cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Encapsulated Three-Dimensional Culture Supports Development of Nonhuman Primate Secondary Follicles

In vitro ovarian follicle cultures may provide fertility-preserving options to women facing premature infertility due to cancer therapies. An encapsulated three-dimensional (3-D) culture system utilizing biomaterials to maintain cell-cell communication and support follicle development to produce a mature oocyte has been developed for the mouse. We tested whether this encapsulated 3-D system would also support development of nonhuman primate preantral follicles, for which in vitro growth has not been reported. Three questions were investigated: Does the cycle stage at which the follicles are isolated affect follicle development? Does the rigidity of the hydrogel influence follicle survival and growth? Do follicles require luteinizing hormone (LH), in addition to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), for steroidogenesis? Secondary follicles were isolated from adult rhesus monkeys, encapsulated within alginate hydrogels, and cultured individually for ≤30 days. Follicles isolated from the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle had a higher survival rate (P < 0.05) than those isolated from the luteal phase; however, this difference may also be attributed to differing sizes of follicles isolated during the different stages. Follicles survived and grew in two hydrogel conditions (0.5% and 0.25% alginate). Follicle diameters increased to a greater extent (P < 0.05) in the presence of FSH alone than in FSH plus LH. Regardless of gonadotropin treatment, follicles produced estradiol, androstenedione, and progesterone by 14–30 days in vitro. Thus, an alginate hydrogel maintains the 3-D structure of individual secondary macaque follicles, permits follicle growth, and supports steroidogenesis for ≤30 days in vitro. This study documents the first use of the alginate system to maintain primate tissue architecture, and findings suggest that encapsulated 3-D culture will be successful in supporting the in vitro development of human follicles.
An Interconnect-Aware Methodology for Analog and Mixed Signal Design, Based on High Bandwidth (Over 40 Ghz) On-Chip Transmission Line Approach

This paper presents an on-chip, interconnect-aware methodology for high-speed analog and mixed signal (AMS) design which enables early incorporation of on-chip transmission line (T-line) components into AMS design flow. The proposed solution is based on a set of parameterized T-line structures, which include single and two coupled microstrip lines with optional side shielding, accompanied by compact true transient models. The models account for frequency dependent skin and proximity effects, while maintaining passivity requirements due to their pure RLC nature. The signal bandwidth supported by the models covers a range from DC to 100 GHz. The models are currently verified in terms of S-parameter data against hardware (up to 40 GHz) and against EM solver (up to 100 GHz). This methodology has already been used for several designs implemented in SiGe (silicon-germanium) BiCMOS technology.
Molecular Analysis of Escherichia coli from Retail Meats (2002―2004) from the United States National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System

Background. The origins and virulence potential of meat product-associated Escherichia coli are undefined. Methods. Two hundred eighty-seven E. coli isolates (145 resistant and 142 susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid, and/or ceftiofur), recovered by the United States National Antimicrobial Monitoring System from retail beef, pork, chicken, and turkey products (from Oregon, Tennessee, Georgia, and Maryland, 2002-2004) underwent polymerase chain reaction testing for phylogenetic groupings and 59 virulence-associated genes. Results. However analyzed, resistant and susceptible isolates differed minimally according to the assessed characteristics. In contrast, the 4 meat types differed greatly for multiple individual traits and aggregate virulence scores. Poultry isolates exhibited virulence genes associated with avian pathogenic E. coli; beef isolates exhibited traits associated with E. coli from diseased cattle. Overall, 20% of isolates qualified as extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli, with poultry isolates exhibiting significantly higher virulence scores than beef and pork isolates (P<.001). Conclusions. Within this systematically collected, geographically distributed sample of recent retail meat isolates, the carriage of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli virulence genes in antimicrobial-resistant and antimicrobial-susceptible E. coli appeared similar, whereas isolates from different types of meat differed, consistent with on-farm acquisition of resistance within host species-specific E. coli populations. A substantial minority of meat-source E. coli (whether susceptible or resistant) may represent potential human pathogens.
Airborne Measurements of Coastal Jet Transition around Point Conception, California

Low-level winds along the Californian coast during spring and early summer are typically strong and contained within the cool, well-mixed marine boundary layer (MBL). A temperature inversion separates the MBL from the warmer free troposphere. This setup is often represented by a two-layer shallow-water system with a lateral boundary. Near a prominent point such as Point Conception, California, the fast-moving MBL flow is supercritical and can exhibit distinct features including a compression bulge and an expansion fan. Measurements from the University of Wyoming King Air research aircraft on 19 May 2012 during the Precision Atmospheric MBL Experiment (PreAMBLE) captured wind in excess of 14ms 21 off of Point Conception under clear skies and wind ;2ms 21 east of San Miguel in the California Bight. A compression bulge was identified upwind of Point Conception. When the flow rounds the point, the MBL undergoes a near collapse and there is a spike in MBL height embedded in the general decrease of MBL height with greater turbulence just downwind that is associated with greater mixing through the inversion layer. Lidar and in situ measurements reveal that transport of continental aerosol is present near the pronounced MBL height change and that there is a complex vertical structure within the Santa Barbara Channel. Horizontal pressure gradients are obtained by measuring the slope of an isobaric surface. Observations of wind and pressure perturbations are able to be linked through a simple Bernoulli relationship. Variation of MBL depth explains most, but not all of the variation of the isobaric surface.
Comparison of Bacterial Presence in Biofilms on Different Materials Commonly Found in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Abstract Recirculating aquaculture offers an economic potential for successful fish farming requiring limited resources. However, this form of aquaculture may present a potential unacceptable health risk for the fish. Pathogenic microorganisms may be incorporated into biofilms found in aquaculture systems, causing recurring exposure to disease agents. The presence of E. colimodified to express a green fluorescent protein (GFP E. coli) was used to evaluate bacterial incorporation into biofilms in recirculating aquaculture systems. Disks of Buna-N rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC, glass, fiberglass, and stainless steel disks, were placed in aquariums stocked with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Tanks were inoculated with a known amount of GFP E. coli and samples taken on days 1, 3, 7, and 15 post-inoculation. Within 24 hours post-inoculation bacterial presence was observed on all materials. The number of organisms decreased by day three, but remained consistent during the remaining per...
Solid Organ Transplantation: A Handbook for Primary Health Care Providers

The lack of available comprehensive, concise transplantation information has made it more difficult for healthcare professionals to provide care for transplant recipients. The authors of Solid Organ Transplantation provide and in-depth discussion of specific organ transplantation issues, as well as general care issues that may affect all transplant recipients. The psychosocial concerns, infectious disease issues, specific nutritional aspects, and pregnancy after transplantation are areas that can be especially complex pediatric oncology, mental health concerns, infectious diseases, immunizations, reproductive health, care of the surgical patient, and school health are presented in a brief, but concise manner. Each chapter begins with basic facts pertaining to the topic and system, then progresses into a discussion of the more common childhood illnesses. Disease processes are described by a listing of associated signs and symptoms, incidence, age of onset, etiology, diagnostic tests, management, treatment including pharmacology, and complications. Readers must recognize that in order to cover so many topic areas, the answers to each question contain only a limited amount of information on the subject. In reviewing the text, it was difficult to determine the organization of the material presented within each chapter. In order to find the exact location of specific disease processes, readers must use the index to discover the appropriate page. This is a handy, easy-to-read reference about some of the most common childhood illnesses. The authors are experts in their field and have identified the most pressing questions about pediatric healthcare issues and disease states.
Characterization of a Na+-Dependent Betaine Transporter With Cl− Channel Properties in Squid Motor Neurons

Characterization of a Na+-dependent betaine transporter with Cl− channel properties in squid motor neurons. Most marine invertebrates, including squids, use transporters to accumulate organic osmol...
PPAR Agonists: II. Fenofibrate and Tesaglitazar Alter Behaviors Related to Voluntary Alcohol Consumption

Background In the accompanying article, we showed that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) signaling by fenofibrate and tesaglitazar decreases ethanol (EtOH) consumption in mice. In this study, we determined the role of these PPAR agonists in EtOH-related behaviors and other actions that may be important in regulating EtOH consumption. Methods The effects of fenofibrate (150 mg/kg) and tesaglitazar (1.5 mg/kg) were examined on the following responses in male and female C57BL/6J (B6) and B6 × 129S4 mice: preference for saccharin, EtOH-induced conditioned place preference (CPP), conditioned taste aversion (CTA), loss of righting reflex, and withdrawal, acoustic startle reflex, response to novelty, and EtOH clearance. Because the B6 inbred strain usually displays weak EtOH-induced CPP and weak EtOH-induced acute withdrawal, B6 × 129S4 mice were also studied. Results Fenofibrate and tesaglitazar decreased the novelty response and increased acute EtOH withdrawal severity, and fenofibrate increased EtOH-induced CTA. Two important factors for EtOH consumption (saccharin preference and EtOH-induced CPP) were not altered by fenofibrate or tesaglitazar. EtOH clearance was increased by both fenofibrate and tesaglitazar. Response to novelty, acute withdrawal, and EtOH clearance show sex differences and could contribute to the reduced EtOH consumption following fenofibrate administration. Conclusions These studies indicate the complexity of EtOH-dependent and EtOH-independent behaviors that are altered by PPAR agonists and provide evidence for novel behavioral actions of these drugs that may contribute to PPAR-mediated effects on alcohol drinking.
Beyond frontier molecular orbital theory: a systematic electron transfer model (ETM) for polar bimolecular organic reactions.

Polar bimolecular reactions often begin as charge-transfer complexes and may proceed with a high degree of electron transfer character. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory is predicated in part on this concept. We have developed an electron transfer model (ETM) in which we systematically transfer one electron between reactants and then use density functional methods to model the resultant radical or radical ion intermediates. Sites of higher reactivity are revealed by a composite spin density map (SDM) of odd electron character on the electron density surface, assuming that a new two-electron bond would occur preferentially at these sites. ETM correctly predicts regio- and stereoselectivity for a broad array of reactions, including Diels–Alder, dipolar and ketene cycloadditions, Birch reduction, many types of nucleophilic additions, and electrophilic addition to aromatic rings and polyenes. Conformational analysis of radical ions is often necessary to predict reaction stereochemistry. The electronic a...
Ideology and Class Consciousness in the Middle Class

is well on the road to consolidation, at least in the Western Zones. The considerable deficit in males is bound to deter wives from suing for divorce. Husbands, on the other hand, seem to be much less inclined than their American counterparts to desert their wives. Desertion constituted grounds for divorce in only about 6 percent of all divorces granted in 1947 in the British Zone of Occupation4' which includes a number of industrial cities.42 In the United States, however, desertion is estimated to account for about 33 percent of all divorces.43
Diagonally Scanned Light-Sheet Microscopy for Fast Volumetric Imaging of Adherent Cells

In subcellular light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) of adherent cells, glass substrates are advantageously rotated relative to the excitation and emission light paths to avoid glass-induced optical aberrations. Because cells are spread across the sample volume, three-dimensional imaging requires a light-sheet with a long propagation length, or rapid sample scanning. However, the former degrades axial resolution and/or optical sectioning, while the latter mechanically perturbs sensitive biological specimens on pliant biomimetic substrates (e.g., collagen and basement membrane). Here, we use aberration-free remote focusing to diagonally sweep a narrow light-sheet along the sample surface, enabling multicolor imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution. Further, we implement a dithered Gaussian lattice to minimize sample-induced illumination heterogeneities, significantly improving signal uniformity. Compared with mechanical sample scanning, we drastically reduce sample oscillations, allowing us to achieve volumetric imaging at speeds of up to 3.5 Hz for thousands of Z-stacks. We demonstrate the optical performance with live-cell imaging of microtubule and actin cytoskeletal dynamics, phosphoinositide signaling, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, polarized blebbing, and endocytic vesicle sorting. We achieve three-dimensional particle tracking of clathrin-associated structures with velocities up to 4.5 μm/s in a dense intracellular environment, and show that such dynamics cannot be recovered reliably at lower volumetric image acquisition rates using experimental data, numerical simulations, and theoretical modeling.
On the Application of Multi-grade Teaching in University Physical Education

Multi-grade teaching is to divide students into several groups with similar level scientifically and deal with them differently according to their knowledge,ability and potential.Multi-grade teaching of physical education is helpful for teaching students according to their aptitude and building good relationship between teachers and students,and can fully mobilize students' enthusiasm for sports.
Effect of combined usage of insecticides against cockroaches

Objective To observe the effect of combined usage of insecticides against cockroaches in hotel.Methods The cockroaches' density was surveyed on the 10,30,45,60,75 and 90 days of combined usage of ultralow volume spray,thermal fog formulations and bait.Results The cockroaches' density decreasing rate was 94.2%～99.3 %.Conclusion Combined usage of insecticides and environment control can improve insecticidal killing rate in hotel in short time.The insecticidal effect of combined usage is remarkable and the cockroaches' density can be controlled for a long time.
Social networks for improving healthy weight loss behaviors for overweight and obese adults: A randomized clinical trial of the social pounds off digitally (Social POD) mobile app

Abstract Objective To test the efficacy of a weight loss mobile app based on recommender systems and developed by experts in health promotion and computer science to target social support and self-monitoring of diet, physical activity (PA), and weight (Social POD app), compared to a commercially available diet and PA tracking app (standard). Materials and methods Overweight adults [N=51] were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental group [n=26; theory-based podcasts (TBP)+Social POD app] or the comparison group (n=25; TBP+standard app). The Social POD app issued notifications to encourage users to self-monitor and send theory-based messages to support users who had not self-monitored in the previous 48h. Independent samples t -test were used to examine group differences in kilograms lost and change in BMI. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze secondary outcomes while controlling for baseline values. Results Participant attrition was 12% (n=3 experimental and n=3 comparison). Experimental group participants lost significantly more weight (−5.3kg, CI: −7.5, −3.0) than comparison group (−2.23kg, CI: −3.6, −1.0; d = 0.8, r = 0.4, p = 0.02) and had a greater reduction in BMI ( p =0.02). While there were significant differences in positive outcome expectations between groups ( p =0.04) other secondary outcomes (e.g., caloric intake and social support) were not significant. Discussion Use of the Social POD app resulted in significantly greater weight loss than use of a commercially available tracking app. This mobile health intervention has the potential to be widely disseminated to reduce the risk of chronic disease associated with overweight and obesity.
Rule-Based Post Solution Analysis of Decision Support Problems: Some Preliminary Results

The design of systems involves making a series of decisions. Decision support is needed for improving the effectiveness of the designer as a decision maker. A hybrid approach for decision support, using rule-based mathemeti cal programming has been proposed. A prototype, decision support problem technique for design of engineering systems has been successfully developed, implemented and validated at the University of Houston. The technique involves identifying, formulating and solving and validating a number of independent and dependent Decision Support Problems (DSP’s). The solution phase of the technique uses methematical progromming whereas the formulation and post-solution phases are rule-based. This paper deals with the initial results of the rule-based post-solution analysis.
What Is Cosmopolitanism, and How Can Education Promote It?

What are the specific learning objectives that will most effectively promote cosmopolitanism, defined as the commitment to reduce suffering throughout the world and promote global justice? This chapter argues that the formation of cosmopolitans requires developing the cognitive capabilities of recognizing, when the facts warrant, the need of distant peoples, understanding how they are not (or at least not primarily) responsible for their need, and apprehending their sameness or intimate connectedness with oneself. When such judgments are made, the result is compassion for the other, which in turn leads to assistance for the other. Developing these cognitive capabilities involves correcting or replacing certain faulty information-processing structures that prevent us from recognizing these truths.
Abstract 2957: Generation of a novel, mono-specific, antibody against short Isoform of DCLK1 (DCLK1-S): a novel biomarker of colon carcinogenesis in patients

Double-Cortin Like Kinase I (DCLK1) marks colon cancer stem cells in mouse colons. Adenomas (Ads)/human colorectal cancers (hCRCs) express low to high levels of DCLK1. We recently reported that the canonical long isoform (DCLK1-L), transcribed from 5’(α)-promoter, is mainly expressed in normal human colons, while a novel short isoform (DCLK1-S), transcribed from IntronV (β)-promoter, is expressed in colonic tumors, with >80% hCRCs expressing significant levels of DCLK1-S (O’Connell et al., Sci Rep, 2015). We additionally reported that CRC patients, expressing high levels of DCLK1-S, had significantly lower overall survival compared to low expressers (O’Connell et al., Sci Rep, 2015), suggesting prognostic/diagnostic value of measuring DCLK1-S levels in Ads/CRCs. Since expression of DCLK1-S by CRCs was recently discovered by us, commercial antibodies (Ab) are not available for specifically identifying DCLK1-S in Ad/Carcinoma samples of patients for diagnostic/prognostic purposes. We succeeded in generating a monospecific polyclonal Ab against the few unique amino-acid sequences of DCLK1-S. By immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, the Ab was confirmed to be specific for DCLK1-S, with no cross-reactivity for DCLK1-L, and little or no background. The DCLK1-S-Ab did not stain normal human colonic crypts, confirming absence of DCLK1-S in normal colons. In colorectal Ads, DCLK1-S was mainly located in the cytoplasm, with Citation Format: Shubhashish Sarkar, Malaney O. Connell, Vsevolod L. Popov, Gurinder Luthra, Pomila Singh. Generation of a novel, mono-specific, antibody against short Isoform of DCLK1 (DCLK1-S): a novel biomarker of colon carcinogenesis in patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2957.
Allograft Augmentation of Hamstring Autograft for Younger Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background:Younger patients and those with smaller hamstring autograft diameters have been shown to be at significantly greater risk of graft failure after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstr...
Statistical characterization of the large-scale structure of the subauroral polarization stream

The subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are latitudinally narrow regions of westward directed flows observed equatorward of the evening sector auroral oval. Previous studies have shown that SAPS generally occur during geomagnetically disturbed conditions and exhibit a strong dependence on geomagnetic activity. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive statistical study of SAPS using measurements from the U.S. midlatitude Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars. The study period spans January 2011 to December 2014, and the results show that SuperDARN radars observe SAPS over a broad range of activity levels spanning storm time and nonstorm conditions. During relatively quiet conditions (−10 nT <Dst< 10 nT) SAPS occur 15% of the time and tend to be localized to the midnight sector and centered above 60° magnetic latitude. As the activity level increases, the peak SAPS location shifts equatorward and duskward. During moderately disturbed conditions (−75 nT <Dst <− 50 nT) SAPS occur 87% of the time and tend to be centered at 20 magnetic local time (MLT) and below 60° magnetic latitude. This behavior has been encoded into a new empirical model which uses Dst as input to estimate the probability of SAPS occurrence at a given magnetic latitude and MLT. Similar to some previous studies, the variation of SAPS speed with MLT is found to be nearly linear at low to moderate levels of geomagnetic activity but becomes increasingly nonlinear near dusk sector as geomagnetic activity increases. We interpret this behavior as indicative of active ionosphere-thermosphere feedback playing an important role in modulating SAPS speeds.
Controls for Smart Grids: Architectures and Applications

Control is and will continue to be a key discipline for realizing the objectives of smart grid initiatives. Research in control science and engineering is not limited to one or a few application concepts but is pervasive across the smart grid ecosystem. The principal contribution of this paper is to review, from a system-architectural perspective, how control enables smart grid applications. Application “templates” are presented for direct load control, automated demand response, microgrid optimization, control for distribution grids, wide-area control, and market-centric control. Technological developments, including in power electronics, that are enabling smart grid control research and applications are also itemized and two cross-cutting needs/opportunities for future research discussed. We conclude with a summary of a recent status report on the progress that has been made in the United States, noting also the challenges to further progress, in renewable generation, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder associated with dementia and the progressive deterioration of memory impairment, cognitive deficit, and personality changes. These symptoms are caused by substantial synaptic and neuronal loss in specific brain areas (neocortex, hippocampus, and other subcortical regions). The neuropathological features of AD include accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and extracellular deposition of Aβ peptides in the form of senile plaques and in the cerebral blood vessels. Another hallmark of AD is the intracellular inclusion of neurofibrillary tangles, which are composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein. Risk factors for AD include normal aging, diet, sedentary lifestyle, sleep disturbances, genes [amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1), PSEN2, and APOE], environmental factors, and epigenetic factors. AD is a multifactorial disease. So one risk factor alone cannot account for the pathogenesis of AD. However, several risk factors in combination may account for the pathogenic mechanism of AD.
One Point of View: The Decline in Industrial Research — Causes and Cures

(1978). One Point of View: The Decline in Industrial Research — Causes and Cures. Research Management: Vol. 21, No. 5, pp. 8-11.
Trends in the incidence of ocular melanoma in the United States, 1974-1998

Background: A recent report noted a fourfold risk of ocular melanoma associated with employment in occupations involving use of cellular telephones. Methods: To aid interpretation of this finding, and clarify how subsite-specific temporal variation in incidence of ocular melanoma compares with that for cutaneous melanoma, we examined time trends in the incidence of melanoma among whites in the United States, based on data collected through the surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for 1974–1998. Results: The incidence of ocular melanoma decreased over time in both sexes, with no indication of a recent increase during the 1990s. The annual percent change was −0.7% for males (95% confidence interval: −2.3, 0.9) and −1.2% for females (95% confidence interval: −2.5, 0.0). Time trends appeared to differ by subsite of ocular melanoma; rates were flat for the choroid, decreased for the ciliary body, and increased for the conjunctiva (among males only) beginning in the 1980s. In contrast, all subsites of cutaneous melanoma, including the face and adjacent areas, showed marked increases in incidence over the observation period. Conclusions: The dramatic increase in use of cellular telephones has not been accompanied by an increase in the incidence of ocular melanoma. Further study is required to explain the different time trends for subsites of ocular melanoma, and for ocular versus facial and other cutaneous melanomas.
Error-related brain activity in pediatric anxiety disorders remains elevated following individual therapy: a randomized clinical trial.

Author(s): Ladouceur, Cecile D; Tan, Patricia Z; Sharma, Vinod; Bylsma, Lauren M; Silk, Jennifer S; Siegle, Greg J; Forbes, Erika E; McMakin, Dana L; Dahl, Ronald E; Kendall, Phillip C; Mannarino, Anthony; Ryan, Neal D | Abstract: BACKGROUND:Anxiety disorders are associated with an overactive action monitoring system as indexed by a larger error-related negativity (ERN). This study tests whether ERN magnitude changes following treatment, predicts response to treatment, and varies by treatment type. METHODS:The sample included 130 youth (9-14nyears): youth with an anxiety disorder (ANX; nn=n100) and healthy control (HC; nn=n30) youth with no lifetime DSM-IV disorders. ANX youth were randomized to either a manualized cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) or a comparison child-centered therapy (CCT). The ERN was assessed before and after 16 sessions of treatment and within a comparable interval for HC. Subjective ratings about making errors on the task were obtained following each testing session. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT00774150. RESULTS:The ERN was larger in ANX than HC youth but ERN magnitude did not significantly change following treatment in the ANX youth, regardless of treatment type, and baseline ERN did not predict treatment response. Post-task ratings revealed that ANX youth worried more about task performance feedback than HC. Like the ERN, mean ratings did not significantly change following treatment. However, these ratings were not correlated with ERN amplitude. CONCLUSIONS:Findings of greater ERN in pediatric anxiety disorders are replicated in a larger sample. More importantly, findings from this randomized control trial show that a larger ERN and feeling worried about performance feedback remain unchanged following treatment and are unrelated to treatment response. Such findings suggest that action monitoring systems remain overactive in anxious youth treated with psychotherapy, suggesting the need for future investigation of whether novel complimentary cognitive and emotional training programs can modify these systems would be warranted.
Trends in the Educational Placement of Students With Intellectual Disability in the United States Over the Past 40 Years

In 1975, federal law mandated that children with disabilities be educated in their least restrictive environment, or alongside peers without disabilities in general education classrooms to the maximum extent appropriate. More than 40 years later, I investigated how national trends in educational placement have changed over time for students with intellectual disability. Specifically, I examined the degree placements have trended toward less restrictive environments. I found historical trends of incremental progress toward less restrictive settings, but no evidence of such progress in recent years. Furthermore, most students were educated predominantly in segregated settings every year. I discuss how these findings relate to previous studies, as well as implications for individualized education program teams and advocates for educational inclusion.
Qualification of a RETRAN-02 model for boiling water reactor transient analysis

A boiling water reactor system model for the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant has been developed to predict reactor behavior during postulated transients and accidents. The model is based on the RETRAN02 computer program and includes one-dimensional neutron kinetics capabilities. The model can be applied to a wide range of transients but is primarily intended for analyses of the limiting pressurization transients considered for reload core licensing. The model is qualified by comparisons to a number of startup test transients performed at Browns Ferry and to special turbine trip tests conducted at Peach Bottom.
Mentoring High-Risk Minority Youth: Evaluation of the Brothers Project

Mentoring as an intervention for at-risk teens is becoming increasingly popular despite sparse evidence of its effectiveness. This research, part of a larger evaluation effort, reports on a four-year mentoring project developed specifically for African-American adolescents. Self-esteem, attitudes toward drugs and alcohol, grades, school attendance, and disciplinary infractions were examined using an experimental design. No significant differences were found between the control and intervention groups. However, multiple explanations are offered to account for why it is so difficult to document the positive benefits of mentoring.
Cropland management in the Eastern United States for improved soil organic carbon sequestration

Research from the eastern U.S. indicates that no-till crop production (NT) will typically lead to the sequestration of ~0.5 Mg soil organic C (SOC) ha − 1 yr − 1 for several years after adoption, largely due to a high potential for SOC sequestration near the soil surface. However, the impact of conservation tillage deeper in the soil profile is less clear. Careful consideration of both sampling depth and adequate sample numbers, especially when accessing multiple soil series, is needed in future research to conclusively determine effects that practices have below the upper few cm of soil. While conservation tillage, cover crops, and manure application are generally expected to increase SOC, data are needed for a broader range of practices and soils within the region. Even in cases where no net increase in SOC is achieved, conservation practices are highly valuable for erosion control, enhanced nutrient cycling, and improved water and air quality.
Land Tenure and Water Rights in the Blue Nile Basin

Land tenure system in the Blue Nile basin will continue to have impact on land and water resource management. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) at the outlet of the basin will be impacted in both sediment load and basin water yield. Land is the base of political, economic, social and religious life of the Ethiopian people whether the environment is agrarian, pastoral or urban. The Ethiopian government reserves ownership of land and associated resources and administers allocation and right to use through federal and local administrative agencies. Likewise, water allocation and the right to use are not constitutionally defined but fall under other resources which are controlled by the state. Accordingly, political power and wealth in Ethiopia has been strongly tied to access and control of land. In the Blue Nile Basin, private and communal land tenure structure prevail with land ownership rights reserved for the regional and federal political powers. Lack of full ownership and responsibility of these resources has been linked to low productivity, resource degradation such as deforestation, soil and water loss. Land and water right in the basin is an important factor influencing the use of these resources by the basin dwellers. Repossessing of land through rezoning and investment justification and transferring titles make land a quick profit resource subject to growing corruption. There is no incentive for aggressive soil and water conservation watershed management.
Removal of GenX and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances from Water by Amine-Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), and ammonium perfluoro-2-propoxypropionate (GenX), contaminate ground and surface waters throughout the world. The cost and performance limitations of current PFAS removal technologies motivate efforts to develop selective and high-affinity adsorbents. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are unexplored yet promising adsorbents because of their high surface area and tunable pore sizes. Here we show that imine-linked two-dimensional (2D) COFs bearing primary amines adsorb GenX rapidly at environmentally relevant concentrations. COFs with partial amine incorporation showed the highest capacity and fastest removal, suggesting that the synergistic combination of the polar group and hydrophobic surfaces are responsible for GenX binding. A COF with 28% amine loading also removed more than 90% of 12 out of 13 PFAS. These results demonstrate the promise of COFs for PFAS removal and suggest desig...
Is Heavy Trading Good or Bad for Price Discovery? A Direct Test Using Model-Free Implied Volatility

This paper examines whether abnormal trading helps or hurts price discovery. I use options data and study the relation between realized and model-free, as well as Black-Scholes, implied volatilities across high and low option volume states. I also disaggregate option volume into speculative and hedging components and test how abnormally high trading volumes accompanied by an abnormally high speculative component (or by an abnormally high hedging component) affect price discovery. The results reveal that when option volume is high, implied volatilities are more informative. This is consistent with the hypothesis that abnormal volume reflects shocks to informed traders' demand. The result remains robust to alternative weighting schemes for option volume based on option spread and vega weights, which indicate the type of contracts informed traders are likely to prefer. As an important econometric robustness check, I employ the Kalman filter in order to directly address the latent feature of the volatility risk premium in the implied - realized volatility relation.
Epidural Abscess Caused by Gas-Producing Clostridium Septicum: A Case Report.

Case Few cases have reported Clostridium species of bacteria as a source for vertebral osteomyelitis and epidural abscesses. The subspecies of Clostridium septicum has not been described as a cause. This case describes a 69-year-old man who hematogenously spread C. septicum without associated malignancy, subsequently failed conservative management in the form of intravenous antibiotics, and was definitively treated with surgical intervention through a minimally invasive approach. Conclusions An epidural abscess occurring in a surgically naive patient is a rare phenomenon. An epidural abscess caused by C. septicum is even rarer. Appropriate imaging, early recognition, and surgical debridement can lead to a favorable outcome.
Single cell RNA sequencing of upper tract urothelial carcinoma to reveal significant heterogeneity of the tumor and immune microenvironment.

484Background: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) comprises 5-10% of urothelial malignancies but demonstrates unique clinical and molecular characteristics compared to urothelial carcinoma of ...
COVID-19 Transmission, Current Treatment, and Future Therapeutic Strategies.

At the stroke of the New Year 2020, COVID-19, a zoonotic disease that would turn into a global pandemic, was identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Although unique in its transmission and virulence, COVID-19 is similar to zoonotic diseases, including other SARS variants (e.g., SARS-CoV) and MERS, in exhibiting severe flu-like symptoms and acute respiratory distress. Even at the molecular level, many parallels have been identified between SARS and COVID-19 so much so that the COVID-19 virus has been named SARS-CoV-2. These similarities have provided several opportunities to treat COVID-19 patients using clinical approaches that were proven to be effective against SARS. Importantly, the identification of similarities in how SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 access the host, replicate, and trigger life-threatening pathological conditions have revealed opportunities to repurpose drugs that were proven to be effective against SARS. In this article, we first provided an overview of COVID-19 etiology vis-a-vis other zoonotic diseases, particularly SARS and MERS. Then, we summarized the characteristics of droplets/aerosols emitted by COVID-19 patients and how they aid in the transmission of the virus among people. Moreover, we discussed the molecular mechanisms that enable SARS-CoV-2 to access the host and become more contagious than other betacoronaviruses such as SARS-CoV. Further, we outlined various approaches that are currently being employed to diagnose and symptomatically treat COVID-19 in the clinic. Finally, we reviewed various approaches and technologies employed to develop vaccines against COVID-19 and summarized the attempts to repurpose various classes of drugs and novel therapeutic approaches.
Association between chronic kidney disease and COVID-19-related mortality in New York.

To evaluate mortality risk of CKD patients infected with COVID-19, and assess shared characteristics associated with health disparities in CKD outcome. We extracted the data from a case series of 7624 patients presented at Mount Sinai Health System, in New York for testing between 3/28/2020 and 4/16/2020. De-identified patient data set is being produced by the Scientific Computing department and made available to the Mount Sinai research community at the following website: https://msdw.mountsinai.org/ . Of 7624 COVID-19 patients, 7.8% (n = 597) had CKD on hospital admission, and 11.2% (n = 856) died of COVID-19 infection. CKD patients were older, more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were current or former smokers, had a longer time to discharge, and had worse survival compared to non-CKD patients (p < 0.05). COVID-19 mortality rate was significantly higher in CKD patients (23.1% vs 10.2%) with a 1.51 greater odds of dying (95% CI: 1.19–1.90). Controlling for demographic, behavioral, and clinical covariates, the logistic regression analysis showed significant and consistent effects of CKD, older age, male gender, and hypertension with mortality (p < 0.05). CKD was a significant independent predictor of COVID-19 mortality, along with older age, male gender, and hypertension. Future research will investigate the effects of COVID-19 on long-term renal function.
Inherited apicobasal polarity defines the key features of axon-dendrite polarity in a sensory neuron

Summary Neurons are highly polarized cells with morphologically and functionally distinct dendritic and axonal processes. The molecular mechanisms that establish axon-dendrite polarity in vivo are poorly understood. Here, we describe the initial polarization of posterior deirid (PDE), a ciliated mechanosensory neuron, during development in vivo through 4D live imaging with endogenously tagged proteins. PDE inherits and maintains apicobasal polarity from its epithelial precursor. Its apical domain is directly transformed into the ciliated dendritic tip through apical constriction, which is followed by axonal outgrowth from the opposite basal side of the cell. The apical Par complex and junctional proteins persistently localize at the developing dendritic domain throughout this transition. Consistent with their instructive role in axon-dendrite polarization, conditional depletion of the Par complex and junctional proteins results in robust defects in dendrite and axon formation. During apical constriction, a microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) containing the microtubule nucleator γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) forms along the apical junction between PDE and its sister cell in a manner dependent on the Par complex and junctional proteins. This junctional MTOC patterns neuronal microtubule polarity and facilitate the dynein-dependent recruitment of the basal body for ciliogenesis. When non-ciliated neurons are genetically manipulated to obtain ciliated neuronal fate, inherited apicobasal polarity is required for generating ciliated dendritic tips. We propose that inherited apicobasal polarity, together with apical cell-cell interactions drive the morphological and cytoskeletal polarity in early neuronal differentiation.
Supervised Machine Learning Approach to Identify Early Predictors of Poor Outcome in Patients with COVID-19 Presenting to a Large Quaternary Care Hospital in New York City

Background: The progression of clinical manifestations in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) highlights the need to account for symptom duration at the time of hospital presentation in decision-making algorithms. Methods: We performed a nested case–control analysis of 4103 adult patients with COVID-19 and at least 28 days of follow-up who presented to a New York City medical center. Multivariable logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were used to identify predictors of poor outcome. Results: Patients presenting to the hospital earlier in their disease course were older, had more comorbidities, and a greater proportion decompensated ( 8 days, 26%). The first recorded oxygen delivery method was the most important predictor of decompensation overall in CART analysis. In patients with symptoms for 8 days, requiring at least non-rebreather, age ≥ 63 years, and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio ≥ 5.1; requiring at least non-rebreather, IL-6 ≥ 24.7 pg/mL, and D-dimer ≥ 2.4 µg/mL; and IL-6 ≥ 64.3 pg/mL, requiring non-rebreather, and CRP ≥ 152.5 mg/mL in predictive models were independently associated with poor outcome, respectively. Conclusion: Symptom duration in tandem with initial clinical and laboratory markers can be used to identify patients with COVID-19 at increased risk for poor outcomes.
Demographic changes and the housing market

Abstract What is the contribution of demographic changes to house prices? We answer this question by analyzing various channels through which changes related to demographics may affect aggregate housing demand and supply differently. Specifically, we focus on the changes in life expectancy, international immigration, urbanization and fertility. As these changes are sustainable and predictable, understanding the role they play in the real estate markets is important for predicting future house prices. We develop and estimate a general equilibrium supply-demand model to evaluate the contribution of these factors and find that they can account for 40.54% of the observed house price growth from 1970 to 2010. Adopting the projection of these four factors provided by Census and the United Nations, we use our model to predict house prices through 2050. We find that the house price will keep growing from 2010 to 2050 by 4.42%–18.85%, depending on urbanization rates and the level of immigration.
How the placenta-brain lipid axis impacts the nutritional origin of child neurodevelopmental disorders: Focus on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Dietary fish is a rich source of omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, and as such, is believed to have played an important role in the evolution of the human brain and its advanced cognitive function. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly the n-3 docosahexanoic acid (DHA), are critical for proper neurological development and function. Both low plasma DHA and obesity in pregnancy are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in childhood, and n-3 supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms, as reviewed herein. The mechanisms underlying the connection between maternal obesity, n-3 fatty acid levels and offspring's neurological outcomes are poorly understood, but we review the evidence for a mediating role of the placenta in this relationship. Despite promising data that n-3 fatty acid supplementation mitigates the effect of maternal obesity on placental lipid metabolism, few clinical trials or animal studies have considered the neurological outcomes of offspring of mothers with obesity supplemented with n-3 FA in pregnancy.
Visual Practices Across the University

All images in this essay are copyright as indicated. The author, James Elkins, takes all responsibility for copyright issues. In 2005, I was working at the University College Cork in Ireland. Visual studies, film studies, and art history were expanding, and the time seemed right for a university-wide center for the study of images. I was interested in finding out who at the university was engaged with images, so I sent an email to all the faculty in the sixty-odd departments, asking who used images in their work. The responses developed into an exhibition that represented all the faculties of the university.