cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systemic absorption of nicotine following acute secondhand exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol in a realistic social setting.

Abstract Evidence suggests exposure of nicotine-containing e-cigarette aerosol to nonusers leads to systemic absorption of nicotine. However, no studies have examined acute secondhand exposures that occur in public settings. Here, we measured the serum, saliva and urine of nonusers pre- and post-exposure to nicotine via e-cigarette aerosol. Secondarily, we recorded factors affecting the exposure. Six nonusers of nicotine-containing products were exposed to secondhand aerosol from ad libitum e-cigarette use by three e-cigarette users for 2 h during two separate sessions (disposables, tank-style). Pre-exposure (baseline) and post-exposure peak levels (Cmax) of cotinine were measured in nonusers’ serum, saliva, and urine over a 6-hour follow-up, plus a saliva sample the following morning. We also measured solution consumption, nicotine concentration, and pH, along with use behavior. Baseline cotinine levels were higher than typical for the US population (median serum session one = 0.089 ng/ml; session two = 0.052 ng/ml). Systemic absorption of nicotine occurred in nonusers with baselines indicative of no/low tobacco exposure, but not in nonusers with elevated baselines. Median changes in cotinine for disposable exposure were 0.007 ng/ml serum, 0.033 ng/ml saliva, and 0.316 ng/mg creatinine in urine. For tank-style exposure they were 0.041 ng/ml serum, 0.060 ng/ml saliva, and 0.948 ng/mg creatinine in urine. Finally, we measured substantial differences in solution nicotine concentrations, pH, use behavior and consumption. Our data show that although exposures may vary considerably, nonusers can systemically absorb nicotine following acute exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol. This can particularly affect sensitive subpopulations, such as children and women of reproductive age.
Introduction to Cross-Sectional Imaging

A brief introduction to cross-sectional imaging modalities including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. The uses and risk of contrast agents are reviewed. Cross-sectional anatomy of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis is described through annotated images, highlighting clinically relevant anatomy for interventional radiology.
Bank External Financing and Early Adoption of SFAS 133

This study examines whether and how US bank holding companies that early adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitie...
Staghorn Calculi: Percutaneous Extraction Versus Anatrophic Nephrolithotomy

AbstractWe compared the procedure time, success rates, complications and recovery times for percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy (75 cases) and anatrophic nephrolithotomy (25) in patients with staghorn stones. Although the frequency of retained stone fragments was higher in the former group (13.3 versus 0 per cent), the shorter total procedure time (average 155.1 versus 266.5 minutes), lesser need for blood transfusions (average 2 units packed red cells in 53 per cent of the patients versus 3.5 units in 70 per cent) and narcotics (average 16 versus 33 doses), and far more rapid return to work (average 14.3 versus 54.5 days after the patients were discharged from the hospital) strongly favor percutaneous over open stone removal.
Operational Space Dynamics

Robotic platforms are typically designed to interact with the environment at specific task space nodes on the system. For a manipulator, the set of task space nodes may consist of a single end-effector node. For a humanoid system, the arm end-effectors are task space nodes, while the feet are such nodes for legged systems. The set of task space nodes define the operational space of the system. The control problem requires managing the motion state as well as the force interactions with the envi- ronment for the task space nodes. Operational space control (OSC) is an approach to robot system control that focuses on the dynamical behavior of a system from the task (or operational) space perspective [100–103]. It is especially useful for ap- plications involving contact between the end-effector and the environment, such as occurs in hybrid force/position control, or for artificial potential field approaches to collision avoidance and path planning. The advantage of the OSC approach over joint space control is that the control problem is posed directly in terms of task space variables. One issue is the added analytical and computational complexity of operational space dynamics. As will be seen in later chapters, the importance of operational space dynamics quantities extends to the dynamics of systems subject to closure constraints, as well as to the dynamics of under-actuated and free-flying systems. In this chapter, we study and analyze operational space dynamics and as- sociated efficient computational algorithms for a robotic system.
Applying dynamic contrast enhanced MSOT imaging to intratumoral pharmacokinetic modeling.

Abstract Examining the dynamics of an agent in the tumor microenvironment can offer critical insights to the influx rate and accumulation of the agent. Intratumoral kinetic characterization in the in vivo setting can further elicudate distribution patterns and tumor microenvironment. Dynamic contrast-enhanced Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomographic imaging (DCE-MSOT) acquires serial MSOT images with the administration of an exogenous contrast agent over time. We tracked the dynamics of a tumor-targeted contrast agent, HypoxiSense 680 (HS680), in breast xenograft mouse models using MSOT. Arterial input function (AIF) approach with MSOT imaging allowed for tracking HS680 dynamics within the mouse. The optoacoustic signal for HS680 was quantified using the ROI function in the ViewMSOT software. A two-compartment pharmacokinetics (PK) model constructed in MATLAB to fit rate parameters. The contrast influx (kin) and outflux (kout) rate constants predicted are kin = 1.96 × 10−2 s-1 and kout = 9.5 × 10-3 s-1 (R = 0.9945).
Ecotherapy - A Forgotten Ecosystem Service: A Review.

Natural ecosystems perform fundamental life-support services upon which human civilization depends. However, many people believe that nature provides these services for free and therefore, they are of little or no value. One nearly forgotten ecosystem service is ecotherapy – the ability of interaction with nature to enhance healing and growth. While we do not pay for this service, we pay significantly for its loss resulting in slower recovery times, greater distress, reduced well-being and losses in those images of nature that contribute to our basic happiness. Little is understood about the ecotherapy benefits of the natural environment and its ecosystem services. The complex and interactive relationship of ecosystems, their services and human well-being is poorly acknowledged in the broad social, philosophical and economic well-being literature. In this article, we examine the role of nature and its ecosystem services in ecotherapy and its associated enhancement of recovery from physical and mental illness.
Circulating prolactin concentrations and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women

Prolactin, a multifunctional hormone, is involved in regulating insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in experimental studies. However, whether circulating concentrations of prolactin are associated with risk of type 2 diabetes remains uncertain. We analysed the prospective relationship between circulating prolactin concentrations and type 2 diabetes risk in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHSII with up to 22 years of follow-up. Total plasma prolactin was measured using immunoassay in 8615 women free of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease at baseline blood collection (NHS 1989–1990; NHSII 1996–1999) and a subset of 998 NHS women providing a second blood sample during 2000–2002. Baseline bioactive prolactin was measured in a subset of 2478 women using the Nb2 bioassay. HRs were estimated using Cox regression. A total of 699 incident type 2 diabetes cases were documented during 156,140 person-years of follow-up. Total plasma prolactin levels were inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk; the multivariable HR comparing the highest with the lowest quartile was 0.73 (95% CI 0.55, 0.95; ptrend = 0.02). The associations were similar by menopausal status and other risk factors (pinteraction > 0.70). Additional adjustment for sex and growth hormones, adiponectin, and inflammatory and insulin markers did not significantly alter the results. The association of plasma bioactive prolactin with type 2 diabetes risk was non-significantly stronger than that of total prolactin (HR comparing extreme quartiles, 0.53 vs 0.81 among the subset of 2478 women, pdifference = 0.11). The inverse association of total prolactin with type 2 diabetes was significant during the first 9 years after blood draw but waned linearly with time, whereas for bioactive prolactin, the inverse relationship persisted for a longer follow-up time after blood draw. A normally high circulating total prolactin concentration was associated with a lower type 2 diabetes risk within 9–10 years of follow-up since blood draw in US women. Our findings are consistent with experimental evidence, suggesting that among healthy women, prolactin within the biologically normal range may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
A computational model for understanding the micro-mechanics of collagen fiber network in the tunica adventitia

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a prevalent cardiovascular disease with high mortality rates. The mechanical response of the arterial wall relies on the organizational and structural behavior of its microstructural components, and thus, a detailed understanding of the microscopic mechanical response of the arterial wall layers at loads ranging up to rupture is necessary to improve diagnostic techniques and possibly treatments. Following the common notion that adventitia is the ultimate barrier at loads close to rupture, in the present study, a finite element model of adventitial collagen network was developed to study the mechanical state at the fiber level under uniaxial loading. Image stacks of the rabbit carotid adventitial tissue at rest and under uniaxial tension obtained using multi-photon microscopy were used in this study, as well as the force–displacement curves obtained from previously published experiments. Morphological parameters like fiber orientation distribution, waviness, and volume fraction were extracted for one sample from the confocal image stacks. An inverse random sampling approach combined with a random walk algorithm was employed to reconstruct the collagen network for numerical simulation. The model was then verified using experimental stress–stretch curves. The model shows the remarkable capacity of collagen fibers to uncrimp and reorient in the loading direction. These results further show that at high stretches, collagen network behaves in a highly non-affine manner, which was quantified for each sample. A comprehensive parameter study to understand the relationship between structural parameters and their influence on mechanical behavior is presented. Through this study, the model was used to conclude important structure–function relationships that control the mechanical response. Our results also show that at loads close to rupture, the probability of failure occurring at the fiber level is up to 2%. Uncertainties in usually employed rupture risk indicators and the stochastic nature of the event of rupture combined with limited knowledge on the microscopic determinants motivate the development of such an analysis. Moreover, this study will advance the study of coupling microscopic mechanisms to rupture of the artery as a whole.
On the electrical properties of meridianiite and implications for radar sounding of icy satellites

Abstract Salts are important secondary components of the icy shells of outer-planet satellites. Salt hydrates formed from freezing brines may influence reflectivity and absorption of surface-penetrating radars. We compare new measurements of frozen mixtures of water and magnesium sulfate with those made by Pettinelli et al. (2016) and Grimm et al. (2008) . We find a high-frequency real dielectric constant of the hydrate endmember (meridianiite) of 4.9 ± 0.3 at −85 °C, within the error bounds derived by Pettinelli and colleagues. We confirm the existence of a dielectric relaxation in meridianiite, similar to the well-known response of ice but at higher frequency and with lower amplitude. However, the meridianiite relaxation is evident only at supereutectic concentrations and for a freezing history that maximizes annealing and partitioning of soluble impurities into the lattice. Dielectric relaxation is nonetheless important for radar sounding of Europa because it controls absorptive loss. Chloride is the most abundant ice-soluble impurity on Europa and will have the greatest impact on radar absorption, whether in ice or hydrates. Salt hydrates may generate reflectivity contrasts in surface-penetrating radar but are unlikely to be uniquely identified.
Optimization of lyophilization conditions for recombinant human interleukin-2 by dried-state conformational analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Purpose. Examination of the dried-state conformation of interleukin-2 (IL-2) was used to determine the pH conditions and stabilizers that provide optimal storage stability for the lyophilized product. Methods. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and accelerated stability studies which examined solubility, aggregate formation, and covalent cross-linking were used. Results. Varying the pH in the absence of excipients resulted in dramatic differences in the dried state conformation of IL-2. At pH 7, IL-2 unfolds extensively upon lyophilization while at pH below 5 it remains essentially native. Additional unfolding was observed upon incubation at elevated temperatures. A strong direct correlation between the retention of the native (aqueous) structure during freeze-drying and enhanced stability is demonstrated. IL-2 prepared at pH 5 is approximately an order of magnitude more stable than at pH 7 with regard to formation of soluble and insoluble aggregates. A similar pH profile was observed in the presence of excipients, although the excipients alter the overall stability profile. Additional accelerated stability studies examined the stabilizers necessary for optimal stability. Conclusions. Excipients with the capacity to substitute for water upon dehydration better preserve the native structure resulting in enhanced stability. Those that have high glass transition temperatures provide the highest level of stability during storage, although they do not prevent dehydration induced unfolding.
Diastereoselective Conjugate Addition to (+)-Camphorsulfonic Acid Derived Nitroalkenes: Synthesis of alpha-Hydroxy and alpha-Amino Acids.

Diastereoselective tandem conjugate addition of both oxygen- and nitrogen-centered nucleophiles to the novel (1S)-10-camphorsulfonic acid derived nitroalkenes 9, 10, and 11 and ozonolysis gave the α-hydroxy and α-amino thiol acid derivatives 12, 13, and 14. In all cases, the (R)-diastereomer was formed as the major component albeit with only modest levels of selectivity (33−71% de). The structures of the products and the stereochemistry of the Michael addition step were unequivocally established by X-ray crystallographic studies of nitroalkenes 9 and 10 and (2S)-12c and (2R)-13a and by alternative syntheses from (S)-alanine, (S)-valine, and ethyl (S)-lactate.
Role of Entrepreneurial Cognition in the Performance of High Technology International New Ventures

International new ventures (INVs) contend with environmental dynamism in global markets, compelling firms to enhance their innovation and marketing capabilities. While the INV literature is growing...
The Earth Observing System (EOS) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)

The evolution of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR) has led to a multipolarization, multifrequency SAR with variable imaging geometry which will be ready for flight on the Space Station Earth Observing System (EOS). Nominally, this SAR will be a three-frequency (L-, C-, and X-band) system with quad polarization available for the L and C bands. It will be capable of acquiring multiincidence-angle data using electronic beam steering, and other imaging geometries by mechanically pitching, yawing, and rolling the antenna. The capabilities of the EOS SAR, particularly acquisition of cross-polarized and high-incidence-angle data, depend on the altitude of the platform on which the SAR flies and improve significantly at lower altitudes. The EOS SAR will provide a unique new data set and will play a key role in understanding the earth's global processes, alone and synergistically with other EOS instruments.
Chapter 19 – Current Status of Gene Therapy for Brain Tumors∗

Brain tumors, solid neoplasms within the brain or the central spinal canal, can often be debilitating and difficult to treat. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadliest primary brain tumor in adults, not responding to current therapies and with a very low percentage of 5-year survivors. Therefore, the development of new treatments is critical. Gene therapy is a treatment strategy that relies on the delivery of genetic material into cells for therapeutic purposes, and has demonstrated increasing success in preclinical models and clinical trials. Within this strategy, we include selectively replication-competent oncolytic viruses. While the oncolytic viruses act directly as antitumor agents due to virus replication, the effects are due to the transfer of viral genetic material to the cells. GBM is a good target for gene therapy because tumors remain locally within the brain and only rarely metastasize to other tissues; the majority of cells in the brain are postmitotic, which allows for specific targeting of dividing tumor cells; and tumors can often be accessed neurosurgically for administration of therapy. This chapter will focus on GBM and describe current gene therapy strategies used for brain tumors, including cytotoxic, immune-stimulatory, tumor microenvironment disrupting gene therapy, oncolytic viruses, small RNA interference, and delivery systems encompassing viruses, stem cells, and nanotechnology, as well as current challenges and future directions.
PDE-Based Dynamic Density Estimation for Large-Scale Agent Systems

Large-scale agent systems have foreseeable applications in the near future. Estimating their macroscopic density is critical for many density-based optimization and control tasks, such as sensor deployment and city traffic scheduling. In this letter, we study the problem of estimating their dynamically varying probability density, given the agents’ individual dynamics (which can be nonlinear and time-varying) and their states observed in real-time. The density evolution is shown to satisfy a linear partial differential equation uniquely determined by the agents’ dynamics. We present a density filter which takes advantage of the system dynamics to gradually improve its estimation and is scalable to the agents’ population. Specifically, we use kernel density estimators (KDE) to construct a noisy measurement and show that, when the agents’ population is large, the measurement noise is approximately “Gaussian”. With this important property, infinite-dimensional Kalman filters are used to design density filters. It turns out that the covariance of measurement noise depends on the true density. This state-dependence makes it necessary to approximate the covariance in the associated operator Riccati equation, rendering the density filter suboptimal. The notion of input-to-state stability is used to prove that the performance of the suboptimal density filter remains close to the optimal one. Simulation results suggest that the proposed density filter is able to quickly recognize the underlying modes of the unknown density and automatically ignore outliers, and is robust to different choices of kernel bandwidth of KDE.
FROM TRAPPED ATOMS TO LIBERATED QUARKS

We discuss some aspects of cold atomic gases in the unitarity limit that are of interest in connection with the physics of dense hadronic matter. We consider, in particular, the equation of state at zero temperature, the magnitude of the pairing gap, and the phase diagram at non-zero polarization.
Characterization of LY2775240, a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, in nonclinical models and in healthy subjects.

LY2775240 is a highly selective, potent and orally-administered inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), and is being investigated as a treatment option for inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis. LY2775240 was investigated in rodent and rhesus monkey nonclinical models. Treatment with LY2775240 led to significant reductions in TNFα production, a marker of PDE4 engagement upon immune activation, in both nonclinical models. In the first part of a 2-part first-in-human randomized study, a wide dose range of LY2775240 was safely evaluated and found to be well-tolerated with common adverse events (AEs) of nausea, diarrhea, and headache. No serious AEs were reported. The pharmacokinetic profile of LY2775240 was well-characterized, with a half-life that can support once-a-day dosing. An ex vivo pharmacodynamic (PD) assay demonstrated dose-dependent PDE4 target engagement as assessed by reduction in TNFα production. A 20 mg dose of LY2775240 led to near-maximal TNFα inhibition in this PD assay in the first part of the study and was selected for comparison with the clinical dose of apremilast (30 mg) in the crossover, second part of this study. The 20 mg dose of LY2775240 demonstrated sustained maximal (50%-80%) inhibition of TNFα over all timepoints over the 24-h duration. The comparator apremilast achieved peak inhibition of ~ 50% at only 4 h postdose with a return to about 10% inhibition within 12 h of dosing. In summary, the nonclinical data and safety, tolerability, and PK/PD data in healthy subjects supports further investigation of LY2775240 in inflammatory indications. Study Highlights WHAT IS THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE TOPIC? Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, such as apremilast, are currently approved to treat autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis. LY2775240 is an oral PDE4 inhibitor being developed for treatment of a variety of inflammatory disorders. The degree of enzymatic inhibition achieved by PDE4 inhibitors clinically is poorly understood. WHAT QUESTION DID THIS STUDY ADDRESS? This study investigated single ascending doses of LY2775240, a highly selective oral PDE4 inhibitor, in healthy subjects. LY2775240 was well-tolerated over the dose range evaluated, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles were well-characterized. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD TO OUR KNOWLEDGE? This study evaluated different doses of LY2775240 and subsequently compared a selected LY2775240 dose with the clinical dose of apremilast with an ex vivo assay. This information builds a connection between target engagement and clinical efficacy. HOW MIGHT THIS CHANGE CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY OR TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE? This is the first report of an ex vivo PD assay that has been systematically implemented in a PDE4 inhibitor Phase 1 study. Early investigation of exposure-response relationships versus a comparator can support evaluation of clinically meaningful doses of investigational agents.
Shaming as an incentive mechanism against stealing: Behavioral and physiological evidence

Abstract We study experimentally the decision of an individual to steal or pay for an object that is produced at a cost by another individual. We consider two conditions. In the first condition, subjects caught stealing are sanctioned with a nominal fee. In the second condition, the sanction is increased by making the identity of the individual public (shaming). We also collect skin conductance responses to better understand the emotional arousal conducive to choices. Behaviorally, we show that stealing decreases significantly when shaming is introduced. More importantly, the emotional response at the time of decision strongly correlates with behavior. In particular, subjects who are more aroused are more likely to steal in the first condition, and also more likely to stop stealing in the second condition. Based on this physiological evidence, we develop a theoretical model where current decisions contribute to a “moral stock”, which in turns affects the future cost of stealing and therefore the future decisions. The structural estimation of this model provides a good fit while capturing the heterogeneity across individuals.
Information About COVID-19 Testing on College Websites in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the Fall reopening plans among institutions of higher education (IHEs) in the United States (U.S.). While recommendations were made to conduct COVID-19 testing of students and staff, it is unclear as to what extent IHEs were able to engage in testing. IHEs also play a critical role in provision of accurate information related to COVID-19 to students and staff. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess available information on COVID-19 testing on IHEs’ websites in the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area. IHEs’ websites were screened for the presence of content related to COVID-19 testing. Larger institutions (> 10,000 students) were more likely than smaller institutions (≤ 5000 students) to provide information on how to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing (χ2(2) = 8.1, P < 0.05), and information on free testing (χ2(2) = 7.0, P < 0.05). Of 150 IHEs included, 124 (82.7%) IHE’s reported testing data to the campus community, with the majority providing this data biweekly (62.9%). A total of 116 IHEs recorded at least one positive COVID-19 case among their students or staff during the Fall semester. Smaller-sized institutions reported a significantly lower number of cases than medium- (P < 0.001) and large-sized (P = 0.003) institutions. Additional differences related to testing modalities and provision of information were observed according to schools’ state jurisdictions. Although geographically close, IHEs in the NYC metropolitan area did not provide information on COVID-19 testing in a uniform and comprehensive fashion, which may further contribute to public confusion.
Gold nanoparticle synthesis in contact lenses for drug-less ocular cystinosis treatment.

Abstract Purpose To develop gold nanoparticles-loaded contact lens (“GoldinLens”) to bind a significant mass of cystine on the surface of the gold nanoparticles (GNPs) for cystinosis treatment due to the reaction between cystine and gold. Methods The GoldinLens was manufactured by synthesizing GNPs inside the preformed contact lens matrix by first loading the lenses (Moist and TrueEye) with gold precursor followed by reduction (with sodium borohydride or trisodium citrate) to gold atoms, which nucleated to GNPs inside the polymeric matrix. The lenses were characterized by SEM, XRD, UV–Vis spectroscopy and mass of GNPs loaded in the lens was determined by direct measurement of mass. Manufactured lenses were soaked in cystine solution for cystine uptake in vitro. Results Results show that gold loading in the contact lens increases linearly with gold precursor concentration and number of repetitions of the manufacturing process. The stronger reducing agent sodium borohydride resulted in higher gold loading, with the loading being higher in the Moist lenses due to higher diffusivity of the reducing agent into the lens. However, GNPs were smaller in size and relatively monodispersed in TruEye GoldinLens, resulting in higher cystine uptake of 47 μg/lens over 24 h (vs. 33 μg/lens for Moist GoldinLens). However, the rate of this uptake was higher for Moist GoldiLens (8.25 vs. 2.35 μg/h), with the maximum uptake occurring in one hour (vs. five hours). Conclusion A method for manufacturing GoldinLens, wherein small gold nanoparticles are trapped in contact lenses, has been developed for drugless cystinosis treatment. The lenses withdraw cystine molecules from the surrounding milieu, with the TrueEye GoldinLens being superior for the extent of, while Moist GoldinLens is superior for rate of cystine removal. GoldinLenses of this study can be used for drugless cystine removal cystinosis treatment with one- or five-hour wear at a time.
Macchia Spiral Into Zero-Waste Times Two

Macchia Spiral Into Zero-Waste Times Two effectively addresses the environmental concerns of pre-consumer textile waste while creating an innovative design that speaks to the form and function of the body. Acid and fiber reactive dyes were used to get to the depth of color achieved in Chihuly's glass. These dyes can be safely disposed and are more fast to light and washing, giving the garment a longer life than what might be achieved with natural dyes. The outcome of the Macchia Spiral Into Zero-Waste Times Two garment was unexpected, inventive, and freeing. The design process of starting with the pattern deviated from the designer's traditional method of starting with a preconceived design and then developing the patterns. The experimentation of the double spiral pattern will continue, creating zero-waste garments.
Evaluation of a Pilot Healthy Eating and Exercise Program for Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities.

The aims of this pilot study were to examine program structure, implementation, and outcomes of a healthy eating and exercise program for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (IDs). Seventeen young adults with ASD and IDs, six parents, and 10 staff participated. Programming was delivered for over a year and featured healthy eating and exercise lessons. Also, group-based motivational interviewing was used to develop weekly health goals for participants. During COVID-19, lessons were delivered online. The program was modified using lectures with visual material, when participants returned to classrooms. Lessons focused on MyPlate, portion sizes, the food pyramid, vitamins and minerals in foods, and learning to eat “less” of unhealthy food groups. Exercise lessons featured information about importance of exercise, introduction to different types of exercise, and knowledge about how exercise benefits the body. Staff completed implementation logs. Height and weight of participants were examined at regular intervals. Parents completed surveys and participants completed group interviews to assess program impact. Two participants lost a significant amount of weight and others maintained their weight during COVID-19. Participants and parents were satisfied with the program and reported knowledge and behavior change. Results indicated participating in the intervention resulted in improved knowledge and health behaviors. Findings are preliminary, and research using control groups and assessing change in weight and behaviors over time are needed. Observation of meals and physical activity levels will provide more objective data in future studies.
Tallgrass prairie wildlife exposure to spray drift from commonly used soybean insecticides in Midwestern USA.

Abstract Insecticides are widely used in the Midwestern USA to combat soybean aphids (Aphis glycines), a globally important crop pest. Broad-spectrum foliar insecticides such as chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, and bifenthrin (hereafter, “target insecticides”) are toxic to wildlife in laboratory settings; however, little information exists regarding drift and deposition of these insecticides in fragmented tallgrass prairie grasslands such as those in Minnesota, USA. To address this information gap, target insecticide spray drift and deposition were measured on passive samplers and arthropods in grasslands adjacent to crop fields in Minnesota. Samples were collected at focal soybean field sites immediately following target insecticide application and at reference corn field sites without target insecticide application. Target insecticides were detected 400 m into grasslands at both focal and reference sites. Residues of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide especially toxic to pollinators and birds, were measured above the contact lethal dose (LD50) for honey bees (Apis mellifera) up to 25 m from field edges in adjacent grasslands. Chlorpyrifos residues on arthropods were below the acute oral LD50 for several common farmland bird species but were above the level shown to impair migratory orientation in white-crowed sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys). Deposition of target insecticides on passive samplers was inversely associated with distance from field edge and percent canopy cover of vegetation of grassland vegetation, and positively associated with samplers placed at mid-canopy compared to ground level. Percent canopy cover of grassland vegetation had an inverse association with deposition. Target insecticide deposition on arthropods had an inverse relationship with vertical vegetation density and was positively associated with maximum height of vegetation. Tallgrass prairie with cover ≥25 m from row crop edges may provide wildlife habitat with lower exposure to foliar application insecticides. Prairie management regimes that increase percent canopy cover and density of vegetation may also reduce exposure of wildlife to these insecticides.
Outcomes Research and Community Health Information Systems

The developments in outcomes research and community health information systems are pursuing essentially parallel courses in this country, and yet integrating the lessons from each other could yield more informed health policy decisions. This article provides the linkage between these two developing fields, discusses indicators of community health, describes several approximations to an outcomes-based community health information system in this country, and specifies a model (POPULIS) of such a system from Canada. Although POPULIS can serve as a prototype for health policy decision making, the outcomes-based community health information system, which can be constructed in this country, is constrained by the pluralistic system of health care we have and the lack of any centralized planning about health.
Propagation and Scattering in a Variable Shallow Water Waveguide

Abstract : Random variability in shallow water will induce variability in a propagating acoustic field. The long-term goal of this research is to quantify how random variability in the ocean environment translates into random variability in the acoustic field and the associated signal processing algorithms propagation in the mid-frequency (1-10 kHz) band. In the present funding cycle, the emphasis is on acoustic scintillation and the waveguide invariant.
MICROSPHERE-INDUCED AGGREGATE CULTURE OF ANIMAL CELLS

Microspheres were used to induce aggregate formation for CHO cells which grow either as aggregates or in suspension, as well as Vero and ST cells which are strictly anchorage-dependent. In the case of Vero and ST cells, they do not spread out after attachment to the microsphere as they typically do when cultivated on conventional microcarriers or tissue culture flasks. Instead, they grow in a more spherical form and eventually form a tightly packed cell mass. In all cases cells grew as aggregates and a very high cell concentration was reached. To achieve a similar cell concentration using conventional microcarrier culture technology a large amount of microcarrier would have to be used. The viability observed in our microsphere-induced aggregates are very high, as determined by FDA/EtBr stain.
Fructose, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sucrose, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), formerly called nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, is characterized by hepatic steatosis, abnormal triglyceride accumulation in liver cells. Its etiology, pathophysiology, and pathogenesis are still poorly understood. Some have suggested that the increased intake of sweeteners over the past few decades, particularly fructose, may be contributing to the increased incidence of NAFLD. However, only few studies have directly distinguished between the effects of increases in energy intake and/or body weight from high intakes of mono- and disaccharides, particularly fructose, per se, on NAFLD. The clinical significance of the currently available data is questionable due to study limitations such as small sample size, short intervention periods, lack of energy intake and/or body weight control, use of pure fructose rather than sucrose or HFCS, and fructose loads that exceed current intakes.
The restricted partition method.

Abstract For many complex traits, the bulk of the phenotypic variation attributable to genetic factors remains unexplained, even after well-powered genome-wide association studies. Among the multiple possible explanations for the “missing” variance, joint effects of multiple genetic variants are a particularly appealing target for investigation: they are well documented in biology and can often be evaluated using existing data. The first two sections of this chapter discusses these and other concerns that led to the development of the Restricted Partition Method (RPM). The RPM is an exploratory tool designed to investigate, in a model agnostic manner, joint effects of genetic and environmental factors contributing to quantitative or dichotomous phenotypes. The method partitions multilocus genotypes (or genotype-environmental exposure classes) into statistically distinct “risk” groups, then evaluates the resulting model for phenotypic variance explained. It is sensitive to factors whose effects are apparent only in a joint analysis, and which would therefore be missed by many other methods. The third section of the chapter provides details of the RPM algorithm and walks the reader through an example. The final sections of the chapter discuss practical issues related to the use of the method. Because exhaustive pairwise or higher order analyses of many SNPs are computationally burdensome, much of the discussion focuses on computational issues. The RPM proved to be practical for a large candidate gene analysis, consisting of over 40,000 SNPs, using a desktop computer. Because the algorithm and software lend themselves to distributed processing, larger analyses can easily be split among multiple computers.
Heart: Clinical Applications of MRI

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Imaging Techniques 3 Level of Current Clinical Activity 4 Acquired Heart Disease 5 Congenital Heart Disease 6 The Future 7 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
Global Projects Prepare WPI Students for the 21st Century

The WPI project based curriculum, which emphasizes discovery based learning are an alternative to the traditional information transfer process, has proved successful in delivering global engineering education. More than 25% of the learning process of the students is integrated into two formal projects, the Major Qualifying Project (MQP) which is designed as a capstone for professional technical competence and the Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) which relates science and technology to societal concerns and student needs. Both the MQP and IQP may be completed on- or off-campus. Currently, over 50% of the graduating class will have completed one of the projects at an overseas location under WPI’s Global Perspectives Program. Each year, more than twenty faculty members will be advising and sharing a learning experience with the students at international locations spanning six continents.
Flow Techniques, Industrial

The sections in this article are 1 Classes of Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Techniques 2 Flow Profiles 3 Measurement Techniques 4 Mechanical Concerns
Modulation of the development of cell-mediated immunity: Possible role of the products of the cyclo-oxygenase and the lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism☆

Abstract Various inhibitors of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism were investigated for their effects on the development of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) by murine lymphocytes against allogeneic P815 mastocytoma cells in culture. These effects were measured by measuring cellular proliferation and generation of cytoxicity. Indomethacin, aspirin, octadeca-9, 12-diynoic acid (Ro 3-1314) and d , 1-6-chloro-α-methylcarbazole-2-acetic acid (Ro 20-5720), inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase, caused augmentation of CMI response development. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, caused 50% inhibition at 30 μM. 5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic acid, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase, enhanced CMI at 8 μM, but inhibited these responses by 50% at 60 μM. Imidazole and 1-methylimidazole, inhibitors of thromboxane synthetase, inhibited CMI by 50% at about 3 mM. Tranylcypromine (tranyl), an inhibitor of prostacyclin synthetase, enhanced CMI. Indomethacin, imidazole or tranylcypromine must be added to the lymphocyte cultures within 24 h after antigen in order to have an effect on CMI. The combination of indomethacin and imidazole showed that they are antagonistic in their effects on CMI. The combination of indomethacin and tranyl showed that the stimulatory effects of indomethacin and tranyl are additive. The combination of indomethacin and NDGA showed that the stimulatory effect of indomethacin is prevented by NDGA. Taken together the data suggest that the presence of various inhibitors of AA metabolism affect the regulation of CMI, apparently by changing the relative levels of the metabolites of AA. These findings imply that the products of both the lipoxygenase and the cyclo-oxygenase pathways may play important roles in the modulation of CMI and that these products may have opposing properties in terms of effects on CMI. The dependence of the effects upon the time of inhibitor addition to CMI cultures suggests that the modulation occurs early during the inductive phase of CMI.
Natural history of carotid artery stenosis contralateral to endarterectomy: results from two randomized prospective trials.

Abstract Purpose A few nonrandomized studies have reported the natural history of carotid artery stenosis (CAS) contralateral to carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This study analyzed this condition with data from two randomized prospective trials. Methods The contralateral carotid arteries in 534 patients from two randomized trials that compared CEA with primary closure versus patching were followed up clinically and with duplex ultrasound scanning at 1 month and then every 6 months. CAS was classified as less than 50%, 50% to 79%, 80% to 99%, and occlusion. Late contralateral CEA was performed to treat significant CAS. Progression was defined as progress to a higher category of stenosis. Kaplan-Meier life table analysis was used to estimate freedom from progression of CAS. The correlation of risk factors and CAS progression was also analyzed. Results Of 534 patients, 61 had initial contralateral CEA and 53 had contralateral occlusion. Overall, CAS progressed in 109 of 420 patients (26%) at mean follow-up of 41 months. Progression of CAS was noted in 5 of 162 patients (3%) with baseline normal carotid arteries. CAS progressed in 56 of 157 patients (36%) with less than 50% stenosis versus 45 of 95 patients (47%) with 50% to 79% stenosis ( P = .003). Median time to progression was 24 months for less than 50% CAS, and 12 months for 50% to 79% CAS ( P = .035). At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, freedom from disease progression in patients with baseline CAS P = .003). Freedom from progression in patients with baseline normal carotid arteries at 1 through 5 years was 99%, 98%, 96%, 96%, and 94%, respectively. Late neurologic events referable to the CCA were infrequent (28 of 420 [6.7%] in the entire series; 28 of 258 [10.9%] patients with contralateral CAS), and included 10 strokes (2.4%) and 18 transient ischemic attacks (4.3%). However, late contralateral CEA was performed in 62 patients (62 of 420 [15%] in the entire series; 62 of 258 [24%] patients with contralateral CAS). Survival rates were 96%, 92%, 90%, 87%, and 82%, respectively, at 1 through 5 years. Conclusions Progression of CCA stenosis was noted in a significant number of patients with baseline contralateral CAS. Serial clinical studies and duplex ultrasound scanning every 6 to 12 months in patients with 50% to 79% CAS, and every 12 to 24 months in patients with 50% or less CAS is adequate.
CORRELATES FOR ACTIVE AND PASSIVE TYPES OF BURNOUT

An empirical approach to understanding burnout is presented. Data from 183 protective service workers revealed two types of burnout: active and passive. Correlation analyses suggest that active burnout is associated witb organizational factors or elements external to the professional; passive burnout appears to be associated with more internal social psychological factors. These findings help render consistent the variety of definitions offered in the literature, and they underscore a need to operationalize the phenomenon of burnout.
Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone signal transduction in bovine granulosa cells.

Regulation of estradiol production, central to ovarian follicular development and reproductive function, is mediated by a complex interaction of pituitary gonadotropins such as FSH with locally produced regulatory molecules. We previously demonstrated a negative association of expression of cocaineand amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) with follicle health status and a novel local negative role for CART in regulation of basal estradiol production by bovine granulosa cells. However, effects of CART on FSH-induced estradiol production and the underlying mechanism(s) mediating the physiological actions of CART on granulosa cells are not known. Objectives of the present study were to determine effects of CART on basal and FSH-induced intracellular cAMP levels, aromatase mRNA, estradiol accumulation, calcium signaling, and the intracellular signaling pathways involved using primary cultures of bovine granulosa cells. CART treatment potently inhibits the FSH-induced rise in granulosa cell cAMP levels, estradiol accumulation, and aromatase mRNA. Furthermore, results show that calcium is essential for FSHinduced cAMP and estradiol accumulation, and CART significantly inhibits FSH-induced calcium influx. Select G protein and protein kinase inhibitors were used to elucidate pathways involved in CART actions. The inhibitory actions of CART on FSH signaling and estradiol production are mediated via a Go/i-dependent pathway, whereas none of the other signaling inhibitors had any effect on CART actions. Results demonstrate novel potent inhibitory effects of CART on multiple components of the FSH signaling pathway linked to estradiol production and follicular development and shed new insight into the mechanism of action of CART potentially pertinent within and beyond the reproductive system. (Endocrinology 148: 4400–4410, 2007)