cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Membrane Transport Factor TAP/p115 Cycles between the Golgi and Earlier Secretory Compartments and Contains Distinct Domains Required for Its Localization and Function

The mammalian protein TAP/p115 and its yeast homologue Uso1p have an essential role in membrane traffic (Nakajima et al., 1991; Waters et al., 1992; Sztul et al., 1993; Rabouille et al., 1995). To inquire into the site and mechanism of TAP/p115 action, we aimed to localize it and to identify domains required for its function. We show that in interphase cells, TAP/p115 localizes predominantly to the Golgi and to peripheral structures that represent vesicular tubular clusters (VTCs) involved in ER to Golgi transport. Using BFA/ nocodazole treatments we confirm that TAP/p115 is present on ER to Golgi transport intermediates. TAP/ p115 redistributes to peripheral structures containing ERGIC-53 during a 15°C treatment, suggesting that it is a cycling protein. Within the Golgi, TAP/p115 is associated with pleiomorphic structures on the cis side of the cis-Golgi cisterna and the cis-most cisterna, but is not detected in more distal compartments of the Golgi. TAP/p115 binds the cis-Golgi protein GM130, and the COOH-terminal acidic domain of TAP/p115 is required for this interaction. TAP/p115 interaction with GM130 occurs only in the Golgi and is not required for TAP/p115 association with peripheral VTCs. To examine whether interaction with GM130 is required to recruit TAP/p115 to the Golgi, TAP/p115 mutants lacking the acidic domain were expressed and localized in transfected cells. Mutants lacking the GM130-binding domain showed normal Golgi localization, indicating that TAP/p115 is recruited to the Golgi independently of its ability to bind GM130. Such mutants were also able to associate with peripheral VTCs. Interestingly, TAP/p115 mutants containing the GM130-binding domain but lacking portions of the NH2-terminal region were restricted from the Golgi and localized to the ER. The COOH-terminal domain required for GM130 binding and the NH2-terminal region required for Golgi localization appear functionally relevant since expression of TAP/p115 mutants lacking either of these domains leads to loss of normal Golgi morphology.
Adding socioeconomic status to Framingham scoring to reduce disparities in coronary risk assessment.

Background The purpose of the study was to examine the potential of adding socioeconomic status (SES) to Framingham Risk Scoring (FRS) to improve coronary heart disease (CHD) prediction by SES. Methods We assessed the effect of measures of SES ( Results Based on FRS alone, persons of higher and lower SES had a predicted CHD risk of 3.7% and 3.9%, respectively, compared with observed risks of 3.2% and 5.6%. Adding SES to a model with FRS improved calibration with predicted risk estimates of 3.1% and 5.2% for those with higher and lower SES, mitigating the discrepancy between predicted and observed CHD events for low-SES persons. Model discrimination (area under the receiver operator curve) was not significantly affected, and consistent findings were observed in the validation sample. Inclusion of SES in the model resulted in upgrading of risk classification for 15.1% of low-SES participants (95% CI 13.9-29.4%). Conclusions Standard FRS underestimates CHD risk for those at low SES; treatment decisions ignoring SES may exacerbate SES disparities. Adding SES to CHD risk assessment reduces this bias.
Persistent interleukin-2 activity and molecular evidence for expression of lymphotoxin in the hapten-immune model for pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.

The hapten-immune model for pulmonary fibrosis shows that a specific T-cell-mediated immune response is essential for the induction of a nonresolving fibrosis. Here, we report results from studies that identify soluble factors released by activated T lymphocytes that might mediate long-lasting fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by priming hamsters for contact hypersensitivity responses with an epicutaneous application of 2,4,6-trinitro-l-chlorobenzene (TNCB) in carrier and challenging intratracheally (IT) 5 days later with a single dose of the soluble form of the immunizing hapten. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was harvested at various time points after IT challenge and assayed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) bioactivity. After IT challenge with the sensitizing hapten, only the immune animals contained IL-2 activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. TNF activity was detected in lungs of both immune and nonimmune animals. Interestingly, the TNF activity was significantly hi...
Motion planning for multitarget surveillance with mobile sensor agents

In the surveillance of multiple targets by mobile sensor agents (MSAs), system performance relies greatly on the motion-control strategy of the MSAs. This paper investigates the motion-planning problem for a limited resource of M MSAs in an environment of N targets (M<N). The kinematics of the MSA is modeled as a point mass moving at a constant speed with a bounded turning radius. Based on the fact that the track information of each target degrades over time, the motion-planning problem is formulated as an optimization problem whose objective is to minimize the average time duration between two consecutive observations of each target. In the case of a single MSA, the motion-planning problem is further interpreted so as to find a time-optimal loop path to traverse the targets. A gradient-approximation algorithm is then proposed to generate a suboptimal loop path for a mobile agent to traverse a sequence of target points. For the multi-MSA-multitarget case, a cooperative online motion-planning approach is developed.
The Great Divergence: America's Growing Inequality Crisis and What We Can Do About It, by Timothy Noah / America's Growing Inequality: The Impact of Poverty and Race, by Chester Hartman (Ed.)

Haven't been able to finish Piketty (2014; reviewed in JAPA, Spring 2014, Vol. 80. No 2)? Haven't even started, although you bought the book last year? There is a simpler alternative, without the b...
Active and passive infrared sensors for vehicular traffic control

Experimental results are presented for both passive and active overhead infrared systems to detect and monitor vehicular road traffic. The active system developed uses lasers and detectors operating in the near infrared spectral range. The passive system uses detectors operating in the thermal infrared region. Both systems make use of computerized signal processing and correlation techniques to determine presence of vehicles, traffic volume, vehicle speed measurement and length classification. Preliminary road tests confirmed the potential of both systems to provide effective, rugged, low cost approaches to vehicular traffic monitoring suitable for use on multilane highways. The comparative advantages of both systems are discussed and their potential for integration in intelligent vehicle highway systems are examined. >
SNP2Structure: A Public and Versatile Resource for Mapping and Three-Dimensional Modeling of Missense SNPs on Human Protein Structures

One of the long-standing challenges in biology is to understand how non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) change protein structure and further affect their function. While it is impractical to solve all the mutated protein structures experimentally, it is quite feasible to model the mutated structures in silico. Toward this goal, we built a publicly available structure database resource (SNP2Structure, https://apps.icbi.georgetown.edu/snp2structure) focusing on missense mutations, msSNP. Compared with web portals with similar aims, SNP2Structure has the following major advantages. First, our portal offers direct comparison of two related 3D structures. Second, the protein models include all interacting molecules in the original PDB structures, so users are able to determine regions of potential interaction changes when a protein mutation occurs. Third, the mutated structures are available to download locally for further structural and functional analysis. Fourth, we used Jsmol package to display the protein structure that has no system compatibility issue. SNP2Structure provides reliable, high quality mapping of nsSNPs to 3D protein structures enabling researchers to explore the likely functional impact of human disease-causing mutations.
The Paleobiology Database application programming interface

The Paleobiology Database (PBDB; https://paleobiodb.org) consists of geographically and temporally explicit, taxonomically identified fossil occurrence data. The taxonomy utilized by the PBDB is not static, but is instead dynamically generated using an algorithm applied to separately managed taxonomic authority and opinion data. The PBDB owes its existence to many individuals, some of whom have entered more than 1.26 million fossil occurrences and over 570,000 taxonomic opinions, and some of whom have developed and maintained supporting infrastructure and analysis tools. Here, we provide an overview of the data model currently used by the PBDB and then briefly describe how this model is exposed via an Application Programming Interface (API). Our objective is to outline how PBDB data can now be accessed within individual scientific workflows, used to develop independently managed educational and scientific applications, and accessed to forge dynamic, near real-time connections to other data resources.
Spectroscopic Observation of Alkylcarbonium Ions in Strong Acid Solutions

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates the spectroscopic observation of alkylcarbonium ions in strong acid solutions. Simple alkylcarbonium ions are considered as transient entities. Their existence had been inferred from the studies of the course of certain reactions. No reliable physical measurements other than electron impact measurements were reported for any of the simple alkylcarbonium ions. Measurements by electron impact methods have led to experimental stabilization energies of a number of alkylcarbonium ions. The formation of gaseous organic cations under electron bombardment of alkanes, haloalkanes, and other precursors has been widely investigated in mass spectral studies. Measurements by electron impact methods have led to the experimental stabilization energies of a number of alkylcarbonium ions. The large stabilization energies found for carbonium ions being attributed to the combined effects of hyper conjugation and charge redistribution. These considerations are based upon the energetic of ions in the gas phase, and as such can give only qualitative interpretations for their behavior in solutions.
Land–Atmosphere Coupling at the Southern Great Plains Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Field Site and Its Role in Anomalous Afternoon Peak Precipitation

AbstractThe multimodel Global Land–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (GLACE) identified the semiarid Southern Great Plains (SGP) as a hotspot for land–atmosphere (LA) coupling and, consequently, land-derived temperature and precipitation predictability. The area including and surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) SGP Climate Research Facility has in particular been well studied in the context of LA coupling. Observation-based studies suggest a coupling signal that is much weaker than modeled, if not elusive. Using North American Regional Reanalysis and North American Land Data Assimilation System data, this study provides a 36-yr (1979–2014) climatology of coupling for ARM-SGP that 1) unifies prior interdisciplinary efforts and 2) isolates the origin of the (weak) coupling signal. Specifically, the climatology of a prominent convective triggering potential–low-level humidity index (CTP–HIlow) coupling classification is linked to corresponding synoptic–mesoscale wea...
The Liberating Effects of RN-to-BSN Education

This study investigated whether postlicensure baccalaureate education was associated with decreased acceptance of oppressed status for nursing and the self, with behavioral changes in job performance, and in joining a professional organization. Selected writings of Freire (1970a, 1970b, 1973) concerning education of the oppressed were used to form the conceptual framework. Baccalaureate education was conceptualized as a means of overcoming oppression-related behaviors and attitudes in nurses. The criterion measures were self-reports of job performance, joining the American Nurses Association (ANA), self-concept measurements, and perception of nursing measured by a semantic differential. Except for self-concept, which remained unchanged, all the findings were in the predicted direction supporting the conceptual framework.
Effects of synthetic hormone implants, singularly or in combinations, on performance, carcass traits, and longissimus muscle palatability of Holstein steers

Seventy-two Holstein steers averaging 182 kg were assigned randomly to one of six treatment groups: 1) nonimplanted controls (C); 2) implanted with 36 mg of zeranol (Z); 3) implanted with 20 mg of estradiol benzoate and 200 mg of progesterone (EP); 4) implanted with 140 mg of trenbolone acetate (TBA); 5) implanted with 140 mg of trenbolone acetate plus 20 mg of estradiol benzoate and 200 mg of progesterone (TBA + EP); and 6) implanted with 140 mg of trenbolone acetate plus 36 mg of zeranol (TBA + Z). Each treatment group consisted of three replications of four animals per pen, which were implanted on d 0, 56, 112, and 168. Masculinity and muscling scores were assigned at 24 h preslaughter. Hide removal difficulty was scored by a plant supervisor. Quality and yield grade data were obtained at 24 h postmortem. Longissimus muscle (LM) steaks were removed and cooked for Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) determinations and sensory panel (SP) evaluations. Over the entire feeding period (249 d), TBA + EP steers had higher (P less than .05) ADG than TBA + Z, TBA, and C steers. All treatments had higher (P less than .05) ADG than C, with the exception of TBA. The only feed efficiency differences were those following the 168-d implant time, when TBA steers were more (P less than .05) efficient than TBA + Z or C steers. The TBA + EP and TBA + Z steers were more (P less than .05) masculine and their hides were more (P less than .05) difficult to remove than those of EP and C steers. Carcass weights of TBA + EP steers were heavier (P less than .05) than those of TBA or C steers. The TBA + EP steers had larger (P less than .05) LM areas than Z, TBA, and C steers. Also, TBA + EP steers tended (P = .07) to have lower numerical yield grades than EP, Z, or C steers. Even though mean marbling scores and quality grades were similar (P greater than .05) among treatment groups, only 50% of TBA + EP carcasses graded low Choice or higher, compared with 100, 75, 82, 90, and 83% for C, TBA, Z, EP, and TBA + Z carcasses, respectively. The only meat palatability differences were that myofibrillar and overall tenderness scores tended to be lower (P = .07) for steaks from EP and TBA + Z than for steaks from Z and C groups.
Deep Learning Models

The main objective of this chapter is to discuss the modern deep learning techniques, called the no-drop, the dropout, and the dropconnect in detail and provide programming examples that help you clearly understand these approaches. These techniques heavily depend on the stochastic gradient descent approach; and this approach is also discussed in detail with simple iterative examples. These parametrized deep learning techniques are also dependent on two parameters (weights), and the initial values of these parameters can significantly affect the deep learning models; therefore, a simple approach is presented to enhance the classification accuracy and improve computing performance using perceptual weights. The approach is called the perceptually inspired deep learning framework, and it incorporates edge-sharpening filters and their frequency responses for the classifier and the connector parameters of the deep learning models. They preserve class characteristics and regularize the deep learning model parameters.
Chromosome missegregation during anaphase triggers p53 cell cycle arrest through histone H3.3 Ser31 phosphorylation

Maloriented chromosomes can evade the spindle assembly checkpoint and generate aneuploidy, a common feature of tumorigenesis. But chromosome missegregation in non-transformed cells triggers a p53-dependent fail-safe mechanism that blocks proliferation of normal cells that inadvertently become aneuploid. How this fail-safe is triggered is not known. Here we identify a conserved feedback mechanism that monitors missegregating chromosomes during anaphase through the differential phosphorylation of histone H3.3 at Ser31. We do this by inducing transient chromosome missegregation in diploid cells. During anaphase, H3.3 Ser31 is phosphorylated along the arms of lagging or misaligned chromosomes. Within minutes, Ser31 phosphorylation (Ser31P) spreads to all of the chromatids of both daughter cells, which persists into G1. Masking H3.3 Ser31P by antibody microinjection prevents nuclear p53 accumulation in the aneuploid daughters. Previous work demonstrated that prolonged prometaphase and DNA damage during abnormal mitosis can activate p53. We show that p53 activation in response to chromosome missegregation can occur without prolonged mitosis or DNA damage. Our study provides insight into how aneuploidy caused by chromosome missegregation is normally monitored and suppressed.
Implications of spatial and temporal variations in effects of conservation practices on water management strategies

Abstract Conservation practices are designed and implemented to reduce soil erosion and protect water quality, but their effectiveness has been found to vary widely. This study investigated spatial and temporal variability in sediment and nutrient loads and load reductions achieved by implementing conservation practices to understand the implications of landscape heterogeneity and seasonal land-phase hydrologic variation on the effectiveness of the practices. Field-scale effects of nine conservation practices were evaluated in an agricultural watershed in the Midwest using the SWAT model. Results show that the conservation practice effectiveness, and the variability of the practice effectiveness at different locations, vary widely. Most practices are more effective in reducing nutrients in particulate than soluble forms. Practices applied to fields with higher nutrient loads do not necessarily lead to greater load reduction, indicating that an assumption of a proportional relationship between load and expected load reduction on which common targeting strategies for conservation practice placement are based may not be valid for nutrient, in particular soluble forms. The variation of the practices by fields and seasons suggests that achievement of water quality improvement requires careful selection of conservation practices and target areas considering hydrologic variations.
Contribution of P4-P3′ Residues Surrounding P1 Residues Arg336 and Arg562 in the Activated Protein C-Catalyzed Inactivation of Factor VIIIa.

The essential role of factor VIII in blood coagulation is evident from the bleeding diathesis hemophilia A, which results from a deficiency or defect in factor VIII. Activated factor VIII (factor VIIIa) serves as a cofactor for factor IXa in the factor Xase complex, which activates factor X during the propagation phase of coagulation. Factor VIIIa is a non-covalent heterotrimer consisting of A1, A2 and A3–C1–C2 subunits. Down-regulation of factor Xase is achieved by cofactor inactivation and is thought to occur by a non-proteolytic mechanism involving dissociation of the A2 subunit as well as a proteolytic mechanism catalyzed by activated protein C (APC). APC cleaves the P1 residues Arg336 near the C-terminus of the A1 subunit and Arg562 bisecting the A2 subunit. We recently demonstrated that these cleavages occur in an independent non-sequential fashion, with residue Arg336 being cleaved at a rate ~25-fold faster than Arg562 (Varfaj et al., Biochem J. 2006). While substantial evidence implicates involvement of exosite-directed interactions in the catalytic mechanism of APC, another factor that may contribute to the disparate cleavage rates are residues surrounding the P1 Arg residues. To examine the roles of these sequences in cofactor cleavage, we prepared two factor VIII mutants where the P2–P4 and P1′–P3′ residues surrounding Arg336 (Pro-Gln-Leu and Met-Lys-Asn, respectively) were replaced with those residues surrounding Arg562 (Val-Asp-Gln and Gly-Asn-Gln, respectively), and designated Arg336P2-P4A2 and Arg336P1′-P3′A2. In addition, a single mutant was prepared where the P4-P3′ residues surrounding Arg562 were replaced with those residues surrounding Arg336, and designated Arg562P4-P3′A1. Recombinant, B-domainless factor VIII proteins were stably expressed in BHK cells and purified. Specific activity values measured for Arg336P2-P4A2 and Arg336P1′-P3′A2 mutants were similar to that of wild type (WT) factor VIII, whereas Arg562P4-P3′A1 showed a specific activity value
Remote Sensing of Snow and Characterization of Snow Albedo for Climate Simulations

Accurate estimates of the spatial distribution and albedo of snow cover are needed for climate models, that use surface albedo as a lower boundary condition. We perform a sensitivity study that shows how model parameterizations of snow albedo affect computed snow-atmosphere fluxes. When albedo is calculated as a function of snow surface grain size, the variable albedo is significantly more realistic and representative than constant albedo values. We then describe new and planned satellite-derived products that will monitor seasonal changes in snow extent and albedo and have particular relevance to the climate modeling community.
Full-Body Locomotion Reconstruction of Virtual Characters Using a Single Inertial Measurement Unit

This paper presents a method of reconstructing full-body locomotion sequences for virtual characters in real-time, using data from a single inertial measurement unit (IMU). This process can be characterized by its difficulty because of the need to reconstruct a high number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) from a very low number of DOFs. To solve such a complex problem, the presented method is divided into several steps. The user’s full-body locomotion and the IMU’s data are recorded simultaneously. Then, the data is preprocessed in such a way that would be handled more efficiently. By developing a hierarchical multivariate hidden Markov model with reactive interpolation functionality the system learns the structure of the motion sequences. Specifically, the phases of the locomotion sequence are assigned in the higher hierarchical level, and the frame structure of the motion sequences are assigned at the lower hierarchical level. During the runtime of the method, the forward algorithm is used for reconstructing the full-body motion of a virtual character. Firstly, the method predicts the phase where the input motion belongs (higher hierarchical level). Secondly, the method predicts the closest trajectories and their progression and interpolates the most probable of them to reconstruct the virtual character’s full-body motion (lower hierarchical level). Evaluating the proposed method shows that it works on reasonable framerates and minimizes the reconstruction errors compared with previous approaches.
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for kidney repair: current status and looming challenges

Novel therapies are urgently needed to address the rising incidence and prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have shown promising results in experimental AKI and CKD, and have been used in the clinic for more than a decade with an excellent safety profile. The regenerative effects of MSCs do not rely on their differentiation and ability to replace damaged tissues, but are primarily mediated by the paracrine release of factors, including extracellular vesicles (EVs), composed of microvesicles and exosomes. MSC-derived EVs contain genetic and protein material that upon transferring to recipient cells can activate several repair mechanisms to ameliorate renal injury. Recent studies have shown that MSC-derived EV therapy improved renal outcomes in several animal models of AKI and CKD, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, drug/toxin-induced nephropathy, renovascular disease, ureteral obstruction, and subtotal nephrectomy. However, data about the renoprotective effects of EV therapy in patients with renal failure are scarce. This review summarizes current knowledge of MSC-derived EV therapy in experimental AKI and CKD, and discusses the challenges that need to be addressed in order to consider MSC-derived EVs as a realistic clinical tool to treat patients with these conditions.
Longitudinal Analysis of Genetic Susceptibility and BMI Throughout Adult Life

Little is known about the genetic influence on BMI trajectory throughout adulthood. We created a genetic risk score (GRS) comprising 97 adult BMI-associated variants among 9,971 women and 6,405 men of European ancestry. Serial measures of BMI were assessed from 18 (women) or 21 (men) years to 85 years of age. We also examined BMI change in early (from 18 or 21 to 45 years of age), middle (from 45 to 65 years of age), and late adulthood (from 65 to 80 years of age). GRS was positively associated with BMI across all ages, with stronger associations in women than in men. The associations increased from early to middle adulthood, peaked at 45 years of age in men and at 60 years of age in women (0.91 and 1.35 kg/m2 per 10-allele increment, respectively) and subsequently declined in late adulthood. For women, each 10-allele increment in the GRS was associated with an average BMI gain of 0.54 kg/m2 in early adulthood, whereas no statistically significant association was found for BMI change in middle or late adulthood or for BMI change in any life period in men. Our findings indicate that genetic predisposition exerts a persistent effect on adiposity throughout adult life and increases early adulthood weight gain in women.
Thin film organic photodetectors for indirect X-ray detection demonstrating low dose rate sensitivity at low voltage operation

Developments in the field of organic semiconductors have generated organic photodetectors with high quantum efficiency, wide spectral sensitivity, low power consumption, and unique form factors that are flexible and conformable to their substrate shape. In this work, organic photodetectors coupled with inorganic CsI(Tl) scintillators are used to showcase the low dose rate sensitivity that is enabled when high performance organic photodetectors and scintillator crystals are integrated. The detection capability of these organic-inorganic coupled systems to high energy radiation highlights their potential as an alternative to traditional photomultiplier tubes for nuclear spectroscopy applications. When exposed to Bremsstrahlung radiation produced from an X-ray generator, SubPc:C60, AlPcCl:C70, and P3HT:PC61BM thin film photodetectors with active layer thicknesses less than 100 nm show detection of incident radiation at low and no applied bias. Remarkably low dose rates, down to at least 0.18 μGy/s, were detectable with a characteristic linear relationship between exposure rate and photodetector current output. These devices also demonstrate sensitivities as high as 5.37 mC Gy−1 cm−2 when coupled to CsI(Tl). Additionally, as the tube voltage across the X-ray generator was varied, these organic-inorganic systems showed their ability to detect a range of continuous radiation spectra spanning several hundred keV.
Multi-institutional evaluation of end-to-end protocol for IMRT/VMAT treatment chains utilizing conventional linacs.

Abstract We conducted a multi-institutional assessment of a recently developed end-to-end monthly quality assurance (QA) protocol for external beam radiation therapy treatment chains. This protocol validates the entire treatment chain against a baseline to detect the presence of complex errors not easily found in standard component-based QA methods. Participating physicists from 3 institutions ran the end-to-end protocol on treatment chains that include Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC)-credentialed linacs. Results were analyzed in the form of American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group (TG)-119 so that they may be referenced by future test participants. Optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD), EBT3 radiochromic film, and A1SL ion chamber readings were accumulated across 10 test runs. Confidence limits were calculated to determine where 95% of measurements should fall. From calculated confidence limits, 95% of measurements should be within 5% error for OSLDs, 4% error for ionization chambers, and 4% error for (96% relative gamma pass rate) radiochromic film at 3% agreement/3 mm distance to agreement. Data were separated by institution, model of linac, and treatment protocol (intensity-modulated radiation therapy [IMRT] vs volumetric modulated arc therapy [VMAT]). A total of 97% of OSLDs, 98% of ion chambers, and 93% of films were within the confidence limits; measurements were found outside these limits by a maximum of 4%,
Abstract 12427: Racial Disparities in Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2001-09

Introduction: Racial differences in atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence and disparities in treatment are well established; however, racial differences in outcomes among patients hospitalized with AF are less clear. We assessed racial differences in complications related to AF in a representative sample of AF hospitalization in the United States. Methods: We identified adults (≥ 40 years) with a principal diagnosis of AF and length of stay (LOS) among survivors of 1-30 days using weighted national estimates from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. We excluded patients undergoing cardiac surgery or with missing covariates. Annual AF hospitalization rates by race were calculated using the total US population obtained from the US Census Bureau. We used multivariable regression models (covariates listed in Table) to examine associations of race with heart failure and hospital mortality among patients admitted with AF. Results: 2,244,036 AF hospitalizations (85% White, 6.7% Black, 5.0% Hispanic and 1.4% Asian/Pacific Islander) were analyzed from 2001-09. Hospitalization and outcome data by year are summarized in the table. Across all studied years, Blacks had lower AF hospitalization rates than Whites. Yet in all study years, mean LOS was longer for Blacks (range 4.2-4.6 days) than Whites (range 3.4-3.6 days). Blacks consistently had increased risk of in-hospital heart failure (Odds Ratio [OR] ranged from 1.5 [1.4, 1.7] to 1.7 [1.6, 1.9] across years) and death (OR, 1.5 [1.1, 2.1] to 2.3 [1.7, 3.0]) compared with Whites after adjustment for comorbidities. Conclusions: Although Blacks have lower incidence of hospitalizations for AF, they experience higher risk of heart failure, longer LOS, and greater mortality compared with Whites hospitalized with AF. Further public health investigation is warranted to examine the causes for disparities in outcomes among Blacks with AF and identify modifiable factors that may improve outcomes of Blacks with AF.
A low-thrust-enabled SmallSat heliophysics mission to Sun-Earth L5

We present an approach to enable SmallSat mission concepts to the Sun-Earth (SE) L 5 Lagrange point in support of advancing our understanding of solar processes and weather monitoring capabilities by addressing one of the primary challenges of such a mission: traveling to this distant region with limited propulsive capability. Heliophysicists have long been interested in missions to SE L 5 , which trails behind the Earth in its orbit, due to the capability for viewing solar and interplanetary phenomena. Consequently, a spacecraft orbiting in the vicinity of SE L 5 would observe the Sun before it rotates into Earth nadir and provide early warning of solar activity. Although SmallSats have emerged as an effective and low-cost platform for space-based science and exploration, operational and mission constraints create significant challenges during the trajectory design process. For instance, the miniaturization of electrospray and ion thrusters render low-thrust propulsion systems an enabling technology for upcoming small satellite missions. However, such systems supply only a low acceleration over limited time intervals. Furthermore, the deployment conditions associated with a SmallSat are typically determined by the primary mission and may evolve frequently throughout the lifecycle of the mission. These regular updates may result in deviations from an individual reference trajectory that are too large for a low-thrust propulsion system to overcome, thereby necessitating a complete trajectory redesign. Together, these operational and mission constraints severely impact the geometry and availability of feasible trajectories that deliver a low-thrust-enabled SmallSat from an uncertain deployment state to the vicinity of SE L 5 . In fact, these challenges necessitate a rapid and well-informed procedure that leverages dynamical systems techniques for trajectory design. We summarize and demonstrate such an approach within this paper.
Chromium: is it essential, pharmacologically relevant, or toxic?

Over fifty years ago, the element chromium (as the trivalent ion) was proposed to be an essential element for mammals with a role in maintaining proper carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Evidence for an essential role came from dietary studies with rodents, studies on the effects of chromium on subjects on total parenteral nutrition, and studies of the absorption and transport of chromium. Over the next several decades, chromium-containing nutritional supplements became so popular for weight loss and muscle development that sales were second only to calcium among mineral supplements. However, the failure to identify the responsible biomolecules(s) that bind chromium(III) and their mode of action, particularly a postulated species named glucose tolerance factor or GTF, resulted in the status of chromium being questioned in recent years, such that the question of its being essential needs to be formally readdressed. At the same time as chromium(III)’s popularity as a nutritional supplement was growing, concerns over its safety appeared. While chromium has been conclusively shown not to have beneficial effects on body mass or composition and should be removed from the list of essential trace elements, chromium(III) compounds are generally nontoxic and have beneficial pharmacological effects in rodents models of insulin insensitivity, although human studies have not conclusively shown any beneficial effects. Mechanisms have been proposed for these pharmacological effects, but all suffer from a lack of consistent supporting evidence.
GGOS and it User Requirements, Linkage and Outreach

The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) is going to be the interface between the IAG services and a wide range of external users ranging from the Global Earth Observation System of Systems(GEOSS) over the European Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) Programme and the Themes of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) to practical application in monitoring of infrastructure and the control of processes. Taking the user requirements (UR) compiled by the different IGOS-P Themes and GEOSS as a starting point, a detailed set of URs for the GGOS products is derived. The URs are specified in terms of spatial and temporal resolution, accuracy, and latency. The analysis of the URs reveals that GGOS is facing a rather demanding set of URs ranging from high accuracy observations of the Earth’s surface displacements in near-real time to long-term observations of Earth system parameters such as gravity, Earth’s rotation and sea level over several decades.
Development of the Vertebrate Neuromuscular Junction

The precise alignment of nerve terminals to postsynaptic specializations suggests that trans-synaptic cues direct synapse formation. As with much of our understanding of synaptic function, initial insight into both the presence and the identity of these synaptogenic cues was derived from studies at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a synapse formed between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers. Unlike central synapses, the wide synaptic cleft of the NMJ contains a network of cell-associated extracellular glycoproteins in the form of a specialized basal lamina (BL). The discovery that components of this synaptic BL direct pre- and postsynaptic differentiation has fueled three decades of intense research on the molecular signals regulating NMJ formation. Here, in addition to describing the organization and morphological development of the vertebrate NMJ, the roles of these extracellular adhesion molecules in the formation, maturation, and maintenance of this synapse are discussed.
Phase-Aligned Foveated Rendering for Virtual Reality Headsets

We propose a novel method of foveated rendering for virtual reality, targeting head-mounted displays with large fields of view or high pixel densities. Our foveation method removes motion-induced flicker in the periphery by aligning the rendered pixel grid to the virtual scene content during rasterization and upsampling. This method dramatically reduces detectability of motion artifacts in the periphery without complex interpolation or anti-aliasing algorithms.
Uterine Incarceration During Pregnancy

Uterine incarceration is a rare complication of pregnancy that typically presents in the late first or early second trimester but can be seen later in gestation. The growing uterus may become wedged between the sacral promontory and pubic symphysis, preventing the expected transition to an abdominal organ. This compression leads to symptoms of urinary retention, abdominal pain, constipation, and rectal pressure. A high index of suspicion is essential; these symptoms should be evaluated with a pelvic examination and an ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Institutional Support for Combining Multiple Knowledge Systems in Planning for Community Resilience to Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards

A given community may be considered as a system of systems (i.e., socio-economic networks and supporting physical infrastructure); if there is failure in one part, it is likely that the entire system will be disrupted. Planning and preparations for and response to natural, human-made and technological hazards often competes with other community priorities. Resilience planning challenges actors relevant to the decision-making process across knowledge systems relevant to the community which span the technical/scientific (e.g., transport networks, utilities), faith-based, NGO, local government, and media, among other sectors. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a six-step process that provides a practical and flexible approach to help community actors to jointly set priorities and allocate resources to manage risks facing the community. This process helps communities think through and plan for their social and economic needs, their hazard risks, and recovery of the built environment by encouraging co-production of knowledge and solutions throughout the resilience planning. This chapter overviews that six-step process and illustrates the first three steps using a case study example in Colorado, USA. The NIST “Economic Decision Guide for Infrastructure Systems” (EDG) is also introduced, as its seven-step process helps the collaborative resilience planning team in a community decide among possible resilience planning alternatives, including market and non-market values. It also introduces the importance of including the co-benefits that accrue to the community as a product of planning for resilience, even when a disaster has not yet occurred.
Abstract C012: Real-world use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the clinical management of patients with solid tumors: A single institution’s experience

Background: The analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is becoming an instrumental tool in the practice of precision oncology. It not only provides a non-invasive method to study the mutational composition of solid tumors, particularly when there are limitations in tissue acquisition, but also helps capturing the biological heterogeneity and genomic evolution of advanced tumors. There is tremendous variability in utilization of ctDNA among oncologists in in various solid tumors and currently there are no guidelines. Methods: We evaluated the results of all Guardant360 ctDNA tests that were requested for clinical management in advanced cancers in our academic tertiary cancer center. We identified and annotated the most common genomic alterations and variants for each disease type. Moreover, we collected variant allele frequency variants (VAF) from each report and disease. The results for each type of neoplasm were compared to the others. Results: A total of 2199 tests for 1402 patients were performed between 2015 to January 2019. The test volume increased from 162/year in 2015 to 733/year in 2018. The tests were most commonly requested in patients with the diagnosis of advanced breast adenocarcinoma (ABC)(36%), followed by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)(21%), colorectal cancer (CRC)(5%). 88% of reports included at least one alteration, with a median of 3 alterations per case and median of highest VAF of 1.1%. Prostate small cell carcinoma, contained the largest number of alterations/case (median: 9.5) and highest VAF (median: 7.1%). Among common neoplasms CRC had a significantly higher VAF (Median: 5.4%), compared to NSCLC and ABC (median Citation Format: Amir Behdad, Firas Wehbe, Carmen Williams, Wenan Qiang, Athanasios Vasilopoulos, Massimo Cristofanilli MD FACP. Real-world use of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the clinical management of patients with solid tumors: A single institution’s experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C012. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-C012
Blacked Out: Racial and Gender Segregation in Gifted Education 60 Years After Brown vs. Board of Education

This article examines the under-representation of African American students in gifted education, with attention to how representation differs for Black males and females. We contend that social injustices (e.g., prejudice and discrimination) contribute to racially segregated gifted education classes (Ford, 2013b). For support, gifted under-representation trends are shared, accompanied by formulae for calculating under-representation and inequity associated with under-representation. Denying access to gifted education based on race is a violation of civil rights in education. We discuss the under-representation of Black males and females in gifted education with Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) as the legal foundation and then attend to a court case in gifted education (McFadden vs. Board of Education for Illinois School District U-46, 2013; 984 F.Supp.2d 882) for one contemporary point of discussion regarding gifted education segregation. Suggestions for desegregating gifted education are shared.
Chapter 21 – Thyroid Function

Publisher Summary Disorders of the thyroid gland are the most common endocrine disorders in humans, and an extensive historical and scientific literature is available. Among the domestic animals, thyroid function and its diseases are well known in companion animals but less so in livestock. In livestock, nutritional iodine deficiencies have been of greater importance than thyroid-gland diseases, particularly in the iodine-deficient areas of the world. The importance of thyroid function and its diseases has also become progressively more important as the longevity of companion animals, such as the dog and cat, has increased. Advances in thyroid physiology, the pathogenesis of its diseases, and the continued development and refinement of methods of testing thyroid function have added impetus to the study of thyroid disease in all animals. This chapter reviews the anatomy and physiology of the thyroid gland and its diseases as a corollary to understanding the pathophysiology of the thyroid gland in disease. The physiological bases of a variety of thyroid function tests, most of which are now readily available to the veterinary clinician, are emphasized in the chapter.
CASH‐FLOW TRANCHING AND THE MACROECONOMY

The volume of cash‐flow transformation activities has grown markedly over the past few decades. We develop a dynamic model that characterizes the effects of changes in the costs and benefits of security creation. Lower tranching costs and increases in foreign appetite for safe assets can both increase costly security creation with positive effects on GDP and have diverse macroeconomic implications. Whereas the former counterfactually increases yields, the latter lowers them and also raises rents associated with cash‐flow transformation. These two features, as well as other subsidiary implications of increased foreign demand, are consistent with recent U.S. data.
Law and Sentiments in Authoritarian Courts

What roles, if any, do emotions play in authoritarian courts? While courts and judges in Western legal ideology are often cast in a myth of iron-clad rationality, the opposite is assumed about the enterprise of judging in authoritarian contexts: at worst unprofessional and corrupt, at best beholden to situational justice and local norms at the expense of law. Using empirical methods, this paper explores the notion of fairness as an interplay between compassion and legality in one such judicial system — Vietnam. Taking advantage of recent publication of court cases, this paper analyzes a database of over 200 criminal decisions by the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court, supplemented by interviews with judges, court officials, and lawyers, to shed light on a core tenet of socialist legality — judging “with reason and sentiment” (“hợp tinh hợp lý”). I focus on situations in which statutory laws require judges to balance multiple mitigating and aggravating factors in criminal sentencing. The goals are two-fold. First, by analyzing how judges weight these factors, I challenge existing literature’s view of judicial “sentiment” as extra-legal discretion, arguing instead that the law deliberately makes room for emotions as a way to bolster populist legitimacy. Second, as statutory laws allow judges leeway in balancing criminal sentencing factors, studying judicial decisions can reveal valuable information on how judges exercise discretion in a tightly controlled space.
Teaching Tips To Enrich Remote Student Engagement in Transport Phenomena Using a Hybrid Teaching and Assessment Model

The pandemic-induced transition to remote instruction provided unique opportunities to adapt active and problem-based learning principles to develop new materials, teaching strategies, and assessment metrics that enrich student engagement in transport phenomena. This project used a hybrid teaching strategy that delivered technical content using, both, alternate asynchronous podcasts and synchronous online sessions. Assessment was performed using remote mini-assignments every week that challenged student technical comprehension and development of problem-solving algorithms. Short assignments were administered via timed internet sharing and discussed synchronously immediately after online submission. Student performance on mini-assignments steadily increased and was 15% higher during remote instruction than the previous year of in person lectures. In addition, virtual class participation in office hours increased by 40% and class time spent on student-initiated questions was 34% higher during online sessions. A hybrid teaching and assessment strategy promoted problem-based learning to dramatically increase student engagement and performance online. Future curricula will continue to provide recorded solutions to complex problems to help increase student comprehension and class participation. In addition, virtual office hours will be expanded in conjunction with faculty colleagues to provide additional resources to students.