Increased prevalence in high-order and molar pregnancies and those associated with increased placental mass suggests that trophoblastic volume and fetal antigen load are correlated with the syndrome. Epidemiological reports indicate that the prevalence of preeclampsia is decreased in women who received heterologous blood transfusions, practiced oral sex, or when a long period of cohabitation preceded an established pregnancy. Conversely, the use of condoms as a primary mode of contraception is associated with a higher risk of preeclampsia. These studies suggest that prior exposure to foreign or paternal antigens imparts a protection against the likelihood of developing preeclampsia. Clinical evidence of cellular and humoral immune dysfunction is associated with the syndrome. Fibrin and complement deposition and "foam" cells in atherosis lesions resemble the histopathology of renal allograft rejection. Relative T-cell, natural killer cell, and neutrophil activation have been reported in preeclampsia and circulating cytokines and antiphospholipid antibodies are more prevalent in preeclampsia than in normal pregnant women. These abnormalities are consistent with the systemic endothelial cell dysfunction that has been postulated as a pathophysiological feature of preeclampsia. While such associations do not prove causality, they suggest testable hypotheses for continued basic and clinical investigation of this major complication of human pregnancy.
Serum resistance in bvg‐regulated mutants of Bordetella pertussis

Serum resistance, or resistance to killing by antibody dependent pathway of complement, in Bordetella pertussis is bvg-regulated and the Bordetella resistance to killing (brk) locus mediates much of the resistance. Here we examined whether other bvg-regulated proteins contribute to serum resistance. We found that neither pertussis toxin, adenylate cyclase toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, dermonecrotic toxin, tracheal colonization factor, nor Vag8 mutants were sensitive to serum killing compared to the wild-type. Filamentous hemagglutinin has been reported to bind C4 binding protein, an inhibitor of complement, but this activity does not appear to contribute to serum resistance, as evidenced by the resistant phenotype of FHA mutants. Clinical isolates were serum resistant and wild-type strains possessing an additional copy of the brk locus were 2-5-fold more resistant to serum killing.
Access to Mathematics: “A Possessive Investment in Whiteness”

While mathematics education gives access to elite universities, higher‐paying jobs, and the accumulation of wealth, it continues to be framed as a neutral curricular domain. However, data continual...
The Effects of Receiving a Rape Disclosure College Friends’ Stories

Research suggests that college women are at greater risk for rape and sexual assault than women in the general population or in a comparable age group. College women, away from home and family, may turn to friends for support. Friends may experience emotional reactions that affect their own functioning and may not feel they have anywhere to turn. In this study, we interviewed male and female college students who had received a rape disclosure from a friend. Their unique stories provide insight into the secondary effects of rape disclosure on friends. Implications of these findings for college campuses are discussed.
Sending the most recent observation is not optimal in networked control: Linear temporal coding and towards the design of a control specific transport protocol

This paper explores diversity of temporal observations in a networked control system or sensor network. We analyze what information should be sent between a sensor and a controller (or estimator) in a networked control system (or sensor network) where the two components are separated by an unreliable, bandwidth limited communication. Packets may be dropped at any time. Given a sensor of limited computational and storage capability restricted to transmitting linear combinations of measurements, we consider what should be transmitted following a packet drop - the most recent observation, the previously dropped observation, or a combination of the two? We show that the common practice of sending only the most recent observation is not optimal. We then derive necessary and sufficient conditions for an optimal linear combination of past and present observations. We address a special case where sensor bandwidth (or sampling rate) is higher than communication bandwidth (or throughput), and deal with the case of multiple dropped packets. These results suggest the design of a transport layer specific to networked control which optimizes packet contents contingent on previous packet loss. Alternatively, one could optimize access between contending sensors for a scarce communication medium. The results could be regarded as network coding across time. Simulations are used to illustrate the theoretical results.
Abstract PR11: Exome sequencing identifies germline mutations in African American families with hereditary prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. Although it has been demonstrated that genetics plays a strong role in PCa, the genetic risk factors responsible for PCa remain poorly understood. Family history is a significant risk factor for PCa and African American (AA) men have the highest PCa incidence among ethnic/racial groups. Genetic analysis of AA families with PCa could facilitate the identification of genetic components contributing to PCa susceptibility. However, this area of research has not been sufficiently explored. We performed Exome sequencing on one affected and one unaffected man from one AA hereditary PCa family, which consists of 9 affected and 18 unaffected men in three generations. We identified 226 novel nonsynonymous variants in the affected man. We examined these mutations in remaining family members and narrowed down to 12 novel mutations which cosegregate with the disease in this family. Further analysis of the 12 mutations in affected and unaffected men from an additional 19 AA hereditary PCa families, 95 AA men with sporadic PCa and 95 unaffected AA control subjects identified three candidate gene mutations. One of the mutations was detected in three and the other two in two AA PCa families but they were either absent or were present in a very low frequency in unaffected control subjects. The three candidate mutations are now under further investigation in additional AA PCa families. The detailed bioinformatics analysis and the significance of these mutations in PCa susceptibility will be discussed. This abstract is also presented as Poster C67. Citation Format: Zemin Wang, Chiping Qian, Elisa M. Eledet, George Washington, Jovanny Zabaleta, Jennifer J. Hu, Diptasri Mandal, Wanguo Liu. Exome sequencing identifies germline mutations in African American families with hereditary prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PR11. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-PR11
Characterization of Materials for a Hydrogen-Based Economy by Cold Neutron Prompt Gamma-Ray Activation Analysis

An instrument for cold neutron prompt gamma-ray activation analysis (PGAA) at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) has proven useful for the chemical characterization of hydrogen storage materials and other materials of importance to a hydrogen-based economy. The detection limit for hydrogen is less than 10 mg/kg for most materials. Potential hydrogen storage materials that have been characterized by PGAA include single-wall carbon nanotubes with and without boron doping, porous carbons, lithium magnesium imides, and ternary hydrides of various elements. The capability to allow in situ hydrogenation and characterization of materials is currently under development. PGAA has also been used to characterize materials used in hydrogen fuel cells, including solid proton conductors, polymer membrane, and proton exchange membranes. Future upgrades to the instrument will improve detection limits and functionality of the instrument.
Molecular Imprinting of Maltose Binding Protein: Tuning Protein Recognition at the Molecular Level

Protein imprinting in hydrogels is one approach for developing artificial receptors capable of specific recognition and binding of a target molecule. Through selection of monomers with side groups that can interact with the target protein and control over the degree of cross-linking, the architecture and spatial distribution of interaction points can be optimized for a target protein. Here we report on the imprinting of polyacrylamide-based hydrogels with maltose binding protein (MBP). To design the optimum architecture, we analyze the distribution of surface amino acid residues on the protein surface. We show that the selectivity of MBP recognition is increased by incorporating monomers that can introduce sites for hydrogen bonding, hydrophilic interactions, and electrostatic interactions. MBP-imprinted films showed high specificity and could discriminate between reference proteins with similar molecular weight, dimensions, and isoelectric point.
Treatment of murine transitional cell carcinoma with intralesional interleukin 2 and murine interferon gamma.

The antitumor effect of intralesionally administered recombinant interleukin-2, alone or in combination with recombinant interferon gamma was studied in murine transitional cell carcinoma, MBT2. In the initial prophylactic model treatment was started at day one at the site of tumor inoculation. Maximal and significant reduction in tumor volume occurred in groups receiving 4,000 units of recombinant interleukin 2 and 107 colony forming units Bacillus Calmette Guerin (p <0.00001 vs saline control). In the same experiment, a reduction in tumor incidence and increase in survival occurred in groups receiving 4,000 units of recombinant interleukin 2, 1,000 units of recombinant interleukin 2 plus 2,000 units of recombinant interferon gamma, as well as 107 colony forming units Bacillus Calmette Guerin relative to saline control (p <0.005). The dose-response effect of recombinant interleukin 2 alone was also tested in a model of an established transitional cell carcinoma. Intralesional injection treatments were initiated after tumors were palpable. Reduction in tumor volume was observed in the group receiving 8,000 units of recombinant interleukin 2 (p = 0.01 vs saline control), but no significant advantage in survival was noted.
Political Institutions and a Dialogue on Race

Part II, composed of two chapters, explores institutional norms and policy outcomes as politicians begin to engage in a dialogue on race. Chapter 5 provides a comprehensive overview of how a political discourse on race can alter the policy agenda, shape policy coalitions, and influence various stages of the policy-making process. Using novel research techniques, we are able to visualize the political coalitions that are built in Congress and compare levels of racial discourse with policy support. Chapter 6 expands our understanding of the link between policy and rhetoric by comparing congressional members’ statements on racial and ethnic minority concerns with their votes on related policies. Together, these two chapters demonstrate the policy consequences of speaking about race as gleaned through the congressional law-making processes.
Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Two Gelatin Fractions I: Material Preparation, Dosimetry, and Acid-Base behavior

Two fractions, F-I and F-II, were isolated from commercial pigskin gelatin by low-temperature alcohol precipitation. Both fractions, in the form of 1% and 5% solutions and as films, were exposed to variable electron beam irradiation emanating from a 3 Mev Van de Graaff accelerator to give absorbed-dose values of from about 0.1 to about 3 Megarads. Radiation dose was determined by means of Ce(IV)-Ce(III) and polyvinylchloride dosimetry. Acid-base titration curves on the commercial gelatin sample, control fractions F-I and F-II, and irradiated F-I and F-II, as 1% and 5% solutions and as films, all showed differences in -COOH and -NH2 content.
Why we harm

Within criminology there are few theoretical attempts to understand both crime in the streets (traditional crime) and crime in the suites (crimes of the powerful). Lois Presser’s Why We Harm undert...
Better than Nothing: How Policies Influence Political Participation in Low-Capacity Democracies

A growing body of policy feedback work demonstrates that citizens' experiences with public policy influence the way they participate in politics. Most of this work takes place in advanced industrial democracies, but the nuances of policy design influencing participation in advanced democracies are often irrelevant for those in low-capacity democracies. This study extends the policy feedback framework to address how policies might “feed back” differently in low-capacity countries with uneven basic service delivery. In low-capacity democracies, the most salient distinction is between those who have access to basic state-provided services and those who do not. Using original data collected in Zambia, it demonstrates that those who have even marginal access to state services have higher levels of political engagement and political participation than those without access, indicating that imperfect extension of services may help boost democratic citizenship in developing countries.
THE ROLE OF THE PHARMACIST IN PAEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE.

Aim To explore what involvement pharmacists in the UK have in paediatric palliative care Objectives 1. To determine the current roles and services provided by pharmacists to paediatric palliative care patients. 2. To establish how other members of the multidisciplinary team perceive the pharmacist9s role and the extent to which they value the pharmacist9s contributions. 3. To identify the references used by the multidisciplinary team to make clinical decisions about medication use in paediatric palliative care patients. Methods An online questionnaire was designed and emailed to members of the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist9s Group and the Association of Paediatric Palliative Medicine. The questionnaire was also sent by post to selected community pharmacists as palliative care is often provided to children in a community setting. Results were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 22. Results A response rate of 27% (114/430) was achieved. Pharmacists reported supporting children receiving palliative care by supplying medicines, dealing with medication related enquiries and providing advice to nursing and medical staff on the compatibility and stability of drugs. The pharmacist9s contributions were highly valued by other members of the paediatric palliative care team as a median rating of 9 (out of 10) was obtained. The results also showed that differences existed in the references used by pharmacists and other healthcare professionals–the Children9s British National Formulary was the most commonly used reference across all disciplnes when caring for children requiring palliative care. Conclusion This is one of the first studies to outline the roles of pharmacists working in paediatric palliative care and has highlighted that pharmacists have an important input in the care of these patients.
Relevance of remote scattering in gate to channel mobility of thin-oxide CMOS devices

Coulomb drag between electrons in the channel, and electrons in the gate was measured for the first time on silicon MOSFETs having different gate oxide thicknesses and poly-silicon doping levels. These measurements were augmented by mobility measurements in both the channel and the gate. The drag results showed current transfer ratios between channel and gate of /spl sim/ 2/spl times/10/sup -4/, and not to be a strong function of oxide thickness in the 1.9-2.8 nm range. The derived transfer mobility between channel and gate is /spl sim/1.5/spl times/10/sup 4/ cm/sup 2//V-s, too large to significantly affect channel current. We show also that neither drag nor remote impurity scattering can account for mobility degradation observed on our thinner oxide samples.
Abstract LB-015: Dissecting TGF beta-induced lethal EMT in Kras-driven pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer, mostly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is a devastating malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. New insights are urgently needed into the tumorigenesis process and the tumor suppression mechanisms of pancreatic cancer. Genetic alterations in PDAC occur in a temporal sequence, usually initiating with activating mutations of the KRAS (~95%), and progressing by loss of tumor suppressors, including INK4A/ARF, TP53 and SMAD4/DPC4. Our recent work reveals that in mouse KrasG12D-driven PDAC cells, TGFβ induces a robust epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) response, which leads to cell apoptosis. To determine the KrasG12D-dependent mechanism of priming pancreatic epithelial cells to be sensitive to TGFβ-induced lethal EMT, we utilize systematic approaches to integrate the transcriptome profile and Smad2/3 binding patterns to the genome to identify candidate mediators that regulate TGFβ-induced lethal EMT. To identify TGFβ gene response changes mediated by KrasG12D, we perform RNA-Seq analysis of inducible Tet-On KrasG12D pancreatic epithelial cells (PECs) treating with TGFβ or SB505124. Systematic analyses reveal that mutant KrasG12D, but not KrasWT, enables robust TGFβ gene responses of Snai1, Has2, Has3 and IL11. The massive induction of these genes is crucial for TGFβ-induced lethal EMT. Smad2/3 ChIP-Seq analysis reveals that transcription factor binding motifs of Rreb1 are specially associated with these KrasG12D-enhanced Smad2/3 binding sites. Furthermore, depletion of Rreb1 greatly impairs TGFβ-induced apoptosis. In summary, oncogenic KrasG12D drives a cell state change and sensitizes premalignant PECs to respond to TGFβ-induced lethal EMT. This function switch of TGFβ is potentially mediated through Kras-activated Rreb1 as a specific DNA binding partner of Smads. Citation Format: Jie Su. Mem. Dissecting TGF beta-induced lethal EMT in Kras-driven pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-015. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-015
Pivotal response treatment for prompting social behaviors of Korean American children with autism

There is a growing need to consider the cultural responsiveness of behavioral interventions for individuals with disabilities, given increasing diversity in the United States. This study examined t...
Ecosystem vs. community recovery 25 years after grass invasions and fire in a subtropical woodland

Summary Despite a large body of research documenting invasive plant impacts, few studies have followed individual invaded sites over decades to observe how they change, and none have contrasted how compositional impacts from invasion compare to ecosystem-process impacts over a multi-decadal time-scale. Using direct measurements of plant density and composition and of ecosystems processes, we evaluate how ecosystem structure, above-ground net primary production (ANPP), and above-ground and soil nutrient pools compare over 25 years since fire and C4 grass invasions disrupted seasonally dry Hawaiian woodlands. We compare structure and function between primary woodland that has never burned and is largely native species-dominated, with sites that had been the same woodland type but burned in alien-grass-fuelled fires in the 1970s and 1980s. The sites have not experienced fires since 1987. We report here that woody plant composition and structure continue to be dramatically changed by the initial invasions and fires that occurred 25 years ago and invaders continue to dominate in burned sites. This is reflected in continued low plant carbon pools in burned compared to unburned sites. Yet ANPP and N storage, which were dramatically lower in the initial decade after invasive-grass fuelled fires, have increased and are now indistinguishable from values measured in intact woodlands. Soil carbon pools were resilient to both invasion and fire initially and over time. Above-ground net primary production has recovered because of invasion of burned sites by a non-native N-fixing tree rather than because of recovery of native species. This invasive N-fixing tree is unlikely to return C storage of the invaded sites to those of unburned woodland because of its tissue and growth characteristics and its interactions with invasive grasses. It does not facilitate native species but rather promotes a persistent invasive grass/N-fixer savanna. Synthesis. We conclude that fire, an unusual disturbance in this system, has perpetuated the dominance of these sites by invasive species and that despite the dramatic recovery of above-ground net primary production and N pools, the ecosystem continues to be in a distinctly different state than the pre-fire, pre-Melinis community. Thus, despite the absence of further disturbance (fire), there is no evidence that succession towards the original ecosystem is occurring. The fact that N pools and above-ground net primary production recover because of a new invader (Morella faya), highlights the unpredictability of ecosystem trajectories in the face of altered regional species pools.
REARGUARD: Secure Keyword Search Using Trusted Hardware

Search over encrypted data (SE) enables a client to delegate his search task to a third-party server that hosts a collection of encrypted documents while still guaranteeing some measure of query privacy. Software-based solutions using diverse cryptographic primitives have been extensively explored, leading to a rich set of secure search indexes and algorithm designs. However, each scheme can only implement a small subset of information retrieval (IR) functions and often with considerable search information leaked. Recently, the hardware-based secure execution has emerged as an effective mechanism to securely execute programs in an untrusted software environment. In this paper, we exploit the hardware-based execution environment (TEE) and explore a software and hardware combined approach to address the challenging secure search problem. For functionality, our design can support the same spectrum of plaintext IR functions. For security, we present oblivious keyword search techniques to mitigate the index search trace leakage. We build a prototype of the system using Intel SGX. We demonstrate that the proposed system provides broad support of a variety of search functions and achieves computation efficiency comparable to plaintext data search with elevated security protection.
Bayes Estimation of a Distribution Function Using Ranked Set Samples

Aranked set sample (RSS), if not balanced, is simply a sample of independent order statistics gener- ated from the same underlying distribution F. Kvam and Samaniego (1994) derived maximum likelihood estimates of F for a general RSS. In many applications, including some in the environ- mental sciences, prior information about F is available to supplement the data-based inference. In such cases, Bayes estimators should be considered for improved estimation. Bayes estimation (using the squared error loss function) of the unknown distribution function F is investigated with such samples. Additionally, the Bayes generalized maximum likelihood estimator (GMLE) is derived. An iterative scheme based on the EM Algorithm is used to produce the GMLE of F. For the case of squared error loss, simple solutions are uncommon, and a procedure to find the solution to the Bayes estimate using the Gibbs sampler is illustrated. The methods are illustrated with data from the Natural Environmental Research Council of Great Britain (1975), representing water discharge of floods on the Nidd River in Yorkshire, England
Paraoxonases, Quorum Sensing, And Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of pulmonary infections in hospitalized, immunocompromised, and chronic lung disease patients, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF affects multiple organ systems, but infection in the airways is the most important clinical problem and the primary cause of death. P. aeruginosa can coordinate its activities and behave as a group through a population-dependent process termed quorum sensing. P. aeruginosa uses N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing molecules to regulate the expression of genes implicated in bacterial virulence and biofilm formation. AHLs produced and recognized by P. aeruginosa include N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) and N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4-HSL). Certain molecules and bacterial lactonases have been identified that degrade or compete with quorum-sensing signals and alter the pathogenesis of Gram-negative organisms, including P. aeruginosa. We have found that paraoxonases (PONs) present in airway epithelial cells and serum can inactivate 3OC12-HSL’s biological activity by hydrolyzing its lactone ring (lactonase activity). Of clinical interest, we have also shown that PON1 can inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Finally, based upon studies using airway cells from PON2-deficient mice, we have demonstrated that PON2 is required for airway epithelia inactivation of 3OC12-HSL. These findings suggest that PONs may represent a novel component of the innate immune system designed to interfere with P. aeruginosa quorum-sensing control
Vergiftung durch Bleitetraäthyl und verwandte Bleiverbindungen

Infolge der in den letzten Jahren angewachsenen Erzeugung von Bleitetraathyl als Antiklopfmittel und der heute fast universalen Verwendung desselben in Form von Ethyl- und Q-Fluid hat die Uberwachung der bei seiner Herstellung und Vermischung mit Motortreibstoffen auftretenden Unfallmoglichkeiten sowie der gesamte damit verbundene gewerbehygienische Fragenkreis sehr an Umfang zugenommen. Da die heutigentags von den Ethyl-Fluid-Lieferfirmen zugelassene Zumischung von Bleitetraathyl zu Benzin im Verhaltnis von hochstens 1: 1260 sich in bezug auf die Moglichkeit einer gesundheitlichen Schadigung durch Blei als harmlos erwiesen hat (1), beschrankt sich die hygienische Fragestellung auf diejenigen Personen, die mit der in Rede stehenden chemischen Verbindung vor ihrer Zumischung zu Benzin umzugehen haben, sowie auf solche, die ihren unter bestimmten Bedingungen auftretenden Zersetzungsprodukten, wie sie weiter unten beschrieben werden, ausgesetzt sein konnen.
Witches, Wise People, and Werewolves

This article explores the attitudes of the inhabitants of one village in the Zakarpats’ka Oblast’ of Ukraine towards the bearers of supernatural powers. On the basis of my own fieldwork, I describe several supernatural powers known to people in the village: milk-stealing, performed by women; self-protection against attacks; and turning husbands into wolves. Attitudes are shaped by one core value: fairness; the villagers strongly resent unfair usage of supernatural powers against those who cannot protect themselves. However, story characters who use such powers responsibly in self-defense and restore the status quo to punish aggressors are exonerated from blame by story-tellers and their audiences. In daily life, people do not like to be associated with supernatural forces for fear of being accused of using them unfairly.
Economics at the Antitrust Division: 2017–2018

This article describes some of the work of Antitrust Division economists over the past year, with a focus on modeling. It begins by illustrating the mapping from evidence to prediction using tools for assessing the effects of mergers using Bertrand, Cournot, and auction models. It then turns to two hot topics in competition policy: the implications of claims of increasing margins for merger enforcement and the validity of claims of increasing concentration. Finally, it considers how mergers affect prices in bargaining models.
A Metric for Evaluating Supercomputer Performance in the Era of Extreme Heterogeneity

When acquiring a supercomputer it is desirable to specify its performance using a single number. For many procurements, this is usually stated as a performance increase over a current generation platform, for example machine A provides 10 times greater performance than machine B. The determination of such a single number is not necessarily a simple process; there is no universal agreement on how this calculation is performed and each facility usually uses their own method. In the future, the landscape will be further complicated because systems will contain a heterogeneous mix of node types, and, by design, every application will not run on every node type. For example, at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) the Cori supercomputer contains two node types, nodes based on dual-socket Intel Xeon (Haswell) processors and nodes based on Intel Xeon Phi (Knights Landing) processors. However, NERSC evaluated these two partitions separately, without utilizing a single, combined performance metric. NERSC will be deploying its next-generation machine, NERSC-9, in the year 2020 and anticipates that it too will be a heterogeneous mix of node types. The purpose of this paper is to describe a single performance metric for a heterogeneous system.
Wastewater-based resource recovery technologies across scale: A review

Abstract Over the past few decades, wastewater has been evolving from a waste to a valuable resource. Wastewater can not only dampen the effects of water shortages by means of water reclamation, but it also provides the medium for energy and nutrient recovery to further offset the extraction of precious resources. Since identifying viable resource recovery technologies can be challenging, this article offers a review of technologies for water, energy, and nutrient recovery from domestic and municipal wastewater through the lens of the scale of implementation. The system scales were classified as follows: small scale (design flows of 17 m3/day or less), medium scale (8 to 20,000 m3/day), and large scale (3800 m3/day or more). The widespread implementation of non-potable reuse (NPR) projects across all scales highlighted the ease of implementation associated with lower water quality requirements and treatment schemes that resembled conventional wastewater treatment. Although energy recovery was mostly achieved in large-scale plants from biosolids management or hydraulic head loss, the highest potential for concentrated nutrient recovery occurred in small-scale systems using urine source separating technologies. Small-scale systems offered benefits such as the ability for onsite resource recovery and reuse that lowered distribution and transportation costs and energy consumption, while larger scales benefited from lower per unit costs and energy consumption for treatment. The removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products remained a challenge across scales, but unit processes such as reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, activated carbon, and advanced oxidation processes exhibited high removal efficiency for select contaminants.
GOES spin state diversity and the implications for GEO debris mitigation

Abstract Many defunct satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) spin rapidly or have highly evolving spin states, with some transitioning between uniform and non-principal axis rotation (tumbling). It is hypothesized that the observed evolution of some defunct GEO satellites is caused by the Yarkovsky-O’Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect and internal energy dissipation. YORP torques are generated by the absorption, reflection, and thermal re-emission of solar radiation and are known to cause secular changes in asteroid spin rates and obliquities. The defunct GOES 8 satellite is particularly notable. This satellite's uniform spin rate rapidly decreased in 2014 and it began tumbling. In this paper, newly analyzed light curve observations of the five nearly identical defunct GOES 8-12 satellites obtained between 2014 and 2018 are presented. The observations show large diversity in evolutionary time histories, with several satellites in consistent slow tumbling, GOES 10 in fast uniform rotation, and GOES 8 transitioning between both. To better understand this diversity, YORP dynamical models are investigated. They reveal that YORP driven spin state evolution is strongly dictated by end of life appendage orientations, which differ among the five satellites. The known end of life configurations are consistent with the observed evolution of GOES 8 and GOES 10. This provides a plausible explanation for the observed spin state diversity. Implications of the observed and simulated evolution for GEO debris mitigation are discussed.
An Examination of Order Maintenance Policing by Business Improvement Districts

Despite their ability to improve public safety, research has often prioritized the central role of the police in order maintenance, frequently overlooking the activities of non-state organizations....
Re-Emergent Kinetic Tremor in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: This is a case of re-emergent kinetic tremor in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Phenomenology shown: The video shows re-emergent kinetic tremor while drawing a spiral and with repeated attempts to drink water from a cup. Educational value: The kinetic tremor described by patients with PD can be a re-emergent tremor which occurs after a few repetitive movements.
Robot perceptual adaptation to environment changes for long-term human teammate following:

Perception is one of the several fundamental abilities required by robots, and it also poses significant challenges, especially in real-world field applications. Long-term autonomy introduces addit...
System Overload: Interventions that Target the Multiple Systems in which Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Live

Youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are tasked with managing their diabetes across complex systems (e.g., family, school, and medical systems), and their diabetes is often impacted by functioning within and across these systems. To effectively intervene, providers must first identify the system or systems in which risk factors exist for any given youth and then subsequently choose a relevant intervention. This chapter examines the state of the literature with regard to behavioral interventions, exploring both single system and multisystem approaches. As this chapter demonstrates, the overwhelming majority of interventions developed for youth with T1D address problems within a single system. However, youth with a combination of risk factors across a number of systems are a particularly vulnerable group, and improvements to outcomes within this group are essential to population health improvements and overall cost savings in pediatric diabetes care. While not yet standard care, there are several intensive, multisystem interventions that have demonstrated success with high-need, high-cost youth with T1D. As such, a case example is presented in order to demonstrate the utility of one multisystem intervention, Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH), and the barriers to implementing such interventions within our current healthcare model are discussed.
The Impact of Varenicline on Alcohol Consumption in Subjects With Alcohol Use Disorders: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses

OBJECTIVE Varenicline has been shown to be safe and effective in improving abstinence in smokers. However, results from randomized, placebo-controlled trials using varenicline for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are inconsistent. The present systematic review and meta-analyses aimed to ascertain whether varenicline improves drinking-related outcomes in subjects with AUDs. DATA SOURCES Ovid, Embase, and Scopus databases were queried using the search terms varenicline, alcoholism, alcohol-related disorders, and drinking behavior for English-language publications until August 29, 2019, of randomized, placebo-controlled trials in humans. STUDY SELECTION A total of 197 articles were identified by the literature search. Studies of subjects with heavy drinking or alcohol dependence/AUD that reported alcohol use-related outcomes were examined. DATA EXTRACTION Weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% CIs were calculated. The primary outcome of interest was percentage of heavy drinking days. Secondary outcomes included the number of drinks per drinking day, percentage of days abstinent, and change in alcohol craving. RESULTS Ten studies (n = 731, 66.6% male, 55.1% smokers) were included in the systematic review. In meta-analyses, no significant differences in percentage of heavy drinking days (n = 597; WMD = -1.09; 95% CI, -4.86 to 2.69; I² = 22%), number of drinks per drinking day (n = 570; WMD = -0.71; 95% CI, -1.44 to 0.03; I² = 0%), or percentage of days abstinent (n = 439; WMD = 3.89; 95% CI, -1.25 to 9.02; I² = 0%) were noted with varenicline use. Overall risk of bias was low. A statistically significant decrease in craving was observed (n = 436; SMD = -0.63; 95% CI, -1.18 to -0.08; I² = 84%). CONCLUSIONS In the present systematic review and meta-analyses, varenicline was shown to reduce alcohol craving but not improve drinking-related outcomes in subjects with AUDs.
Reliability and reproducibility of visual e-norms plateau identification.

Abstract Objective To derive normal values from a lab’s own diagnostic studies, the e-norms method relies on the proper identification of the e-norms plateau to derive descriptive statistics of the variable under study. This work was undertaken to compare the inter and intra-rater reliability of visual identification of the plateau by different raters analyzing laboratory nerve conductions study data. Methods Twenty raters were asked to visually identify the inflection points delineating an e-norms plateau to derive the Mean value of nerve conduction study laboratory data while blinded to the parameter they were analyzing. After a delay of 1-3 months, the same raters were asked to repeat some of the e-norms plateaus identification to assess delayed intra-rater reproducibility. Results Mean values derived from the identified plateau data were compared between raters (inter-rater) using a two factor ANOVA without replication. For the immediate inter-rater no statistically significant difference was found between the Means obtained by the different raters. For the delayed intra-rater, differences were found between raters. Conclusions This study suggests that visual identification of the e-norms plateau inflection point is reliable between raters but more research is needed to assess reproducibility for the same raters. Significance E-norms is a promising method for deriving reference values using data that is available in most electrophysiology laboratories.
Even more to handle: Additional sources of stress and trauma for clients from marginalized racial and ethnic groups in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

In addition the general stressors occurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals who are members of marginalized racial or ethnic minority groups in the United States may face addition...
Implementing and Following a Safe and Compassionate Opioid-Prescribing Policy

As the prevalence of opioid dependence and opioid use disorder has increased in the US, there is a need for health care facilities to ensure that prescribing opioid medications for chronic pain is safe. Evidence shows that treatment of chronic pain, opioid prescribing, and attitudes about opioid use disorder vary widely among clinicians (Morley-Forster et al., Pain Res Manag 8(4):189–194, 2003; Allen et al., Pain Res Manag 18(4):177–184, 2013). This is due to the complexity of managing chronic pain, provider experience, and practice location. National guidelines that have attempted to standardize chronic pain management have had unintended consequences. All facilities should create, implement, and ensure compliance with policies that guide chronic pain management and safe prescribing. Policies should reflect the 2016 CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, be individualized to the practice, and provide detailed instructions (Morley-Forster et al., Pain Res Manag 8(4):189–194, 2003). A framework for implementation of the policy based on Parchman’s six building blocks is described.
Biosynthesis of the catalytic H-cluster of [FeFe] hydrogenase: the roles of the Fe-S maturase proteins HydE, HydF, and HydG.

[FeFe] hydrogenases carry out the redox interconversion of protons and molecular hydrogen (2H+ + 2e− ⇌ H2) at a complex Fe–S active site known as the H-cluster. The H-cluster consists of a [4Fe–4S] subcluster, denoted here as [4Fe]H, linked via a cysteine sulfur to an interesting organometallic [2Fe]H subcluster thought to be the subsite where the catalysis occurs. This [2Fe]H subcluster consists of two Fe atoms, linked with a bridging CO and a bridging SCH2NHCH2S azadithiolate (adt), with additional terminal CO and CN ligands bound to each Fe. Synthesizing such a complex organometallic unit is a fascinating problem in biochemistry, complicated by the toxic nature of both the CO and CN− species and the relative fragility of the azadithiolate bridge. It has been known for a number of years that this complex biosynthesis is carried out by a set of three essential Fe–S proteins, HydE, HydF, and HydG. HydF is a GTPase, while HydE and HydG are both members of the large family of radical S-adenosylmethionine (rSAM) enzymes. In this perspective we describe the history of research and discovery concerning these three Fe–S “maturase” proteins and describe recent evidence for a sequential biosynthetic pathway beginning with the synthesis of a mononuclear organometallic [Fe(II)(CO)2CN(cysteine)] complex by the rSAM enzyme HydG and its subsequent activation by the second rSAM enzyme HydE to form a highly reactive Fe(I)(CO)2(CN)S species. In our model a pair of these Fe(I)(CO)2(CN)S units condense to form the [Fe(CO)2(CN)S]2 diamond core of the [2Fe]H cluster, requiring only the installation of the central CH2NHCH2 portion of the azadithiolate bridge, whose atoms are all sourced from the amino acid serine. This final step likely occurs with an interplay of HydE and HydF, the details of which yet remain to be elucidated.
Photomechanical materials and applications: a tutorial

The transistor has revolutionized civilization. The photon will enable the next revolution provided that photomechanical materials, which convert light energy into mechanical work, can be made substantially more efficient. This tutorial develops a unified picture of the photomechanical response from its microscopic origins to the bulk response. A statistical model of the relationship between the photomorphon, the smallest photomechanical material unit, and the bulk response provides the context for understanding the various mechanisms that can contribute. We then present experimental details of how the photomechanical response is measured and used to deduce the underlying mechanisms. A figure of merit for the photomechanical efficiency is defined and materials are reviewed. Finally, we describe the photomechanical optical device (POD) and how PODs can be combined to form highly intelligent materials. This tutorial spans the multidisciplinary topics needed to (1) understand the fundamental physics of the response, (2) design and process materials to control the response, and (3) build new devices and integrated photomechanical systems.
Tuning Advanced LIGO to kilohertz signals from neutron-star collisions

Gravitational waves produced at kilohertz frequencies in the aftermath of a neutron star collision can shed light on the behavior of matter at extreme temperatures and densities that are inaccessible to laboratory experiments. Gravitational-wave interferometers are limited by quantum noise at these frequencies but can be tuned via their optical configuration to maximize the probability of postmerger signal detection. We compare two such tuning strategies to turn Advanced LIGO into a postmerger-focused instrument: first, a wideband tuning that enhances the instrument's signal-to-noise ratio 40--80% broadly above 1 kHz relative to the baseline, with a modest sensitivity penalty at lower frequencies; second, a ``detuned'' configuration that provides even more enhancement than the wideband tuning, but over only a narrow frequency band and at the expense of substantially worse quantum noise performance elsewhere. With an optimistic accounting for instrument loss and uncertainty in postmerger parameters, the detuned instrument has a $\ensuremath{\lesssim}40%$ sensitivity improvement compared to the wideband instrument.
Temperature dependence of population responses to competition and metabolic stress: An agent-based model to inform ecological risk assessment in a changing climate

Abstract Understanding the interactions among multiple stressors is a crucial issue for ecological risk assessment and ecosystem management. However, it is often impractical, or impossible, to collect empirical data concerning all the interactions at any scale because the type of interaction differs across species and levels of biological organization. We applied an agent-based model to simulate the effects of a hypothetical chemical stressor and inter-specific competition (both alone and together) on greenback cutthroat trout (GCT), a listed species under the US Endangered Species Act, in two temperature scenarios. The trout life cycle is modeled using the Dynamic Energy Budget theory. The chemical stressor is represented by a reduction in ingestion efficiency, and competition is implemented by introducing a population of brown trout. Results show that chemical exposure is the major stressor in the colder temperature scenario, whereas competition mostly affected the GCT population in the warmer environment. Moreover, the effects of the stressors at the individual level were not predictive of the type of interactions between stressors (additive, antagonistic, synergistic) at the population level, which differed between the two-temperature scenarios. We conclude that mechanistic models can help to identify generalities about interactions among environmental and stressor properties, create in-silico experiments to provide different scenarios for conservation purposes, and explore multiple-exposure consequences at higher levels of biological organization. In this way they can provide useful tools for improving ecological risk assessment and informing management decisions.
Criticality of a conserved tyrosine residue in the SpeG protein from Escherichia coli.

The SpeG spermidine/spermine N-acetyltransferase (SSAT) from Escherichia coli belongs to the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily of proteins. In vitro characterization of this enzyme shows it acetylates the polyamines spermine and spermidine, with a preference toward spermine. This enzyme has a conserved tyrosine residue (Y135) that is found in all SSAT proteins and many GNAT functional subfamilies. It is located near acetyl coenzyme A in the active center of these proteins and has been suggested to act as a general acid in a general acid/base chemical mechanism. In contrast, a previous study showed this residue was not critical for E. coli SpeG enzymatic activity when mutated to phenylalanine. This result was quite different from previous studies with a comparable residue in the human and mouse SSAT proteins, which also acetylate spermine and spermidine. Therefore, we constructed several mutants of the E. coli SpeG Y135 residue and tested their enzymatic activity. We found this conserved residue was indeed critical for E. coli SpeG enzyme activity and may behave similarly in other SSAT proteins. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.