cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hereditary and dietary effects on apolipoprotein[a] isoforms and Lp[a] in baboons

Baboons possess Lp[a] that is similar to human Lp[a], including the presence of the unique protein, apo[a]. Baboon apo[a] occurred in at least nine isoforms distinguishable by size. Isoforms were resolved by 3-12% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoretic separation of serum proteins, and were detected with baboon apo[a]-specific antibodies. Thirty one different apo[a] isoform phenotypes were detected in a population of 165 unrelated baboons. Identical isoform phenotypes were observed in different samples from individual baboons, and isoform phenotypes were unaffected by changes in diet. In one experiment, 16 baboons were fed a series of five diets differing in amounts of cholesterol and saturated or unsaturated fats. There was no significant effect of diet on serum Lp[a] levels. In another group of baboons (n = 70) controlled for age and dietary history, enrichment of the diet with cholesterol and saturated fat caused a small, but significant (P less than 0.005), increase (means = 0.6 mg/dl) in serum Lp[a] concentration. Analysis of two large sire families suggested that apo[a] isoform patterns and serum Lp[a] concentrations were inherited. Putative parental alleles responsible for specific isoform bands appeared to segregate randomly. Heritability (h2) of serum Lp[a] concentration was estimated to be 0.95 +/- 0.04. We conclude that apo[a] isoform phenotypes and serum Lp[a] concentrations are inherited, and that Lp[a] concentrations are only slightly influenced by diet.
Multiple Regression—Dummy Variables, Contrasts, and Analysis of Covariance

Any analysis of variance model (for example, anything in Chapters 6, 12, 13, or 14) can be expressed as a regression with dummy variables. The dummy variables are usually based on a set of contrasts . The algebra of individual contrast vectors is discussed in Section 6.9 Many software procedures and functions make explicit use of this form of expression. Here we explore this equivalence of different representations of the contrasts associated with a factor. The notation in Chapter 10 is that used in Sections I.4.2, 9.3, and 9.4.1.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Avascular Necrosis and Posttraumatic Arthritis After Traumatic Hip Dislocation.

Objectives To determine the incidence rate and associative factors for the development of avascular necrosis (AVN) and posttraumatic arthritis (PTA) after traumatic hip dislocation and time to reduction. Data sources A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, Cochrane Database, and Embase through April 2014 for English articles reporting complications of AVN and PTA after hip dislocation was performed. Study selection Inclusion criteria were English-only studies, a patient population of adults, study outcomes of AVN and/or PTA reported, and articles reported at least type I dislocations. Data extraction Two authors independently extracted data from the selected studies and the data collected were compared to verify agreement. Data synthesis Random-effects models were used for meta-analysis. The overall event rate of AVN and PTA was calculated and stratified based on Thompson-Epstein of the hip dislocation. Odds ratios were calculated for those articles that reported rates of AVN based on time to reduction. Conclusions For anterior dislocations, the event rate for AVN ranged from 0.087 to 0.333, whereas the event rate for PTA ranged from 0.125 to 0.700. Analysis of posterior dislocations revealed that the event rate for AVN ranged from 0.106 to 0.430; additionally, the event rate for PTA ranged from 0.194 to 0.586. For posterior hip dislocations and type I and II anterior dislocations, the severity of the injury correlates with an increase in the development of AVN and PTA. The odds ratio of AVN for those hip dislocations reduced after 12 hours versus those reduced before 12 hours was 5.627. Level of evidence Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Curator—Curatorial Studies Towards Co-creation and Multiple Agencies

Erin A. Peters reflects on her objectives as a curator and educator, and the agency of museum visitors as co-creators.
Adult Education and the Health Literacy of Hispanic Immigrants in the United States

ABSTRACTDiscussion on the advantages of integrating health literacy into adult education has primarily been theoretical and conceptual. There is a need for studies that assess the impact of adult education on health literacy. This study implemented a quasi-experimental design to explore whether basic adult instruction may constitute a venue for improving health literacy among Spanish-speaking immigrants. Participants included adults in a High School Equivalency program in a US-Mexico border community who received either a standard GED curriculum or a GED curriculum enhanced with health literacy content. The Short Spanish TOFHLA was used to measure health literacy. While S-TOFHLA scores and health literacy levels improved in all participants, no statistically significant differences were observed across groups. Results are consistent with recommendations supporting adult education as a strategy for improving health literacy.
Cut Cells: Meshes and Solvers

Abstract Embedded boundary Cartesian grids have greatly simplified the grid generation process for complicated engineering geometries. This approach to mesh generation uses a background regular mesh and takes special care of cut cells where the geometry intersects the grid. Grid generation is fast and robust. This chapter gives an overview of cut-cell grids. We discuss mesh generation and data structures used for implementation. We describe some stable and accurate discretizations for the small irregular cells that occur at the boundary. Much of this technology is mature and forms the basis for widely used CFD packages. Some possible directions for future research are presented.
Brønsted Acid-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroarylation of β-Benzylstyrenes.

Using triphenylmethylium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate as a convenient Bronsted acid precatalyst, β-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)styrenes are shown to cyclize efficiently to afford a variety of new indanes that possess a benzylic quaternary center. The geminal dimethyl-containing quaternary center is proposed to be necessary to arm the substrate for cyclization through steric biasing.
Semiparametric random effects models for longitudinal data with informative observation times

Longitudinal data frequently arise in many fields such as medical follow-up studies focusing on specific longitudinal responses. In such situations, the responses are recorded only at discrete observation times. Most existing approaches for longitudinal data analysis assume that the observation or follow-up times are independent of the underlying response process, either completely or given some known covariates. We present a joint analysis approach in which possible correlations among the responses, observation and follow-up times can be characterized by time-dependent random effects. Estimating equations are developed for parameter estimation and the resulting estimates are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. A simulation study is conducted to assess the finite sample performance of the approach and the method is applied to data arising from a skin cancer study.
Accessible Media: The Need to Prepare Students for Creating Accessible Content:

Electronic media accessibility has come a long way since the Telecommunications Act of 1996. In 2010, the Communication and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) mandated closed captioning many online vid...
The “modest mask”? An investigation of vulnerable narcissists' implicit self-esteem

Abstract Vulnerable narcissists are entitled and self-absorbed, yet report low explicit self-esteem. We proposed a “Modest Mask Hypothesis,” predicting that vulnerable narcissism would be associated with low explicit self-esteem and high implicit self-esteem. We also sought to replicate previous work assessing grandiose narcissism and self-esteem. Studies 1 and 2 utilized two different versions of the self-esteem Implicit Association Test (IAT). Vulnerable narcissism did not appear to be associated with implicit self-esteem, whereas grandiose narcissism was explained by a combination of high implicit and high explicit self-esteem in Study 2. Study 3, utilizing a bogus pipeline methodology, revealed that vulnerable and grandiose narcissists believe the level of explicit self-esteem they report. Study 3 also revealed that under pressure to be honest, both grandiose and vulnerable narcissists report higher entitlement and exploitativeness, but only grandiose narcissists report higher grandiosity. Thus, mask models do not appear to explain narcissism.
LEF-1: Diagnostic utility in distinguishing basaloid neoplasms of the salivary gland.

Background Lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF-1) has recently been reported as a potential immunohistochemical (IHC) marker for basal cell adenoma (BCA) and other salivary gland tumors, which may contribute to an increased accuracy in differentiating basaloid salivary gland neoplasms. We evaluated the utility of LEF-1 in fine needle aspiration (FNA) and resection specimens to distinguish pleomorphic adenoma (PA), BCA, basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC), and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) as well as in non-neoplastic salivary gland (NNSG). Methods Cases including 66 PA (35 FNA, 31 resections), 12 BCA (5 FNA, 7 resections), 42 ACC (11 FNA, 31 resections), 1 BCAC FNA, and 10 NNSG (5 FNA, 5 resections) were obtained and stained for LEF-1. Results On cell block (CB), 51% of PA and 60% of BCA were LEF-1 positive while 91% of ACC were LEF-1 negative. Among resections, there was a higher percentage of LEF-1 positive PA (84%) and BCA (86%), and a higher percentage of LEF-1 negative ACC (97%). LEF-1 staining had a low to moderate sensitivity for detecting benign basaloid neoplasms on FNA CB and resection specimens (52.5% and 84%, respectively), but a higher specificity (92% and 97% respectively), and positive predictive value (95% and 97% respectively). Conclusion When comparing benign (PA and BCA) and the most common malignant basaloid salivary gland tumor (ACC), positive LEF-1 favors a benign neoplasm. Additional studies with LEF-1, specifically including other rare basaloid salivary gland neoplasms are needed to further clarify the role of LEF-1 in diagnosing these lesions on FNA.
Platelet Function Analyzer 100 and Brain Natriuretic Peptide as Biomarkers in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

To test dual blood biomarkers compared with electrocardiogram (ECG) for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) screening, we performed 3 analyses and cut-point assessments. First, we measured platelet function analyzer (PFA)-100 (n = 99) and normalized B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or NT-proBNP (BNP/upper limit of normal [ULN], n = 92) in 64 patients with HC and 29 normal controls (NCs). Second, from the regression equation between PFA and gradient (r = 0.77), we derived estimated PFA in a population of 189 patients with functional class I HC in whom measured BNP/ULN and ECG were available, and calculated single and dual biomarker sensitivity and specificity compared with ECG. Finally, we compared BNP/ULN in class I patients based on mutation and familial history status. In 42 patients with obstructive HC versus NCs, there was a slight overlap of PFA and BNP/ULN, but for the product of PFA × BNP/ULN, there was near-complete separation of values. Among patients with class I obstructive HC, estimated PFA × BNP/ULN had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100%; in latent and nonobstructive HC, sensitivity dropped to 61% and 72%; for ECG in obstructive, latent, and nonobstructive HC, sensitivity was 71%, 34%, and 67%. Functional class I patients with positive (n = 28) and negative (n = 36) sarcomere mutations and a positive (n = 71) or a negative (n = 109) family history had significant elevations of BNP/ULN versus NC, with no between-group differences. In conclusion, PFA and BNP were highly associated with obstructive HC and could potentially be used for screening; BNP was not uniquely elevated in patients with familial versus nonfamilial or mutation-positive versus mutation-negative HC.
Associations Between Travel Distance, Hospital Volume, and Outcomes Following Radical Cystectomy in Patients With Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer

Objective To explore the associations between travel distance, hospital volume, and outcomes following radical cystectomy (RC) for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Method The 2006 to 2013 National Cancer Database was queried to identify patients with MIBC who underwent RC. Multivariable regressions alternately including travel distance, hospital volume, and both in the models were used. Travel distances and hospital volumes were categorized by quartiles. Outcomes of interest were overall survival and quality-of-care indicators. Result A total of 6551 patients were included in the final cohort. When only travel distance or hospital volume was included in the multivariable regression model, fourth quartiles of both variables were associated with improved overall survival. When both travel distance and hospital volume were included in the model, only hospital volume was found to be associated with overall survival. Sensitivity analyses with both travel distance and hospital volume considered as continuous variables showed similar results. Patients who underwent RC in high-volume hospitals were more likely to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy, have 10 or more lymph nodes removed, but also had higher odds of surgical delay (>3 months) in the full models adjusting for travel distance. Conclusion This National Cancer Database-based study suggests that the association between longer travel distance and improved overall survival (distance bias effect) after RC for MIBC is mainly mediated by higher hospital volume. The benefits of having RC at high-volume hospitals may outweigh the potential disadvantages of longer travel distance, which further supports the continued regionalization of RC and cancer care for MIBC.
Inherited neuropathy precision classification: What's in a name?

The evolution of the inherited neuropathy nomenclatures reflects each era's technology. We enter the molecular era and the promise of precision individualized medicine. In 1886, Charcot, Marie, and Tooth used their clinical acumen to summarize the phenotype of peroneal muscular atrophy. Then in 1968, after in-depth investigations of pathologic data, inheritance pattern, and motor nerve conduction velocities, Dyck and Lambert1,2 proposed the first classification system for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and other inherited neuropathy diseases. The classification included the inheritance, neurophysiology, and pathologic characteristics with demyelinating (type 1) or axonal (type 2) designations. Since then, through international contributions of many neurologists and researchers, CMT was further classified by specific genetic cause, and 26 letters of the alphabet were utilized to facilitate the genetic subtyped classifications. For example, the demyelinating neuropathy (CMT1) from PMP22 mutations was coined CMT1A. However, the genetic causes have now exceeded 26 letters; thus, there is no longer a unique individual alphabet match. Frankly, for most neurologists, including the ones who specialize in neurogenetics, it is unrealistic to memorize this alphabet soup. Many practitioners rely on GeneReviews or other continually updated databases to chart the correct nomenclature. Complicating further, the same gene can display different ranges of phenotypes. For example, mutations in MPZ initially identified as causal for dominant demyelinating CMT1B were later found with dominant axonal varieties (CMT2I/J).3 As another example, TRPV4 mutations linked to CMT were found with distal hereditary motor and spinal scapular neuropathies.4 Even further problematic is the fact that the pattern of inheritance can overlap with mutations in the same gene: GDAP1 mutations were initially only linked to recessive demyelinating forms, but now are linked to dominant axonal disease.5
Exploring provider-surrogate communication during POLST discussions for individuals with advanced dementia.

Objectives: This qualitative descriptive study explored provider-surrogate communication during Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) discussions for patients with advanced dementi...
Acoustical and optical resonances of two-sphere systems

Two sphere systems show strong morphology dependent resonances even for two spheres of identical composition [G. W. Kattawar and C. E. Dean, Opt. Letts. 8, 48–50 (1983).]. How do analogous fluid spheres respond in the analogous situations? Do they show similar or different resonances? Preliminary investigations suggested that the response of fluid bispheres do not show as rich a panoply of resonances [C. E. Dean and J. P. Braselton, JASA, 141, 3735 (2017).]. How much do these systems differ? Would alternate boundary conditions restore some lost resonances? This talk attempts to answer these and other questions through the use of theoretical computational acoustics models.
Why doesn't it work?: voice-driven interfaces and young children's communication repair strategies

In this study, we examine the conversational repair strategies that preschoolers use to correct communication breakdowns with a voice-driven interface. We conducted a two-week deployment in the homes of 14 preschoolers of a tablet game that included a broken voice-driven mini-game. We collected 107 audio samples of these children's (unsuccessful) attempts to communicate with the mini-game. We found that children tried a common set of repair strategies, including repeating themselves and experimenting with the tone and pronunciation of their words. Children were persistent, rarely giving up on the interaction, asking for help, or showing frustration. When parents participated in the interaction, they moved through four phases of engagement: first making suggestions, then intervening, then making statements of resignation, and finally pronouncing that the interaction could not be repaired. Designers should anticipate that in this context, children will borrow behaviors from person-to-person communication, such as pivoting strategies to probe the source of failed communication and structuring communication into turn-taking attempts.
Emotions in Affect Control Theory

According to affect control theory (ACT), individuals define situations on the basis of their community’s “theory of people”, and social organization emerges as the individuals affirm their sentiments about their identities and other categorizations through interpersonal actions. Emotions enable sensing, communicating about, and control of the resulting social relationships. We update ACT’s framework on emotions and expand the model in the following ways. First, we propose that emotional processes differ for stigmatized identities as compared to socially valued ones. Second, we propose that the characteristic emotion occurring when an identity is confirmed perfectly serves as the emotion norm for that identity. Third, we show how ACT contributes to the study of emotion management. Fourth, we discuss emotion stations—the relatively stable locations in the affective space associated with self-identities. Finally, we suggest that unnamable, ineffable emotions are integral parts of people’s experience. Implications for future and interdisciplinary research are discussed.
Development of a novel prevention bundle for pediatric healthcare-associated viral infections.

ObjectiveTo reduce the healthcare-associated viral infection (HAVI) rate to 0.70 infections or fewer per 1,000 patient days by developing and sustaining a comprehensive prevention bundle.SettingA 546-bed quaternary-care children’s hospital situated in a large urban area.PatientsInpatients with a confirmed HAVI were included. These HAVIs were identified through routine surveillance by infection preventionists and were confirmed using National Healthcare Safety Network definitions for upper respiratory infections (URIs), pneumonia, and gastroenteritis.MethodsQuality improvement (QI) methods and statistical process control (SPC) analyses were used in a retrospective observational analysis of HAVI data from July 2012 through June 2016.ResultsIn total, 436 HAVIs were identified during the QI initiative: 63% were URIs, 34% were gastrointestinal infections, and 2.5% were viral pneumonias. The most frequent pathogens were rhinovirus (n=171) and norovirus (n=83). Our SPC analysis of HAVI rate revealed a statistically significant reduction in March 2014 from a monthly average of 0.81 to 0.60 infections per 1,000 patient days. Among HAVIs with event reviews completed, 15% observed contact with a sick primary caregiver and 15% reported contact with a sick visitor. Patient outcomes identified included care escalation (37%), transfer to ICU (11%), and delayed discharge (19%).ConclusionsThe iterative development, implementation, and refinement of targeted prevention practices was associated with a significant reduction in pediatric HAVI. These practices were ultimately formalized into a comprehensive prevention bundle and provide an important framework for both patient and systems-level interventions that can be applied year-round and across inpatient areas.
Electrically Excited, Supersonic Flow Carbon-Monoxide Laser with Air Species in Laser Mixture

Performance parameters of an electric discharge excited, supersonic flow CO laser operated with significant amounts of air species in the laser mixture is studied experimentally and by kinetic mode...
Impact of Degradation Rates on Solar PV Financing for Projects Located in the United States

A project's financial viability is, in part, determined using its projected net present value (NPV). The accuracy of the NPV corresponds to the accuracy of several factors, among which is the assumption of photovoitaic (PV) module degradation. This paper utilizes the PV module degradation from two peer-reviewed studies and investigates its impact on project financial viability. In order to quantify the effect, the paper will consider the NPV of a reference project. We calculated annual energy estimates (P50) for a hypothetical 100 MW-AC solar PV project at three geographically distinct locations in the United States. Further, this paper investigated the impact of degradation rates for different geographies on project finance. For all three locations, the NPV with 0.5 percent module degradation was found to be on average 5.4 percent higher than the NPV with 1 percent module degradation. The selection of degradation rates also impacts the operation and maintenance of the solar PV projects. A project with high degradation rates will have lower gross revenue over time and may experience shrinking O&M budgets in the later years of the project.
Bird Flocking Inspired Formation Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Using Stereo Camera

Formation control has been a popular research topic in recent years. This is primarily due to the the use of formation control to coordinate the movement of a swarm of robots. In this paper, with the primary objective of guaranteeing image overlap, a novel bird flocking inspired formation control algorithm was developed to control a swarm of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our approach uses only stereo cameras, global positioning system (GPS), and inertial measurement units (IMUs), and removes the need of feature or pattern matching. By utilizing stereo cameras, virtual tracking points can be calculated. The convergence of these tracking points are chosen as the primary formation control goal because if the virtual tracking points are converged, it is guaranteed that the field of view of the cameras of the various UAVs always have some overlap. This allows for different types of stitching methods to be used to form a larger image with no gaps, depending on the configuration of tracking points. Five different control algorithms were developed: direct method, proportional integral derivative, bang-bang, short window model predictive, and long window model predictive. The formation controller was tested in three simulation environments to verify the robustness and the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Biomarkers of outcomes in a randomized phase II trial of first-line paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (TIP) versus bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) for intermediate- and poor-risk germ cell tumors (GCT).

4563Background: We previously reported no difference in favorable response rate (FRR) or PFS for TIP vs BEP. Here we present results of a pre-planned analysis of biomarkers of outcome. Methods: HCG...
Embedding Assessment in School-Based Making: Preliminary Exploration of Principles for Embedded Assessment in Maker Learning

Although maker-centered learning in schools has grown rapidly in recent years, the existing assessment approaches often do not meet the needs in assessing the multifaceted learning and development that occur in making processes. This short research paper reports on the design principles of embedded assessment and shares insights gained from working with middle school teachers developing, testing, and examining an embedded assessment toolkit consisting of seven assessment tools and activities.
The Impact of a Summer Camp-Based Science Methods Course on Preservice Teachers' Self-Efficacy in Teaching Science as Inquiry

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this research is to examine the effect of a summer camp-based science methods course on elementary pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching science as inquiry. The sci...
Technology Assisted Behavior Intervention to Extend Sleep Among Adults With Short Sleep Duration and Prehypertension/Stage 1 Hypertension: A Randomized Pilot Feasibility Study.

Study Objectives:Short sleep duration contributes to hypertension, yet few behavioral sleep extension interventions have been developed. The goal of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and pr...
POLICY INSTRUMENTS TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE FOOD SERVICE WARE IN THE USA

There is global recognition that waste plastic is a ubiquitous pollutant in the built and natural environments. A component of plastic litter and debris is single-use, expanded polystyrene (EPS) food service ware. Reducing the consumption of EPS food service ware is challenging because reuse is not feasible, recycling is not economically viable, and composting is not possible. In the absence of national action to reduce EPS in the USA, local governments have taken the lead on enacting ordinances to eliminate or reduce EPS food service ware. This paper examined the variety of policy instruments that can or have been used by local governments in the USA to reduce EPS food service ware. Because of the inabilities to reuse, recycle, and/or compost EPS, the most frequently used policy instrument has been a ban. As of December 2019, there were 249 local bans in the USA covering 12.85% of the nation’s population: of these bans, 9.6% were partial bans restricting distribution only on government and public property, 65.9% were narrow bans that ban distribution by restaurants and food providers, 8.8% were full bans that include the narrow ban and also ban using EPS food packaging by grocery stores, and 15.7% adopted an expanded ban that includes the full ban and also baned other single-use plastic food ware related items including the selling or distributing of EPS coolers and single-use plastic utensils, straws, stirrers, lids, cups, plates, and containers.
Dementia and Falls Management in Underserved Populations: The Cognition and Mobility Care Management Program.

Background/objectives Cognitive and mobility impairments are common and underdiagnosed chronic conditions that afflict community-dwelling older adults. This study describes the organization, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention for underserved and ethnically diverse older patients with dementia and/or falls risk. Design Observation, baseline and 1 year after intervention. Setting Community-based primary care county clinics in inland southern California. Participants A total of 272 persons, aged 70 years and older, who screened positive for falls and/or dementia and enrolled in the Cognition and Mobility Care Management program during the study period. Intervention A nurse care manager performed a patient and caregiver evaluation and created and implemented a care plan with medical, behavioral, and psychosocial interventions in partnership with patients and their primary care providers. Measurements Process outcomes included rates of positive screening for dementia and fall risk, referral, enrollment, and visit completion. Patient outcomes included fall history, mobility and cognitive assessments, and depression scales. Patients and/or caregivers completed questionnaires rating perceived benefits of enrollment after 1 year in the program. Results Medical assistants screened 573 patients aged 70 years and older during the study period; 78% screened positive for dementia and/or fall risk. Of the patients who screened positive, 94% were referred; 91% of contacted patients elected to enroll, and 272 patients completed an intake visit (meanage = 77 years; 65% female; 75% Latino; 10% African American). The patients and caregivers who completed satisfaction questionnaires 1 year after enrollment rated the program highly, and 92% would recommend the program to others. Conclusion A primary care-based screening and comanagement program to identify and manage dementia and falls risk in primarily Latino and African American older adult patients living in an underserved area was well received, with high satisfaction and perceived benefit from patients and caregivers.
What Kinds of Support Do Novice Consultants Request and Receive? A Constructivist Grounded Theory Investigation

Research indicates the need for better training for consultants working in culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) schools. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, this study investiga...
Cadmium phytoextraction by Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Brassica napus cv Wichita (rapeseed), and Chyrsopogon zizanioides (vetiver)

Abstract The use of phytoextraction plant species to accumulate soil metals into harvestable plant parts is a method used for managing soils with high cadmium (Cd). We evaluated three Cd accumulating species recently recommended for such use in cacao farms where Cd removal is needed to maintain markets: Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Brassica napus (rapeseed), and Chyrsopogon zizanioides (vetiver). Plants were grown in two greenhouse pot experiments with different Cd-spiked growth media: (sand plus perlite) and a natural soil. Plant total Cd and Cd uptake in shoot biomass of all species, across both experiments, increased linearly with increasing amounts of added Cd. Rapeseed had the highest plant total Cd and sunflower had the highest Cd uptake in shoot biomass. The highest application of Cd corresponded to the highest plant total Cd and shoot biomass Cd uptake, regardless of species. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for each species increased in a curvilinear manner with added Cd, with maximum BCF values for plants grown in the sand and perlite matrix at 2.5 mg kg−1 added Cd and in the natural soil at 5.0 mg kg−1 added Cd. We conclude that the Cd uptake (shoot biomass only) capability of the three species examined is greatest for sunflower given its increased uptake with Cd additions, its BCF value > 1, and lack of observed visual Cd toxicity symptoms, fungus and insect damage. Although these species had BCF >1, the potential annual removal of Cd would have been too small to support a meaningful phytoextraction practice.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as an Unexpected Mimic of Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: The Case for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Otolaryngology.

Summary Introduction Inducible laryngeal obstruction is a common and challenging cause of exertional dyspnea. We report a case of an unanticipated cardiac condition that presented with symptoms suggestive of inducible laryngeal obstruction. Discussion A 55-year-old man was evaluated for progressive exertional dyspnea and throat tightness, unexplained after multiple medical evaluations. Resting laryngeal examination was suspicious for laryngopharyngeal reflux and mild vocal fold adduction during quiet expiration. Given progressive and refractory symptoms, maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing with intermittent laryngeal examination was performed. This study excluded laryngeal causes of exercise limitation and led to an unexpected diagnosis of persistent atrial flutter and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Conclusion Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with laryngeal examination can identify unexpected and life-threatening mimics of inducible laryngeal obstruction that may be missed by unmonitored exercise challenges. Suspicion for inducible laryngeal obstruction at rest may not predict the true nature of exercise limitation on cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
D.C. Circuit Review--Reviewed: An Examination of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit is often called the second most important court in the United States. Because of the Court’s docket (administrative law), location (Washington, D.C.), and personnel (some of the most influential judges in the country, a disproportionate number of whom go on to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court), the D.C. Circuit merits close study. This is especially true in recent years. Since 2013, in the wake of the Senate’s elimination of the filibuster for judicial nominees, the D.C. Circuit has experienced a remarkable change in membership. Two members of the D.C. Circuit were nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court and one was confirmed. All the while, many separation-of-powers issues have gone through the D.C. Circuit. This short essay (with its long appendices) is the result of five years of close study of the D.C. Circuit’s cases and operations. Based on my review of every published decision of the D.C. Circuit between August 2015 and August 2020, I offer the following thoughts about the D.C. Circuit and its relationship to the development of administrative law: (1) change takes time; (2) the D.C. Circuit is a “collegial-ish” court that is marked by consensus on most issues but also fundamental disagreements about others; (3) hard cases are essentially “built” into modern administrative law; (4) scholarship (sometimes) plays a role in the D.C. Circuit’s opinions; and (5) the D.C. Circuit has blind spots. Although this essay does not address these points in detail, it does flag them for future study.
Non cell-autonomous effect of astrocytes on cerebral cavernous malformations

Abstract Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are common neurovascular lesions caused by loss-of-function mutations in one of three genes, including KRIT1 (CCM1), CCM2, and PDCD10 (CCM3), and generally regarded as an endothelial cell-autonomous disease. Here we report that proliferative astrocytes play a critical role in CCM pathogenesis by serving as a major source of VEGF during CCM lesion formation. An increase in astrocyte VEGF synthesis is driven by endothelial nitric oxide (NO) generated as a consequence of KLF2 and KLF4-dependent elevation of eNOS in CCM endothelium. The increased brain endothelial production of NO stabilizes HIF-1α in astrocytes, resulting in increased VEGF production and expression of a “hypoxic” program under normoxic conditions. We show that the upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a direct HIF-1α target gene and a known component of the hypoxic program, contributes to the development of CCM lesions because the administration of a COX-2 inhibitor significantly prevents progression of CCM lesions. Thus, non-cell-autonomous crosstalk between CCM endothelium and astrocytes propels vascular lesion development, and components of the hypoxic program represent potential therapeutic targets for CCMs.
Patient personalized translational tools in cystic fibrosis to transform data from bench to bed-side and back.

In this study, we report an example of laboratory models informing clinical care for rare CF mutation patient, with subsequent recapitulation of clinical benefit in a unique and disease relevant, h...
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern induce lethal disease in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice despite convalescent plasma therapy

SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoCs) are impacting responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we present a comparison of the SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020 (WA-1) strain with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 VoCs and identify significant differences in viral propagation in vitro and pathogenicity in vivo using K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. Passive immunization with plasma from an early pandemic SARS-CoV-2 patient resulted in significant differences in the outcome of VoC-infected mice. WA-1-infected mice were protected by plasma, B.1.1.7-infected mice were partially protected, and B.1.351-infected mice were not protected. Serological correlates of disease were different between VoC-infected mice, with B.1.351 triggering significantly altered cytokine profiles than other strains. In this study, we defined infectivity and immune responses triggered by VoCs and observed that early 2020 SARS-CoV-2 human immune plasma was insufficient to protect against challenge with B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in the mouse model.
Perennial Grass Seedlings Modify Biomass and Physiological Traits in Response to an Annual Grass Neighbor

Abstract Bluebunch wheatgrass (BBWG; Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love) and Snake River wheatgrass (SRWG; Elymus wawawaiensis J. Carlson & Barkw.) are perennial cool-season grasses commonly used in rangeland restoration in the Intermountain West. The annual downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) is widespread in the region, compromising perennial-grass establishment. We conducted two winter and one summer greenhouse target-neighbor trials to evaluate single-seedling performance of perennials grown with or without this annual grass neighbor (AGN). Our hypotheses were 1) an AGN impacts perennial wheatgrass seedlings’ biomass and water-relations traits, 2) BBWG and SRWG differentially display traits when grown with and without an AGN, and 3) older wheatgrass cultivars differ from newer experimental populations for these traits. The AGN reduced shoot dry matter (DM) 28.2−33.1% and leaf area 32.5−35.9% across trials, but inconsistent differences for other traits suggested different drivers were operating among trials. In both winter trials, low humidity likely drove high vapor pressure deficits, leading to reduced water availability, with xylem pressure potential data suggesting greater water reduction in the third (winter) trial. In the second (summer) trial, heat rather than vapor pressure deficit was the likely driver. Both winter trials displayed higher shoot DM for BBWG under both AGN treatments, but in summer when the AGN was present, SRWG exceeded BBWG. In the summer trial, Goldar BBWG was sensitive to the combination of reduced water and heat. SRWG exhibited “faster” traits facilitating growth, while BBWG displayed “slower” traits conserving acquired resources. This may partially explain why SRWG's natural distribution is mostly restricted to rangelands with high soil fertility (e.g., the Palouse Prairie) while BBWG's distribution is more widespread. Newer experimental populations of both species often produced less shoot DM than older cultivars, suggesting the experimentals feature a more conservative growth strategy.
Deep and Wide: Comparative Genomics of Chlamydia

This chapter focuses on comparative genomics of Chlamydia species, which are well-known human and animal pathogens that constitute the family Chlamydiaceae. There were 33 chlamydial genome sequences produced by whole-genome shotgun (WGS) sequencing that are publicly available as complete or draft genomes in GenBank. The Chlamydiaceae pangenome was first examined by a BLAST score ratio (BSR) analysis using a single representative of each of the eight sequenced species. The secreted effectors identified in C. trachomatis are more divergent in other species than are the other selected virulence factors. One of the most significant features of the chlamydial plasticity zone (PZ) revealed by comparative analysis is the heterogeneity of the chlamydial cytotoxin (tox) across the Chlamydiaceae. Nevertheless, the tox variation identified here is a prime example of the utility of comparative genomics for identifying novel interspecies genetic variation for further exploration. The chapter focuses further attention on the processes of gene decay and loss that are shaping the Chlamydiaceae. The symptoms of human disease are variable, ranging from no clinical signs at all to severe systemic disease. C. trachomatis is represented by 20 of the 33 genomes currently available, as befitting the most recognizable pathogen of the family Chlamydiaceae, responsible for significant sexually transmitted disease morbidity and infectious blindness worldwide.
The Art and Science of Lightning Protection

Preface 1. What is lightning? 2. Lightning damage 3. General methods for lightning protection: Faraday cages, topological shields and more practical approaches: cone of protection and rolling sphere methods 4. Structure protection: air terminals and down conductors 5. Structure protection: grounding 6. Surge protection for electronics in low-voltage electrical systems 7. Humans and animals 8. Lightning warning 9. Airships, airplanes, and launch vehicles 10. Ships and boats 11. Trees 12. Overhead and underground power and communication lines 13. Lightning elimination 14. So, what do we know and what don't we know about lightning protection? References Index.
The substrate and anomeric specificity of fructokinase.

Abstract Fructokinase from beef liver is shown to be specific for the β-furanose anomer of d-fructose (and the α anomer of l-sorbose) by showing that certain 2,5-anhydroalditols are substrates, while other 2,5-anhydro compounds, 2,6-anhydro-d-mannitol, and 2,6-anhydro-d-glucitol are not. Km and Vmax values relative to d-fructose at pH 7.5, 25°, 4 mm MgATP are 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (1.7 mm, 1.97); 2,5-anhydro-d-glucitol (5.9 mm, 1.33, phosphorylated in position 6); 2,5-anhydro-d-lyxitol (67 mm, 0.19); 2,5-anhydro-d-mannose (1.5 mm, 0.50). 2,5-Anhydro-d-xylitol inhibits (Ki, 40 mm), while 2,5-anhydro-l-iditol and cis 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran are neither inhibitors nor substrates. Based on these results and other published data, the substrate specificity of fructokinase is for a tetrahydrofuran ring with β-d-(or α-l-) configuration at position 2, l-configuration at postion 3, and either d- or l-configuration at positions 4 and 5. With yeast hexokinase the Km and Vmax values relative to d-fructose of several anhydro compounds at pH 7.5, 25°, 2 mm MgATP, are 2,5-anhydro-d-mannitol (6.3 mm, 0.52); 2,5-anhydro-d-glucitol (47 mm, 0.37); 2,5-anhydro-d-mannose (0.31 mm, 0.37).
Modeling duration patterns for speaker recognition

We present a method for speaker recognition that uses the duration patterns of speech units to aid speaker classification. The approach represents each word and/or phone by a feature vector comprised of either the durations of the individual phones making up the word, or the HMM states making up the phone. We model the vectors using mixtures of Gaussians. The speaker specific models are obtained through adaptation of a “background” model that is trained on a large pool of speakers. Speaker models are then used to score the test data; they are normalized by subtracting the scores obtained with the background model. We find that this approach yields significant perfomance improvement when combined with a state-of-the-art speaker recognition system based on standard cepstral features. Furthermore, the improvement persists even after combination with lexical features. Finally, the improvement continues to increase with longer test sample durations, beyond the test duration at which standard system accuracy level off.
The cytologic grading of squamous carcinoma of the cervix.

Abstract Arbitrary cytologic grades of squamous carcinoma were determined by the percentage of undifferentiated cancer cells of all tumor cells in the vaginal smear. No significant correlation was found in relation to stage of disease, histologic grade, or ultimate outcome of the patient.
Enzymatic Transformations: Isotope Probes

The sections in this article are 1 Studying Enzyme Mechanism by 13C NMR 2 The Quest for True Intermediate Structure: Cryoenzymology 3 Solid State NMR as a Probe for Enzyme–Substrate Structure 4 Cofactor Enrichment 5 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
John Swett's experience with physical exercise at the Rincon School: foundation for the first state physical education law in the U.S.

Abstract In the year 1866 California became the first state in the nation to require physical exercise in its schools. The man responsible for the drafting and passage of this legislation was John Swett. This paper describes Swett's early experiences with physical exercise during the years he served as principal of the Rincon School in San Francisco. His experience as a teacher convinced Swett that student moral, health, and academic achievement benefited when gymnastics and calisthenics were introduced into the school day. So strong was John Swett's conviction that he implemented this belief regarding physical exercise when he drafted the 1866 Revised School Law for the State of California.
A method for using MR to evaluate the effects of cardiovascular disease on the brain: the cardiovascular health study.

PURPOSE To do a pilot study for the Cardiovascular Health Study (a population-based, longitudinal study of coronary heart disease and stroke in adults 65 years of age and older designed to identify risk factors related to cerebrovascular disease, particularly stroke): (a) to determine the feasibility of adding brain MR to the full-scale study; (b) to evaluate the reliability of standardized MR image interpretation in a multicenter study; and (c) to compare the prevalence of stroke determined by MR with that by clinical history. METHODS Protocol-defined MR studies were performed in 100 subjects with clinical histories of stroke and 203 subjects without reported histories of stroke. MR scans were independently evaluated by two trained neuroradiologists for the presence of small ( 3 mm) "infarctlike" lesions. The sizes of the cerebral sulci and lateral ventricles and the extent of white matter disease were graded on a scale of 0 to 9. RESULTS Eighty percent of the Cardiovascular Health Study participants who were invited to undergo MR studies agreed to do so; 95% of those agreeing to the procedure successfully completed the exams. Intrareader and interreader reliability of infarctlike lesion identification was high for large lesions (kappa, 0.71 and 0.78, respectively) but not for small lesions (kappa, 0.71 and 0.32, respectively). Relaxed intrareader and interreader kappa scores for sulcal and ventricular sizes and extent of white matter disease were greater than 0.8 MR evidence of infarctlike lesions was present in 77% of the participants with histories of stroke but was also present in 23% of the participants without clinical histories of stroke. Seventy-nine percent of the infarctlike lesions were larger than 3 mm. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study indicates that a large, prospective, epidemiologic study of elderly subjects using MR scans of the brain for identification of cerebrovascular disease is feasible and that the interpretative results are reproducible, and suggests that MR evidence of stroke is more prevalent than reported clinical history of stroke.
Configurable clutter models for radar simulation

In this paper we describe an extension to the MATLAB Phased Array Toolkit that adds a configurable clutter object to model clutter signals returned along a specified signal path. The clutter model is based on the Simkins Unified Clutter Model[1]. The current implementation supports sea clutter in any of five sea states with configurable polarization, grazing angle, and beam width. We describe the implementation and give examples of modeled clutter returns.