cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rings and Modules

An element r of a ring R is called left (right) quasi-regular if 1-r has a left (right) inverse. If r is both left and right quasi-regular, then we say that r is quasi-regular. An element r in R is nilpotent if r n = 0 for some positive integer n; we say that R has no nilpotent elements if r = 0 whenever r is nilpotent. Observe that if r n = 0, and s = 1 + r + r2 + ⋯ + rn−1, then (1−r)s = s (1-r) = 1, so nilpotent elements are quasi-regular. A left ideal L of R is called quasi-regular if each element of L is left quasi-regular.
Signs as deterrents of illegal parking in spaces designated for individuals with physical disabilities.

The percentage of illegal parking in spaces reserved for the physically disabled was monitored under three sign conditions: ground markings, ground markings plus vertical signs, and vertical signs containing a message that concerned citizens were watching the spaces. Illegal parking dropped from 69.3% of 102 vehicles during the initial ground-sign condition to 57.3% of 36 vehicles in the first vertical-sign condition. Following removal of the vertical signs, illegal parking increased to 68.7% of 43 vehicles. During the second vertical-sign condition, illegal parking dropped to 53.7% of 32 vehicles, followed by an increase to 69.5% of 68 vehicles after the vertical signs were removed. The lowest rate of illegal parking (27.1% of 78 vehicles) occurred in the vertical sign-plus-message condition. Illegal parking subsequently increased to 34.6% (of 94 vehicles) when the message sign was removed, followed by an increase to 65.2% (of 105 vehicles) when the vertical signs were removed. Language: en
Impact of touch imprint cytology on imaging-guided core needle biopsies: An experience from a large academic medical center laboratory.

Background Imaging-guided core needle biopsy is a minimally invasive and effective tissue sampling method. Touch imprint cytology (TIC) can provide immediate on-site preliminary interpretation and adequacy of core needle biopsy. We investigated on-site TICs’ impact on minimizing the number of core needle biopsy passes required for diagnosis. Methods Five hundred and sixty imaging-guided CNBs with TICs including 393 malignant lesions, 136 benign lesions, 29 nondiagnostic specimens, and 2 atypical lesions were reviewed for adequacy, preliminary interpretation, final histological diagnosis, and the number of core needle biopsy passes. Results The adequacy rate determined by on-site TICs was 76%, with 50% for benign lesions, and 88% for malignant lesions. The correlation rate between TICs’ preliminary interpretation and histological diagnosis was 91%, with 100% for benign lesions and 89% for malignant lesions. In malignant lesions, the adequacy rate was lowest in cases with sarcomas (58%), followed by hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. When all cases are stratified by locations, the adequacy rate determined by on-site TICs was lowest in lesions from soft tissue (45%), followed by pelvic mass or kidney. The average number of cores was 4.1 per case in adequate specimens, significantly lower than that in specimens without TICs. In contrast, the average number of cores was 7.1 per case in inadequate specimens, significantly greater than that in specimens without TICs. Conclusions On-site TICs showed its usefulness in reducing the number of cores required for adequate diagnostic materials. In the meantime, TICs accurately provided preliminary interpretations, especially in adequate malignant carcinoma cases. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:87–90. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Worldwide burden of COPD in high- and low-income countries. Part I. The burden of obstructive lung disease (BOLD) initiative.

Setting Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) Initiative sites worldwide. Objective To measure the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its risk factors, investigate variation in prevalence across countries and develop standardized methods that can be used in industrialized and developing countries. Design Non-institutionalized adults aged > or =40 years were recruited using population-based sampling plans. Each site targeted a minimum of 600 participants (300 women, 300 men), who filled out questionnaires and performed spirometry before and after administration of 200 mug salbutamol using standardized methods. Random effects meta-analysis models were used to estimate pooled prevalence estimates and risk factor effects and to test for heterogeneity across sites and sex. Results Data published from 12 sites (n = 8775) showed that the estimated population prevalence of COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] Stage II and higher) was 10.1 +/- SE = 4.8% overall (11.8 +/- 7.9% for men and 8.5 +/- 5.8% for women). Prevalence increased with age and pack-years of smoking, but other less understood risk factors, such as biomass heating and cooking exposures, occupational exposures and tuberculosis, also contribute to the location-specific variations in disease prevalence that BOLD is finding. Conclusion BOLD has estimated the social and economic burden of COPD in 12 countries to date. BOLD and the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigacion en Obstruccion Pulmonar (the PLATINO study) are developing a growing database of COPD prevalence. Cigarette smoking and age are the most important COPD risk factors, but other risk factors should also be explored.
Seasonal occurrence of postharvest dried fruit insects and their parasitoids in a culled fig warehouse.

Parasitoids of dried-fruit insects were surveyed at a culled fig warehouse in Fresno, CA. Three parasitoids of pyralid larvae were found: Habrobracon hebetor (Say), Venturia canescens (Gravenhorst), and at least one species in the genus Goniozus Forster. Two parasitoids of pyralid pupae also were noted: Mesostenus gracilis (Cresson) and a new species of Psilochalcis Keifer. The latter is a new host association. Several beetle parasitoids were present, including Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard), three species of Cephalonomia Westwood, Laelius centratus (Say), and Cerchysiella utilis Noyes. C. utilis, a parasitoid of driedfruit beetle, Carpophilus hemipterus (L.), is a new record for California. Most activity by parasitoids (detected by yellow flight traps) occurred directly above the fig mass. Pyralid parasitoids exhibited two peaks of seasonal activity; one in late summer through early fall, shortly after new figs were brought into the warehouse, and one in the spring. H. hebetor generally attacked older host larvae, whereas V. canescens equally attacked older and younger larvae, indicating that these two parasitoids may coexist by exploiting different portions of the host population. H. hebetor was active throughout the winter, suggesting that winter release of H. hebetor could be used to control diapausing pyralid populations in dried fruit and nut storage areas.
The Case Against the Millionaire Surtax

By increasing marginal tax rates at high income levels, the millionaire surtax in the House healthcare reform bill would promote tax avoidance and impede savings and investment, reducing wages throughout the economy. According to Viard, taxing a mere 0.3 percent of the population is not a sustainable way to pay for healthcare reform.
Detection of ferromagnetic domain wall pinning and depinning with a semiconductor device

We demonstrate the detection of a ferromagnetic domain wall using a nanoscale Hall cross. A narrow permalloy wire is defined lithographically on top of a Hall cross fabricated from an InAs quantum well. The width of the Hall cross (500 nm–1 μm) is similar to the width of the ferromagnetic wire (200–500 nm), and a geometric pinning site is fabricated in the ferromagnetic wire to trap a domain wall within the area of the Hall cross. The devices provide a signal that is often the same order of magnitude as the offset Hall voltage when a domain wall is located above the Hall cross, and may be useful for memory applications. Different geometries for the Hall cross and ferromagnetic wire are tested, and radiofrequency pulses are sent into the wire to demonstrate current driven domain wall motion. Further changes to the Hall bar geometry with respect to the wire geometry are investigated by numerical computation. A large gain in signal is seen for Hall bars only slightly wider than the ferromagnetic wires as com...
Formation of Highly-Uniform and Densely-Packed Arrays of GaAs Dots by Selective Epitaxy

Formation of highly-uniform and densely-packed arrays of GaAs dots by selective epitaxy using diethylgallium-chloride and arsine is reported. The arrays of GaAs dots are imaged using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Accounting for the AFM tip radius of curvature, the smallest GaAs dots formed are 15-20 nm in base diameter and 8-10 nm in height with slow-growth crystal planes limiting individual dot growth. Completely selective GaAs growth within dielectric-mask openings at these small size-scales is also demonstrated. The uniformity of the dots within each array ranged from 6% for the larger dots to 16% for the smallest dots (normalized standard deviations of the areas of individual dots within each array).
Artificial Reestablishment of Lichens. II. Secondary Products of Resynthesized Cladonia Cristatella and Lecanora Chrysoleuca

SUMMARY Successful resyntheses of the Cladonia cristatella mycobiont with its normal phycobiont and with Trebouxia isolates from 12 other species of lichens all produced the characteristic depside barbatic acid as the major secondary product. Many also produced the dibenzofuran didymic acid, but none yielded detectable amounts of the cortical pigment usnic acid. No characteristic lichen products were found in cultures of the C. cristatella mycobiont either alone, under a variety of cultural conditions, or mixed with Pseudotrebouxia phycobionts under the same conditions that led to successful resyntheses with Trebouxia phycobionts. Well-developed soredia from successful resyntheses of the Lecanora chrysoleuca mycobiont with Pseudotrebouxia phycobionts showed traces of usnic acid. The production of characteristic lichen products is affected primarily by the establishment of a successful symbiosis and secondarily by as yet poorly defined environmental factors. The formation of many characteristic lichen
A Character Analysis of a Solitary Bee, Hoplitis Albifrons (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)

In the older systematic works it was often indicated that many of the taxonomic characteristics used in the separation of species and subspecies could" bq of no adaptational or selective value. Recently various authors have shown that certain such characters are of selective value. The case presented here is another instance of characters, in this case hair color, which had been used in the taxonomic work on the group and which appear to be correlated with factors having selectional significan-ce. A character analysis of Hoplitis albifrons (Kirby) is of interest because of the wide range of variation of this species and because this is the best studied representative of a large group of species of bees (most of the others in the genus Osmia) which exhibit parallel geographic variation. The total number of specimens studied was 848, a low figure considering the wide range of the species but nevertheless sufficient to outline the variation. Hopltis albifrons is a bee which l'acks ,a worker caste, having only sexually functional males and females. As the sexes can be collected in approximately the same numbers, it is assumed that the number of males produced approximately equals the number of females. There is but one generation a year, the adults flying in late spring and summer (May to August in various parts of the range). The adults collect nectar and pollen from a wide variety Qf flowers. The nesting habits are little known, but from analogy with the most nearly related species it is presumed that the nests occur in tubular holes in stumps, logs, and woody stems and that the cells are made by placing partitions of masticated leaf material in these holes. One egg is laid in each cell on a mass of pollen and honey large enough to provide food for. the entire larval development. After hatching from the egg the larva grows rapidly, attaining full size within a few weeks, then passes the fall and winter as a quiescent mature larva or prepupa. Pupation takes place in the spring, and after the brief pupal period adults emerge. This species is systematically rather isolated, being the only member of its subgenus (Monumetha). It is most closely related to certain other North American forms. The genus Hoplitis to which it belongs occurs in the Holarctic and Ethiopian areas, containing about 24 North American species and a considerably larger number of species in Eurasia and Africa.
Optimizing Thermoelectric Efficiency in La3−xTe4 via Yb Substitution

A low temperature, solid state synthesis technique has enabled the production of homogeneous samples of La3−x−yYbyTe4. This allows the substitution of divalent Yb to be utilized to optimize the thermoelectric performance in lanthanum telluride. The addition of Yb2+ changes the electrical transport properties in a manner that can be well understood using valence counting rules and a corresponding change in the Fermi energy. The substitution of Yb2+ for La3+ results in a threefold finer control over the carrier density n, thus allowing the optimum n ∼ 0.3 × 1021 cm−3 to be both predicted and prepared. The net result is an improvement in thermoelectric efficiency, with zT reaching ∼1.2 at 1273 K.
Literary Form and Civilization

Epic, lyric, and drama have perennially figured as the fundamental genres of literature. Since each can be characterized in terms of a distinctive form of speech, of which wordsmiths can always avail, literary art seems inveterately to have them all at its disposal, whatever be the worldview seeking expression.
Research on the Multi-metaphor Product Design Method

According to the similarity matching characteristics,the metaphor can be refined to styling metaphor,function metaphor and context metaphor.Following the design features extracting,features similarity judgment, features relationship structure matching,semantics building and product creative design,it discussed the product multi-metaphor coding method.Finally,as a example, "Fulu-light" design is used to explore the main features and coding process of multi-metaphor coding method.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the medically compromised patient.

A review of the physiologic effects and potential risks—and how to reduce and manage them—of administering electroconvulsive therapy to patients with cardiovascular and cerebral disorders is presented.
MO-DE-207A-09: Low-Dose CT Image Reconstruction Via Learning From Different Patient Normal-Dose Images

Purpose: To investigate a novel low-dose CT (LdCT) image reconstruction strategy for lung CT imaging in radiation therapy. Methods: The proposed approach consists of four steps: (1) use the traditional filtered back-projection (FBP) method to reconstruct the LdCT image; (2) calculate structure similarity (SSIM) index between the FBP-reconstructed LdCT image and a set of normal-dose CT (NdCT) images, and select the NdCT image with the highest SSIM as the learning source; (3) segment the NdCT source image into lung and outside tissue regions via simple thresholding, and adopt multiple linear regression to learn high-order Markov random field (MRF) pattern for each tissue region in the NdCT source image; (4) segment the FBP-reconstructed LdCT image into lung and outside regions as well, and apply the learnt MRF prior in each tissue region for statistical iterative reconstruction of the LdCT image following the penalized weighted least squares (PWLS) framework. Quantitative evaluation of the reconstructed images was based on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), local binary pattern (LBP) and histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) metrics. Results: It was observed that lung and outside tissue regions have different MRF patterns predicted from the NdCT. Visual inspection showed that our method obviously outperformed the traditional FBP method. Comparing with the region-smoothing PWLS method, our method has, in average, 13% increase in SNR, 15% decrease in LBP difference, and 12% decrease in HOG difference from reference standard for all regions of interest, which indicated the superior performance of the proposed method in terms of image resolution and texture preservation. Conclusion: We proposed a novel LdCT image reconstruction method by learning similar image characteristics from a set of NdCT images, and the to-be-learnt NdCT image does not need to be scans from the same subject. This approach is particularly important for enhancing image quality in radiation therapy.
Parkinsonian monkeys with prior levodopa-induced dyskinesias followed by fetal dopamine precursor grafts do not display graft-induced dyskinesias.

Clinical trials testing the hypothesis that fetal dopamine grafts would provide antiparkinsonian benefit in patients who had already developed side-effects from their long-terms use of L-dopa revealed, in some cases, the presence of dyskinesias even in the absence of L-dopa. The form, intensity, and frequency of these dyskinesias were quite variable, but their manifestation slowed down the clinical development of cell replacement therapies. Rodent models of graft-induced dyskinesias (GIDs) have been proposed, however their accuracy in modeling GIDs has been questioned since they usually require amphetamine for their presentation. The present study attempted to model GIDs in parkinsonian monkeys and for the first time, to test the effect of grafts on previously dyskinetic monkeys. Towards this end, monkeys were rendered parkinsonian with n-methyl-4-phenyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and dyskinetic with levodopa. They then received intraputamenal grafts of fetal dopaminergic cells, control cerebellar cells, or vehicle bilaterally and were studied for 18 months. Dopaminergic cells were grafted in a manner designed to produce either “hot-spot” or “wide-spread” striatal innervation. While levodopa-induced dyskinesias could be elicited post-operatively, GIDs were never observed in any animal at any time after grafting. Grafted monkeys were also challenged with levodopa, but did not show any greater responses to these challenges than before grafting. These studies support the development of future dopamine neuron cell transplantation therapy based approaches, indicating that in relevant primate models using appropriate cell preparation methodology, with successful graft survival and putamenal dopamine innervation, there is no evidence of graft-induced dyskinesias. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Development of a Focusing DIRC Detector for Particle Identification

We have constructed a prototype Direct Ring Imaging ˘ Cerenkov (DIRC) detector in our optics lab to study its performance for identifying pions and kaons. This type of detector will be used for the Belle II experiment now under construction at the KEK laboratory in Japan. To test our prototype, we have constructed a cosmic ray telescope (CRT) that is able to trigger on and reconstruct cosmic ray tracks. We require that the tracks traverse the DIRC detector and study the resulting detector response.
Bison Remains from ∼14,000 14C yr BP at the Wenas Creek Mammoth Site in Washington State

Bison remains from the Wenas Creek Mammoth site in central Washington state consist of 21 elements, comprising a near-complete left hindlimb and partial lumbar-sacral vertebral column. The remains are dated ∼14,000 14C yr BP, a time with a noted paucity of bison specimens in the paleontological record of the region. Intermingled with mammoth remains in a mixed bonebed, the specimens show broad similarities to Bison antiquus at Rancho La Brea.
A multimodal analysis of storyline in ‘The Chinese Professor’ political advertisement: narrative construction and positioning in economic hard times:

This article analyzes a political advertisement known as ‘The Chinese Professor’ and related artifacts from popular culture and news media. This advertisement aired in the midst of the worst econom...
Mapping Citizen and Participatory Journalism

Citizen and participatory journalism occupy key positions in today’s news media environment, having become expected, regularized components of breaking and other forms of news as well as the topics...
Embankment Failures during the Historic October 2015 Flood in South Carolina: Case Study

AbstractThe collection of time-sensitive data on real-life embankment failures and their analysis are essential steps to model breach processes and the consequential flood, which are of great impor...
Principals' quality assurance techniques for enhancing secondary school quality education in the 21st century

The aim of secondary school education encompasses the acquisition of knowledge and skills producing graduates prepared for higher education and become valuable members who will help in the growth and development of the nation in all ramifications. Despite this laudable aim, the products of secondary schools are turned out half-baked becoming liability than assets due to poor standards resulting from the defective educational system. Hence, this aim would be achieved through employing principals' quality assurance techniques in secondary schools. Hence, this paper discussed principals' quality assurance techniques for enhancing secondary school quality education in the 21st century in Delta State, Nigeria. The paper will create awareness of quality assurance techniques to the principals who occupy a vital position and play a central role in the delivery of secondary school curriculum to ensure quality education. This paper identified and discussed the concepts of quality and quality assurance highlighting its functions in bringing about quality education in our secondary schools. It also highlighted the quality assurance techniques employed by principals for achieving quality education in secondary schools. This paper concluded that for principals' quality assurance techniques to be effective for the attainment of educational objectives there should be collaboration with education stakeholders and parents. It also made some useful recommendations to include adequate funding, provision of personnel, instructional and infrastructural facilities by government to enhance quality education in secondary schools.
Early-Life Detection of Hypertension Risks: Implications for Clinical Practice and Research.

See related article, pp 531–536 The increased risks of stroke, cardiovascular disease, and end-stage renal disease associated with hypertension are well recognized.1 The early detection of elevated blood pressure levels and disease is key to the prevention and management interventions with a preference for assessment before microvascular or macrovascular damage has occurred.2 Although the effect of a single indicator of high blood pressure is associated with higher disease risks, the assessment of blood pressure trajectories provides a valuable nuance in the understanding of the associations between blood pressure and hypertension-related outcomes, such as stroke.3 Cohort studies have suggested a correlation of blood pressure levels in childhood with those in adulthood.4 However, there is considerable variability in the trajectories of childhood blood pressures associated with high blood pressure in adults with the tracking dependent on factors such as body mass index during childhood and adulthood. …
Empowering human cardiac progenitor cells by P2Y14 nucleotide receptor overexpression.

Key points Autologous cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) therapy is a promising approach for treatment of heart failure (HF). There is an unmet need to identify inherent deficits in aged/diseased human CPCs (hCPCs) derived from HF patients in the attempts to augment their regenerative capacity prior to use in the clinical setting. Here we report significant functional correlations between phenotypic properties of hCPCs isolated from cardiac biopsies of HF patients, clinical parameters of patients and expression of the P2Y14 purinergic receptor (P2Y14 R), a crucial detector for extracellular UDP-sugars released during injury/stress. P2Y14 R is downregulated in hCPCs derived from HF patients with lower ejection fraction or diagnosed with diabetes. Augmenting P2Y14 R expression levels in aged/diseased hCPCs antagonizes senescence and improves functional responses. This study introduces purinergic signalling modulation as a potential strategy to rejuvenate and improve phenotypic characteristics of aged/functionally compromised hCPCs prior to transplantation in HF patients. Abstract Autologous cardiac progenitor cell therapy is a promising alternative approach to current inefficient therapies for heart failure (HF). However, ex vivo expansion and pharmacological/genetic modification of human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) are necessary interventions to rejuvenate aged/diseased cells and improve their regenerative capacities. This study was designed to assess the potential of improving hCPC functional capacity by targeting the P2Y14 purinergic receptor (P2Y14 R), which has been previously reported to induce regenerative and anti-senescence responses in a variety of experimental models. c-Kit+ hCPCs were isolated from cardiac biopsies of multiple HF patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation surgery. Significant correlations existed between the expression of P2Y14 R in hCPCs and clinical parameters of HF patients. P2Y14 R was downregulated in hCPCs derived from patients with a relatively lower ejection fraction and patients diagnosed with diabetes. hCPC lines with lower P2Y14 R expression did not respond to P2Y14 R agonist UDP-glucose (UDP-Glu) while hCPCs with higher P2Y14 R expression showed enhanced proliferation in response to UDP-Glu stimulation. Mechanistically, UDP-Glu stimulation enhanced the activation of canonical growth signalling pathways ERK1/2 and AKT. Restoring P2Y14 R expression levels in functionally compromised hCPCs via lentiviral-mediated overexpression improved proliferation, migration and survival under stress stimuli. Additionally, P2Y14 R overexpression reversed senescence-associated morphology and reduced levels of molecular markers of senescence p16INK4a , p53, p21 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Findings from this study unveil novel biological roles of the UDP-sugar receptor P2Y14 in hCPCs and suggest purinergic signalling modulation as a promising strategy to improve phenotypic properties of functionally impaired hCPCs.
Metabolism of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid contributes to resistance in a common waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) population.

Background Synthetic auxins such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) have been widely used for selective control of broadleaf weeds since the mid-1940s. In 2009, an Amaranthus tuberculatus (common waterhemp) population with 10-fold resistance to 2,4-D was found in Nebraska, USA. The 2,4-D resistance mechanism was examined by conducting [14 C] 2,4-D absorption, translocation and metabolism experiments. Results No differences were found in 2,4-D absorption or translocation between resistant and susceptible A. tuberculatus plants. Resistant plants metabolized [14 C] 2,4-D more rapidly than did susceptible plants. The half-life of [14 C] 2,4-D in susceptible plants was 105 h, compared with 22 h in resistant plants. Pretreatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion inhibited [14 C] 2,4-D metabolism in resistant plants and reduced the 2,4-D dose required for 50% growth inhibition (GR50 ) of resistant plants by 7-fold to 27 g ha-1 , similar to the GR50 for susceptible plants in the absence of malathion. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that rapid 2,4-D metabolism is a contributing factor to resistance in A. tuberculatus, potentially mediated by cytochrome P450. Metabolism-based resistance to 2,4-D could pose a serious challenge for A. tuberculatus control because of the potential for cross-resistance to other herbicides. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Association Between Tetrahydrocannabinol and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Utilizing the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract Objective To further define the relationship between tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), specifically how THC use associates with the frequency of LUTS in young community-dwelling men in the United States. Materials and Methods The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database was queried (2005-2008). Men ages 20-59 who completed the urinary and substance abuse questionnaires were included. The presence of LUTS was defined as having ≥2 of the following: nocturia (≥2), hesitancy, incomplete emptying, or incontinence. THC use was self-reported, and participants were considered regular smokers if they endorsed smoking at least once per month. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between THC and LUTS. Results Among 3,037 men who met inclusion criteria, 14.4% (n = 477) of subjects reported THC use. In multivariable analyses, adjusting for clinical variables, regular THC users remained significantly less likely to report LUTS (odds ratio of 0.55; confidence interval 95% 0.408-0.751, P Conclusion Obesity, diabetes, and multiple comorbidities are well-established risk factors for LUTS within the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Regular THC use, however, appears to be protective from LUTS in young community-dwelling men.
Camptotheca acuminata 10-hydroxycamptothecin O-methyltransferase: an alkaloid biosynthetic enzyme co-opted from flavonoid metabolism.

The medicinal plant Camptotheca acuminata accumulates camptothecin, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, and 10-methoxycamptothecin as its major bioactive monoterpene indole alkaloids. Here, we describe identification and functional characterization of 10-hydroxycamptothecin O-methyltransferase (Ca10OMT), a member of the Diverse subclade of class II OMTs. Ca10OMT is highly active toward both its alkaloid substrate and a wide range of flavonoids in vitro and in this way contrasts with other alkaloid OMTs in the subclade that only utilize alkaloid substrates. Ca10OMT shows a strong preference for the A-ring 7-OH of flavonoids, which is structurally equivalent to the 10-OH of 10-hydroxycamptothecin. The substrates of other alkaloid OMTs in the subclade bear little similarity to flavonoids, but the 3-D positioning of the 7-OH, A- and C-rings of flavonoids is nearly identical to the 10-OH, A- and B-rings of 10-hydroxycamptothecin. This structural similarity likely explains the retention of flavonoid OMT activity by Ca10OMT and also why kaempferol and quercetin aglycones are potent inhibitors of its 10-hydroxycamptothecin activity. The catalytic promiscuity and strong inhibition of Ca10OMT by flavonoid aglycones in vitro prompted us to investigate the potential physiological roles of the enzyme in vivo. Based on its regioselectivity, kinetic parameters and absence of 7-OMT flavonoids in vivo, we conclude that the major and likely only substrate of Ca10OMTin vivo is 10-hydroxycamptothecin. This is likely accomplished by Ca10OMT being kept spatially separated at the tissue levels from potentially inhibitory flavonoid aglycones, and flavonoid aglycones being rapidly glycosylated to non-inhibitory flavonoid glycosides.
Seismology on small planetary bodies by orbital laser Doppler vibrometry

Abstract The interior structure of small planetary bodies holds clues about their origin and evolution, from which we can derive an understanding of the solar system’s formation. High resolution geophysical imaging of small bodies can use either radar waves for dielectric properties, or seismic waves for elastic properties. Radar investigation is efficiently done from orbiters, but conventional seismic investigation requires landed instruments (seismometers, geophones) mechanically coupled to the body. We propose an alternative form of seismic investigation for small bodies using Laser Doppler Vibrometers (LDV). LDVs can sense motion at a distance, without contact with the ground, using coherent laser beams reflected off the body. LDVs can be mounted on orbiters, transforming seismology into a remote sensing investigation, comparable to making visual, thermal or electromagnetic observations from space. Orbital seismometers are advantageous over landed seismometers because they do not require expensive and complex landing operations, do not require mechanical coupling with the ground, are mobile and can provide global coverage, operate from stable and robust orbital platforms that can be made absolutely quiet from vibrations, and do not have sensitive mechanical components. Dense global coverage enables wavefield imaging of small body interiors using high resolution terrestrial exploration seismology techniques. Migration identifies and positions the interior reflectors by time reversal. Tomography constrains the elastic properties in-between the interfaces. These techniques benefit from dense data acquired by LDV systems at the surface, and from knowledge of small body shapes. In both cases, a complex body shape, such as a comet or asteroid, contributes to increased wave-path diversity in its interior, and leads to high (sub-wavelength) imaging resolution.
Lines on the Map: International Boundaries

This chapter discusses how maps were made and used throughout the process of boundary creation, from draft maps made by statesmen in European boardrooms to boundary demarcation in the field, and to final records attached to treaties. It aims to show how different stages tended to promote the creation of different map types, and how these maps can be important for the history of cartography. It draws upon examples from one of the largest and most important accumulations of these maps in the world. Held at The National Archives of the United Kingdom, they document British government involvement in shaping boundaries and in resolving boundary disputes over many centuries, whether as a colonial power, a neutral observer or an independent source of surveying expertise. The maps discussed not only encompassed the British Empire, they also defined neighbouring lands and other past empires. They shaped many of the countries in existence today. They can still hold authority as part of the evidence portfolio in current international boundary discussions.
Phase I Trial of Maintenance Sorafenib after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patients with FLT3-ITD AML

Introduction: The FLT3-ITD mutation is associated with a high relapse rate for patients with AML even after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Sorafenib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor which inhibits the FLT3 tyrosine kinase. Evidence based on FLT3-ligand levels has suggested that the maintenance setting may be the optimal time to administer FLT3 inhibition. Methods: We conducted a phase I trial of maintenance sorafenib after HSCT in patients with FLT3-ITD AML. Patients received a variety of conditioning regimens (12 myeloablative, 10 reduced intensity) and graft sources (19 matched related / unrelated, 1 haploidentical, 1 double umbilical cord blood, 1 mismatched unrelated). All patients were in morphological remission with predominant donor chimerism after HSCT before starting sorafenib. A dose escalation 3+3 cohort design was used to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) with an additional 10 patients treated at the MTD. Sorafenib was initiated between days 45 and 120 after HSCT and given continuously for twelve 28-day cycles. The DLT period was the first cycle of treatment. Results: Twenty-two patients with FLT3-ITD AML were enrolled (status at HSCT: CR1=16, CR2=3, refractory=3). The MTD was established at 400 mg BID with one DLT observed (pericardial effusion) which was later deemed unrelated to sorafenib. Two patients died of transplant-related causes and neither was deemed related to sorafenib (idiopathic pneumonia syndrome, cirrhosis from iron overload). Two patients stopped sorafenib after relapse and 5 stopped sorafenib due to attributable toxicities after the DLT period. The most common toxicities observed were skin and GI with dose reductions and interruptions common. There were no significant flares of acute GVHD observed after starting sorafenib and 1-year cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 42% (90% CI, 23%, 60%). Effective inhibition of FLT3 as measured by a plasma inhibitory assay was observed at all doses employed. Serial levels of FLT3 ligand were measure in 7 patients. Median level at baseline and prior to any sorafenib administration was 125 pg/ml (range 40-323) and this significantly increased to a median level of 254 pg/ml (range 80-500) (p = 0.016) measured on day 29 of cycle 1. The median follow-up for survivors is 14.5 months (range, 6.6-34.0) after HSCT. One-year progression-free survival is 84% (90% CI, 63%-94%) and one-year overall survival is 95% (90% CI, 79%-99%) (Figure 1). Only one patient who underwent HSCT in CR (n=19) has relapsed. Conclusion: Sorafenib is safe to give as maintenance therapy after HSCT for patients with FLT3-ITD AML and may reduce the rate of relapse. Maintenance sorafenib or other FLT3 inhibitors after HSCT merits further investigation. Disclosures Chen: Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Other, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Sorafenib as maintenance therapy for FLT3-ITD AML.
Winning in a “lose-lose” environment of economic development: housing, community empowerment, and neighborhood redevelopment in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC

Economic development is often billed as the basis and justification for neighborhood revitalization in low-income communities, bringing with it new jobs, amenities, and residents. Best practices in...
Acute Pancreatitis in Celiac Disease: Has the Inpatient Prevalence Changed and Is It Associated With Worse Outcomes?

OBJECTIVES Studies suggest that adults diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) are at higher risk of developing acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between CD and AP in terms of inpatient prevalence, mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization in the past decade. METHODS Retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007-2016). The primary outcome was the occurrence of AP in CD patients. Secondary outcomes were the trend in AP cases in CD patients, and mortality, morbidity, length of stay, and total hospital charges and costs. RESULTS Of 337,201 CD patients identified, 7372 also had AP. The mean age was 53 years, 71% were women. The inpatient prevalence of AP in CD was 2.2% versus 1.2% in non-CD cohort (P < 0.01). Patients with CD displayed increased odds of having AP (adjusted odds ratio, 1.92; P < 0.01). Patients with AP and CD displayed lower odds of morbidity and mortality than non-CD patients with AP. CONCLUSIONS The inpatient prevalence of AP is higher in CD patients, and increased from 2007 to 2016. Patients with CD and AP displayed lower morbidity and mortality, which may suggest that they have a less severe form of AP or lower baseline comorbidity.
A Tribute to Frederic L. Kirgis

Contribution to a law review article celebrating the work and influence of Frederic L. Kirgis
The geroscience agenda: What does stress have to do with it?

Abstract Geroscience offers a counterpoint to the challenged pursuit of curing diseases of aging by focusing on slowing the biological aging process for extended healthspan earlier in life. Remarkable progress has led this field toward animal trials and the next challenge lies with translation to humans. There is an emerging number of small human trials that can take advantage of new models integrating behavioral and social factors. Understanding dynamic aging mechanisms, given the powerful social determinants of aging (Crimmins, 2019) and human variability and environmental contexts (Moffitt, 2019), will be critical. Behavioral and social factors are intrinsic to aging. Toxic stressors broadly defined can lead to stress-acceleration of aging, either directly impacting aging processes or by shaping poor behavioral health, and underlie the socioeconomic disparities of aging. In contrast, hormetic stressors, acute intermittent stressors of moderate intensity, can produce stress resilience, the ability for quick recovery and possibly rejuvenation of cells and tissues. Although health research usually examines static biomarkers, aging is reflected in ability to recover from challenges pointing to new interventions and targets for examining mechanisms. A fuller model incorporating stress resilience provides innovative biobehavioral interventions, both for bolstering response to challenges, such as COVID-19, and for improving healthspan.
CO2-selective membranes containing amino acid salts for CO2/N2 separation

Abstract In this paper, facilitated transport membranes comprising polyvinylamine (PVAm) as fixed carrier and different amino acid salts (AAS) as mobile carriers were synthesized for post-combustion capture. The AAS carriers were prepared by deprotonating alanine (Ala), lysine (Lys), and proline (Pro) with 2-(1-piperazinyl)ethylamine (PZEA). CO2 separation performances of the membranes with these AAS carriers were compared, and the AAS effectiveness to facilitate transport of CO2 was in the order of PZEA-Pro > PZEA-Lys > PZEA-Ala. The membrane comprising 35 wt% PVAm and 65 wt% PZEA-Pro at 57 °C rendered a promising CO2 permeance of 936 GPU and a CO2/N2 mixed gas selectivity of 193. When the PVAm was reduced to 15 wt%, i.e., its 20 wt% was replaced by the mobile carrier of PZEA-Sar (sarcosinate), the permeance further improved to 947 GPU with a remarkable CO2/N2 selectivity of 210. Moreover, thermal gravimetric analysis showed a good thermal stability of the membrane, and membrane stability testing also gave stable transport performance. Furthermore, spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis exhibited a uniform membrane selective layer and an excellent agreement on the membrane thickness of ca. 170 nm measured independently by SEM. In addition, the membranes presented in this paper surpassed both the Robeson upper bound and the modified upper bound, indicating a great potential for CO2 capture.
Fibrin airway cast obstruction: Experience, classification, and treatment guideline from Denver.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plastic bronchitis (PB) is a condition characterized by the formation of thick airway casts leading to acute and often life-threatening airway obstruction. PB occurs mainly in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHO) who have undergone staged surgical palliation (Glenn, Fontan), but can also occur after chemical inhalation, H1N1, severe COVID-19, sickle cell disease, severe asthma, and other diseases. Mortality risk from PB can be up to 40%-60%, and no treatment guideline exist. The objectives herein are to develop a standardized evaluation, classification, and treatment guideline for PB patients presenting with tracheobronchial casts, based on our experience with PB at the Children's Hospital of Colorado in Denver. METHODS: We describe 11 patients with CHO-associated PB (post-Fontan [n = 9], pre-Fontan [n = 2]) who presented with their initial episodes. We utilized histopathological analysis of tracheobronchial casts to guide treatment in these patients, utilizing our hospital-wide guideline document and classification system. RESULTS: We found that 100% of post-Fontan PB patients had fibrinous airway casts, while pre-Fontan PB casts were fibrinous only in one of two patients (50%). Utilizing histopathology as a guide to therapy, PB patients with fibrin airway casts were treated with airway-delivered fibrinolytics and anticoagulants, as well as aggressive airway clearance and other supportive care measures. These therapies resulted in successful cast resolution and improved survival in post-Fontan PB patients. CONCLUSION: We have shown an improved outcome in PB patients whose treatment plan was based on Denver's PB classification schema and standardized treatment guideline based on tracheobronchial cast histopathology.
Parasitism of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) by Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on residential citrus in Texas: Importance of colony size and instar composition

Abstract Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is an invasive citrus pest that colonizes young flush shoots and spreads huanglongbing, a lethal citrus disease. Effects of D. citri colony size (nymphs per shoot) and instar composition on parasitism rates by the nymphal ectoparasitoid, Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), were evaluated on residential citrus in South Texas. From 2016 to 17, D. citri colony sizes and apparent parasitism (T. radiata adult emergence) were monitored monthly on grapefruit, lemon, lime, and orange trees at 12 residential sites. In 2019, size and instar composition of colonies and actual parasitism (mummies and nymphs with parasitoid larvae or eggs) were monitored biweekly on citrus trees at a residential park. Psyllid nymphs were found year-round at these sites with highest densities from late summer to fall and lowest densities in winter. Mean apparent parasitism was independent of citrus species and ranged from 23% in April 2016 to 4% in February 2017. Mean actual parasitism ranged from 1.5% in August to 33.4% in November 2019. Because actual parasitism of 3rd or younger instars was very rare, a ‘host patch’ was defined as the cluster(s) of 4th to 5th instars within a colony infesting a shoot. Based on apparent or actual parasitism, host density was positively related to discovery of D. citri colonies but inversely related to percent parasitism by T. radiata. The inability of T. radiata to achieve high rates of field parasitism under a wide range of host densities could explain, in part, its low impact against D. citri on residential citrus.
Use of Male Coturnix Quail in the Laboratory Development of Avian Chemosterilants

Egg fertility of coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) was measured for 35 to 45 days following single oral doses of six candidate chemosterilants to adult breeding males, adult males whose testes has been regressed by photoperiod manipulation, twelve-day-old male chicks, and six-week-old males with undeveloped testes. Azacosterol, 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol, and mestranol were essentially inactive at 100 or 316 mg/kg in all treatment groups. Breeding adults were sterile for 10 to 25 days after doses of 31.6 mg/kg busulfan, 31.6 mg/kg triethylenemelamine, or 316 mg/kg isopropyl methane sulfonate-all alkylating agents. Adults with regressed testes showed reduced fertility or sterility after treatment with busulfan and triethylenemelamine. These tests indicate that the evaluation of male chemosterilants intended for use on wild avian populations during the period of testicular regression should consist of initial tests on breeding adult quail, followed by tests on adult quail with regressed testes if sterility is noted.
Peripheral Arterial Injuries from Penetrating Trauma

Although the incidence of penetrating trauma varies widely between countries and geographic settings, it still represents a minority of overall trauma volume seen in even the busiest inner-city trauma centers. The majority of traumatic peripheral vascular injuries (50–90 %) are due to penetrating mechanisms, but these remain relatively uncommon injuries in the civilian environment. The relative infrequency of peripheral vascular injuries, particularly at any single center, results in a very limited body of experience in evaluation and management of these injuries among trauma and vascular surgeons. This is particularly concerning given the potential for mortality and devastating morbidity if these injuries are not readily identified and properly managed. Having a well-thought-out and systematic approach that takes into account the vascular injury as well as the associated injuries and other patient factors can go a long way toward making up for a lack of personal experience.