cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2783: Mammotrophic hormone score and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer

Sex hormones and prolactin have been positively associated with risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. However two small studies suggested that having multiple hormones above the age-adjusted mean level did not further increase the risk of breast cancer beyond having only one hormone above the mean. This suggests a possible threshold effect, such that these hormones may be permissive with respect to breast cancer growth and an evaluation of hormones levels at the low end of the distribution may be most informative. The goal of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of multiple hormones, including estradiol, estrone, estrone sulfate, testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, DHEAS, and prolactin, in relation to postmenopausal breast cancer risk. We conducted a nested case-control study in the Nurses9 Health Study including cases of postmenopausal breast cancer who were not using postmenopausal hormones at blood collection in 1990 and were diagnosed after blood collection but before June 1, 1998 and their matched controls. We examined the relationship between the number of hormones in which levels were above age- and batch-adjusted means (as determined in controls and referred to as the “hormone score”) and risk of breast cancer overall using conditional logistic regression adjusting for age at menopause, body mass index (BMI) at age 18, history of benign breast disease, and family history of breast cancer. We also examined estrogen receptor (ER) positive cases only using unconditional logistic regression. Overall, 265 cases (189 ER+) and 541 matched controls had measured levels for all eight hormones. The mean hormone score was 4.6 (SD=2.3) in cases and 3.9 (SD=2.4) in controls (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2783.
How to Build an Administrative ADR Mechanism for Settling Environmental Disputes

With more and more environmental disputes being sued for the courts, the limited judicial resources have hardly supported such lawsuits. The administrative ADR(Alternative Dispute Resolution) has an advantage over litigation when settling environmental disputes. This article analyses and studies the present status limitation of administrative settlement of environmental disputes, as well as the necessity of strengthening administrative settlement of environmental disputes. Some advices are put forward on how to build an administrative ADR mechanism for settling environmental disputes in our country.
Abstract B08: Inflammasome components caspase-1, IL1β, IL18 and NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) are increased in a spontaneous model (chicken: Gallus gallus) of human ovarian cancer

Chronic inflammation is associated with cancer risk and development. There is increasing evidence that a chronic, pro-inflammatory environment is mediated by multi-protein inflammasome complexes that promote activation of IL1β and IL18, which are apex cytokines for regulation of inflammation. The objective was to determine if the inflammasome components NLRP3, caspase-1, IL1β and IL18 were expressed in ovarian cancer and if the expression differed between normal ovary and ovarian tumors using the hen, an animal model of spontaneous ovarian cancer. mRNA was measured by qRT-PCR using primers based on chicken orthologs of human genes from the NCBI database as follows, NLRP3 XM_001233261.3; Caspase-1 XM_003642384.2; IL1β NM_204524.1; IL18 NM_204608; IL17 NM_204460.1. mRNA expression (mean fold change compared to normal ovary = mFC) was increased significantly (t -test) compared to normal ovaries for caspase-1 (mFC=14.6±12.6; p=0.01), IL1β (mFC=6.5±5.3 p=0.01) and IL18 (mean fold change=4.9±3.4; p=0.01) with a moderate increase in NLRP3 (mFC=1.7±0.98; p=0.04) in cancer (n=8) compared to normal ovary (n=6). Expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL17 was increased (mFC=4.0±6.0; p=0.1) but not significantly in this limited sample set. Moderate protein expression of the same components was evident by immunohistochemistry in groups of tumor cells but not in all tumor cells. Expression also occurred in tumor immune cells; the number of immunohistochemically reactive immune cells varied among tumors. Differences in invading immune cells with an activated inflammasome could account for the range of total mRNA values; differences among tumor expression of inflammasomes infers a potential basis for differences in response to immunotherapies. The results demonstrate expression of inflammasome components in a spontaneous model resembling human ovarian cancer and suggest a mechanism by which a chronic pro-inflammatory, pro-tumor environment is maintained. Improved understanding of the role of inflammasomes could lead to methods for management of the tumor immune environment and responses to immunotherapy. Citation Format: Judith Luborsky, Seara Edassery, Seby L. Edassery, Animesh Barua, Janice M. Bahr. Inflammasome components caspase-1, IL1β, IL18 and NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) are increased in a spontaneous model (chicken: Gallus gallus) of human ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B08.
Lessons from an α-Helical Membrane Enzyme: Expression, Purification, and Detergent Optimization for Biophysical and Structural Characterization.

Abstract This chapter outlines the protocol developed in our lab to produce a multipass α-helical membrane protein. We present our work flow, from ortholog selection to protein purification, including molecular biology for plasmid construction, protein expression in E. coli, membrane isolation and detergent solubilization, protein purification and tag removal, biophysical assessment of protein stability in different detergents, and detergent concentration determination using thin-layer chromatography. We focus on results from our ongoing work with intramembrane aspartyl proteases from archaeal organisms.
Towards a Typology of Natural Logic

In this paper1 I would like to explore the notion that the kind of logical structure appropriate to the description of a human language, rather than being uniform for all languages, might depend in a typologically significant way on the language being described. I will examine a selection of grammatical phenomena in certain North American languages with a view towards explicating what I believe to be coherent principles that inform the semantic interpretative components of their grammars. Underlying our exploration will be the question: what are the typologically significant aspects of semantic or logical interpretation?
Microbial Forensics in Food Safety.

Food production practice has changed substantially in the last few decades in the United States. The number of small farms has decreased, giving way to larger operations. For example, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, the number of dairy farms with dairy cows fell from 648,000 operations in 1970 to 75,000 in 2006 ( 1 ). While the numbers of farms decreased, the size grew, with herd size rising from 19 to 120 cows per farm in those years. Centralization of food production is becoming a common practice in the United States for many food commodities. In addition, global food trade is also changing the landscape of food production and distribution patterns. With global income level on the rise, there is a growing consumer demand for a variety of food. Facilitated by improved transportation networks, global food trade is expected to increase. Demand for minimally processed food has also been trending up. Minimally processed food is often characterized by high water activity and mild acidic to neutral pH and is not subjected to high-heat treatment. This includes ready-to-eat food, fruits, and vegetables. As a result, a different set of food safety issues emerges: for example, tracking implicated food ingredients in a widely distributed network is increasingly difficult, new foodborne pathogens are discovered from imported food, and common foodborne pathogens are associated with new niches of food products. With new issues and challenges, the regulatory agencies responsible for protecting our food supply have been working hard to ensure public health.
Reduced basis methods for nonlocal diffusion problems with random input data

Abstract The construction, analysis, and application of reduced-basis methods for uncertainty quantification problems involving nonlocal diffusion problems with random input data is the subject of this work. Because of the lack of sparsity of discretized nonlocal models relative to analogous local partial differential equation models, the need for reduced-order modeling is much more acute in the nonlocal setting. In this effort, we develop reduced-basis approximations for nonlocal diffusion equations with affine random coefficients. Efficiency estimates of the proposed greedy reduced-basis methods are provided. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the effect varying various model parameters have on the efficiency and accuracy of the reduced-basis method relative to sparse-grid interpolation using the full finite element method. It is shown that the proposed reduced-basis approach can indeed provide substantial savings over standard sparse-grid methods.
Music Therapy with Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

The purpose of this paper is to define addiction and co-occurring disorders, review the current music therapy literature with regard to techniques and treatment goals and finally to accentuate gaps in research for future investigation. Mental health practitioners have been becoming increasing more aware that persons with addiction disorders have a high incidence of co-occurring mental health disorders. The term “comorbidity” is defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH) as a person who exhibits more than one disorder or illness concurrently or sequentially, one after the other (NIH, 2011). The most common music therapy techniques is music songwriting and music improvisation. Most goals focus on the domains of education, social, emotion and behavior. The music therapy literature contains only seven studies, four quantitative, one case study and one descriptive study. With the exception of one study, the research reflects finding in an eight-year time span with the most recent study being 3 years old. Future research needs to be reported with persons with addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Social and spatial relationships driving landowner attitudes towards aquatic conservation in a Piedmont-Blue Ridge landscape.

Abstract More than half of land in the U.S. is privately owned and covers most of known endangered species habitat. An understanding of private landowners’ attitudes towards conservation may help to bridge the science-practice gap in regards to conservation initiatives. Aquatic biodiversity is particularly imperiled; in the United States headwaters and isolated wetlands receive little protection through regulations, becoming a focus of conservation planning. In an effort to assess how landowners view such efforts, a 27-question mixed methods survey was mailed to 409 landowners in the Blue Ridge and Piedmont ecoregions of South Carolina with wetland areas and where land was owned by a family or individual, not a corporation. We received 70 completed surveys and analyzed the results using an encapsulated mixed methods approach that analyzed both scaled and qualitative questions. The combined results gave a more contextual understanding of conservation on private lands in the study area. In this article we present a history of private land conservation and surveying landowners in understanding conservation potential. This demonstrates a need for a more comprehensive method needed in conservation planning. We then show our use of an integrated methodology, using quantitative and qualitative questions, to measure landowners’ interest in conserving land. Through classification and spatial analysis, our study demonstrated that aquatic areas and wildlife are valued by and show influence on landowners’ decisions. We also found that distance from protected area has a positive correlation to the willingness to protect aquatic areas. Landowners showed concern for threats of pollution from runoff and siltation. Disinterest in conservation seemed prevalent throughout many of the respondents’ answers. These results suggest a relation to geographic distance and that the attitudes are more related near each other and specific places in the landscape. We conclude that any successful implementation of aquatic conservation initiatives must include focused outreach and communicating the benefits for society and landowners for building capacity for landscape-scale cooperation.
Effect of CO2 absorption on ion and water mobility in an anion exchange membrane

Abstract We report the measured water uptake, density, ionic conductivity and water transport properties in Tokuyama A201 membrane in OH−, HCO3− and Cl− forms. The water uptake of the AEM varies with anion type in the order λ(OH−) > λ(HCO3−) > λ(Cl−) for samples equilibrated with the same water vapor activity (aw). The conductivity of the AEM is reduced by absorption of CO2. Pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) measurements were utilized to characterize the diffusivity of water and HCO3− ion. The anion diffusion coefficient and membrane conductivity are used to probe the applicability of the Nernst-Einstein equation in these AEMs.
Crossing Boundaries: A Qualitative Exploration of Relational Leadership in Three Full-Service Community Schools:

Background/ContextFull-service community schools provide comprehensive and coordinated resources and supports to meet the complex needs of children and families in low-income communities. Given the...
Radiologic Analysis of C2 to Predict Safe Placement of Pedicle Screws

Abstract Background Preoperative assessment of C2 pedicle morphology is critical to safe pedicle screw placement. To avoid iatrogenic injury, complex digital templating software has been introduced; however, this technology may not be available in many centers. We report a technique for preoperative assessment of C2 pedicle screw placement safety based upon 2-dimensional sagittal computed tomography (CT) scan images and verify its utility in clinical practice. Methods A total of 46 consecutive patients underwent cervical spine CT scans between 2005 and 2011. The C2 pedicle morphology was assessed on sagittal CT imaging by 5 independent reviewers to determine the feasibility and risk associated with pedicle screw placement. Thirty consecutive patients underwent C2 pedicle screw placement and were followed clinically for a minimum of 2 years. The ability to place a screw was noted, and accuracy of screw placement was assessed postoperatively by CT scan. Results The CT scan analysis demonstrated that 11% (5/46) of patients had sufficient pedicle size bilaterally to allow safe placement of long pedicle screws with a low risk of vertebral artery injury, whereas 15% (7/46) were considered a high risk bilaterally. Screw placement was deemed low risk in 28%, moderate risk in 38%, and high risk in 34%. Excellent intraobserver reliability and good interobserver reliability was observed. Clinically, 18 of 20 (90%) low-risk and 21 of 24 (88%) moderate-risk pedicle screws were placed safely versus 5 of 16 (31%) high-risk pedicle screws (P Conclusions Using the described technique for evaluating the C2 pedicle via sagittal CT scan images allows for safe and reliable pedicle screw placement without relying upon complex digital templating software, which may have limited availability. Level of Evidence II Clinical Relevance This study aids in the surgical decision-making behind the placement of C2 pedicle screws using CT scans without reliance upon complex digital templating software.
Event-Related Potentials (ERPs)

Event-related potentials (ERPs) are derived from electroencephalographic (EEG) measurement of neural activity. An ERP measures voltage changes in the brain that follow (or precede) the onset of specific visual, auditory, or other sensory stimuli, as well as cues signaling motor preparation, motor execution, or covert mental operations (e.g., imagery). The ERP is obtained by extracting and then averaging multiple temporal segments from the ongoing EEG that define the event of interest. The amplitude, latency, and topography of the resulting positive and negative deflections are taken to index the underlying mental operations. ERPs elucidate the cognitive processes in perception, attention, emotion, action, memory, and more.
Multi-Agent, Multi-Case-Based Reasoning

A new paradigm for case-based reasoning described here assembles a set of cases similar to a new case, solicits the opinions of multiple agents on them, and then combines their output to predict for a new case. We describe the general approach, along with lessons learned and issues identified. One application of the paradigm schedules constraint satisfaction solvers for parallel processing, based on their previous performance in competition, and produces schedules with performance close to that of an oracle. A second application predicts protein-ligand binding, based on an extensive chemical knowledge base and three sophisticated predictors. Despite noisy, biased biological data, the paradigm outperforms its constituent agents on benchmark protein-ligand data, and thereby promises faster, less costly drug discovery.
Specifications for Some Satellite Applications of Data Telemetry and Platform Location

The technical capabilities of satellite systems traditionally are divided into two categories: 1) Remote sensing. 2) Data transmission and platform location.
Production of methane and ethylene from plastic in the environment

Mass production of plastics started nearly 70 years ago and the production rate is expected to double over the next two decades. While serving many applications because of their durability, stability and low cost, plastics have deleterious effects on the environment. Plastic is known to release a variety of chemicals during degradation, which has a negative impact on biota. Here, we show that the most commonly used plastics produce two greenhouse gases, methane and ethylene, when exposed to ambient solar radiation. Polyethylene, which is the most produced and discarded synthetic polymer globally, is the most prolific emitter of both gases. We demonstrate that the production of trace gases from virgin low-density polyethylene increase with time, with rates at the end of a 212-day incubation of 5.8 nmol g-1 d-1 of methane, 14.5 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethylene, 3.9 nmol g-1 d-1 of ethane and 9.7 nmol g-1 d-1 of propylene. Environmentally aged plastics incubated in water for at least 152 days also produced hydrocarbon gases. In addition, low-density polyethylene emits these gases when incubated in air at rates ~2 times and ~76 times higher than when incubated in water for methane and ethylene, respectively. Our results show that plastics represent a heretofore unrecognized source of climate-relevant trace gases that are expected to increase as more plastic is produced and accumulated in the environment.
Dietary Practices Among Stroke-survivors-Racial/Ethnic Differences.

Abstract Background Healthy lifestyle choices, particularly optimal nutrition, are crucial to stroke prevention and reducing risk of recurrent stroke. Racial differences exist in poststroke outcomes; however, few studies have examined the influence of race on poststroke diet or nutrition practices, despite nutrition being critical to stroke recovery. The objective of this analyzes was therefore to examine racial/ ethnic differences in nutrition activities among stroke survivors using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Methods Cross-sectional data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2011-2014) were analyzed for adults (n = 431) who responded “yes” that they had been told by a health professional that they had a stroke. The main outcome measure was food consumption/nutrition behavior. Descriptive statistics were conducted for demographic characteristics. Pearson Chi square statistics were performed for baseline demographic and clinical comparisons. A negative binomial regression analysis was utilized for racial/ethnic comparisons of dietary/nutrition behaviors. Results The mean age of the sample was 66.6 years (Standard Deviation, 12.7) but the mean age of stroke onset was 57.9 years (Standard Deviation, 15.8), with Mexican American/Hispanics experiencing their strokes at a younger age than other racial groups (P Conclusions Racial/ethnic differences in poststroke nutrition practices, highlight a potential need for focused nutrition counseling for minority population at higher risk of poor poststroke outcomes.
Measuring Color Perception through Laser Mitigation Coatings on Aircraft Windshields

Ground-based laser illuminations directed towards arriving and departing aircraft have increased in the past decade. A laser aimed at the windshield of an aircraft may distract a pilot and compromise safety. Previous studies provided empirical evidence of laser intensity in the flight deck from ground-based laser illumination events and the potential for adverse effects to flight safety. Most recent studies focused on testing the application of various coatings to aircraft windshields in order to reduce the effects of laser exposure to crewmembers. Safe and efficient flight operations depend on the ability of a pilot to see normal spectrums of color. Therefore, this study used the Ishihara Pseudoisochromatic Plates Color Vision Test to investigate participants’ color perception through an aircraft windshield coated with a photoresponsive nanocomposite film designed to reduce laser intensity from entering a flight deck. This study tested the hypothesis that there were no differences between color vision test scores when conducting trials with coated and non-coated windshields. Participants were individuals who held a current FAA medical certificate and held a minimum of a student pilot certificate (N = 104). Data analysis consisted of a repeated measures design that included within-subjects factors where each of the participants was tested from two trials, each under two conditions: coated and non-coated. The order of trials was altered using a counterbalancing technique which also provided a between-subjects factor. A paired-samples t-test was calculated to compare the mean of error by participants when taking the Ishihara Test through the non-coated windshield to the mean of the error by participants when taking the test through the coated windshield. No significant difference from the non-coated to the coated windshield was found (t(103) = 1.274, p > 0.05, n = 104). Findings suggest that effective color vision can be maintained through photoresponsive nanocomposite coatings.
Microinjection and Micromanipulation: A Historical Perspective.

Microinjection/micromanipulation is more than 100 years old. It is a technique that is instrumental in biomedical research and healthcare. Its longevity lies in its preciseness in mechanical retrieval, or delivery of biological materials, which in some cases is simply necessary or more effective than other retrieval/delivery means. Microinjection is favored for its straightforwardness in transferring contents from micromolecules to macromolecules and from organelles to cells. Microinjection/micromanipulation has been practiced over the century like an art form. Variations in handlings and instruments can be tolerated to a surprising degree with satisfactory outcomes. Throughout the century, microinjection developed as an indispensable tool along with the evolution of biomedical fields: from transgenics to gene targeting, from animal cloning to human infertility treatment, from nuclease-guided genetic engineering to RNA-guided genome editing (Fig. 1). The birth of the CRISPRology rejuvenated microinjection. For microinjection/micromanipulation, the second century has already begun with the early arrival of computerized instrumentation and lately of the high-throughput nanomanipulators potentially operable by artificial intelligence. As we yin-yang both systemic and precision approaches in research and medicine, microinjection will no doubt continue to find its unique place in the future.
Graphene acoustic plasmon resonator for ultrasensitive infrared spectroscopy.

One of the fundamental hurdles in plasmonics is the trade-off between electromagnetic field confinement and the coupling efficiency with free-space light, a consequence of the large momentum mismatch between the excitation source and plasmonic modes. Acoustic plasmons in graphene, in particular, have an extreme level of field confinement, as well as an extreme momentum mismatch. Here, we show that this fundamental compromise can be overcome and demonstrate a graphene acoustic plasmon resonator with nearly perfect absorption (94%) of incident mid-infrared light. This high efficiency is achieved by utilizing a two-stage coupling scheme: free-space light coupled to conventional graphene plasmons, which then couple to ultraconfined acoustic plasmons. To realize this scheme, we transfer unpatterned large-area graphene onto template-stripped ultraflat metal ribbons. A monolithically integrated optical spacer and a reflector further boost the enhancement. We show that graphene acoustic plasmons allow ultrasensitive measurements of absorption bands and surface phonon modes in angstrom-thick protein and SiO2 layers, respectively. Our acoustic plasmon resonator platform is scalable and can harness the ultimate level of light-matter interactions for potential applications including spectroscopy, sensing, metasurfaces and optoelectronics.
An exploratory study of the relationship between postoperative nausea and vomiting and postdischarge nausea and vomiting in children undergoing ambulatory surgery

Background The factors contributing to postoperative nausea and vomiting in children have been identified, but there have been no reported studies that have studied pediatric postdischarge nausea and vomiting. Aims This preliminary study aimed to identify the factors affecting postdischarge nausea and vomiting in ambulatory children, specifically whether postoperative nausea and vomiting factors are contributory. Methods One hundred and twenty-two pediatric patients aged 5-10 years undergoing elective ambulatory surgery participated in this institution-approved study. After obtaining written parental consent and patient assent when indicated, child self-ratings of nausea and pain were completed preoperatively and at discharge, and for 3 days postdischarge. Questionnaires were returned by mail, with a 64% return rate. Using stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination, three separate analyses were undertaken to predict the following outcomes: nausea present in recovery, nausea present on postoperative day 1, and emesis on day of surgery. Results Nearly half (47%) of our cohort experienced nausea at the time of discharge; 11% had emesis on day of surgery. On postoperative day 1, there was a 15% incidence of nausea with a 3% incidence of emesis. In the multiple logistic regression analyses, nausea at discharge was predicted by male gender (odds ratio 2.5, 95% CI: 1.0-6.2) and the presence of pain on discharge (odds ratio 3.0, 95% CI: 1.0-9.2). Emesis on day of surgery was predicted by the presence of nausea at discharge (odds ratio 16.9, 95% CI: 1.8-159.3) and having a family history of nausea/vomiting (odds ratio 8.3, 95% CI: 1.6-43.4). The presence of nausea on postoperative day 1 was predicted only by the presence of nausea on discharge (odds ratio 3.7, 95% CI: 1.2-11.1). Conclusion Our preliminary data indicate that postoperative nausea and vomiting may persist into the postdischarge period and pain may be a contributing factor.
A new coding-based algorithm for finding closest pair of vectors

Abstract Given n vectors x 0 , x 1 , … , x n − 1 in { 0 , 1 } m , how to find two vectors whose pairwise Hamming distance is minimum? This problem is known as the Closest Pair Problem. If these vectors are generated uniformly at random except two of them are correlated with Pearson-correlation coefficient ρ, then the problem is called the Light Bulb Problem. In this work, we propose a novel coding-based scheme for the Closest Pair Problem. We design both randomized and deterministic algorithms, which achieve the best-known running time when the length of input vectors m is small and the minimum distance is very small compared to m. Specifically, the running time of our randomized algorithm is O ( n log 2 ⁡ n ⋅ 2 c m ⋅ poly ( m ) ) and the running time of our deterministic algorithm is O ( n log ⁡ n ⋅ 2 c ′ m ⋅ poly ( m ) ) , where c and c ′ are constants depending only on the (relative) distance of the closest pair. When applied to the Light Bulb Problem, our result yields state-of-the-art deterministic running time when the Pearson-correlation coefficient ρ is very large. Specifically, when ρ ≥ 0.9933 , our deterministic algorithm runs faster than the previously best deterministic algorithm (Alman, SOSA 2019).
Biogas Plasticization Coupled Anaerobic Digestion: Anaerobic Pump Calorimetry.

This paper presents the quantitative bomb calorimetric high heat values (HHV) for residue samples collected from the Anaerobic Pump (®TAP) and a continuous flow stirred tank reactor (CFSTR) anaerobically digesting a 50:50 wastewater sludge substrate. TAP, an advanced anaerobic digestion (AD) process, features biogas plasticization that greatly increases gas production and leaves a mineralized residual. Measured residue HHVs are compared to HHV estimates from literature empirical relationships. Two empirical formulations, the Meraz thermodynamic formulation (with 7.4% moisture) (Meraz et al. The Chemical Educator, 7(2), 66–70, (2002) and the Channiwala Universal formulation (Channiwala et al. Fuel, 81(8), 1051–1063, (2002), compared favorably (within ± 3% mean value) with the bomb measured HHV values. A stoichiometric ICC description for Ucells is derived. The thermodynamic formation potentials of all measured residues are derived including Ucells. An empirical method was used to calculate the entropy of formation (∆fS) for all residues and Ucells. Krevelen plots show residue molar ratios of oxygen and hydrogen to carbon (H/C, O/C) are linearly correlated with HHV and formation potentials (∆fG’, ∆fH’, ∆fS’) with strong statistical coefficients of determination (R2). Residue H/C and O/C ratios fell across the peat classification on the biomass coalification diagram. A wide AD methane fermentation zone ≤ 18.6 MJ/kg is identified. The methods and correlation relationships presented enable the computation of accurate HHV and thermodynamic formation potentials without the necessity of direct thermal measurement. These quantitative results confirm that steady state AD of a well-known heterogeneous solid substrate (WWTP sludge) is a linear thermodynamic process.
Clinical presentation, treatment, and short-term outcomes of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping: a prospective observational cohort study.

Summary Background An ongoing outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping (also known as E-VALI or VALI) started in March, 2019, in the USA. The cause, diagnosis, treatment, and course of this disease remains unknown. Methods In this multicentre, prospective, observational, cohort study, we collected data on all patients with lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping seen in Intermountain Healthcare, an integrated health system based in Utah, USA, between June 27 and Oct 4, 2019. Telecritical care, based in Salt Lake City, UT, USA, was used as the central repository for case validation, public reporting, and system-wide dissemination of expertise, which included a proposed diagnosis and treatment guideline for lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping. We extracted data on patient presentation, treatment, and short-term follow-up (2 weeks after discharge) from chart review and interviews with patients undertaken by the Utah Department of Health (Salt Lake City, UT, USA). Findings 60 patients presented with lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping at 13 hospitals or outpatient clinics in the integrated health system. 33 (55%) of 60 were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). 53 (88%) of 60 patients presented with constitutional symptoms, 59 (98%) with respiratory symptoms, and 54 (90%) with gastrointestinal symptoms. 54 (90%) of 60 were given antibiotics and 57 (95%) were given steroids. Six (10%) of 60 patients were readmitted to an ICU or hospital within 2 weeks, three (50%) of whom had relapsed with vaping or e-cigarette use. Of 26 patients who were followed up within 2 weeks, despite clinical and radiographic improvement in all, many had residual abnormalities on chest radiographs (ten [67%] of 15) and pulmonary function tests (six [67%] of nine). Two patients died and lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping was thought to be a contributing factor, but not the cause of death, for both. Interpretation Lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping is an emerging illness associated with severe lung injury and constitutional and gastrointestinal symptoms. Increased awareness has led to identification of a broad spectrum of severity of illness in patients who were treated with antibiotics and steroids. Despite improvement, at short-term follow-up many patients had residual abnormalities. Lung injury associated with e-cigarettes or vaping remains a clinical diagnosis with symptoms that overlap infectious and other lung diseases. Maintaining a high index of suspicion for this disease is important as work continues in understanding the cause or causes, optimal therapy, and long-term outcomes of these patients. Funding Intermountain Healthcare.
Quantifying abrasive-blasted surface roughness profiles using scanning electron microscopy

Rough surface profiles are specified for metal surfaces so that corrosion preventative coatings adhere well and provide long-term protection. Simple stylus scans and replica tape are widely used in industry to characterize surfaces and control the quality of surface preparation. Unfortunately, a scientific, quantitative connection between adhesion and surface profile parameters remains unclear. Stereo-pair images from scanning electron microscopy, SEM, were used to digitally reconstruct and then characterize 3D surfaces, which is a technique that seems previously unreported in coatings applications. SEM results were consistent with those from a stylus profilometer, but the data from a surface scan are much more numerous than from a line scan, and SEM can provide very high magnifications. 3D surfaces at high magnification gave larger values for the increase in area developed by the abrasive blasting than were determined at lower magnifications and by the stylus profilometer. Nevertheless, both techniques showed that the surface roughness height and ramification was far less than might be expected from illustrations in the existing literature on coatings’ adhesion. Quantified characterization, with details shown at high magnification, may provide scientific insight into how the various features of a roughened surface enhance the adhesion of protective coatings.
Changes in Reproductive Rate of SARS-CoV-2 Due to Non-pharmaceutical Interventions in 1,417 U.S. Counties

Abstract In response to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the U.S. has largely delegated implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to local governments on the state and county level. This staggered implementation combined with the heterogeneity of the U.S. complicates quantification the effect of NPIs on the reproductive rate of SARS-CoV-2. We describe a data-driven approach to quantify the effect of NPIs that relies on county-level similarities to specialize a Bayesian mechanistic model based on observed fatalities. Using this approach, we estimate change in reproductive rate, Rt, due to implementation of NPIs in 1,417 U.S. counties. We estimate that as of May 28th, 2020 1,177 out of the considered 1,417 U.S. counties have reduced the reproductive rate of SARS-CoV-2 to below 1.0. The estimated effect of any individual NPI, however, is different across counties. Stay-at-home orders were estimated as the only effective NPI in metropolitan and urban counties, while advisory NPIs were estimated to be effective in more rural counties. The expected level of infection predicted by the model ranges from 0 to 28.7% and is far from herd immunity even in counties with advanced spread. Our results suggest that local conditions are pertinent to containment and re-opening decisions.
Cytokine-Targeted Therapeutics for KSHV-Associated Disease

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), is linked to several human malignancies including Kaposi sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), multicentric Castleman’s disease (MCD) and recently KSHV inflammatory cytokine syndrome (KICS). As with other diseases that have a significant inflammatory component, current therapy for KSHV-associated disease is associated with significant off-target effects. However, recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of KSHV have produced new insight into the use of cytokines as potential therapeutic targets. Better understanding of the role of cytokines during KSHV infection and tumorigenesis may lead to new preventive or therapeutic strategies to limit KSHV spread and improve clinical outcomes. The cytokines that appear to be promising candidates as KSHV antiviral therapies include interleukins 6, 10, and 12 as well as interferons and tumor necrosis factor-family cytokines. This review explores our current understanding of the roles that cytokines play in promoting KSHV infection and tumorigenesis, and summarizes the current use of cytokines as therapeutic targets in KSHV-associated diseases.
Energy value of dry fat and stabilised rice bran for broiler chickens.

1. The ileal digestible energy (IDE), metabolisable energy (ME) and nitrogen-corrected ME (MEn) of dry fat (DF) and stabilised rice bran (SRB) were determined in two experiments with broiler chicke...
Effect of Various Speed Management Strategies on Bicycle Crashes for Urban Roads in Central Florida

In recent years, cycling has become an increasingly popular transportation mode around the world. In comparison with other popular modes of transportation, cycling is economical and energy efficien...
Fast Electrostatic Analysis For VLSI Aging based on Generative Learning

Electrostatic analysis, which computes electrical potential and electrical field, is important for VLSI reliability and high speed circuit design. Deep learning provides new opportunities and challenges to speedup the analysis process by learning physical laws and feature representations. In this work, we propose an image generative learning framework for electrostatic analysis for VLSI dielectric aging estimation. This work leverages the observation that the synthesized multi layer interconnect VLSI layout can be viewed as layered 2D images and the analysis can be viewed as the image generation. The efficient image-to-image translation property of generative learning is therefore used to obtain the potential distribution on the respective interconnect layers. Compared with the recent CNN-based electrostatic analysis method, the new method can lead to 1.54x speedup for inference due to reduced neural network structures and parameters. We demonstrate the proposed method for time-dependent dielectric breakdown analysis and show the significant speedup compared to the traditional numerical method.
Infant study of hemispheric asymmetry after long-gap esophageal atresia repair.

OBJECTIVES Previous studies have demonstrated that infants are typically born with a left-greater-than-right forebrain asymmetry that reverses throughout the first year of life. We hypothesized that critically ill term-born and premature patients following surgical and critical care for long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) would exhibit alteration in expected forebrain asymmetry. METHODS Term-born (n = 13) and premature (n = 13) patients, and term-born controls (n = 23) <1 year corrected age underwent non-sedated research MRI following completion of LGEA treatment via Foker process. Structural T1- and T2-weighted images were collected, and ITK-SNAP was used for forebrain tissue segmentation and volume acquisition. Data were presented as absolute (cm3 ) and normalized (% total forebrain) volumes of the hemispheres. All measures were checked for normality, and group status was assessed using a general linear model with age at scan as a covariate. RESULTS Absolute volumes of both forebrain hemispheres were smaller in term-born and premature patients in comparison to controls (p < 0.001). Normalized hemispheric volume group differences were detected by T1-weighted analysis, with premature patients demonstrating right-greater-than-left hemisphere volumes in comparison to term-born patients and controls (p < 0.01). While normalized group differences were very subtle (a right hemispheric predominance of roughly 2% of forebrain volume), they represent a deviation from the expected pattern of hemispheric brain asymmetry. INTERPRETATION Our pilot quantitative MRI study of hemispheric volumes suggests that premature patients might be at risk of altered expected left-greater-than-right forebrain asymmetry following repair of LGEA. Future neurobehavioral studies in infants born with LGEA are needed to elucidate the functional significance of presented anatomical findings.
A dual-current method for characterizing common-mode loop impedance

The definition of common-mode loop impedance is proposed instead of the ambiguous definition of common-mode impedance. Moreover, a noninvasive measurement method to characterize the common-mode loop impedance using dual clamp-on current probe is presented herein. The frequency responses of the current probes are deembedded through a calibration procedure. Independent direct measurements using a network analyzer corroborate the validity of the Dual-Current-Probe Method.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms of pattern recognition receptors and chronic periodontitis

Sahingur SE, Xia X-J, Gunsolley J, Schenkein HA, Genco RJ, De Nardin E. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of pattern recognition receptors and chronic periodontitis. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 184–192. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease influenced partly by genetics. Activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can lead to the up-regulation of inflammatory pathways, resulting in periodontal tissue destruction. Hence, functional polymorphisms located in PRRs can explain differences in host susceptibility to periodontitis. This study investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms of PRRs including toll-like receptor (TLR)2 (G2408A), TLR4 (A896G), TLR9 (T1486C), TLR9 (T1237C) and CD14 (C260T) in patients with chronic periodontitis and in periodontally healthy subjects. Methods: One-hundred and fourteen patients with chronic periodontitis and 77 periodontally healthy subjects were genotyped using TaqMan® allelic discrimination assays. Fisher’s exact test and chi-square analyses were performed to compare genotype and allele frequencies. Results: The frequency of subjects with the CC genotype of CD14 (C260T) (24.6% in the chronic periodontitis group vs. 13% in the periodontally healthy group) and those expressing the T allele of CD14 (C260T) (CT and TT) (75.4% in the chronic periodontitis group vs. 87% in the periodontally healthy group) was statistically different among groups (p = 0.04). Homozygocity for the C allele of the CD14 (C260T) polymorphism (CC) was associated with a two--fold increased susceptibility to periodontitis (p = 0.04; odds ratio, 2.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–6.26). Individuals with the CC genotype of TLR9 (T1486C) (14.9% in the chronic periodontitis group vs. 28.6% in the periodontally healthy group) and those expressing the T allele of TLR9 (T1486C) (CT and TT) (85.1% in the chronic periodontitis group vs. 71.4% in the periodontally healthy group) were also significantly differently distributed between groups without adjustment (p = 0.03). Further analysis of nonsmokers revealed a significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between groups for TLR9 (T1486C; p = 0.017) and CD14 (C260T; p = 0.03), polymorphisms again without adjustment. Conclusion: The CC genotype of CD14 (C260T) is related to susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in Caucasians. In addition, differences observed in the distribution of TLR9 (T1486C) genotypes between groups warrant further investigation.
What are Genetic Algorithms? A Mathematical Prespective

This talk presents a “big picture” view of genetic search in a general, abstract setting. It limits consideration to simple generational versions of time invariant Markovian GAs (the next generation depends only upon the current population) with the aim of uncovering, in general terms, their inherent emergent behavior. Along the way, a few issues related to classical “GA theory” are touched upon so as to sketch the context out of which the material presented in the remainder of the talk grew, and to indicate a few of the problems it partially addresses.
Insects As Vectors Of Foodborne Pathogens

Many of the numerous species of insects that are attracted to food and to food-contact surfaces carry on or within their bodies a plethora of bacteria and other microbes, some of which are capable of causing disease in humans and domestic animals. Strict adherence to standard sanitation practices and constant vigilance at all levels of the food chain are the primary lines of defense against incidents of foodborne disease. Flies and cockroaches are notable for their habits of indiscriminately visiting both pathogen-laden substrates and food destined for human or domestic animal consumption. Ants that enter buildings are both indefatigable foragers and reliable carriers and disseminators of any pathogens they happen to acquire. The moths and beetles that live in dry cereal foods are capable of transporting fungal spores within the food material. It is not possible to prevent all instances of contamination of food by pathogens carried by insects. However, that eventuality can be minimized by implementing a four-pronged program, AIM=F: anticipate—document all possible scenarios by which insects might contaminate food; inform—train all persons associated with the food chain to recognize danger when they see it; mitigate—develop and practice protocols to quickly deal with any actual or potential incident of food contamination by insects; frustrate—utilizing the first three action measures will neutralize or minimize any deliberate attempt to effect a bioterror incident. Keywords: muscoid flies; house flies; fruit flies; cockroaches; ants; moths; beetles; pantry pests; vector; foodborne pathogens; antibiotic resistance
English Medieval Misericords: The Margins of Meaning

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Paul Hardwick Year: 2011 Pages: 189 Publisher: Boydell and Brewer ISBN: 978-1-84383-659-9 (hard cover).
Wishing for a One-Armed Expert: Recommendation as a Philosophical Attitude.

Abstract Evaluators vary in their propensity to make direct valuative judgments of program worth. Arguments in favor of including recommendations in evaluation reports and those supporting purely descriptive evaluations are imbedded in philosophical preferences. The decision to include or refrain from recommendations implies a different perspective on (a) the nature of reality, (b) truth and knowledge, (c) human agency, and (d) informational utility.
HYPOGLYCEMIA AND RH ERYTHROBLASTOSIS FETALIS

Severe Rh-erythroblastosis fetalis was associated with hypoglycemia in two newborn infants; one died at age 26 hours. Possible etiologic factors include transient functional hyperinsulinism and rebound hypoglycemia following exchange transfusions of ACD-preserved blood.