cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential sources and racial disparities in the residential distribution of soil arsenic and lead among pregnant women

Exposure to arsenic (As) or lead (Pb) has been associated with adverse health outcomes, and high-risk populations can be disproportionately exposed to these metals in soils. The objectives of this study were: to examine if predicted soil As and Pb concentrations at maternal residences of South Carolina (SC) low-income mothers differed based on maternal race (non-Hispanic black versus white), to examine whether differences in predicted residential soil As and Pb concentrations among black and white mothers differed by socioeconomic status (SES), and to examine whether such disparities persisted after controlling for anthropogenic sources of these metals, including direction from, and distance to industrial facilities. Kriged soil As and Pb concentrations were estimated at maternal residences in 11 locations in SC, and models with maternal race and individual and US Census block group level SES measures were examined. US Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility As and Pb releases categorized by distance and direction to block groups in which mothers resided were also identified, as were proxy measures for historic use of leaded gasoline (road density) and Pb-based paint (categories of median year home built by US Census block group). Consistent racial disparities were observed for predicted residential soil As and Pb concentrations, and the disparity was stronger for Pb than As (betas from adjusted models for black mothers were 0.12 and 2.2 for As and Pb, respectively, all p<0.006). Higher road density and older homes in block groups were more closely associated with higher predicted soil As and Pb concentrations than on-site releases of As and Pb categorized by facility location. These findings suggest that non-Hispanic black mothers in this study population had elevated residential As and Pb soil concentrations, after adjusting for SES, and that soil As and Pb concentrations were not associated with recent industrial releases.
Additional evidence for the participation of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the intestinal response to morphine.

SummaryThe delay of passage of a charcoal meal through the mouse small intestine by morphine was antagonized by methyser-gide (UML), a potent inhibitor of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT). Treatment of mice 16 hours prior to use with 5.0 mg/kg reserpine failed to modify the intestinal response to morphine. The effects of atropine methyl-bromide (AMB) on morphine and 5-HT were similar; treatment with AMB enhanced the delay in intestinal transit produced by these agents. Treatment of mice with physostigmine failed to alter the intestinal effects of either 5-HT or morphine. The data are interpreted as adding support to the hypothesis that some of the actions of morphine on the mammalian small intestine may be mediated by 5-HT.The authors are indebted to Mrs. Sharon Heintz for her excellent technical assistance.
An Analysis of Intelligent Automation Demands in Taiwanese Firms

To accurately elucidate the production deployment, process intelligent automation (IA), and production bottlenecks of Taiwanese companies, as well as the IA application status, this research conducted a structured questionnaire survey on the participants of the IA promotion activities arranged by the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs. A total of 35 valid questionnaires were recovered. Research findings indicated that the majority of participants were large-scale enterprises. These enterprises anticipated adding production bases in Taiwan and China to transit and upgrade their operations or strengthen influence in the domestic market. The degrees of various process IA and production bottlenecks were relatively low, which was associated with the tendency to small amount of diversified products. The majority of sub-categories of hardware equipment and simulation technologies have reached maturity, and the effective application of these technologies can enhance production efficiency. Technologies of intelligent software remain immature and need further development and application. More importantly, they can meet customer values and create new business models, so as to satisfy the purpose of sustainable development.
Gibberellic acid and the fine structure of barley aleurone cells

This paper describes changes in the fine structure of barley aleurone cells following treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3). Within 2 hr of GA3 treatment the aleurone grains lose the spherical appearance characteristic of aleurone cells incubated in water and buffer alone. This swelling increases with increased exposure of the cells to GA3 and reaches a maximum at about 10 hr. Accompanying this increase in volume of the aleurone grains is an increase in the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The relevance of these GA3-stimulated changes in aleurone-cell fine-structure to GA3-regulated α-amylase production is discussed.
Genetic Model for Wheat/Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Interaction: Strategies for Deployment of Resistance Genes in Wheat Cultivars

A genetic model describing the interaction between the wheat plant, Triticum aestivum L., and the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), is presented. The model is based on multiplicative interlocus interaction and gene-for-gene interaction between host and insect. It can be used to predict changes in allelic frequency in the insect and in the level of potential crop damage caused by deployment of host resistance genes, given genotypic fitnesses and initial allelic frequencies. Given reliable estimates of genetic parameters, the model can be used to make predictions where there are unequal genetic effects and frequencies and a much wider range of resistance-gene deployment patterns.
Sky-earth, lake-sea: climate and water in Maya history and landscape

In recent years, a growing body of research has focused on the importance of water management for ancient Maya societies, and more generally on the cultural and economic significance of water as a resource. But how did this change across the centuries as cycles of drought and sea level rise, together with the growing Maya footprint on the landscape, presented new challenges? As the resolution of climatic records improves, the authors can begin to show in detail how Maya water management responded and adapted to such shifts. This included the manipulation of aguadas and the development of wetland field systems, in the process transforming large areas of the Maya landscape.
The Legal Protection Research under Construction of Environment-friendly Society of Rural Drinking Water Safety in Xuzhou

With the basic national conditions of limited capacity in the environment,development and population pressure will continue to increase the total amount,as one of the objects in environmental law,the construction of environment-friendly society is one of the important aspects of construction of harmonious society.Rural drinking water safety uhiuh is to build environment-friendly society is facing the problems.Rural drinking water safety is not only concerned about the technical level,but also should be provided for legal protection.In this paper,the security situation of rural drinking water in Xuzhou,Xuzhou rural drinking water safety in the status quo for the entry point for the rule of law,Xuzhou reveals rural drinking water safety deficiencies in the legislative and law enforcement deficiencies,Xuzhou put forward a sound legal protection of rural drinking water safety recommendations.
The outcome of continued treatment of luteinizing hormone-surged cycles in in vitro fertilization with the use of human menopausal gonadotropin

Over a 2-year period 75 patients were treated for 109cycles with human menopausal gonadotropin for in vitro fertilization. The occurrence of endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges was monitored by daily blood sampling. Forty-six cycles (42%) showed an endogenous LH surge. Instead of canceling the treatment cycle as other programs do, we proceeded to oocyte collection when the surge was detected. Human chorionic gonadotropin was administered routinely to the "surge" patients as soon as the LH surge was determined. The oocyte collection was carried out around 24hours after the "surge" blood had been drawn, although the beginning of the endogenous LH surge was unable to be pinpointed. Significantly more immature oocytes, lower fertilization rate, and lower cleavage rate were seen in the "surge" patients than in the "nonsurge" patients. In five "surge" cycles laparoscopy for oocyte collection was canceled, but none was canceled because of premature ovulation detected by the immediately preoperative ultrasonography. In four "surge" cycles no potentially fertilizable egg was recovered. This was not significantly different from that of the "nonsurge" group. The pregnancy rate of the "surge" group (4/41 or 9.8% per laparoscopy and 4/34 of 11.8% per embryo transfer) was not statistically different from that of the "nonsurge" group (7/61 or 11.5% per laparoscopy and 7/56 or 12.5% per embryo transfer). This study presents the possibility of proceeding to oocyte collection, fertilization, embryo transfer, and pregnancy in patients with endogenous LH surge in in vitro fertilization procedures with the use of human menopausal gonadotropin treatment.
The effects of spontaneous luteinizing hormone surges on superovulatory cycles.

Objective To determine the effect of a spontaneous luteinizing hormone (LH) surge on the cycle fecundity during superovulation induction. Design Superovulatory cycles of patients with various diagnoses are retrospectively compared. Setting Reproductive Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic. Patients A total of 1,185 superovulatory cycles from July 1, 1982 until November 1, 1991 are compared. Main Outcome Measure The probability of achieving a pregnancy per treatment cycle. Results Patients with unexplained infertility and hyperprolactinemia were more likely to have a spontaneous LH surge during superovulation than patients with either endometriosis or polycystic ovarian disease. However, the cycle fecundity rate did not differ whether or not an LH surge occurred, regardless of the diagnosis. Conclusions Spontaneous onset of an LH surge during superovulation induction does not influence the chances for pregnancy.
Placental clearance rate of maternal plasma androstenedione through placental estradiol formation: an indirect method of assessing uteroplacental blood flow.

The metabolism of androstenedione (A) by the placenta in late pregnancy and the early puerperium was studied. The metabolic clearance rate of A (MGR-A) was increased in pregnant woman, 2,825 ± 207 L/24 hr (mean ± SEM), compared to 2,020 ± 140 L/24 hr in nonpregnant women of similar body weight. The immediate puerperal MCR-A was 2,539 ± 50 L/24 hr. Therefore, approximately 10% of maternal plasma A was cleared by the placenta. In the latter haff of pregnancy, the extent of conversion of maternal plasma A through estradiol formation, ( ρ )AE 2 , was increased, whereas in the immediate puerperium it was normal, 0.018. Moreover, 90% of aromatase activity was attributed to the placenta in late pregnancy. From these data, we computed that the placental clearance rate of A through estradiol (PCAE 2 ) from whole good was 497 ± 41ml/min in women with a single fetus and 691 ± 102ml/min in women with twin fetuses. Thus, it appears the PCAE 2 is a sensitive index of maternal-placental perfusion.
A peripheral blood biomarker estimates probability of survival: the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in noncancer patients.

Aim: Inflammatory biomarkers are associated with aging and disease-specific outcomes. We propose neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) informs survival in a noncancer-bearing population. Patients & methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with a noncancer diagnosis. Calculation of NLR, ascertainment of age, gender, race, cardiovascular disease and diabetes status, and association with survival was determined. Results: Elevated NLR was associated with worse overall survival, independent of age, gender and comorbid status. Overall survival was significantly worse for patients with high versus low NLR. Conclusion: Elevated NLR is associated with worse overall survival in noncancer patients. It remains unclear whether NLR reflects an acute inflammatory state, depressed host immune competence or both. NLR may simply be another predictor of survival, or potentially a modifiable risk factor.
Kirkegaardia (Polychaeta, Cirratulidae), new name for Monticellina Laubier, preoccupied in the Rhabdocoela, together with new records and descriptions of eight previously known and sixteen new species from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans

A new name, Kirkegaardia , is proposed to replace Monticellina Laubier, 1961, a bitentaculate cirratulid polychaete genus, that is a junior homonym of the turbellarian Monticellina Westblad, 1953 (Platyhelminthes, Rhabdocoela). In addition, the opportunity is taken to complete a major revision of the genus including the redescription, revalidation, and separation of three species previously referred to synonymy with K. dorsobranchialis (Kirkegaard, 1959) and five other previously described species. In addition, 16 new species are described from the western North Atlantic, eastern and central Pacific, off western South America, and seas around Antarctica, bringing the total number of species in the genus to 38. Included are two new species of the unusual mud ball worms, first reported as Tharyx luticastellus Jumars, 1975, from southern California deep basins. A review of all 38 species reveals that three distinct species groups may be identified within the genus in addition to 5–6 species that may eventually be referred elsewhere. This review includes a discussion of the taxonomic characters and various newly defined character states that are found among species of Kirkegaardia . Several of these are unique among the Cirratulidae.
The Depression Prevention Initiative: Impact on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in a Randomized Trial.

This randomized controlled trial examined the longitudinal effects of two school-based indicated depression prevention programs on adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing symptoms, as measured by adolescents, their parents, and their teachers. One hundred eighty-six adolescents participated in this study. The average age was 14.01 (SD = 1.22) years, and the sample was 66.7% female. One third of the sample belonged to a racial minority. Youth received either Interpersonal Psychotherapy–Adolescent Skills Training or group counseling. Symptoms were assessed using adolescent, parent, and teacher reports on the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Adolescents reported the most robust effects in favor of Interpersonal Psychotherapy–Adolescent Skills Training. Adolescents in Interpersonal Psychotherapy–Adolescent Skills Training reported significantly greater reductions in internalizing symptoms through the 6-month follow-up and significantly...
Minimal-invasive Interventionen bei thorakolumbalen Frakturen

Bei der Versorgung von Wirbelsaulentraumata ist die minimal-invasive Chirurgie in zunehmendem Mas eine Behandlungsoption. Aus fruhen Veroffentlichungen spricht manches fur diese Modalitat. Ihr genauer Stellenwert, auch im Vergleich zu konservativen Behandlungskonzepten, und ihre Grenzen konnen jedoch erst nach Auswertung langerfristiger Untersuchungen beurteilt werden.
Adaptive Security of Yao's Garbled Circuits

A garbling scheme is used to garble a circuit C and an input x in a way that reveals the output Cx but hides everything else. Yao's construction from the 80's is known to achieve selective security, where the adversary chooses the circuit C and the input x in one shot. It has remained as an open problem whether the construction also achieves adaptive security, where the adversary can choose the input x after seeing the garbled version of the circuit C. A recent work of Hemenway et al. CRYPTO'16 modifies Yao's construction and shows that the resulting scheme is adaptively secure. This is done by encrypting the garbled circuit from Yao's construction with a special type of "somewhere equivocal encryption" and giving the key together with the garbled input. The efficiency of the scheme and the security loss of the reduction is captured by a certain pebbling game over the circuit. In this work we prove that Yao's construction itself is already adaptively secure, where the security loss can be captured by the same pebbling game. For example, we show that for circuits of depth d, the security loss of our reduction is $$2^{Od}$$ 2Od, meaning that Yao's construction is adaptively secure for NC1 circuits without requiring complexity leveraging. Our technique is inspired by the "nested hybrids" of Fuchsbauer et al. Asiacrypt'14, CRYPTO'15 and relies on a careful sequence of hybrids where each hybrid involves some limited guessing about the adversary's adaptive choices. Although it doesn't match the parameters achieved by Hemenway et al. in their full generality, the main advantage of our work is to prove the security of Yao's construction as is, without any additional encryption layer.
Fluid Pipelines: Elastic circuitry meets Out-of-Order execution

Pipeline depth and cycle time are fixed early in the chip design process but their impact can only be assessed when the implementation is mostly done and changing them is impractical. Elastic Systems are latency insensitive systems, and allow changes in the pipeline depth late in the design process with little design effort. Nevertheless, they have significant throughput penalty when new stages are added in the presence of pipeline loops. We propose Fluid Pipelines, an evolution that allows pipeline transformations without a throughput penalty. Formally, we introduce “or-causality” in addition to the already existing “and-causality” in Elastic Systems. It gives more flexibility than previously possible at the cost of having the designer to specify the intended behavior of the circuit. In an Out-of-Order core benchmark, Fluid Pipelines improve the optimal energy-delay point by shifting both performance (by 17%) and energy (by 13%). We envision a scenario where tools would be able to generate different pipeline configurations from the same RTL e.g., low power, high performance.
Changing duration and spatial extent of midlatitude precipitation extremes across different climates

Precipitation extremes intensify with climate warming in observations and simulations, but changes in their duration or spatial extent are not well understood. Here the duration and zonal length of midlatitude precipitation extremes are quantified in climate model simulations. Most comprehensive climate models project a decrease in duration over the 21st century, although the magnitude of the decrease with warming is less than 1% K−1 in the multimodel mean. An advective time scale based on the mean zonal wind is shown to be linked to the duration in terms of spatial distribution, intermodel differences, and response to climate change. In simulations with an idealized climate model, a stronger meridional temperature gradient decreases the duration despite increases in the zonal length, and this is explained using the thermal wind relation and the Rossby deformation radius. However, the response of the zonal length to increasing mean temperature requires further study.
Inference for a Population Proportion

Statistical inference is drawing conclusions about an entire population based on data in a sample drawn from that population. From both frequentist and Bayesian perspectives, there are three main goals of inference: estimation, hypothesis testing, and prediction. Estimation and hypothesis testing deal with drawing conclusions about unknown and unobservable population parameters.
Design of synchronous reluctance motor with multilayer AC winding

This paper presents a new synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) design with multilayer AC winding to take the advantages of shorter end-winding length and lower stator MMF harmonics compared to the conventional distributed winding. The multilayer winding concept is described along with a discussion on the winding configuration selection. A multi-barrier rotor is designed for the SynRM using finite element analysis (FEA) based multidimensional optimization. Machine rated performances are compared with a commercial squirrel cage induction motor (SCIM) and a conventionally wound SynRM. Significant efficiency gains were achieved with SynRMs compared to the benchmark SCIM. Compared to conventional wound SynRM, the designed SynRM with multilayer winding yields higher torque output with the same copper loss, lower torque ripple, and better power factor, thereby improving the overall SynRM performance. A prototype SynRM with multilayer winding has been built and FEA results have been experimentally verified.
A Place for the Bible within Psychological Science

Many Christian psychologists have been motivated to relate psychology and the teachings of the Bible. However, this task has met with limited success for a variety of reasons, some of which include...
Cardiotoxicity associated with bortezomib: A single-center experience.

Background: Studies evaluating the prevalence of cardiotoxicity associated with bortezomib are limited. We proposed this study to evaluate the prevalence of cardiotoxicity associated with bortezomib and its relation to multiple myeloma and other malignancies. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, chart review study. Subjects who received bortezomib at the HealthEast care system for various oncologic conditions were evaluated after obtaining IRB approval. Results: A total of 64 patients received bortezomib for various malignancies. Nine out of 64 (14%) patients developed cardiotoxicity during treatment with bortezomib, and the majority of these patients had a prior cardiac history and other cardiac risk factors. On further review, we did not find any significant causal relationship between these cardiac events and bortezomib. Conclusion: Cardiotoxicity is probably not related to bortezomib, even though there are some case reports suggestive of cardiac events related to bortezomib. Our findings need to be confirmed in multicenter, prospective studies.
Young adults' opioid use trajectories: From nonmedical prescription opioid use to heroin, drug injection, drug treatment and overdose

Abstract Introduction Recent research has begun to explore the transition from nonmedical use of prescription opioids (POs) to heroin and injection drug use, adding to earlier literature identifying factors that influence the transition from intranasal to injection use of heroin. However, little research has explored how these transitions are embedded within young people's broader opioid use trajectories – individual pathways that may also include experiences of nonfatal overdose and drug treatment. Methods Data are from a study of 539 18–29 year-old New York City residents, recruited via Respondent-Driven Sampling, who reported past-month nonmedical use of POs and/or heroin use. Participants completed structured, computer-assisted interviews that included assessment of their ages at a series of “benchmark” events and experiences, including first use of a drug or route of administration, the onset of “regular” use of a drug (i.e., 1 or more times a week for at least 1 month), first overdose and first drug treatment. Results Results suggest a predictable, ordered pathway by which opioid use tends to progress in this cohort of young adults. Participants initiated nonmedical PO use at age 16.8, on average, and most transitioned to heroin use (83%) and heroin injection (64%), generally within 4 years of first PO misuse. Drug treatment was not typically accessed until after participants had progressed to heroin use. First overdose occurred Conclusions Findings may help inform the optimal timing for delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention efforts targeting young opioid users.
Are US degree-granting institutions associated with better community health determinants and outcomes?

Abstract Objectives The impact of individual education level on health outcomes is well-established, but the effect of degree-granting institutions on county health rankings (CHRs) is unknown. The objective of this study is to determine if there is an association between the presence of degree-granting institutions and CHRs. Study design This is an ecologic study. Methods Data for 3062 counties were derived from the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for year 2016. Ordinal logistic regression was utilized to determine the association between presence of a degree-granting institution and county rankings for health behaviors, health outcomes, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. All models were adjusted for potential confounding factors including age, sex, race/ethnicity, English language proficiency, and urban/rural location. Results The presence of a degree-granting institution was positively associated with CHRs for length of life (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 1.58), health behaviors (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.79), and clinical care (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.67). Counties with the highest rankings in one health category were more likely to score in the highest rankings for other health categories. Conclusions These findings suggest that degree-granting institutions are associated with CHRs. Partnerships between public health agencies and degree-granting institutions are recommended to improve population health.
State-of-the-Art and Performance Testing of Instrumentation for the Scintigraphic Detection of Tumors with Labeled Monoclonal Antibodies

The imaging instrumentation and techniques used with labeled monoclonal antibodies are in general not different from the state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation and techniques used in nuclear medicine. The Anger-type scintillation camera and recently the rotating camera Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) are routinely used. For the management of cancer, of special interest are the optimal localization and quantification of the labeled antibodies. It should be noted here that tumor localization, necrotic regions within large tumors, and tumor-to-normal tissue ratios of radiolabeled antibodies are more easily and more reliably evaluated from SPECT slices than from planar views. Emission Computed Tomography (ECT) techniques have been developed for volume determination of lesions, permitting more accurate dosimetry in the use of anti-tumor antibodies for therapy and subsequent measurements to determine the effectiveness of different therapeutic regimens (1–28).
NIH and National Foundation Expenditures For Sickle Cell Disease and Cystic Fibrosis Are Associated With Pubmed Publications and FDA Approvals

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and cystic fibrosis are both rare inherited diseases most often diagnosed in the United States by newborn screening. Early diagnosis and treatment have led to substantial improvements in survival, but adult mortality remains high with median survival of 40 to 45 years for sickle cell anemia and 35 to 40 years for cystic fibrosis. Disparities in funding between these two diseases of similar severity have been long recognized, but the relationship between funding and research productivity has not been rigorously evaluated. We hypothesized that expenditures by the NIH and the national foundations for these diseases would be associated with the number of publications indexed in PubMed, active clinical trials, and FDA approvals. We estimated disease-specific funding and number of career development awards using NIH RePORT (http://www.report.nih.gov/categorical_spending.aspx) and the Form 990 financial reports for expenditures by year for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc. We calculated expenditures per individual using published estimates of the number of people with SCD (89,079) and cystic fibrosis (30,000) in the United States. We developed a comprehensive search strategy with a medical informationist to identify relevant publications in PubMed and new postings of clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov) by disease. We reviewed FDA approvals from 2009 to July 2013 to identify indications for SCD or cystic fibrosis. Funding per affected individual was 7.6 (2010) to 11.4 fold (2011) greater for cystic fibrosis than SCD and included a 3.5-fold higher NIH funding and 370 (2010) to 440 fold (2011) higher national foundation funding. NIH career development awards were similar for the two diseases despite nearly 3-fold more individuals affected by SCD. There were nearly twice as many publications and slightly more new listings of clinical trials for cystic fibrosis. No drugs were approved between 2010 and July 2013 for the treatment of SCD compared with 5 for cystic fibrosis. We confirmed widely disparate NIH and national foundation funding per individual affected by SCD and cystic fibrosis. Research productivity as measured by articles indexed in PubMed, new clinical trials, and new drug approvals were substantially higher for cystic fibrosis, despite similar severity to SCD and many fewer affected individuals in the United States. This likely reflects the increased financial resources available for research and quality improvement efforts. Disclosures: Strouse:NIH: Research Funding; Doris Duke Charitable Foundation: Research Funding; Masimo Corporation: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Lanzkron:NIH: Research Funding. Haywood:NIH: Research Funding.
Boron Clusters with Transition Metal-Hydrogen Bonds

Transition metal hydride chemistry has experienced enormous growth and impact in recent decades,(1) accelerated by the widespread interest in these species as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. This work has paralleled the rapid development of metallaborane and metallacarborane chemistry,(2) and it was inevitable that the two fields would overlap and that metal-boron clusters having metal-hydrogen bonds would be discovered. What was not really foreseen, however, was the vast scope of structures and chemistry that has emerged in this area. Indeed, it is the case that in terms of isolable monomeric species, the variety of stable transition metal-hydrogen bonding modes in known metal-boron cluster compounds greatly exceeds that found in “pure” (nonboron) metal cluster hydrides. The reasons would seem to be, first, that boron frameworks in general provide inherently stable matrices in which metal atoms with hydrogen ligands can reside; second, that borane and metallaborane cages tend to be hydrogen-rich, setting the stage for metal-hydrogen interactions; and third, that hydrogen bridging is a common feature in electron-deficient boron clusters, and the involvement of metals in such systems can be seen (at least in retrospect) as a natural extension of this phenomenon.
Abstract 116: A Novel Mediator of Heart Failure Development and Progression- Role of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase

Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD), an antioxidant enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of superoxide radicals (O2•-) in mitochondria. Constitutive activation mitochondrial reactive oxygen spec...
Life-history traits of house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), reared on three manure types

House flies are typically revered as pests because they are a nuisance and carriers of pathogens; however, they are capable of converting animal wastes into valuable biomass that may be suitable fo...
Elucidating Microbial Pathways of Mercury Methylation During Litter Decomposition

Tree foliage sequesters gaseous elemental mercury (Hg) through stomatal uptake, when the foliage senesces and falls into the water, Hg from leaf litter can be released into the water and/or microbially methylated into a highly toxic form, methylmercury. The dominant groups of microbial communities that can methylate Hg during litter decomposition are, however, less certain. We conducted a microbial inhibition experiment to identify the primary methylators of leaf litter Hg during 28-day decomposition of two litter species of contrasting quality (pine and maple). We demonstrate that sulfate-reducing bacteria are the dominant microbial groups for Hg methylation during anoxic litter decomposition, and our study also indicates that methanogens may have a minor role in mediating Hg methylation during litter decomposition. Thus, aquatic environment with extensive litter accumulation and decomposition (e.g., wetlands, ponds, and river pools) can be hotspots of Hg methylation through sulfate-reduction and, to a lesser extent, methanogenesis.
The Kinematics of Containment

This chapter is concerned with two problems related to what we call the kinematics of containment: (1) Given a small convex body in \(n\)-dimensional Euclidean space, such as an ellipsoid, that is contained inside of a large convex body, characterize the range of allowable motions for which the boundaries of the bodies do not collide, and calculate the corresponding volume of this motion in the group of rigid-body motions, \(SE(n)\); (2) If the smaller body is almost the size of the larger one, and can only execute small collision-free motions, analyze the range of these motions. Both of these problems are addressed fully here. The first uses methods of the fields of Integral Geometry and Geometric Probability and derives an expression similar to the so-called Principal Kinematic Formula. The second uses the kinematics of infinitesimal motions and properties of ellipsoids.
Impact of Property Tax Abatement on Employment Growth

Property tax abatement incentives, used by 70% (35 states) of the states in the United States, redirect property tax revenue from the local community to firms in hopes that inducing these firms to ...
Molecular Genetics of Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an autosomal dominant disease characterised by dilation of the left ventricle and reduced systolic function. Although hundreds of mutations in more than 40 genes have been attributed to DCM, affecting a wide variety of structural proteins, conduction pathways and contraction mechanisms, this accounts for approximately 40% of familial genetic causes. Additionally, due to low prevalence of any particular single gene mutation in the population, as well as genetic overlap with other cardiomyopathies and diagnostic technology limitations, the diagnosis of DCM remains difficult. The introduction of high-throughput deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing through multigene testing panels has improved diagnostic sensitivity. Furthermore, functional studies have provided innovative approaches to advance collective understanding of DCM aetiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis. Key Concepts: DCM is an autosomal dominant disease affecting 1 in 2500 individuals with up to 50% of cases attributed to genetic causes. Approximately 40 genes have been discovered as part of DCM aetiology, but this accounts for only 40% of genetic cases. Mutations causing DCM have been discovered in multiple cardiomyocyte proteins and pathways, with most mutations representing a rare cause of DCM and each contributing a low frequency of DCM cases. Mutated genes involved in DCM include those encoding sarcomeric, cytoskeleton, nuclear membrane and ion channel proteins; most mutations leads to a similar DCM phenotype. DCM-associated rare gene variants found both in research and clinical settings require confirmatory and follow-up studies, because some of them may eventually result in benign common variations. Functional studies model systems and animal models, such as in zebrafish, are useful for clearly observing the heart, and these studies have been successful in demonstrating distinct cardiac phenotypes for DCM-related gene mutations. Keywords: dilated cardiomyopathy; cardiovascular disease; cardiomyopathy; zebrafish; next-generation sequencing; autosomal dominant disease; allelic heterogeneity; cardiomyocyte
Light Emitting Diodes and Low Level Laser Light Therapy

Low level laser therapy (LLLT), including coherent and non-coherent light sources, also known as photobiomodulation, is a non-ablative treatment modality that alters cellular biochemical processes through its action on the mitochondria and by changing the cellular redox state. Treatment is delivered by exposing cells or tissue to light of low energy densities for a specific amount of time. This process has been reported to have beneficial therapeutic effects on a wide variety of conditions that benefit from alleviation of pain or inflammation, immunomodulation, and promotion of wound healing and tissue regeneration. LLLT’s use in dermatology is still considered experimental and investigational, hence it is currently used primarily as an adjunct therapy. Skepticisms mostly stem from ambiguities in its mechanism of action and the complexity of its dosimetry. For the same reasons, guidelines directing its use are not yet well established. Nonetheless, many recent studies have reported favorable outcomes achieved with LLLT in a number of indications (e.g. wound healing, hair growth, skin rejuvenation, fibrosis) with minimal adverse events.
Machine Learning Based Soil Moisture Retrieval from Unmanned Aircraft System Multispectral Remote Sensing

We developed machine learning models to retrieve surface soil moisture (0–4 cm) from high resolution multispectral imagery, terrain attributes, and local climate covariates. Using a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) equipped with a multispectral sensor we captured high resolution imagery in part to create a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM) as well as quantify relative vegetation photosynthetic status. We tested four different machine learning algorithms. The boosted regression tree algorithm provided the best accuracy model with mean absolute error of 3.8 % volumetric water content. The most important variables for the prediction of soil moisture were precipitation, reflectance in the red wavelengths, potential evapotranspiration, and topographic position indices (TPI). Our results demonstrate that the dynamics of soil water status across heterogeneous terrain may be adequately described and predicted by UAS remote sensing data and machine learning. Our modeling approach and the variable importance and relationships we have assessed in this study should be useful for management and environmental modeling tasks where spatially explicit soil moisture information is important.
AVALIAÇÃO DE TRATAMENTOS CONTRA ENTEROBACTÉRIAS EM CAMA DE FRANGO DE CORTE

No Brasil, dois sistemas de producao sao os mais utilizados na avicultura: o convencional e dark house. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar dois tratamentos em camas reutilizadas de frangos de corte para a reducao de enterobacterias, comparando estes dois sistemas. Foram avaliadas 80 amostras de camas de aviarios de ambos os modelos tratatas com cal virgem (T1) ou tratadas com fermentacao seguida de cal (T2). . Para avaliacao microbiologica, as amostras foram coletadas um dia antes do abate e cinco dias apos os tratamentos, ressuspendidas, diluidas e plaqueadas em meio Mac Conkey. Os resultados indicaram que os grupos tratados somente com cal virgem apresentaram reducao significativa (p<0,05) de enterobacterias em ambos os sistemas, mostrando sua eficiencia na reducao da carga microbiologica em camas reutilizadas.
Giant and ultrafast nonlinearity with ENZ Photonics

Nonlinearity provides a key functionality for a plurality of devices, effects, and systems. In this talk I show that both all-optical and electro-optical nonlinearity can be strongly enhanced at the slow-light effect epsilon-near-zero (ENZ). I share our recent experimental demonstrations including (a) temporally tailoring ENZ nonlinearity (Optics Letters 2020), (b) spectrally 400nm broadband ENZ enhancement, (b) GHz-fast yet micrometer-compact electro-optic modulator within a MZI-Silicon-ITO hybrid platform (OPTICA 2020, Scientific Reports 2021), and (c) Kramers-Kronig-enhanced electro-absorption modulator (NANOPHOTONICS 2019). Together, these technologies show that monolithic integration of TCO into PICs provides functionality beyond Silicon photonics with application in datacom, sensing, and neuromorphic computing.
Photoradiation for Choroidal Malignant Melanoma

Photoradiation therapy is the pretreatment of tissue with a photo sensitizing substance followed by exposure to light energy, resulting in a photodynamic reaction that causes cell death. This concept has been investigated since the early 1900s without success until the 1970s. At this time, Dougherty (1978; 1979; 1981) and his group at Roswell Park, New York developed a derivative of hematoporphyrin (HpD) that appears to meet the necessary criteria of a photoradiation therapy. It is well known that the HpD, when given to patients, is concentrated in neoplastic tissue to a greater extent than in normal tissues. Exposure of the sensitized tissue to red light (630 nm) results in a photodynamic reaction, causing oxidation of cross linkages in the cell wall resulting in cell lysis (Moan et al., 1979; Weishaupt et al., 1976). To date, many types of human and animal neoplasms have been responsive to this mode of therapy (McBride, 1979).
Development of an Interspecies Nested Dose-Response Model for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes chronic inflammation of the intestines in humans, ruminants, and other species. It is the causative agent of Johne's disease in cattle, and has been implicated as the causative agent of Crohn's disease in humans. To date, no quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) for MAP utilizing a dose-response function exists. The objective of this study is to develop a nested dose-response model for infection from oral exposure to MAP utilizing data from the peer-reviewed literature. Four studies amenable to dose-response modeling were identified in the literature search and optimized to the one-parameter exponential or two-parameter beta-Poisson dose-response models. A nesting analysis was performed on all permutations of the candidate data sets to determine the acceptability of pooling data sets across host species. Three of four data sets exhibited goodness of fit to at least one model. All three data sets exhibited good fit to the beta-Poisson model, and one data set exhibited goodness of fit, and best fit, to the exponential model. Two data sets were successfully nested using the beta-Poisson model with parameters α = 0.0978 and N50 = 2.70 × 10(2) CFU. These data sets were derived from sheep and red deer host species, indicating successful interspecies nesting, and demonstrate the highly infective nature of MAP. The nested dose-response model described should be used for future QMRA research regarding oral exposure to MAP.
PATTERNS OF RISK AND RESILIENCE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LATINO YOUTH

The present study identified subgroups of adolescents with distinctive patterns of risk and protective factors in early adolescence and examined the psychosocial adjustment of these subgroups in middle to late adolescence. A total of 930 low-income African American and Latino adolescents were surveyed as a part of the Welfare, Children & Families: A Three City Study. Three clusters of risk and protective variables were identified at 10–14 years of age; one cluster was high on protective factors, one high on risk factors, and another mixed with protective factors and high community risk. Six years later, variable-centered analyses demonstrated differences in delinquency, psychological distress, peer and romantic relationships, and sexual history between clusters. Individuals in the resilient and mixed clusters were the most similar overall, and demonstrated significantly more positive outcomes than their risk-cluster peers. Findings illustrate how the integration of person- and variable-focused approaches provides more information about the developmental outcomes of youth in investigations of resilience.
Dual Activation of TRIF and MyD88 Adaptor Proteins by Angiotensin II Evokes Opposing Effects on Pressure, Cardiac Hypertrophy, and Inflammatory Gene Expression

Hypertension is recognized as an immune disorder whereby immune cells play a defining role in the genesis and progression of the disease. The innate immune system and its component toll-like receptors are key determinants of the immunologic outcome through their proinflammatory response. Toll-like receptor-activated signaling pathways use several adaptor proteins of which adaptor proteins myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) and toll-interleukin receptor domain-containing adaptor protein-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) define 2 major inflammatory pathways. In this study, we compared the contributions of MyD88 and TRIF adaptor proteins to angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy in mice. Deletion of MyD88 did not prevent cardiac hypertrophy and the pressor response to Ang II tended to increase. Moreover, the increase in inflammatory gene expression (Tnfa, Nox4, and Agtr1a) was significantly greater in the heart and kidney of MyD88-deficient mice when compared with wild-type mice. Thus, pathways involving MyD88 may actually restrain the inflammatory responses. However, in mice with nonfunctional TRIF (Trif(mut) mice), Ang II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy were abrogated, and proinflammatory gene expression in heart and kidneys was unchanged or decreased. Our results indicate that Ang II induces activation of a proinflammatory innate immune response, causing hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. These effects require functional adaptor protein TRIF-mediated pathways. However, the common MyD88-dependent signaling pathway, which is also activated simultaneously by Ang II, paradoxically exerts a negative regulatory influence on these responses.
A Facile Two-Step Synthesis of 3-Fluoro-6-methoxyquinoline

A facile two-step synthesis of 3-fluoro-6-methoxyquinoline is described. p-Anisidine was heated at reflux with 2-fluoromalonic acid in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride to produce 2,4-dichloro-3-fluoro-6-methoxyquinoline. This was followed by hydrogenolysis to produce 3-fluoro-6-methoxyquinoline.
Synthesis, properties, and applications of ion-containing polyurethane segmented copolymers

Despite the well-established foundation of polyurethane chemistry in both industry and academia, research continues at a vigorous pace to refine synthetic processes and discover new functional materials. Incorporating ionic groups into polymers is a synthetic parameter capable of tailoring polymer properties and enabling emerging technologies. This review focuses on recent effort in the field of ion-containing segmented polyurethane copolymers. Multiple synthetic strategies to incorporate both cationic and anionic sites, including a particular focus on waterborne polyurethane dispersions and green synthetic methods, are examined. Fundamental structure–property relationships based on ionic structure, content, and placement are explored and many applications, including biomedical products and polymer electrolytes for energy devices are discussed.
Travelling Waves as Frequency Analysers in the Cochlea

The human ear can detect a pitch change of 10 per cent of a pure tone in a time interval of two cycles. The inner ear, representing the combination of a mechanical and a nervous system, therefore seems to be superior to filters based on pure resonance and energy accumulation.