cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
International Non-Governmental Organizations in Latin America and Social Capital: An Empirical Case Study

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) in developing countries promote interests of the poor, provide social services, and stimulate community engagement. The exponential growth of IN...
Statewide Assessment of Professional Development Needs Related to Educating Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Preparing teachers to implement evidence-based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pressing need. We surveyed 456 teachers and administrators in a southern state about professional development related to educating students with ASD. Specifically, we were interested in confidence in implementation of evidence-based practices, interest in accessing training on these topics, perceived benefit of different avenues of professional development, and interest in accessing these avenues. Overall, teachers were not very confident in their ability to implement evidence-based practices and address important issues for students with ASD. Surprisingly, lower confidence was not related to increased interest in training. In addition, teachers and administrators perceived workshops to be a more beneficial and attractive avenue of professional development compared with coaching, despite empirical evidence to the contrary. We offer possible explanations for these findings and share implications f...
Vertebral augmentation versus conservative therapy for emergently admitted vertebral compression deformities: an economic analysis.

BACKGROUND Vertebral augmentation (VA) performed on inpatients with painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) has been shown to facilitate discharge, decrease analgesic requirements, and improve pain. OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to compare the overall cost, length of stay, and readmission data for patients hospitalized with painful osteoporotic VCFs, treated either medically or with inpatient VA. SETTING A single academic medical center. STUDY DESIGN Economic analysis METHODS Patients admitted with VCF over a 30-month period were identified using ICD-9 codes. The total length of stay, hospitalization costs, average daily cost, and 30-day readmission rates were compared between those who underwent VA and those managed nonoperatively. A subgroup analysis was performed with an age matched group of controls as well. Two-tailed t-tests were used for statistical significance. RESULTS Thirty-nine inpatients underwent VA; 61 levels were augmented. Their average age was 81.7 years. There were 209 patients who were treated nonoperatively for VCF. Their average age was 72.7 years, a significant age difference from the VA group (P < 0.01). The VA patients' average length of stay was 13.8 days, compared to 8.1 days in the medically managed group (P < 0.01). Average total costs were $26,074 in the VA group and $15,507 in the medically managed group (P < 0.01). The daily costs of admission were $2,040 in the VA group and $2,069 in the medically managed group (P = 0.85). The readmission rates related to VCF were 0% in the VA group; 5.2% in the medically managed group; and 7.7% in the age-matched control group. Of those who underwent VA, 43% experienced delays in care related to anticoagulation or medical comorbidities. LIMITATIONS The study is retrospective and uses billing data as a marker for total cost of care, The study does not account for cost differences between vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. CONCLUSION Inpatient VA can be cost effective as demonstrated by the same daily cost between the VA and medically managed groups. Early identification and consultation can facilitate VA and rapid discharge. Anticoagulation issues and medical comorbidities can delay VA and lengthen hospital stays. Hospital admitted patients with painful osteoporotic VCF who are managed conservatively and discharged are at risk for readmission.
Introspection as Inner Perception

Literally speaking, the term ‘introspection’ means to look within. The concept of introspection thereby suggests an ability to perceive within oneself. If we regard introspection in this literal manner, we are led to posit a perceptual faculty in the mind through which we observe our own mental states. Just as we perceive the external world through specific perceptual mechanisms, such as eyes, ears, and skin, we might perceive internal events through some similar sort of mechanism or process that is specially aimed toward the perception of mental states. A number of people, both past and present, have regarded introspection along these lines. Moreover, ordinary talk of a ‘mind’s eye’ or ‘looking within’ oneself likewise suggests some kind of perceptual process regarding introspection. However, as I will argue later, there are good reasons for thinking that this view of introspection is mistaken as a literal account of what goes on in our minds when we come to know our own mental states. Dismissing this common view of introspection will open the concept of introspection to a broader range of understanding and analysis. It will allow us to conceive of introspection not as a singular mechanism or process, but rather as a metaphor for our diverse and heterogeneous capacities to obtain knowledge of our own minds.
Generalized Solutions of Linear Equations

In this chapter we consider the fundamental problem of solving the linear operator equation $$ Ax = y $$ (8.0.1) where A: X → Y is a bounded linear operator between the inner product spaces X and Y, and y is a given element of Y. If X = l2(n) and Y = l2(m), then (8.0.1) reduces to a system of m linear equations in n unknowns. Even in this special case, however, we know that there are three possible outcomes of (8.0.1): no solution, a unique solution, or infinitely many solutions.
The V-band CMOS multi-frequency transmitter for plasma imaging radar reflectometric diagnostics

In this work, we present a multi-frequency illumination transmitter for microwave imaging radar reflectometry (MIR) diagnostics of thermonuclear fusion plasmas. The transmitter is able to illuminate 8 tones simultaneously. To improve the power amplifier stability, the cross-coupled capacitor based neutralization technique is adopted. Diplexer based power combining is first adopted to realize heterogeneous frequency power combining. Each of the 8 frequencies demonstrates more than 0 dBm of saturation power tunable from 62 to 78 GHz. The transmitter features multiple mixers and power amplifiers for power boosting of each frequency. The entire transmitter occupies 2.14 mm2 chip area and dissipates about 733 mW.
Prenatal Marihuana, Cigarettes, Alcohol and Attentional Behavior

A follow-up study of intentional behavior in 6 year old children exposed prenatally to marihuana, cigarettes and alcohol is reported from the Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Why I know but don't believe

Despite extensive efforts at public science education, polling over the past 30 years has consistently shown that about 40 to 45% of Americans believe that humans were supernaturally created in the past 10,000 years ( 1 ). A natural interpretation of this finding is that U.S. science education is failing to reach nearly half of the population, and that widespread belief in recent human origins reflects basic scientific illiteracy. However, the reality is more complex ( 2 ): Many of those who reject evolutionary theory are aware of the scientific consensus on the subject, and such rejection is not always associated with low scientific literacy. Similar results have been found for beliefs regarding anthropogenic climate change ( 3 ). On page 321 of this issue, Friedkin et al. ( 4 ) provide a key step toward understanding this phenomenon by introducing a simple family of models for social influence among individuals with multiple, interdependent beliefs.
Origins of a National Seismic System in the United States

ABSTRACT This historical review traces the origins of the current national seismic system in the United States, a cooperative effort that unifies national, regional, and local‐scale seismic monitoring within the structure of the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS). The review covers (1) the history and technological evolution of U.S. seismic networks leading up to the 1990s, (2) factors that made the 1960s and 1970s a watershed period for national attention to seismology, earthquake hazards, and seismic monitoring, (3) genesis of the vision of a national seismic system during 1980–1983, (4) obstacles and breakthroughs during 1984–1989, (5) consensus building and convergence during 1990–1992, and finally (6) the two‐step realization of a national system during 1993–2000. Particular importance is placed on developments during the period between 1980 and 1993 that culminated in the adoption of a charter for the Council of the National Seismic System (CNSS)—the foundation for the later ANSS. Central to this story is how many individuals worked together toward a common goal of a more rational and sustainable approach to national earthquake monitoring in the United States. The review ends with the emergence of ANSS during 1999 and 2000 and its statutory authorization by Congress in November 2000.
Undergraduate Single Mothers’ Experiences in Postsecondary Education

Using Astin's (1993) College Impact Model, this chapter explores the current literature as it relates to single mothers in undergraduate postsecondary education. The chapter looks at the ways that undergraduates who are single mothers are counter to the “ideal-student” norms. Policy and best-practice recommendations conclude the chapter.
Partial Fluorination as a Strategy for Crystal Engineering of Rubrene Derivatives

Through a close examination of the intermolecular interactions of rubrene (1a) and select derivatives (1b–1p), a clearer understanding of why certain fluorinated rubrene derivatives pack with planar tetracene backbones has been achieved. In this study we synthesized, crystallized, and determined the packing structure of new rubrene derivatives (1h–p). Previously, we proposed that introducing electron-withdrawing CF3 substituents induced planarity by reducing intramolecular repulsion between the peripheral aryl groups (1e–g). However, we found that in most cases, further increasing the fluorine content of rubrene lead to twisted tetracene backbones in the solid state. To understand how rubrene (1a) and its derivatives (1b–p) pack in the solid state, we (re)examined the crystal structures through a systematic study of the close contacts. We found that planar tetracene cores occur when close contacts organize to produce an S symmetry element about a given rubrene molecule. We report the first instance of rub...
Different plant provenance same seed tolerance to abiotic stress: implications for ex situ germplasm conservation of a widely distributed coastal dune grass (Uniola paniculata L.)

Preservation of genetic diversity within germplasm repositories represents an important tool for plant conservation. However, seeds must tolerate extreme levels of post-harvest desiccation and cold to realize benefits of ex situ storage. Factors including local climate and habitat impact expression of desiccation and freezing tolerance especially for widely distributed species. Our aim here was to understand the influence of a latitudinal gradient on seed desiccation and cryo-freezing tolerance. We sampled mature U. paniculata seeds from two geographically and genetically distinct populations then examined seed-water relations and germination following desiccation via equilibrium drying assays (0.5 to 91% RH; −797 to −12.9 MPa). Germination ability after drying and subsequent cryo-freezing treatments (−196 °C, 1 to 1440 min) was also evaluated. Seeds of both populations displayed similar reverse sigmoid moisture sorption isotherms characteristic of desiccation tolerant tissues. Furthermore, initial seed water potential (−63 and −90 MPa) was considerably lower than the lethal limit (−20 MPa) identified for desiccation sensitive tissues. Final germination (range 58–93%) and temporal patterns differed significantly between populations following desiccation and cryo-freezing stress, but these germination responses were similar to initial germination. A higher proportion of non-germinated, yet viable seeds remained for the northern compared to southern population. Location does influence germination response, but differential germination is related to seed dormancy rather than desiccation or cryo-freezing sensitivity. Ex situ conservation of U. paniculata is therefore feasible across the latitudinal gradient studied here.
Strategies for Designing Engaging Online Kinesiology Courses Based on the Community of Inquiry Model

ABSTRACTTechnology integration has become an ever-present phenomenon in institutions of higher education. This has led to an increase in online learning experiences that make higher education accessible to those who previously experienced barriers, such as having full-time jobs. One issue that affects online education is the challenge of engaging the learner in meaningful learning experiences that they subsequently use once they are in their careers. This article uses the Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical model to explain how instructors can increase student engagement in online kinesiology courses. By focusing on the CoI constructs of teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence, instructors can design engaging online classes that can help to positively influence each student’s experience with online education.
Integration between Super-capacitors and ZEBRA Batteries as High Performance Hybrid Storage System for Electric Vehicles

Abstract This paper presents experimental evaluations on the performance of a hybrid energy storage system to supply urban electric vehicles. The paper starts with a description of nickel chloride batteries and electric double layer capacitors with details on their related advantages. Then, a laboratory test bench is presented to experimentally evaluate the performance of the realized hybrid storage system, obtained through a controlled DC/DC bidirectional power converter, supplying an electric power-train in real operative conditions on standard driving cycles. The main results of this study shows the importance of using that power converter to take advantage of the power characteristics of the super-capacitor and to easily implement on board energy management strategies to increase the whole vehicle performance.
Atomistic Simulation of Scratch behavior of Ceramic/Metal (CerMet) nanolaminates

The promise of nanocomposites lies in their multi-functionality, the possibility of realizing unique combinations of properties that are not attainable in traditional materials. Ceramic/metal multilayers (CMMs) are one such unique combination that are becoming increasingly popular among researchers today. The idea is to combine the superior properties of ceramics like hardness and strength with favorable properties of metal such as ductility. Materials with these characteristics have potential for engineering applications such as highly efficient gas turbines, aerospace materials, automobiles, protective coatings, etc. Molecular dynamics atomistic simulations were performed to study the scratch behavior of different models of niobium carbide (NbC)-niobium (Nb) multilayers. The layer thicknesses were varied and the coefficient of friction was calculated at various depths of indentation. The deformation mechanisms were investigated to explain the observed mechanical behavior of the models under scratching. Model with the lowest metal/ceramic thickness ratio (2nm NbC/2nm Nb) showed the highest hardness, highest scratch resistance, and also highest friction coefficient. However, this model also showed the highest materials removal rate.
Validation study of the American joint committee on cancer eighth edition prognostic stage compared with the anatomic stage in breast cancer

Importance The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition staging manual introduced a new prognostic stage for breast cancer incorporating biologic factors in addition to traditional anatomic factors. Objective To perform a validation study of the AJCC eighth edition prognostic stage in a single-institution cohort and a large population database. Design, Setting, and Participants Patients with breast cancer treated with surgery as an initial intervention were identified in a prospective institutional database from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the California Cancer Registry. Vital status data were complete through December 31, 2016, in The University of Texas MD Anderson cohort and through December 31, 2014, in the California Cancer Registry cohort. Patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic therapy, those with inflammatory or rare breast cancers, and those with unknown clinicopathologic factors were excluded. Factors evaluated included T, N, and M categories and tumor grade, as well as estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status. Main Outcomes and Measures Disease-specific survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The Harrell concordance index (C index) was used to quantify models’ predictive performance, and the Akaike information criterion (AIC) was used to compare model fits. Results A total of 3327 patients with stage I to IIIC breast cancer treated between 2007 and 2013 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (median follow-up of 5 years) with complete clinicopathologic data were identified. Compared with the AJCC anatomic stage, the prognostic stage upstaged 29.5% of patients and downstaged 28.1%. The prognostic stage (C index, 0.8357 and AIC, 816.8) provided more accurate stratification with respect to disease-specific survival than the anatomic stage (C index, 0.737 and AIC, 1039.8) (P Conclusions and Relevance The prognostic stage provided more accurate prognostic information than the anatomic stage alone in both a single-institution cohort and a large population database, thereby supporting its use in breast cancer staging.
q-Stirling Identities Revisited

We give combinatorial proofs of q -Stirling identities using restricted growth words. This includes a poset theoretic proof of Carlitz's identity, a new proof of the q -Frobenius identity of Garsia and Remmel and of Ehrenborg's Hankel q -Stirling determinantal identity. We also develop a two parameter generalization to unify identities of Mercier and include a symmetric function version.
Diffusion tensor tractography of the mammillothalamic tract in the human brain using a high spatial resolution DTI technique

The mammillary bodies as part of the hypothalamic nuclei are in the central limbic circuitry of the human brain. The mammillary bodies are shown to be directly or indirectly connected to the amygdala, hippocampus, and thalami as the major gray matter structures of the human limbic system. Although it is not primarily considered as part of the human limbic system, the thalamus is shown to be involved in many limbic functions of the human brain. The major direct connection of the thalami with the hypothalamic nuclei is known to be through the mammillothalamic tract. Given the crucial role of the mammillothalamic tracts in memory functions, diffusion tensor imaging may be helpful in better visualizing the surgical anatomy of this pathway noninvasively. This study aimed to investigate the utility of high spatial resolution diffusion tensor tractography for mapping the trajectory of the mammillothalamic tract in the human brain. Fifteen healthy adults were studied after obtaining written informed consent. We used high spatial resolution diffusion tensor imaging data at 3.0 T. We delineated, for the first time, the detailed trajectory of the mammillothalamic tract of the human brain using deterministic diffusion tensor tractography.
Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty with Stent Placement versus Best Medical Therapy Alone in Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis: A Best Evidence Review

Intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS) is a common cause of stroke, and the risk of ischemic stroke from a stenotic intracranial artery remains high despite best medical therapy (BMT). As a result, clinicians have increasingly turned to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) over the last decade as an alternative therapy in high-risk patients with symptomatic ICAS. In this review, we will critically analyze multiple clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of PTAS with BMT versus BMT alone. The Stenting and Aggressive Medical Management for Preventing Recurrent Stroke in Intracranial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial reported a higher rate of stroke or death within 30 days in the PTAS plus BMT group (14.7%) than the BMT only group (5.8%, p = 0.002). The rate of any stroke during the follow-up period (mean = 32 months) was higher in the PTAS plus BMT group (22.3%) than the BMT only group (14.1%, p = 0.03). The Vitesse Intracranial Stent Study for Ischemic Stroke Therapy (VISSIT) trial reported a higher rate of stroke or death within 30 days in the PTAS plus BMT cohort (24.1%) than the BMT only cohort (9.4%, p = 0.05). There was also a higher rate of hard transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke within one year in the PTAS plus BMT group (36.2%) than the BMT only group (15.1%, p = 0.02). The Vertebral Artery Ischaemia Stenting (VIST) trial reported the rate of any stroke during the follow-up period to be two events in 50 person-years in the PTAS plus BMT cohort versus four events in 45 person-years in the BMT only cohort, with a calculated hazard ratio of 0.47 (p = 0.39). Vertebral Artery Stenting Trial (VAST) reported a higher incidence of stroke, MI, or vascular death in the PTAS with BMT cohort (22%) than the BMT only cohort (0%). Tang et al. reported no significant difference in the incidence of vascular events at one year and three years between the PTAS plus BMT and BMT only cohorts. However, the distribution of vascular events was more concentrated in the first postoperative week in the PTAS plus BMT cohort (75% of all vascular events) versus the BMT only cohort (17%). Feng et al. reported a lower periprocedural complication rate (9.1%) with the Enterprise stent in comparison to the Wingspan and balloon-expandable stents used in the SAMMPRIS and VISSIT trials. We conclude that PTAS should not be employed as first-line treatment in patients with symptomatic ICAS. However, PTAS should be considered in symptomatic ICAS patients that are hemodynamically unstable or have repeatedly failed BMT, especially at sites with lower rates of perioperative complications than those reported here.
Scale-Up Problems With Large Ball Mills

Analysis of ball and pulp flow in ball mills indicates that three factors may become critical with increasing mill diameters: ball size, fraction critical speed, and average pulp flow velocities. Ball diameters may need to be decreased and fraction critical speeds increased with ores which show decreased breakage rate coefficients above 1.2 mm (14 mesh). With 5.5-m (18-ft) and larger mills at higher circulating loads, pulp flow velocities may become capacity limiting and also may limit increases in ball mill diameters.
Debt of the Elderly and Near Elderly, 1992-2007

When predicting the future income security of retirees, researchers typically focus on measures concerned with retirees’ accumulated financial assets, particularly within tax-qualified retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs)), and coverage by supplemental health insurance to Medicare provided through a former employer. However, any debt that a near-elderly or elderly family has accrued going into retirement or during retirement is likely to offset its asset accumulations, resulting in a lower level of retirement income security. This paper focuses on the trends in debt levels among those age 55 and older who are approaching or are in retirement, as financial liabilities are a vital but often ignored component of retirement income security. The Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) is used to determine the level of debt in this paper. Debt is examined in two ways: 1) debt payments relative to income, and 2) debt relative to assets. Each measure provides some insight into the ability of these families to cover their debt before or during retirement. For example, higher debt-to-income ratios may be acceptable for younger families with long working careers ahead of them, since their incomes are likely to rise and their debt (related to housing or children) is likely to fall in the future. But a higher debt-to-income ratio may be more serious for older families, as they could be forced to reduce their accumulated assets to service the debt when their earning years are ending. However, if these high debt-to-income older families have low debt-to-asset ratios, the effect of paying off the debts may not be as financially difficult as it would be for those with high debt-to-income and debt-to-asset ratios. As described in this paper, debt levels of the elderly and near-elderly are heading up: Among elderly families - and especially among the lower-income elderly - both housing debt and consumer debt levels are rising. For some cohorts, a significant percentage have debt levels well beyond the threshold considered problematic. Although rising debt levels are not necessarily a sign of danger for all elderly or near-elderly families (especially if they are also high-income), rising housing debt is of particular concern, since housing typically is the major asset elderly families have, and leveraging it at this point in their lives may leave them without a major resource to finance an adequate retirement, especially after the downturn in the housing market during 2008-2009. The PDF for the above title, published in the October 2009 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the full text of another October 2009 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: The Relationship Between Union Status and Employment-Based Health Benefits.
Pencil Grip Patterns of Students and Skilled Workers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v15i1.19286 Background: Pencil grip can be defined via detailed descriptions of the variables constituting the grip and it commences in the preschool years with writing instruments and therefore relevant to graphologists, forensic medicine and anthropology. The purpose of this investigation was to describe the diversity of pencil grip patterns among students and skilled workers in Delta State, Nigeria. The research also aimed at determining the effects of sociodemographic factors, handedness,and handwriting speed on pencil grip patters. Methods: Stratified random sampling was employed in this cross sectional observational study. Five hundred and fourty three volunteers between the ages of 11-77 years were investigated. Students were observed while writing from their textbooks and skilled workers were observed writing from any available news paper. Photograph of the writing hand was captured with the digital canon camera. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 20. Kruska wallis test was used to establish relationship between pencil grip patterns and sociodemographic factors. Handwriting speed was determined by a speed score (letters per minute) and timed for 60 secounds for each participant. A self administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on sociodemographic factors. Results: This investigation demonstrates that gender had a significant effect on pencil grip patterns among secondary students (p<0.05)(K.W=7.54. df=1. p=0.01). Further observation showed that age and profession had a significant effect on pencil grip patterns among skilled workers at p<0.05 (K.W= 43.09,134.69 ,df=3,3, p=0.00,0.00). Conclusions: Findings from this investigation present the dynamic tripod grip as the most predominant grip pattern in the studied population. Keywords: dynamic tripod, pencil grip, delta state, students, skilled workers
C-MYB and C/EBP Family Transcription Factors Regulate the Gfi-1 Promoter.

Gfi-1 −/− mice generate abnormal immature myeloid cells exhibiting characteristics of both monocytes and granulocytes. One of Gfi-1’s critical functions is to downregulate monocyte specific genes in order for granulocytes to develop properly. Since the transcription factors C/EBP alpha and C/EBP epsilon are needed for granulocyte development we hypothesized that these factors may regulate Gfi-1 expression. The Gfi-1 promoter contains several putative C/EBP binding sites and we show by electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation that C/EBP family members can bind to some of these sites. However we were unable to see activation of the Gfi-1 promoter by C/EBP proteins in transient transfection reporter assays. Other groups have shown that C/EBP proteins can synergize with the transcription factor c-myb. We observed that the Gfi-1 promoter contains sites for the hematopoietic transcription factor c-myb. Sevral of these c-myb binding sites are adjacent to C/EBP binding sites. In reporter assays in non-hematopoietic cells c-myb activated the Gfi-1 promoter by itself and this activity was enhanced when we included either C/EBP alpha or epsilon in the transfection. Our data suggests that C/EBP proteins and c-myb regulate the transcription of Gfi-1 in myeloid cells.
Robustness Testing of the xMAP Food Allergen Detection Assay: A Multiplex Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Food Allergens.

ABSTRACT The xMAP food allergen detection assay (xMAP FADA) can simultaneously detect 15 analytes (14 food allergens plus gluten) in one analysis. The xMAP FADA typically employs two antibody bead sets per analyte, providing built-in confirmation that is not available with other antibody-based assays. Before an analytical method can be used, its reliability must be assessed when conditions of the assay procedure are altered. This study was conducted to determine the effects on assay performance associated with changes in incubation temperature, amounts of the antibody bead cocktail, and concentrations of detection antibody and β-mercaptoethanol in the reduced-denatured extraction buffer. The analysis of buffered-detergent extracts revealed lower responses at 22°C than at 37°C, but temperature had no effect on the analysis of reduced-denatured extracts. Changes in β-mercaptoethanol and detection antibody concentrations had an effect on the detection of only milk in the reduced-denatured extracts. A slight change in the measured bead count was observed when one-fourth of the bead cocktail was used, and a large decrease in the bead count was noted when one-eighth of the recommended amount was used, but this number (≥25) was still sufficient to provide reliable results. Overall, the xMAP FADA was very robust to changes in the assay procedure, which may inadvertently occur. HIGHLIGHTS
In-field high-throughput phenotyping approach using a multi-view and multi-sensor ground-based vehicle (Conference Presentation)

By the year 2050 the world population will increase to 9.7 billion people. Food production must increase by at least 70% in order to feed this population. One way to increase food production is to create crop cultivars that can produce high quality and high yielding crops without needing to increase the amount of resources required. Plant breeders are able to create new crop cultivars using high-throughput genotyping techniques, however the current bottleneck in plant breeding is in-field phenotyping. This study focuses on designing a high-throughput in-field proximal phenotyping system capable of collecting non-contact, high-resolution, multi-sensor, multi-view, phenomic data of vegetable plants.
Novel ACE2-IgG1 fusions with improved activity against SARS-CoV2

Abstract SARS-CoV2, the etiologic agent of COVID-19, uses ACE2 as a cell entry receptor. Soluble ACE2 has been shown to have neutralizing antiviral activity but has a short half-life and no active transport mechanism from the circulation into the alveolar spaces of the lung. To overcome this, we constructed an ACE2-human IgG1 fusion protein with mutations in the catalytic domain of ACE2. This fusion protein contained a LALA mutation that abrogates Fcrγ binding, but retains FcRN binding to prolong the half-life, as well as achieve therapeutic concentrations in the lung lavage. Interestingly, a mutation in the catalytic domain of ACE2, MDR504, completely abrogated catalytic activity, but significantly increased binding to SARS-CoV2 spike protein in vitro. This feature correlated with more potent viral neutralization in a plaque assay. Parental administration of the protein showed stable serum concentrations with a serum half-life of ∼ 145 hours with excellent bioavailability in the epithelial lining fluid of the lung. These data support that the MDR504 hACE2-Fc is an excellent candidate for pre or post-exposure prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19.
Privacy and Confidentiality of Public Health Information

Health information is created in many different healthcare contexts and is used, released, and exchanged for many different purposes. Each use, release, and exchange of health information is governed by laws, including both statutes and regulations at the federal, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels. Health and public health data have a life cycle that extends from creation to destruction, and the privacy and confidentiality laws that govern the data change as they move through their life cycles. The federal government has promulgated a variety of statutes and regulations that protect health information created and held in a clinical healthcare setting, dictate what a particular actor may do with health information, and create privacy and confidentiality requirements for health information about a particular disease or condition. Many states, territories, and localities have laws requiring healthcare providers and facilities to maintain confidentiality of health information collected from individuals seeking care for physical, mental, or behavioral health. Additional protections are afforded to “sensitive” health information, such as behavioral health information or sexually transmitted disease diagnoses. Many federal and state privacy and confidentiality laws provide exceptions for public health activities and other actions taken under the umbrella of health department authority; however, jurisdictions may also require that a public health agency maintain privacy and confidentiality of any health information collected for such activities. In addition to legal privacy and confidentiality requirements, ensuring the ethical use of data is also an issue of paramount importance in public health.
Teaching Software Testing with Free and Open Source Software

Software quality assurance and testing is a vital phase in the software development lifecycle, oftentimes requiring a significant portion of the overall development budget. Providing authentic, real-world software quality assurance and testing experiences within the context of a Computer Science or Software Engineering curriculum is challenging. Based on prior experience leveraging Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) as an instructional medium for teaching Software Engineering concepts, this paper describes five increasingly involved learning interventions that utilize FOSS in a software testing course to provide students real-world hands-on software testing knowledge and experience. The proposed approach will be piloted and assessed in software testing courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
Chronic risperidone administration leads to greater amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference.

Abstract Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug used increasingly in children to manage symptoms of ADHD and conduct disorder. In rats, developmental risperidone administration is accompanied by increased locomotor activity during adulthood, as well as heightened sensitivity to the locomotor stimulating effects of amphetamine. This study compared sensitivity to the rewarding effects of amphetamine, as measured by conditioned place preference (CPP), between groups of rats administered chronic risperidone (3.0 mg/kg, s.c.) during development (postnatal days 14–42) or adulthood (postnatal days 77–105). Locomotor activity in a novel test cage and amphetamine-induced CPP were measured beginning three and four weeks, respectively, after the final risperidone injection. Female rats administered risperidone early in life were more active than any other group tested. Previous risperidone administration enhanced amphetamine CPP regardless of sex, and this effect appeared more prominent in the developmentally treated group. The density of forebrain dopamine transporters, a primary target of amphetamine, was also quantified in rats administered risperidone early in life and found to be reduced in the medial anterior, posterior, and ventral caudate nucleus. These results suggest that chronic risperidone treatment modifies later locomotor activity and sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of amphetamine, perhaps via a mechanism related to decreased forebrain dopamine transporter density.
In our war against the opioid epidemic, could 'weed' be a winner?

The opioid epidemic has resulted in the deaths of millions of Americans and was declared a public health emergency in 2017. In response, many states have enacted policies and analyzed various inter...
A siloxane polymer lightwave circuit on ceramic substrate applicable to ultrafast optoelectronic multi-chip-modules

Technique for integrating optical waveguide circuits on electrical circuits is developed toward the application to opto-electronic multi-chip modules (O/E-MCM), which enables one to handle ultrafast lightwave pulses and electrical signals on a common circuit board. We use ceramic material as the substrate of O/E-MCM having a multi-layer structure. A siloxane polymer is utilized to form low loss optical waveguides on ceramic substrates by low temperature processes. The waveguide has shown high transparency around 1310 nm. The group velocity dispersion has been measured and shown to become almost zero at wavelength of 1310 nm and about 0.4 fs/cm nm at 1550 nm. An optical circuit has been formed on simple electrical circuit consisting of a thermometer film resistance layer. A Mach–Zehnder interferometer optical switch exhibiting the waveguide extinction ratio of 30 dB, control power of 5 mW, and switching speed of 6 ms has been demonstrated. Thermal management characteristics also have been demonstrated successfully. This single-mode optical waveguide can thus be formed readily on ceramic substrates involving electrical circuit layers; this result confirms its applicability to O/E-MCM.
Climate finance policy in practice: a review of the evidence

This paper empirically evaluates how policy to mobilize climate finance works in practice. It examines the performance of nine types of climate finance policies, namely target lending, green bond p...
Developmental malformations in Huntington disease: neuropathologic evidence of focal neuronal migration defects in a subset of adult brains.

Neuropathologic hallmarks of Huntington Disease (HD) include the progressive neurodegeneration of the striatum and the presence of Huntingtin (HTT) aggregates that result from abnormal polyQ expansion of the HTT gene. Whether the pathogenic trinucleotide repeat expansion of the HTT gene causes neurodevelopmental abnormalities has garnered attention in both murine and human studies; however, documentation of discrete malformations in autopsy brains of HD individuals has yet to be described. We retrospectively searched the New York Brain Bank (discovery cohort) and an independent cohort (validation cohort) to determine whether developmental malformations are more frequently detected in HD versus non-HD brains and to document their neuropathologic features. One-hundred and thirty HD and 1600 non-HD whole brains were included in the discovery cohort and 720 HD and 1989 non-HD half brains were assessed in the validation cohort. Cases with developmental malformations were found at 6.4–8.2 times greater frequency in HD than in non-HD brains (discovery cohort: OR 8.68, 95% CI 3.48–21.63, P=4.8 × 10-5; validation cohort: OR 6.50, 95% CI 1.83–23.17, P=0.0050). Periventricular nodular heterotopias (PNH) were the most frequent malformations and contained HTT and p62 aggregates analogous to the cortex, whereas cortical malformations with immature neuronal populations did not harbor such inclusions. HD individuals with malformations had heterozygous HTT CAG expansions between 40 and 52 repeats, were more frequently women, and all were asymmetric and focal, aside from one midline hypothalamic hamartoma. Using two independent brain bank cohorts, this large neuropathologic series demonstrates an increased occurrence of developmental malformations in HD brains. Since pathogenic HTT gene expansion is associated with genomic instability, one possible explanation is that neuronal precursors are more susceptible to somatic mutation of genes involved in cortical migration. Our findings further support emerging evidence that pathogenic trinucleotide repeat expansions of the HTT gene may impact neurodevelopment.
A nonhuman primate model of human non-suicidal self-injury: serotonin-transporter genotype-mediated typologies.

While non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) occurs in the general population at a surprisingly high rate, with higher rates among certain clinical populations, its etiology is not well-understood. Consequently, the DSM-5 lists NSSI as requiring further research. This study utilizes a translational model of naturally-occurring NSSI to assess the role of early parental neglect and variation in the serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTT) in the etiology of NSSI. Subjects (N = 161) were rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) reared in one of three conditions (mother-reared (MR), peer-reared (PR), or surrogate peer-reared (SPR)), and classified as NSSI (n = 18) or non-NSSI (n = 143). Subjects were genotyped for 5-HTT and their behaviors were recorded during an ecologically-meaningful, stress-evoking, intruder paradigm. Two weeks prior to testing, blood samples were obtained and assayed for plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations. NSSI subjects were more likely to be SPR, paralleling human studies showing that individuals that exhibit NSSI tend to have experienced abuse or neglect early in life. Results also indicated that variation in the 5-HTT genotype differentiated the NSSI subjects. NSSI subjects that were homozygous for the L allele exhibited high plasma ACTH and high rates of stress-induced stereotypies; whereas NSSI subjects with the s allele exhibited impulsive behaviors, including frequently approaching the potentially dangerous intruder, high rates of aggressive vocal threats, and more activity. These results suggest that there may be different 5-HTT genotype-mediated NSSI typologies and that both early experiences and variation in the 5-HTT genotype may be important factors in understanding the etiology of NSSI.
GuideMaker: Software to design CRISPR-Cas guide RNA pools in non-model genomes

Abstract Background CRISPR-Cas systems have expanded the possibilities for gene editing in bacteria and eukaryotes. There are many excellent tools for designing the CRISPR-Cas guide RNAs for model organisms with standard Cas enzymes. GuideMaker is intended as a fast and easy-to-use design tool for atypical projects with 1) non-standard Cas enzymes, 2) non-model organisms, or 3) projects that need to design a panel of guide RNAs (gRNA) for genome-wide screens. Findings GuideMaker can rapidly design gRNAs for gene targets across the genome from a degenerate protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) and a GenBank file. The tool applies Hierarchical Navigable Small World (HNSW) graphs to speed up the comparison of guide RNAs. This allows the user to design gRNAs targeting all genes in a typical bacterial genome in about 1-2 minutes. Conclusions Guidemaker enables the rapid design of genome-wide gRNA for any CRISPR-Cas enzyme in non-model organisms. While GuideMaker is designed with prokaryotic genomes in mind, it can efficiently process smaller eukaryotic genomes as well. GuideMaker is available as command-line software, a stand-alone web application, and a tool in the CyCverse Discovery Environment. All versions are available under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.
Language and executive functioning in young adults with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND This study examined the association between executive functioning and language in young adults with Down syndrome (DS). METHOD Nineteen young adults with DS (aged 19-24 years) completed standardised measures of overall cognition, vocabulary, verbal fluency and executive function skills. RESULTS Friedman's analysis of variance (χ2 (3) = 28.15, P < .001) and post hoc comparisons indicated that, on average, participants had a significantly lower overall non-verbal than verbal cognitive age equivalent and lower expressive than receptive vocabulary skills. Using Spearman correlations, performance on a verbal measure of cognition inhibition was significantly negatively related to receptive vocabulary (ρ = -.529, adjusted P = .036) and verbal fluency (ρ = -.608, adjusted P = .022). Attention was significantly positively correlated with receptive (ρ = .698, adjusted-p = .005) and expressive (ρ = .542, adjusted P = .027) vocabulary. Verbal working memory was significantly positively associated with receptive vocabulary (ρ = .585, adjusted P = .022) and verbal fluency (ρ = .737, adjusted P = .003). Finally, visuospatial working memory was significantly associated with receptive vocabulary (ρ = .562, adjusted P = .027). CONCLUSIONS Verbal and non-verbal measures of executive functioning skills had important associations with language ability in young adults with DS. Future translational research is needed to investigate causal pathways underlying these relationships. Research should explore if interventions aimed at increasing executive functioning skills (e.g. attention, inhibition and working memory) have the potential to lead to increases in language for young adults with DS.
Quality and diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA): A comparison between pre-liver and pre-kidney transplant patients

Abstract Purpose Assess and compare the quality and diagnostic performance of CCTA between pre-liver and pre-kidney transplant patients, and gauge impact of CCTA on ICA requirements. Methods Patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD) were selected for CCTA if considered high-risk or after abnormal stress testing. All pre-liver and pre-kidney CCTAs between March 2018 and August 2020 were retrospectively included. CCTA quality was qualitatively graded as excellent/good/fair/poor, and CAD graded as Results 162 pre-transplant patients (91 pre-liver, 71 pre-kidney). Pre-kidney patients had poorer CCTA quality (p = 0.04) and higher heart rate (median: 65 bpm vs 60 bpm, p Conclusion Diagnostic-quality CCTAs in high-risk pre-transplant patients are achievable and can greatly reduce ICA requirements by excluding significant CAD. CCTA quality is poorer in pre-kidney transplant patients compared to pre-liver, possibly due to higher heart rate.
Understanding Scarring in the Oral Mucosa

Significance: Skin inevitably heals with the formation of a fibrotic scar. Patients affected by skin scarring suffer from long-term psychological and physical burdens. Recent Advances: Since the di...