cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate-dependent expression of Na+ transport and shunt conductance in A6 epithelia

A6 epithelia grown in tissue culture vary enormously in their baseline rates of Na+ transport due to differences in growth media, serum, and other unknown factors. To evaluate the effect(s) of substrates on expression of Na+ transport, we determined short-circuit currents, open-circuit voltages, and electrical resistances of mature confluent A6 epithelia grown on a variety of commercially available permeable supports. Because the cells, growth conditions, and all other factors were the same, differences in transport could be attributed alone to the substrate on which the cells were grown. Tissues were grown on both large- and small-diameter inserts of the same type with differing ratios of edge length to area so that the contribution of the edge and tight junction conductances to the combined shunt conductance of the inserts could be evaluated. Shunt and cellular conductances and the cellular Thevenin electromotive force were determined after aldosterone stimulation and amiloride inhibition of Na+ transport. Marked and extreme differences were observed not only for expression of Na+ transport (controls, 0.09-3.94 microA/cm2; aldosterone, 1.53-28.2 microA/cm2) due to changes of apical membrane conductance but also for the development of junctional conductances (3,250 to < infinity omega.cm2) and edge conductances (13,175 to < infinity omega.cm) among substrates.
Modified method for carbadox in feeds: collaborative study.

The official first action method for carbadox in swine feed, 42.C01-42.C04, was modified in 2 respects. First, the samples were leached overnight at room temperature instead of boiled for 1 hr. This change avoided problems with overheating and excessive evaporation. Second, the dilution scheme for samples spiked with carbadox standard solution was changed to give absorbance values that were within the optimum working range of all types of spectrophotometers. The modified procedure was collaboratively studied by 21 laboratories. The repeatability standard deviation (sigma0) and reproducibility standard deviation (sigmax) were sigma0 = 0.00029% and sigmax = 0.00056% (8.9% of grand mean) for feeds containing 0.00617% carbadox; and sigma = 0.0012% and sigmax = 0.0019% (9.3% of grand mean) for feeds containing 0.0198% carbadox. The between-laboratory variance ratio was significant for feeds containing 0.0198% carbadox. The mean per cent of intent values for feeds containing 0.00617% carbadox and 0.0198% carbadox were 102% and 104%, respectively. In general, the statistical results were comparable to those previously obtained for the official first action method. Consequently, the modified procedure is not recommended as a replacement for the official first action method.
Assessing the repeatability of the restrained ring test

The restrained ring test is frequently used to assess the susceptibility of a concrete mixture to restrained shrinkage cracking. The test method has been recently standardized as ASTM * C 1581 (2004). Despite many useful applications of this test, concerns have been raised with respect to the repeatability and interpretation of the results when some of the rings made from a concrete mixture crack, while other specimens from the same mixture do not exhibit cracking at all. This paper provides explanation on why even in a properly performed experiment, not all the rings are always expected to crack.
Pearls and Pitfalls in Abdominal Imaging: Pseudotumors, Variants and Other Difficult Diagnoses

Research consistently suggests that 1.0 to 2.6% of radiology reports contain serious errors, many of which are avoidable, and it is clear that all radiologists can struggle with the basic questions as to whether a study is normal or abnormal. Pearls and Pitfalls in Abdominal Imaging presents over 100 conditions in the abdomen and pelvis which can commonly cause confusion and mismanagement in daily radiological practice, providing a focused textbook that can be readily used to avoid wrong diagnoses and prevent incorrect management or even malpractice litigation. It includes 700 figures and covers all the major modalities including CT, PET/CT and MRI. The pearls and pitfalls include artifacts, anatomic variants, mimics, and a miscellany of diagnoses that are under-recognized or only recently described. Conditions are presented in anatomic order from diaphragm to the symphysis pubis, with grouping by location and organ system.
Single nucleotide polymorphism discovery via genotyping by sequencing to assess population genetic structure and recurrent polyploidization in Andropogon gerardii.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Autopolyploidy, genome duplication within a single lineage, can result in multiple cytotypes within a species. Geographic distributions of cytotypes may reflect the evolutionary history of autopolyploid formation and subsequent population dynamics including stochastic (drift) and deterministic (differential selection among cytotypes) processes. Here, we used a population genomic approach to investigate whether autopolyploidy occurred once or multiple times in Andropogon gerardii, a widespread, North American grass with two predominant cytotypes. METHODS Genotyping by sequencing was used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in individuals collected from across the geographic range of A. gerardii. Two independent approaches to SNP calling were used: the reference-free UNEAK pipeline and a reference-guided approach based on the sequenced Sorghum bicolor genome. SNPs generated using these pipelines were analyzed independently with genetic distance and clustering. KEY RESULTS Analyses of the two SNP data sets showed very similar patterns of population-level clustering of A. gerardii individuals: a cluster of A. gerardii individuals from the southern Plains, a northern Plains cluster, and a western cluster. Groupings of individuals corresponded to geographic localities regardless of cytotype: 6x and 9x individuals from the same geographic area clustered together. CONCLUSIONS SNPs generated using reference-guided and reference-free pipelines in A. gerardii yielded unique subsets of genomic data. Both data sets suggest that the 9x cytotype in A. gerardii likely evolved multiple times from 6x progenitors across the range of the species. Genomic approaches like GBS and diverse bioinformatics pipelines used here facilitate evolutionary analyses of complex systems with multiple ploidy levels.
Comparative Study on the Indirect Methylation of Liver DNA Guanine by the 1-Carbon Pool in Hepatotoxicity

Hydrazine, H2N-NH2, is widely used in industry and the military; it is acutely toxic to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Chronic inhalation of hydrazine produced squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal turbinates in Fischer 344 rats but only at exposures which led to severe rhinitis with focal hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia early in the experiment; Syrian golden hamsters and C57B16 mice did not develop cancers under the same conditions. Biancifiori and Severi (1966) showed that oral administration of hydrazine at growth-depressing doses induced hepatocellular carcinomas and lung adenomas in male rats, pulmonary adenomas in BALB/c/Cb/Se and BALB/c/An/Se mice and pulmonary adenocarcinomas and hepatomas in CBA/Cb/Se mice. Swiss Webster (Crl:CFW(SW)BR) and B6C3Fl(:CrlBR) male mice from Charles River Breeding Lab. in Massachusetts, USA, were fasted overnight and given 0, 5,10,20, or 40 mg hydrazine per kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection and decapitated 24 hr later. Liver DNA was isolated and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence spectrophotometry for chemical adducts involving the purine bases. A dose related formation of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine was observed in DNA, with little difference between the two strains of mice. Evidence suggests that the hydrazine reacts with endogenous formaldehyde to form a stable intermediate, possibly tetraformyltrisazine, which is metabolized by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases to an active methylating agent. In an experiment similar to the dose-response study, 20 mg hydrazine/kg body wt was given to the two strains of mice, and animals were killed at 24 hr intervals to determine the persistence of these aberrant purines in DNA. The rates of formation of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine and the rates of disappearance of 7-methylguanine from DNA were the same in both strains. The rate of disappearance of the promutagenic base, O6-methylguanine, however, was an order of magnitude slower in the B6C3F1 mouse compared with the Swiss Webster mouse; the half-life of O6-methylguanine in the B6C3F1 mouse liver DNA was greater than 200 hr, while in Swiss Webster mouse liver DNA, it was 17 hr. These results are compared with a similar study in the Syrian golden hamster in which the levels of O6-methylguanine in liver DNA were measured over a 2-yr exposure to hydrazine; the results suggest that the B6C3F1 mouse would be highly susceptible to the hepatocarcinogenicity of hydrazine. This susceptibility is compared with that of other species.
Dielectric dispersion and viscosity in solutions

Previous work carried out in this laboratory has indicated the desirability of further studies of the correlation between dielectric relaxation phenomena, molecular structure and viscosity. Measurements have been carried out on solutions of the nearly spherical t-butyl chloride and methyl chloroform molecules and the long n-tetradecyl bromide molecule in two non-polar solvents, n-heptane and a viscous paraffin oil, over a temperature range 4.°C. to 60°C. The measurements were at 1.22, 3.22, 5.59, and 10.00 cms. wavelengths as well as at 1000 cycles and at optical frequencies. Values for the optical dielectric constants were corrected for the atomic polarizations using the standard method for alkyl halides since explicit data for these quantities are not available« The constants in the equations relating the dielectric constants and concentrations were plotted in the complex plane to give the expected arc plots. The distribution constants and critical wavelengths were then calculated according to the Cole and Cole method.
Direct Growth of High Mobility and Low-Noise Lateral MoS2–Graphene Heterostructure Electronics

Reliable fabrication of lateral interfaces between conducting and semiconducting 2D materials is considered a major technological advancement for the next generation of highly packed all-2D electronic circuitry. This study employs seed-free consecutive chemical vapor deposition processes to synthesize high-quality lateral MoS2 -graphene heterostructures and comprehensively investigated their electronic properties through a combination of various experimental techniques and theoretical modeling. These results show that the MoS2 -graphene devices exhibit an order of magnitude higher mobility and lower noise metrics compared to conventional MoS2 -metal devices as a result of energy band rearrangement and smaller Schottky barrier height at the contacts. These findings suggest that MoS2 -graphene in-plane heterostructures are promising materials for the scale-up of all-2D circuitry with superlative electrical performance.
Effects of Instructional Physical Activity Courses on Overall Physical Activity and Mood in University Students.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The aim of this research was to assess the association between university-based instructional physical activity (PA) courses and changes in overall PA levels and negative mood and their interrelations. The study also sought to determine the amount of change in PA required to significantly improve mood in course enrollees. Method: Participants were university students initially completing PA below the level recommended for health who were either presently enrolled in an elective instructional PA course (treatment group, n = 52, 69% female) or not presently enrolled in such a course (comparison group, n = 32, 69% female). Validated surveys assessed volumes of PA completed per week and overall negative mood from baseline to course end. Mediation analyses assessed group effects on mood through PA changes and reciprocal relations between PA and mood changes. Results: There was a significantly greater increase in PA and significantly more reduction in negative mood in the treatment group. Chang...
High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of the asymmetric NO stretch band of jet-cooled nitromethane and assignment of the lowest four torsional states

Abstract A high-throughput CW slit-jet apparatus coupled to a high-resolution FTIR was used to record the asymmetric NO stretch band of nitromethane. The b-type band, including torsionally excited states with m ≤ 3, has been assigned for Ka″ ≤ 10, J″ ≤ 20. The ground state combination differences derived from these assigned levels were fit with the RAM36 program to give an RMS deviation of 0.0006 cm−1. The band origin is 1583.0 (±0.1) cm−1 and the torsional level spacing is nearly identical to that in the ground state. The upper state levels are split into multiplets by perturbations. A subset of the available upper state combination differences for m = 0, Ka′ ≤ 7, J′ ≤ 10 were fit with the same program, but with rather poorer precision (0.01 cm−1) than for the ground state.
Sampling Biological Evidence for DNA Extraction

Crime scene investigators (CSIs) are responsible for recovering evidence from crime scenes. It is important that they properly identify, collect, handle, package and label items recovered from the crime scene. This experiment will cover precautions for avoiding contamination and sterile conditions will be stressed. Samples containing DNA will be collected for subsequent extraction from simulated forensic samples or environmental samples obtained at public places and left by anonymous donors. Samples will be divided into triplicates using sterile razors and tweezers whenever possible.
Lebedev scheme for ultrasound simulation in composites.

Abstract The growing use of composite materials for aerospace applications has resulted in a need for quantitative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods appropriate for characterizing damage in composite components. NDE simulation tools, such as ultrasound models, can aid in enabling optimized inspection methods and establishing confidence in inspection capabilities. In this paper a mathematical approach using the Lebedev Finite Difference (LFD) method is presented for ultrasonic wave simulation in composites. Boundary condition equations for implementing stress-free boundaries (necessary for simulation of NDE scenarios) are also presented. Quantitative comparisons between LFD guided wave ultrasound simulation results, experimental guided wave data, and dispersion curves are described. Additionally, stability tests are performed to establish the LFD code behavior in the presence of stress-free boundaries and low-symmetry anisotropy. Results show that LFD is an appropriate approach for simulating ultrasound in anisotropic composite materials and that the method is stable in the presence of low-symmetry anisotropy and stress-free boundaries. Studies presented in this paper include guided wave simulation in hexagonal, monoclinic, triclinic and layered composite laminates.
Giant cell (temporal) arteritis-polymyalgia rheumatica: a critical review.

Giant cell (temporal) arteritis G.C.(T) A. is common disorder and affects medium sized and large arteries in people over the age of fifty. Many series show that up to 50% of people with the clinical syndrome of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) go on to develop manifestations of G.C.(T) A. within a year; others may do so later. A critical review is offered of aspects of the subject which despite much study and research remain controversial or neglected. This includes epidemiology: statistics from routine autopsy suggests that the disease affects more people than are diagnosed clinically. The need to resolve uncertainty whether intracerebral vessels are involved or not, is now urgent, particularly in view of the wide spread use of short courses of Dexamethasone in the treatment of stroke. All clinicians should recognise the implications of the fact that they are dealing with a disease which may be active and yet symptomatically silent.
POTENTIAL USE OF A NOVEL HYALURONAN-BASED DELIVERY VEHICLE IN BONE REGENERATION

ABSTRACT Culture-expanded bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) can differentiate into chondrocytes and/or osteoblasts when combined with a porous calcium phosphate ceramic delivery vehicle and implanted subcutaneously in vivo 1 . We use this assay to test new materials as putative delivery vehicles in skeletal tissue engineering models. A new family of hyaluronan-based biomaterials has been developed. These polymers can be manufactured in many different formats and its chemistry can be tailored to specific requirements. HYAFF®-11p75HE is one of these materials, consisting of polymers of partially derivatized hyaluronic acid. HYAFF®-11p75HE sponges were tested as carriers for bone marrow-derived MFC preparations in the subcutaneous implantation model. Three weeks after implantation the HYAFF®-11p75HE sponge had dissolved and the tissue collected had the appearance of trabecular bone with undifferentiated mesenchyme filling the space between the trabeculae. Six weeks after implantation, the bone had matured and remodeled into an ossicle containing bone marrow-like tissue in its core. Hyaluronan is a multifunctional molecule that affects different cells or the same cells in a different manner depending on its molecular size and concentration. These complex, multifunctional effects can be used to develop hyaluronan-based scaffolds as delivery vehicles for tissue engineering of various skeletal tissues including bone.
Importance of Input Classification to Graph Automata Simulations of Forest Cover Change in the Peruvian Amazon

The forests of the Amazon arguably represent the single-most reported upon ecosystem globally, with the “Arc of Deforestation” having captured scientific and popular attention. Critiques establishing deforestation as a myth present evidence of an incomplete if not erroneous assessment of forest processes as interacting within larger institutional and climatic systems. As remote assessments of deforestation or reforestation may be strongly dependent upon the seasonality of input images, this work brackets the potential range of forest-change findings by running graph automata simulations while varying forest cover inputs. Results confirm that model results are quite sensitive to input amounts of forest cover as small as those detected even in one intra-annual cycle previously. These findings are interpreted in light of the seasonality of previous work throughout the Amazon and suggest that the overestimation of deforestation may be systematically underestimating reforestation processes at work in the Amazon.
“Switching Partners”: Piperacillin-Avibactam Is a Highly Potent Combination against Multidrug-Resistant Burkholderia cepacia Complex and Burkholderia gladioli Cystic Fibrosis Isolates

ABSTRACT In persons with cystic fibrosis (CF), airway infection with Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species or Burkholderia gladioli presents a significant challenge due to inherent resistance to multiple antibiotics. Two chromosomally encoded inducible β-lactamases, a Pen-like class A and AmpC are produced in Bcc and B. gladioli. Previously, ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated significant potency against Bcc and B. gladioli isolated from the sputum of individuals with CF; however, 10% of the isolates tested resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam. Here, we describe an alternative antibiotic combination to overcome ceftazidime-avibactam resistance. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on Bcc and B. gladioli clinical and control isolates. Biochemical analysis was conducted on purified PenA1 and AmpC1 β-lactamases from Burkholderia multivorans ATCC 17616. Analytic isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting were conducted on cellular extracts of B. multivorans induced by various β-lactams or β-lactam-β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Combinations of piperacillin-avibactam, as well as piperacillin-tazobactam plus ceftazidime-avibactam (the clinically available counterpart), were tested against a panel of ceftazidime-avibactam nonsusceptible Bcc and B. gladioli. The piperacillin-avibactam and piperacillin-tazobactam-ceftazidime-avibactam combinations restored susceptibility to 99% of the isolates tested. Avibactam is a potent inhibitor of PenA1 (apparent inhibitory constant [Kiapp] = 0.5 μM), while piperacillin was found to inhibit AmpC1 (Kiapp = 2.6 μM). Moreover, piperacillin, tazobactam, ceftazidime, and avibactam, as well as combinations thereof, did not induce expression of blapenA1 and blaampC1 in the B. multivorans ATCC 17616 background. When ceftazidime-avibactam is combined with piperacillin-tazobactam, the susceptibility of Bcc and B. gladioli to ceftazidime and piperacillin is restored in vitro. Both the lack of blapenA1 induction and potent inactivation of PenA1 by avibactam likely provide the major contributions toward susceptibility. With in vivo validation, piperacillin-tazobactam-ceftazidime-avibactam may represent salvage therapy for individuals with CF and highly drug-resistant Bcc and B. gladioli infections.
Improvement in Glycemic Control in Mice of Different Age Groups.

Aims and Methods The declining ability to control blood glucose with advancement of age is an important health risk factor and may lead to insulin resistance, type-2-diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Adenovirus 36(Ad36) improves glycemic control independent of insulin signaling(insulin sparing effect) as evidenced by cell, animal and observational human studies. This property of Ad36 may be useful in correcting aging-related glucose intolerance and related health conditions. Therefore, we determined the effect of Ad36 on glycemic control in older mice, to identify the age group that best responds to Ad36. Six, 12 or 20-month old C57Bl/6 mice on chow diet were each divided into weight-matched groups(mock-infected or Ad36-infected). Body weight was recorded weekly post infection (p.i.) and fasting glucose measured(week 0, 4, 8 and 20 p.i.). Blood glucose and serum insulin were measured during glucose tolerance test(week 0 and 16 p.i.). At week 20 p.i., animals were sacrificed, blood and tissues collected. Results Mice from all age groups showed improvement in glucose clearance post Ad36 infection, but a more profound effect was observed in 6-month old mice compared with mock-infected mice. Under fed conditions though there was no difference in blood glucose at 20 wk p.i., interestingly, Ad36 reduced serum insulin in age groups old mice, compared with control mice. Conclusions These findings suggest Ad36 infected animals improve glycemic control and clear post-prandial gluco00000se increase without increasing insulin secretion in an insulin sparing manner. These beneficial effects provide strong evidence for developing Ad36-based approaches as a novel tool to attenuate age associated glucose intolerance.
Relationship Between Dietary Fiber Intake and Short-Chain Fatty Acid-Producing Bacteria During Critical Illness: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Dietary fiber increases short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria yet is often withheld in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study evaluated the safety and effect of fiber in ICU patients with gut microbiome sampling. METHODS This was a retrospective study nested within a prospective cohort. Adults were included if newly admitted to the ICU and could receive oral nutrition, enteral feedings, or no nutrition. Rectal swabs were performed at admission and 72 hours later. The primary exposure was fiber intake over 72 hours, classified in tertiles and adjusted for energy intake. The primary outcome was the relative abundance (RA) of SCFA producers via 16S RNA sequencing and the tolerability of fiber. RESULTS In 129 patients, median fiber intake was 13.4 g (interquartile range 0-35.4 g) over 72 hours. The high-fiber group had less abdominal distension (11% high fiber vs 28% no fiber, P < .01) and no increase in diarrhea (15% high fiber vs 13% no fiber, P = .94) or other adverse events. The median RA of SCFA producers after 72 hours was 0.40%, 0.50%, and 1.8% for the no-, low-, and high-fiber groups (P = .05 for trend). After correcting for energy intake, the median RA of SCFA producers was 0.41%, 0.32%, and 2.35% in the no-, low-, and high-corrected-fiber categories (P < .01). These associations remained significant after adjusting for clinical factors including antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS During the 72 hours after ICU admission, fiber was well tolerated, and higher fiber intake was associated with more SCFA-producers.
I’m Five Teachers at Once!

This chapter explores an idea enchanting the educational world known as “differentiation.” When a teacher “differentiates” a lesson, she considers the different abilities, cultural histories, learning styles, and interests of all the students in the room. Johnny is a visual learner. Carlos has not yet mastered reading. Joyce likes to move around. On paper, differentiation is a great idea, but only so long as the intellectual range of the classroom is small and manageable. But teachers are often in situations where the abilities of their students vary by four, five, and six grade levels. With so many different ability levels to teach in the same room, instructors find it almost impossible to provide sustained, properly executed lessons for every child within a single class period. Differentiation is often used by the Administration to paper over serious deficiencies in students who have not acquired even a minimal proficiency of their prior grade level’s standards (or proficiency in the standards of the prior two, three, or four grade levels). In the end, differentiation as currently practiced forces teachers to do more with less and ultimately masks the extremely serious problem of too many underprepared students in a single room at once.
Adjudicating distributive disagreement

This paper examines different mechanisms for adjudicating disagreement about distributive justice. It begins with a case where individuals have deeply conflicting convictions about distributive justice and must make a social choice regarding the distribution of goods. Four mechanisms of social choice are considered: social contract formation, Borda count vote, simple plurality vote, and minimax bargaining. I develop an agent-based model which examines which mechanisms lead to the greatest degree of satisfying justice-based preferences over the course iterated social choices. Agents are ascribed two kinds of motivations: they wish to realize justice and to receive a greater package of goods. Each agent seeks to realize her ideal distribution, and the failure to do so leaves agents “disappointed,” resulting in their trading off the pursuit of gains in justice in favor of gains in self-interest. Mechanisms are assessed using the metric of how many agents remain interested in justice over the course of iterated adjudication. The mechanisms are also examined under some non-ideal conditions, such as the presence of power asymmetries or strategic behavior. Several significant results are addressed: social contract formation and simple plurality voting are robust under the conditions considered, bargaining is a highly ineffective means of adjudicating distributive disagreement, and lastly allowing for concessions in justice for gains in self-interest proves to be a crucial mechanism for ensuring the stability of resolutions.
Remarks on Lyapunov-Krasovskii Functionals with Weak Decay Rates

In the existing Lyapunov literature, the decay rate of a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional along trajectories is commonly required to be comparable to the norm of the state variables (or output variables) over the delay interval. In this work we consider a class of Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals whose decay rates along trajectories depend only on the current values of the state or output variables. We show that for one type of input-to-output stability property (which leads to input-to-state stability when the output and the state variables are the same), a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional with the weaker decay rate will still be sufficient for the corresponding stability property.
Mechanisms of Action for Empirically Supported Interventions to Reduce Adolescent Sexual Risk Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Purpose Adolescents are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Interventions to reduce adolescent sexual risk often have modest outcomes. Understanding of the mechanisms of program effectiveness is needed to develop stronger interventions. We used a randomized controlled trial to examine mechanisms of response to two empirically supported interventions: motivational interviewing versus behavioral skills training. Methods A total of 262 adolescents (mean age = 15.89 years, standard deviation = 1.24; 34% female and 61% Latinx) were recruited from juvenile justice programs in the U.S.; all youth were randomized to motivational interviewing or behavioral skills training. Primary outcomes included (1) theory-based mechanisms (condom use attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and intentions measured before and immediately after the interventions); and (2) risky sexual behavior (frequency of unprotected sex) and condom use measured 3 months postintervention. Results Both interventions significantly increased positive attitudes toward condom use, self-efficacy for condom use, and intentions to use condoms post-test, with no differences by condition. Neither intervention impacted norms for condom use. Both interventions significantly decreased risky sexual behavior and increased condom use at the 3-month follow-up. The pattern of associations of Theory of Planned Behavior constructs to behavior were of similar magnitude in the two groups. Conclusions The results indicate common mechanisms of action for these two interventions and support the use of transdiagnostic mechanisms of treatment impact for sexual risk reduction.
The difficult airway and transoral robotic surgery

A systematic approach to airway management for transoral robotic surgery (TORS) will translate to a high-reliability system capable of handling anticipated and unexpected difficult airway situations. Intubation and glottic exposure for surgery need to be considered as distinct but critical components. Preoperative team briefings can contribute to effective planning and preparedness. Management options for TORS difficult airway should include formal consideration of awake tracheostomy and surgical microdirect laryngoscopy to facilitate intubation. Preinduction airway assessment by flexible fiberoptic exam or videolaryngoscopy can be helpful to inform shared decision making. Ideally in all facilities that perform TORS, a difficult airway ID and structured, multidisciplinary airway rapid response system is in place. A high risk extubation identification and formal extubation and/or reintubation planning process may further promote safety for TORS patients who remained intubated postoperatively. A team and instrument focused protocol for the management of emergent bring backs for bleeding or other complications is critical.
Twinfilin1 controls lamellipodial protrusive activity and actin turnover during vertebrate gastrulation

Abstract The dynamic control of the actin cytoskeleton is a key aspect of essentially all animal cell movements. Experiments in single migrating cells and in vitro systems have provided an exceptionally deep understanding of actin dynamics. However, we still know relatively little of how these systems are tuned in cell-type specific ways, for example in the context of collective cell movements that sculpt the early embryo. Here, we provide an analysis of the actin severing and depolymerization machinery during vertebrate gastrulation, with a focus on Twinfilin1. We confirm previous results on the role of Twf1 in lamellipodia and extend those findings by linking Twf1, actin turnover, and cell polarization required for convergent extension during vertebrate gastrulation.
Ion-dependent DNA configuration in bacteriophage capsids

Abstract Bacteriophages densely pack their long double-stranded DNA genome inside a protein capsid. The conformation of the viral genome inside the capsid is consistent with a hexagonal liquid crystalline structure. Experiments have confirmed that the details of the hexagonal packing depend on the electrochemistry of the capsid and its environment. In this work, we propose a biophysical model that quantifies the relationship between DNA configurations inside bacteriophage capsids and the types and concentrations of ions present in a biological system. We introduce an expression for the free energy that combines the electrostatic energy with contributions from bending of individual segments of DNA and Lennard-Jones-type interactions between these segments. The equilibrium points of this energy solve a partial differential equation that defines the distributions of DNA and the ions inside the capsid. We develop a computational approach that allows us to simulate much larger systems than what is possible using the existing molecular-level methods. In particular, we are able to estimate bending and repulsion between the DNA segments as well as the full electrochemistry of the solution, both inside and outside of the capsid. The numerical results show good agreement with existing experiments and with molecular dynamics simulations for small capsids.
Cross-sectional association between physical activity level and subjective cognitive decline among US adults aged ≥45 years, 2015.

Abstract Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the self-reported experience of worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss within the previous 12 months and can be one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Regular physical activity can contribute to the primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of cognitive decline. At the national level, prevalence estimates of SCD by physical activity level in the United States are currently unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of SCD and resulting functional limitations by physical activity level among US adults aged ≥45 years. Data from 33 states and the District of Columbia participating in the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 128,925) were analyzed. We estimated the prevalence of SCD (a positive response to a question about worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss within the previous 12 months) and resulting functional limitations overall and by self-reported physical activity level based on current guidelines (i.e., active, insufficiently active, and inactive). Odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression models adjusting for respondent characteristics. Overall, 11.3% of US adults aged ≥45 years reported SCD. Prevalence of SCD increased as physical activity level decreased (active: 8.8%; insufficiently active: 11.4%; inactive: 15.7%). Among those with SCD, the prevalence of functional limitations also increased as physical activity level decreased (active: 40.5%; insufficiently active: 50.0%; inactive: 57.4%). These differences largely remained after adjusting for respondent characteristics. Findings highlight the potential public health impact nationally of efforts to promote physical activity for cognitive health.
Boardroom Networks, Corporate Investment, and Uncertainty

This paper investigates whether firms herd and whether they strategically herd by chasing valuable information if any. The paper also studies how uncertainty changes a firm's imitation behavior. We propose network firms' information quality is an important factor to determine a firm's herding behavior. By utilizing board-interlock as networks where two firms share at least one common board member, we estimate network effects on firms' investment decisions. Our identification strategy to resolve the endogeneity issue is to adopt peers' peers' characteristics (such as Tobin's Q and Cash Flow) as legitimate instrumental variables. Empirical findings confirm significant network effects on firms' investment. Results further show that firms follow more when the information quality of network firms is relatively high, which supports strategic herding behavior. The placebo test of non-existing network effects before and after the actual connection reinforces the argument of herding within the network. Moreover, empirical evidence suggests that uncertainty depresses network effects on investment. The results are robust to various uncertainty measures.
Secreted frizzled protein 3 is a novel cardioprotective mechanism unique to the clinically relevant fourth window of ischemic preconditioning.

1) This investigation identifies the novel fourth window of ischemic preconditioning. 2) sFRP3 was identified as the most significantly upregulated gene in the fourth window and was shown to induce...
Sub-Picomolar Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RBD via Computationally-Optimized Peptide Beacons

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a significant global health threat. Along with vaccines and targeted therapeutics, there is a critical need for rapid diagnostic solutions. In this work, we employ deep learning-based protein design to engineer molecular beacons that function as conformational switches for high sensitivity detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD). The beacons contain two peptides, together forming a heterodimer, and a binding ligand between them to detect the presence of S-RBD. In the absence of S-RBD (OFF), the peptide beacons adopt a closed conformation that opens when bound to the S-RBD and produces a fluorescence signal (ON), utilizing a fluorophore-quencher pair at the two ends of the heterodimer stems. Two candidate beacons, C17LC21 and C21LC21, can detect the S-RBD with limits of detection (LoD) in the sub-picomolar range. We envision that these beacons can be easily integrated with on-chip optical sensors to construct a point-of-care diagnostic platform for SARS-CoV-2.
Reason and Rhetoric in Edwards v. Vannoy

Judicial reasoning and rhetoric should be mutually reinforcing, but they often end up at odds. Edwards v. Vannoy offers an unusually rich opportunity to explore this tension. First, the watershed exception, though declared “moribund,” may actually have survived. Second, Justice Gorsuch’s ostensibly strict judgment-based approach arguably called for providing relief in Edwards. Third, majority coalitions have a counterintuitive incentive to overrule relatively insignificant precedents as often as possible. Fourth, Edwards featured charges of personal inconsistency that both reflect and facilitate the erosion of conventional legal argument. Finally, the legal system may benefit from the superficial and even fallacious reasoning often present in judicial decisions, including excellent ones. Other topics include Edwards’s use of remedial equilibration, its procedural irregularities, and its defensible if unfamiliar approach to stare decisis.
Building Multi-functional Meta-optic Systems through Deep Learning

We develop a deep learning framework for the design of large-scale, multi-layered, multi-functional meta-optic systems. We demonstrate designed examples of a dual-functional beam generator, an all-optical second-order differentiator, and a space-polarization-wavelength multiplexed hologram.
Noise Models in Respiration

The physiologically based fluctuations observed in experiments involving the human ventilatory response to inhaled carbon dioxide are incorporated in a number of stochastic models. Least squares is compared with maximum likelihood methods for different noise models. Multiple local maxima observed in the maximum likelihood technique motivate the development of a new method to detect the global maximum. Computation of parameter variances by a modification of the bootstrap method is developed as a check on the Cramer-Rao lower bound presently used.
Branching storylines in virtual reality environments for leadership development

Simulation-based training is increasingly being used within the military to practice and develop the skills of successful soldiers. For the skills associated with successful military leadership, our inability to model human behavior to the necessary degree of fidelity in constructive simulations requires that new interactive designs be developed. The ICT Leaders project supports leadership development through the use of branching storylines realized within a virtual reality environment. Trainees assume a role in a fictional scenario, where the decisions that they make in this environment ultimately affect the success of a mission. All trainee decisions are made in the context of natural language conversations with virtual characters. The ICT Leaders project advances a new form of interactive training by incorporating a suite of Artificial Intelligence technologies, including control architectures, agents of mixed autonomy, and natural language processing algorithms.
Pyromellitein indicators : Acid-base indicators containing four condensed phenolic groups

Abstract A series of indicators have been prepared by condensing pyromellitic dianhydride with various phenols. Color changes and pH ranges have been determined, both in visible light and in ultraviolet light, for those indicators that fluoresce. Of particular interest is the indicator prepared using oxine as the phenolic compound, since there is a possibility in this case of complex formation through the nitrogens of the condensed oxine groups.
Feedback regulation of granulopoiesis: Polymerization of lactoferrin abrogates its ability to inhibit CSA production

Neutrophil extracts were prepared from the peripheral blood of 40 normal volunteers and tested for their ability to inhibit CSA production by mononuclear leukocytes. Highly dilute neutrophil extracts inhibited CSA production/release, while extracts selectively depleted of lactoferrin by antibody affinity chromatography did not. In addition, higher concentrations of neutrophil extracts and higher doses of lactoferrin (10(-9)-10(-6) M) failed to inhibit CSA production/release. We found no evidence of CSA or CSA-enhancing factors in either our lactoferrin or our neutrophil extracts. However, using gel chromatography and rate zonal density sedimentation, we noted that lactoferrin undergoes concentration-dependent polymerization at 10(-9)-10(-10) M in tissue culture medium and that while monomeric lactoferrin effectively inhibits CSA production/release in vitro, the polymeric form does not. Thus, while we have confirmed that lactoferrin is the activity in neutrophil extracts that inhibits CSA production, we have also found that lactoferrin undergoes reversible polymerization at physiologic concentrations and that the polymerized molecule is inactive. The tendency of lactoferrin to polymerize in tissue culture medium and in vivo should be taken into account in any studies on its potential role as a physiologically relevant regulator of granulopoiesis.
Warfare in History

This article divides the history of warfare into five periods: the Classical Era (including the wars of Persia, Greece, and Rome); the Middle Ages, including the Mongols and samurai (roughly from AD 500 to the Turkish conquest of Byzantium in 1453); the age of gunpowder (from 1453 to the American and French Revolutions beginning in 1776); the ‘long nineteenth century’ (from 1776 to 1918); and finally the contemporary period (covering World War II, the Cold War, and after). The article considers war in a variety of geographic settings including Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East. Each of these periods will discuss changes in three dimensions. First and most obviously, each period is associated with a general group of military technologies. This article does not argue for technological determinism, but it does review the major changes in military technologies and the ensuing changes technologies have forced on military organization and purposes. Second, each period also involves a shift in the nature of military organization, including leadership, training, and connections to civilian institutions. Finally, this periodization demonstrates changes in the reasons why societies have gone to war.
A Critique of Recent Governance Reforms of State-Owned Enterprises in the Philippines and Their Proposed Improvements

The passage of the GOCC Governance Reform Act of 2011 in the Philippines marks the beginning of the government’s long overdue response to the “neglected” governance structures and practices of GOCCs. President Benigno S. Aquino’s administration has attempted to reform the governance structure and procedures of GOCCs to mitigate the impact of their dismal performance to the country’s fiscal deficits.This paper identifies two broad categories of governance issues in SOEs. First, the inconsistent policy objectives of government for GOCCs, which arise due to their conflicting mandates as provided in their governing charters. This problem, in turn, causes anti-competitive practices by the GOCCs to the prejudice of the private sector. Second is the lack of sound and principled corporate governance policies. This is demonstrated in the following: (1) political interference into the decision-making of the Board of Directors as a result of the appointment of Cabinet Secretaries as ex-officio members or ex-officio chairmen/chairpersons of the Board; (2) lack of transparency and uniform rules in the selection of Board members of GOCCs; and (3) lack of integrity and transparency in the monitoring mechanisms of the financial conditions of GOCCs.The GOCC Governance Reform Act of 2011 has attempted to address and resolve these issues. However, a closer look at its provisions would reveal that the ownership structure still reinforces the central role that the government plays as the owner of the GOCCs rather than identifying the citizens as the real shareholders thereof. The values of transparency, independence and accountability in the conduct of GOCC affairs by the board would be promoted and safeguarded if there would be a shift into this paradigm.The law likewise does not provide for a mechanism that would completely eliminate or at least reduce the potential for political interference in the decision making of the board of directors.The OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance for State-Owned Enterprises can provide a conceptual framework against which the effectiveness of the governance reforms introduced in the GOCC Governance Reform Act of 2011 may be measured. Thus, using the OECD Guidelines as benchmark, certain governance reforms emerged as necessary to address the weaknesses of certain provisions in the law.The article also cites major challenges to the implementation of governance reforms, namely, the patrimonial character of the country’s political economy and the political influence and spoils system that characterize the system of appointment to governmental positions.
Discrete-time stochastic control of hybrid systems

Abstract : A SIMPLE CLASS OF DISCRETE-TIME NONLINEAR STOCHASTIC CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH QUADRATIC COSTS FOR LINEAR SYSTEMS WITH RANDOMLY-JUMPING STATE-DEPENDENT PARAMETERS ARE SOLVED USING DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING. THE RESULTING CONTROLLERS EXHIBIT 'ACTIVE HEDGING' PROPERTIES.
Sex/Gender Differences in Tooth Loss and Edentulism: Historical Perspectives, Biological Factors, and Sociologic Reasons

This review highlights what is known regarding differences in tooth loss by sex/gender, and describes: gender-related tooth ablation (the deliberate removal of anterior teeth during life) found in skulls from history and prehistory; potential mediators of the relationship between sex/gender and tooth loss; the current epidemiology of gender differences in tooth loss (limited to North America); and risk factors for tooth loss in the general population and in women.