cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of lameness among dairy cattle in Wisconsin as a function of housing type and stall surface

Objective—To determine the prevalence of lameness as a function of season (summer vs winter), housing type (free stalls vs tie stalls), and stall surface (sand vs any other surface) among lactating dairy cows in Wisconsin. Design—Epidemiologic survey. Animals—3,621 lactating dairy cows in 30 herds. Procedure—Herds were visited once during the summer and once during the winter, and a locomotion score ranging from 1 (no gait abnormality) to 4 (severe lameness) was assigned to all lactating cows. Cows with a score of 3 or 4 were considered to be clinically lame. Results—Mean ± SD herd lameness prevalence was 21.1 ± 10.5% during the summer and 23.9 ± 10.7% during the winter; these values were significantly different. During the winter, mean prevalence of lameness in free-stall herds with non-sand stall surfaces (33.7%) was significantly higher than prevalences in free-stall herds with sand stall surfaces (21.2%), tiestall herds with non-sand stall surfaces (21.7%), and tie-stall herds with sand stall surfaces...
Clinical Utility of Thyroglobulin Antibody (TgAb) Measurements for Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancers (DTC)

Context: Thyroglobulin autoantibodies (TgAb) are primarily measured in serum in conjunction with thyroglobulin (Tg)—the primary tumor marker used to monitor patients with differentiated thyroid cancers (DTC). Every specimen needs TgAb testing to authenticate that the Tg measurement is not compromised by TgAb interference. When present, TgAb concentrations per se can be monitored as a surrogate tumor marker. Objectives: The aims of the study were: 1) to review published reports concerning whether there are associations between DTC, thyroid autoimmunity (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), and the presence of TgAb; and 2) to evaluate the methodological factors that influence TgAb interference with serum Tg testing. Data Sources: PubMed was used to identify studies published over the last 55 yr that focused on DTC relationships with thyroid autoimmunity and the presence of thyroid autoantibodies. Results: Many studies have reported significant associations between papillary thyroid cancer and Hashimoto's thyroiditis t...
The Florida experiment: An analysis of on‐the‐scene responses to cameras in the courtroom

On June 30, 1978, the State of Florida completed a year‐long experiment in which television and still camera coverage of trials was allowed. The State Supreme Court must now decide whether camera c...
Yaws eradication--a goal finally within reach.

Sustained implementation of mass treatment with oral azithromycin followed by active surveillance and targeted treatment of symptomatic and latent yaws, particularly in children, should lead to yaws eradication — though several challenges remain.
Aminoglycoside-Induced Nephrotoxicity—A Focus on Monitoring A review of Literature

The use of aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics has declined over the past 15 years primarily due to comparable potency of other antimicrobials and the nephrotoxicity potential of AG drugs. However, resurgence in the use of AG antimicrobials is occurring due to multidrug-resistant gram-negative nosocomial infections. Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates as well as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae continue to force clinicians to consider AG therapy for nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients and enterococcal endocarditis. Additionally, AGs are still indicated in the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis. Along with the use of AG antibiotics is the associated renal insufficiency complication. This review discusses the mechanism for AG-induced nephrotoxicity. Patient- and drug-related risk factors are discussed to help identify patients at increased risk. The issue of serum-level monitoring is discussed relative to the development of nephrotoxicity.
Conrad Hilton and the Americans with Disabilities Act: “Human Dignity is Paramount”

(1992). Conrad Hilton and the Americans with Disabilities Act: “Human Dignity is Paramount”. Hospitality & Tourism Educator: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 45-46.
Changing industry to continuous operations: Different strokes for different plants

A survey method was designed to evaluate the effect of shift work on industrial workers and to develop recommendations for 7-day around-the-clock production work systems. A Work-Sleep Survey was then offered to 2,340 hourly and salaried workers at four plants. Each plant was in the rubber and plastic products industry and on 5-day around-the-clock operations using permanent shifts. Of the total workers, 90.38% responded to the survey. The results agree with the findings of a previous survey, offered to workers through their unions, using many of the same survey items. The plants were found to differ in worker demographics, habits, and preferences. This survey method is helpful as an aid for the design and evaluation of shift-work systems tailored to specific worker and plant requirements.
Comparison of the properties of concanavalin A and anti-alpha-D-glucose antibodies.

Concanavalin A and anti-α-d-glucose antibodies form precipitin complexes with antigens havingα-d-glucose as terminal units. The sedimentation rates, molecular weights, gel electrophoretic mobilities, isoelectric points, and immunoglobulin type of Con A andα-Ab have been determined. The interactions of the compounds with antigens in the presence of potential inhibitors have been compared. The data show that the interaction of Con A with glucose units occurs with hydrogen bonding at hydroxyl groups at C1, 3,4, and 6 and van der Waals bonding at the pyranose ring oxygen. In theα-Ab complex with glucose units, in addition to the above bond types, a hydrogen bond at the hydroxyl at C2 occurs and this bond is essential for interaction.
The brain adenylate cyclase system of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The basic characteristics of adenylate cyclase from the brain of Manduca sexta larvae are similar to those described for central nervous system preparations from other insects. The properties investigated include the apparent Km for ATP in the presence and absence of NaF, pH optimum, and effects of divalent cations. In addition, since adenylate cyclase can be activated by peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, several biogenic amines were tested on the Manduca system. The brain adenylate cyclase system is stimulated by octopamine (Ka = 1.0 μM) and dopamine (Ka = 0.3 μM) in the presence of guanine nucleotide, but not by serotonin. With a washed, particulate fraction, amine stimulation depends upon the addition of guanine nucleotide. Adenylate cyclase is stimulated 20–30-fold by NaF, the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog Gpp(NH)p, and the diterpene forskolin. Enzyme activity is dependent upon Mg2+ or Mn2+, with the latter cation being 3–6-fold more effective. Calmodulin activates the brain adenylate cyclase approx. 2-fold and this effect is Ca2+-dependent. When the enzyme is solubilized with Lubrol-PX, it retains its normal responsiveness to NaF but octopamine is no longer effective. The solubilized enzyme subjected to sucrose density centrifugation has a sedimentation coefficient of 8.9 S.
Public Private Partnerships and the Prospects for Sustainable ICT Projects in the Developing World

This paper analyses the recent phenomenon of private/public partnerships (PPPs) in the ICT sector of the developing world. The partners may come to these projects with divergent motivations: profit on the one hand and the provision of public services on the other, but at the end of the day, the interests of the partners that are symbiotic can – and indeed should – be aligned to ensure successful long-term projects. To investigate what can be done to promote successful and sustainable PPPs, this paper extends the traditional two-actor analysis to include both a third-party non-profit-oriented facilitating organization and the technology recipients that are the targets of these projects. Following an overview of the current state of PPPs in the developing world, the paper provides two case studies, based in Vietnam, where all four of the above-mentioned stakeholders were involved. The cases reveal important success factors that can be applied to future PPPs in the ICT sector.
Simultaneous determination of sorbic acid and natamycin in cakes by high performance liquid chromatography

Objective To develop a method for the determination of sorbic acid and natamycin in cakes by high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC). Methods The sorbic acid and natamycin were extracted with ultrasonic in ammonium acetate solution consisting in acetate-methanol( 2 ∶1,V / V) and the sample solution was filtrated and finally determined by HPLC which was performed on a C18 column,using 0. 1% trifluoroacetic acid( TFA) in water as eluent A,and 0. 1% TFA in acetonitrile / tetrahydrofurane( 5∶1,V / V) as eluent B. The flow rate was 1. 0 ml / min,the detection wavelength was 280 nm,and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Results The correlation coefficients of the sorbic acid and natamycin at the concetration range0. 446 μg / ml-89. 28 μg / ml and 0. 297 6 μg / ml-59. 52 μg / ml were both 0. 999 8. The recoveries rates of this method were93. 6%-99. 0% and 92. 2%-95. 1% respectively and the detection limit were 0. 02 μg / ml and 0. 15 μg / ml respectively.Conclusion The method is rapid,simple,reproducibile and specific,and it is suitable for the simultaneous determination of sobic acid and natamycin in cakes.
Research Progress on Populations and Physiological Race Distribution of Rice Blast Pathogen(Magnaporthe grisea) in China

Magnaporthe grisea population distribution and the physiological race composition in major rice growing regions in China are summarized.Physiological races of M.grisea ZF,ZD,ZE and ZA were the dominant populations in Northeast China rice growing regions,with the occurring frequencies of 23.2%,22.2%,15.6% and 12.3%,respectively.High pathogenicity virulent populations of ZA and ZB are the major strains in Southwest China rice-producing regions,the occurrence frequency of ZB and ZA reached 53% and 22.3% in Sichuan Province.In Guizhou Province,the races of ZB,ZA and ZG were the dominant populations with occurrence frequency of 41.4%,18.5% and 10.7%,respectively.ZB and ZC were the major populations in south China's rice growing areas with the occurrence frequency 28.0% and 37.0%.Weak virulence races of ZE,ZF and ZG were the major populations in North China rice growing regions with the occurrence frequency of 21.5%,22.1% and 44.3%.Races of ZB,ZG,ZC and ZA were the dominant populations in East China rice planting areas with the occurrence frequency of 43.3%,25.0%,13.9% and 12.3%,respectively.The major populations in central China were ZA,ZB,ZE and ZC,with the occurrence frequency of 34.9%,28.8%,21.4% and 14.1%,respectively.Few rice were planted in northwest China,however,the strong pathogenicity races of ZA and ZB were dominant populations.
Implementation of Energy Legislation in Japan and the Revelation

The life-force of energy legislation is implementation.The energy legislative system has built up in Japan;meanwhile,multi-measures are be set up.These include build up management system,focus on the agility and maneuverability of law,definite legal object by system arrangement,and put forward economics encourage measures.Our country should use the practices in energy legislation and implementation in Japan for reference.
Several experimental designs for evaluating the bioactivity of low-molecular-weight heparin

AIM: To compare several experimental designs for detecting the bioactivity of low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH).METHODS: Chromogenic assay was used for detecting the bio-activity of LMWH by comparing the 4·4 method to 4·3,3·4 or 3·3 method in quantity response parallel line design.RESULTS: In bioassay of LMWH with the quantity response parallel line analysis,there had no statistical difference(P0.05) between 4·4 method with 4·3,3·4 or 3·3 method.CONCLUSION: Quantity response parallel line design could be used in validation of the chromogenic assays for the potency assessment of LMWH.In parallel line design,4·4,4·3,3·4 or 3·3 method of different dose groups all could be used according to the standard for LMWH.
Study on the Development Strategy of Agricultural IT Application in Northeast China

On the basis of the characteristics of Northeast China(NC),the agricultural development strategy and current situa-tion of IT application and existing problems in agriculture,the paper has expounded on IT development strategy in agriculture in NC in the future from five aspects: development prospects,developing and sharing of IT resources,IT application and inter-national cooperation.
The increasing complexity of the ubiquitin code

Ubiquitylation is essential for signal transduction as well as cell division and differentiation in all eukaryotes. Substrate modifications range from a single ubiquitin molecule to complex polymeric chains, with different types of ubiquitylation often eliciting distinct outcomes. The recent identification of novel chain topologies has improved our understanding of how ubiquitylation establishes precise communication within cells. Here, we discuss how the increasing complexity of ubiquitylation is employed to ensure robust and faithful signal transduction in eukaryotic cells.
Prediction of STN-DBS Electrode Implantation Track in Parkinson's Disease by Using Local Field Potentials

Optimal electrophysiological placement of the DBS electrode may lead to better long term clinical outcomes. Inter-subject anatomical variability and limitations in stereotaxic neuroimaging increase the complexity of physiological mapping performed in the operating room. Microelectrode single unit neuronal recording remains the most common intraoperative mapping technique, but requires significant expertise and is fraught by potential technical difficulties including robust measurement of the signal. In contrast, local field potentials (LFPs), owing to their oscillatory and robust nature and being more correlated with the disease symptoms, can overcome these technical issues. Therefore, we hypothesized that multiple spectral features extracted from microelectrode-recorded LFPs could be used to automate the identification of the optimal track and the STN localization. In this regard, we recorded LFPs from microelectrodes in three tracks from 22 patients during DBS electrode implantation surgery at different depths and aimed to predict the track selected by the neurosurgeon based on the interpretation of single unit recordings. A least mean square (LMS) algorithm was used to de-correlate LFPs in each track, in order to remove common activity between channels and increase their spatial specificity. Subband power in the beta band (11-32 Hz) and high frequency range (200-450 Hz) were extracted from the de-correlated LFP data and used as features. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) method was applied both for the localization of the dorsal border of STN and the prediction of the optimal track. By fusing the information from these low and high frequency bands, the dorsal border of STN was localized with a root mean square (RMS) error of 1.22 mm. The prediction accuracy for the optimal track was 80%. Individual beta band (11-32 Hz) and the range of high frequency oscillations (200-450 Hz) provided prediction accuracies of 72 and 68% respectively. The best prediction result obtained with monopolar LFP data was 68%. These results establish the initial evidence that LFPs can be strategically fused with computational intelligence in the operating room for STN localization and the selection of the track for chronic DBS electrode implantation.
Use of Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization for Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ploidy Analysis of Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

AbstractFluorescent in situ hybridization using 2 chromosome specific centromere probes was evaluated as a method of ploidy analysis in touch preparations from 50 radical prostatectomy specimens. Tumors were classified as aneuploid by fluorescent in situ hybridization when nuclei had an abnormal copy number (aneusomic) for either chromosome centromere 8 or 12. Tetraploid tumors were defined as those with 4 copies (tetrasomic) of chromosome centromeres 8 and 12. The fluorescent in situ hybridization ploidy patterns were compared to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy patterns subsequently obtained by flow cytometry on the same tissue following paraffin embedding. Concordant fluorescent in situ hybridization and flow cytometry ploidy classification was obtained in 82% of the cases (p ≦0.0001). Of 7 aneuploid tumors 3 were identified by both methods. Trisomy 8 was detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization in 3 cases that were classified as DNA diploid (2 tumors) and DNA tetraploid (1 tumor). Conversel...
Precisiated natural language (PNL) - toward an enlargement of the role of natural languages in computation, deduction, definition and decision

It is a deep-seated tradition in science to view the use of natural languages in scientific theories as a manifestation of mathematical immaturity. In particular, a direct consequence is that existing scientific theories do not have the capability to operate on perception-based information. Such information is usually described in a natural language and is intrinsically imprecise, reflecting a fundamental limitation on the cognitive ability of humans to resolve detail and store information. In this paper we describe that the high expressive power of natural languages is harnessed by constructing what is called a precisiated natural language (PNL). In essence, PNL is a subset of a natural language (NL) - a subset, which is equipped with constraint-centered semantics (CSNL) and is translatable into what is called the generalized constraint language (GCL).
Effects of maternal obesity on placental function and fetal development

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, and pregnancies in obese mothers have increased risk for complications including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, pre-term birth and caesarian section. Children born to obese mothers are at increased risk of obesity and metabolic disease and are susceptible to develop neuropsychiatric and cognitive disorders. Changes in placental function not only play a critical role in the development of pregnancy complications but may also be involved in linking maternal obesity to long-term health risks in the infant. Maternal adipokines, i.e., interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), leptin and adiponectin link maternal nutritional status and adipose tissue metabolism to placental function. Adipokines and metabolic hormones have direct impact on placental function by modulating placental nutrient transport. Nutrient delivery to the fetus is regulated by a complex interaction including insulin signaling, cytokine profile and insulin responsiveness, which is modulated by adiponectin and IL-1β. In addition, obese pregnant women are at risk for hypertension and preeclampsia with reduced placental vascularity and blood flow, which would restrict placental nutrient delivery to the developing fetus. These sometimes opposing signals regulating placental function may contribute to the diversity of short and long-term outcomes observed in pregnant obese women. This review focuses on the changes in adipokines and obesity-related metabolic hormones, how these factors influence placental function and fetal development to contribute to long-term metabolic and behavioral consequences of children born to obese mothers.
Crowding and Environmental Control

The research on the causes, consequences and mediating adaptive processes of crowding is viewed from a perceived control perspective. It is asserted that crowding is a result of uncontrollable inputs from others. Furthermore, exposure to crowded environments may result in a loss of perceived control over behavior-outcome contingencies, i.e., learned helplessness. In addition, loss of perceived control may result in the employment of ineffective coping mechanisms in individuals exposed to crowded environments; consequently, strengthening individuals’ loss of control perceptions. A pilot study provided some support for these assertions.
A scattering function of star polymers including excluded volume effects

In this work we present a new model for the form factor of a star polymer consisting of self-avoiding branches. This new model incorporates excluded volume effects and is derived from the two point correlation function for a star polymer.. We compare this model to small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements from polystyrene (PS) stars immersed in a good solvent, tetrahydrofuran (THF). It is shown that this model provides a good description of the scattering signature originating from the excluded volume effect and it explicitly elucidates the connection between the global conformation of a star polymer and the local stiffness of its constituent branch.
Hardware accelerators for recurrent neural networks on FPGA

Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) have the ability to retain memory and learn from data sequences, which are fundamental for real-time applications. RNN computations offer limited data reuse, which leads to high data traffic. This translates into high off-chip memory bandwidth or large internal storage requirement to achieve high performance. Exploiting parallelism in RNN computations are bounded by this two limiting factors, among other constraints present in embedded systems. Therefore, balance between internally stored data and off-chip memory data transfer is necessary to overlap computation time with data transfer latency. In this paper, we present three hardware accelerators for RNN on Xilinx's Zynq SoC FPGA to present how to overcome challenges involved in developing RNN accelerators. Each design uses different strategies to achieve high performance and scalability. Each co-processor was tested with a character level language model. The latest design called DeepRnn, achieves up to 23 X better performance per power than Tegra X1 development board for this application.
Erasing the Glow in the Dark: Controlling the Trap and Release of Electrons in Phosphorescent Materials

Common phosphors found in readily available glow-in-the-dark products include transition-metal-doped zinc sulfide and transition-metal-doped strontium aluminate compounds. Phosphorescence of these materials is initiated by light with energies that are specific to each phosphor composition. In many cases, the phosphorescence of these materials can also be darkened by further excitation with light that has lower energy than the minimum energy required to produce the initial glow. The visible darkening of the phosphor material produces an effect akin to an “off switch” or “eraser” for the emitted light. The light excitation to produce the phosphorescence and the darkening can be produced by either coherent or noncoherent light sources with the proper energies and intensities. Phosphor darkening caused by low-energy light can be used in visually remarkable chemistry demonstrations. Additionally, since the distributions of electrons in the low- and high-energy states in these phosphors can be controlled and ch...
Toward an Antiphony Framework for Dividing Tasks into Subtasks

Task analysis is a staple of ergonomics, neuroergonomics, human factors, and experimental psychology inquiry, and often benefits from granularity beyond the task level to the subtask level. The concept and challenge of identifying the subcomponents of tasks are neither new, nor solved. Practitioners routinely identify individually internally consistent and yet conflicting subdivisions. The challenge of producing reliable, valid subtask data across efforts recommends a unified framework for identifying consistent subtask divisions within tasks. A framework is here forwarded, based upon universal “antiphony” turn-taking behavior in human-human interaction, but adapted to address the highly scripted vocabulary of human-machine interaction. Practical application to a real-world vehicle interface is demonstrated, an example discussed in the light of research design, applied use, and future improvement.
Using Geostatistical Techniques to Map The Distribution of Tree Species From Ground Inventory Data

Some kinds of information on biodiversity can only be collected from on-the-ground surveys, providing information complementary to that gained by remote sensing. But a ground inventory, particularly over large areas, is expensive and labor intensive. Using geostatistical techniques, we can use known values at sample points to estimate the values of unsurveyed areas in between. By exploring characteristics such as the spatial pattern and variation in the sample data collected, additional information about the unsurveyed areas can be spatially modeled and estimated. From these estimates, a modeled map and dataset of the resource can be created, complete with understandable parameters of accuracy and uncertainty. The importance of identifying the objectives, understanding the phenomena, choosing the appropriate interpolation method and assessing the results is discussed, and some of the tools available to address each of these areas are presented. Ecological subregions are suggested as appropriate units for identifying species subpopulations for modeling and interpolation. Tree-species composition in Pennsylvania is used as the example, using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture national forest inventory. The resulting modeled dataset provides a picture of individual tree-species distribution and relative abundance across the entire region.
Exendin-4 disrupts responding to reward predictive incentive cues in rats

Exendin-4 (EX4) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist used clinically to control glycemia in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), with the additional effect of promoting weight loss. The weight loss seen with EX4 is attributable to the varied peripheral and central effects of GLP-1, with contributions from the mesolimbic dopamine pathway that are implicated in cue-induced reward seeking. GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce preference for palatable foods (i.e. sweet and fat) as well as the motivation to obtain and consume these foods. Accumulating evidence suggest that GLP-1 receptor activity can attenuate cue-induced reward seeking behaviors. In the present study, we tested the effects of EX4 (0.6, 1.2, and 2.4 μg/kg i.p.) on incentive cue (IC) responding. This rat model required rats to emit a nosepoke response during an intermittent audiovisual cue to obtain a sucrose reward (10% solution). EX4 dose-dependently attenuated responding to reward predictive cues, and increased latencies of the cue response and reward cup entry to consume the sucrose reward. Moreover, EX4 dose-dependently decreased the number of nosepokes relative to the number of cue presentations during the session. There was no drug effect on the number of reward cup entries per reward earned during the session, a related reward-seeking behavior with similar locomotor demand. Interestingly, there was a dose-dependent effect of time on the responding to reward predictive cues and nosepoke response latency, such that 2.4 μg/kg of EX4 delayed responding to the initial IC of the behavioral session. Together, these findings suggest that agonism of the GLP-1 receptor with EX4 modulates the incentive properties of cues attributed with motivational significance.
Clinical Implications of Revised Pooled Cohort Equations for Estimating Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Current guidelines recommend aspirin, statins, and antihypertensive drugs to prevent coronary artery disease in high-risk persons. Deciding whether risk is high enough to warrant these intervention...
Changes in Sleep Characteristics and Breathing Parameters During Sleep in Early and Late Pregnancy

Study Objectives:Few studies have objectively evaluated sleep characteristics during pregnancy or investigated the relationship between altered spectral electroencephalogram (EEG) bands and sleep-d...
The Role of Innovation Ecosystems and Social Capital in Startup Survival

Innovation ecosystems, including technology parks and incubators, endeavor to achieve a high density of startups that is rich in social capital to help tenants evolve. Given the importance of social capital on startup success and the opportunity for social capital diffusion in high-density ecosystems, the inconclusive impact of ecosystems on firm performance warrants further attention. We present a startup survival model that distinguishes between access to social capital and using it. Empirical tests with the longitudinal Kauffman Firm Survey find that those startups that use social capital by collaborating with other agents (universities, industries, and government organizations) significantly outperform startups that do not. However, we also observe that the amount of social capital available in an ecosystem counterintuitively does not correlate with a tenant's use of it, and correlates weakly with longer life expectancy. These results are moderated by whether the tenant is a high-tech startup or not. Findings contribute to extant research in innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Policy and pedagogical recommendations for leveraging an ecosystem to improve firm performance and achieve the ultimate goal of regional economic development are discussed.
Negotiating Repair: The Infrastructural Contexts of Practice and Power

Drawing upon a range of ethnographic case studies, Christopher R. Henke locates repair at the heart of infrastructures local and global, a practice for maintaining social and material orders in modernity. Treating these settings as “negotiated orders,” Henke emphasizes the ongoing work of repair through two key modes: (1) relational repair, a more localized set of practices that maintain infrastructures and the set of material and discursive interactions that actors have with these systems in everyday life, and (2) the repair of power and the systems of expertise typically supported by (and in turn, supporting) state and commercial interests. Henke concludes with a methodological coda about the value of ethnographic approaches for studying and understanding repair.
Lowering the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph in Boston: effects on vehicle speeds

Introduction Effective 9 January 2017, the default speed limit on Boston streets was reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph. This study evaluated the effects of the speed limit reduction on speeds in Boston. Method Vehicle speeds were collected at sites in Boston where the speed limit was lowered, and at control sites in Providence, Rhode Island, where the speed limit remained unchanged, before and after the speed limit change in Boston. A log-linear regression model estimated the change in vehicle speeds associated with the speed limit reduction. Separate logistic regression models estimated changes in the odds of vehicles exceeding 25 mph, 30 mph and 35 mph associated with the lower speed limit. Results The speed limit reduction was associated with a 0.3 % reduction in mean speeds (p=0.065), and reductions of 2.9%, 8.5% and 29.3 % in the odds of vehicles exceeding 25 mph, 30 mph and 35 mph, respectively. All these reductions were statistically significant. Conclusions Local communities should consider lowering speed limits to reduce speeds and improve safety for all road users. The current practice of setting speed limits according to the 85th percentile free-flow speeds, without consideration of other characteristics of the roadway, can be a hurdle for local communities looking to lower speed limits. Updated state laws that allow municipalities to set lower speed limits on urban streets without requiring costly engineering studies can provide flexibility to municipalities to set speed limits that are safe for all road users.
Practical Drills to Perfect the Free Throw

This article provides several tips for helping young players develop accurate form for shooting free throws using aspects of the deliberate practice framework.
Does time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTC) affect outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer?

A recent study reported that time to adjuvant chemotherapy (TTC) > 30 days was significantly associated with worse OS and DFS in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Earlier studies, however, found that worse outcomes were associated with TTC > 60 days or > 90 days. As the trend for mastectomy with reconstruction continues to rise, TTC of 56 days. Logrank, Kaplan–Meier, and inverse probability weighting (IPW) tests were used to analyze disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The mean TTC of our study cohort (n = 724) was 48 days (median TTC = 42 days). Black race, mastectomy without adjuvant radiation, and mastectomy with immediate reconstruction were associated with delayed TTC (all p-values 56 (n = 173) days did not impact DFS or OS compared to TTC ≤ 31 (n = 198) days (p = 0.27 and p = 0.21, respectively). Similar results were seen during subgroup analysis for groups identified as higher risk for delayed TTC. Our results demonstrated that TTC was not significant or significantly associated with DFS or OS in patient receiving chemotherapy for operable TNBC. Our results were reassuring for patients electing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, who may experience a longer TTC.
127 : Role of TGF-beta signaling in circulating and tissue resident memory CD8+ T cells

Tissue resident memory (Trm) CD8 + T cells are a newly described memory T cell populations that are distinct from circulating memory T cells. The Trm CD8 + T cell responses are critical for protection against pathogens that invade the host via skin and mucosal tissues. Transforming growth factor- β eta (TGF- β eta) is thought to be important for controlling the numbers of KLRG + effector T cells and promoting the residence of the Trm CD8 + T cells in several nonlymhpoid tissues including intestine. We will present data on how TGF- β eta signaling differentially regulates circulating and tissue resident memory CD8 + T cells after systemic infection with Listeria monocytogenes in mice.
Biophysics: Flipping Watson and Crick

Watson–Crick base pairs underpin the DNA double helix. Evidence of transient changes in base-pairing geometry highlights the fact that the information held in DNA's linear sequence is stored in three dimensions. See Article p.498 The standard view of the genome is that the two DNA strands are linked through Watson–Crick base pairs, although some deviations from this canonical pairing have been observed when DNA is bound by a ligand. Hashim Al-Hashimi and colleagues now show that naked DNA itself can transiently adopt an arrangement involving short-lived G•C and A•T Hoogsteen base pairs. This excited state provides a route for the expansion of the chemistry and structure of DNA, and has implications for protein–DNA binding and the repair of DNA damage.
The Venture of Separatism: Lessons From the Secession of South Sudan

This study examines the extent to which separatism in South Sudan led the failure of the state and its institutions and aims to draw lessons from this experience. In order to do so, this qualitative case study uses an empirical inquiry on the real problems that engendered immature separatism and subsequently a failed state in South Sudan. The approach of this study is constructivist in the sense that it considers a multitude of factors explaining the failure of Southern Sudanese separatism in its statehood and nation building enterprise. This study finds that culture and identity alone do not justify separatism, and that when culturally based separatism turns into a state, the state fails. The paper also examines and refutes single-point analysis arguments trying to explain state failure in South Sudan by reducing the causes to a single problem. It rules out the validity and reliability of single-point analyses. It starts with building the argument against the culturalist approach that holds culture as justifier for independence. It continues to probe the statist argument that blames the failure of the state on the actions of other states. It also examines the validity of the internationalist argument that posits with confidence that the international community was able to make the South Sudanese state succeed but did not. The study finally probes the institutionalist argument that holds military professionalism and other societal institutions key to explain the problem and offer its solution in South Sudan. The paper argues that the failure of separatism in South Sudan has much to do with structural development and modernization of society and its institution, that is, if the south were socially and institutionally modern enough to embrace statehood - which is a modern concept, it would be ready for a mature separatist venture and a successful state building process.
Quantification of surface crack depth in concrete panels using 1.6 GHz GPR images

Cracking of concrete structures such as highway bridges is commonly observed in the U.S. and around the world, which can be attributed to one or many damage mechanisms. The inability of visual inspection for determining crack depth has a detrimental effect on its reliability. With the use of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques such as microwave and radar sensors, subsurface sensing can be achieved in concrete structures. The objective of this paper is to investigate the performance of a commercially available ground penetrating radar (GPR) sensor on artificially-cracked concrete panels in the laboratory and real concrete structures with cracks in the field. Three artificially-cracked concrete panels (30x30x4 cm3) with different crack dimensions were manufactured with one pristine concrete panel without any crack as the control sample. Three different crack dimensions were introduced in concrete panels, including panel CNC with a 10x0.5x0.5 cm3 crack, panel CNCD with a 10x0.5x1.5 cm3 crack, panel CNCW with a 10x2x0.5 cm3 crack. An L-band GPR sensor (carrier frequency = 1.6GHz) was used in all experimental measurements. From our result, it was found that the use of a 1.6GHz GPR sensor can detect the presence of an artificial crack, as well as detecting crack dimensions (e.g., width, depth). Empirical models were developed from the B-scan GPR images for crack quantification
Expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 and coincident host response signature varies by asthma inflammatory phenotype.

Background More than 300 million people carry a diagnosis of asthma, with data to suggest that they are at a higher risk for infection or adverse outcomes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Asthma is remarkably heterogeneous, and it is currently unclear how patient-intrinsic factors may relate to coronavirus disease 2019. Objective We sought to identify and characterize subsets of patients with asthma at increased risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Methods Participants from 2 large asthma cohorts were stratified using clinically relevant parameters to identify factors related to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) expression within bronchial epithelium. ACE-2–correlated gene signatures were used to interrogate publicly available databases to identify upstream signaling events and novel therapeutic targets. Results Stratifying by type 2 inflammatory biomarkers, we identified subjects who demonstrated low peripheral blood eosinophils accompanied by increased expression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor ACE2 in bronchial epithelium. Genes highly correlated with ACE2 overlapped with type 1 and 2 IFN signatures, normally induced by viral infections. T-cell recruitment and activation within bronchoalveolar lavage cells of ACE2-high subjects was reciprocally increased. These patients demonstrated characteristics corresponding to risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019, including male sex, history of hypertension, low peripheral blood, and elevated bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes. Conclusions ACE2 expression is linked to upregulation of viral response genes in a subset of type 2–low patients with asthma with characteristics resembling known risk factors for severe coronavirus disease 2019. Therapies targeting the IFN family and T-cell–activating factors may therefore be of benefit in a subset of patients.
Impacts of a Home Visiting Program Enhanced with Content on Healthy Birth Spacing.

This study sought to determine the impact of Healthy Families Healthy Futures (HFHF) enhanced with Steps to Success (STS). HFHF is a structured home visiting program for teen parents in Houston that focuses on improving parenting skills and preventing child abuse. HFHF enhanced with STS includes content and activities aimed to reduce repeat pregnancies within 24 months after the first child’s birth. The study team recruited 248 young mothers for the study, primarily through local health clinics and schools, and then randomly assigned them to either a treatment group that was eligible to participate in HFHF enhanced with STS or to a control group. The control group was not offered any other program through the study. Outcomes were measured by a survey administered 12 months after program intake, in five domains aligned with the program’s logic model: (1) exposure to information related to program content, (2) contraception knowledge, (3) contraception use, (4) enhanced family functioning, and (5) child health and development. To estimate program impacts, we used ordinary least squares regression, controlling for demographics and baseline measures of the outcome variables, if available. We use both frequentist approaches (calculations of statistical significance) and Bayesian posterior probabilities to interpret the findings. HFHF enhanced with STS significantly (p < .05) impacted exposure to information on parenting and birth control, with effects of 20.8 and 15.4 percentage points, respectively. Using Bayesian posterior probabilities, there is an 85% chance that the program had a favorable effect on these outcomes. We also calculate a probability of 77% that the program had a favorable impact on long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) use, but a probability of 89% that the program reduced knowledge of birth control pills; these two results were not statistically significant (p = .17 and .10, respectively). These findings are primarily favorable and consistent with the program content and goals. Smaller than anticipated sample sizes due to recruitment challenges increased the chances for random error to affect the ability to detect statistically significant differences on many of our other outcomes; Bayesian posterior probabilities can therefore aid in interpreting the impact estimates. More research of this promising model is warranted.
NHR-49 Acts in Distinct Tissues to Promote Longevity versus Innate Immunity

ABSTRACT Aging and immunity are inextricably linked and many genes that extend lifespan also enhance immunoresistance. However, it remains unclear if longevity-enhancing factors modulate immunity and longevity by distinct or shared mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that the Caenorhabditis elegans pro-longevity factor, NHR-49, also promotes resistance against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but modulates immunity and longevity by spatially and mechanistically distinct mechanisms. Fenofibrate, an agonist of NHR-49’s mammalian functional homolog, PPARα, enhanced worm immunoresistance in an NHR-49-dependent manner. NHR-49 expression is increased by germline ablation, an intervention that extends lifespan, but lowered by pathogen exposure. NHR-49 acted in multiple somatic tissues to promote longevity, whereas, it’s pro-immunity function was mediated by neuronal expression. The canonical NHR-49 target genes, acs-2 and fmo-2, were upregulated by germline loss, but infection triggered fmo-2 downregulation and acs-2 upregulation. Interestingly, neither gene conferred resistance against Gram-negative Pseudomonas, unlike their reported roles in immunity against Gram-positive pathogens. Thus, NHR-49 is differentially regulated by interventions that bring about long-term changes (lifespan extension) vs. short-term stress (pathogen exposure) and in response it orchestrates distinct outputs, including pathogen-specific transcriptional programs. Overall, our study demonstrates the independent control of immunity and longevity by a conserved regulatory protein.
Serologic and other diagnostic evidence of Neospora caninum presence in North Dakota beef herds

The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of Neospora caninum antibodies in beef herds in North Dakota. A total of 212 cattle (97 calves and 115 cows) from seven cow-calf herds originating from four counties in North Dakota participated in the study. Blood was obtained from cattle by venipuncture and serum tested for N. caninum antibodies by indirect ELISA. Additionally, data of N. caninum cattle cases were retrieved from NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) and analyzed. N. caninum cattle cases were characterized by location, time of diagnosis, age, diagnostic test and sample, and presenting syndrome. Serologic prevalence of N. caninum was 5.2% (5/97) and 5.2% (6/115) for calves and adult cattle, respectively. Overall prevalence was 5.2% (11/212; 95% CI, 2.6%, 9.1%). Within-herd seroprevalence for cows and calves ranged from 0 to 13.3%, with a median prevalence of 3.3%. The 2004 VDL records indicated that 23 N. caninum cases were diagnosed in cattle, calves and fetuses of various breeds presenting with varying history. We concluded that N. caninum antibodies were present in the beef herds in ND, and may be as common in calves as in adult cattle. These findings underscore the need for further investigation of bovine neosporosis as a potential source of economic loss to the ND beef industry.
Precautionary savings and shock-coping behaviors: Effects of promoting mobile bank savings on transactional sex in Kenya.

Abstract For the vulnerable, even small shocks can have significant short- and long-term impacts. Beneficial shock-coping mechanisms are not widely available in sub-Saharan Africa. We test whether an individual precautionary savings intervention can reduce a shock-coping behavior common in sub-Saharan Africa that has negative spillovers: transactional sex. Among a set of vulnerable women, we randomly assigned an intervention that promoted savings in a mobile banking account labeled for goals and emergency expenses. We find that a majority of individuals adopt the mobile account and the intervention led to reductions in transactional sex as a shock-coping response, and a decrease in symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. Changes are sustained in the medium-term among sex workers, but not among other vulnerable women.