cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current advances in molecular, biochemical, and computational modeling analysis of microalgal triacylglycerol biosynthesis

Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are highly reduced energy storage molecules ideal for biodiesel production. Microalgal TAG biosynthesis has been studied extensively in recent years, both at the molecular level and systems level through experimental studies and computational modeling. However, discussions of the strategies and products of the experimental and modeling approaches are rarely integrated and summarized together in a way that promotes collaboration among modelers and biologists in this field. In this review, we outline advances toward understanding the cellular and molecular factors regulating TAG biosynthesis in unicellular microalgae with an emphasis on recent studies on rate-limiting steps in fatty acid and TAG synthesis, while also highlighting new insights obtained from the integration of multi-omics datasets with mathematical models. Computational methodologies such as kinetic modeling, metabolic flux analysis, and new variants of flux balance analysis are explained in detail. We discuss how these methods have been used to simulate algae growth and lipid metabolism in response to changing culture conditions and how they have been used in conjunction with experimental validations. Since emerging evidence indicates that TAG synthesis in microalgae operates through coordinated crosstalk between multiple pathways in diverse subcellular destinations including the endoplasmic reticulum and plastids, we discuss new experimental studies and models that incorporate these findings for discovering key regulatory checkpoints. Finally, we describe tools for genetic manipulation of microalgae and their potential for future rational algal strain design. This comprehensive review explores the potential synergistic impact of pathway analysis, computational approaches, and molecular genetic manipulation strategies on improving TAG production in microalgae.
Institutions and Ethnic Politics in Africa: Native Authorities and Tribal Identifications

Tables 2.1 and 2.2 summarize the changes over time in the population shares of tribes that did and did not have their own Native Authorities. Table 2.1 records the changes in these population shares between 1930/33, shortly after Indirect Rule began, and 1962, the year before it ended. Table 2.2 records changes in tribal population shares between 1930/33 and 1990, when, for the first time, data on self-reported tribal identifications became available. Both tables report only aggregate figures for tribes with and without Native Authorities. Tables A.1 and A.2 break down the figures for the individual tribes in each category for the 1930/33–1962 and 1930/33–1990 periods, respectively. As Tables A.1 and A.2 make clear, individual tribes within each category vary in the changes that took place in their shares of the national population during each period. Although the population share of all tribes that had their own Native Authorities increased by 6.7 percent between 1930/33 and 1962, the degree of change experienced by individual tribes in this category ranged from +140 percent for the Luchazi to −83 percent for the Chikunda (see Table A.1). Similarly, while the population share of tribes that did not have their own Native Authorities fell during the same period by a weighted average of 28.5 percent, individual tribes in this category varied in their population growth or decline from +304 percent for the Kwandi to −95 percent for the Lushange.
Catalytic Undirected Intermolecular C–H Functionalization of Arenes with 3-Diazofuran-2,4-dione: Synthesis of 3-Aryl Tetronic Acids, Vulpinic Acid, Pinastric Acid, and Methyl Isoxerocomate

A variety of 3-aryl tetronic acids have been synthesized by an undirected, intermolecular C–H functionalization of arenes with 3-diazofuran-2,4-dione. This methodology featured as a key step in the synthesis of a series of naturally occurring 3-aryl-5-arylidene tetronic acids (pulvinates) from commercially available tetronic acid. Salient features of the pulvinic acid synthesis include a one-step, stereoselective synthesis of the C5 arylidene group and a single step introduction of the C3 aryl substituent.
Macrophage activation syndrome : PID article

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is an uncommon condition in which hyperinflammation and excessive cytokine release lead to excessive stimulation of T-lymphocytes and macrophages and result in a characteristic clinical picture of haematological dysfunction and multiple organ failure. This condition occurs most commonly in the context of inflammatory conditions such as systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). MAS is currently classified as one of the forms of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The diagnosis of MAS is clinically important as specific therapy may be required and a missed diagnosis may lead to high mortality. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is often not easily made due to the broad range of presenting features and their overlap with other potential complications of sJIA, such as severe infection. Also, no single clinical or laboratory test is able to diagnose MAS conclusively. In this review we highlight some of the most important clinical and laboratory features, diagnostic criteria, outcomes and management of MAS.
Spectral characterization of linear isotropic and anisotropic dielectric materials using terahertz measurement systems

In this study, quasi-optical techniques are used to evaluate the properties of dielectric substrates at millimeter wave frequencies. Anisotropy with respect to wave polarization was observed in the composite materials using several instruments including the FTS, TDS, and THz VNA. The measurements were carried out from 200 GHz to 3000 GHz (3 THz ) depending on the instrument. Material loss deviated significantly above 500 GHz. Uniform plastics such as H/LDPE polyethylene were well behaved by comparison.
Video simulations to develop preservice mathematics teachers’ discourse practices

AbstractThe incorporation of video technology in teacher education programmes is increasingly prevalent, with teacher educators commonly using three traditional forms of videos: published video, preservice teachers’ own videos and colleagues’ videos. This study explored a fourth type of video, self-created scripted video simulations in which preservice teachers designed, acted in and filmed mathematics classroom scenarios. The intent was to understand how preservice teachers perceived the process and how they worked through the video simulation process. Preservice teachers considered the technology use beneficial and valued learning from the experience, thus showing promise for incorporating video simulations in teacher education programmes.
Novice programmerâ€™s misconception of programming reflected on problem-solving plans

Understanding the misconception of students is critical in that it identifies the reasons of errors students make and allows instructors to design instructions accordingly. This study investigated the mental models of programming concepts held by pre-service teachers who were novice in programming. In an introductory programming course, students were asked to solve problems that could be solved by utilizing conditional statements. They developed solution plans pseudo-code including a simplified natural language, symbols, diagrams, and so on. Sixteen solution plans of three different types of problems were analyzed. As a result, the studentsâ€™ egocentric and insufficient programming concepts were identified in terms of the misuse of variables, redundancy of codes, and weak strategic knowledge. The results revealed that the students had difficulty designing solution plans that could be executed by computers. They needed instructional supports to master how to express their solution plans in the way computers run. Problem driven instructional designs for novice students were discussed.
A Japanese pitch accent practice program and L1 influence on pitch accent acquisition

Recent research has demonstrated that learners of Japanese struggle producing correct Japanese pitch accent. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect learnersâ€™ first language (L1) may have on accent acquisition following the introduction and use of a digital Japanese Pitch Accent Learning and Practice (PALP) program in two Japanese courses. The PALP program visually and aurally presents learners with pitch patterns and requires learners to select the correct pitch accent pattern for new vocabulary. Participants' pitch accent abilities were assessed at the beginning and end of their courses. A mixed design ANOVA was conducted to analyze the effect of learners' L1 on pitch accent acquisition. Results evince a significant interaction effect between participant group (treatment/control) and L1 (Chinese/English), F (1, 24) = 10.09, p < .01 ( η 2 = .30). Specifically, English L1 participants in the treatment group considerably outperformed the control group English L1 participants. However, the Chinese L1 participants in both groups performed at approximately equal levels. These results suggest the existence of an L1 influence on pitch accent acquisition.
Politische Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung und ihre europäische Dimension

Der Beitrag befasst sich zunachst mit dem Begriff der Bildung fur eine nachhaltige Entwicklung und der internationalen politischen Beschlusslage, die mit der gleichnamigen UNESCO-Weltdekade verbunden ist. In diesem Kontext wird die politikdidaktische Dimension einer Bildung fur nachhaltige Entwicklung angerissen. Es wird erlautert, inwieweit die politische Umsetzungsstrategie der Dekade auf internationaler und insbesondere auf europaischer Ebene die Integration von Prinzipien, Werten und Praktiken einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung befordert. Hier ist vor allem die indikatorengestutzte Strategie zur Implementierung der Bildungsdekade in der europaischen Region, wie sie von der UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) entwickelt und umgesetzt wird, von besonderer Bedeutung. Vorgestellt werden Teilergebnisse einer sozialwissenschaftlichen Evaluationsstudie zur Implementierung der UN-Dekade mit dem Fokus auf die Region Europa.
The utilization of the Holt nail for proximal femoral fractures. A study of one hundred and forty-six patients.

Important technical requirements for the successful use of the Holt nail are outlined. Emphasis was placed upon obtaining and maintaining a good reduction of the fracture with special attention given to the integrity of the calcar femorale. The Holt nail provided an excellent means of treating base-of-the-neck fractures and simple intertrochanteric fractures. This method was satisfactory in treating comminuted intertrochanteric fractures. Early weight-bearing was possible with all of the three types of fractures. There was no advantage in utilizing a Holt nail over other types of nails in treating comminuted subtrochanteric femoral fractures. The highest incidence of implement complication was in this group. Minimum migration of the nail was observed in all patients as impaction occurred with weight-bearing. Penetration was a complication in 8 per cent of patients. No fracture of the nail was observed, but fracture of the bolts occurred in nine patients. Measures to prevent these complications were discussed. There were thirteen surgical infections, and the mortality rate was similar to that of other series. The advantages of early weight-bearing were discussed.
Cross-sectional Relationship Between Diet and Physical Activity in Two Southeastern New England Communities

The hypothesis that health promotive diets associated with higher levels of habitual physical activity confound the relationship between regular physical activity and health has not been well explored in epidemiologic studies. We evaluated self-reported physical activity, Willett Food Frequency dietary data, sociodemographic and physiologic factors cross-sectionally for 2,004 household survey participants in two southeastern New England communities. We compared the dietary habits of sedentary participants (n = 964) to those of moderately active (n = 600) and very active (n = 440) participants after adjusting for age, gender, education, smoking status, year of survey, and total calories. Our results showed that moderately active and very active participants consumed more fiber, less total fat, and less saturated fat than sedentary participants (P < .01). They also consumed more vitamins (A, C, D, E), beta carotene, and calcium, (P < .01), and ate more fruits and vegetables (P < .001) than sedentary participants. We found these relationships in both New England communities studied. This association between regular physical activity and diet suggests that the relationship of habitual physical activity and chronic disease may be confounded by diet.
OSDF: An Intent-based Software Defined Network Programming Framework

Software Defined Networking (SDN) offers flexibility to program a network based on a set of network requirements. Programming the networks using SDN is not completely straight-forward because a programmer must deal with low level details. To solve the problem, researchers proposed a set of network programming languages that provide a set of high level abstractions to hide low level hardware details. Most of the proposed languages provide abstractions related to packet processing and flows, and still require a programmer to specify low-level match-action fields to configure and monitor a network. Recently, in an attempt to raise the level at which programmers work, researchers have begun to investigate Intent-based, descriptive northbound interfaces. The work is still in early stages, and further investigation is required before intent-based systems will be adopted by enterprise networks. To help achieve the goal of moving to an intent-based design, we propose an SDN-based network programming framework, the Open Software Defined Framework (OSDF). OSDF provides a high level Application Programming Interface (API) that can be used by managers and network administrators to express network requirements for applications and policies for multiple domains. OSDF also provides a set of high level network operation services that handle common network configuration, monitoring, and Quality of Service QoS provisioning. OSDF is equipped with a policy conflict management module to help a network administrator detect and resolve policy conflicts. The paper shows how OSDF can be used and explains application-based policies. Finally, the paper reports the results of both testbed measurements and simulations that are used to evaluate the framework from multiple perspectives, including functionality and performance.
Assessment of Verbal Abilities for Neuropsychological Purposes

Testing of verbal abilities, in common with all neuropsychological evaluation, has two global purposes. The first purpose is in the clinical/diagnostic assessment of functional abilities. This dates from the work of Wernicke, Broca, and other physician-scientists of the nineteenth century who became interested in language disorders resulting from damage to the central nervous system. The clinical techniques administered at bedside have become the basis for a number of systematic language instruments currently available. The second major purpose of language testing is the experimental investigation of “brain-behavioral” relationships.
RADON-NIKODYM THEORY FOR OPERATOR VALUED MEASURES AND A THEOREM OF FOURES & SEGAL

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the Radon–Nikodym (RN) theory of measures, the values of which are any linear operators on a Hilbert space to itself, and the derivatives of which may likewise be discontinuous linear operators. Such a theory is helpful in the mathematical theory of electric filters and in the area of quasi-isometric measures. The developments ensuing from the work of Wiener and Bochner on time-invariant operators and on multiplication operators can be treated systematically from the standpoint of the RN theory of operator-valued measures. The RN theory provides the most natural setting for such studies. The chapter also discusses how some differentiable measures can be factored into a single operator R flanked by a quasi-isometric measure on one side and by its adjoint on the other.
Micronutrient Requirements for Green Plants, Especially Algae

The growth and normal biochemistry of green plants require the availability of from 15 to 20 elements. Eventually still others may be added to the list. Table I gives the list of these nutrient elements and indicates whether they are macronutrients or micronutrients. Some of the elements vary depending upon whether they are utilized by higher plants or by green or blue-green algae. Plants require mineral elements for various functions. The macronutrients are used generally as building materials, whereas the micronutrients are commonly metal constituents of enzymes which enter into biological reactions (McElroy and Nason, 1954).
Windows-based Workflows on Linux-based Beowulf Clusters

Scientists with non-traditional computational and workflow needs are a growing demographic in Research Computing. In order to serve these scientific communities we must create new ways to leverage existing resources. One set of problems that is not properly served revolves around Microsoft Windows-based software. These softwares can be both legacy software that have no modern counterpart or traditionally GUI software that have had batch components integrated into them. In this paper we describe a general solution and three successful use-cases using Microsoft Windows Virtual Machines in both interactive and non-interactive batch jobs on Linux-based Beowulf-style clusters to complete workflows based on Microsoft Windows software. With this general solution the utility of ubiquitous Beowulf clusters can be extended.
Improved Ordering in Low Molecular Weight Protein–Polymer Conjugates Through Oligomerization of the Protein Block

The self-assembly of protein-polymer conjugates incorporating oligomers of a small, engineered high-affinity binding protein, rcSso7d.SA, is studied to determine the effect of protein oligomerization on nanoscale ordering. Oligomerization enables a systematic increase in the protein molar mass without changing its overall folded structure, leading to a higher driving force for self-assembly into well-ordered structures. Though conjugates of monomeric rcSso7d.SA are found to only exist in disordered states, oligomers of this protein linked to a poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) block self-assemble into lamellar nanostructures. Conjugates of trimeric and tetrameric rcSso7d.SA are observed to produce the strongest ordering in concentrated solution, displaying birefringent lamellae at concentrations as low as 40 wt %. In highly concentrated solution, the oligomeric rcSso7d.SA-PNIPAM block copolymers exhibit ordering and domain spacing trends atypical from that of most block copolymers. Fluorescent binding assays indicate that oligomerized protein blocks retain binding functionality and exhibit limits of detection up to three times lower than that of surface-immobilized protein sensors. Therefore, oligomerization of the protein block in these block copolymers serves as an effective method to improve both nanoscale ordering and biosensing capabilities.
Gal8 Visualization of Endosome Disruption Predicts Carrier-Mediated Biologic Drug Intracellular Bioavailability.

Endolysosome entrapment is one of the key barriers to the therapeutic use of biologic drugs that act intracellularly. The screening of prospective nanoscale endosome-disrupting delivery technologie...
Topic modeling to discover the thematic structure and spatial-temporal patterns of building renovation and adaptive reuse in cities

Abstract Building alteration and redevelopment play a central role in the revitalization of developed cities, where the scarcity of available land limits the construction of new buildings. The adaptive reuse of existing space reflects the underlying socioeconomic dynamics of the city and can be a leading indicator of economic growth and diversification. However, the collective understanding of building alteration patterns is constrained by significant barriers to data accessibility and analysis. We present a data mining and knowledge discovery process for extracting, analyzing, and integrating building permit data for more than 2,500,000 alteration projects from seven major U.S. cities. We utilize natural language processing and topic modeling to discover the thematic structure of construction activities from permit descriptions and merge with other urban data to explore the dynamics of urban change. The knowledge discovery process proceeds in three steps: (1) text mining to identify popular words, popularity change, and their co-appearance likelihood; (2) topic modeling using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA); and (3) integrating the topic modeling output with building information and ancillary data to discover the spatial, temporal, and thematic patterns of urban redevelopment and regeneration. The results demonstrate a generalizable approach that can be used to analyze unstructured text data extracted from permit records across varying database structures, permit typologies, and local contexts. Our machine learning methodology can assist cities to better monitor building alteration activity, analyze spatiotemporal patterns of redevelopment, and more fully understand the economic, social, and environmental implications of changes to the urban built environment.
The Experience of Caregivers Following a Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Requiring ICU Admission

Objectives Survivors of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) require substantial care, much of which is ultimately provided by friends and family. We sought to describe the unmet needs of informal caregivers. Design Qualitative, semistructured interviews with informal caregivers of moderate and severe TBI survivors were conducted 72 hours, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after injury. Setting Intensive care unit of a level 1 trauma center. Participants Informal caregivers were friends or family who planned to provide care for the patient. Patients were 18 years or older with a moderate to severe TBI, and not expected to imminently die of their injuries. Measurements and main results Eighteen patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled. Fifty-three interviews with caregivers were completed and analyzed over the course of 6 months. Three themes were identified in the qualitative analysis: caregiver burden, caregiver health-related quality of life, and caregiver needs for information and support. Conclusions This study provides new information about the experience of informal caregivers during the 6 months after their friend or family member survived a moderate to severe TBI. Interventions to promote caregiving may be a substantial opportunity to improve patient-centered outcomes following TBI.
Air: Soshite chichi ni naru/Like Father Like Son, 2013

With a keen eye for the strain and coldness of the achievement-obsessed modern Japanese, Kore-eda offers us a nuanced portrait of two families gone awry through a baby switch by a vindictive hospital nurse. Soshite chichi ni naru/Like Father Like Son (2013) addresses the question: what really makes a family—biological ties (DNA, blood lines) or years of care?
Interpreting Avian Play, Murmurations of Common Starlings and Oology

Within Chap. 6 I provide details of three ornithology related areas of enquiry that could usefully be investigated using a mapping sentence approach. As I have noted throughout this book, avian scientists face challenges when they design avian research projects that attempt to capture the influences of multiple variables within a complex behavioural domain. In this sixth chapter, I again provide information about the facet theoretical approach to conducting research and make suggestions regarding the use of the mapping sentence in avian studies, and I contend that the mapping sentence possesses great utility for ornithologists as it provides a framework for the development of cumulative and comparable knowledge about avian behaviour. To support these claims, I provide illustrative examples of the employment of a mapping sentence in three avian research situations: the formation of murmurations by starlings, avian play and the classification of birds’ eggs.
Spirometry in Cystic Fibrosis

Pulmonary function testing/spirometry is a valuable tool used in assessment of the pulmonary status of CF patients and as a guide to therapy. The equipment used gives a number of pulmonary parameters. The most useful one is the forced expiratory volume at 1 second although many of the others can be helpful in some circumstances. It is recommended that it be performed at as early an age as possible and be repeated at least four times a year and as often as at every visit. Decreases in predicted percentage of FEV1 are useful in the early diagnosis and care of pulmonary exacerbations.
Constraint effects on plastic crack-tip fields for plane strain mode-I, II and III cracks in non-hardening materials

To explore constraint effects on fully plastic crakc-tip fields, analytical solutions are examined for mode-I, II and III loading in non-hardening materials under plane strain conditions. The results reveal that under mode-II and III loading the crack-tip stress fields are unique, and thus can be characterized by a `single parameter'. Under mode-I loading, however, the crack-tip stress field is non-unique but can be characterized by two sets of solutions or `two parameters'. One set of the solutions is the well-known Prandtl field and the other is a plastic T-stress field. This conclusion corroborates the observation of McClintock (1971) that the slip-line field is non-unique for plane strain tensile cracks. A two-term plastic solution which combines the Prandtl field and the plastic T-stress field with two parameters B1 and B2 can then characterize the crack-tip stress field of plane strain mode-I crack over the plastic region and quantify the magnitude of crack-tip constraints. These characters are similar to those for hardening materials. Analyses and examples show that the two-term plastic solution can match well with the slip-line field or finite element results over plastic region. Thus the parameters B1 and B2 can be used to characterize the constraint level for mode-I finite-sized crack specimens in non-hardening materials under plane strain conditions.
Dynamic double layer force between charged surfaces

The authors develop a theory for the dynamic double layer force between charged surfaces in an electrolyte under a time dependent voltage. For a suddenly applied voltage, the surface force jumps to a dielectric value followed by an exponential decay to its equilibrium value, due to the formation of electric double layers adjacent to the surfaces. A non-zero time-averaged force is predicted even under a purely oscillatory voltage.
THE DEVIL’S IN THE RATES: ADENOSINE CONVERTING ATRIAL FLUTTER WITH 1:1 CONDUCTION INTO A WIDE COMPLEX TACHYCARDIA

Flecainide can reduce the rate of Atrial Flutter (AFL) which allows for 1:1 conduction through the AtrioVentricular (AV) node. A 57-year-old male with a history of atrial fibrillation (AF) on flecainide, presented with narrow complex tachycardia. He received adenosine 12 mg IV which resulted in
Prediction of Vancomycin Levels Using Cystatin C in Overweight and Obese Patients: a Retrospective Cohort Study of Hospitalized Patients.

The use of the kidney function biomarker cystatin C (cysC) can improve the accuracy of vancomycin dosing for target trough attainment in nonobese patients. It is unknown whether cysC can also improve vancomycin target trough attainment in overweight and obese patients. We conducted a retrospective observational study of overweight or obese hospitalized adults with stable renal function administered intravenous vancomycin between January 2011 and July 2019. Linear regression models were used to predict initial steady-state vancomycin troughs using several factors, including various cysC- and serum creatinine (SCr)-based estimates of kidney function. We compared the predicted proportion of patients within the target trough range (10 to 20 mg/liter) using the derived models to that observed from usual care. Of the 200 included patients, the mean trough level was 15 ± 6.3 mg/liter. The optimal model to predict the initial trough included both cysC and SCr (R2 = 0.48) rather than either biomarker alone. This model predicted that 79% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73% to 85%) of troughs could be between 10 and 20 mg/liter compared to the 62% observed in clinical practice (P < 0.001), a 1.3-fold increase. This study is the first to examine the role of cysC in predicting vancomycin levels in an exclusively overweight or obese population. While dosing models based on cysC appear promising in this setting, prospective validation is needed.
An optimized protocol for rapid, sensitive and robust on-bead ChIP-seq from primary cells.

Summary Integrative analysis of next-generation sequencing data can help understand disease mechanisms. Specifically, ChIP-seq can illuminate where transcription regulators bind to regulate transcription. A major obstacle to performing this assay on primary cells is the low numbers obtained from tissues. The extensively validated ChIP-seq protocol presented here uses small volumes and single-pot on-bead library preparation to generate diverse high-quality ChIP-seq data. This protocol allows for medium-to-high-throughput ChIP-seq of low-abundance cells and can also be applied to other mammalian cells. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Brigidi et al. (2019) , Carlin et al. (2018) , Heinz et al. (2018) , Nott et al. (2019) , Sakai et al. (2019) , and Seidman et al. (2020) .
Ori-Vent: Design and Prototyping of Accessible and Portable Origami-Inspired Ventilators

The COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide and remains a challenge that humanity must still overcome. As hospitals continue to admit critical patients, they face medical equipment shortages that may hinder life-saving treatments. We seek to combat this equipment shortage by presenting a proof-of-concept portable automated ventilator that is simple, lightweight, and easy-to-fabricate based on an origami-inspired robotic approach. We discuss the design, fabrication, and initial testing of three such devices, two folded from a thin plastic film into a flexible bellows shape, and the other a 3D-printed version of the same design. We show that these initial designs satisfy most of the ventilator performance requirements for emergency portable automated use, with the 3D printed bellows being more flexible and capable of generating higher pressures. The next step is to expand our design and perform further testing to ensure our device is ready to save lives.
Metal-mixtures in toenails of children living near an active industrial facility in Los Angeles County, California.

Background Children residing in communities near metalworking industries are vulnerable to multiple toxic metal exposures. Understanding biomarkers of exposure to multiple toxic metals is important to characterize cumulative burden and to distinguish potential exposure sources in such environmental justice neighborhoods impacted by industrial operations. Exposure to metal mixtures has not been well-characterized among children residing in the United States, and is understudied in communities of color. Methods In this study we used toenail clippings, a noninvasive biomarker, to assess exposure to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), and vanadium (V). We used nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) to identify "source" signatures and patterns of exposure among predominantly working class Latinx children residing near an industrial corridor in Southeast Los Angeles County. Additionally, we investigated the association between participant demographic, spatial, and dietary characteristics with identified metal signatures. Results Through NMF, we identified three groupings (source factors) for the metal concentrations in children's toenails. A grouping composed of Sb, Pb, As, and Cd, was identified as a potential industrial source factor, reflective of known airborne elemental emissions in the industrial corridor. We further identified a manganese source factor primarily composed of Mn, and a potential dietary source factor driven by Se and Hg. We observed differences in the industrial source factor by age of participants, while the dietary source factor varied by neighborhood. Conclusion Utilizing an unsupervised dimension reduction technique (NMF), we identified a "source signature" of contamination in toenail samples from children living near metalworking industry. Investigating patterns and sources of exposures in cumulatively burdened communities is necessary to identify appropriate public health interventions.
Longitudinal Assessment of Postmastectomy Sensory Disturbances: Distinguishing between Painful Neuropathic Features and Numbness Alone

Both painful (e.g., burning, stabbing, allodynia) and non-painful (numbness) sensory disturbances can arise after surgical injury that may significantly impact patients’ lives. Many questionnaire-based neuropathic pain measures combine painful neuropathic symptoms with the more benign, and arguably adaptive, symptom of numbness, in a single score. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to investigate the overlap and divergence of surgical, psychosocial and psychophysical predictors of painful neuropathy vs numbness throughout the first year after breast surgery. Patients (n=259) undergoing lumpectomy or mastectomy completed the Breast Cancer Pain Questionnaire (BCPQ) preoperatively and postoperatively, including a question about numbness and a validated subscale assessing the presence of painful neuropathic symptoms (NeuPPS), including pins and needles, electric shock, heat/burning, allodynia, and pain from cold temperatures. Additional questionnaires were also completed at baseline. We compared predictors of numbness (logistic regression) vs NeuPPS score (linear regression) using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) over 2-week, 3, 6 and 12-month timepoints. Numbness was the most frequently reported sensory disturbance, present in approximately 50% of patients, while most painful neuropathic symptoms decreased over time. At 1 year, 17% reported pain only, 30% numbness only, 40% pain+numbness, and 13% neither. Both NeuPPS and numbness were significantly associated with greater clinical pain severity and impact, as well as younger age, axillary surgery, and most psychosocial factors. Many surgical and treatment factors (surgical type, duration, bilateral surgery, and chemotherapy) were associated with greater numbness only. Conversely, other chronic pain, lower activity level, larger perioperative opioid requirement, higher temporal summation of pain, and lower pressure pain threshold and tolerance were associated with NeuPPS only. Identifying unique factors that predict numbness compared to those that uniquely predict painful neuropathic symptoms may offer insight into the pathophysiologic plasticity underlying persistent postsurgical pain in those patients that develop this outcome. NIH/NIGMS: K23 GM110540.
Mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of amorphous nanoporous silicon nitride membranes via combined atomistic simulations and experiments

Abstract The nanoscale thickness and high porosity of amorphous nanoporous silicon nitride (aNPN) membranes make them useful components in diverse biomedical applications. However, mechanical properties including low plastic deformability and strength of aNPN place significant limits on those applications. Thus, understanding how the microstructure of aNPNs controls their mechanical properties will be the key to design of robust, large-area membranes in future applications. In this work, mechanical properties and atomistic deformation mechanisms of aNPN with various microstructural parameters are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experiments. For all porosity and pore diameter values, our MD results show that pore distribution is the dominant characteristic parameter that controls deformation mechanisms. It is also demonstrated that while porosity and pore distribution are main factors affecting the strength of aNPN, plastic deformability is only a function of pore distribution. We further develop a mathematical model for predicting the strength of the aNPN with different microstructures. Insights for new aNPN designs that should increase plastic deformability are found by comparing pore distributions of manufactured aNPN with three cases of MD simulations. These findings suggest that new manufacturing paradigms should be designed for production of robust aNPNs in larger scale applications.
Machine Learning for Estimating Electron Transfer Rates From Square Wave Voltammetry.

Electrochemistry of surface-bound molecules is of high importance for numerous electronic and sensor applications. Extracting the electron transfer rate is beneficial for understanding surface-bound processes, but it requires experimental or computational rigor. We evaluate methods to determine electron transfer rates from large voltammetry sets from experiments via machine learning using decision tree ensembles, neural networks, and gaussian process regression models. We applied these to reproduce computational measures of electron transfer rates modeled by first principles. The best machine learning models were a random forest with 80 decision trees and a neural network with Bayesian regularization, producing root mean squared errors of 0.37 and 0.49 s-1 , respectively, corresponding to mean percent errors of 0.38 % and 0.52 %, respectively. This work establishes machine learning methods for rapidly acquiring electron transfer rates across large datasets for widespread applications.
International Space Station Commercialization Study

In 1996 the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies performed a study on commercializing the International Space Station (ISS). The work was principally funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Institute collected and analyzed publications and sought extensive counsel across industry and government. Beginning with our panel, chaired by Mr. James Beggs, a former Administrator of NASA, we interviewed over 200 people, representing approximately 50 companies, universities, and government agencies. We also conducted 12 case studies to look at the potential utilization of piloted space flights in Earth orbit.
Microbiota in Allergy and Asthma and the Emerging Relationship with the Gut Microbiome

Asthma and atopy, classically associated with hyper-activation of the T helper 2 (Th2) arm of adaptive immunity, are among the most common chronic illnesses worldwide. Emerging evidence relates atopy and asthma to the composition and function of the human microbiome, the collection of microbes that reside in and on and interact with the human body. The ability to interrogate microbial ecology of the human host is due in large part to recent technological developments that permit identification of microbes and their products using culture-independent molecular detection techniques. In this review we explore the roles of respiratory, gut, and environmental microbiomes in asthma and allergic disease development, manifestation, and attenuation. Though still a relatively nascent field of research, evidence to date suggests that the airway and/or gut microbiome may represent fertile targets for prevention or management of allergic asthma and other diseases in which adaptive immune dysfunction is a prominent feature.
Computational Techniques in the First Course on Eletromagnetics

It is widely acknowledged that the basic introductory E&M course is in trouble its concepts and techniques are novel and difficult, the allowed time is insufficient, and the range of topics to be covered is great and expanding. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of introducing computer-numerical solutions into the course. While such a now topic would seem only to increase the compression, an approach is suggested that n-minimizes the additional required time. Experience indicates that the PC approach raises student interest and participation so that much of the course material is learned more effectively and course coverage and goals are maintained.
Chemotherapy-induced alopecia: new developments.

Abstract Alopecia (hair loss) is one of the most physically and psychologically distressing side effects of cancer chemotherapeutic drugs. Since its first recognition as a common outcome to most chemotherapeutic agents, only a few trials have been reported, using either a method to temporarily reduce the scalp blood flow (scalp tourniquet or hypothermia) or vitamin E, with undocumented and variable efficacy. The lack of progress in the treatment and prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia is in part due to the lack of a reproducible animal model. In the past 2 years, we reported on the following observations: (1) treatment of 8-day-old rats with vidarabine (ara-C), doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide consistently produced either total body alopecia (ara-C and cyclophosphamide) or alopecia confined to the head and proximal part of the back (doxorubicin); (2) Imuvert, a biologic response modifier derived from the bacterium Serratia marcescens, uniformly produced complete protection against alopecia induced by ara-C and doxorubicin but not that produced by cyclophosphamide; (3) the protective effect of Imuvert against chemotherapy-induced alopecia is mediated by a monocyte-mediated cytokine; and (4) this monocyte-derived cytokine is, possibly, interleukin-1. These observations constitute important progress in the understanding and prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
Multiparadigm, multilingual interoperability: Experience with converse

The Converse run-time framework was designed with dual objectives: that of supporting quick development of portable run-time systems for new parallel programming paradigms, and that of permitting interoperability between multi-paradigm modules in a single application. This paper reports on the refinements made to the original Converse model since its inception almost two years ago, and assesses our experience in using Converse to satisfy the above objectives. A brief overview of the motivation and overall design of Converse is included for completeness. Extensions and refinements in Converse are discussed along with the reasons for their inclusion. Several languages /paradigms were implemented using Converse; techniques used in these implemcntations and our experience with specific features of Converse used in them are discussed. A major multilingual multi-paradigm parallel application developed within the Converse framework is described.
Development and Application of SST-SAS Turbulence Model in the DESIDER Project

The paper reports on the current state of the SST-based Scale-Adaptive Simulation model (SST-SAS model), and summarises the validation activity performed with this model in the course of the DESIDER project. The turbulence-resolving capability of the SST-SAS model has been validated with the official project test cases, covering both the underlying generic flows as well as practical aerodynamic applications. Among the latter ones are also the two aero-acoustic test cases of industrial interest. The paper includes a brief description of the current state of the SST-SAS model, as well as the illustrating test case results. Potentials of the SAS approach are briefly discussed, as well as its position amongst the other transient simulation methods.
Consequences for Lesotho of changing South African labour demand.

Recent changes in the nature of the labor market interaction between South Africa and Lesotho are described and their consequenes for Lesotho are assessed. The author concludes that given the countrys high level of dependence on South Africa while the continuation of the current situation would be bad the possible alternatives in terms of likely changes in South African behavior are worse. (ANNOTATION)
High-speed hyperspectral measurement of sprites

We describe a hyper-spectral measurement technique for sprite observations which takes data at 25,000 samples per second in 32 individual color bands. The high speed hyper-spectral design is based around a 32 channel multi anode photometer (MAP) viewing a dispersing grating which is holographically inscribed on a spherical focusing mirror. Design and operating characteristics of the device are presented. The high speed hyper-spectral instrument will be used to observe spectra from transient luminous events called sprites seen above meso-scale thunderstorms. Sprites are seen to occur at altitudes of 40-90 km, and last a few to tens of milliseconds in duration. High speed spectral measurements may give some indication of the energetic processes underlying sprite formation. We are particularly interested in the overall energy budget associated with sprites in large meso-scale thunderstorm complexes.
Enhancement of viral and DNA mediated transformation of cloned rat embryo fibroblast cells by 3-aminobenzamide.

We have analyzed the effect of the poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis inhibitor 3 aminobenzamide (3AB) on de novo and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and gamma irradiation enhancement of viral transformation of a cloned rat embryo fibroblast cell line, CREF, by a cold-sensitive host-range mutant of type 5 adenovirus, H5hr1. Additionally, we have evaluated the effect of 3AB on the transformation of CREF cells following transfection with a gene conferring resistance to hygromycin (hygr) or the neomycin analogue G418 (neor) in combination with a cloned type 5 adenovirus E1A transforming gene (Ad5 E1A) or the Ha-ras (T24) oncogene. 3AB induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in the level of de novo MMS-enhanced and gamma irradiation-enhanced transformation of CREF cells by H5hr1, whereas it did not induce morphological transformation in uninfected control, MMS-pretreated, or gamma irradiation-pretreated CREF cells. Temporal kinetic studies indicated that 3AB was most effective in enhancing de novo and MMS-enhanced and gamma irradiation-enhanced viral transformation when applied early after viral and carcinogen plus viral infection and when present for extended time periods (4-5 wk). 3AB also increased the frequency of resistant colonies following transfection with several cloned genes, including hygr, neor, and protein kinase C (which also contained a neor gene), and the frequency of morphological transformation of CREF cells following cotransfection with a hygr gene and an Ad5 E1A or an activated Ha-ras (T24) gene. In contrast, 3AB exerted the opposite effect, i.e., an inhibitory effect, when applied to NIH 3T3 cells transfected with a hygr or neor gene, alone or in combination with a T24 gene. The ability of 3AB to enhance the frequency of transformation of CREF cells was not associated with a selective effect on the growth of H5hr1-transformed CREF cells in monolayer or agar culture. Similarly, 3AB did not alter the percentage of MMS- or gamma irradiated-pretreated H5hr1-infected cells retaining free Ad5 DNA or the random pattern or quantity of viral DNA integration in control or carcinogen-treated H5hr1-transformed cells. These results suggest that cellular processes regulated by the nuclear enzyme ADPRT, or additional processes modified by 3AB, may be important mediators of stable transformation induced by transfected DNA and both de novo and carcinogen-enhanced viral transformation of specific target cells.
After Zarqawi: The Dilemmas and Future of Al Qaeda in Iraq

Abu Musab al‐Zarqawi's death deprived Al Qaeda in Iraq of its strategic leader. How his successor responds to the network's internal security dilemmas, penetration, and the lingering doctrinal impasse with Al Qaeda proper will determine the organization's future trajectory.