cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Cryo-EM Studies on the Yeast Mitotic Kinesin-5

The kinesin-5 family is required for the assembly and maintenance of the bipolar organization of microtubules in the mitotic spindle. Recently, the yeast kinesin-5 (Cin8) was shown to exhibit unusual directional properties. Previously, all kinesins were thought to act exclusively as plus-end or minus-end directed, depending on the location of the motor domain. Despite possessing an N-terminal motor like conventional kinesin-1, the yeast kinesin-5 Cin8 acts as a minus-end directed motor when working individually on single microtubules. Furthermore, Cin8 is the only known kinesin with the ability to switch directions when working in a team crosslinking two anti-parallel microtubules. Thus, the accumulation of Cin8 at the spindle poles located at the minus-end is thought to trigger a directional switch to plus-end directed motility, which is required for the bidirectional sliding of anti-parallel microtubules. Deletion of a unique insert in loop 8 (L8) found only in Cin8 induces a strong bias towards minus-end directed motility, suggesting an important role in enforcing the switch to plus-end directed. To investigate the mechanistic basis for the unusual properties of Cin8, we are using cryo-EM, which uniquely allows for high-resolution 3D reconstructions of Cin8 when bound to microtubules. Initial efforts have yielded a ∼7A reconstruction in the ADP-AlFx state, which revealed Cin8-specific differences in the domain structure, such as the extended L8. We are pursuing higher resolution structures of this and other nucleotide states in order to reveal how Cin8 is able to achieve minus-end directed motility despite being an N-terminal kinesin.
Parallelism in Python for novices

As a lightweight high-level language that supports both functional and object-oriented programming, Python provides many tools to allow programmers to easily express their ideas. This expressiveness extends to programming using parallelism and concurrency, allowing the early introduction of these increasingly critical concepts in the computer science core curriculum. Intended for instructors, this chapter provides pedagogical content on parallel programming in Python, including numerous illustrative examples and advice on presentation and evaluation.
Further studies on apparent total N-nitroso compound excretion in mouse feces.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A65 Introduction: We report here further studies on factors affecting fecal apparent total N-nitroso compounds (ANC) in mice. This project concerns the hypothesis that N-nitroso compounds (NOC) in the colon contents are a significant cause of human colon cancer. Our previous research demonstrated that feeding beef and hot dogs increased fecal NOC excretion in mice and that a purified nitrosated ANC precursor in hot dogs was directly mutagenic in the Ames test and contained a compound provisionally identified as N-glucosyl glycine. In other experiments on factors affecting fecal ANC output in mice, we reported that feeding NaNO2 (1 or 2 g/L drinking water) increased fecal ANC output and 1% hemin fed with NaNO2 increased fecal ANC two-fold compared to feeding nitrite alone. We now report additional experiments on factors affecting fecal ANC output in mice. Methods: Male 6-week-old Swiss mice were generally fed AIN-93G semipurified diet and tap water, and were treated in various ways for 7 days. Control groups were included in each experiment. Each group contained 4-27 (mean, 9) mice. During the last 24 h feces was collected from individual mice. Total 24-h feces for each mouse was dried at 0oC to constant weight, and extracted with water. Each extract was analyzed in duplicate for total NOC as before. Results: Treatments and results in nmol ANC/g, mean ± SE, were: (a) For 1000, 250 and 64 mg NaNO2/L drinking water; 21 ± 2, 9 ± 2, and 7 ± 1 (7.0, 2.3 and 3.5 x untreated controls); (b) for 2 g NaNO2/L water plus 250, 125 and 64 mg hemin/kg diet, 233 ± 49, 135 ± 19 and 138 ± 27 (4.6, 2.2 and 2.3 x control with 2 g NaNO2/L alone); (c) for 1 g NaNO2/L water plus 23 g Na ascorbate/kg diet, 17 ± 4 (0.59 x control with 1 g NaNO2/L alone); (d) for 1 g NaNO2/L water plus 400 mg omeprazole/kg diet, 3 ± 1 (0.20 x control with 1 g NaNO2/L alone); (e) for 1 g NaNO2/L water plus 18% hot dogs in diet, 59 ± 4 (2.6 x control with hot dog alone). Discussion: We confirmed the finding that nitrite alone increased fecal NOC output. As little as 64 mg NaNO2/L significantly increased fecal ANC level 3.5 times. Hemin increased fecal NOC output when fed with nitrite. As little as 64 mg hemin/kg diet significantly increased fecal NOC levels. The finding for hemin supports findings by others that heme or hemin increases fecal ANC levels in humans and promotes colon carcinogenesis in rats. The findings that NOC output was lowered when ascorbate or omeprazole was fed with nitrite support our view that nitrite produces ANC by an acid-catalyzed reaction in the stomach and that the resulting ANC pass down the gut to the feces. Support: National Cancer Institute RO3 grant CA-11753 and core grant P30-CA-36727.
Moving Contexts of Abolition

This chapter contextualizes immediatist abolitionism as a historical case study for analyzing protest rhetoric, emotions, and charisma in social movements. Taking the moral emotions seriously, Lamb-Books proposes a more inclusive ‘big rhetoric’ approach to the boundaries of abolitionism in order not to exclude the multimodal meanings of practices of resisting slavery. The chapter provides an overview of participation in the abolitionist movement regarding the movement’s wide scope, diverse audience, and temporal sequence. Lamb-Books pays close attention to the religious nature of the social movement and to how the Second Great Awakening of American Christianity conditioned its macroscopic and microscopic structure.
Assessing the effect of a nude mouse model on nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery.

The relevance of using nude mouse models for evaluating drug delivery to human tumors has recently been questioned by numerous researchers. While the immune response is known to play a critical role in cancer, this study assesses the effect of using immunocompromised “nude” mice on drug delivery. By inoculating both nude and immunocompetent mice with a mouse mammary carcinoma cell line (4T1), differences in the “first pass effect”, distribution, and reporter gene expression due to the use of the nude mouse model could be elucidated. Our results indicate that initial tumor deposition (5 min) was slightly lower in nude mice but comparable after 24 h. In addition, some small differences in tissue deposition/accumulation and reporter gene expression were observed between the two mouse models. The results with this one tumor model suggest that delivery studies conducted in nude mice can provide comparable results to those in immunocompetent mouse models.
Implications of resource‐ratio theory for oral microbial ecology

The ability to compete for the limited nutrients available to the microorganisms of dental plaque is a strong ecological determinant of the structure of the subgingival ecosystem. This paper introduces a new concept from the field of ecology, resource-ratio theory, and applies it to the dynamics of microbial dental plaque with emphasis on the putative periodontal pathogens. Resource-ratio theory is a mechanistic theory of resource competition that utilizes pairs of growth-limiting nutrients in a stoichiometric fashion to predict zones of competitive dominance, exclusion, and coexistence for organisms competing for these resources. Once these resource pairs are identified for plaque organisms, resource-ratio theory may provide predictions of changes in the microbial community structure of plaque based on directional changes in their resource supply ratios.
In vivo comparison of multiple pulse and CW strategies for microbubble-enhanced ultrasound therapy

Stabilized microbubble (ultrasound contrast agent) introduction can effectively reduce the propagated energy required to produce tissue damage in vivo. Acoustic parameter adjustment can also produce therapeutic gains. We found that exposures containing multiple, short duration pulses produced more tissue damage than single, CW exposures of the same amplitude and propagated energy, both with and without contrast agent. We suspect the increased tissue damage resulted from the initiation of cavitation and maintenance of a highly dynamic microbubble population during insonation. Results suggest that active adjustment of acoustic parameters may make cavitation more controllable.
Brand Positioning Strategies During Global Expansion: Managerial Perspectives from Emerging Market Firms

In this study, we explore brand positioning strategies used by Emerging Market Firms (EMFs) as they expand into foreign markets. Of central interest are variations in the firms’ use of global, foreign or local consumer culture positioning (Alden et al. 1999). Also of interest are ways that managerial perceptions of country differences and product category characteristics interact to influence positioning choices. Despite progress, little is known about brand positioning strategies used by EMFs in foreign markets. To initiate research in this area, we conducted an exploratory multiple case study (Yin 2003) of seven Indonesian firms and 18 local brands that are marketed in Southeast Asia and beyond. A follow up survey of 75-100 Indonesian brand managers is underway with results expected by spring, 2011.
Alterations in visual cortical activation and connectivity with prefrontal cortex during working memory updating in major depressive disorder

The present study examined the impacts of major depressive disorder (MDD) on visual and prefrontal cortical activity as well as their connectivity during visual working memory updating and related them to the core clinical features of the disorder. Impairment in working memory updating is typically associated with the retention of irrelevant negative information which can lead to persistent depressive mood and abnormal affect. However, performance deficits have been observed in MDD on tasks involving little or no demand on emotion processing, suggesting dysfunctions may also occur at the more basic level of information processing. Yet, it is unclear how various regions in the visual working memory circuit contribute to behavioral changes in MDD. We acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 18 unmedicated participants with MDD and 21 age-matched healthy controls (CTL) while they performed a visual delayed recognition task with neutral faces and scenes as task stimuli. Selective working memory updating was manipulated by inserting a cue in the delay period to indicate which one or both of the two memorized stimuli (a face and a scene) would remain relevant for the recognition test. Our results revealed several key findings. Relative to the CTL group, the MDD group showed weaker postcue activations in visual association areas during selective maintenance of face and scene working memory. Across the MDD subjects, greater rumination and depressive symptoms were associated with more persistent activation and connectivity related to no-longer-relevant task information. Classification of postcue spatial activation patterns of the scene-related areas was also less consistent in the MDD subjects compared to the healthy controls. Such abnormalities appeared to result from a lack of updating effects in postcue functional connectivity between prefrontal and scene-related areas in the MDD group. In sum, disrupted working memory updating in MDD was revealed by alterations in activity patterns of the visual association areas, their connectivity with the prefrontal cortex, and their relationship with core clinical characteristics. These results highlight the role of information updating deficits in the cognitive control and symptomatology of depression.
DoA Estimation and Performance Analysis for Multi-Cell Multi-User 3D mmWave Massive-MIMO OFDM System

In this paper, based on parametric channel modeling, we present a direction of arrival (DoA) estimation method for multi-cell multi-user 3D massive- MIMO#x002F;Full Dimension multiple-input multiple-output (FD-MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system. Using estimation of signal parameter via rotational invariance technique (ESPRIT), we investigate into the performance of DoA estimation for two possible scenarios- first, for the case where no angular domain overlapping from interference signals exists with the target user's DoAs, and second, for the case where a number of DoAs of the target user's channel are completely overlapped with DoAs from interference signals, to be specific, from pilot contamination.
Long-term trends of surface-water mercury and methylmercury concentrations downstream of historic mining within the Carson River watershed.

Abstract The Carson River is a vital water resource for local municipalities and migratory birds travelling the Pacific Flyway. Historic mining practices that used mercury (Hg) to extract gold from Comstock Lode ore has left much of the river system heavily contaminated with Hg, a practice that continues in many parts of the world today. Between 1998 and 2013, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) collected and analyzed Carson River water for Hg and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations resulting in a sixteen year record of unfiltered total mercury (uf.THg), filtered (dissolved) Hg (f.THg), total methylmercury (uf.MeHg), filtered MeHg (f.MeHg), and particulate-bound THg (p.THg) and MeHg (p.MeHg) concentrations. This represents one of the longest continuous records of Hg speciation data for any riverine system, thereby providing a unique opportunity to evaluate long-term trends in concentrations and annual loads. During the period of analysis, uf.THg concentration and load trended downward at rates of −0.85% and −1.8% per year, respectively. Conversely, the f.THg concentration increased at a rate of 1.7% per year between 1998 and 2005, and 4.9% per year between 2005 and 2013. Trends in flow-normalized partition coefficients for both Hg and MeHg suggest a statistically significant shift from the particulate to the filtered phase. The upwardly accelerating f.THg concentration and observed shift from the solid phase to the aqueous phase among the pools of Hg and MeHg within the river water column signals an increased risk of deteriorating ecological conditions in the lower basin with respect to Hg contamination. More broadly, the 16-year trend analysis, completed 140 years after the commencement of major Hg releases to the Carson River, provides a poignant example of the ongoing legacy left behind by gold and silver mining techniques that relied on Hg amalgamation, and a cautionary tale for regions still pursuing the practice in other countries.
Homologous repair deficiency in VHL-mutated clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

585Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) displays genomic instability across all tumor stages, indicative of increased replicative stress and defects in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways including homologous repair (HR); however ccRCC does not display mutations in canonical DDR genes and advanced ccRCC is not traditionally sensitive to DNA damaging agents. We hypothesized that biallelic VHL loss is sufficient to cause HR deficiency (HRD) and that early stage ccRCC is more likely to display HRD than late stage disease. Methods: We performed whole-exome (WES) sequencing of 15 small ccRCC tumors to assess for mutational burden, mutational signature, and cancer-related driver gene mutations. We performed in silico genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analysis of tumors in KIRC TCGA to assess for HRD. Finally, we assessed HR efficiency as a product of biallelic VHL loss in engineered cell line models. Results: 15/15 early stage ccRCC had VHL mutations, approximately 100 additional mutations pe...
Climate change adaptation in small island developing states: Insights and lessons from a meta-paradigmatic study

Abstract This paper describes how an earlier study’s novel, meta-paradigmatic approach was used to answer two research questions of international significance: (1) How are small island developing states (SIDS) adapting to climate change at the national level? and (2) What are the factors that affect adaptation at the national level in SIDS? As acknowledged in the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, SIDS are distinct from other developing countries. They are 58 countries spread across three main geographic regions that are disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; they require special attention and support from the international community. Previous studies using a single theory to understand adaptation in SIDS were limited and unable to fully grapple with the totality, enormity and complexity of the climate challenge. This paper argues for capitalising on the value of the distinctiveness of different theories and approaches without having to integrate them into one paradigm. It further catalogues the earlier study’s contributions to climate change adaptation scholarship and theory-building. It does not seek to rationalise the earlier study or justify any theoretical perspective. Instead, it seeks to serve as an incubator for new thinking on investigating climate adaptation in complex geographies. Additionally, it teases out lessons and insights for national governments and other actors that are designing and implementing climate change adaptation policies and programs in disproportionately vulnerable countries in the Global South.
What's New in Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma: The Lower Extremity.

Background:Skeletal trauma is a primary tenet of pediatric orthopaedics. Many high-quality studies have been published over the last few years with substantial relevance to the clinical practice of pediatric orthopaedic trauma. Because of the volume of literature on the subject, this review excludes
Social Science Research to Assist and Assess AIDS Prevention Programs

With good reason, the last several years have produced a great rush to do AIDS prevention of all sorts. In many ways, AIDS is sharply different from the public health concerns that have been the focus of other health education efforts. However, focusing on the real differences in AIDS programs may obscure what may be profitably learned from earlier health prevention efforts: the process through which effective prevention efforts are most likely to be developed. In particular, there is a growing consensus about the essential need for research and evaluation as central to effective public health education or prevention of any sort.
Leibniz’s Transcendental Aesthetic

This essay I argue that for Leibniz, bodies, are in an important sense not geometrical. Instead, I will argue, geometrical extension, which Leibniz characterizes as “ideal” and radically distinct from concrete reality, is something external to the concrete world of bodies which we apply to them. As part of the argument I will explore the sense in which continuous extension is ideal for Leibniz, and why, for him, it is metaphysically impossible that real bodies could instantiate continuous extension.
Multidecadal trajectories of soil chemistry and nutrient availability following cutting vs. burning disturbances in Upper Great Lakes forests

What are the successional trajectories and impacts of disturbances on forest soil nutrient availability? Answers remain elusive because the time scale of interest is long and many factors affect so...
A Non-GCA DG MOSFET Model Continuous into the Velocity Saturation Region

Continuous models are developed that go beyond the gradual channel approximation and extend MOSFET ${I}$ – ${V}$ characteristics into the velocity saturation region with finite output conductance. Both the ${n} = {1}$ and ${n} = {2}$ models have been employed. It is shown that the standard relation of channel length modulation for constant mobility must be modified for velocity saturation because the drain current is not simply inversely proportional to the channel length. Regional approximations are applied to derive the explicit expressions for the output conductance in the velocity saturation region in terms of basic device parameters.
Coupling Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Statistical Moments for Designing Healthy Indoor Spaces

Cross-contamination between occupants in an indoor space may occur due to transfer of infectious aerosols. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides detailed insight into particle transport in indoor spaces. However, such simulations are site-specific. This study couples CFD with statistical moments and establishes a framework that transitions site-specific results to generating guidelines for designing “healthy” indoor spaces. Eighteen cases were simulated, and three parameters were assessed: inlet/outlet location, air changes per hour, and the presence/absence of desks. Aerosol release due to a simulated “sneeze” in a two-dimensional ventilated space was applied as a test case. Mean, standard deviation, and skewness of the velocity profiles and particle locations gave an overall picture of the spread and movement of the air flow in the domain. A parameter or configuration did not dominate the values, confirming the significance of considering the combined influence of multiple parameters for determining localized air-flow characteristics. Particle clustering occurred more when the inlet was positioned above the outlet. The particle dispersion pattern could be classified into two time zones: “near time”, 120 s. Based on dosage, the 18 cases were classified into three groups ranging from worst case scenario to best case scenario.
Multi-Sample Dropout for Accelerated Training and Better Generalization

Dropout is a simple but efficient regularization technique for achieving better generalization of deep neural networks (DNNs); hence it is widely used in tasks based on DNNs. During training, dropout randomly discards a portion of the neurons to avoid overfitting. This paper presents an enhanced dropout technique, which we call multi-sample dropout, for both accelerating training and improving generalization over the original dropout. The original dropout creates a randomly selected subset (called a dropout sample) from the input in each training iteration while the multi-sample dropout creates multiple dropout samples. The loss is calculated for each sample, and then the sample losses are averaged to obtain the final loss. This technique can be easily implemented by duplicating a part of the network after the dropout layer while sharing the weights among the duplicated fully connected layers. Experimental results using image classification tasks including ImageNet, CIFAR-10, and CIFAR-100 showed that multi-sample dropout accelerates training. Moreover, the networks trained using multi-sample dropout achieved lower error rates compared to networks trained with the original dropout. The additional computation cost due to the duplicated operations is not significant for deep convolutional networks because most of the computation time is consumed in the convolution layers before the dropout layer, which are not duplicated.
Risk Perception of Technologies: The Perspective of Similar Groups in Portugal and the United States

The perception of risk is affected by demographic biases. This paper studies how those biases have caused segments of the population of two countries to perceive risk associated with contemporary technologies. Portugal and the United States are both western but culturally different. A questionnaire was distributed to college-level business students (mostly graduate students) at universities in Lisbon and New York. Statistical results show similarities and differences between the Portugal sample and the American sample. What was consistent in both countries was the way the sexes differed in their perception of risk.
Exposure/Formation: A Process for Developing Transformative Education Frameworks and Critical Consciousness in Higher Education

In this paper, I assert that professors can develop transformative pedagogies from exposure to social injustice in everyday work and teaching or from studying it in graduate programmatic and course...
Fast timing with induced current detectors

Abstract Vertically integrated (3D) combinations of sensors and electronics provide the ability to fabricate small, fine pitch pixels with very small total capacitance monolithically integrated with complex circuitry. The small capacitance, enabled by the fine pixel pitch and low interconnect capacitance available in 3D hybrid bonding, provides excellent signal/noise with moderate power. This combination enables fabrication of integrated sensors and electronics with both excellent position and time resolution. We describe the capabilities of such a system and the limitations imposed by geometry and power. We describe how a similar geometry can be used to provide very fast timing of x-ray arrival in a thick sensor by utilizing the transient induced current in a field of pixels.
Independent women: from film to television

For a generation of US socially and politically conscious millennial television creators-showrunners-stars such as Abbi Jacobson and Illana Glazer, and Issa Rae, on- and off-screen inclusivity with...
Laboratory Findings After Urinary Tract Infection and Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux

It is a common practice to monitor blood tests in patients receiving long-term trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) prophylaxis for recurrent urinary tract infections. This multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 607 children aged 2 to 71 months with vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed after symptomatic urinary tract infection. Study participants received TMP-SMZ (n = 302) or placebo (n = 305) and were followed for 2 years. Serum electrolytes (n ≥ 370), creatinine (n = 310), and complete blood counts (n ≥ 206) were measured at study entry and at the 24-month study conclusion. We found no significant electrolyte, renal, or hematologic abnormalities when comparing the treatment and placebo groups. We observed changes in several laboratory parameters in both treatment and placebo groups as would normally be expected with physiologic maturation. Changes were within the normal range for age. Long-term use of TMP-SMX had no treatment effect on complete blood count, serum electrolytes, or creatinine. Our findings do not support routine monitoring of these laboratory tests in children receiving long-term TMP-SMZ prophylaxis.
Antidepressant Use in Medicaid-Insured Youth: Trends, Covariates, and Future Research Needs

Abstract Background: Little research on long-term antidepressant trends within a single large US Medicaid population of youth has heretofore been reported. Methods: Administrative claims data for eight annual timepoints across 28 years were organized for youth (< 20 years old) who were continuously enrolled during the study year in a mid-Atlantic state Medicaid program. Total annual prevalence and age-, gender-, race- and eligibility group-specific prevalence were formed from bivariate analyses; logistic regression assessed the change in use (2007-2014) adjusted for covariates. ATD-polypharmacy data were assessed in 2014. Results: The major findings are: 1) ATD use in state Medicaid enrollees grew 14-fold between 1987 and 2014, making up for a substantial drop that followed the FDA suicidal warning of 2004. Data from 2014 revealed significantly increased odds of youth with ATD dispensings compared to 2007 (AOR=1.04 95% CI 1.01-1.07), with a predominance of SSRI/SNRIs (78%). 2) Recent ATD increases were greatest for 15-19-year olds. 3) ATD use in girls passed up ATD use in boys for the first time in 2014. 4) In 2014, ATDs for foster care (12.7%) was 6 times greater than for their income-eligible Medicaid-counterparts. 5) In 2014, a quarter of ATD-medicated youth were diagnosed with a behavior disorder. 6) Twenty percent of ATD medicated Conclusions: Second-generation antidepressant use in Medicaid-insured youth continues despite growing questions that pediatric ATD benefits may not outweigh harms in large subpopulations. Publicly funded, independent investigator-conducted post-marketing surveillance research is needed.
Systematic Discovery of Salmonella Phage-Host Interactions via High-Throughput Genome-Wide Screens

Abstract Salmonella species comprise a chronic threat to human health, with over 1.35 million infections and 420 deaths occurring in the US per year due to non-typhoidal, foodborne Salmonella infection. With the rise of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) infections, it is imperative to develop alternative prevention and treatment strategies, such as utilization of lytic bacteriophage as pathogen countermeasures. However, phage-host interactions remain poorly understood, impeding widespread practice. Here, we employed high-throughput, functional analyses to discover the genetic determinants of phage-host interactions between a model enteric Salmonella species, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) and its phages. To rapidly assess genetic contributions to phage sensitivity, we created a 66,996 member randomly barcoded transposon (RB-TnSeq) library in S. typhimurium MS1868. Using this library, we compared fitness across eleven diverse lytic Salmonella phages. Consistent with other loss of function studies against bacteriophage predation, this approach efficiently identified receptors essential to adsorption as well as their regulation. While many of the tested phages bound directly to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) layer, we report a highly resolved view of differential structural LPS layer requirements for diverse Salmonella phages, including novel adsorption strategies. We also uncover unique routes to phage resistance, including phage-specific metabolic requirements, ion flow, and global transcription factor interplay, difficult to find through traditional approaches. constitutes a major challenge and opportunity. We highlight several examples of how the scale of barcoded screens allowed systems-level hypotheses to be efficiently formulated. These include discovery of a number of cases of cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity among the diverse phage tested. We anticipate that the phage-resistance landscape presented here will faciliate better design of phage-based biocontrol treatments and phage-antibiotic combination therapies.
Middle turbinate flap reconstruction of sellar defects

Abstract The principles of sellar reconstruction include adequate defect coverage and prevention of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Sellar reconstruction in certain cases, particularly revision surgery, remains challenging, due to lack of availability of septal mucosa, precluding use of a septal free mucosal graft (SFMG) or nasoseptal flap (NSF). We report a technique utilizing middle turbinate flaps (MTF), as an adjunctive technique for repair of sellar defects. At our institution, we have performed six MTFs for patients undergoing endoscopic approaches to sellar pathologies. Here we demonstrate our technique in a patient who developed a delayed CSF leak following reconstruction with a SFMG. An incision is made in the middle turbinate, preserving the upper half. The incision is carried posteriorly, preserving the posterior attachment with the vascular supply (middle turbinate artery branch of the sphenopalatine artery). The cut surface of the turbinate flap is expanded using microscissors. The MTF is rotated posteriorly, and the periosteal layer of the flap is laid flush against the periphery of the prior SFMG, covering the defect at the margin of the graft. Bilateral MTFs are performed, given the CSF leak from bilateral margins of the graft, and DuraSeal is applied. In our case series, there were no incidents of delayed CSF leak, pneumocephalus, or meningitis. Postoperative endoscopies showed adequate seal and 100% flap take. In conclusion, MTFs may be added to the armamentarium of reconstruction options for sellar defects. The advantages include readily available tissue, minimal donor site morbidity, and durable flap survival.
COVID-19: What's Next? Future of Work, Business, and Law: Automation, Transparency, Blockchain, Education, and Inspiration

We are all wondering: what's next? This paper poses and answers 10 questions. These are predictions for the COVID-19 era and beyond based on my research.
Botulinum toxin for benign essential blepharospasm: A systematic review and an algorithmic approach.

Summary Background Currently, there is no standardised approach for benign essential blepharospasm treatment with botulinum toxin, and controversies still exist regarding this subject. Objective The objective of this systematic review is to summarise and compare all the published data regarding benign essential blepharospasm treatment with botulinum toxin. Methods On October 3, 2018, an online search of the Medline database was conducted. All articles with a detailed description of their botulinum toxin injection technique for benign essential blepharospasm were included in this review. Results Five studies were selected for inclusion with a total of 854 patients. Four of the included studies used onabotulinumtoxin A and one study used abobotulinumtoxin A. All studies injected the pretarsal orbicularis occuli muscle. The preseptal orbicularis occuli was injected in four studies, and the preorbital muscle in three studies. The most commonly used method of evaluation was the Jankovic Rating Scale. Adverse events were transient, and dose related. Ptosis was more frequently encountered with the preseptal orbicularis injections. Conclusion Botulinum toxin injection for benign essential blepharospasm is a non-invasive and safe procedure. The pretarsal muscle should be considered as the key component when treating benign essential blepharospasm with botulinum toxin. We developed an algorithmic approach to the treatment of benign essential blepharospasm with botulinum toxin. However, further randomised controlled trials are warranted.
Predictors and potential advantages of PERT and advanced therapy use in acute pulmonary embolism.

Objectives We sought to examine predictors of pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) utilization and identify those who could benefit from advanced therapy. Background PERT and advanced therapy use remain low. Current risk stratification tools heavily weight age and comorbidities, which may not always correlate with presentation's severity. Methods We prospectively studied patients with CT-confirmed PE between January 2019 and December 2019 at our hospital. PERT activation was left to the treating physician. Multivariable analyses were utilized to identify predictors of PERT activation and advanced therapy. Using the log odd ratio of each significant predictor of advanced therapy, we created a scoring system and a score of 2 was associated with the highest use. Primary outcomes were 30- and 90-day all-cause mortality, readmission, and major bleed. Results Of the 307 patients, PERT was activated in 22.5%. While abnormal vital signs and right ventricular (RV) strain were associated with PERT activation, pulmonary embolism severity index (PESI) was not. Advanced therapy use was significantly higher in the PERT cohort (35% vs 2%). Predictors of advanced therapy use were composite variable (heart rate > 110 or systolic blood pressure 30 or oxygen saturation 0.9. PERT patients with advanced therapy use, when compared to the no-PERT patients who could have qualified (score of 2), had significantly lower 30- and 90-day mortality and 30-day readmission without difference in major bleed. Conclusion PERT has important therapeutic impact, yet no guidelines to direct activation. We recommend a multidisciplinary approach for higher acuity pulmonary embolism cases and physician education regarding PERT and the scope of advanced therapy use.
Preschool and early childhood treatment directions

Contents: M. Gettinger, S.N. Elliott, T.R. Kratochwill, Overview. J.L. Ershler, Model Programs and Service Delivery Approaches in Early Childhood Education. C.F. Telzrow, Young Children with Special Educational Needs. K.D. Paget, Parent Involvement in Early Childhood Services. C. Howes, K. Droege, L. Phillipsen, Contribution of Peers to Socialization in Early Childhood. R.C. Pianta, S.L. Nimetz, Development of Young Children in Stressful Contexts: Theory, Assessment, and Prevention. D.H. Clements, B.K. Nastasi, Computers and Early Childhood Education.
Fluorimetric analysis of recombinant p15 HIV-1 ribonuclease H

We have exploited the sole tryptophan residue (Trp535) in the ribonuclease H (RNase H) domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) to study features of the isolated polypeptide (p15 RNase H) by fluorescence spectroscopy. Incubation of purified p15 RNase H with a synthetic RNA/DNA hybrid was accompanied by an alteration in Trp535 fluorescence intensity. This property was used to determine an apparent binding constant (Kapp) of 3.5 x 10(6) M-1 for p15 RNase H complexed with poly(rA)/oligo(dT)12-18 and an occluded site size of 4 nucleotides. A cooperativity coefficient (omega) of 910 was also determined which indicated that nearly three logs of the Kapp were due to cooperativity effects. Recombinant p15 RNase H preparations containing mutations at position 478 (Glu478–>Gln478) or 539 (His539 –>Phe539), which are highly conserved between bacterial and retroviral RNases H, were also analyzed. Under the same conditions, these mutants failed to bind the RNA/DNA hybrid, although they were structurally similar to the wild type polypeptide. Fluorescence spectroscopy thus appears to be an alternative and sensitive means of analyzing functional properties of the purified RNase H domain of HIV-1 RT under a variety of conditions.
Regulation and Function of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase during Sepsis and Acute Inflammation

During sepsis and inflammation profound changes in physiological function are induced by a variety of mediators, including endotoxin, various cytokines, and NO. Many of these mediators, in addition to their other functions, induce the synthesis of NO through the induction of iNOS within a variety of cell types. The regulation of iNOS expression is quite complex. Of interest is the fact that the functions of NO during sepsis range from modulating perfusion to mediating cytotoxicity. In addition, it is unique that many tissues not characterized as being involved in immune function express iNOS in a manner similar to that of tissues involved in immune function. The role of NO during episodes of acute inflammation appears to be a protective one; however, there are examples of chronic localized inflammation in both animal and human models which suggest that chronic iNOS expression may be detrimental. Further investigations into the regulation and function of NO in both the acute and chronic settings are necessary in order to fully understand this small yet unique molecule.
The Oxidation of Butterfat

Summary There is considerable variation in the stability of the butterfat toward oxidation from different cows and from an individual cow at different times. The stability of butterfat toward oxidation bears an inverse relation to the unsaturation of the fat. The fat from cows receiving grass as part of their ration is less saturated and more susceptible to oxidation. It appears that the amount of linoleic acid rather than the oleic acid governs the stability of butterfat. The results point to the presence of protecting substances in milk in increased amounts when cows are on grass which prevents the development of oxidized flavors in milk. There is no relation between the carotene content, as evidenced by the color of the fat, and the stability of the fat toward oxidation. The refractive index of butterfat varies in direct proportion to the iodine number of the fat.
Speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography of complex turbid medium flow

Purpose: Developed herein is a three-dimensional (3D) flow contrast imaging system leveraging advancements in the extension of laser speckle contrast imaging theories to deep tissues along with our recently developed finite-element diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) reconstruction scheme. This technique, termed speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT), enables incorporation of complex optical property heterogeneities and sample boundaries. When combined with a reflectance-based design, this system facilitates a rapid segue into flow contrast imaging of larger, in vivo applications such as humans. Methods: A highly sensitive CCD camera was integrated into a reflectance-based optical system. Four long-coherence laser source positions were coupled to an optical switch for sequencing of tomographic data acquisition providing multiple projections through the sample. This system was investigated through incorporation of liquid and solid tissue-like phantoms exhibiting optical properties and flow characteristics typical of human tissues. Computer simulations were also performed for comparisons. A uniquely encountered smear correction algorithm was employed to correct point-source illumination contributions during image capture with the frame-transfer CCD and reflectance setup. Results: Measurements with scDCT on a homogeneous liquid phantom showed that speckle contrast-based deep flow indices were within 12% of those from standard DCT. Inclusion of a solid phantom submerged below the liquid phantom surface allowed for heterogeneity detection and validation. The heterogeneity was identified successfully by reconstructed 3D flow contrast tomography with scDCT. The heterogeneity center and dimensions and averaged relative flow (within 3%) and localization were in agreement with actuality and computer simulations, respectively. Conclusions: A custom cost-effective CCD-based reflectance 3D flow imaging system demonstrated rapid acquisition of dense boundary data and, with further studies, a high potential for translatability to real tissues with arbitrary boundaries. A requisite correction was also found for measurements in the fashion of scDCT to recover accurate speckle contrast of deep tissues.
U.S. tourism in Mexico: An empirical analysis

Abstract This study estimated demand functions for tourism by U.S. residents in Mexico border areas, the Mexican interior, and overseas. There was no evidence that U.S. tourists substitute Mexico for more distant destinations as transportation costs rise. Border tourism is income elastic when the share of U.S. income of the border states is held fixed. Tourism in the Mexican interior is also income elastic. Tourism along the border is price elastic, while tourism in the interior is elastic with respect to U.S. and overseas prices but inelastic with respect to Mexican prices. The rise in the share of the Mexican interior in U.S. overseas tourism is not related to price factors. Recent devaluations of the Mexican peso are unlikely to provide benefits to the Mexican tourism industry.
Biting Behaviors Among Preschoolers: A Review of the Literature and Survey of Practitioners

Biting behavior occurs frequently among young children in child care settings. Research indicates several possible reasons for biting behavior including developmental as well as emotional issues. This study examines procedures that have been established to handle childhood biting by early childhood education child care facilities in a southeastern state of the United States. We were interested in whether these child care providers considered biting a normal developmental behavior or an abnormal, dysfunctional behavior. Additionally, how did their philosophy about childhood biting relate to their handling of biting incidents in their facilities?
Therapeutic Approaches for Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Since the US Food and Drug Administration's approval of gemcitabine in 1996, numerous randomized trials have investigated treatment programs to further improve the quality of life and survival of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. After little progress over the ensuing 15 years, 2 combination treatment programs recently conferred improved survival compared with gemcitabine monotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer: FOLFIRINOX (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel. Importantly, our understanding of the biology of pancreatic cancer continues to grow. This improved biologic understanding holds great promise for integrating new targeted and immune-modifying therapies into current treatment programs.
A two-dimensional model for the calculation of common-emitter current gains of lateral p-n-p transistors

Abstract Common-emitter current gains of lateral p - n - p 's with and without n + ‘buried layers’ are calculated by solving the two-dimensional diffusion equation (including recombination) in the base region. The proposed computer algorithm can be used for arbitrary emitter and collector junction profiles. The resulting current gains are compared with the predictions of a one-dimensional model and with current gains of experimental lateral p - n - p 's.
Recurrent skin and soft tissue infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus requiring operative debridement

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to examine clinical factors associated with the recurrence of community-onset skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methods An observational case-comparison study based on a retrospective review of medical records was conducted in a public health system. All patients with community-onset skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant S aureus who underwent operative debridement from January 1999 to December 2003 were included. The outcome of interest was recurrence within 1 year. Results Two hundred fifty-three patients met the criteria for inclusion. Fifty-three (21%) patients returned with recurrent episodes. These patients were compared with 200 patients (79%) who did not develop recurrence. On multivariate analysis, factors independently predictive of recurrence were medical history of abscess requiring surgical debridement within the previous year (adjusted odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–5.0; P = .002) and obesity (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–8.8; P = .008). Conclusions Patients with obesity or histories of methicillin-resistant S aureus infection are at significantly increased risk for recurrent soft tissue infection.
Sexual abuse in the developmentally disabled: dilemmas of diagnosis.

Evaluation of developmentally disabled persons for physical signs of sexual abuse presents many challenges to the practitioner. This group is especially vulnerable to all types of abuse. A group of 35 mentally retarded females from a residential treatment facility was examined by the child abuse medical team at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center after one inpatient was found to be pregnant. Patients ranged in age from 13 to 55 years (median, 26 years; mean, 31.3 +/- 13.6 years). All of the women had some degree of disability, with 24 (69%) being categorized as profoundly retarded. No patient was able to provide a history. There were 13 (37%) patients who had genital findings we believe are consistent with prior vaginal penetration. Dilemmas which arose during evaluation included the significance of healed genital lesions in this population and the implications of the findings for the residential facility. While developmentally disabled persons need an advocate in the medical and legal systems, these patients can overwhelm the practitioner. Whenever possible, a team approach is recommended to decrease the work load and frustration and provide collegial support and affirmation of findings. Language: en