cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Left Ventricular Mass and Hypertrophy by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatric Hypertension

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in adults is considered the gold standard for assessment of left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The authors aimed to evaluate agreement of LVM measurements and LVH determination between echocardiography (ECHO) and CMR imaging in children with hypertension (HTN) confirmed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The children (n=22) underwent contemporaneous ECHO, CMR imaging, and ABPM. Patients had a mean body mass index of 30.9±7.5 (kg/m2 ), and 81.8% had severe HTN. LVM measured by ECHO was 189.6±62.1 g and by CMR imaging was 164.6±44.7 g (P<.0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed significant variability between ECHO and CMR imaging in the measurement of LVM. Interobserver error was higher with ECHO than with CMR imaging. ECHO had high sensitivity and low specificity in LVH determination. In conclusion, ECHO overestimates LVM and is less accurate in measuring LVM as compared with CMR imaging in children with HTN. Further prospective study using CMR imaging to assess LVM in children is warranted.
435 INPATIENT DIABETES MANAGEMENT AT THE NEW MEXICO VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO.

Purpose Several recent studies have demonstrated that better glycemic control is related to improved outcomes for hospitalized patients. Despite the evidence, poor glycemic control in the inpatient setting continues to be a problem. The first step toward solving this problem is to develop an understanding of current practices related to glycemic control in the inpatient setting. This study describes current practice at the Veterans Administration (VA) hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Methods We evaluated 325 patients (367 admissions) who were discharged from the VA hospital between December 1, 2004, and February 28, 2005. Patients on the medicine, psychiatry, and surgery services with diabetes as one of the admitting diagnoses were included in this study. ICU data were excluded. Blood glucose data were retrieved from the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) using a data extraction program. Where possible, missing data were acquired from the paper record. Results Of the 367 admissions, 79 did not have any capillary blood glucose (CBG) measurements during the admission. Of the remaining 288 admissions, 206 (71.5%) were admitted to medicine, 17 (5.9%) were admitted to psychiatry, and 65 (22.6%) were admitted to surgery. There were 5,297 CBG readings available of the 5,513 glucose test strips ordered (96%). CBGs ranged from 15 to 577 mg/dL and were grouped into five categories for data analysis: hypoglycemia ( 400). Of the 5,297 available CBGs, 107 (2.0%) were hypoglycemic, 2,154 (40.7%) were acceptable, 1,341 (25.3%) were high, 1,604 (30.3%) were hyperglycemic, and 91 (1.7%) were severely hyperglycemic. Patients on the psychiatry service had significantly better glycemic control compared with those on medicine and surgery services (p = Conclusions This descriptive study demonstrates that glycemic control at the Albuquerque VA hospital is not optimal. More than half of recorded CBGs were either unacceptably high or unacceptably low. CBGs for patients on the psychiatry service were more likely to be in the acceptable range compared with CBGs for patients on the surgery or medicine service. However, there were significantly fewer patients on the psychiatry service compared with the other services, which could introduce bias.
Characterization of power function distribution based on spacings

A characterization of power function distribution based on the distribution of spacings is presented here extending the existing characterizations of the uniform distribution in this direction.
Relationship Between Wheel Characteristics and Operating Problems in High-Production Precision Grinding

The grinding behaviour of wheel—work pairs is discussed in terms of the cutting metal removal parameter, the ploughing metal removal parameter, the ploughing—cutting transitional force intensity, the threshold force intensity and the wheel breakdown force intensity. The sparkout metal removal rate and interface normal force are locked together as sparkout time progresses and their relationship can be graphically portrayed. Changes in finished workpiece size, taper and finish in production grinding are related to variations in sparkout behaviour.
Generation of Volatile Compounds from Maillard Reaction of Serine, Threonine, and Glutamine with Monosaccharides

Serine and threonine are (β-hydroxy a-amino acids, which are specific precursors in nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds generation. Pyrazines, pyrroles, 2,5-diketo3,6-dimethylpiperazine and appreciable amount of paraldehyde have been reported in an early paper on the pyrolysis of serine (Kato et al., 1970). When serine, threonine or other amino-hydroxy compounds were pyrolyzed alone at 200 °C, the formation of several pyrazines with varied profiles was observed (Wang and Odell, 1973).
Gene Therapy for the Heart

The focus of this chapter is genetic engineering and gene therapy. We begin by introducing the genetic engineering paradigm and then move on to provide specific examples describing the successful application of genetic engineering technology. Next, we discuss some of the important milestones in the field of genetic engineering. Recent advances in the field of genetic engineering have resulted in the evolution of a completely new concept—personalized medicine, which is described next. The next three sections are focused on recombinant DNA technology, starting with an overview of the human genetic code, followed by a description of plasmid vectors and ending by discussing the process related to recombinant DNA technology. The next four sections are related to concepts in cardiac gene therapy. We begin by introducing the concept of cardiac gene therapy and present a three-step process outlining cardiac gene therapy. We then describe different strategies that have been used for vector delivery to the heart and also discuss SERCA2a as a potential therapeutic target for cardiac gene therapy. After this, we describe many of the different viral vectors used in gene therapy. We end this chapter by presenting two case studies, one that describes the use of genetic engineering for reprogramming of adult somatic cells to form contractile cardiac cells and the second one that makes use of genetic engineering technology to improve vascularization in 3D tissue.
Acting With a Purpose: The Lived Experience of Actors in the Role of Standardized Patients Portraying Mental Illness

Abstract Background Standardized patients (SPs) allow students to apply nursing skills in a safe/supportive environment. This study examined the experience of SPs in psychiatric/mental health simulations. Method The day-to-day experiences of SPs portraying mental illness was explored in this qualitative study. Using interviews as the primary data source, a qualitative, phenomenological perspective) guided inquiry and analysis. Results Four themes: Sparks something in me, Building on confidence, Stepping into the shoes of the educator, and Letting it get to me, investigated SPs' initiation into and their growing confidence in the acting/teaching role. Letting it get to me, SPs discussed the difficulty SPs later had "shaking off" their roles. Conclusions Research underscores the value of SPs in creating an accurate representation of a client with mental illness; however, this reality often stayed with them even after the portrayal was over. To provide the best experiences, nurse educators must train, follow up, and debrief to ensure that actors not only provide an accurate portrayal, but must also address any psychological harm.
Physicians' Trust in the FDA's Use of Product-Specific Pathways for Generic Drug Approval.

Background Generic drugs are cost-effective versions of brand-name drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following proof of pharmaceutical equivalence and bioequivalence. Generic drugs are widely prescribed by physicians, although there is disagreement over the clinical comparability of generic drugs to brand-name drugs within the physician community. The objective of this survey was to assess physicians' perceptions of generic drugs and the generic drug approval process. Methods and Findings A survey was administered to a national sample of primary care internists and specialists between August 2014 and January 2015. In total, 1,152 physicians comprising of internists with no reported specialty certification and those with specialty certification in hematology, infectious diseases, and endocrinology were surveyed. The survey assessed physicians’ perceptions of the FDA’s generic drug approval process, as well as their experiences prescribing six generic drugs approved between 2008 and 2012 using product-specific approval pathways and selected comparator drugs. Among 718 respondents (62% response rate), a majority were comfortable with the FDA’s process in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of generic drugs overall (91%) and with letting the FDA determine which tests were necessary to determine bioequivalence in a particular drug (92%). A minority (13–26%) still reported being uncomfortable prescribing generic drugs approved using product-specific pathways. Overall, few physicians heard reports of concerns about generic versions of the study drugs or their comparators, with no differences between the two groups. Physicians tended to hear about concerns about the safety or effectiveness of generic drugs from patients, pharmacists, and physician colleagues. Conclusions Physicians hold largely positive views of the FDA's generic drug approval process even when some questioned the performance of certain generic drugs in comparison to brand-name drugs. Better education about the generic drug approval process and standards may alleviate concerns among the physician community and support the delivery of cost-effective health care.
Monolithic integration of metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor heterostructure using atomic layer deposition

Integration of perovskite oxides with silicon and germanium can enable the realization of novel electronics device designs and the improvement of device performance. In particular, the wide variety of perovskite oxides and their ability to grow epitaxially on silicon and germanium allows the design of monolithically integrated semiconductor devices. The fabrication of monolithically integrated metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor structures is reported. Out-of-plane orientation of BaTiO3 ferroelectric film is demonstrated, and process considerations to ensure oxide electrode conductivity are discussed. The structures reported here demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating ferroelectric field effect devices that are monolithically integrated into silicon and/or germanium platforms.
MAST CELL-DEPENDENT CONVERSION OF SIDEROPHAGES INTO FOAM CELLS IS A HALLMARK OF EARLY FAT INFILTRATION IN HEMORRHAGIC MYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONS

Background: Iron-laden macrophages (siderophages) are prone to transforming into foam cells. Activated mast cells are known to mediate foam cell formation. Since iron is known to be a potent mast cell activator, we hypothesized that mast cells promote conversion of siderophages into foam cells in
Adverse impacts of chronic pain on health-related quality of life, work productivity, depression and anxiety in a community-based study.

Background Chronic pain has major clinical and social consequences. Few studies have examined any variation in the extent of impairment on quality of life and work productivity by site and type of chronic pain. Objective The objective of our study is to examine adverse impacts of chronic pain on physical and psychological health and work productivity. Methods Our community-population study was based on a phone-interview of adults with chronic pain, residing in Olmsted County, MN. Chronic pain groups were categorized into abdominal pain, back pain, joint pain, multisite pain, neuropathic pain or no chronic pain. We used standardized instruments, including the Brief Pain Inventory, the Patients Health Questionnair-9, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Results We evaluated 591 patients suffering from chronic pain and 150 participants with no chronic pain. Almost one third of patients with multisite pain (33%) and neuropathic pain (32%) reported mild/major depressive symptoms. Patients suffering from chronic pain, particularly from multisite pain and neuropathic pain, reported significant pain interferences with daily activities and impairments in physical function. Chronic pain was significantly associated with reduced performance at work but not with missed work hours. The average reported reduction in work productivity ranged from 2.4 hours (±5.6) per week for adults with joint chronic pain to 9.8 hours (±11.1) per week for adults with multisite chronic pain. Conclusions Chronic pain, particularly multisite pain and neuropathic pain, significantly affected physical and psychological health. Chronic pain is a multifaceted health condition that requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach.
Validation of Water for Injections (WFI) for Biopharmaceutical Manufacture

This chapter discusses design and validation of Water for Injection generation and distribution systems. It covers not only the validation activities required for new systems, but also the approach taken for existing systems.
Double-blind, proof-of-concept (POC) trial of Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS) augmentation of antidepressant therapy in treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Abstract Background Low-Field Magnetic Stimulation (LFMS) is a novel, non-invasive, sub-threshold neuromodulation technique, shown in preliminary studies to have immediate mood elevating effects in both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. Objective We aimed to assess the antidepressant augmentation effects at 48 h of LFMS administered on two consecutive days compared to sham treatment in treatment resistant depression (TRD) subjects, using the Sequential Parallel Comparison Design (SPCD). Methods Eighty-four eligible subjects with TRD were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with LFMS 20 min/day for four days, sham treatment 20 min/day for four days, or sham treatment 20 min/day for 2 days followed by LFMS treatment 20 min/day for two days, using the pre-randomization version of the SPCD (randomization 1:1:1). The SPCD analyses used a repeated measures linear modeling approach with maximum likelihood estimation to use all available data, and using a 60–40 weighting of Stage 1 vs. 2 responses, with the primary outcome being measured after 2 and 4 days. Results Both primary and secondary outcome measures consistently showed no differences between LFMS-treated patients and those treated with sham, with the exception of a slight, non-significantly greater improvement than sham in the visual analogue scale (VAS) sad mood on LFMS-treated patients. LFMS treatment was relatively well tolerated. Conclusions We did not observe a significantly greater, rapid efficacy of LFMS compared to sham therapy. Future studies need to examine the possible therapeutic effects of more intensive forms of LFMS, as other forms of neurostimulation typically require longer duration of exposure.
Exploring the Formation of Organizational Purpose in an Athletic Footwear and Apparel Company

In this field study of an athletic footwear and apparel company undergoing change, I explore the surprising emergence of shared, value-laden sentiments regarding “why we exist” - what members and s...
Comparison of Self-Report Versus Sensor-Based Methods for Measuring the Amount of Upper Limb Activity Outside the Clinic

Abstract Objective To compare self-reported with sensor-measured upper limb (UL) performance in daily life for individuals with chronic (≥6mo) UL paresis poststroke. Design Secondary analysis of participants enrolled in a phase II randomized, parallel, dose-response UL movement trial. This analysis compared the accuracy and consistency between self-reported UL performance and sensor-measured UL performance at baseline and immediately post an 8-week intensive UL task-specific intervention. Setting Outpatient rehabilitation. Participants Community-dwelling individuals with chronic (≥6mo) UL paresis poststroke (N=64). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Motor Activity Log amount of use scale and the sensor-derived use ratio from wrist-worn accelerometers. Results There was a high degree of variability between self-reported UL performance and the sensor-derived use ratio. Using sensor-based values as a reference, 3 distinct categories were identified: accurate reporters (reporting difference ±0.1), overreporters (difference >0.1), and underreporters (difference Conclusions Participants did not consistently or accurately self-report UL performance when compared with the sensor-derived use ratio. Although self-report and sensor-based assessments are moderately associated and appear similar conceptually, these results suggest self-reported UL performance is often not consistent with sensor-measured performance and the measures cannot be used interchangeably.
Downregulation of Endothelin Receptor B Contributes to Defective B Cell Lymphopoiesis in Trisomy 21 Pluripotent Stem Cells

Individuals with Trisomy 21 (T21) exhibit numerous hematological abnormalities, including reductions in numbers of circulating B and T lymphocytes. To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, we differentiated human isogenic disomic and trisomic pluripotent cells, and observed that trisomic cells showed defects in B cell, but not T cell differentiation. Global gene expression of differentiated, trisomic B cells revealed reduced expression of genes encoding endothelin signaling components, namely the Endothelin Receptor B (EDNRB), and its ligand Endothelin1 (EDN1). Depletion of EDNRB mRNA in cord blood-derived CD34+ cells led to defective B cell differentiation, supporting a hypothesis that low EDNRB expression in T21 contributes to intrinsic lymphoid defects. Further evidence for the role of the EDNRB pathway in B cell differentiation was obtained through CRISPR/Cas9 gene targeting in disomic and trisomic iPS cells. Knockout of EDNRB in both cell backgrounds reduced the capacity for B cell differentiation. Collectively, this work identifies downregulation of EDNRB as a causative factor for impaired B lymphocyte generation in trisomic cells, which may contribute to defects in immune function associated with T21. Furthermore, a novel role for endothelin signaling in regulation of B cell development has been identified.
Pregnancy and intracranial aneurysms

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage during pregnancy is rare, but it is an important cause of maternal mortality. Physiological changes in pregnancy may predispose to aneurysm formation and rupture. This article will review the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of cerebral aneurysms identified during pregnancy. In general, neurosurgical considerations take precedence over obstetrical ones, and ruptured aneurysms should be treated as they would be in patients who are not pregnant. Unruptured aneurysms should be treated if they are symptomatic or enlarging while other aneurysms should be treated on an individual basis.
Balance Across Boundaries: Service Learning from an International Perspective

Service-Learning provides students, faculty and community partners an opportunity to go beyond classroom and laboratory instruction to the application of theoretical principles, and the development of civic responsibility by forging meaningful relationships with community partners. Service-learning also enables faculty to broaden the cultural sensitivity and international exposure of students by engaging students in directed, purposeful projects aimed at supporting the goals of both the college and the international partners. We have a unique opportunity in Exercise Science to make lasting changes and improve global conditions relating to student learning and the physical inactivity crisis. The purpose of this article is to define service-learning, describe different types of service-learning projects, and discuss service-learning opportunities in international settings.
Characterization of Fusarium and Neocosmospora Species Associated With Crown Rot and Stem Canker of Pistachio Rootstocks in California.

California produces 99.1% of pistachios grown in the United States, and diseases affecting pistachio rootstocks represent a constant challenge to the industry. Field surveys of fungi associated wit...
THE DIAGNOSTIC YIELD OF IMPLANTABLE LOOP RECORDERS STRATIFIED BY INDICATION: “REAL-WORLD” USE IN A LARGE ACADEMIC HOSPITAL

Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) have added greatly to clinical care, and are being widely used. However with expanded use, questions remain about their diagnostic yield in real-world setting for various indications. Retrospective study (2013-2016) of patients receiving an ILR in a large academic
The State of Our Field: Introduction to the Special Issue

This article introduces the special “State of the Field” issue. The essay highlights some of the key tensions that our field is wrestling with at the moment, and advocates that we think carefully about the terms we use to describe our work. It previews the articles in this special issue and urges future work in the field to take up the ideas, questions, and challenges posed by these essays.
Multiple Analytical Approach to Isotopic Transport Analysis in Magnetic Fusion Devices

AbstractHigh-Z impurities released from plasma-material interactions have been shown to limit the performance of fusion plasmas, and understanding these impurity transport mechanisms throughout the...
Localized Electrochemical Deposition Using Ultra-High Frequency Pulsed Power

Abstract In this experimental study, localized electrodeposition of nickel pillars was performed to study the effect of pulse frequency, applied voltage, pulsed duty cycle, and the interelectrode gap, on the diameter of the deposit and the rate of deposition height. The effects of ultra-high frequency during the localized electrodeposition process, which have not been studied for micro electrochemical additive manufacturing purposes, are documented and further quantification of the effects of localization was conducted. It was found that the rate of deposition height increased with an increase in the pulse frequency, applied voltage, and duty cycle. As for deposition diameters, which is a measure of the localization, inter electrode gap was found to have no significant effect, while with pulse voltage and frequency, the average deposition diameter for certain parameters was substantially smaller than the tool electrode diameter, by approximate ratios of 2/3 and 1/5 respectively. These findings imply that modifying the electrical process parameters can allow for highly localized electrochemical deposition which is an important requirement for electrochemical additive manufacturing.
Contesting and Negotiating Othering from Within: A Saudi Arabian Female Student’s Gendered Experiences in the U.S.

This article discusses a Saudi female student’s experiences in the United States over two years, focusing on the process of negotiating and constructing her gender identity. The analysis addresses ...
Inhibition of prostaglandin E2 restores defective lymphocyte proliferation and cell-mediated lympholysis in recipients after allogeneic marrow grafting.

Prostaglandins are said to influence T and B cell function by inhibiting the generation of interleukin 2 (IL 2) and the formation of suppressor lymphocytes. After bone marrow transplantation, patients usually have a profound immunodeficiency that persists in recipients with chronic graft-v-host disease (GVHD) and generally resolves in long-term survivors without GVHD. In vitro tests of lymphocyte function such as allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) have been shown to be impaired in many patients. We postulated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a role in the impaired in vitro tests. To test this hypothesis, we studied in vitro tests in the presence of PGE2 antagonists, indomethacin, and anti-PGE2 antiserum with cells from 22 short-term patients (less than 100 days postgrafting) and 32 long-term survivors with or without GVHD. Results show that blockade of PGE2 release by indomethacin and anti-PGE2 significantly (P less than .01) enhanced the MLC (+67%) and the CML responses (+10.5%) of cells from long-term survivors with chronic GVHD but not from those of long-term, stable recipients. No enhancement of MLC and CML activity was observed with cells from donors of long-term recipients. In patients shortly after marrow grafting, enhancement in the MLC was not significant. However, CML activity in this patient group was significantly increased (+12.5% in recipients with no GVHD, 8.5% in those with acute GVHD, P less than .01). Indomethacin also suppressed the activity of nonspecific suppressor cells in patients with chronic GVHD. When cells from patients with chronic GVHD were treated with recombinant IL 2 and IL 2 combined with indomethacin, it was possible to get an additional augmentation of lymphocyte proliferation after the addition of indomethacin to IL 2-treated cultures. Thus it is very likely that PGE2 inhibits T lymphocyte proliferation, not exclusively by inhibition of IL2 production or activity. We conclude that PGE2, among other factors, may play a role in the pathogenesis of the immunodeficiency after transplantation. PGE2 does not act primarily by interfering with IL2 but presumably by inducing a suppressorlike activity.
Workshop on Recent Advances in the X-ray Spectroscopy of the Actinides

A workshop on “Recent Advances in the X-ray Spectroscopy of the Actinides,” part of the 2019 SSRL/LCLS Users Meeting, was held onsite at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park durin...
Viscoelastic and thermoreversible networks crosslinked by non-covalent interactions between “clickable” nucleic acid oligomers and DNA

An approach to efficient and scalable production of oligonucleotide-based gel networks is presented. Specifically, a new class of xenonucleic acid (XNA) synthesized through a scalable and efficient thiol–ene polymerization mechanism, “clickable” nucleic acids (CNAs), were conjugated to a multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol), PEG. In the presence of complementary single stranded DNA (ssDNA), the macromolecular conjugate assembled into a crosslinked 3D gel capable of achieving storage moduli on the order of 1 kPa. Binding studies between the PEG-CNA macromolecule and complementary ssDNA indicate that crosslinking is due to the CNA/DNA interaction. Gel formation was specific to the base sequence and length of the ssDNA crosslinker. The gels were fully thermoreversible, completely melting at temperatures above 60 °C and re-forming upon cooling over multiple cycles and with no apparent hysteresis. Shear stress relaxation experiments revealed that relaxation dynamics are dependent on crosslinker length, which is hypothesized to be an effect of the polydisperse CNA chains. Arrhenius analysis of characteristic relaxation times was only possible for shorter crosslinker lengths, and the activation energy for these gels was determined to be 110 ± 20 kJ mol−1. Overall, the present work demonstrates that CNA is capable of participating in stimuli-responsive interactions that would be expected from XNAs, and that these interactions support 3D gels that have potential uses in biological and materials science applications.
CHAPTER VI – Modular Representations

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of modular representations. If two representations have the same composition factors, it is clear that their characters coincide. Also, if the characters coincide, the representations are equivalent. In the case, p | G: 1, this is no longer true. Two representations can have the same character but different composition factors or, having the same composition factors, can fail to be equivalent as a result of the lack of complete reducibility. The chapter explains Brauer characters and presents a few new terms and the proofs of a number of propositions, required for defining Brauer characters.
Leukemoid reaction to Clostridium difficile infection

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are increasing in incidence and severity. Leukemoid reaction is rarely seen with CDI, and indicates severe disease with grave prognosis. We present an elderly female who developed leukemoid reaction in response to CDI. The patient died despite early antibiotic therapy with surgical evaluation.
Development of a fluorescence based, high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 3CL pro reporter assay.

In late 2019, a human coronavirus, now known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged, likely from a zoonotic reservoir. This virus causes COVID-19, has infected millions of people, and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths across the globe. While the best interventions to control and ultimately stop the pandemic are prophylactic vaccines, antiviral therapeutics are important to limit morbidity and mortality in those already infected. At this time, only one FDA-approved anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral drug, remdesivir, is available, and unfortunately, its efficacy appears to be limited. Thus, the identification of new and efficacious antivirals is of the highest importance. In order to facilitate rapid drug discovery, flexible, sensitive, and high-throughput screening methods are required. With respect to drug targets, most attention is focused on either the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase or the main viral protease, 3CLpro 3CLpro is an attractive target for antiviral therapeutics, as it is essential for processing newly translated viral proteins and the viral life cycle cannot be completed without protease activity. In this work, we report a new assay to identify inhibitors of 3CLpro Our reporter is based on a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-derived protein that fluoresces only after cleavage by 3CLpro This experimentally optimized reporter assay allows for antiviral drug screening in human cell culture at biosafety level 2 (BSL2) with high-throughput compatible protocols. Using this screening approach in combination with existing drug libraries may lead to the rapid identification of novel antivirals to suppress SARS-CoV-2 replication and spread.IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic has already led to more than 700,000 deaths and innumerable changes to daily life worldwide. Along with development of a vaccine, identification of effective antivirals to treat infected patients is of the highest importance. However, rapid drug discovery requires efficient methods to identify novel compounds that can inhibit the virus. In this work, we present a method for identifying inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, 3CLpro This reporter-based assay allows for antiviral drug screening in human cell culture at biosafety level 2 (BSL2) with high-throughput compatible sample processing and analysis. This assay may help identify novel antivirals to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Optimization Using Artificial Immune Systems Applied To Object Tracking And Segmentation

This paper proposes the use of an artificial immune systems (AIS) to obtain the values of hyperparameters of networks such as the kernel parameter of the support vector machines (SVM) in object tracking and weighting factor of the loss term in object segmentation. The proposed iterative AIS method is generic to extend to other image processing tasks by formulating a corresponding objective function (fitness). We verify our method on the STRUCK method that uses SVM to track objects. Depending on feature variations between video frames, our AIS approach incorporates a complementary SVM model to select the SVM parameters for the main SVM model, where our AIS stopping criteria are classification accuracy and number of iterations. We then apply our AIS method to find the parameters that simultaneously minimize both false positives and false negatives of the object segmentation method Graph-Cut. Our results show that our AIS approach achieves significant enhancement of Graph-Cut segmentation accuracy and of STRUCK tracking quality.
Le Paradoxe Du Chantage (The Paradox of Blackmail)

French Abstract: Le chantage presente un paradoxe pour les adherents du mouvement d’analyse economique du droit. Etant volontaire, pour eux, la transaction entre le maitre-chanteur et le victime est est presumee legitime, de telle sorte que notre condamnation instinctive des menaces du maitre-chanteur parait inhiber la liberte des contrats. Il est difficile aussi de reconcilier notre repugnance pour le chantage avec le spectre formidable des secrets compromettants qui pourvoient l’etoffe du maitre-chanteur. J’ai suggere une reconciliation en reconnaissant le facteur commun de notre condamnation instinctive de harcelement des victimes, mais en distinguant plusieurs niveaux de consequences pour la societe et de gravite par rapport a l’importance des secrets presumes supprimes. English Abstract: The paradox of blackmail is a paradox primarily to members of the law and economics movement. For them, the condemnation of blackmail seems to inhibit freedom of contract. Even when we abandon this presumption, it is difficult to reconcile our distaste for blackmail with the formidable spectre of information suppression which is the essence of blackmail. I propose a reconciliation between our responses based on revulsion at the intimidation of innocent blackmail victims with a wide range of consequences for society, including that of the bribed secrecy.
Performance Testing and Analysis of HVDC Deep-well Grounding Electrode

As an important part of the HVDC project, the grounding electrode provides a path for the ground current and unbalanced current. Shallow-buried grounding electrode covers a large area, has few optional pole sites, and is difficult to select, especially in the southeast coastal areas of P. R. China. The grounding electrode site location is often far away from the converter station for a long distance, resulting in the grounding electrode line as long as hundreds of kilometers, which increases the project investment and subsequent operation and maintenance costs. Therefore, the research on deep well grounding electrode technology is proposed. The advantage of the deep-well grounding electrode of HVDC is that it covers a small area, which will help to solve the problem of site selection. The fist kilometer deep-well grounding electrode has been built by China Southern Power Grid (CSG), and it has been connected to HVDC system and put into testing operation for about one year. Various project performance tests of deep well grounding electrode, such as grounding resistance, step potential difference, touch potential difference, potential distribution, and characteristics of temperature rise, were carried out during this period. This paper analyzes these tests contents in detail. The results show that the overall performance of the deep-well grounding electrode is stable, it can save 90% of the site area, reduce 2/3 of the resistance and 80% of the contact potential.
Past, present and future of atomic clocks for GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are enabled by atomic clocks, which provide the timing precision and accuracy required for the ranging measurements. Significant investments have been made and will continue to be made, to improve GNSS atomic clock technology and reduce the signal-in-space user range error. After providing a baseline by reviewing current GNSS satellite atomic clock technology, we discuss how far, and in what directions, atomic clock technology should be pushed to provide maximum benefits to GNSS performance, reliability and cost.
New Jensen-type inequalities and their applications

Convex analysis is fundamental to proving inequalities that have a wide variety of applications in economics and mathematics. In this paper we provide Jensen-type inequalities for functions that are, intuitively, "very" convex. These inequalities are simple to apply and can be used to generalize and extend previous results or to derive new results. We apply our inequalities to quantify the notion "more risk averse" provided in \cite{pratt1978risk}. We also apply our results in other applications from different fields, including risk measures, Poisson approximation, moment generating functions, log-likelihood functions, and Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities.
Medical Students’ Knowledge and Perception of Deep Brain Stimulation:

Background:Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established neurosurgical procedure commonly used in movement and psychiatric disorders. Its widespread clinical implementation, however, may not b...
19.3 A MEMS-Based Dynamic Light Focusing System for Single-Cell Precision in optogenetics

Optogenetics is a technique that involves the use of light to excite or inhibit neurons that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels (opsins). Implanted LEDs or optical fibers are the most common approaches in optogenetic stimulation systems, but their broad illumination and lack of beam steering capability make them insufficient for probing individual neurons. When a 3D scanning optical system is used to control the position of a laser spot, single-cell precision can be achieved in a volume of tissue containing millions of cells. Due to the sub-ms response time of modern opsins and a demand for high throughput neural stimulation [1], a random-access scanning system requires a kHz refresh rate, and the capability to dwell on a target depth for an arbitrary length of time. Existing lateral (XY) scanning tools are fast, however state-of-the-art axial (Z) scanning technologies such as electrically tunable lenses (ETLs) [2] and liquid crystal (LC) lenses [3] are limited to < 3ms settling times. Alternative axial scanning tools either lack dwelling capability [4] or have impractical actuator drive requirements [5].
Mouse models of vascular development and disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The use of genetic models has facilitated the study of the origins and mechanisms of vascular disease. Mouse models have been developed to specifically target endothelial cell populations, with the goal of pinpointing when and where causative mutations wreck their devastating effects. Together, these approaches have propelled the development of therapies by providing an in-vivo platform to evaluate diagnoses and treatment options. This review summarizes the most widely used mouse models that have facilitated the study of vascular disease, with a focus on mouse models of vascular malformations and the road ahead. RECENT FINDINGS Over the past 3 decades, the vascular biology scientific community has been steadily generating a powerful toolkit of useful mouse lines that can be used to tightly regulate gene ablation, or to express transgenic genes, in the murine endothelium. Some of these models inducibly (constitutively) alter gene expression across all endothelial cells, or within distinct subsets, by expressing either Cre recombinase (or inducible versions such as CreERT), or the tetracycline controlled transactivator protein tTA (or rtTA). This now relatively standard technology has been used to gain cutting edge insights into vascular disorders, by allowing in-vivo modeling of key molecular pathways identified as dysregulated across the vast spectrum of vascular anomalies, malformations and dysplasias. However, as sequencing of human patient samples expands, the number of interesting candidate molecular culprits keeps increasing. Consequently, there is now a pressing need to create new genetic mouse models to test hypotheses and to query mechanisms underlying vascular disease. SUMMARY The current review assesses the collection of mouse driver lines that have been instrumental is identifying genes required for blood vessel formation, remodeling, maintenance/quiescence and disease. In addition, the usefulness of these driver lines is underscored here by cataloguing mouse lines developed to experimentally assess the role of key candidate genes in vascular malformations. Despite this solid and steady progress, numerous new candidate vascular malformation genes have recently been identified for which no mouse model yet exists.
Review of General Theory of International Law (Ed. By S. Wiessner)

In General Theory of International Law, Siegfried Wiessner presents a selection of specifically American general theories of and about international law, written by the theorists themselves. Included are American Legal Realism, the New Haven School of Jurisprudence, International and Transnational Legal Process, Liberal Theories of International Law, and theories that link to social sciences, including Law and Economics, Critical Legal Studies, LatCrit, TWAIL, and feminist approaches. The range of these works covers the very concept of international law, its justification, the struggle between formalism and experience, various theories of legitimacy and fairness, the law’s effectiveness, empirical analysis, critiques from the margins and the center, and approaches to its improvement. Wiessner’s Introduction provides context by placing this selection of American theories into historical context, threading together the sequence and interrelation of their development in the midst of contemporaneous political and philosophical movements, and critically appraising them. This book brilliantly elucidates America’s prophetic and reformist role in international law theory. This is no surprise in light of Wiessner’s description of America’s vision of itself as a leader of thought, the star of that “shining city on a hill.” America is the nonconformist, revolutionary, and scrutinizer of what is beneath the facade precisely because of this vision and its quest to determine what roles America should play on the international front.
Isolating the white matter circuitry of the dorsal language stream: Connectome-Symptom Mapping in stroke induced aphasia.

The application of l1-regularized machine learning models to high-dimensional connectomes offers a promising methodology to assess clinical-anatomical correlations in humans. Here, we integrate the connectome-based lesion-symptom mapping framework with sparse partial least squares regression (sPLS-R) to isolate elements of the connectome associated with speech repetition deficits. By mapping over 2,500 connections of the structural connectome in a cohort of 71 stroke-induced cases of aphasia presenting with varying left-hemisphere lesions and repetition impairment, sPLS-R was trained on 50 subjects to algorithmically identify connectomic features on the basis of their predictive value. The highest ranking features were subsequently used to generate a parsimonious predictive model for speech repetition whose predictions were evaluated on a held-out set of 21 subjects. A set of 10 short- and long-range parieto-temporal connections were identified, collectively delineating the broader circuitry of the dorsal white matter network of the language system. The strongest contributing feature was a short-range connection in the supramarginal gyrus, approximating the cortical localization of area Spt, with parallel long-range pathways interconnecting posterior nodes in supramarginal and superior temporal cortex with anterior nodes in both ventral and-notably-in dorsal premotor cortex, respectively. The collective disruption of these pathways indexed repetition performance in the held-out set of participants, suggesting that these impairments might be characterized as a parietotemporal disconnection syndrome impacting cortical area Spt and its associated white matter circuits of the frontal lobe as opposed to being purely a disconnection of the arcuate fasciculus.
Long Non-Coding RNA ANRIL as a Potential Biomarker of Chemosensitivity and Clinical Outcomes in Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma has a poor prognosis due to chemo-resistance and/or metastases. Increasing evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can play an important role in drug sensitivity and cancer metastasis. Using osteosarcoma cell lines, we identified a positive correlation between the expression of a lncRNA and ANRIL, and resistance to two of the three standard-of-care agents for treating osteosarcoma—cisplatin and doxorubicin. To confirm the potential role of ANRIL in chemosensitivity, we independently inhibited and over-expressed ANRIL in osteosarcoma cell lines followed by treatment with either cisplatin or doxorubicin. Knocking-down ANRIL in SAOS2 resulted in a significant increase in cellular sensitivity to both cisplatin and doxorubicin, while the over-expression of ANRIL in both HOS and U2OS cells led to an increased resistance to both agents. To investigate the clinical significance of ANRIL in osteosarcoma, we assessed ANRIL expression in relation to clinical phenotypes using the osteosarcoma data from the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) dataset. Higher ANRIL expression was significantly associated with increased rates of metastases at diagnosis and death and was a significant predictor of reduced overall survival rate. Collectively, our results suggest that the lncRNA ANRIL can be a chemosensitivity and prognosis biomarker in osteosarcoma. Furthermore, reducing ANRIL expression may be a therapeutic strategy to overcome current standard-of-care treatment resistance.
Structuring the Deal: Tax and Accounting Considerations

This chapter focuses on the implications of tax and accounting considerations for the deal-structuring process. Tax considerations can affect the amount, timing, and composition of the purchase price. If a transaction is taxable, target shareholders typically demand a higher purchase price to offset the anticipated tax liability. The increase in the purchase price may cause the acquirer to defer some portion of the purchase price by altering the terms to include more debt or installment payments to maintain the same purchase price in present value terms. Moreover, the decision as to the appropriate organizational structure of the combined businesses is affected by such factors as the desire to minimize taxes and pass through losses to owners. The S corporation, LLC, and the partnership eliminate double-taxation problems. Current operating losses, loss carry forwards or carrybacks, or tax credits generated by the combined businesses can be passed through to the owners if the postclosing organization is a partnership or an LLC. With the elimination of pooling of interests as an alternative to purchase accounting in 2001 and further changes in financial reporting standards that took effect in late 2008, acquirers are likely to be more circumspect in making acquisitions. Overpayment for target firms and the use of contingent payout mechanisms can result in significant increases in future earnings volatility for acquiring firms. Furthermore, equity may become less attractive as a form of payment due to the requirement to record business combinations on the closing rather than the announcement date, although these concerns may be mitigated by the use of collar arrangements. The ever-present threat of these factors may exert some discipline into the negotiating process, affecting both the amount and timing of offer prices and the length and intensity of merger and acquition (M&A) due diligence.