cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zebrafish wnt8 and wnt8b share a common activity but are involved in distinct developmental pathways

The specification of the vertebrate body plan is dependent on numerous signaling molecules, including members of the Wnt family. We have identified two zebrafish wnt8 paralogs related to Xwnt-8B and Xwnt-8, respectively. A RT-PCR assay demonstrated that wnt8 is expressed maternally, with transcripts detected throughout embryogenesis, whereas wnt8b transcripts were first detected during late gastrulation. The wnt8 transcripts at 50% epiboly are spatially restricted to those cells at the blastoderm margin, overlying gsc-expressing cells in the axial hypoblast. During late gastrulation, wnt8 was no longer detected in the marginal cells at the dorsal midline and by mid-segmentation, transcripts were found in the presumptive tail bud. In contrast, wnt8b expression is spatially restricted to prospective neuroepithelium, and later to neural-specific structures. Overexpression of both wnts results in two major phenotypes: radialized embryos and embryos with anterior defects. These phenotypes were preceded by significant changes in the spatial expression patterns of gsc and ntl transcripts, reminiscent of activities of Xwnt-8 in Xenopus, and consistent with a role for wnt8 in the specification or patterning of mesoderm.
On the Bounds of Option Prices and Embedded Risk-Premium Parameters

Theoretical no-arbitrage option prices are not unique in incomplete markets. This complication stems from the unknown risk-premium, which plays an important role in the option valuation problem. This paper establishes restrictions on the risk-premium parameters. The major tools of this research are the newly derived implications of the stochastic dominance theory applied to option valuation. The presented theory provides no-dominance bounds for option prices. Since the bounds depend on the objective probability measure they lack many risk-premium traits embedded into the options. In the framework of stochastic volatility model, for example, the bounds are independent of the volatility risk premium. This sets limits on both the option values and its risk-premium. Empirical evidence supports this view. Namely, incorporation of the no-dominance bounds in the option valuation in the stochastic volatility model allows to reduce the discrepancy between the market and theory prices by around 15% for options with short maturities both in-sample and out-of-sample.
A Central Limit Theorem and a Strong Mixing Condition

This paper presents a central limit theorem for a sequence of dependent random variables X 1 , X 2
External Validation of Early Weight Loss Nomograms for Exclusively Breastfed Newborns.

Abstract Introduction: Nomograms that show hour-by-hour percentiles of weight loss during the birth hospitalization were recently developed to aid clinical care of breastfeeding newborns. The nomograms for breastfed neonates were based on a sample of 108,907 newborns delivered at 14 Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Northern California (United States). The objective of this study was to externally validate the published nomograms for newborn weight loss using data from a geographically distinct population. Materials and Methods: Data were compiled from the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center located in Hershey, PA. For singleton neonates delivered at ≥36 weeks of gestation between January 2013 and September 2014, weights were obtained between 6 hours and 48 hours (vaginal delivery) or 60 hours (cesarean delivery) for neonates who were exclusively breastfeeding. Quantile regression methods appropriate for repeated measures were used to estimate 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of weight lo...
Evaluation of a Photoluminescence Technique for the Detection of Gunshot Residue

More than 170 gunshot residue samples were analyzed by the inorganic luminescence technique to assess various factors affecting the utility of this and similar methods of elemental gunshot residue detection. Indoor firings consistently produced more residue in samples than did outdoor firings. Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of activity after firing on the ability to subsequently detect residue in samples. It was shown that residue can be transferred from hand to hand and can be detected in pockets under suitable conditions. Antimony, when present in the ammunition, was found to be the most useful indicator for the presence of residue, in that nearly all firings resulted in more Sb than was found in any of 45 handblank analyses obtained in these studies. Data obtained with a .32 pistol suggest that Sb normally exceeds environmental levels when residue is collected from the hand following delays up to several hours after firing. However, it will rarely exceed the currently used threshold levels of 0.1 to 0.2 microgram. Therefore, elemental analysis is best suited to screening applications for which threshold levels can be greatly reduced.
Properties of Single-Crystal Silicon Films on Amorphous SiO2 on Single-Crystal Cubic Zirconia Substrates

A new approach to achieving a large-area silicon-on-insulator technology without pre-patterning is described. (100) Si films are first grown epitaxially on (100) yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (YSZ) substrates by the pyrolysis of SiH4. The Si side of the / interface is then oxidized in pyrogenic steam (at 925 °C) or dry oxygen (at 1100°C) to form the structure /amorphous SiO2/ . The oxidation occurs by the rapid diffusion of oxidants through the 0.42 mm thick YSZ substrate; e.g., a 0.3 µm SiO2 layer is obtained in 6 h in steam. The samples are analyzed by Rutherford backscattering and channeling spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, infra-red reflectance, Auger electron spectroscopy and sheet resistance measurements. In addition to forming the preferred Si/SiO2 interface, the back-side oxidation eliminates the most defective part of the Si film.
Stuartnatal 1 + 1® Tablets (Stuart)

Stuartnatal 1 + 1 is a vitamin and mineral supplementation preparation. It contains folic acid to aid in the prevention of megaloblastic anemia.
Designing repeat proteins for biosensors and medical imaging

Advances in protein engineering tools, both computational and experimental, has afforded many new protein structures and functions. Here, we present a snapshot of repeat-protein engineering efforts towards new, versatile, alternative binding scaffolds for use in analytical sensors and as imaging agents. Analytical assays, sensors and imaging agents based on the direct binding of analyte are increasingly important for research and diagnostics in medicine, food safety, and national security.
Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Myoclonus-Dystonia

Eighty-six myoclonus-dystonia (M-D) index patients from the Dutch national referral center underwent clinical and genetic evaluation in a study at University of Amsterdam, and other centers in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Novel Strategies in Hormone Receptor-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer: Overcoming Endocrine Resistance

Resistance to standard endocrine therapies in hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer represents a significant clinical challenge. Different intracellular signaling pathways mediate independent activation of the estrogen receptor (ER), promoting tumor cell proliferation despite anti-hormonal treatment. Recently, the inhibition of cell cycle regulators, CDK4 and CDK6, has demonstrated to significantly enhance the effectiveness of endocrine therapy by overcoming or delaying resistance to estrogen blockade. Strategies such as inhibition of the PI3K/mTOR pathway or epigenetic modulation of ER-related gene expression are closely following the trail of CDK inhibitors. Here, we seek to review the most recent efforts to improve outcomes in these patients, in an attempt to extend endocrine treatment and defer the need for cytotoxic regimens. We also discuss future directions to be considered in the treatment of ER-positive disease, as mechanisms of resistance to these new agents arise.
Active Learning for Smooth Problems.

Recently it was shown that the true sample complexity of active learning is asymptotically better than that for passive learning. In many interesting cases, the improvement has been shown to be exponential [BHW08]; however, there are artificial examples in which the improvement is small. In this paper we provide a basis for a exponential improvements in active learning. We show that exponential improvements arise when the underlying learning problem is “smooth,” i.e., the hypothesis class, the instance space and the distribution can all be described by smooth functions. This provides a unified and simplified analysis for most known examples and significantly extends the class learning problems that are “actively learnable at an exponential rate.”
Revision of Asytesta Pascoe, 1865, with comments on the phylogeny of the Indo-Australian crowned weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae)

The Indo-Australian crowned weevil genus Asytesta Pascoe, 1865 is revised. Forty-one species are recognized, including18 that are new: A. alexandriae, A. alexriedeli, A. allisoni, A. biakana, A. cheesmanae, A. concolora, A. emarginata, A. fayae, A. frontalis, A. gressitti, A. julieae, A. marginalis, A. morobeana, A. sedlaceki, A. thompsoni, A. tuberculata, A. vivienae, and A. woodlarkiana, new species. One subspecies, A. lugubris bidentata Voss is elevated to species status, A. bidentata Voss, new status. Four species are newly synonymized: A. circulifera Lea, 1928 = A. rata Heller, 1910, A. definita Faust, 1898 = A. humeralis Pascoe, 1865, A. granulifera Lea, 1928 = A. aucta Faust, 1898, and A. setipes Lea,1928 = A. lugubris Heller, 1895 new synonyms. Six new species groups are proposed. Lectotypes are designated for 18species. Two species are transferred from Asytesta to other genera: A. maura Pascoe to Microporopterus Lea and A. ypsilon Heller to Meroleptus Faust, new combinations. A checklist and key for all crowned weevil genera, key to speciesgroups and species of Asytesta, adult habitus illustrations, distribution maps, and line drawings of diagnostic charactersare provided.A phylogeny for the genus based on 82 adult morphological characters (187 states) for 41 ingroup taxa is alsopresented. All genera and species of the crowned weevil group as redefined here (including Cyamomistus Heller, Eudyasmus Pascoe, Glochinorhinus Waterhouse, Nothotragopus Zimmerman, Panopides Pascoe, and Zygara Pascoe),were included in the analysis to test the monophyly of Asytesta. Monophyly of Asytesta was supported only with thesynonymy of the monotypic genus Zygara. Accordingly, Zygara is a new junior synonym of Asytesta and Zygara doriae (Kirsch) is returned to its original combination with Asytesta; A. doriae Kirsch resurrected status.
System for small satellite onboard processing

Small satellites (Small Sats) (i.e., satellites weighing less than 100 kg) are attracting interest in the Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC) and commercial market for space-based data collection (e.g., imaging) and communication (e.g., links or relays). In fact, many emerging missions use constellations of many (e.g., greater 100) Small Sats for these purposes. Small Sats can be used for communications, space situational awareness, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Advantages of Small Sats over larger commercial and military satellites include cost and deployment time. The problem addressed by this paper is that of designing a system to enable Small Sats, considering size, weight, and power (SWAP) constraints, to collect mission critical sensor data, and then efficiently process these data and transit the derived decision-relevant information to operators. We call this systems the System for Small Sat Onboard Processing (S3OP). S3OP results show that reducing data to information onboard the Small Sat saves collection costs, downlink transponder bandwidth costs, and time and expense for operators on the ground who are responsible for time critical decisions for their respective missions.
Convergence Analysis of the Multi-Variable Filtered-X LMS Algorithm

Abstract The filtered-X LMS algorithm is one of the most widely used algorithms for the adaptive feedforward control problem for disturbance rejection. It is known that the behavior of a single-input/single-output (SISO) system which uses this algorithm, is equivalent to that of an linear time-invariant (LTI) system, when the disturbance is a single- frequency sinusoid. However, the behavior of a multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) system with non-sinusoidal disturbances is not well understood. In this paper, averaging analysis is used to study the asymptotic behavior of the filtered-X LMS algorithm, considering general stationary disturbances in both SISO and MIMO systems. A certain multi-variable strictly positive real (SPR) condition on the model error is shown to be sufficient for convergence but not sufficient for disturbance attenuation. The practical implications of these conditions are explored in the context of the adaptive active noise cancelling problem.
Rock the Baby, Not the Boat: A Defense of Epidemiology-Based and Values-Based Shared Decision Making at the Margin of Gestational Viability

In his article “Saving or Creating: Which Are We Doing When We Resuscitate Extremely Preterm Infants?” Rieder (2017) challenges an approach to the resuscitation of infants delivered at the margin o...
A mobile device to quantify the forces and angles required to overcome knee arthrofibrosis in the clinic

Knee arthrofibrosis, a condition where scar tissue limits motion of the knee, is encountered after 4–35% of ligament surgeries. It is treated either by manually manipulating the knee to break scar tissue or with further surgery. The work herein sought to design, build and evaluate a means of quantifying the forces and angles required to overcome arthrofibrosis during knee manipulation. Physicians are thought to rely upon several cues including the a) initial resting angle of the upper and lower leg, b) torques and angles at the break point of scar tissue, and c) maximum angle and torque following manipulation. To quantify these cues, the device was built to be mobile and attach to a common knee brace. Fixtures were designed to afford normal physician postures and manual control of torque. The device utilizes load cells, rotary potentiometers, 3D printed parts and integrated circuits. Graphical user interfaces on a mobile phone allow in-the-loop evaluation and a database is used for subsequent, offline analysis. A preliminary clinical study with four participants shows the device can measure maximum torque of 31 Nm, rotational angles of 130 degrees, and combine both measures to differentiate knee stiffness over a range of motion.
Abstract WP84: Thrombolysis is Safe in the Nonagenarians With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: People aged 90 years or older are the fastest growing group in North America. This group was excluded from traditional clinical trials of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (iv ...
Development of a Protease Biosensor Based on a Dimerization-Dependent Red Fluorescent Protein.

Dysregulated activity of the protease matriptase is a key contributor to aggressive tumor growth, cancer metastasis, and osteoarthritis. Methods for the detection and quantification of matriptase activity and inhibition would be useful tools. To address this need, we developed a matriptase-sensitive protein biosensor based on a dimerization-dependent red fluorescent protein (ddRFP) reporter system. In this platform, two adjoining protein domains, connected by a protease-labile linker, produce fluorescence when assembled and are nonfluorescent when the linker is cleaved by matriptase. A panel of ddRFP-based matriptase biosensor designs was created that contained different linker lengths between the protein domains. These constructs were characterized for linker-specific cleavage, matriptase activity, and matriptase selectivity; a biosensor containing a RSKLRVGGH linker (termed B4) was expressed at high yields and displayed both high catalytic efficiency and matriptase specificity. This biosensor detects ma...
Analytic ground state wave functions of mean-field p x + i p y superconductors with vortices and boundaries

We study Read and Green's mean-field model of the spinless ${p}_{x}+i{p}_{y}$ superconductor [N. Read and D. Green, Phys. Rev. B 61, 10267 (2000)] at a special set of parameters where we find the analytic expressions for the topologically degenerate ground states and the Majorana modes, including in finite systems with edges and in the presence of an arbitrary number of vortices. The wave functions of these ground states are similar (but not always identical) to the Moore-Read Pfaffian states proposed for the $\ensuremath{\nu}=\frac{5}{2}$ fractional quantum Hall system, which are interpreted as the $p$-wave superconducting states of composite fermions. The similarity in the long-wavelength universal properties is expected from previous work, but at the special point studied herein the wave functions are exact even for short-range, nonuniversal properties. As an application of these results, we show how to obtain the non-Abelian statistics of the vortex Majorana modes by explicitly calculating the analytic continuation of the ground state wave functions when vortices are adiabatically exchanged, an approach different from the previous one based on universal arguments. Our results are also useful for constructing particle-number-conserving (and interacting) Hamiltonians with exact projected mean-field states.
The Challenges of Tobacco Control in Romania - Policy Review

This article investigates elements of tobacco control issues in Romania. Using European Union requirements for tobacco control legislation as a backdrop, it examines the key issues of smuggling, taxation, and unemployment in a transitional economy. Romania has made some progress by adding text and pictorial warnings to cigarette packages and offering comprehensive help to quit smoking. Using empirical examples, it is argued that more progress in tobacco control is needed in the area of increased taxation, enforcement of non-smoking bans, and new legislation requiring advertising bans at point of sale, kiosks, and billboards. This article draws wider public attention to the problems that smuggling and taxation present for tobacco control, helps identify other countries confronting similar issues, and stimulates effective interventions.
Structure-property relationships of microporous membranes produced by biaxial orientation of compatibilized PP/Nylon 6 blends

Abstract Microporous membranes were produced from biaxial orientation of polymer blends comprising polypropylene (PP), polyamide 6 (Nylon 6), and polypropylene grafted maleic anhydride (PPgMA). During biaxial orientation, the continuous PP domains cavitated while the dispersed Nylon 6 domains remained rigid and spherical. The effect of blend composition on cavitation was analyzed and a ternary diagram generated to identify the composition range for through-pore formation. The effects of draw ratio and initial film thickness on membrane properties were also studied. The membranes were found to have adjustable porosity up to 62% with nanoscale size pores. The filtration performance was evaluated on such membranes with varied thickness. The membranes showed very high filtration efficiency on separating 50 nm Latex microbeads from water suspensions.
Yellow Vine Syndrome of American Cranberry: a Mechanistic Assessment

American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocapron Ait) is an important agricultural food crop due to its abundant of antioxidants. Yellow vine syndrome of cranberry, interveinal chlorosis moving from older to younger leaves, has been observed in cranberry bogs. The reason for the development of the syndrome is unknown. Our goal is to investigate the mechanisms underlying yellow vine syndrome in cranberry plants and as a result develop a strategy to solve the problem. Recent spectrometric analysis revealed that the yellow vine leaves showed a 22%–24% loss in chlorophyll compared to normal leaves. An in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence analysis indicated that the yellow vine leaves showed substantial loss in the maximum quantum efficiency of PS II. We propose that photoprotection deficiency is a possible mechanism for the formation of yellow vine syndrome in cranberry plants in additional to nutritional imbalance and water stress. Possible limitations and future efforts are sumarized and discussed.
Surgical Considerations in Reoperative Pouch Anal Anastomosis

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis is the preferred surgical technique in patients with ulcerative colitis and in the majority of those with familial ­adenomatous polyposis. The most common complications after ileal pouch anal anastomosis include pelvic sepsis, pouchitis, and bowel obstruction, all of which may lead to pouch failure. Cumulative pouch failure rates range from 2 % at 1 year to 9 % at 10 years. However, a “failed” pouch can be salvaged by reoperative surgery, including a transanal, abdominal, or a combined approach. These salvage procedures are associated with acceptable outcomes, and their indications and associated management decisions are discussed.
La somministrazione post-operatoria di antibiotici

Forse un argomento apparentemente banale come quello della somministrazione post-operatoria di antibiotici non merita un capitolo a parte. Gia nel Cap. 7 si e discusso della somministrazione preoperatoria degli antibiotici e nel Cap. 12 siete stati introdotti al concetto di contaminazione e di infezione ed alle loro implicazioni terapeutiche. Perche non limitarsi, dopo ogni intervento addominale d’urgenza, a somministrare di routine gli antibiotici finche il paziente non “sta bene”? In effetti, e una pratica comune negli ambienti chirurgici di questo paese e di tutto il mondo– dopo l’intervento ai pazienti vengono somministrati antibiotici per molti giorni ed alcuni sono dimessi con la prescrizione di assumeme altri, “tanto per essere sicuri”. Cosa c’e che non va in questo tipo di approccio? Il nostro obiettivo e di convincervi che l’uso indiscriminato di antimicrobici post-operatori e sbagliato e di fornire delle linee guida per poter affrontare questo problema nel modo piu razionale.
Lecture Versus Simulation: Testing the Long-Term Effects

Active learning techniques are being use with increasing frequency in the classroom and more time is being dedicated to designing and implementing them. However, the literature still suffers from a...
Cyclomorphosis inEubosmina longispina in a small North American pond

The cyclomorphosis exhibited by a population ofEubosmina longispina in Bullhead Pond, Rhode Island is documented and compared to that reported for similar species of Bosminidae. Cyclomorphosis inEubosmina longispina involves the same morphological characters that exhibit seasonal changes in related species, but the temporal patterns of these changes are quite distinct. We suggest that the cyclomorphosis exhibited byEubosmina longispina is caused by simultaneous, but very different selective predation by planktivorous copepods and fish.
Metadata accounts: Achieving data and evidence in scientific research:

‘Metadata’ has received a fraction of the attention that ‘data’ has received in sociological studies of scientific research. A neglect of ‘metadata’ reduces the attention on a number of critical as...
Intravitreal Injections Among Medicare Part B Beneficiaries, 2012-2016

Purpose:Intravitreal injection therapy (IVIT) has transformed the management of many chorioretinal diseases. Although these treatments are effective, they can also be expensive. Using the Medicare ...
The Position of Religious Minorities in Indonesia’s Democratic Transition: A Study toward Critical Overview

The problems of democratic transition as a context of this study will be analyzed. Also, violence and political exclusion of the religious minority groups will be explained. At the end of the chapter, the possibility of political will and legal solutions for violence against religious minority groups in Indonesia in the post-1998 era are discussed. It is explained that a comprehensive legal protection scheme would be needed to realize the rights of religious minorities in Indonesia. One of the fundamental purposes of democratization in the post-authoritarian era is thus shown to be the protection of religious minority groups. The chapter will first discuss the problem of democratic changes with a focus on the politics of decentralization and the critical practice of civil democracy, which will all be explored, the two significant changes affecting the position of religious minorities in Indonesia. The chapter will then consider the exclusion of religious minorities and the failure of the ‘democratic’ state to protect their basic citizenship rights. Next, the role of the state and of civil society in the implementation of non-respect of legal protection for religious minority communities will be considered based on the critical overview.
Confronting the Crisis of Comorbid Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol-Related Liver Disease With a Novel Multidisciplinary Clinic

Background Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is prevalent and deadly and increasingly affects younger people and women. No single discipline is adequately equipped to manage its biopsychosocial complexity. Objectives Depict the scope of the ALD problem, provide a narrative review of other integrated care models, share our experience forming and maintaining a multidisciplinary ALD clinic for over a year, and provide recommendations for replication elsewhere. Methods Critical evaluation of clinic implementation and its first year of operation. Results The clinical rationale for multidisciplinary ALD treatment is clear and supported by the literature. Such models are feasible although surprisingly rare and vulnerable to various surmountable challenges. Conclusions Successful ALD clinics must be built by teams with solid personal and professional relationships, supported by institutional leadership, and must use a new kind of multidisciplinary paradigm and training. Consultation-liaison psychiatry is uniquely positioned to lead future efforts in the care and study of ALD.
Higher affinity antibodies elicit more potent ADCC

1172 Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is believed to be a major anti-tumor mechanism of some anti-cancer antibodies. However, the factors that regulate the magnitude of ADCC are incompletely understood. Herein, we describe the relationship between antibody affinity and ADCC. A series of human IgG1 antibodies was created from the anti-HER2/neu C6.5 scFv and its affinity mutants. The scFv affinities range from 10-7 to 10-11 M, and the IgG1 antibodies retain the affinities of the scFv from which they were derived. The apparent affinity (e.g., avidity) of the antibodies ranged from nearly 10-10 M (the lowest affinity variant) to almost 10-11 M (the other variants). The IgG molecules were tested for their ability to elicit ADCC in vitro against three tumor cell lines with differing levels of HER2/neu expression using unactivated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors as the effector cells. There is a clear influence of affinity on ADCC, with higher levels of peak cytotoxicity as apparent affinity approaches 10-11 M, and an affinity-dependent increase in cytotoxicity at lower antibody concentrations and lower effector: target ratios. These antibodies elicit more cytotoxicity against tumor cells expressing high levels of HER2/neu than against cells expressing lower amounts of HER2/neu. These findings justify the examination of high affinity antibodies for ADCC promotion, although the impaired tumor targeting associated with high affinity may be an important confounding factor in the design of unconjugated anti-tumor antibodies.
Vital Role of Ultrasound in the Era of COVID-19: Arriving at the Right Diagnosis Real Time.

Ultrasound has become an integral part for assessment of critically ill patients. It has helped in diagnosing and treating critically ill patients. The added advantage of ultrasonography is that it is a fantastic diagnostic tool that is easily available at the bedside, repeatable, more objective, and has a steep learning curve. It has become fifth vital assessment along with inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. In the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, the disease caused by virus ranges from mild influenza-like illness to severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). Among the patients developing SARI, few require hospitalization and might need intensive care management. As a critical care specialist, we need to keep our antenna up to look for other causes for SARI due to non-COVID etiology as well. This article describes algorithmic approach and vital role of ultrasonography while managing patients with respiratory distress. How to cite this article Havaldar AA. Vital Role of Ultrasound in the Era of COVID-19: Arriving at the Right Diagnosis Real Time. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(7):563-564.
Integrating conceptual and computational managerial accounting topics for student success

The authors introduce conceptual clarity in managerial accounting instruction by defining a uniform framework to help students visualize and connect the managerial accounting topics. A straightforw...
Ungrateful Children and Days of Mourning: Two Wampanoag Interpretations of the “First Thanksgiving” and Colonialism through the Centuries

When Boston entered its pandemic lockdown in early March, it forced the cancellation of the Congregational Library's symposium “1620: New Perspectives on the Pilgrim Legacy.” With the cooperation o...
Autocrine and paracrine interferon signaling as ‘ring vaccination’ and ‘contact tracing’ strategies to suppress virus infection in a host

Abstract The innate immune response, particularly the interferon response, represents a first line of defense against viral infections. The interferon molecules produced from infected cells act through autocrine and paracrine signaling to turn host cells into an antiviral state. Although the molecular mechanisms of IFN signaling have been well characterized, how the interferon response collectively contribute to the regulation of host cells to stop or suppress viral infection during early infection remain unclear. Here, we use mathematical models to delineate the roles of the autocrine and the paracrine signaling, and show that their impacts on viral spread are dependent on how infection proceeds. In particular, we found that when infection is well-mixed, the paracrine signaling is not as effective; in contrast, when infection spreads in a spatial manner, a likely scenario during initial infection in tissue, the paracrine signaling can impede the spread of infection by decreasing the number of susceptible cells close to the site of infection. Furthermore, we argue that the interferon response can be seen as a parallel to population-level epidemic prevention strategies such as contact tracing or ring vaccination. Thus, our results here may have implications for the outbreak control at the population scale more broadly.
Good Wives: Love, Domestic Virtue, and the Austenian Heroine in Swarnakumari Debi’s An Unfinished Song

The article examines how Austenian influences filter through Swarnakumari Debi’s response to nineteenth century Bengali reformism through the heroine, Moni, in her novel An Unfinished Song. I argue...
Abstract 1323: Novel autophagy inhibitor to treat pancreatic cancer

In this study, we develop a novel autophagy inhibitor targeting one of the most aggressive cell populations present in pancreatic tumors, the pancreatic cancer stem cell (CSC). Targeting this population which has the malignant properties of tumorigenesis/tumor recurrence, the ability to differentiate into a heterogenous tumor cell types and can self-renew is a new strategy to alleviate the current dismal 10% five-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Here we characterize an autophagy inhibitor which is a first-in-class nanoparticle comprised of a chloroquine-derived small molecule drug that can self-assemble into a micelle. Due to its favorable pharmacokinetic properties and the CSC reliance on autophagy, our compound is able to selectively target this cell population both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, the compound has shown synergy with the current standard of care chemotherapeutic, gemcitabine, with an 88.9% reduction in tumor volume in the combination of the two drugs compared to gemcitabine treated alone (p Citation Format: Mythili Ramachandran, Zhao Ma, Yuanpei Li. Novel autophagy inhibitor to treat pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 1323.
Wide-Field Magnetic and Thermal Imaging of Electric Currents Using NV − Centers in Nanodiamond Ensembles

Magnetic and thermal microscopy can be performed concurrently to probe physical performance of integrated circuits. We present wide-field imaging of current-induced magnetic and thermal patterns using optically-detected magnetic resonance of NV− centers in nanodiamond ensembles.
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Immunogenicity in Immunosuppressed Individuals.

Individuals on immunosuppressive (IS) therapy have increased mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and delayed viral clearance may lead to new viral variants.1 IS therapy reduces antibody responses following COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination;2-5 however, a comprehensive assessment of vaccine immunogenicity is lacking. Here we show that IS therapy reduced neutralizing, binding, and non-neutralizing antibody functions in addition to CD4 and CD8 T cell IFN-γresponses following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination compared to immunocompetent individuals. Moreover, IS therapy reduced cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. These data suggest that the current COVID-19 mRNA vaccine regimens will likely not provide optimal protection in immunocompromised individuals.
Gene drive that results in addiction to a temperature-sensitive version of an essential gene triggers population collapse in Drosophila.

One strategy for population suppression seeks to use gene drive to spread genes that confer conditional lethality or sterility, providing a way of combining population modification with suppression. Stimuli of potential interest could be introduced by humans, such as an otherwise benign virus or chemical, or occur naturally on a seasonal basis, such as a change in temperature. Cleave and Rescue (ClvR) selfish genetic elements use Cas9 and guide RNAs (gRNAs) to disrupt endogenous versions of an essential gene while also including a Rescue version of the essential gene resistant to disruption. ClvR spreads by creating loss-of-function alleles of the essential gene that select against those lacking it, resulting in populations in which the Rescue provides the only source of essential gene function. As a consequence, if function of the Rescue, a kind of Trojan horse now omnipresent in a population, is condition dependent, so too will be the survival of that population. To test this idea, we created a ClvR in Drosophila in which Rescue activity of an essential gene, dribble, requires splicing of a temperature-sensitive intein (TS-ClvRdbe ). This element spreads to transgene fixation at 23 °C, but when populations now dependent on Ts-ClvRdbe are shifted to 29 °C, death and sterility result in a rapid population crash. These results show that conditional population elimination can be achieved. A similar logic, in which Rescue activity is conditional, could also be used in homing-based drive and to bring about suppression and/or killing of specific individuals in response to other stimuli.
Leveraging Collaborative, Thematic Problem‐Based Learning to Integrate Curricula

This study chronicles learning from faculty who designed and delivered collaborative, problem-based learning courses that anchor a one-year MBA emphasizing sustainability. While cultivating the application of learning across the curriculum, the authors engaged MBA students in solving complex, real-world sustainability challenges using a pedagogical emphasis on nurturing creativity via double-looped learning, meaningful self-directed assessment, and professional development coaching. While such collaborative problem solving offers tangible benefits for all stakeholders, implementing the necessary pedagogy can be challenging. However, the value for students (and faculty) includes improved skills in framing complex problems, first-hand insight into emerging business challenges, increased cross-discipline integration. Moreover, it offers a proving ground for applying emerging theories and analytical tools and models in the decision sciences. In addition, instructors gain new perspectives on their disciplines while exploring innovative avenues for cross-functional research, publication, and the documentation of assurance of learning. For corporate partners, benefits include creative solutions and feasible recommendations for cutting costs, enhancing competitiveness, and applying best practices. We propose directions for integrating curriculum and for gaining institutional support and investment to overcome resistance to changing course content and delivery.
Intermediates and products of synthetic lignin (dehydrogenative polymerizate) degradation by Phlebia tremellosa

Agitated, nitrogen-limited cultures of Phlebia tremellosa caused substantial changes in the distribution of 14C-labelled synthetic lignin (dehydrogenative polymerizate [DHP]) between water-soluble, dioxane-soluble, alkali-soluble, and insoluble fractions before much lignin carbon was metabolized to CO2. First, the insoluble form increased at the expense of the dioxane-soluble form. Later, the amounts of alkali-soluble and water-soluble 14C increased, and release of 14CO2 began. The molecular weight distribution of the dioxane-soluble lignin remained constant during degradation, but that of the water-soluble fraction changed to higher molecular weights. Culture agitation accelerated the attachment of suspended DHP to the mycelia and stimulated production of water-soluble 14C and 14CO2. The nonionic detergent Tween 80 also hastened release of 14CO2 and increased the early conversion of dioxane-soluble DHP to the alkali-soluble and insoluble forms. Oxidative polymerization is suggested as the first step in degradation of DHP by P. tremellosa.
Informar, conmover, culpar : retórica para reyes en la Brevísima relación del padre Las Casas

This article explores the conflict between the rhetorical and historical nature of the Brevisima relacion, taking into account the differences found between the three textual layers (1542, 1546, 1552) that constitute the version we now know as one homogeneous text. There are profound differences among the layers as they respond to different political needs. Most notably, the role of the Crown grows from simple destinatary of a historical report to become the object of a warning, more threatening because it is made in print, before an ample public: if the rulers continue to ignore their prescribed role as good shepperds, they will be considered tyrants.
Passive all‐sky imaging radar in the HF regime with WWV and the first station of the Long Wavelength Array

[1] We present a new passive, bistatic high-frequency (HF) radar system consisting of the transmitters for the radio station WWV and the dipole antenna array that comprises the first station of the Long Wavelength Array (LWA) or “LWA1.” We demonstrate that these two existing facilities, which are operated for separate purposes, can be used together as a unique HF radar imager, capable of monitoring the entire visible sky. In this paper, we describe in detail the techniques used to develop all-sky radar capability at 10, 15, and 20 MHz. We show that this radar system can be a useful tool for probing ionospheric structure and its effect on over-the-horizon (OTH) geolocation. The LWA1+WWV radar system appears to be especially adept at detecting and characterizing structures associated with sporadic-E. In addition, we also demonstrate how this system may be used for long-distance, OTH mapping of terrain/ocean HF reflectivity. Finally, we discuss the potential improvements in the utility of these applications as more LWA stations are added.
In vitro cartilage degradation by escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus

Effects of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on cartilage and chondrocytes in culture are reported. Under these conditions, bacterial effects on cartilage degradation and cell viability are measured in the absence of inflammation. E coli causes a 28% loss and S aureus an 83% loss of cartilage glycosaminoglycan within 48 hours. Collagen content is unchanged. Both bacterial species induce chondrocyte death in explants and in monolayers within 48 hours. Bacterial effects on glycosaminoglycans and cell viability do not result from depletion of nutrients from the culture medium. Serum in the culture media inhibits the bacterial effects on cartilage degradation but does not prevent cell death.
Does Asia have a unique theory of public administration for all seasons? An exploratory essay

Does Asia have a public administration theory or philosophy for all seasons? This article argues affirmatively, contending that Asia has more than one unique theory or philosophy of public administration. Select theories and models of Asian public administration are presented to make a case concerning several countries in Asia. A conclusion is offered in relation to Western models of public administration and the moral/cultural underpinnings of public administration in Asia.
Basic Concepts Related to Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Susceptibility

Magnetism has been known since ancient times; references to lodestone (leading stone) are found in the Vedas, the most ancient religious scriptures of the Hindus, dating back to about 1000 BC, in the Platonic dialogues of Socrates, and in the ancient literature of the Chinese. Scientific studies of magnetism began with William Gilbert of Colchester (1540–1603); he showed that the earth itself behaves like a magnet, that iron ceases to be attracted while red hot, and that substances such as paper and cloth do not affect the force of attraction between a magnet and iron. The early contributions of John Mitchell (1724–1793), of John Robison (1739–1805), and of Coulomb (1736–1806) helped to establish the well-known Coulomb’s “inverse square” law. Faraday is regarded as the founder of magnetochemistry; he based his investigations on the early researches of Ampere, Oersted, Arago, and Biot. Faraday showed that all matter is magnetic in one sense or the other; that is, that matter is either attracted or repelled by a magnetic field. Today we know that the former category embraces para- and ferromagnetism and the latter corresponds to diamagnetism. Stoner1 has given an excellent historical introduction and many references to early work. Faraday may be also regarded as a founder of biomagnetics or magnetobiology.
Idiopathic cardiomegaly with extreme cardiac enlargement: hypoplastic aorta as primary or secondary factor?

Abstract A case of extreme idiopathic cardiomegaly associated with a hypoplastic aorta is reported. The heart weighed 1,300 gm. The patient's clinical course was characterized by recurrent and protracted Stokes-Adam s syndrome which terminated in sudden death.
Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory, and National Cosmology among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania

Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory, and National Cosmology among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania, Lusa H. Malkki. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. 352 pp.
Quantification of asynchronous displacement of heart borders

An improved model is developed for studying frame-by-frame segmental wall motion based on the centerline method. The method measures motion along perpendiculars to a centerline drawn midway between the end diastolic and end systolic contours. However, when motion is 'asynchronous', wall motion may appear akinetic or dyskinetic, and the perpendiculars defined at the end systole may intersect each other at other time points in the cardiac cycle. A solution is presented that is based on constructing a centerline between two borders representing the locus of maximum motion of each heart. >
Advanced technology for after-develop inspection

This paper describes a methodology for after-develop inspection (ADI) using a broadband DUV/UV/visible brightfield inspector with a unique optical mode. The VIB (Varied Illumination Brightfield) optical mode enables capture of unique killer defects at low nuisance rate on certain 45nm and 32nm ADI layers, significantly improving litho inspection sensitivity. By implementing this inspection, defect engineers were able to detect critical excursions at ADI rather than at later process steps. This shortened process development time and allowed for re-work, significantly reducing wafer cost.
Programming Mechanical Simulations

Abstract : This paper examines the control of complex physical objects in simulation. We introduce a programming paradigm that allows a simulation to be treated as a multi-level constraint solver. The control programmer is given the ability to specify constraints on the controlled response of mechanisms and to conditionally change these constraints dependent on the state of system. The approach facilitates the development of model-based, even-driven control programs. The usefulness of the paradigm is demonstrated through the simulation of a hopping robot.
Attitudes towards involuntary incarceration for tuberculosis: a survey of Union members.

Background Policies involving the use of involuntary incarceration for tuberculosis (TB) are highly ethically controversial. To encourage ethical reflection within the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), the Ethics Advisory Group (EAG) surveyed members regarding their attitudes and values relating to involuntary incarceration for TB. Methods Members of the Union TB section were invited to respond to an anonymous web-based survey. The survey included both multiple choice questions describing a range of scenarios regarding involuntary incarceration, and free-text fields inviting respondents to provide general comments on ethical issues. Results The survey was completed by 194 participants, 33 (17%) of whom were opposed to involuntary incarceration on principle. The age and sex of the respondents was not associated with likelihood of principled opposition; respondents from North America were least likely to be opposed to involuntary incarceration (P = 0.02). Respondents were most likely to consider involuntary incarceration for persons with known multidrug-resistant TB or a history of previous treatment default, and least likely where people lived alone, were university-educated or the main income provider for their families. Conclusion This survey found a wide range of viewpoints regarding involuntary incarceration, and highlights a number of key elements in ethical engagement with the tensions surrounding involuntary incarceration. We provide commentary on approaches to ethical policy making in the light of these findings.
C11orf95–RELA fusion present in a primary supratentorial ependymoma and recurrent sarcoma

Ependymomas are rare glial tumors of the central nervous system that arise from the cells lining the ventricles and central canal within the spinal cord. The distribution of these tumors along the neuroaxis varies by age, most commonly involving the spinal cord in adults and the posterior fossa in children. It is becoming evident that ependymomas of infratentorial, supratentorial, and spinal cord location are genetically distinct which may explain the differences in clinical outcomes. A novel oncogenic fusion involving the C11orf95 and RELA genes was recently described in supratentorial ependymomas that results in constitutive aberrant activation of the nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway. Ependymosarcomas are rare neoplasms in which a malignant mesenchymal component arises within an ependymoma. We here describe a case of a sarcoma developing in a patient previously treated with chemotherapy and radiation whose original ependymoma and recurrent sarcoma were both shown to carry the type 1 C11orf95–RELA fusion transcript indicating a monoclonal origin for both tumors.