cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unequal Ecological Exchange and Environmental Degradation: A Theoretical Proposition and Cross‐National Study of Deforestation, 1990–2000*

Political-economic sociologists have long investigated the dynamics and consequences of international trade. With few exceptions, this area of inquiry ignores the possible connections between trade and environmental degradation. In contrast, environmental sociologists have made several assumptions about the environmental impacts of international trade, but the assumptions lack theoretical specificity and are thus empirically under-investigated. Bridging these two complementary areas of macrosociology, the present study proposes and tests a structural theory of unequal ecological exchange. The theory posits that more-developed countries externalize their consumption-based environmental costs to less-developed countries, which increase forms of environmental degradation within the latter. To test a key assertion of the theory, a weighted index of vertical trade is created that quantifies the relative extent to which exports are sent to more-developed countries. Using the index, cross-national panel analyses of deforestation, 1990–2000 are conducted to test the hypothesis that less-developed countries with higher levels of exports sent to more-developed countries experience greater rates of deforestation, net of other factors. Results of the analyses confirm the hypothesis, providing support for the theory of uneven ecological exchange. Additional findings correspond with other sociological studies of deforestation, particularly those that focus on the effects of rural and urban population growth as well as level of capital intensity and rate of economic development.
On the Use of Familial Aggregation in Population-Based Case Probands for Calculating Penetrance

Background: Estimating the lifetime risk associated with (i.e., the penetrance of) genetic abnormalities that predispose individuals to cancer is important for genetic counseling. (Penetrance may be estimated from the degree of familial aggregation of cancer, that is, the extent to which cancers cluster in families.) Early penetrance studies of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations used high-risk families with multiple cases of breast cancer, a study design that led to very high penetrance estimates. However, such studies were subject to potential ascertainment biases. To offset such biases, recent studies have used data from family members of probands ascertained from population-based incident cases of cancer. The use of case probands is, however, also subject to bias because all risk factors are over-represented in case patients. To draw attention to this problem, literature on the penetrance of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers is reviewed. Methods: A theory is presented to show that the use of case probands is itself biased, leading to inflated penetrance estimates. The strategy is unbiased only if all carriers share an identical risk. Any unexplained heterogeneity of risk caused by unknown genetic or shared environmental factors within families leads to an inflated estimate of penetrance. Results: Eight published studies using populationbased methods are reviewed. All but one of the family-based studies used case probands. Conclusions: Penetrance estimates from case proband studies must be inflated if other factors influence breast cancer risk in addition to the specific genetic abnormality. Thus, women with such genetic abnormalities and a strong family history of breast cancer are likely to possess a much higher risk for breast cancer than women with such abnormalities but without a strong family history. Methodologic techniques to improve the prediction of cancer risk are needed. [J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94: 1221–6]
Measures of success in a class of evolutionary models with fixed population size and structure

We investigate a class of evolutionary models, encompassing many established models of well-mixed and spatially structured populations. Models in this class have fixed population size and structure. Evolution proceeds as a Markov chain, with birth and death probabilities dependent on the current population state. Starting from basic assumptions, we show how the asymptotic (long-term) behavior of the evolutionary process can be characterized by probability distributions over the set of possible states. We then define and compare three quantities characterizing evolutionary success: fixation probability, expected frequency, and expected change due to selection. We show that these quantities yield the same conditions for success in the limit of low mutation rate, but may disagree when mutation is present. As part of our analysis, we derive versions of the Price equation and the replicator equation that describe the asymptotic behavior of the entire evolutionary process, rather than the change from a single state. We illustrate our results using the frequency-dependent Moran process and the birth–death process on graphs as examples. Our broader aim is to spearhead a new approach to evolutionary theory, in which general principles of evolution are proven as mathematical theorems from axioms.
On the number of elements that are not kth powers in a group

Let k be a positive integer, and suppose that the number of elements of a group G that are not k th powers in G is nonzero but finite. If G is finite, we obtain an upper bound on |G|, and we present some conditions sufficient to guarantee that G actually is finite.
Acute citrulline malate supplementation improves upper- and lower-body submaximal weightlifting exercise performance in resistance-trained females

Citrulline malate (CM) is a nonessential amino acid that increases exercise performance in males. However, based on physiological differences between genders, these results cannot be extrapolated to females. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to evaluate effects of acute CM supplementation on upper- and lower-body weightlifting performance in resistance-trained females. Fifteen females (23 ± 3 years) completed two randomized, double-blind trials consuming either CM (8 g dextrose + 8 g CM) or a placebo (8 g dextrose). One hour after supplement consumption, participants performed six sets each of upper- (i.e., bench press) and lower-body (i.e., leg press) exercises to failure at 80 % of previously established one-repetition maximum. Immediately after each set, repetitions completed, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that subjects completed significantly (p = .045) more repetitions throughout upper-body exercise when consuming CM versus placebo (34.1 ± 5.7 vs. 32.9 ± 6.0, respectively). When consuming CM, similar significant (p = .03) improvements in total repetitions completed were observed for lower-body exercise (66.7 ± 30.5 vs. 55.13 ± 20.64, respectively). Overall RPE score was significantly lower (p = .02) in upper-body exercise when subjects consumed CM versus placebo (7.9 ± 0.3 and 8.6 ± 0.2, respectively). The supplement consumed exhibited no significant effects on heart rate at any time point. Acute CM supplementation in females increased upper- and lower-body resistance exercise performance and decreased RPE during upper-body exercise. These data indicate that athletes competing in sports with muscular endurance-based requirements may potentially improve performance by acutely supplementing CM.
Salt balance in embryos of Fundulus heteroclitus and F. bermudae adapted to seawater

22Na+ and 36Cl- tracer flux experiments of embryos of Fundulus heteroclitus show that a significant influx and efflux of Na+ and Cl- occur during development. The average influx for Na+ and Cl-, respectively, are 5.0 +/- 0.76 and 1.1 +/- 0.1 nmol . mg-1 . h-1. The average effluxes are 4.9 +/- 0.95 and 3.0 +/- 0.01 nmol . mg-1 . h-1 for Na+ and Cl-, respectively. The electrical potential across the embryonic cavity epithelium of F. heteroclitus and F. bermudae is 50 +/- 1.7 mV and 40 +/- 1.3 mV, respectively (inside positive). Diluting the artificial seawater bathing medium with distilled water decreases the potential across the embryonic cavity of F. bermudae to -11 +/- 5.0 mV at 5% artificial seawater. Because in seawater the potential across the embryonic cavity epithelium is inside positive, the efflux of Cl- is against its electrical potential gradient indicating an active extrusion mechanism for Cl-. The site of the active extrusion mechanism for chloride is located in the yolk sac where chloride cells associated with blood vessels are common.
Pumping up the quantum

The detection of quantum signals from electronic devices requires exquisite instrumentation: The energy of a single photon from a cell phone, for example, is more than five orders of magnitude smaller than that of a visible-light photon. However, experiments on superconducting and semiconducting quantum bits require this level of sensitivity, as these quantum systems operate in the same band of frequencies as cell phones and microwave ovens. On page 307 of this issue, Macklin et al. ( 1 ) demonstrate a new kind of microwave amplifier that achieves the requisite sensitivity: a traveling-wave parametric amplifier, which uses a chain of superconducting amplifying elements, linked together in a nonlinear transmission line. This device can amplify microwave signals over a broad range of frequencies, while adding an extremely small amount of noise—close to the minimum amount of noise as set by quantum mechanics. This innovation represents an improvement over the previous amplifiers, which while achieving roughly equivalent performance in terms of quantum-limited noise ( 2 ), only work over a narrow range of frequencies and for very small microwave powers. The latter two limitations have now been substantially lifted.
On the monotonic performance of stochastic kriging predictors

Stochastic kriging (SK) has been recognized as a useful and effective technique for approximating the response surface of a simulation model. In this paper, we analyze the performance of SK metamodels in a fully sequential setting when design points are selected one at a time. We consider both cases when the trend term in the model is either known or estimated and show that the prediction performance of the corresponding optimal SK predictor is monotonically improving as the number of design points increases. Numerical examples are also provided to illustrate our findings.
An Analysis of Historic-Era Indian Locations in Iowa

A database of 675 historic Indian locations in Iowa illuminates some of the broader trends of population movement during the periods of Euro-American exploration and American settlement. The data are varied, consisting of recorded archaeological sites combined with Indian accounts gleaned from digital archives such as local histories and newspapers. Insights derived from analysis include the placement of the 1825 Neutral Line as a possible cause of the myth of the Dakota as an overly aggressive tribe and the poorly documented eastward expansion of Potawatomi into Iowa after 1840. The database can aid future investigations in historical research, archaeology, and tribal range and affiliation.
Effect of quinine on saurian malarial parasites.

The general similarity of malarial infections in lizards to those in warmblooded animals (Thompson and Huff, 1944a and Thompson and Huff, 1944b) has suggested the desirability of determining whether an anti-malarial drug such as quinine is active against malarial parasites in cold-blooded animals. Studies of this type seem worthwhile, not only because they may reveal more about the anti-parasitic effect of known anti-malarial drugs, but because they may lead to the use of new laboratory animals for chemotherapeutic research.
High Spatial Resolution Microanalysis of Catalyst Particles

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of small catalyst particles is possible in the analytical electron microscope down to analysis areas on the order of 10 nm in diameter. The location of elements in the image field can be determined either by placing the electron probe on a particu-lar image feature or by forming a digital x-ray image showing the distribu-tion of various elements. In either case analysis of specimens of well defined thickness such as microtomed thin sections preserves spatial relationships in catalyst particles and simplifies interpretation of single element x-ray images. Electron energy loss spectroscopy can be combined with x-ray spectroscopy to reduce the ambiguity in x-ray spectra caused by spurious x-rays generated by electrons scattered from the analy-sis area to regions of high concentrations of elements removed from the analysis area.
Apparatus and Procedure for Separation of Corn Rootworm Eggs from Soil

A procedure and apparatus were developed for the separation of corn rootworm eggs from the soil. A soil sample containing rootworm egg was placed into a 1-gallon jar containing sodium hypochlorite and water. To aid in dispersal of the soil, the jar containing the soil sample was rotated on a ball mill. After rotation the sample was taken to the egg-separation apparatus and processed. The residuum was floated in water and magnesium sulfate to eliminate most of the extraneous matter.
Woodcock–Johnson IV Scoring and Reporting Online Program Review

Abstract The Woodcock–Johnson’s newest edition has created an online scoring feature, which is a major advancement in the use of test technology. The goal of this chapter is to provide a practical overview of the WJ IV’s online scoring software. Frequently used basic functions and several advanced features of the WJ IV will be reviewed along with a discussion of the clinical and ethical implications that arise in the use of online scoring systems.
The Moderating Effects of Belief Strength, Involvement, and Self-Monitoring on the Role of Anticipatory Self-Evaluation in Consumer Purchase Motivation

Belief strength, involvement, and self monitoring are examined as potential moderators of the relationship between consumers’ anticipatory self-evaluations and purchase motivation. The moderating effects of belief strength and involvement were supported, suggesting that management efforts to enhance involvement and strengthen beliefs associated with positive anticipatory self-evaluation conditions should result in enhanced motivation to purchase.
Evaluation of human transferrin radiolabeled with N-succinimidyl 4-[fluorine-18](fluoromethyl) benzoate.

Iron metabolism plays a key role in cell proliferation and survival in rapidly growing cancer cells. Uptake is mediated by the carrier protein transferrin. The increased need for iron has been used as a method to target tumors and there is well-documented evidence that certain tumors can be imaged with tracers such as 67 Ga, that mimic transferrin-mediated iron uptake. To obtain a tracer that would be better able to quantitate transferrin kinetics and indirectly evaluate iron metabolism, we have labeled human transferrin with the positron emitter, 18 F, with a one-step high-specific activity method developed in our laboratory. Methods : We measured the binding affinities of [ 18 F]diferric (holo-) and iron-free (apo-) transferrin on two human cell lines. We also compared cellular uptake of [ 18 F]holo-transferrin and [ 67 Ga]citrate in various conditions, and washout of label incorporated into cells. Results : The binding affinity of [ 18 F]holo-transferrin was found to be the same as that reported for [ 125 I]holo-transferrin. In our hands there was no significant difference in binding affinity between diferric holo-transferrin and iron-free apo-transferrin. [ 18 F]holo-transferrin uptake rapidly reaches a steady-state equilibrium between the intracellular and extracellular environment, while gallium accumulation linearly increases with time. [ 18 ]holo-transferin is rapidly recycled out of the cell with similar kinetics to those reported for [ 125 I]holo-transferrin. Conclusion : [ 18 ]holo-transferrin displays the properties of native transferrin and appears suitable for quantitative evaluation of transferrin kinetics in vivo.
Vulnerability Analysis of Iframe Attacks on Websites

Clickjacking attacks are emerging threats to websites of different sizes and shapes. They are particularly used by threat agents to get more likes and/or followers in Online Social Networks (OSNs). This paper reviews the clickjacking attacks and the classic solutions to tackle various forms of those attacks. Different approaches of Cross-Site Scripting attacks are implemented in this study to study the attack tools and methods. Various iFrame attacks have been developed to tamper with the integrity of the website interactions at the application layer. By visually demonstrating the attacks such as Cross-Site scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), users will be able to have a better understanding of such attacks in their formulation and the risks associated with them.
Engine cylinder head development methodology using CFD and FEM analyses

The demand in the automotive market for low fuel consumption engines with higher power density and engine torque is forcing development of engines that work on the edge of limits, with longer life and lower weight while complying with emission regulations. The development process can be accelerated and costs can be reduced only by replacing engine development tests with effective CAE methods during the design and development stage. This paper describes engine cylinder head development methodology by coupled combustion, conjugate heat transfer (CHT) and finite element analysis methodologies for assessment of high cycle and thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) failures for a heavy duty cylinder head and gives details about the thermal and fatigue life results obtained. This combined methodology is used to approximate engine durability status at the initial stage of engine development, improve the engine design and avoid any critical engine failures in advance of engine durability tests.
Bronchoscopy findings in recurrent croup: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Importance The etiology of recurrent croup is often anatomic. Currently there is no set criteria for determining who should undergo diagnostic bronchoscopy and which patients are at most risk for having a clinically significant finding. Few studies have addressed these questions. Objective To identify risk factors for clinically significant findings on bronchoscopy in children with recurrent croup and the frequency of bronchoscopy findings in general. Data sources PUBMED, Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE. Study selection Articles addressing bronchoscopy in children with recurrent croup, up to July 2016, were reviewed. Related keywords and medical subject headings were used during the search. The abstracts were reviewed to determine suitability for inclusion based on a set of criteria. Manual crosscheck of references was performed. Data extraction We analyzed the bronchoscopy findings of individual patients in each study and their associated risk factors when available. Results We reviewed 11 articles, published between 1992 and 2016, including 885 patients (654 males, 237 females). Only 5 studies, including 455 patients, had sufficient data for meta-analysis. Our study revealed that the three most common bronchoscopy findings were subglottic stenosis, reflux changes, and broncho/tracheomalacia. Only 8.7% of patients were noted to have clinically significant findings on bronchoscopy. Meta analysis showed an association between significant bronchoscopy findings and History of Intubation [OR = 5.17, 95% CI 2.65–10.09], Inpatient Consultation [OR = 4.01, 95% CI 1.44–11.20], Age Conclusion The risk factors most associated with clinically significant bronchoscopy findings in recurrent croup are Intubation, Inpatient Consultation, Age Relevance The results should guide physicians in selecting which recurrent croup patients are most at risk for significant findings and thus may warrant bronchoscopy.
Characterizing the immune microenvironment of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor by PD-L1 expression and presence of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes

// Elizabeth Shurell 1, * , Arun S. Singh 2, 7, * , Joseph G. Crompton 1 , Sarah Jensen 2 , Yunfeng Li 3 , Sarah Dry 3, 7 , Scott Nelson 3, 7 , Bartosz Chmielowski 2, 7 , Nicholas Bernthal 4, 7 , Noah Federman 2, 7 , Paul Tumeh 5, 7 , Fritz C. Eilber 1, 6, 7 1 Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 2 Department of Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 4 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 5 Department of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 6 Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA 7 UCLA JCCC Sarcoma Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA * indicates co-first authors Correspondence to: Fritz C. Eilber, email: fceilber@mednet.ucla.edu Keywords: immune microenvironment, MPNST, PD-L1, CD8, sarcoma Received: June 29, 2016 Accepted: August 16, 2016 Published: August 31, 2016 ABSTRACT Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive sarcoma with few treatment options. Tumor immune state has not been characterized in MPNST, and is important in determining response to immune checkpoint blockade. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and presence of CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in MPNST, and correlate these findings with clinical behavior and outcome. Results: PD-L1 staining of at least 1% was seen in 0/20 nerves, 2/68 benign lesions and 9/53 MPNST. Two of 68 benign lesions and 7/53 (13%) MPNST had at least 5% PD-L1 staining. CD8 staining of at least 5% was seen in 1/20 (5%) nerves, 45/68 (66%) benign lesions and 30/53 (57%) MPNST. PD-L1 was statistically more prevalent in MPNST than both nerves and benign lesions (p=0.049 and p=0.008, respectively). Expression of PD-1 was absent in all tissue specimens. There was no correlation of PD-L1 or CD8 expression with disease state (primary versus metastatic) or patient survival. Methods: A comprehensive PNST tissue microarray was created from 141 surgical specimens including primary, recurrent, and metastatic MPNST (n=53), neurofibromas (n=57), schwannoma (n=11), and normal nerve (n=20). Cores were stained in triplicate for PD-L1, PD-1, and CD8, and expression compared between tumor types. These data were then examined for survival correlates in 35 patients with primary MPNST. Conclusions: MPNST is characterized by low PD-L1 and absent PD-1 expression with significant CD8+ TIL presence. MPNST immune microenvironment does not correlate with patient outcome.
A Rational Basis for Determining Safety of Containment

Design of waste containment facilities may follow one of three tacts: (1) the liner and cover systems may have prescribed components of predetermined minimum thicknesses and hydraulic properties; (2) the liner may be sized to prevent release of any chemical constituents within a set time; and (3) the system may be designed to prevent chemical concentrations in groundwater from exceeding established limits. The third alternative has the most rational basis and is a goal for which engineers should be striving.
Rates, Predictors and Variability of Interhospital Transfers: A National Evaluation.

Importance Interhospital transfer (IHT) remains a largely unstudied process of care. Objective To determine the nationwide frequency of, patient and hospital-level predictors of, and hospital variability in IHT. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 2013 100% Master Beneficiary Summary and Inpatient claims files merged with 2013 American Hospital Association data. Patients Beneficiaries ≥65 years and older enrolled in Medicare A and B, with an acute care hospitalization claim in 2013. Exposures Patient and hospital characteristics of transferred and nontransferred patients. Measurements Frequency of interhospital transfers (IHT); adjusted odds of transfer of each patient and each hospital characteristic; and variability in hospital transfer rates. Results Of 6.6 million eligible beneficiaries with an acute care hospitalization, 101,507 (1.5%) underwent IHT. Selected characteristics associated with greater adjusted odds of transfer included: patient age 74-85 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.38 compared with 65-74 years; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 2.33-2.43); nonblack race (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.13-1.20); higher comorbidity (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.36-1.37); lower diagnosis-related group-weight (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.95-2.09); fewer recent hospitalizations (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.79-1.95); and hospitalization in the Northeast (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27-1.55). Higher case mix index of the hospital was associated with a lower adjusted odds of transfer (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.30-0.45). Variability in hospital transfer rates remained significant after adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics (variance 0.28, P = 0.01). Conclusions In this nationally representative evaluation, we found that a sizable number of patients undergo IHT. We identified both expected and unexpected patient and hospital-level predictors of IHT, as well as unexplained variability in hospital transfer rates, suggesting lack of standardization of this complex care transition. Our study highlights further investigative avenues to help guide best practices in IHT. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2017;12:435-442.
Modes of Social Science Engagement in Community Infrastructure Design

A new space for social science is opening within information infrastructure design projects. These are large-scale, distributed scientific collaborations with the dual goal of building community and technical resources for that community. These endeavors are complex and ambitious combinations of research, information technology deployment, and bringing together of heterogeneous communities (Finholt 2004). It is becoming increasingly common for such projects to seek out the ‘services’ of social scientists not only as researchers but also as project participants in building community, organizing collaboration or assisting in the implementation of novel technologies. These are opportunities for social science. In this paper we ask ‘how best to make use of these opportunities?’
CSF Dissemination of Primary Brain Tumors

Abstract Neoplastic meningitis (NM) is a common problem in neuro-oncology occurring in ~ 1%–2% of all patients with primary brain tumors. NM is a disease affecting the entire neuraxis and therefore clinical manifestations are pleomorphic and cerebral hemispheres. Owing to craniospinal disease involvement, staging and treatment needs to encompass all cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartments. Treatment of NM utilizes involved-field radiotherapy of bulky or symptomatic disease sites and intra-CSF drug therapy. The inclusion of concomitant systemic therapy is often necessary in that the majority of patients with primary brain tumors have both recurrence of disease at the primary site and NM. As a consequence, there is a paucity of studies of NM in patients with primary brain tumors addressing NM specifically and its treatment. At present, intra-CSF drug therapy is confined to methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, liposomal ara-C (Depocyt), Rituximab (Rituxan), Trastuzumab (Herceptin), and thio-TEPA administered by a variety of schedules either by intra lumbar or intraventricular drug delivery (via Ommaya Reservoirs or other devices). Although treatment of NM is palliative with an expected median patient survival of 2–6 months, it may afford stabilization and protection from further neurologic deterioration in patients with NM.
Solid State NMR Studies of the Adsorbed States of Formic Acid on Y Zeolites

Several multiple-pulse double-resonance NMR techniques have been applied to isolate and characterize the spectra of the adsorbed states of formic acid on two Y zeolites. The two surface states, bidentate and unidentate, possess different motional properties and 13C - 1H cross-polarization techniques may be used to separate the spectra. The 13C chemical shift anisotropy is found to correlate with the symmetry of the formate species. The 1H spectrum of the carbonyl hydrogen, selectively observed with the dipolar-difference method, indicates that this hydrogen becomes more acidic upon adsorption.
Mechanical forces alter growth factor release by pleural mesothelial cells

The mesothelial cells that form the visceral pleura of the lung are subjected to physical forces such as stretch due to lung expansion and fluid shear stress due to the sliding motion of the lung a...
Thermal behavior of hydroxymethylated resorcinol (HMR)-treated maple veneer

The objective of this research was to study the effect of hydroxymethylated resorcinol (HMR) treatment on the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of maple veneer. The veneers were soaked in HMR solution for either 1, 15, or 30 min, and subsequently dried for either 1, 12, or 24 h at 20°C and 65% relative humidity. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) tests were performed at a controlled heating rate of 5°C/min using a 3-point bending mode at an oscillatory frequency of 1Hz and an oscillating dynamic strain of 0.01%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed from -40 to 150°C at a heating rate of 10°C/min. Depending on the amount of drying, the storage moduli of wood can be unaltered or reduced as a response to HMR soaking time. Overall, there was no evidence that HMR treatments reinforce wood. The lignin glass-transition temperature of HMR-treated maple veneer decreased with an increase in treatment time. The lowering of T g by HMR treatments was confirmed by DSC results. Both DMTA and DSC data showed a glass-transition shift of wood hemicellulose that was subtle or none in responding to HMR treatments. HMR was theoretically determined to have a closer solubility parameter match (better compatibility) with lignin compared to the other wood cell-wall polymers (i.e., cellulose and hemicellulose). Based on these findings, HMR is postulated to act as a lignin plasticizer. This study provides new insights into the interactions of HMR with wood and is expected to stimulate further investigations that lead to a better understanding of the wood bond durability enhancement of HMR treatment.
Occupational Therapy and Literacy

Occupational therapists have a long standing history of working side by side teachers to enhance the writing skills of children. More recently, therapists are now promoting literacy and sharing the...
Implantable "smart tattoo" SERS nanosensors for in vivo detection of nucleic acid biotargets in a large animal model

Although nanotechnology has led to important advances in in vitro diagnostics, the development of nanosensors for in vivo molecular detection remains very challenging. Here, we demonstrated the proof‐of‐principle of in vivo detection of nucleic acid targets using a promising type of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor implanted in the skin of a large animal model (pig). The in vivo “smart tattoo” nanosensor used in this study employs the “inverse molecular sentinel” (iMS) detection scheme, which is a label-free homogeneous biosensing system based on a non-enzymatic DNA strand-displacement process and conformational change of stem-loop (hairpin) oligonucleotide probes upon target binding. In this study, plasmonics‐active nanostar was utilized as an efficient in vivo SERS sensing platform due to their tunable absorption bands in the near infrared region of the “tissue optical window. The results of this study illustrate the usefulness of SERS iMS nanosensors as an implantable skin‐based in vivo biosensing platform, providing a foundation for developments in continuous health status sensing, disease biomarker monitoring, and other clinical translation applications.
Narración, exilio, y el traductor translingüístico: Navegando lo traducible y lo intraducible en “Las babas del diablo” de Julio Cortázar

El articulo examina el discurso sobre el arte y la practica de la traduccion en el corpus del escritor argentino Julio Cortazar. En el campo de la literatura comparada contemporanea, la importancia de la traduccion en todos sus ambitos es un tema que ha sido retomado con fuerza a partir del comienzo del siglo XXI, cuando diversos trabajos—por ejemplo, los de Damrosch, Casanova, o Moretti—dieron un enfoque nuevo a la nocion de literatura mundial (world literature, siguiendo la predecesora propuestadeGoethe,Weltliteratur). Una de las criticas mas acerrimas a este nuevo enfoque ecualizador fue expuesto por la estudiosa norteamericana Emily Apter en su libro Against World Literature: On the Politics of Unstranslability(2013). Otra vertiente de estudios literarios, ejemplificada por el trabajo de Steven G. Kellman The Translingual Imagination(2000), ha puesto enfasis en la necesidad de reconocer la presencia e influencia de una lengua no materna en los trabajos de autores exiliados. Cortazar se presta perfectamente para reflexionar sobre estos problemas desde la perspectiva de la literatura latinoamericana del siglo XX. Por ejemplo, su cuento, “Las babas del diablo”(1959), estudiado en este articulo, es un texto en el cual no solamente el protagonista principal es un traductor, sino tambien en el cual el climax y desdoblamiento de la narracion gira en torno a las diferentes traducciones que se le puede dar a la realidad representada en una fotografia y codificada por la dupla de terminos “babas del diablo/hilos de la Virgen”.
Sources of error and variability in particulate matter sensor network measurements.

AbstractThe quality of mass concentration estimates from increasingly popular networks of low-cost particulate matter sensors depends on accurate conversion of sensor output (e.g., voltage) into gr...
Association of Daytime and Nighttime Blood Pressure With Cardiovascular Disease Events Among African American Individuals

Importance Little is known regarding health outcomes associated with higher blood pressure (BP) levels measured outside the clinic among African American individuals. Objective To examine whether daytime and nighttime BP levels measured outside the clinic among African American individuals are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality independent of BP levels measured inside the clinic. Design, Setting, and Participants This prospective cohort study analyzed data from 1034 African American participants in the Jackson Heart Study who completed ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline (September 26, 2000, to March 31, 2004). Mean daytime and nighttime BPs were calculated based on measurements taken while participants were awake and asleep, respectively. Data were analyzed from July 1, 2017, to April 30, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Cardiovascular disease events, including coronary heart disease and stroke, experienced through December 31, 2014, and all-cause mortality experienced through December 31, 2016, were adjudicated. The associations of daytime BP and nighttime BP, separately, with CVD events and all-cause mortality were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 1034 participants (mean [SD] age, 58.9 [10.9] years; 337 [32.6%] male; and 583 [56.4%] taking antihypertensive medication) were included in the study. The mean daytime systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP (DBP) was 129.4/77.6 mm Hg, and the mean nighttime SBP/DBP was 121.3/68.4 mm Hg. During follow-up (median [interquartile range], 12.5 [11.1-13.6] years for CVD and 14.8 [13.7-15.6] years for all-cause mortality), 113 CVD events and 194 deaths occurred. After multivariable adjustment, including in-clinic SBP and DBP, the hazard ratios (HRs) for CVD events for each SD higher level were 1.53 (95% CI, 1.24-1.88) for daytime SBP (per 13.5 mm Hg), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.22-1.80) for nighttime SBP (per 15.5 mm Hg), 1.25 (95% CI, 1.02-1.51) for daytime DBP (per 9.3 mm Hg), and 1.30 (95% CI, 1.06-1.59) for nighttime DBP (per 9.5 mm Hg). Nighttime SBP was associated with all-cause mortality (HR per 1-SD higher level, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06-1.45), but no association was present for daytime SBP (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.97-1.33) and daytime (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81-1.10) and nighttime (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.90-1.24) DBP. Conclusions and Relevance Among African American individuals, higher daytime and nighttime SBPs were associated with an increased risk for CVD events and all-cause mortality independent of BP levels measured in the clinic. Measurement of daytime and nighttime BP using ambulatory monitoring during a 24-hour period may help identify African American individuals who have an increased cardiovascular disease risk.
Bayesian Optimization of a Free-Electron Laser

The Linac coherent light source x-ray free-electron laser is a complex scientific apparatus which changes configurations multiple times per day, necessitating fast tuning strategies to reduce setup time for successive experiments. To this end, we employ a Bayesian approach to maximizing x-ray laser pulse energy by controlling groups of quadrupole magnets. A Gaussian process model provides probabilistic predictions for the machine response with respect to control parameters, enabling a balance of exploration and exploitation in the search for the global optimum. We show that the model parameters can be learned from archived scans, and correlations between devices can be extracted from the beam transport. The result is a sample-efficient optimization routine, combining both historical data and knowledge of accelerator physics to significantly outperform existing optimizers.
Reducing barriers to care for patients who practise consensual nonmonogamy.

[See related article at [www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.190224][2]][2] KEY POINTS Linked research by Arseneau and colleagues highlights difficulties faced by individuals in consensually nonmonogamous relationships when they access health care.[1][2] Consensual nonmonogamy encompasses a wide
Analysis of Dot/Icm Type IVB Secretion System Subassemblies by Cryoelectron Tomography Reveals Conformational Changes Induced by DotB Binding

Type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are sophisticated nanomachines used by many bacterial pathogens to translocate protein and DNA substrates across a host cell membrane. Although T4SSs have important roles in promoting bacterial infections, little is known about the biogenesis of the apparatus and the mechanism of substrate transfer. Here, high-throughput cryoelectron tomography (cryo-ET) was used to visualize Legionella pneumophila T4SSs (also known as Dot/Icm secretion machines) in both the whole-cell context and at the cell pole. These data revealed the distribution patterns of individual Dot/Icm machines in the bacterial cell and identified five distinct subassembled intermediates. High-resolution in situ structures of the Dot/Icm machine derived from subtomogram averaging revealed that docking of the cytoplasmic DotB (VirB11-related) ATPase complex onto the DotO (VirB4-related) ATPase complex promotes a conformational change in the secretion system that results in the opening of a channel in the bacterial inner membrane. A model is presented for how the Dot/Icm apparatus is assembled and for how this machine may initiate the transport of cytoplasmic substrates across the inner membrane.IMPORTANCE Many bacteria use type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) to translocate proteins and nucleic acids into target cells, which promotes DNA transfer and host infection. The Dot/Icm T4SS in Legionella pneumophila is a multiprotein nanomachine that is known to translocate over 300 different protein effectors into eukaryotic host cells. Here, advanced cryoelectron tomography and subtomogram analysis were used to visualize the Dot/Icm machine assembly and distribution in a single L. pneumophila cell. Extensive classification and averaging revealed five distinct intermediates of the Dot/Icm machine at high resolution. Comparative analysis of the Dot/Icm machine and subassemblies derived from wild-type cells and several mutants provided a structural basis for understanding mechanisms that underlie the assembly and activation of the Dot/Icm machine.
Roles of supercoiled DNA structure in DNA transactions

Abstract The structure of supercoiled DNA has recently been ascertained using experimental and computational methods. Negative supercoiling restricts the ensemble of DNA conformations and facilitates the opening of the DNA double helix. These attributes of supercoiling are exploited in multiple ways during DNA transactions such as site-specific recombination, transportation transcription, and the initiation of DNA synthesis.
Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients with Convalescent Plasma.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has spread globally, and no proven treatments are available. Convalescent plasma therapy has been used with varying degrees of success to treat severe microbial infections for >100 years. Patients (n = 25) with severe and/or life-threatening COVID-19 disease were enrolled at the Houston Methodist hospitals from March 28, 2020, to April 14, 2020. Patients were transfused with convalescent plasma, obtained from donors with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection who had recovered. The primary study outcome was safety, and the secondary outcome was clinical status at day 14 after transfusion. Clinical improvement was assessed on the basis of a modified World Health Organization six-point ordinal scale and laboratory parameters. Viral genome sequencing was performed on donor and recipient strains. At day 7 after transfusion with convalescent plasma, nine patients had at least a one-point improvement in clinical scale, and seven of those were discharged. By day 14 after transfusion, 19 (76%) patients had at least a one-point improvement in clinical status, and 11 were discharged. No adverse events as a result of plasma transfusion were observed. Whole genome sequencing data did not identify a strain genotype-disease severity correlation. The data indicate that administration of convalescent plasma is a safe treatment option for those with severe COVID-19 disease.
The role of traditional risk factors in explaining the social disparities in cardiovascular death: The national health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III).

Objective ─ To assess the role of traditional risk factors in explaining the association between cumulative social risk exposure and disparities in CVD death among US adults. Methods ─ The study included 15,906 participants from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III who were CVD-free at enrollment. Baseline social risk factors (minority race, poverty-income ratio<1, education<12 grade, and living single) were used to create a cumulative social risk score (0 to ≥3). CVD death served as the primary outcome. We assessed the contribution of each major CVD risk factor to the link between cumulative social risk exposure and CVD death. Results ─ During a median follow-up of 14 years, 1309 CVD deaths occurred. Participants with elevated cumulative social risk score were at increased risk of CVD death, with hazard ratio 1.19(95%CI 1.01-1.41), 1.52(95%CI 1.28-1.79), and 1.46 (95%CI 1.23-1.74) in individuals with score 1, 2 and ​≥ ​3 respectively, compared with individuals with score of 0. Traditional CVD risk factors explained about one third of the disparities in CVD death in individuals with the elevated social risk exposure. Among the one third effect by combined CVD risk factors, current smoking contributed the largest proportion, accounting for approximately one half of the combined risk factors effect, followed by obesity and diabetes. Conclusions ─Among the traditional risk factors, control of smoking appears to be the greatest opportunity to attenuate the social disparities in CVD death. While these findings call for further studies to identify other pathways that explain the elevated CVD mortality in socially disadvantaged population.
High-Volume Billing and Reimbursement Trends for Endoscopic Swallowing Studies in the Medicare Population

The aim of this study is to delineate the reimbursement trends in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST) and without sensory testing (FEES) in relation to that of speech-language pathology’s (SLP) portion of modified barium swallow studies (MBS), as well as to document the types of providers billing for these procedures. We performed descriptive analyses of the volume of FEES/FEESST and MBS, and total reimbursements data obtained from 2013–2018 Medicare Part B National Summary files. We also utilized the 2017 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Data to analyze the higher volume providers (> 10 procedures annually) of either FEES and/or FEESST. From 2003 to 2018, there has been an average, annual increase of approximately 318 FEES/FEESST performed within the Medicare fee-for-service population (R = 0.9505 [95% CI 0.860–0.983]; p < 0.001) covered under Part B (which is largely outpatient coverage). Similarly, there was an increase in Medicare-specific FEES/FEESST reimbursement from $302,840 in 2003 to $1.2 million in 2018 (R = 0.9721 [95% CI 0.920–0.990; p < 0.001]). Prior to 2010, FEESST was performed more frequently than FEES (maximum annual difference of 1174), though from 2010 onward, relatively more annual FEES was performed. From 2003–2018, the reimbursement per procedure increased by $16.79 and $35.36 for FEESST and FEES, respectively, and by $32.84 for the SLP portion of the MBS. Among high-volume FEES/FEESST billers, 65.4% were otolaryngologists and 32.3% were independently billing SLPs. From 2003 to 2018, there has been a significant rise in the number of performed and reimbursed FEES/FEESST. From 2014 onward, compared to SLP-involved MBS, there has been a relative increase in performance of FEES/FEESST.
Linear Signal Cancellation of Nonlinear Pulsing Schemes in a Verasonics Research Scanner

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a real-time imaging technique that allows the visualization of organ and tumor microcirculation by utilizing the nonlinear response of microbubbles. Nonlinear pulsing schemes are used exclusively in CEUS imaging modes in modern scanners. One important aspect of nonlinear pulsing schemes is the near-complete elimination of the linear signals that originate from tissue. Up until now, no study has investigated the performance of Verasonics scanners in eliminating the linear signals during CEUS and, by extension, the optimal pulsing sequences for performing CEUS. The aim of this article was to investigate linear signal cancellation of the Verasonics scanner performing nonlinear pulsing schemes with two different probes (L7-4 linear array and C5-2 convex array). We have considered two pulsing schemes: pulse inversion (PI) and amplitude modulation (AM). We have also compared our results from the Verasonics scanner with a clinical scanner (Philips iU22). We found that the linear signal cancellation of the transmitted pulse by Verasonics scanner was ~40 dB in AM mode and ~30 dB in PI mode when operated at 0.06 MI. The linear signal cancellation performance of Verasonics scanner was comparable with Philips iU22 scanner in focused AM mode and on average 3 dB better than Philips iU22 scanner in focused PI mode.