cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarahaeidae) Traps: Comparison of Commercial and Homemade Traps

Commercial and homemade Popillia japonica Newman traps available to the public, were evaluated for relative effectiveness during the summers of 1981, 1982, and 1983 in Knox County, Tenn. Dual lure (food + sex attractant) traps (Bag-a-Bug, Lure N Kill, the Beetle Bagger, and homemade milk jug) caught significantly more beetles than did single (food) lure traps (Ellisco, modified USDA survey, and homemade milk jug). Painting homemade milk jug traps chrome yellow did not significantly increase the catch but the use of a dual lure did. Differential trap capacity affected catch more than trap or lure type under extremely heavy beetle pressure.
PARAPROTEINEMIA AND NEUROPATHY

Paraprotein-associated neuropathies are a diverse group of disorders. The pathogenesis of many of them is poorly understood. Treatments have usually consisted of plasma exchange, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and other immunosuppressive therapies. Response to treatment has varied from good to very poor. Most recent work in this field has had two goals: achieving a better understanding of pathogenesis and developing better treatments. Such diverse entities as hepatitis C virus, vascular endothelial growth factor, and cytokines now appear to play a role in pathogenesis. More aggressive therapies such a bone marrow transplantation, interferon-alpha, and Rituximab have shown some promise.
Response of Hematopoietic Tissues to Artificially Induced Fever

ConclusionArtificially induced fever within therapeutic limits destroys lymphocytes and inhibits lymphopoiesis in the normal experimental animal, while at the same time resulting in an increase and extension of marrow myelopoiesis, tissue clasmatocytosis and peripheral granulocytic leucocytosis. The character and nature of this profound effect of fever upon the cellular equilibria may indicate an accessory role in the strengthening or weakening of the body defenses—depending upon the particular circumstance—and should be considered whenever artificial hyperpyrexia is contemplated as a means of treating human disease.
The Golden Section and the Piano Sonatas of Mozart

(1995). The Golden Section and the Piano Sonatas of Mozart. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 68, No. 4, pp. 275-282.
Foraging by a Predaceous Beetle, Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in a Polyculture: Effects of Plant Density and Diversity

Experimental studies in a greenhouse demonstrated that the foraging rate per individual of a predaceous beetle, Coleomegilla maculata , on egg masses of the European corn borer was significantly reduced by increasing density, but not diversity, of the plants on which it foraged. In higher-density plantings, the beetles apparently spent more time foraging on plants that contained no food, indicating a certain degree of randomness in the foraging behavior of the beetle. These data help explain why observed predation rates on European corn borer egg masses were higher in field plantings of com monocultures than the more densely planted corn-bean-squash polycultures. Since polycultures are nearly always more dense than their respective monocultures, intercropping may act to decrease the predation rate and abundance of certain insect predators or parasites.
Family satisfaction and social networking leisure

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore the bidirectional relationship between the use of social networking sites (SNS) for leisure, and family and leisure satisfaction. The sociotechnological model served as a sensitising theoretical framework for this study. Seven families (22 individuals) took part in group and individual interviews. The data obtained from interviews were analysed using constant comparative method. The results showed that influences of SNS on satisfaction with family leisure and family satisfaction varied: the use of SNS helped families to build enjoyable family leisure, stay connected with family members and increase a sense of belonging. In some cases, however, it also decreased the amount of time spent with family, lowered attention during face-to-face interactions, provided opportunity for negative comparisons and caused concerns about the development of social skills among youth. In turn, family relationships and satisfaction with family life influenced the way family mem...
Epidemiological analysis of Guillain-Barre syndrome before and after using H1N1 influenza virus vaccine in Hebei province

Objective To understand the epidemiological changes of Guillain- Barre Syndrome( GBS) before and after using H1N1 influenza virus vaccine,study the influence of H1N1 influenza virus vaccine on GBS incidence. Methods Analyzed the incidence of GBS in Hebei province by means of compare before using the H1N1 flu vaccine( 2006- 2009),and after using the H1N1 flu vaccine( 2010- 2012). Results Male is higher than female among children under 15 years old children before and after the H1N1 influenza virus vaccine in Hebei province; the GBS incidence of preschool children under 6 years old was the highest of 1. 18 /100000; the incidence of GBS of school- age children aged between 6- 11 yeas old was the second of 0. 57 /100000; the lowest incidence rate was among middle school student aged 1- 14 years old of 0. 39 /100000;After vaccination,the GBS incidence rate is between 0. 42 /100000- 0. 57 /100000,the average incidence of0. 49 /100000,decreased 54. 2% compared to GBS incidence before vaccination; there is significant statistically difference by comparison( χ2= 88. 55,P 0. 01); Before and after the H1 NI flu vaccine,there was no significant difference of GBS incidence season constitution ratio by comparison( χ2= 2. 24,P 0. 05). Conclusions After mass vaccination H1N1 influenza vaccine,there is no significant differences of epidemiological characteristics for GBS incidence among children under 15 years,it is suggested that to strengthen the GBS surveillance resources and the collection of influenza vaccination data further,to provide a reference on research the relevance of GBS incidence and influenza vaccines.
Superposition of sphero-cylindrical lenses using contour graphs.

BACKGROUND The superposition of thin sphero-cylindrical lenses with arbitrary angles between cylindrical axes is sometimes required in a clinical setting. For example, it may be useful in some instances to perform an overrefraction which, added to the spectacle or toric contact lens in place on the eye, yields a final correcting lens. METHODS Computer calculations have been used to create contour graphs allowing a graphical solution to the problem of combining sphero-cylindrical lenses. Although conceptually strightforward, the method has not been presented before. RESULTS The use of contour graphs to superpose sphero-cylindrical lenses is shown by examples to be accurate and much simpler than calculational methods. CONCLUSIONS Lacking a pre-programmed computer, the method of contour graphs offers a practical method of combining sphero-cylindrical lenses.
Timing of longleaf seedling release from over topping hardwoods: A look 30 years later

Significant dij$rerellces in longleaf pine (Pinus pal- ustris) growth among early and delayed seedling release treatments were recorded at age IO, but these d~ferences had disappeared upon reexamination at age 31. A study begun in 1949 inch&d six release treatments: complete seedling release from overt+@% hard- woods at ages I, 2, 3, 4, and 8 years, plus an unreleased check. Treatments were randomly applied among six 0.1 -acre p&s in each of sir blocks, which included both poor and average sites. Seedling o!evelopment was observed through age 10. When pines in five surviving blocks (two poor site, three average sue) were remeasured in. I979 at age 31, there were no signtjiint differmces among release treatments in average tree heights and di&eters or stand basal areas and volumes. The check treatment had signifuantly lower tree heights, stand densities, and stand volumes than any release treatment.
Implementation and effectiveness of a didactic pharmacy leadership elective

Abstract Objective To create, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a pharmacy leadership elective to change perceptions of personal leadership abilities for third-year pharmacy students. Methods A didactic pharmacy leadership elective course utilizing peer teaching was designed to promote future leaders within the pharmacy profession. A total of six students were enrolled in the first delivery of this elective. The course format was a combination of assigned readings, in-class activities, self-reflections, guest speakers, peer-taught student workshops, APPE student facilitation, and portfolio creation. Evaluation of student perceptions was assessed by pre-course and post-course surveys. Results Students reported perceived growth in all aspects of the course surveys, engaged more productively during course encounters, and provided positive feedback regarding guest speakers and peer workshops. Data suggested students felt more comfortable providing the definition of leadership, recognizing their own leadership capabilities, and identifying potential resources for professional growth. Conclusions A didactic pharmacy leadership elective course was successfully implemented. Student perception data and feedback indicated that the course was effective in utilizing peer teaching to promote awareness of leadership capabilities and stimulating personal growth.
Norepinephrine Inhibits a Toxin Resistant Ca2+ Current in Carotid Body Glomus Cells: Evidence for a Direct G Protein Mechanism

Overholt, Jeffrey L. and Nanduri R. Prabhakar. Norepinephrine inhibits a toxin resistant Ca2+ current in carotid body glomus cells: evidence for a direct G protein mechanism. J. Neurophysiol. 81: 225–233, 1999. Previous studies have demonstrated that endogenous norepinephrine (NE) inhibits carotid body (CB) sensory discharge, and the cellular actions of NE have been associated with inhibition of Ca2+ current in glomus cells. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the characteristics and mechanism of NE inhibition of whole cell Ca2+ current isolated from rabbit CB glomus cells and to determine the type(s) of Ca2+ channel involved. NE (10 μM) inhibited 24 ± 2% (SE) of the macroscopic Ca2+ current measured at the end of a 25 ms pulse to 0 mV and slowed activation of the current. The α2 adrenergic receptor antagonist, SK&F 86466, attenuated these effects. Inhibition by NE was fast and voltage-dependent i.e., maximal at −10 mV and then diminished with stronger depolarizations. This is characteristic of G protein βγ subunit interaction with the α1 subunit of certain Ca2+ channels, which can be relieved by depolarizing steps. A depolarizing step (30 ms to +80 mV) significantly increased (14 ± 1%) current in the presence of NE, whereas it had no effect before application of NE (1 ± 1%). To further test for the involvement of G proteins, NE was applied to cells where intracellular GTP was replaced by GDP-βS. NE had little or no effect on Ca2+ current in cells dialyzed with GDP-βS. To determine whether NE was inhibiting N- and/or P/Q-type channels, we applied NE in the presence of ω-conotoxin MVIIC (MVIIC). In the presence of 2.5 μM MVIIC, NE was equally potent at inhibiting the Ca2+ current (23 ± 4% vs. 23 ± 4% in control), suggesting that NE was not exclusively inhibiting N- or P/Q-type channels. NE was also equally potent (30 ± 2% vs. 26 ± 4% in control) at inhibiting the Ca2+ current in the presence of 2 μM nisoldipine, suggesting that NE was not inhibiting L-type channels. Further, NE inhibited a significantly larger proportion (47 ± 6%) of the resistant Ca2+ current remaining in the presence of NISO and MVIIC. These results suggest that NE inhibition of Ca2+ current in rabbit CB glomus cells is mediated in most part by effects on the resistant, non L-, N-, or P/Q-type channel and involves a direct G protein βγ interaction with this channel.
Flexible Organic Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews strategies for fabricating unconventional organic single crystals on mechanically flexible substrates. Flexible devices fabricated from organic semiconductors are among the most heavily researched topics in the area of organic electronics. This area of research is unique as it combines fundamental principles from areas of engineering, chemistry and physics. Nearly all examples on flexible transistors have used polycrystalline thin films of organic small molecules or solution processed polymer semiconductor layers. However, flexible organic single crystal transistors have recently debuted as next-generation devices that may very well open directions for new research opportunities. Fabrication of high-performance flexible single-crystal transistors on lightweight, flexible plastic substrates is expected to have a profound impact in the area of microelectronics. In principle, through integration with microfabricated circuits on flexible substrates, this new area may result in a viable technology for flexible electronics.
Shear Strength and Polymer Friction

The friction coefficient of thin polymer sheets under high loads can be accounted for by a simple extension of the adhesion theory of friction in which the pressure dependence of the shear strength of the polymer is taken into consideration. Recent measurements on polypropylene films, as well as earlier data on several other polymers, are used to illustrate these ideas.
Demographic Differences in Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder Symptoms in ADHD, Autism, and General Population Samples

Objective: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a controversial new diagnosis. No studies have investigated DMDD s...
Biventricular mechanics in constrictive pericarditis comparison with restrictive cardiomyopathy and impact of pericardiectomy.

Background— The aim of our study was to compare myocardial mechanics of constrictive pericarditis (CP) with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), or healthy controls; to assess the impact of pericardial thickening detected by cardiac magnetic resonance on regional myocardial mechanics in CP; and to quantitate the effect of pericardiectomy on myocardial mechanics in CP. Methods and Results— Myocardial mechanics were evaluated by 2-dimensional speckle tracking in 52 consecutive patients with CP who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination before pericardiectomy, 35 patients with RCM, and 26 control subjects. CP patients had selectively depressed left ventricular (LV) anterolateral wall strain (LWS) and right ventricular (RV) free wall longitudinal systolic strain (FWS) but preserved LV septal wall systolic strain (SWS). In a comparison of RCM and normals, CP patients had significantly lower regional longitudinal systolic strain ratios (CP versus RCM and normal; LVLWS/LVSWS: 0.8±0.2 versus 1.1±0.2 and 1.0±0.2; P P =0.011). There was a significant inverse correlation between pericardial thickness and respective ventricular strains ( P =0.001). Pericardiectomy resulted in the improvement of the depressed LVLWS/LVSWS (0.83±0.18–0.95±0.12; P Conclusions— Regional longitudinal systolic strain ratios are robust novel diagnostic tools for CP. Regional myocardial mechanics inversely correlates with adjacent pericardial segment thickness detected by cardiac magnetic resonance, and pericardiectomy leads to systolic strain improvement, which is more pronounced in right ventricular and LV free walls.
Graph analytics for healthcare fraud risk estimation

This paper presents a novel approach to estimating healthcare fraud (HCF) risk that applies network algorithms to graphs derived from open source datasets. One group of algorithms calculates behavioral similarity to known fraudulent and non-fraudulent healthcare providers with respect to measurable healthcare activities, such as medical procedures and drug prescriptions. Another set of algorithms estimates propagation of risk from fraudulent healthcare providers through geospatial collocation, i.e., shared practice locations or other addresses. The algorithms were evaluated with respect to their ability to predict a provider's presence on the Office of the Inspector General's list of providers excluded from participation in Medicare and other Federal healthcare programs (exclusion). In an empirical evaluation, a combination of 11 features achieved an f-score of 0.919 and a ROC area of 0.960 in exclusion prediction. An ablation analysis showed that most of this predictive accuracy was the result of features that measure risk propagation through geospatial collocation.
Role of Autologous Bladder-Neck Slings: A Urogynecology Perspective

The concept of the autologous pubovaginal sling involves supporting the proximal urethra and bladder neck with a piece of graft material, achieving continence either by providing a direct compressive force on the urethra/bladder outlet or by reestablishing a reinforcing platform or hammock against which the urethra is compressed during transmission of increased abdominal pressure. Pubovaginal slings using a biological sling material (whether autologous, allograft, or xenograft) can be used successfully to manage primary or recurrent stress incontinence. This article addresses the indications for the use of an autologous bladder-neck sling, describes the surgical techniques, and discusses outcomes and technical considerations.
Almost driftless navigation of 3D limit-cycle walking bipeds

This paper presents a method for navigating 3D dynamically walking bipedal robots amidst obstacles. Our framework relies on composing gait primitives corresponding to limit-cycle locomotion behaviors and it produces nominal motion plans that are compatible with the system's dynamics and can be tracked with high fidelity. The low-level controllers of the biped are designed within the Hybrid Zero Dynamics (HZD) framework. Exploiting the dimensional reduction afforded by HZD and properties of invariant sets of switching systems among multiple equilibria, we obtain polynomial approximations of a reduced order Poincare map and of the net change of the center of mass location over a stride. These polynomials are then incorporated in a high-level Rapidly Exploring Random Tree (RRT) planner to generate nominal plans which are tracked by the biped with drastically low drifting errors, without adversely affecting the time for computation.
Institutional Anomie Theory: A Macro-sociological Explanation of Crime

Criminologists have formulated a wide range of explanations for the causes of crime, as reflected in several chapters of this volume. One useful means for classifying these explanations is according to their primary level of analysis. Micro-level theories direct attention to characteristics of individuals (e.g., biological, psychological, and social psychological traits) or their immediate social context (e.g., family and peer influences) to explain individual differences in criminal offending. Macro-level theories, in contrast, explain the variation in ratesof crime across population “aggregates.” The nature of these aggregates varies in different theories. For example, social disorganization theories focus attention on features of relatively small-scale aggregates – the collection of people who live in the same neighborhood. The core insight of these theories is that variation in levels of crime reflects the degree of informal social control that residents are able to exercise over the geographic territory that comprises their neighborhood. The purpose of the present chapter is to describe a macro-level theory of crime, institutional anomie theory, which is formulated at a very high level of aggregation – the level of the
Ecosystem-level significance of acid forest soils

The distribution of plant species is generally thought to be determined by an interaction of soil factors functioning within the constraints of climatic factors. The objectives of this paper are to focus on the significance of soil factors, particularly extreme soil acidity, on ecosystem processes of a southeastern U.S. pine forest, and to address the hypothesis that these acid soils represent the primary component of the ecosystem, controlling such processes as nutrient cycling and plant species dynamics. Soils at this Coastal Plain forest site were derived from acidic, clayey marine-deposited sediments, creating the potential for low-nutrient, acidic soil conditions. Field data support this observation. Mean pH for the top 5-cm of soil throughout the watershed was 4.3. Extractable Na, K, Ca, and Mg were 0.48, 0.50, 5.07, and 3.21 meq kg−1, respectively, suggesting that base saturation could be <10%. ‘Available’ N (extractable NH 4 + NO 3 − ) was 0.51 meq kg−1. Such conditions are well-suited for the loblolly and longleaf pines that dominate this system. These pines produce acid, nutrient-poor litter, which accumulates from resultant slow decomposition. Fire thus has become important in this ecosystem, selecting for plant communities which are both fire-adapted and acid-tolerant. Coastal Plain pine flatwoods soils appear to be sensitive to further acidification and other related changes in soil and soil solution chemistry from long-term acid deposition.
Designing Arenaviral Vaccines

Several hemorrhagic fevers, including Lassa fever (LF; Lassa virus), Argentinian hemorrhagic fever (AHF; Junin virus), Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF; Machupo virus) and Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever (VHF; Guanarito virus) are caused by arenaviruses. These diseases can be devastating, and often lethal. LCMV, the prototype of the Arenaviridae, can cause aseptic meningitis, and is a known teratogen. Despite the pathogenicity of the arenaviruses, to date only one vaccine (against AHF) has been evaluated in humans. In this chapter we shall review the design of arena viral vaccines. The rational design of a vaccine requires that we consider (a) the viruses themselves, (b) the route(s) by which they infect the unfortunate host, (c) the host immune response induced, (d) possible negative consequences of immunization, and (e) the vaccine approaches available. Some of these topics are discussed in detail in other chapters of this volume, and thus will be described quite briefly below.
Optical Heterodyne Detection in Bragg Imaging

The technique of acoustic imaging by Bragg diffraction has been developed to the extent that it is now possible to produce images with resolution and detail comparing favorably with that attained by other acoustic visualization methods.
Transient Input-Specific Neural Plasticity in the Lateral Habenula Facilitates Learning.

In this issue of Neuron, Trusel et al. (2019) demonstrate that circuit-specific plasticity in the lateral habenula is dynamically involved in translating CS-US contingencies into cue-driven avoidance behavior. Disruption of this plasticity prevents learning about CS-US relationships when they are uncertain.
Coaching and Education for Diabetes Distress (CEDD): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Diabetes distress (DD), a type of psychological distress specific to people with diabetes, is strongly associated with difficulties in performing self-care and inability to meet glycemic targets. Despite increased recognition of the need to manage DD, interventions that are both feasible and effective for reducing DD in routine care settings are not yet known. A pilot study showed that health coaching (HC) has some efficacy in addressing DD, but no adequately powered study has implemented a pragmatic research design capable of assessing the real-world effectiveness of HC in reducing DD. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the rationale and design of an ongoing clinical trial, Coaching and Education for Diabetes Distress trial, that seeks to assess whether HC effectively reduces DD among primary care patients with diabetes and whether HC is more effective than an educational program targeting DD. Methods: The 2-arm randomized controlled trial is taking place at an academic family medicine practice in Houston, Texas. Both arms will receive usual care, which includes education about DD. In addition, the intervention arm will receive 8 HC sessions over a 5-month period. The primary outcome measure is reduction in DD over a 6-month period. Additional outcome measures include changes in hemoglobin A1c and self-care practices (medication-taking, dietary, and physical activity behaviors). Results: As of March 2019, screening and recruitment are ongoing, and the results are expected by July 2020. Conclusions: HC is feasible in primary care and has been successfully applied to improving chronic disease self-management and outcomes. This study will provide evidence as to whether it has significant value in addressing important unmet psychological and behavioral needs of patients with diabetes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03617146; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03617146 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/76Va37dbO) International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/12166
Aminoquinoline–Rhodium(II) Conjugates as Src-Family SH3 Ligands

High-affinity, selective ligands are sought for a variety of biomolecules but are particularly difficult to generate in the protein–protein interaction space. Rhodium(II) conjugates provide a struc...
Sporting Chances: Robot Referees and the Automation of Enforcement

This paper examines controversies about automated enforcement technologies in professional sports. Sports might seem like clear contexts for automating rule enforcement: rules are well-established, accuracy is ostensibly valued, human officials are known to be fallible, and “robot refs” are well within reach technologically. But in sports, automated officiating systems have faced strong resistance as substitutes for human judgment. We consider the reception of various types of automated officiating systems across four case studies (football, baseball, golf, and tennis) and describe reasons why each has faced hurdles to adoption, in favor of imperfect, human-dependent enforcement — what we term the “sporting chance.” The sporting chance is set forth in six sociocultural values of imperfect enforcement: drama, adversity, custom, integrity, humanity, and dignity. Consideration of these values in the sports context might fruitfully inform our understanding of public attitudes toward automation in other domains.
Decoding SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Evolution and Ramifications for COVID-19 Diagnosis, Vaccine, and Medicine.

Tremendous effort has been given to the development of diagnostic tests, preventive vaccines, and therapeutic medicines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Much of this development has been based on the reference genome collected on January 5, 2020. Based on the genotyping of 15â¯140 genome samples collected up to June 1, 2020, we report that SARS-CoV-2 has undergone 8309 single mutations which can be clustered into six subtypes. We introduce mutation ratio and mutation h-index to characterize the protein conservativeness and unveil that SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein, main protease, and endoribonuclease protein are relatively conservative, while SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, spike protein, and papain-like protease are relatively nonconservative. In particular, we have identified mutations on 40% of nucleotides in the nucleocapsid gene in the population level, signaling potential impacts on the ongoing development of COVID-19 diagnosis, vaccines, and antibody and small-molecular drugs.
Extraprimary Local Recurrence of Esthesioneuroblastoma: Case Series and Literature Review.

Abstract Objectives Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB) is a rare sinonasal malignancy arising from olfactory neuroepithelium. Recurrence typically occurs locoregionally at the primary site or in the form of cervical metastasis. Delayed local recurrence away from the initial primary site is exceedingly rare. Methods Retrospective review of four patients with histologically confirmed extraprimary local recurrence of ENB was performed with review of the literature. Case Series All cases initially presented with ENB isolated to the cribriform plate(s) treated with primary surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. The first patient had ENB recurrence 8 years post-treatment involving the right orbit. She later developed metastases to the spine, neck, and mandible requiring composite resection and four courses of radiotherapy. The second patient had ENB recurrence of the dorsal septum 9 years post-treatment with cervical metastases requiring septectomy, bilateral neck dissection, and radiotherapy. The third patient had ENB recurrence 7 years post-treatment in the posterior nasopharynx requiring endonasal nasopharyngectomy. Lastly, the fourth patient had ENB recurrence 12 years post-treatment in the sphenopalatine foramen which was endoscopically resected. At the time of this review, all four patients were disease free at 32-months, 21-months, 4-months, and 24-months post-treatment follow-ups, respectively. Conclusion This case series describes the rare phenomenon of delayed extraprimary local recurrence of histologically confirmed ENB. Treatment of extraprimary recurrences, analogous to other forms of ENB, should include primary surgical resection with adjuvant radiotherapy for generally favorable outcomes. Long term close follow-up based on symptoms, endoscopy, and imaging is essential due to the risk of delayed recurrence.
Pandemic Planning in the United States: An Examination of COVID-19 Data

In the early months of 2020, news spread that a coronavirus (COVID-19) had been detected in Wuhan, China The virus quickly spread across the country and to other continents As deaths mounted in the United States, evidence indicated that some states experienced a higher rate of COVID-19 deaths than other states and that African American communities were hit harder by the virus than other racial groups Hence, we pose two questions in this research: Are COVID-19 deaths spread equally across different states and regions of the United States? Secondly, are African Americans more likely to die from COVID-19 than other racial groups? Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and APM Research Lab, we show that some states witnessed significant loss of life due to the virus and that African Americans were more likely to die from the virus when compared with White residents © 2020 by The American Society for Public Administration
Statistical analysis of m/n = 2/1 locked and quasi-stationary modes with rotating precursors at DIII-D

A database has been developed to study the evolution, the nonlinear effects on equilibria, and the disruptivity of locked and quasi-stationary modes with poloidal and toroidal mode numbers m = 2 and n = 1 at DIII-D. The analysis of 22500 discharges shows that more than 18% of disruptions are due to locked or quasi-stationary modes with rotating precursors (not including born locked modes). A parameter formulated by the plasma internal inductance l i divided by the safety factor at 95% of the poloidal flux, q 95, is found to exhibit predictive capability over whether a locked mode will cause a disruption or not, and does so up to hundreds of milliseconds before the disruption. Within 20 ms of the disruption, the shortest distance between the island separatrix and the unperturbed last closed flux surface, referred to as d edge, performs comparably to in its ability to discriminate disruptive locked modes. Out of all parameters considered, d edge also correlates best with the duration of the locked mode. Disruptivity following a m/n = 2/1 locked mode as a function of the normalized beta, , is observed to peak at an intermediate value, and decrease for high values. The decrease is attributed to the correlation between and q 95 in the DIII-D operational space. Within 50 ms of a locked mode disruption, average behavior includes exponential growth of the n = 1 perturbed field, which might be due to the 2/1 locked mode. Surprisingly, even assuming the aforementioned 2/1 growth, disruptivity following a locked mode shows little dependence on island width up to 20 ms before the disruption. Separately, greater deceleration of the rotating precursor is observed when the wall torque is large. At locking, modes are often observed to align at a particular phase, which is likely related to a residual error field. Timescales associated with the mode evolution are also studied and dictate the response times necessary for disruption avoidance and mitigation. Observations of the evolution of during a locked mode, the effects of poloidal beta on the saturated width, and the reduction in Shafranov shift during locking are also presented.
Quantile-specific heritability of sibling leptin concentrations and its implications for gene-environment interactions.

"Quantile-dependent expressivity" occurs when the effect size of a genetic variant depends upon whether the phenotype (e.g., leptin) is high or low relative to its distribution. Leptin concentrations are strongly related to adiposity, whose heritability is quantile dependent. Whether inheritance of leptin concentrations is quantile dependent, and whether this explains the greater heritability in women than men in accordance with their greater adiposity, and explains other gene-environment interactions, remains to be determined. Therefore, leptin and leptin receptor concentrations from 3068 siblings in 1133 sibships from the Framingham Heart Study Third Generation Cohort were analyzed. Free leptin index (FLI) was calculated as the ratio of leptin to soluble leptin receptor concentrations. Full-sib (βFS) regression slopes were robustly estimated by quantile regression with nonparametric significance assigned from 1000 bootstrap samples. The analyses showed βFS increased significantly with increasing percentiles of the offspring's age- and sex-adjusted leptin distribution (Plinear = 0.0001), which was accelerated at the higher concentrations (Pquadratic = 0.0003). βFS at the 90th percentile (0.418 ± 0.066) was 4.7-fold greater than at the 10th percentile (0.089 ± 0.032, Pdifference = 3.6 × 10-6). Consistent with quantile-dependent expressivity, the βFS was greater in female sibs, which was attributable to their higher leptin concentrations. Reported gene-environment interactions involving adiposity and LEP, LEPR, MnSOD, PPARγ, PPARγ2, and IRS-1 polymorphisms were consistent with quantile-dependent expressivity of leptin concentrations. βFS for leptin receptor concentrations and free leptin index also increased significantly with increasing percentiles of their distributions (Plinear = 0.04 and Plinear = 8.5 × 10-6, respectively). In conclusion, inherited genetic and shared environmental effects on leptin concentrations were quantile dependent, which likely explains male-female differences in heritability and some gene-environment interactions.
The effectiveness of (Rabbinic) prenuptial agreements in preventing marital captivity

Jewish law (also known as Halakha) requires that a man give and a woman receive a get, a Jewish bill of divorce, in order to end their Jewish marriage, which has a legal existence independent of their civil marriage and is not ended by a civil divorce. Since around 1960, there have been many attempts to solve this problem of marital captivity in North America. American prenuptial agreements (PNAs) best address this problem of Orthodox Jewish husbands withholding a get. This article explains why Jewish law prefers contract-based solutions over legislative or judicial solutions and presents empirical research on which type of PNA best solves this problem in America.
Protocols for isolating and characterizing polysaccharides from plant cell walls: a case study using rhamnogalacturonan-II

Background In plants, a large diversity of polysaccharides comprise the cell wall. Each major type of plant cell wall polysaccharide, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, has distinct structures and functions that contribute to wall mechanics and influence plant morphogenesis. In recent years, pectin valorization has attracted much attention due to its expanding roles in biomass deconstruction, food and material science, and environmental remediation. However, pectin utilization has been limited by our incomplete knowledge of its structure. Herein, we present a workflow of principles relevant for the characterization of polysaccharide primary structure using nature's most complex polysaccharide, rhamnogalacturonan-II (RG-II), as a model. Results We outline how to isolate RG-II from celery and duckweed cell walls and from red wine using chemical or enzymatic treatments coupled with size-exclusion chromatography. From there, we applied mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques to determine the glycosyl residue and linkage compositions of the intact RG-II and derived oligosaccharides including special considerations for labile monosaccharides. In doing so, we demonstrated that in the duckweed Wolffiella repanda the arabinopyranosyl (Arap) residue of side chain B is substituted at O-2 with rhamnose. We used electrospray-MS techniques to identify non-glycosyl modifications including methyl-ethers, methyl-esters, and acetyl-esters on RG-II-derived oligosaccharides. We then showed the utility of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) to investigate the structure of intact RG-II and to complement the RG-II dimerization studies performed using size-exclusion chromatography. Conclusions The complexity of pectic polysaccharide structures has hampered efforts aimed at their valorization. In this work, we used RG-II as a model to demonstrate the steps necessary to isolate and characterize polysaccharides using chromatographic, MS, and NMR techniques. The principles can be applied to the characterization of other saccharide structures and will help inform researchers on how saccharide structure relates to functional properties in the future.
Potentially modifiable risk factors for 30-day unplanned hospital readmission preventive intervention—A data mining and statistical analysis:

Unplanned hospital readmissions have a high prevalence and substantial healthcare costs. Preventive intervention during hospitalization holds the potential for reducing readmission risk. However, it is challenging to develop individualized interventions during hospitalization because the causes of readmissions have not been clearly known and because patients are heterogeneous. This work aimed to identify potentially modifiable risk factors of readmission to help clinicians better plan and prioritize interventions for different patient subgroups during hospitalization. We performed the analysis of associations between the changes of potentially modifiable risk factors and the change of readmission status with association rule mining and statistical methods. Twenty-nine risk factors were identified from the association rules, and twenty-five of them were potentially modifiable. The association rules with potentially modifiable risk factors can be recommended to different patient subgroups to support the development of customized readmission preventive interventions.
Banning Plastic Shopping Bags: Raising Environmental Consciousness on National Level

This paper is centered around social learning theory principles and intends to demonstrate the use of these principles through a proposed ban of single-use plastic shopping bags. The ban would be an effort to raise environmental awareness in U.S. society. This paper explores the current literature across several connected topics: the harm that plastic shopping bags cause to our environment; the way in which a ban of these bags could improve environmental awareness, and as a by-product, raise efforts; and the best alternative to these single-use bags: jute bags. Furthermore, this paper explores how these efforts could become realized through the use of governmental incentives designated for corporations who implement these changes. Lastly, this paper explores possible positive long-term effects of this implementation and potential problems within these proposals.
Hydrogen-Induced Martensitic Transformation and Twinning in Fe45Mn35Cr10Co10

Hydrogen embrittlement can occur in steels with metastable phases, due to activation of the hydrogen-enhanced decohesion mechanism upon transformation. Meanwhile, recent investigations suggest that alloys undergoing e-martensite transformation may exhibit resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. To better understand hydrogen effects in these alloys, we investigate the hydrogen-induced microstructural transformations in a metastable Fe45Mn35Co10Cr10 alloy. To this end, we electrochemically charge unstrained samples, quantify the hydrogen evolution by thermal desorption spectroscopy, and observe microstructural transformations by scanning electron microscopy techniques. Through these analyses, we find that the hydrogen-induced e-martensite formation is dependent on the crystallographic orientation of the austenite grains, and takes place preferentially along Σ3 boundaries. Further charging of hydrogen induces extension twinning within the martensite. We examine the microstructural factors influencing these transformations to better understand the hydrogen-microstructure interactions.
TU-G-BRD-03: IMRT Dosimetry Differences in An Institution with Community and Academic Model

Purpose: Radiation outcome among institutions can be interpreted meaningfully if the dose delivery and prescription to the target volume is documented accurately and consistently. ICRU-83 recommended specific guidelines in IMRT for target volume definitions and dose reporting. This retrospective study evaluates the pattern of IMRT dose prescription and recording in an academic institution (AI) and a community hospital (CH) models in a single institution with reference to ICRU-83 recommendation. Materials & Methods: Dosimetric information of 625 (500 from academic and 125 from community) patients treated with IMRT was collected retrospectively from the AI and a CH. The dose-volume histogram (DVH) for the target volume of each patient was extracted. Standard dose parameters such as D2, D50, D95, D98, D100, as well as the homogeneity index (HI) defined as (D2-D98)/D50 and monitor units (MUs) were collected. Results: Significant dosimetric variations were observed in disease sites and between AI and CH. The variation in the mean value of D95 for AI is 98.48±4.12 and for CH is 96.41±4.13. A similar pattern was noticed for D50 (104.18±6.04 for AI and 101.05±3.49 for CH). Thus, nearly 95% of patients received dosage higher than 100% to the site viewed by D50 and varied between AI and CH models. The average variation of HI is found to be 0.12±0.08 and 0.11±0.08 for AI and CH model, showing better IMRT treatment plans for academic model compared to community. Conclusion: Even with the implementation of ICRU-83 guidelines, there is a large variation in dose prescription and delivery in IMRT. The variation is institution and site specific. For any meaningful comparison of the IMRT outcome, strict guidelines for dose reporting should be maintained in every institution.
ENGINEERING, INSTALLATION, TESTING, AND INITIAL OPERATION OF THE DIII-D ADVANCED DIVERTOR

The Advanced Divertor (AD) for General Atomics tokamak, DIII-D, was installed in the summer of 1990. The AD has enabled two classes of physics experiments to be run: divertor biasing and divertor baffling. Both are new experiments for DIII-D. The AD has two principal components: (1) a continuous ring electrode; and (2) a toroidally symmetric baffle. The tokamak can be run in bias baffle or standard DIII-D divertor modes by accurate positioning of the outer divertor strike point through the use of the DIII-D control system. The electrode is a continuous Inconel ring armoured with graphite. It is water cooled during normal operation and bakeable to 350° C for vessel conditioning. The electrode is electrically isolated from the vessel wall and is biasable to 1 kV and 20 kA. The outer leg of the divertor will be positioned on the graphite covered ring during biasing experiments. The supports for the ring are radially flexible to handle the differential thermal growth between the ring and the vessel wall, but stiff in the vertical direction to restrain the ring against large disruption forces. Similarly, the coolant and electrical feeds also are flexible in the radial direction but rigidly supported in other directions where they pass outside the toroidal field. All the feeds are supported from and maintain a 5 kV isolation to the vessel wall. Plasma facing insulators are needed in order to maintain electrical insulation. In addition, all biased surfaces behind and underneath the ring are insulated to prevent breakdown along the field lines. Tests of insulators were made in DIII-D during plasma operations prior to deciding on the final design. Other tests and analyses were performed on insulating materials. The baffle allows for future installation of approximately 50,000 l/s cryo pumping for particle removal in the outer bottom corner of the vacuum vessel. The strike point will be positioned at the entrance aperture for the baffle mode. The aperture geometry is designed to facilitate a large particle influx with a high probability that backstreaming particles will be reionized and redirected to the aperture. The paper covers design, analysis, fabrication, installation, instrumentation, testing, initial operation, and future plans for the Advanced Divertor from an engineering viewpoint.
Metrics to Characterize Airport Operational Performance Using Surface Surveillance Data

Detailed surface surveillance datasets from sources such as the Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model-X (ASDE-X) can potentially be used to analyze airport operations, in addition to their pri...
Intermediates and Products of the Biohydrogenation of Linoleic Acid by Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens

Incubation of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens with different geometrical isomers of linoleic acid indicated the specificity of the biohydrogenation system for linoleic acid or for a conjugated dienoic acid. cis-9-Octadecenoic acid, trans-9-octadecenoic acid, and trans-11-octadecenoic acid were not hydrogenated by this bacterium. The intermediates and products of biohydrogenation of linoleic acid were identified as a Δ9,11-cis-trans (or trans-cis, or both)-octadecadienoic acid and a mixture of trans-9-octadecenoic acid and trans-11-octadecenoic acid. When different positional isomers of cis-trans-conjugated octadecadienoic acid were incubated, various trans-octadecenoic acids were produced, reflecting the double bond positions of the conjugated diene substrates. The first reaction in the biohydrogenation of linoleic acid by B. fibrisolvens is the isomerization of linoleic acid to the cis-trans (or trans-cis, or both)-conjugated octadecadienoic acid. This intermediate is then hydrogenated to form a mixture of the two trans-monoenoic acids.
Quantitative photoacoustic spectrometry

Abstract Calibration curves for copper(II) and iron(III) complexed with N -2-aminoethyl-3-aminoprophyltrimethoxysilane (AEAPS) immobilized on silica gel were prepared separately by photoacoustic spectroscopy (p.a.s.) based on a response function that combines the amplitude and phase values. The concentration of copper and iron in two-component samples are determined by obtaining the response at 600 and 400 nm, respectively, and referring to the calibration graphs. The relative errors in the concentrations determined by p.a.s. compared to atomic absorption spectrometry for copper range from −9.3 to 3.2%, while for iron the range is −52.7 to 4.5%. The large error for iron was due to its low concentration and absorptivity. With suitable chromophores and matrix, the response function extends the linear range of the calibration graph and can be used for nondestructive determination of two components.