cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Reactions to Microaggressions: Transgender Perspectives

In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of literature focusing on microaggressions, or subtle forms of discrimination, toward people of color; women; people with disabilities; and lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people. Despite this, there is a dearth of literature that describes the types of microaggressions experienced by transgender people as well as the ways that transgender people cope with, or react to, microaggressions. The current qualitative study (N 9) used a directed content analysis to examine transgender people’s psychological processes and coping mechanisms when gender identity microaggressions occur in their lives. Participants’ perspectives are categorized into 3 major domains: emotional reactions, behavioral reactions, and cognitive reactions. Psychological implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.
Oxidative stress and Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognition impairment and behavioral abnormalities.While the mechanisms involved in AD remain unclear,various hypotheses have been proposed regarding pathogenesis of AD,among which the oxidative stress hypothesis has attracted more and more attention.In the present article,the relationship between oxidative stress and AD is reviewed,including sources of neuronal oxygen radical generation,the link of oxidative stress to pathogenesis of AD,preclinical and clinical studies of AD,therapeutic effects of antioxidants and phosphodiesterase inhibitors on AD.
Relationship between severity of venous calcifications and symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis

AIM: To examine the correlation between the severity of venous calcifications and the clinical symptoms of phlebosclerotic colitis. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. The data, including the numbers of episodes of active disease, were collected from the medical records at Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital in Taiwan between January 2005 and December 2014. All computed tomography images with or without contrast enhancement were obtained using a multiple detector computed tomography scanner. The scanning range reached from the dome of the diaphragm to the pelvis. The severity of calcification at the tributaries of the portal vein was measured using a four-grade scoring system of the calcification of phlebosclerotic colitis. The episodes of active disease were defined as symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, severe constipation, bowel obstruction, vomiting or diarrhea based on a review of the medical records. Spearman’s correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the numbers of episodes of active disease and the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins. RESULTS: More than 3000 cases were reviewed from 2005 to 2014, and a total of 12 patients from Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Wei Gong Memorial Hospital were enrolled according to our inclusion criteria. Among these 12 patients, the mean age of the six males and the six females was 61.8 ± 11.5 years. All patients exhibited typical imaging characteristics, consisting of threadlike calcifications and colonic wall thickening in the standard radiographs and calcifications along the colonic and mesenteric vessels or associated with colonic wall thickening and adjacent fat stranding in the computed tomography images. The median score of the severity of the venous calcifications was 18 ± 13, and the median number of active disease episodes was 1 ± 1.75. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that the number of episodes of active phlebosclerotic colitis disease significantly positively correlated with the severity of the calcification of the mesenteric veins (r = 0.619, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The extent of mesenteric venous calcification is strongly associated with the number of episodes of active disease among patients with phlebosclerotic colitis.
Effect of hydrocortisone on gastric mucosal blood flow and secretion.

A study was conducted to determine whether long term treatment with hydrocortisone increases gastric secretion by increasing gastric mucosal blood flow. Dogs prepared with both gastric fistula and vagally denervated pouch were stimulated submaximally with histamine and with a gastrin-like peptide during periods of control, long term treatment with hydrocortisone, and post-steroid control. Hydrocortisone increased: (1) acid output from the gastric fistula during histamine stimulation but not during stimulation with gastrinlike peptide, (2) acid output from the Heidenhain pouch during gastrin stimulation to a greater degree than during stimulation with histamine, and (3) mucosal blood flow from the Heidenhain pouch during gastrin stimulation, but not with histamine and not from the gastric fistula with either direct stimulant. Hydrocortisone does not appear to act on gastric secretory processes via primary changes in the gastric mucosal circulation.
The enthalpies of combustion and formation of n-propylcyclopentane and five methylethylcyclopentanes†‡

The enthalpies of combustion of n-propylcyclopentane and five isomeric methylethyl-cyclopentanes were determined by oxygen-bomb combustion calorimetry. The following values, based on the mass of sample, are reported for the standard enthalpy of combustion ΔH°c/(298.15 K)/kcal mol−1 of these compounds in the liquid state: n-propylcyclopentane, −(1253.82 ± 0.18); 1-methyl-1-ethylcyclopentane, −(1252.62 ± 0.22); 1-methyl-cis-2-ethylcyclopentane, −(1253.32 ± 0.22); 1-methyl-trans-2-ethylcyclopentane, −(1252.30 ± 0.20); 1-methyl-cis-3-ethylcyclopentane, −(1252.47 ± 0.22); and 1-methyl-trans-3-ethylcyclopentane, −(1252.09 ± 0.20). Enthalpies of formation in the liquid state are derived. A comparison of the enthalpies of combustion of the alkyl cyclopentanes and alkyl cyclohexanes is made.
SU-F-T-82: Dosimetric Evaluation of a Shield Used for Hemi-Body Skin Electron Irradiation

Purpose: We had several mycosis fungoides patients with a limited disease to about half of the skin surface. A custom-made plywood shield was used to protect the non-targeted skin region with our total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) technique. We report a dosimetric evaluation for our “hemi-body” skin electron irradiation technique. Methods: The technique is similar to our clinical total skin electron irradiation (TSEI), performed with a six-pair dual field (Stanford technique) at an extended source-to-skin distance (SSD) of 377 cm, with the addition of a plywood shield placed 50 cm from the patient. The shield is made of three layers of standard 5/8″ thick plywood (total thickness of 4.75 cm) that are clamped securely on an adjustable-height stand. Gafchromic EBT3 films were used in assessing the shield's transmission factor and the extend of the dose penumbra region. To verify the dose delivered for hemi-body skin radiation in a real patient treatment, in-vivo dosimetry using Gafchromic EBT3 films were performed. Film pieces were taped on the patient skin to measure the dose received during the first two fractions, placed on the forehead and upper body (shielded region); and also at the level of pelvic area, left thigh, and left ankle. Results: The shield transmission factor was found to be 10%, and the width of the penumbra (80-to-20% dose fall-off) was about 12 cm. In-vivo dosimetry of a real case confirmed the expected shielded area dose. Conclusion: Hemi-Body skin electron irradiation at an extended SSD is feasible with the addition of a plywood shield at a distance from patient skin. The penumbra dose region and the shield's transmission factor should be evaluated prior to clinical use. We have treated several hemi-body skin patients with our custom-made plywood shield, the current patient measurements are representative of these for other patients as well.
Seizures During Exercise

Three children with epileptic seizures occurring during exercise are reported from the Section of Electroencephalography and Pediatric Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
The Social Geography of Choice: Neighborhoods’ Role in Students’ Navigation of School Choice Policy in Chicago

This study extends research on school choice policy, and on the geography of educational opportunity, by exploring how students understand their school choices and select from them within social-geographical space. Using a conceptual framework that draws from situated social cognition and recent research on neighborhood effects, this study explores the experiences of 36 students seeking admission to high school in Chicago Public Schools, a large urban district that offered 130 high school options the year of data collection. Our findings reveal that students’ choice processes were geographically specific, and mirrored spatial patterns of power and privilege in Chicago. This article concludes with a discussion of findings’ implications for socially and spatially equitable school choice policy, and for subsequent research on the geography of educational opportunity.
Delayed CO2 emissions from mid-ocean ridge volcanism as a possible cause of late-Pleistocene glacial cycles

The coupled 100,000 year variations in ice volume, temperature, and atmospheric CO2 during the late Pleistocene are generally considered to arise from a combination of orbital forcing, ice dynamics, and ocean circulation. Also previously argued is that changes in glaciation influence atmospheric CO2 concentrations through modifying subaerial volcanic eruptions and CO2 emissions. Building on recent evidence that ocean ridge volcanism responds to changes in sea level, here it is suggested that ocean ridges may play an important role in generating late-Pleistocene 100 ky glacial cycles. If all volcanic CO2 emissions responded immediately to changes in pressure, subaerial and ocean-ridge volcanic emissions anomalies would oppose one another. At ocean ridges, however, the egress of CO2 from the mantle is likely to be delayed by tens-of-thousands of years, or longer, owing to ascent time. A simple model involving temperature, ice, and CO2 is presented that oscillates at ∼100 ky time scales when incorporating a delayed CO2 contribution from ocean ridge volcanism, even if the feedback accounts for only a small fraction of total changes in CO2. Oscillations readily become phase-locked with insolation forcing associated with changes in Earth's orbit. Under certain parameterizations, a transition from ∼40 ky to larger ∼100 ky oscillations occurs during the middle Pleistocene in response to modulations in orbital forcing. This novel description of Pleistocene glaciation should be testable through ongoing advances in understanding the circulation of carbon through the solid earth.
Big data and its applications in agro-geoinformatics

Agro-geoinformatics deals with collecting, managing, analyzing agricultural-related geospatial data, which are domain-specific big data. This paper discusses the general characteristics of big data, the specific features of agro-geoinformatics and agro-geodata, and examples of agro-geoinformatics projects dealing with big agro-geodata. Through the adoption and adaptation process, the general big data technologies are very useful in agro-geoinformatics, but cannot solve all technology needs in dealing with big agro-geodata. Development of agro-specific big data technology is a necessary supplement to adoption of general big data technology. The combination of adoption of general big data technology and development of agro-specific big data technology proves to be a good strategy for applying big data technology in agro-geoinformatics.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells Depend on VEGF, PDGFR and SCF Receptor Signaling: Leukemia Regression with Pazopanib.

Abstract Abstract 1057 Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells depend on endothelial cells for survival and proliferation. By targeting endothelial cells with a novel vascular disrupting agent, we recently demonstrated regression of AML (Madlambayan, et al., Blood 2010). In an effort to discover a more selective, anti-vascular therapy for leukemia, we hypothesized that targeting endothelial cell-derived paracrine and leukemia cell-derived autocrine growth factors would result in regression of disease. In particular, our strategy focused on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and stem cell factor (SCF), which are known to promote leukemia cell proliferation. Receptors for each of these growth factors are potently inhibited by pazopanib, which is an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The aim of our study was to determine the dependence of leukemia cell survival and proliferation on the combined receptor signaling of VEGF, PDGF and SCF. Leukemia cell lines (KG-1, HL60 and K562) were incubated at various durations with varying concentrations of pazopanib. Leukemia cell proliferation was quantified using XTT assay. Apoptosis induction was analysed by flow cytometry (Annexin V and PI staining). Pazopanib effectively impaired proliferation in leukemia cells in vitro in a dose and time dependent fashion. During a 16-hour incubation of leukemia cells, pazopanib showed a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 22.57 μM (r = .986), 41.6 μM (r = .991), and 81.97 μM (r = .996) for HL60, K562, and KG-1 cells, respectively. Staining with Annexin V and PI identified apoptosis as the main cause of cell death after exposure to pazopanib. The IC50 of apoptosis for HL60 cells was 132.5 ± 2.7 μM (p = 0.0002). These results indicate that leukemia cells depend on the combined signaling of VEGF, PDGF, and SCF, and suggest that selective inhibition by pazopanib may be a promising therapeutic for AML. Furthermore, pazopanib is orally available and associated with minimal side effects, thus representing an attractive candidate for further testing in AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
New Models for Information Education: Contrasts in Curriculum, Collegial Relationships, and Administration

Education for the information profession is in a state of radical change and re-design. Academic units are being reorganized around new interdisciplinary paradigms, while new curriculums are being developed to address the needs of a growing and diverse information profession. Existing schools which offer multiple information degrees and are based upon interdisciplinary models. . .
Transplantation of Human Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Expressing Cells Leads to Widespread Tissue Distribution of Donor Cells in the Novel NOD/SCID/MPSVII Xenotransplantation Model.

Beta-glucuronidase (GUSB) is a lysosomal enzyme expressed in virtually all human and murine cell types. Transplantation of GUSB-expressing human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into the recently developed GUSB-deficient NOD/SCID/MPSVII mouse allows for the sensitive histochemical detection of xenotransplanted cells in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. Most notably, human cells expressing GUSB can be detected without reliance on the expression of human cell surface markers. In addition, we have recently characterized a novel population of reconstituting HSC from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) by lineage depletion (Lin − ) followed by selection of cells with high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. We have also demonstrated the robust hematopoietic engraftment of ALDH hi Lin − cells in the NOD/SCID model. Because donor cell surface protein expression may be altered in non-hematopoietic tissues due to cell fusion or other mechanisms, we have used the NOD/SCID/MPSVII model to study the tissue distribution of ALDH hi Lin − or ALDH lo Lin − cells in multiple organs. Tail vein injection of 2x10 5 –4x10 5 ALDH hi Lin − cells into sub-lethally irradiated (300cGy) NOD/SCID/MPSVII mice (n=3) demonstrated high levels of hematopoietic (human CD45 + cells) engraftment in the BM (70.5±15.1%), spleen (7.0±2.8%) and peripheral blood (17.0±10.7%). In contrast, injection of 2x10 5 –10 6 ALDH lo Lin − cells (n=3) did produce significant human cell engraftment in these hematopoietic tissues, with only 1 of 3 mice engrafting at 0.3% CD45 + cells in the murine BM. By using GUSB-specific histochemical staining, significant human engraftment was detected, with single cell sensitivity, in hematopoietic (BM and spleen) and non-hematopoietic (liver, pancreas, and lung) tissues of mice transplanted with ALDH hi Lin − cells. GUSB activity was colocalized with CD45 immunohistochemical staining in the BM, liver, and pancreas of mice transplanted with ALDH hi Lin − cells. Human cells were not detected in the muscle or brain of these engrafted mice. In contrast, mice transplanted with equal doses of ALDH lo Lin − cells showed no GUSB expression in the BM, spleen, liver, pancreas, lung, muscle, and brain. We are currently developing a flow cytometric assay to enumerate the frequency of GUSB expressing cells in the tissues of the transplanted mice. These data indicate that ALDH hi Lin − UCB cells demonstrate previously uncharacterized engraftment in the liver, pancreas, and lung of NOD/SCID MPSVII mice. This novel model provides a unique opportunity to visualize donor human cells after xenotransplantation without reliance upon the expression of cell surface proteins, in situ hybridization, or cell labeling using viral transduction or membrane dyes.
A Working Model for the Integration of Spirituality in Counseling

ABSTRACTThis article addresses the importance of counselors being open to the spirituality of clients as an orienting worldview. The need for a spiritual strategy is addressed and a spiritual awareness decision tree is presented to aid the counselor to determine whether or not to address spirituality with clients, as well as the spiritual awareness guide (SAG). The SAG can help the counselor meet the client at an appropriate cognitive level, conceptualize the client’s issues in a spiritual context, and guide prognosis and treatment for the client experiencing a spiritual crises. Implications for counselors are addressed.
The role of empathy in experiencing vicarious anxiety.

With depictions of others facing threats common in the media, the experience of vicarious anxiety may be prevalent in the general population. However, the phenomenon of vicarious anxiety—the experience of anxiety in response to observing others expressing anxiety—and the interpersonal mechanisms underlying it have not been fully investigated in prior research. In 4 studies, we investigate the role of empathy in experiencing vicarious anxiety, using film clips depicting target victims facing threats. In Studies 1 and 2, trait emotional empathy was associated with greater self-reported anxiety when observing target victims, and with perceiving greater anxiety to be experienced by the targets. Study 3 extended these findings by demonstrating that trait empathic concern—the tendency to feel concern and compassion for others—was associated with experiencing vicarious anxiety, whereas trait personal distress—the tendency to experience distress in stressful situations—was not. Study 4 manipulated state empathy to establish a causal relationship between empathy and experience of vicarious anxiety. Participants who took an empathic perspective when observing target victims, as compared to those who took an objective perspective using reappraisal-based strategies, reported experiencing greater anxiety, risk-aversion, and sleep disruption the following night. These results highlight the impact of one’s social environment on experiencing anxiety, particularly for those who are highly empathic. In addition, these findings have implications for extending basic models of anxiety to incorporate interpersonal processes, understanding the role of empathy in social learning, and potential applications for therapeutic contexts.
Chilling Affects Budbreak of Ginkgo biloba L.

Abstract The effects of chilling and heat on budbreak of Ginkgo biloba L. seedlings were evaluated in a study initiated on October 1, 1999, and terminated on April 8, 2002. Chilling was a determinate factor in foliar budbreak for G biloba. Thirteen levels of chilling were applied to trees in increments of 100 hours, with twelve replications per treatment. Once the chilling requirement had been satisfied, increased chilling led to a decreased heat unit requirement, resulting in accelerated foliar budbreak and higher budbreak percentage. Trees receiving the same treatment for three consecutive years required a minimum of 100 chill hours plus 936 greenhouse hours to initiate budbreak, and a minimum of 500 chill hours plus 1168 greenhouse hours to reach 50 percent budbreak. In years one and two, trees receiving less than 100 chill hours failed to break bud and eventually died. In year three, trees receiving less than 100 chill hours broke an average of 0.05 percent buds per tree, but no subsequent growth occu...
Measurement of Fructose-Asparagine Concentrations in Human and Animal Foods.

The food-borne bacterial pathogen, Salmonella enterica, can utilize fructose–asparagine (F–Asn) as its sole carbon and nitrogen source. F–Asn is the product of an Amadori rearrangement following the nonenzymatic condensation of glucose and asparagine. Heating converts F–Asn via complex Maillard reactions to a variety of molecules that contribute to the color, taste, and aroma of heated foods. Among these end derivatives is acrylamide, which is present in some foods, especially in fried potatoes. The F–Asn utilization pathway in Salmonella, specifically FraB, is a potential drug target because inhibition of this enzyme would lead to intoxication of Salmonella in the presence of F–Asn. However, F–Asn would need to be packaged with the FraB inhibitor or available in human foods. To determine if there are foods that have sufficient F–Asn, we measured F–Asn concentrations in a variety of human and animal foods. The 400 pmol/mg F–Asn found in mouse chow is sufficient to intoxicate a Salmonella fraB mutant in mo...
Evaluation of 600 V direct-drive GaN HEMT and a comparison to GaN GIT

This paper presents an evaluation of a newly released power stage direct drive GaN HEMT. The double pulse test is performed and the dynamic performance is characterized. PCB layout optimization is also investigated for improved switching transients. It is shown that the direct drive system provides simplified circuit design, reduced number of external components, and small gate loop parasitics. Also, high reliability with optimized protection functions can be achieved. A comparison with a GaN gate injection transistor (GIT) is also presented. Both devices are rated at 600 V with similar current rating. Dynamic test results for both devices at 25°C and 125°C are presented.
Low-temperature magnetic resonance imaging with 2.8 μm isotropic resolution

Abstract We demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution 1H magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at low temperatures by obtaining an MRI image of 20 μm diameter glass beads in glycerol/water at 28 K with 2.8 μm isotropic resolution. The experiments use a recently-described MRI apparatus (Moore and Tycko, 2015) with minor modifications. The sample is contained within a radio-frequency microcoil with 150 μm inner diameter. Sensitivity is additionally enhanced by paramagnetic doping, optimization of the sample temperature, three-dimensional phase-encoding of k-space data, pulsed spin-lock detection of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance signals, and spherical sampling of k-space. We verify that the actual image resolution is 2.7 ± 0.3 μm by quantitative comparisons of experimental and calculated images. Our imaging approach is compatible with dynamic nuclear polarization, providing a path to significantly higher resolution in future experiments.
Towards a real-time pneumatic tire performance prediction using an advanced tire-ice interface model

Abstract Icy road conditions and tire operational parameters play a vital role in determining the overall performance of a vehicle. This study builds on prior work in the researchers’ group. The Advanced Tire-Ice Interface Model (ATIIM) simulates the temperature rise in the contact patch based on the measured pressure distribution and the thermal properties of the tread compound and of the ice surface. It has the capability to simulate the height of the thin water film created from the melted ice, to predict the tractive performance, and to estimate the viscous friction due to the water layer and the influence of braking operations, including the locked wheel condition. The experimental investigation included measuring the bulk temperature distribution in the contact patch to validate the temperature rise simulations of the ATIIM. As shown by the simulations and the test data, a rise in temperature was observed from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the contact patch. As the wheel load increases, the difference in temperature rise increases, as also reflected in the experimental study. When the temperature difference was significant, a thin water film was observed that resulted in a reduction of friction, which was simulated using the ATIIM.
Hypofractionated external beam radiation therapy in combination with HDR boost for localized prostate cancer: patient reported quality of life outcomes.

Purpose There is limited data to support the use of hypofractionated external beam radiation (HypoF) in combination with high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR). We report our quality of life (QOL) outcomes when treating intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer patients with external beam radiation (EBRT) plus HDR. Material and methods The charts of 54 patients with localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate treated with standard fractionation (SF) or HypoF EBRT plus HDR boost at a single institution between 2012 and 2015 were reviewed. All patients completed the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUASS) and Expanded Prostate Index for Prostate Cancer - Clinical Practice (EPIC-CP) quality of life assessments prior to treatment and completed at least one follow-up survey. Linear mixed models were performed to test for significant changes and differences in each outcome over time. Results There was no significant difference in AUA score (p = 0.98), incontinence (urge) and urinary irritation/obstruction scores (p = 0.81 and p = 0.62, respectively), and bowel QOL (p = 0.97) between the two dosing groups over time or at any discrete time point. For both groups, AUA scores peaked at 0-2 months before improving. Likewise, sexual function, vitality score, and QOL scores were also not significantly different between the dose groups over time (p = 0.59, p = 0.37, and p = 0.71, respectively). All QOL categories, except sexual function, trended toward baseline with increasing time from intervention. Conclusions Our study suggests HypoF EBRT can be delivered in combination with HDR for patients with ntermediate-risk and high-risk adenocarcinoma of the prostate without increasing toxicity compared to SF with an HDR boost.
SOUPS: A Variable Ordering Metric for the Saturation Algorithm

Multivalued decision diagrams are an excellent technique to study the behavior of discrete-state systems such as Petri nets, but their variable order (mapping places to MDD levels) greatly affects efficiency, and finding an optimal order even just to encode a given set is NP-hard. In state-space generation, the situation is even worse, since the set of markings to be encoded keeps evolving and is known only at the end. Previous heuristics to improve the efficiency of the saturation algorithm often used in state-space generation seek a variable order minimizing a simple function of the Petri net, such as the sum over each transition of the top variable position (SOT) or variable span (SOS). This, too, is NP-hard, so we cannot compute orders that minimize SOT or SOS in most cases but, even if we could, it would have limited effectiveness. For example, SOT and SOS can be led astray by multiple copies of a transition (giving more weight to it), or transitions with equal inputs and outputs (giving weight to transitions that should be ignored). These anomalies inspired us to define SOUPS, a new heuristic that only takes into account the unique and productive portion of each transition. The SOUPS metric can be easily computed, allowing us to use it in standard search techniques like simulated annealing to find good orders. Experiments show that SOUPS is a much better proxy for the quantities we really hope to improve, the memory and time for MDD manipulation during state-space generation.
Electron transfer from photoexcited naphthalene-1,4:5,8-bis(dicarboximide) radical anion to Mn(bpy)(CO)3X and Re(bpy)(CO)3X CO2 reduction catalysts linked via a saturated methylene bridge

Abstract Supramolecular systems that connect a naphthalene-1,4:5,8-bis(dicarboximide) (NDI) radical anion donor to Mn(bpy)(CO)3Br or Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl CO2 reduction catalysts via a methylene bridge have been synthesized and studied by femtosecond transient visible, near-infrared and mid-infrared spectroscopy. The use of the methylene bridge to link NDI to the complexes does not affect the reduction potentials of the metal complexes. Selective photoexcitation of NDI•− to 2*NDI•− results in ultrafast reduction of the bipyridine (bpy) ligands on both the Mn and Re complexes to form Mn(I)(bpy•−)(CO)3X and Re(I)(bpy•−)(CO)3X in near unity quantum yield, respectively. The initial formation of Mn(I)(bpy•−)(CO)3X is unexpected based on previous electrochemical data that indicates the Mn(I) center is reduced at a more positive potential than the bpy ligand. Moreover, the rate of forward electron transfer in the Mn complex was found to be faster than in the Re complex, while the rate of the back electron transfer in the Re complex was faster than in the Mn complex.
A nearest-neighbors network model for sequence data reveals new insight into genotype distribution of a pathogen.

Sequence similarity networks are useful for classifying and characterizing biologically important proteins. Threshold-based approaches to similarity network construction using exact distance measures are prohibitively slow to compute and rely on the difficult task of selecting an appropriate threshold, while similarity networks based on approximate distance calculations compromise useful structural information. We present an alternative network representation for a set of sequence data that overcomes these drawbacks. In our model, called the Directed Weighted All Nearest Neighbors (DiWANN) network, each sequence is represented by a node and is connected via a directed edge to only the closest sequence, or sequences in the case of ties, in the dataset. Our contributions span several aspects. Specifically, we: (i) Apply an all nearest neighbors network model to protein sequence data from three different applications and examine the structural properties of the networks; (ii) Compare the model against threshold-based networks to validate their semantic equivalence, and demonstrate the relative advantages the model offers; (iii) Demonstrate the model’s resilience to missing sequences; and (iv) Develop an efficient algorithm for constructing a DiWANN network from a set of sequences. We find that the DiWANN network representation attains similar semantic properties to threshold-based graphs, while avoiding weaknesses of both high and low threshold graphs. Additionally, we find that approximate distance networks, using BLAST bitscores in place of exact edit distances, can cause significant loss of structural information. We show that the proposed DiWANN network construction algorithm provides a fourfold speedup over a standard threshold based approach to network construction. We also identify a relationship between the centrality of a sequence in a similarity network of an Anaplasma marginale short sequence repeat dataset and how broadly that sequence is dispersed geographically. We demonstrate that using approximate distance measures to rapidly construct similarity networks may lead to significant deficiencies in the structure of that network in terms centrality and clustering analyses. We present a new network representation that maintains the structural semantics of threshold-based networks while increasing connectedness, and an algorithm for constructing the network using exact distance measures in a fraction of the time it would take to build a threshold-based equivalent.
Abstract 120: Effectiveness of a Pharmacist Population Health Intervention for Sacubitril/valsartan in Systolic Heart Failure

Purpose: Previous literature demonstrates higher prescribing rates by providers after contact with a pharmaceutical representative or after obtaining drug information from an external source. This ...
The Relationship Between Spirituality and Greed: Sex Matters

Previous research has established relationships between sex and greed/ethical outcomes as well as college major and greed/ethical outcomes such that males and Business School majors tend to behave ...
A Rapid Response Electrochemical Biosensor for Detecting Thc In Saliva.

Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I substance under the American Controlled Substances Act of 1970. As more U.S. states and countries beyond the U.S. seek legalization, demands grow for identifying individuals driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana. Currently no roadside DUI test exists for determining marijuana impairment, thus the merit lies in detecting the primary and the most sought psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana. Salivary THC levels are correlated to blood THC levels making it a non-invasive medium for rapid THC testing. Affinity biosensing is leveraged for THC biomarker detection through the chemical reaction between target THC and THC specific antibody to a measure signal output related to the concentration of the targeted biomarker. Here, we propose a novel, rapid, electrochemical biosensor for the detection of THC in saliva as a marijuana roadside DUI test with a lower detection limit of 100 pg/ml and a dynamic range of 100 pg/ml – 100 ng/ml in human saliva. The developed biosensor is the first of its kind to utilize affinity-based detection through impedimetric measurements with a rapid detection time of less than a minute. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the successful immobilization of the THC immobilization assay on the biosensing platform. Zeta potential studies provided information regarding the stability and the electrochemical behavior of THC immunoassay in varying salivary pH buffers. We have demonstrated stable, dose dependent biosensing in varying salivary pH’s. A binary classification system demonstrating a high general performance (AUC = 0.95) was employed to predict the presence of THC in human saliva. The biosensor on integration with low-power electronics and a portable saliva swab serves as a roadside DUI hand-held platform for rapid identification of THC in saliva samples obtained from human subjects.
Discharge responses associated with rapid snow cover ablation events in the Susquehanna and Wabash River basins

In the mid-latitudes, snow plays a critical role in regional hydroclimate, with snow ablation variability in ephemeral regions representing an area of essential research. Due to a lack of historica...
When does midbrain dopamine activity exert its effects on behavior

Rewards direct behavioral adaptation through midbrain dopamine signaling, though the timing of those effects is often ambiguous. Lee and colleagues find that different subpopulations of dopamine neurons obey similar constraints, indirectly regulating reward-related behavior through learning mechanisms restricted to a brief time window following reward.
Improving collaboration efficiency in fork-based development

Fork-based development is a lightweight mechanism that allows developers to collaborate with or without explicit coordination. Although it is easy to use and popular, when developers each create their own fork and develop independently, their contributions are usually not easily visible to others. When the number of forks grows, it becomes very difficult to maintain an overview of what happens in individual forks, which would lead to additional problems and inefficient practices: lost contributions, redundant development, fragmented communities, and so on. Facing the problems mentioned above, we developed two complementary strategies: (1) Identifying existing best practices and suggesting evidence-based interventions for projects that are inefficient; (2) designing new interventions that could improve the awareness of a community using fork-based development, and help developers to detect redundant development to reduce unnecessary effort.
Gender Discrimination Among Academic Physicians

Background: There is a growing body of literature showing that gender discrimination impacts physicians' work and life experiences. Impact on income, promotion, and parenthood has been documented. ...
Strategies Employed in Transitioning Multi-instructor, Multisection Introductory General and Organic Chemistry Courses from Face-to-Face to Online Learning

Herein, we describe our experience transitioning two multi-instructor, multisection courses in both general and organic chemistry online during the COVID-19 pandemic from face-to-face instruction methods to an online content delivery format. Beyond the challenges of common assessments, we also had to coordinate discussion sections hosted by teaching assistants and workshops hosted by undergraduate peer facilitators. We discuss the difference in attendance and assessments before and after the transition to online learning. Additionally, we discuss the different uses of technology to host office hours, deliver synchronous and asynchronous teaching, and facilitate efficient communication between instructors and students. The evolution and adaptation of our assessment and communication strategies as online teaching progressed are also discussed.
Urinary Paraben Concentration and Its Association with Serum Triglyceride Concentration in 2013-2014 NHANES Participants: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background. Alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, colloquially known as parabens, are types of preservatives found in multiple foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products to which Americans are exposed daily. It is unclear if parabens exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties. Parabens may interact with triglycerides in adipose tissue and impact lipid metabolism. Objective. To evaluate the association between urinary paraben concentrations and serum triglyceride concentrations. Design. A cross-sectional study. Setting. The Mobile Examination Centers affiliated with 2013-2014 NHANES. Participant(s). 827 adults (20 years or older) affiliated with the 2013-2014 NHANES. Intervention(s). None. Main Outcome Measure(s). Triglyceride levels were associated with urinary paraben concentrations (methyl, ethyl, and propyl) using a hierarchical multiple regression, adjusting for ethnicity/race, gender, BMI, and age. Unadjusted results are also reported. Results. The geometric mean of the urinary concentration of methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben was 57.100, 2.537, and 6.537 ng/ml, respectively. Triglyceride concentrations were inversely associated with methylparaben (β = −0.092, ), ethylparaben (β = −0.066, ), and propylparaben (β = −0.076, ). Being female, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic Black were associated with decreasing triglyceride levels in the presence of methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben, and age, BMI, and being male were associated with increasing circulating triglycerides. Conclusion. Despite the potential detrimental effects of parabens on triglycerides, our results suggest that urinary excretions of methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben are associated with lower concentrations of circulating triglycerides in certain populations. Further research is needed to confirm the mechanisms and health impact of this relationship.
Use of Oxford Nanopore MinION to generate full-length sequences of the Blastocystis small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common enteric parasites of humans and animals worldwide. It is well recognized that this ubiquitous protist displays a remarkable degree of genetic diversity in the SSU rRNA gene, which is currently the main gene used for defining Blastocystis subtypes. Yet, full-length reference sequences of this gene are available for only 16 subtypes of Blastocystis in part because of the technical difficulties associated with obtaining these sequences from complex samples. We have developed a method using Oxford Nanopore MinION long-read sequencing and universal eukaryotic primers to produce full-length (> 1800 bp) SSU rRNA gene sequences for Blastocystis. Seven Blastocystis specimens representing five subtypes (ST1, ST4, ST10, ST11, and ST14) obtained both from cultures and feces were used for validation. We demonstrate that this method can be used to produce highly accurate full-length sequences from both cultured and fecal DNA isolates. Full-length sequences were successfully obtained from all five subtypes including ST11 for which no full-length reference sequence currently exists and for an isolate that contained mixed ST10/ST14. The suitability of the use of MinION long-read sequencing technology to successfully generate full-length Blastocystis SSU rRNA gene sequences was demonstrated. The ability to produce full-length SSU rRNA gene sequences is key in understanding the role of genetic diversity in important aspects of Blastocystis biology such as transmission, host specificity, and pathogenicity.
Simulated Adoption of 2019 Community-Acquired Pneumonia Guidelines Across 114 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers: Estimated Impact on Culturing and Antibiotic Selection in Hospitalized Patients

Author(s): Christensen, Matthew A; Nevers, McKenna; Ying, Jian; Haroldsen, Candace; Stevens, Vanessa; Jones, Makoto M; Yarbrough, Peter M; Goetz, Matthew Bidwell; Restrepo, Marcos I; Madaras-Kelly, Karl; Samore, Matthew H; Jones, Barbara Ellen | Abstract: BackgroundThe 2019 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) revised recommendations for culturing and empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. We simulated guideline adoption in Veterans Affairs (VA) inpatients.MethodsFor all VA acute hospitalizations for CAP from 2006-2016 nationwide, we compared observed with guideline-expected proportions of hospitalizations with initial blood and respiratory cultures obtained, empiric antibiotic therapy with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti-MRSA) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (antipseudomonal), empiric "overcoverage" (receipt of anti-MRSA/antipseudomonal therapy without eventual detection of MRSA/P. aeruginosa on culture), and empiric "undercoverage" (lack of anti-MRSA/antipseudomonal therapy with eventual detection on culture).ResultsOf 115 036 CAP hospitalizations over 11 years, 17 877 (16%) were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Guideline adoption would slightly increase respiratory culture (30% to 36%) and decrease blood culture proportions (93% to 36%) in hospital wards and increase both respiratory (40% to 100%) and blood (95% to 100%) cultures in ICUs. Adoption would decrease empiric selection of anti-MRSA (ward: 27% to 1%; ICU: 61% to 8%) and antipseudomonal (ward: 25% to 1%; ICU: 54% to 9%) therapies. This would correspond to greatly decreased MRSA overcoverage (ward: 27% to 1%; ICU: 56% to 8%), slightly increased MRSA undercoverage (ward: 0.6% to 1.3%; ICU: 0.5% to 3.3%), with similar findings for P. aeruginosa. For all comparisons, P l .001.ConclusionsAdoption of the 2019 CAP guidelines in this population would substantially change culturing and empiric antibiotic selection practices, with a decrease in overcoverage and slight increase in undercoverage for MRSA and P. aeruginosa.
Trends in Contralateral Prophylactic Mastectomy Utilization for Small Unilateral Breast Cancer.

Abstract Background For average-risk women with unilateral breast cancer, contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) offers no survival benefit and contributes to increased costs and patient harm. Despite recommendations from professional societies against CPM, utilization of this service is increasing, partly due to patients’ desire for breast symmetry when undergoing mastectomy. Most women with small tumors are candidates for breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and could avoid CPM. We describe CPM utilization in women with small, unilateral tumors, and identify determinants of possible overuse. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified women with unilateral, T1 breast cancer. We evaluated utilization of BCS, unilateral mastectomy, and CPM and assessed patient, tumor, and facility factors associated with CPM. Results Of 765,487 women with small, unilateral breast cancer, 69% underwent BCS and 31% chose mastectomy. Of 176,673 women ≥70 y, 75% underwent BCS and 25% chose mastectomy. CPM rates in both cohorts have increased since 2006. Decreased adjuvant radiotherapy in older women was associated with increased BCS rates. Patient factors (younger age, white race, private insurance, and breast reconstruction), tumor factors (lobular histology, higher grade, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive/estrogen receptor negative status), and facility factors (type and geographic location) were associated with increased CPM rates compared with unilateral mastectomy in multivariable models. Conclusions Most women with small unilateral breast cancer are candidates for BCS, yet one-third elects to undergo a mastectomy, of which a rising percentage opts for CPM. Tailoring deimplementation strategies to factors influencing treatment may help reduce CPM utilization and associated financial toxicity, pain, and disability.
Sex-Specific Impacts of Prenatal Stress

Extensive evidence suggests that maternal stress during pregnancy has profound impacts on maternal, placental, and fetal physiology, resulting in long-lasting effects on children’s health and development. With increased recent attention to sex as a biological variable in research, more studies have begun to assess whether impacts of prenatal stress on children’s development may differ by sex. That male fetuses are more vulnerable to in utero physiological stressors is supported by a large body of clinical data as well as evolutionary theory on sex-specific life history strategies (e.g., Trivers-Willard hypothesis). However, sex differences in the long-lasting postnatal impacts of in utero stressors – and in particular psychosocial stressors – are less straightforward. The strongest epidemiological evidence of sex-specific impacts of prenatal psychosocial stress comes from neurodevelopmental and brain imaging studies which overwhelmingly suggest greater female vulnerability. Overall, female fetuses display greater responsiveness to in utero maternal cues compared to males, and the heightened risks of affective symptoms among girls following prenatal stress may reflect a “mismatch” between prenatal and postnatal environments. By contrast, males appear to be more vulnerable to asthma and wheeze following prenatal psychosocial stress. For other outcomes including perinatal endpoints and growth, evidence is equivocal. Several mechanisms to account for sex-specific response to prenatal psychosocial stress are proposed including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal pathways, placental changes, and epigenetic modifications.