cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defining sustainability for built environment systems: an operational framework

One of the ongoing challenges in the quest to make our built environment more sustainable is defining what sustainability means in terms understandable to and measurable by built environment decision makers. This paper illustrates one approach to developing a comprehensive and exhaustive definition of sustainability for the built environment: deriving domain-specific variables from fundamental principles and constraints that govern how earth systems work. The paper uses the concept of systems to define characteristics and critical constraints of both the earth as a whole and built facilities in particular. These constraints provide a basis for identifying conditions which must be met in order for a built facility system to be sustainable. The contribution of the paper is a decision space based on required sustainability conditions that can be used to evaluate facility alternatives in terms of their relative sustainability.
Polygon decompositions of a surface and tight geodesics

We give a computable bound for the cardinalities of the slices on tight geodesics between two vertices in the curve complex, where the bound depends on the distance between two vertices and the topology of a surface.
The Gut Microbiome of Wild Lemurs: A Comparison of Sympatric Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi

Mammalian gut microbes are invaluable to the host's metabolism, but few researchers have examined gut microbial dynamics under natural conditions in wild mammals. This study aims to help fill this knowledge gap with a survey of the natural variation of the gut microbiome in 2 wild lemur species, Lemur catta and Propithecus verreauxi. The wild L. catta were also compared to a captive population to discern the effect of habitat within a species. Gut microbial DNA was extracted from fecal samples collected in Madagascar and the Vienna Zoo and sequenced. The wild and captive L. catta had distinct microbial communities, likely due to differences in diet and development between their populations. The wild L. catta and P. verreauxi also had distinct gut microbiomes, due to a change in microbial abundance, not composition. Within each lemur species, there was abundant variation between individuals and from the dry to the wet season. The intraspecific and temporal microbial variation requires more investigation, with changes in diet a likely contributor.
Baroreceptor sensitivity of rat supraoptic vasopressin neurons involves noncholinergic neurons in the DBB

Previous studies suggest that cholinergic neurons in the diagonal band of Broca (DBB) participate in the baroreceptor-mediated inhibition of phasic vasopressin neurons in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). To test this hypothesis, extracellular recordings were obtained from putative vasopressin SON neurons of anesthetized rats injected with the cholinergic immunotoxin 192 IgG-saporin (0.8 μg/μl) in the DBB. Baroreceptor sensitivity of neurons was tested with brief phenylephrine-induced (10 μg/10 μl iv) increases in blood pressure of at least 40 mmHg. In rats injected with vehicle or unconjugated saporin, 19 of 21 and 18 of 20 phasic neurons, respectively, were inhibited by increased blood pressure. In rats injected with 192 IgG-saporin, which significantly reduced the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive DBB neurons, 33 of 36 phasic neurons were inhibited. Normal rats and rats with DBB saporin injections received rhodamine bead injections into the perinuclear zone (PNZ) to retrogradely label DBB neurons, and their brains were stained for ChAT. ChAT-positive DBB neurons were not retrogradely labeled from the PNZ. Together, these results indicate that the pathway relaying baroreceptor information to the SON involves noncholinergic DBB neurons.
Network security in two-year colleges

Network security has become a growing challenge in industry and education. With the increase of viruses, spam, hackers, and identity theft, organizations are beginning to look at areas to improve the protection of their Information Technology structure. Higher Education has the highest vulnerability to network security threats, especially the two-year institutions. Computer labs within institutions of higher learning are often known for their open or ease of access. Open labs, limited staff and resources hinder security measures for these institutions. This paper focuses on the current state of network security at two-year institution.
Agent-based simulation for assessing network security risk due to unauthorized hardware

Computer networks are present throughout all sectors of our critical infrastructure and these networks are under a constant threat of cyber attack. One prevalent computer network threat takes advantage of unauthorized, and thus insecure, hardware on a network. This paper presents a prototype simulation system for network risk assessment that is intended for use by administrators to simulate and evaluate varying network environments and attacker/defender scenarios with respect to authorized and unauthorized hardware. The system is built on the agent-based modeling paradigm and captures emergent system dynamics that result from the interactions of multiple network agents including regular and administrator users, attackers, and defenders in a network environment. The agent-based system produces both metrics and visualizations that provide insights into network security risk and serve to guide the search for efficient policies and controls to protect a network from attacks related to unauthorized hardware. The simulation model is unique in the current literature both for its network threat model and its visualized agent-based approach. We demonstrate the model via a case study that evaluates risk for several candidate security policies on a representative computer network.
Preparing the Patient and Obtaining Cooperation

It is important that patients and their families receive as complete an orientation as they can appreciate to the procedures and purposes of video-fluoroscopy. Such education will help to achieve cooperation and lessen any anxiety surrounding the procedure. The extent of the orientation will, of course, depend upon the age, intellectual capabilities, and emotional status of the patient and accompanying adult.
Brief History of Intermolecular and Intersurface Forces in Complex Fluid Systems

We review the developments of ideas, concepts, and theories of intermolecular and intersurface forces and how these were influenced (or ignored) by observations of nature and, later, systematic exp...
Ultrastructural changes in the avian vitelline membrane during embryonic development.

The vitelline (yolk) membrane of the avian egg plays a dual role during early embryonic development; it encloses the yolk and provides a substratum for expansion of the embryo (Fig. 1). Expansion appears to be dependent upon the movement of cells at the edge of the blastoderm which is intimately associated with the inner layer of the vitelline membrane (New, 1959; Bellairs, 1963). The blastoderm (embryonic plus extraembryonic cells) has almost covered the entire surface of the yolk by the third and fourth days of incubation, and when this stage has been reached the vitelline membrane ruptures over the embryo and slips toward the vegetal pole. Rupture of the membrane during development appears to be the consequence of a decrease in its mechanical strength (Moran, 1936), which changes most rapidly at the animal pole (over the embryo).
Midlife Occupational Physical Activity and Risk of Disability Later in Life: National Health and Aging Trends Study.

Objectives To determine whether midlife occupational physical activity (PA) is associated with disability in older adults and to test disease as a mediating variable. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting National Health and Aging Trends Study. Participants Individuals aged 65 and older (N = 7,307). Measurements Participants were classified as to occupational PA levels by linking information from the Occupational Information Network database using standard occupation codes. Disability outcomes and covariates were obtained through in-person interviews. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between occupational PA and disability. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was fitted to examine the mediating effect of disease. Results Occupations with high physically demands were associated with greater decline in functional capacity later in life. Individuals with occupations with high and very high PA were less likely to be able to perform activities of daily living than those with occupations with low PA. SEM showed that occupational PA has a very strong direct effect on disability (P < .001) and has an indirect effect on disability through disease (P = .003). The population attributable fraction for high occupational PA was 11%. Conclusion Higher midlife occupational PA levels were significantly associated with poorer ability to perform activities of daily living in older age. Performing the optimal level of occupational PA may be instrumental in reducing disability later in life.
Dynamic simulation system for NC machine tool based on Web

Aiming at the problems of the static information and single form of pictures and text for productions information which was provided by machine tool enterprise in network,a web-based 3D dynamic simulation system was developed for digital products information demonstration.By making full use of network superiority of Java language and the interactivity of Virtual Reality Modeling Language(VRML),the three dimension characteristics,information browse and machining simulation of the product were dynamically demonstrated in the web environment.The Web-based publishing system was available for customers.Since the system could realize various kinds of dynamic demonstration functions of Numerical Control(NC)machine tool,the overall performance of products could be comprehensively understood by customers.The method could also be used for browse and the dynamic demonstration of other products.
Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy of Inherited Retinal Degenerations

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are in wide use for in vivo gene transfer for the treatment of inherited retinal disease. AAV vectors have been tested in many animal models and have demonstrated efficacy with low toxicity. In this chapter we describe some of the recent methods for small-scale production of these vectors for use in a laboratory setting in volumes and purity appropriate for testing in small and large animals.
Management of complete iliofemoral artery avulsion with a hybrid technique

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a viable alternative for patients who are too high risk for traditional surgical aortic valve replacement, but it is not without risk of vascular complication. We report a case in which a hybrid stent and bypass graft technique was used to repair a complete iliofemoral artery avulsion after a transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure. We believe that particular caution should be taken with patients with peripheral arterial disease in access vessels. Access vessel diameter must be considered in planning of procedures, and preprocedural preparation for potential major vascular complications is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality.
Swarm Intelligence Platform for Multiblock Polymer Inverse Formulation Design

Multiblock polymers (MBPs) show great promise as a platform for synthesizing materials with highly customized nanostructures. In these systems, the subtle balance of chain configurational entropy and interactions between dissimilar block chemistries emerge a rich palette of self-assembled structural motifs that may be leveraged to impart novel functional, mechanical, or optical properties to the final material. Unfortunately, extensive study of MBP self-assembly has yielded few reliable heuristics for intuitively navigating the enormous molecular design space made available by modern polymer synthesis techniques. In order to make progress, new methods must be developed that allow researchers to efficiently screen molecular designs for achieving a desired state of self-assembly. Here, we introduce a platform for the automated discovery of tailored MBP formulations based on the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method and a linear multiblock chain parametrization that enables continuous optimization of chai...
Fixed versus Flexible Exchange Rates in 1995

Economists’ ignorance on the question of alternative exchange rate regimes can never be overstated. Our lack of knowledge of the economic effects of monetary regimes, or of money in general, is the main reason why the debate on monetary issues, and the relative merits of fixed versus flexible exchange rates, is often so enthralling. Because technicians cannot provide the definitive answer on many important questions about monetary policy, the debate on the choices of monetary authorities often becomes the preferred ground of politicians, newspaper editorialists and, to use a term coined by Paul Krugman (1994), policy entrepreneurs. Sometimes, in the most spectacular cases, exchange-rate and monetary issues are blown up out of proportion to become great national issues. The case of the European Monetary Union (EMU) is a good illustration of this: the drama around it rarely touches on the economic effects of the adoption of a single currency in Europe.
SOME THERMODYNAMICAL INFLUENCES OF DEFECTS IN SHOCK-LOADED SOLIDS

Shock-loaded solids are highly defective and are observed to contain as many dislocations and point defects as 1016 m−2 and 10−3, respectively. In this note an attempt is made to examine the possibility of observing their macroscopic effects on thermodynamical properties of solids. A diagrammatic technique is also presented for the construction of non-hydrostatic chemical potential of solids.
What Is Critical Pedagogy? The Historical and Philosophical Roots of Criticality

While educational psychology takes the mind and learning as its central concern, critical pedagogy, on the other hand, takes the role of institutional power in education and its influence over citizenship formation in capitalist, white supremacist, homophobic, patriarchal society as its primary focus. In other words, we might argue that psychology’s center of analysis is the biological context whereas critical pedagogy’s is the social context. The power of the postformal approach to educational psychology outlined in this volume resides in my effort to take as the center the biological and the social contexts as two parts of a larger whole. However, in this chapter, we take a closer look at critical pedagogy in relative isolation from educational psychology. While we reject such reductionism as a final analysis, we understand the value of isolating a specific variable, such as critical pedagogy, for the purpose of more deeply understanding it before it is resituated within its larger social and biological context (see Chapter 7). What follows is therefore an in-depth historical and conceptual review of critical pedagogy.
Paying Attention to Reality

Walhof situates Gadamer as a political thinker by analyzing his account of practical philosophy. Gadamer rejects the modern divide between theory and practice and instead argues that social and political affairs necessarily involve contextualized judgments about both ends and means. Given this, the role of the political theorist is not as the expert who stands apart from political reality to offer an explanatory account, but as a situated agent who assists others by bringing to awareness things that might otherwise remain obscured. Walhof calls this practical philosophy as the discipline of paying attention, and he argues that democratic theory as practical philosophy ought to draw our attention to political and social realities that have become hard to see or that are taken for granted.
The Use of Discourse Markers among Youth in Senegambia Borderland

While the foundational work on ‘African youth language’ by Kiesling and Mouss (2004) is informative and offers insight into the agency of young city-dwellers in creating ‘resistance identities’, it also excludes large portions of African ‘youth’, most notably young women, but also most of the youth not residing in large African metropolises. A more holistic approach to ‘African youth language’ and the way linguistic resources are variably employed in the construction of identity can reveal some of the ways nationality, gender, and modernity get associated in an indexical ﬁeld. In this paper I examine the way discourse markers are part of the linguistic resources used by borderland youth as indexical tools that help construct gendered, national identities. Although French, English, and Wolof discourse markers are all in circulation within the borderland, the young speakers in this study variably index national-orientation and gender through their usage of ‘native’ vs. ‘borrowed’ discourse markers.
Bacterial pathogenesis: Pathogenic bacteria attack RHIM.

Attaching and effacing enteropathogenic Escherichia coli causes gastrointestinal inflammation and diarrhoea. In this issue of Nature Microbiology, Pearson and colleagues find that this pathology involves bacterial cleavage of a class of host cell death signal adaptors that encode a unique protein interaction motif called the RHIM.
Uptake of nickel by synthetic mackinawite.

The uptake of aqueous Ni(II) by synthetic mackinawite (FeS) was examined in anaerobic batch experiments at near-neutral pH (5.2 to 8.4). Initial molar ratios of Ni(II) to FeS ranged from 0.008 to 0.83 and maximum Ni concentrations in mackinawite, expressed as the cation mol fraction, were as high as XNi = 0.56 (Fe1 - x Ni x S; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1). Greater than 99% Ni removal from solution occurred when Ni loading remained below 0.13 ± 0.03 (1σ) mol Ni per mol FeS due to sorption of Ni at the mackinawite surface. Characterization of experimental solids using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed patterns characteristic of nanocrystalline mackinawite; no evidence of nickel monosulfide (α-NiS or millerite), polydymite (Ni3S4), or godlevskite [(Ni,Fe)9S8] formation was indicated regardless of the amount of Ni loading. Slight expansion of the c-axis correlated with increasing Ni content in synthetic mackinawite, from c = 5.07 ± 0.01 A at XNi = 0.02 to c = 5.10 ± 0.01 A at XNi = 0.38. Ni K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra of synthetic Ni-bearing mackinawite are similar in phase and amplitude to the Fe K-edge EXAFS spectrum of Ni-free mackinawite, indicating that the molecular environment of Ni2+ in Ni-bearing mackinawite is similar to that of Fe2+ in Ni-free mackinawite. EXAFS data fitting of Ni-bearing mackinawite with XNi = 0.42 indicated a coordination number of 4.04 ± 0.30 and an average Ni_S bond distance of 2.28 A, in good agreement with the Fe_S bond distance of 2.26 A in mackinawite, tetrahedral Fe coordination, and slight lattice expansion along the c-axis. At lower Ni loadings (XNi = 0.05-0.11), EXAFS analysis showed a decrease in Ni_S coordination towards CN = 3, which reflects the influence of sorbed Ni. Continued Ni uptake, past the maximum amount of sorption, was accompanied by proportional molar release of Fe to solution. Interstitial occupancy of Ni within the mackinawite interlayer may be transitional to structural substitution of Fe. The Ni-mackinawite solid-solution is described by a one-site binary mixing model: LnKd=lnKe-(W/RT)(1-2XNi) where Kd is the distribution coefficient, Ke is the ratio of equilibrium constants for Ni-mackinawite and mackinawite (14.4 ± 1.3), W is an ion interaction parameter, and XNi is the mole fraction of end-member NiS in the solid solution. The experimentally determined value of W is 17.74 ± 1.15 kJ/mol and indicates significant non-ideality of the solid solution. Transformation processes were evaluated by aging Ni-mackinawite with polysulfides and solutions saturated with air. Reaction of Ni-mackinawite with polysulfides led to the formation of pyrite (FeS2) and Ni retention in the solid phase. When Ni-mackinawite was aged in the presence of dissolved oxygen, transformation to goethite (FeOOH) and violarite (FeNi2S4) was observed.
Web-based alcohol intervention for veterans: PTSD, combat exposure, and alcohol outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between baseline levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), combat exposure, and alcohol outcomes in a sample of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans using a web-based self-management intervention (VetChange) for problem drinking. METHOD: The current study focuses on 523 veterans who participated in a larger randomized clinical trial. Analyses in the current study include (a) multivariable linear regression models to assess the relationship between PTSD, combat exposure, and alcohol variables at baseline, and (b) general linear models accounting for correlated data within subjects to analyze change over time for alcohol outcomes as a function of baseline PTSD symptoms, combat exposure, and covariates. RESULTS: There was a positive association between PTSD symptom severity and alcohol use and alcohol problem severity at baseline. However, participants with higher baseline PTSD symptoms demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in alcohol use during the intervention and a greater reduction in alcohol problems from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Combat exposure severity was positively associated with alcohol problems at baseline. However, veterans with higher exposure demonstrated a greater reduction in average weekly drinking between end of intervention and follow-up, and otherwise showed changes similar to participants with lower exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of baseline PTSD symptoms and combat exposure severity did not prevent OEF/OIF veterans from achieving positive alcohol outcomes through participation in a self-management web intervention for problem drinking. (PsycINFO Database Record(c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
m6A Facilitates eIF4F-Independent mRNA Translation

In eukaryotic cells, protein synthesis typically begins with the binding of eIF4F to the 7-methylguanylate (m7G) cap found on the 5' end of the majority of mRNAs. Surprisingly, overall translational output remains robust under eIF4F inhibition. The broad spectrum of eIF4F-resistant translatomes is incompatible with cap-independent translation mediated by internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs). Here, we report that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) facilitates mRNA translation that is resistant to eIF4F inactivation. Depletion of the methyltransferase METTL3 selectively inhibits translation of mRNAs bearing 5' UTR methylation, but not mRNAs with 5' terminal oligopyrimidine (TOP) elements. We identify ABCF1 as a critical mediator of m6A-promoted translation under both stress and physiological conditions. Supporting the role of ABCF1 in m6A-facilitated mRNA translation, ABCF1-sensitive transcripts largely overlap with METTL3-dependent mRNA targets. By illustrating the scope and mechanism of eIF4F-independent mRNA translation, these findings reshape our current perceptions of cellular translational pathways.
Radiation therapy improves disease-specific survival in women with Stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer-Brachytherapy may be sufficient.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate disease-specific survival (DSS) outcomes in Stage II endometrioid endometrial cancer (EC) patients based on pathology and treatment information including adjuvant radiotherapy and lymph node assessment. Methods and Materials Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, 2877 patients with Stage II EC diagnosed between 2004 and 2012 treated with radiation were identified. DSS was determined for different modalities of radiation. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival and Cox regression modeling were used to explore the risk associated with various factors on DSS. Results The 4-year DSS for the study population was 90%. Radiation was associated with improved 4-year DSS when compared to no radiotherapy (p = 0.03). Patients with Grade 2 and 3 tumors had improved 4-year DSS with radiation (94% vs. 90%, p = 0.02 and 81% vs. 73%, p = 0.15), respectively, but no differences in DSS when vaginal brachytherapy alone was compared with external beam alone or both. Patients with Grade 2 (p = 0.002) and Grade 3 (p 60 years (p Conclusions Adjuvant radiation, whether delivered by brachytherapy or external beam radiation, is associated with improved DSS in Stage II EC patients with high-grade tumors, therefore brachytherapy may be sufficient.
Gender differences in limited duty time for lower limb injury

Background Among active-duty military personnel, lower limb musculoskeletal injuries and related conditions (injuries) frequently arise as unintended consequences of physical training. These injuries are particularly common among women. The practical impact of such injuries on temporary military occupational disability has not been estimated with precision on a large scale. Aims To determine the proportion of service time compromised by limited duty days attributable to lower limb injuries, characterize the time affected by these limitations in terms of specific lower limb region and compare the limited duty time between male and female soldiers. Methods Administrative data and individual limited duty assignments (profiles) were obtained for active-duty US Army personnel who served in 2014. Lower limb injury-related profiles were used to calculate the percent of person-time requiring duty limitations by gender and body region. Results The study group was 568 753 soldiers of whom 14% were women. Nearly 13% of service days for active-duty US Army soldiers required limited duty for lower limb injuries during 2014. Knee injuries were responsible for 45% of those days. Within integrated military occupations, female soldiers experienced 27-57% more time on limited duty for lower limb injuries compared with men. Conclusions The substantial amount of limited duty for lower limb musculoskeletal injuries among soldiers highlights the need for improvement in training-related injury screening, prevention and timely treatment with particular attention to knee injuries. The excessive impact of lower limb injuries on female soldiers' occupational functions should be a surveillance priority in the current environment of expanding gender-integrated training.
All Roads Lead to TiO2: TiO2-Rich Surfaces of Barium and Strontium Titanate Prepared by Hydrothermal Synthesis

Through high-resolution electron microscopy, the surface structure of barium titanate and strontium titanate nanoparticles are found to be terminated by a TiO2 double layer. These results confirm prior observations of TiO2-rich surface reconstructions on strontium titanate nanoparticles made hydrothermally at high pH and single crystals prepared with wet chemical etching. Of all the reconstructions observed on single crystals for these two materials, we report for first time the √13 × √13R33.7° structure on the {001} facets of hydrothermally prepared barium titanate and strontium titanate nanocrystals. The aqueous environment common to the two preparation methods preferentially leaves strontium and barium depleted from the A-sites near the surface and leads to TiO2-terminated surfaces for both materials. Analysis indicates that the observed structures are the thermodynamic lowest energy structures in aqueous conditions.
Relationship between sleep duration and self-reported health-related quality of life among US adults with or without major chronic diseases, 2014.

Abstract Objectives To assess the association between sleep duration and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among adults with or without chronic conditions. Methods Using the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we analyzed self-reported data from adult respondents aged ≥18 years with (n = 277,757, unhealthy group) and without (n = 172,052. healthy group) reported history of any of nine chronic conditions (coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, depression, chronic kidney disease). Multivariable logistic regressions were separately constructed to assess the associations between sleep duration and four self-reported HRQOL measures after adjustment for sociodemographics, leisure-time physical activity, body mass index, and smoking status among unhealthy and healthy adults. Results The prevalence of poor/fair health, frequent physical distress, frequent mental distress, frequent activity limitation, and short sleep duration was 27.9%, 19.3%, 17.0%, 13.6%, and 38.3% in the unhealthy group and 6.9%, 4.0%, 5.3%, 2.1%, and 31.0% in the healthy group, respectively. U-shaped relationships of sleep duration to all four HRQOL indicators were observed among the unhealthy group and to poor/fair health, frequent mental distress, and frequent activity limitation among the healthy group. The relationships further varied by sex, age, race/ethnicity, and BMI category among the healthy group. Conclusions Relationships between extreme sleep duration and HRQOLs were observed among both healthy and unhealthy groups. These results can help inform public awareness campaigns and physician-counseling regarding the importance of sleep for mental health and well-being.
Abstract 3143: Association of PCSK9 Gene Variants with Longitudinal LDL-Cholesterol Levels: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Recent studies have shown that mutations of PCSK9 are associated cross-sectionally with plasma LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in middle-aged adults. However, the longitudinal change with aging of LDL-C levels associated with PCSK9 variants is unknown. We examined data from 1750 black and 1828 white participants (ppts), 18 to 30 years old at baseline, in the CARDIA Study to determine the effect of 6 PCSK9 variants on LDL-C over 20 years. GEEs adjusting for sex, time-dependent BMI, and 6 examinations were used to assess differences between the gene variants in LDL-C levels with age. Ppts without any of these 6 variants were considered as the reference group for their race. For black ppts, 3 variants (L235F, C679X, and Y142X) were combined for data analysis due to the small number (2.7 %) with these variants. Ppts with the 3 gene variants and the A443T variant had significantly lower LDL-C levels at age 18, while participants with the E670G variant (7 %) had higher LDL-C levels compared with the reference group (see table). For Blacks with the 3 gene variants, compared to the reference group, the difference in LDL-C levels widened by 0.25 mg/dl per year of age, while the E670G and A443T variants did not show a significant change in LDL-C levels with age. For white ppts, the R46L variant (3.3 %) was associated with lower LDL-C levels at age 18, and the difference narrowed with age. Furthermore, the 3 gene variants and the A443T variant in black men were associated with lower prevalence of coronary artery calcium in early middle age. Our results suggest that several variants of PCSK9 have persistently lower serum LDL-C levels than the reference group from young adulthood to middle age. Such long-term reduction in LDL-C levels is associated with reduced sub-clinical atherosclerosis burden, and may have considerable beneficial effects on coronary heart disease incidence.
Methods for Analysis of DNA Methylation

Abstract DNA methylation is an epigenetic form of gene regulation that is universally important throughout the life course. DNA methylation profiles may be altered by environmental exposures to toxicants and diet and more at vulnerable life stages, and this may influence health and disease trajectories. Thus, it is important to identify exposures that modify the DNA methylome and also regions of the genome that are susceptible to environmental perturbation. A variety of molecular methods exist to assay for global, gene-specific, and epigenome-wide DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, from array-based to next-generation sequencing methods. While most methods are geared toward organisms with known genomic sequences (e.g., humans and mice), there are also a set of technologies that can be broadly used for nontraditional laboratory species. In this chapter, we introduce and describe some of the available methods from gene-specific to epigenome-wide and discuss their relative strengths and limitations.
Price of disorder in the lac repressor hinge helix

The Lac system of genes has been pivotal in understanding gene regulation. When the lac repressor protein binds to the correct DNA sequence, the hinge region of the protein goes through a disorder to order transition. The structure of this region of the protein is well understood when it is in this bound conformation, but less so when it is not. Structural studies show that this region is flexible. Our simulations show this region is extremely flexible in solution; however, a high concentration of salt can help kinetically trap the hinge helix. Thermodynamically, disorder is more favorable without the DNA present.
An Immersed Spheroidal Pendulum Oscillating Near a Free Surface

This paper describes the development and execution of a simple experiment designed to exercise the elements of a Lagrangian mechanical system model for the motion of a rigid body near an otherwise calm free surface. The experimental apparatus is a planar pendulum for which the pendulum “bob” is a hollow, prolate spheroid with a 6:1 fineness ratio. The device is used in two configurations: (i) a fully immersed, buoyant configuration for which the stable equilibrium corresponds to floating upright and (ii) a suspended, heavy configuration in which the stable equilibrium corresponds to hanging downward. Experiments in either configuration involve motion that begins from rest away from the equilibrium. Adjusting the water level relative to the equilibrium state modifies the depth-dependent hydrodynamic effects such as added mass and radiative damping.
Retroviruses and Autoimmunity

Autoimmunity is an immune reaction against self constituents. Autoimmune phenomena are noted in a spectrum of clinical scenarios, ranging from the normal physiological processes and consequences of aging to severe pathological conditions which may be organ-specific or general.1 Autoimmunity is likely to be involved in the etiology and/or pathogenesis of a variety of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and diabetes. Under normal circumstances the immune system provides a response to insults such as neoplasm, injury, and infection. In pathological immune responses, however, the normal functioning of the immune system undergoes dysregulation resulting in an autoaggressive immune response. The etiology and pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders remains unsolved despite a tremendous growth in understanding of how
276. Factors associated with cost of 30-day and 90-day readmissions following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: insights from the Nationwide Readmissions Database

BACKGROUND CONTEXT The rising cost of spine surgery and the resultant economic burden has attracted the attention of health policy makers. Readmissions constitute a significant economic burden to the health care system. With the introduction of bundled payments leading to a higher financial risk for providers, literature is needed to evaluate the factors that influence the cost of readmissions following spine surgery. PURPOSE We analyzed the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) to determine the hospital, patient and clinical factors that contribute to cost of 30- and 90-day readmissions after elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for degenerative spine disease. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective study using a national administrative database. PATIENT SAMPLE Patients undergoing elective ACDF between 2012 and 2015 queried from the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD). OUTCOME MEASURES Cost of 30-day and 90-day readmissions. METHODS We queried the NRD for patients undergoing elective ACDF during 2012-2015Q3. The NRD provides national readmissions data collected for all types of payers and the uninsured, as well as across a wide geographic distribution of hospitals in the United States. Multivariable linear regression was performed to establish the factors associated with cost of each 30/90-day readmission episode (REC). We also determined the procedure-related and medical diagnosis at readmission associated with higher cost of hospitalization. RESULTS A total of 4,792 30-day readmissions from 4,512 patients and 8,156 90-day readmissions from 7,198 patients were included analysis. The average 30-day REC was $11,843 (95% CI: $11,390- $12,297) and the average 90-day REC was $14,353 (95% CI: $13,962 - $14,744). Number of procedures at index admission, length of stay at index admission, and days since index admission that the readmission occurred were the top predictors of readmission cost. Other important predictors (p CONCLUSIONS In this analysis from a national database, we determined the factors associated with cost of readmissions following elective ACDF. Our results indicate that a significant economic burden of readmissions is due to medical diagnoses, apart from procedure related complications. Our analyses may aid policy makers and stakeholders in designing better reimbursement policies for future in order to drive down costs associated with spinal surgery and its associated sequelae. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
Proteases facilitate the endosomal escape of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus during entry into host cells.

Abstract Exogenous and endogenous proteases play important roles in porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) entry and replication. The roles of proteases in the viral endosomal escape and replication using trypsin (KD) or elastase (AA)-adapted US PEDV strains were studied. While PEDV KD and AA require different exogenous protease for efficient replication in cells, PEDV KD was more dependent on the protease than PEDV AA. There was no marked difference in viral trafficking between them during the entry events. Both PEDV were observed in the endosomes with or without protease at 1 h after virus inoculation. With protease, viral signals in the endosomes disappeared after 4 h, and newly synthesized viral proteins were detected in the ER after 6 h. However, without protease, viruses remained in the endosomes up to 24 h, which correlated with limited virus replication. Inhibitors of cathepsins, endogenous proteases, significantly reduced the replication of both PEDV by interfering with the viral endosomal escape.
Ecotour guide training program methods and characteristics: a case study from the African bush

Ecotour guides play many roles within ecotourism, making them an important part of the industry. However, ecotour guides often do not possess all the skills necessary to fulfill their roles. Traini...
Manufacturing Productivity and U.S. Economic Growth

This chapter examines the historical record of manufacturing productivity growth in the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth century in the context of broader trends in private non-farm economy productivity. TFP growth in manufacturing peaked in the 1920s and has trended generally downwards, with a notable but temporary uptick between 1995 and 2005. In contrast, private nonfarm economy TFP growth peaked in the 1930s. Manufacturing made the largest percentage point contribution to PNE TFP growth in the 1920s (1919-1929), followed by 1929-41 and 1973-95. Manufacturing’s share of PNE TFP growth was highest in 1919-29 and 1973-95. The sector’s labor productivity growth was also highest in the interwar period and between 1995 and 2005.
Stakeholder Perspectives on Colonoscopy Navigation and Colorectal Cancer Screening Inequities.

Black adults complete colonoscopies at lower rates than other groups despite increased colorectal cancer risk. Patient navigation represents a strategy to address the varied factors that influence colonoscopy completion, but few reports describe how navigation reduces racial disparities in colorectal cancer screening rates. The purpose of this study was to understand how a statewide colonoscopy navigation program addressed the challenges faced by low-income Black adults attempting to complete screening colonoscopy. A qualitative case study analysis was conducted at a participating clinical site of a statewide colonoscopy navigation program. Clinical observations, document reviews, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients, patient navigators, and clinical staff. Patient participants were recruited to ensure maximum variation related to gender and colonoscopy completion. Thematic coding allowed researchers to examine experiences, perceptions, and emotions related to patient navigation. In total, 31 interviews were completed between October 2014 and February 2015. Patients and patient navigators reported logistical, psychosocial, and knowledge-related barriers to colonoscopy completion. Clinical staff reports focused mostly on logistical barriers. Benefits of patient navigation also varied by participant type with clinical staff revealing positive effects on the clinic's relationships with referring specialty practices. Patient navigators address barriers that are important to patients, but often unseen by clinical staff/providers. New information about the benefits different stakeholders derive from this strategy was revealed. Together these findings provide insight into the processes associated with this strategy and novel information about the appeal of patient navigation to various stakeholders.
Distress and risk perception in people living with multiple sclerosis during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Background People living with MS during COVID-19 are experiencing the disruptions of the pandemic and concerns that their health status may place them at greater risk for worse COVID-19 outcomes. Objective This study sought to understand how people living with MS in the United States experienced distress and perceived their COVID-19-related risk during the first surge of the pandemic. Methods This was a web-based, self-report survey of people with MS who were living in the United States during the early stage of COVID-19. Primary outcomes were depression, anxiety, and positive-affect and well-being. Participants (N = 491) also provided data on demographics, MS-related factors, COVID-19 factors, and psychological coping. Results Psychological distress was associated with age, psychological coping strategies, and having had symptoms consistent with COVID-19, but not with MS disease-related variables and COVID-19 risk factors. Perception of COVID-19-related risk was associated with age, MS disease severity, COVID-19-related factors, and anxiety. Conclusion This study demonstrated that even during COVID-19, distress and risk perception are primarily driven by psychological factors, experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and age, with minimal contribution from individual differences in health status, providing an impetus for continued efforts to optimize psychological interventions for people living with MS.
332 National trends of dermatology procedures during the COVID pandemic

The COVID19 pandemic has caused a major disruption in healthcare delivery as restrictions have limited the ability to seek elective procedures This investigation aimed to assess the pandemic impact on the incidence of dermatology procedures compared to the pre-pandemic period TrinetX, a national federated healthcare database comprised of 61 million patient records, was used to identify the incidence of new dermatology procedures performed each month for two periods of the pandemic The first period was from Apr-July 2020, and the second was from Aug-Nov 2020 The mean for each variable was then compared with the pooled monthly incidence from similar periods between 2018-2019 before the pandemic Descriptive analyses were performed, and comparisons were made using a student's t-test Procedures were identified by CPT codes and categorized into groups In the Apr-July 2020 period, 11 groups of procedures showed a significant statistical decrease in incidence by up to 47 3% They included: Excision of benign lesions, shaving of epidermal/dermal lesions, skin tag removal, skin biopsy, paring/cutting procedures, surgical procedures on nails, surgical procedures on pilonidal cyst, destruction of malignant lesions, destruction of benign/premalignant lesions, Mohs surgery, and incision and drainage procedures The incidence of debridement procedures during the initial COVID period was similar to overlapping months in 2018 and 2019 In the late pandemic period, 10 procedure groups demonstrated a significant statistical decrease in incidence The incidence of debridement procedures and surgical procedures on pilonidal cysts during the later COVID period was similar to overlapping months in 2018 and 2019 The statistically significant decrease in dermatology procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic may suggest that the general public is postponing skin care placing a greater burden on healthcare
Optimization of Field Design in the Treatment of Rectal Cancer with Intensity Modulated Proton Beam Radiation Therapy: How Many Fields Are Needed to Account for Rectal Distension Uncertainty?

Abstract Purpose Preoperative chemoradiation represents the standard of care in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Robustness is often compromised in the setting of proton beam therapy owing to the sensitivity of proton particles to tissue heterogeneity, such as with intestinal gas. The ideal beam arrangement to mitigate the anatomic uncertainty caused by intestinal gas is not well defined. Methods and Materials We developed pencil beam scanning plans using (1) 1-beam posteroanterior (PA) plans, (2) 2-beam with right and left posterior oblique (RPO and LPO) plans, (3) 3-beam with PA and opposed lateral plans, and (4) 5-beam with PA, RPO, LPO, and opposed lateral plans. We created 12 plans with robustness optimization and ran a total of 60 plan evaluations for varying degrees of intestinal gas distension to evaluate which plans would maintain clinical goals to the greatest degree. Results A single PA beam resulted in considerable loss of target coverage to the clinical target volume prescribed 50 Gy (volume receiving 100% of the prescribed dose [V100%] 90% even with collapsed rectum to as low as 1 cm, simulating a patient treatment scenario without any rectal gas. Conclusions A single PA beam should be avoided when using proton beam therapy for rectal cancer. RPO/LPO and PA/opposed lateral arrangements may both be considered; RPO/LPO is favored to reduce integral dose and avoid beams traversing the hips. In patients for whom the plan CT has rectal distension of ≥3 cm, resimulation or strategies to reduce intestinal gas should be strongly considered.