cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression and localization of cysteine-rich secretory protein-3 (CRISP-3) in the prepubertal and postpubertal male horse

The seminal plasma protein, cysteine-rich secretory protein-3 (CRISP-3), has been correlated with increased fertility and first-cycle conception rates, and has been suggested to be involved in the modulation of polymorphonuclear neutrophil and phagocytosis of spermatozoa during the inflammatory response to breeding in the horse. Previous research demonstrated that equine CRISP-3 is located in both the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. However, this was done with nonquantitative laboratory techniques. In humans and rodents, CRISP-3 has been described as an androgen-dependent protein, but the effect of androgens on the expression of CRISP-3 has not been investigated in the horse. The objectives of this study were to (a) confirm and quantify the expression of CRISP-3 in the male equine reproductive tract, (b) describe the localization of CRISP-3 within the specific tissues which express it, and (c) determine if expression of CRISP-3 increases after puberty. We hypothesized that expression of CRISP-3 would be expressed in both the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles, and expression would increase after puberty. Tissues were collected postmortem from three prepubertal colts ( 3 years). Tissue samples were collected from the ampulla of vas deferens, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral gland, prostate gland, testis, as well as the cauda, corpus, and caput aspects of the epididymis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed using an equine-specific CRISP-3 designed primer and monocolonal antibody. A mixed linear additive model was used to compare mRNA expression between age groups, and significance was set to P < 0.05. There was a significant interaction between maturity and tissue type (P < 0.0001). Expression of CRISP-3 mRNA was found primarily in the ampulla of vas deferens with lesser expression in the seminal vesicles. Expression of CRISP-3 was higher in the postpubertal stallion when compared with the prepubertal colt for the ampulla (P < 0.0001) and seminal vesicles (P = 0.0013). IHC showed that equine CRISP-3 is primarily located in the glandular aspects of both the ampulla of vas deferens and the seminal vesicles, with staining concentrated in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells that surrounded the glands of the mucosa. CRISP-3 was only observed in the postpubertal male horse suggesting that puberty plays a role in the activation of equine CRISP-3 expression.
Modeling Carbon Dioxide Vibrational Frequencies in Ionic Liquids: II. Spectroscopic Map

The primary challenge for connecting molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to linear and two-dimensional infrared measurements is the calculation of the vibrational frequency for the chromophore of interest. Computing the vibrational frequency at each time step of the simulation with a quantum mechanical method like density functional theory (DFT) is generally prohibitively expensive. One approach to circumnavigate this problem is the use of spectroscopic maps. Spectroscopic maps are empirical relationships that correlate the frequency of interest to properties of the surrounding solvent that are readily accessible in the MD simulation. Here, we develop a spectroscopic map for the asymmetric stretch of CO2 in the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4C1im][PF6]) ionic liquid (IL). DFT is used to compute the vibrational frequency of 500 statistically independent CO2-[C4C1im][PF6] clusters extracted from an MD simulation. When the map was tested on 500 different CO2-[C4C1im][PF6] clusters, the c...
Duplex Examination of the Hemodialysis Access

Sequential measurements and documenting abnormal trends in flow rates or velocities over time may be helpful in identifying those access sites that should be considered for intervention. The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) clinical practice guidelines recommend “regular clinical monitoring to detect dysfunction” of dialysis access sites and “performing a duplex ultrasound study or contrast imaging study in accesses that display clinical signs of dysfunction or abnormal routine surveillance.” A baseline duplex ultrasound assessment of a new access site prior to first use for dialysis is valuable to verify adequate volume flow and conduit anatomy. With appropriate training, ultrasound screening for access site maturation can be performed as a “point of care” test, with referral to the vascular laboratory for a complete duplex examination when abnormalities are detected. This chapter focuses on duplex examination timing and technique in hemodialysis care.
Outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients with and without atrial fibrillation: a survival meta-analysis

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent occurrence in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It is associated with worsening symptoms, cardiovascular events, and mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies reporting on mortality in patient with HCM and AF. Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Ovid and Cochrane for studies which reported cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with HCM and AF. Outcome was a composite of cardiac mortality and/or all-cause mortality. Mantel Haenszel odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis for the prespecified outcome. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. There were 6,858 patients; 1,314 (19%) had history of AF. During a mean follow up that ranged between 4 and 8 years, 405 (30.8%) patients with AF died as compared to 1,011 (18.2%) patients without AF (OR =2.49, 95% CI: 1.85–3.35, P 2 =57%). Results persisted with inclusion of studies only reporting specifically on cardiac mortality (OR =2.80, 95% CI: 1.79–4.39, P 2 =56%). Also, the mortality difference persisted after exclusion of deaths secondary to stroke in both groups (2 studies, 1,398 patients, OR =2.57, 95% CI: 1.57–4.20, P=0.0002, I 2 =31%). In three studies (5,857 patients); the presence of AF was associated with a pooled HR of 1.66 (95% CI: 1.29–2.13, P 2 =41%). Conclusion: Patients with HCM who develop AF have higher risk of mortality and cardiac deaths as compared to HCM patients without AF.
Driving the hemophilia tolerance CAR.

T-cell immunotherapy against cancer, using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) to specifically target tumor antigens without major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction, is widely viewed as one of the major scientific breakthroughs of recent years.1 In this issue of Blood, Yoon et al demonstrate that this approach can be adapted to redirect specificity of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to coagulation factor VIII (FVIII), thereby suppressing antibody (“inhibitor”) development in replacement therapy for hemophilia A.2
Complex Learning and Memory

This chapter describes complex learning and memory in humans. Learning and memory involve a complex set of processes by which experiences alter the nervous system in ways such that the changes endure and effect subsequent experience and behavior. Memory does not consist simply of responses made during learning. Humans readily learn and perform skills such as language in which responses occur in novel sequence. The memory can be indicated by speaking, dialing, pushing buttons or in other ways, such as writing or simply identifying the sequence of numbers as the correct number. The memory is formed rapidly, is usually transient, but, with rehearsal or repetition, can become long-lasting. This chapter reviews approaches to the neurobiological bases of memory. The chapter discusses the effects of brain lesions on retention and neurobiological correlates of memory.
Machine Vision Microscopy for On-line Sampling, Analysis, and Control

Abstract A microscope/machine-vision system was developed and used as an on-line sensor for Bacillus thuringiensis and other fermentations. The apparatus included an automated sampler/diluter, a microscope/imaging system, an image processing system, and a controller. The system performed real-time image analysis of cell counts, contaminant and solid substrate detection, quantification of inclusion bodies, and spore and crystal protein counts. Using a neural-based classifier, the system has classified vegetative cells and spores with over 90% accuracy.
Developing a Mentorship Program in Laos.

Skills strengthening and capacity building for maternal and newborn health (MNH) providers are essential to ensure quality care for mothers and newborns. There is, however, limited research regarding what constitutes an effective model in low-income countries. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) has some of the region's worst outcomes for neonatal and maternal mortality. Moreover, with a 23-year hiatus in midwifery training, which ended approximately seven years ago, there is a cadre of new and inexperienced midwives in practice without support systems, skills or continuing professional development opportunities. Traditional didactic teaching methodologies prevail in Laos but with little evidence of efficacy. As an alternative model, Save the Children International has been implementing a mentorship approach for MNH providers in two provinces in northern Laos since January 2016, with technical guidance and funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported global Maternal Child Survival Program. This community case study will describe and reflect on the approach by highlighting the need and rationale for mentorship, followed by a description of the program's core components and the results observed so far. Lessons learned and the application of the approach to different contexts and health care professionals, considering both constraints and opportunities, will be discussed.
Extraterritorial dreams: European citizenship, Sephardi Jews, and the Ottoman twentieth century

We do not learn the subject of the haunting and evocative painting on the cover of Sarah Abrevaya Stein’s newest book – a dark watercolour of faceless figures looking out a window and sitting in an...
Freak Pornography and the Cultural Politics of Disabled Sexuality

This chapter bridges the gap between the discussions of “safe” freak sexuality in Push Girls and Murderball in Chap. 4, and the deliberations about the dissemination of the freak show in Chap. 6 by examining explicit depictions of disabled sexuality via disability pornography and the documentary Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan Supermasochist. The chapter finds that the lack of mediation in amateur pornography brings the viewer closer to the freakish body than ever before and that because the viewer is still watching from their computers, tablets, or phones, the spatial and temporal separation that is consistent in the new American freak show is present and accounted for.
High-Resolution Isotropic Three-Dimensional MR Imaging of the Extraforaminal Segments of the Cranial Nerves

High-resolution isotropic 3-dimensional (D) MR imaging with and without contrast is now routinely used for imaging evaluation of cranial nerve anatomy and pathologic conditions. The anatomic details of the extraforaminal segments are well-visualized on these techniques. A wide range of pathologic entities may cause enhancement or displacement of the nerve, which is now visible to an extent not available on standard 2D imaging. This article highlights the anatomy of extraforaminal segments of the cranial nerves and uses select cases to illustrate the utility and power of these sequences, with a focus on constructive interference in steady-state.
Is “Gaytrification” a Real Phenomenon?:

Gentrification is an oft-sought solution to urban blight, and it has been proposed, for various reasons, that the presence of gays and lesbians is associated with an increased probability that an a...
Soil organic matter dynamics in Sanborn Field (North America)

The site of Sanborn Field, when selected in 1888, was an undisturbed area southeast of the campus of the University of Missouri in Columbia. The vegetation on the site was described in early handwritten notes as grass with scattered woody species. The field consists mostly of Mexico silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Udollic Ochraqualfs) grading at the east into Lindley loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalfs). The Mexico soils are somewhat poorly drained, formed in loess over glacial till under tall prairie grasses and the Lindley soils are well-drained, formed in glacial till under hardwood forest. The east series of plots on the field are actually on the boundary between the two soils. The soils of Sanborn Field are in the claypan resources area for which climate has been one of the most influential soil forming factors. The field is 80 m (N→S) × 251 m (E→W), or 2.0 ha in area. The individual plots are 30.6 × 9.5 m in area and are separated by a 1.5 m wide grass border.
Neural networks and mechatronics for detecting carpet pile direction

Determining carpet pile direction is necessary in the manufacture of sample boards and when installing carpet because it is desirable for any shading effects to be homogenous. Depending on the style of the carpet, determining pile direction can be time-consuming and difficult. Two approaches to automating it are developed and tested in order to improve sample board production rates. Significant research has already been performed in the automatic detection of pile lay orientation in carpet and fiber orientation in nonwovens. These methods are insufficient for the present application because they yield the angle of a line parallel to the carpet pile but not the direction along that line in which the pile points. In this work, labeled carpet samples of varying styles are used to train and validate a convolutional neural network (CNN). These samples are also used to test an electromechanical solution. The CNN is shown to provide 100% accuracy when determining pile lay orientation and 93% accuracy when determ...
Skip or Not to Skip: Impact of Empathy and Ad Length on Viewers’ Ad-Skipping Behaviors on the Internet

This exploratory research paper examines how viewers’ empathy toward the spokesperson in a skippable, in-stream advertisement influence their skipping behaviors. Based on the emotional empathy theory (Batson et al. 1997), the current study predicted that the heightened empathy induced by the spokesperson in the ad may make it difficult for viewers to avoid (i.e., skip) the person to whom they empathize in the ad. Further, the longer the exposure to the spokesperson in the ad, the higher the level of empathy with the spokesperson, the better the ad-effectiveness (Escalas and Stern 2003). Results are three-fold. First, viewers’ empathy with spokesperson in the ad mediated the effect of the ad length on skipping likelihood. The longer the ad the higher the empathy, resulting in less likelihood of skipping ad (−.99 < CI < −.01, b = −.50, z = −1.98, p = .04). Second, empathy with spokesperson in the ad did not significantly mediate the effect of the ad length on viewing duration and on the click-through rate. The results provide initial evidence that empathy may be effective in reducing likelihood of viewers’ ad-skipping.
Akute diffuse Glomerulonephritis beim Kaninchen

In 15 von 46 mit virulenten Pneumokokken infizierten Tieren wird 4–48 Stunden nach der Infektion eine Glomerulitis beobachtet. Diese Glomerulitis entspricht in den wesentlichen Kennzeichen der akuten Glomerulonephritis des Menschen bei 9 Kaninchen: sie ist streng diffus, besteht vorwiegend aus einer proliferativen Endothelreaktion, die Zeichen von Zellschadigung fehlen. Anzeichen einer der produktiven Glomerulusveranderung voraufgehenden Durchblutungsstorung der Glomeruli fehlen. Bei 6 Kaninchen findet sich dieselbe Veranderung beschrankt auf wenige Schlingen weniger Glomeruli. Die erhobenen Befunde deuten darauf hin, das die akute diffuse Glomerulonephritis des Kaninchens aufzufassen ist als eine primare Endothelreaktion, die, ausgelost durch direkte Einwirkung auf die Kapillarendothelien, sich in kurzer Zeit uber die Capillaren aller Glomeruli ausbreitet und ihrerseits zu Zustandsanderungen im und spater zu Obliteration des Capillarraumes fuhrt.
Current Thermodynamic Property Availability of Cryogens

The need for reliable tables of scientific data is not new, nor are projects for providing such tabulations of recent origin. However, the demands of expanding technology during the past decade have resulted in organized efforts to satisfy these needs on a world wide basis.
Quantifying the advantages of group process versus individual efforts in problem solving and decision making.

(1988). Quantifying the Advantages of Group Process versus Individual Efforts in Problem Solving and Decision-Making. Health Education: Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 47-48.
Menkes Disease and Other ATP7A Disorders

Abstract Mutation of the copper transporter ATPase ATP7A, located in the trans-Golgi network and encoded by the X chromosome, causes the progressive copper deficiency disorder Menkes disease (MD) (also known as kinky hair disease), in addition to occipital horn syndrome and ATP7A-related distal motor neuropathy. ATP7A mediates intestinal Cu absorption to fulfill tissue requirements and prevents Cu over-accumulation. Regulation of ATP7A also contributes to Cu homeostasis in response to systemic Cu fluctuation. Basal levels of ATP7A are low in heart, spleen, and liver under Cu deficiency and administration of Cu restores normal ATP7A levels. In the intestine, ATP7A is regulated in the opposite manner, with decreases in systemic Cu increasing ATP7A and exogenous Cu increasing ATP7A, regulating Cu export into the circulation. The fundamental abnormality in the disease is thus the maldistribution of copper, which is unavailable as a cofactor of several enzymes including mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase, dopamine beta-hydroxylase, and tyrosinase. Thus the main features of MD include mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction (complex IV deficiency), deficiency of collagen cross-links resulting in hair (pili torti and trichorrhexis nodosa) and vascular abnormalities (elongated cerebral vessels and subdural effusions), neuronal degeneration (markedly affecting Purkinje cells), and deficient melanin production dominate the disease manifestations. Affected neonates present with hypothermia, feeding difficulties, and seizures. The infants are pale and exhibit kinky hair. A variety of minimally symptomatic phenotypes, including ataxia or mental retardation have been recognized.
Mathieu instability of Arctic Spar by nonlinear time-domain simulations

Abstract Arctic Spar typically has a sloped hull surface near the waterline to break ice through bending. However, the rapid variation of its waterplane area by the heave motion may cause unexpected nonlinear behaviors, which can result in instability. In the current study, the heave-to-pitch/roll and heave-to-heave Mathieu instability (MI) of Arctic Spar are investigated by using a nonlinear time-domain simulation program. The time-dependent nonlinear hydrostatic-restoring coefficient (HC) and nonlinear Froude-Krylov (FK) force are considered for the instantaneous wetted body underneath the instantaneous wave elevation. The effects of the two nonlinear terms for the generation of heave-to-pitch and heave-to-heave MI are systematically compared and discussed by employing four different approaches including conventional linear theory. Analytical equations of heave and pitch are also used with Hill's infinite determinants method to determine the boundaries of Mathieu's equation parameters where instability occurs. Through a series of numerical simulations, the occurrences of both heave-to-pitch and heave-to-heave MI have been clearly demonstrated both in regular and irregular waves. The simulated results agree well with the theoretical instability diagram. The importance of the combined effects of nonlinear FK forces and nonlinear HC in triggering pronounced heave-to-heave MI is underscored especially in the case of 100-year storm condition.
Lock-and-Key and Shape-Memory Effects in an Unconventional Synthetic Path to Magnesium Metal-Organic Frameworks

We report a new magnesium metal-organic framework (MOF) (CPM-107) with a special interaction with CO2 . CPM-107 contains Mg2 -acetate chains crosslinked into a 3D net by terephthalate. It has an anionic framework encapsulating ordered extra-framework cations and solvent molecules. The desolvated form is closed and unresponsive to common gasses, such as N2 , H2 , and CH4 . Yet, with CO2 at 195 K, it abruptly opens and turns into a rigid porous form that is irreversible via desorption. Once opened by CO2 , CPM-107 remains in the stable porous state accessible to additional gas types over multiple cycles or CO2 itself at different temperatures. The porous phase can be re-locked to return to the initial closed phase via re-solvation and desolvation. Such peculiar properties of CPM-107 are apparently linked to a convergence of factors related to both framework and extra-framework features. The unusual CO2 effect is currently the only available path to porous CPM-107 which shows efficient C2 H2 /CO2 separation.
Novel Radiomic Features Based on Graph Theory for PET Image Analysis

We proposed a series of new radiomic features for PET image analysis base on graph theory and network analysis. Current PET radiomic features are mostly developed or transferred from CT images analysis which mainly focus on texture information. PET images usually contain functional information with lower resolution. Thus current radiomic features lack interpretability and specificity for PET image quantification. Meanwhile, a large number of texture features have similar definitions which cause severe redundancy for analysis and classification task. We proposed novel radiomic features based on graph theory that can specifically represent PET image characters. Using a set of tools in graph analysis, a new series of PET radiomic features that reveal different attributes of tumor, particularly intratumoral heterogeneity, are extracted. We applied our proposed method to lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis to evaluate performance of new features. Using ANN as classifier, our graph-based features outperformed traditional PET radiomic features. Furthermore, the combination of our features and tradition features can achieve an even better performance. It indicates that our graph-based features reveal significant and unique information of tumor in PET images.
A Histogram-based Outlier Profile for Atomic Structures Derived from Cryo-Electron Microscopy

As more atomic structures are determined from cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) density maps, validation of such structures is an important task. We report findings after analyzing the change of cryo-EM structures in a comparison between those released by December 2016 and those released between 2017 and 2019. The cryo-EM models created from density maps with resolution better than 6 A were divided into six data sets. A histogram-based outlier score (HBOS) was implemented and validation reports were collected from the Protein Data Bank. The results suggest that the overall quality of EM structures released after December 2016 is better than that of structures released before 2017. The conformation qualities of most residue types might have been improved, except for Leucine, Phenylalanine, and Serine in high-resolution datasets (higher than 4 A). We observe that structures solved from 0-4 A resolution density maps have an almost identical HBOS profile as that of 4-6 A resolution density maps.
Comparative analysis of microstructure and reactive sites for nuclear graphite IG-110 and graphite matrix A3

Abstract Nuclear graphite and graphite matrix are both high-purity, fine-grain, graphitized materials designed for use in Fluoride-Salt Cooled High Temperature Reactors (FHRs), High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors (HTGRs), and Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). Their ability to chemisorb radioisotopes (such as tritium) and their chemical stability is dependent upon the density of reactive carbon sites (RCS), which varies among grades of graphite and changes with neutron irradiation. While nuclear graphites have been extensively characterized, much less data is available for graphite matrix. The current study performs a comparative analysis of IG-110 nuclear graphite and A3 graphite matrix, by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman, and H2 uptake at 700 °C with H2 partial pressure range of 300 Pa and 22 kPa. At 10 kPa, the RCS occupied by H2 uptake per number of carbon atoms at the edge of a crystallite, H/Cedge, is 600(300) appm for IG-110 and 2300(200) appm for A3. Prior empirical studies for nuclear graphite establish a linear relationship between H/C and Cedge/C and degree of graphitization. The present study shows that these correlations no longer hold when extrapolating to graphite matrix; the type of defects and the defect density at the crystallite surface are different between IG-110 and A3 due to differences in raw materials and manufacturing method.
Space Curves and Solitons of the KP Hierarchy. I. The l-th Generalized KdV Hierarchy

It is well known that algebro-geometric solutions of the KdV hierarchy are constructed from the Riemann theta functions associated with hyperelliptic curves, and that soliton solutions can be obtained by rational (singular) limits of the corresponding curves. In this paper, we discuss a class of KP solitons in connections with space curves, which are labeled by certain types of numerical semigroups. In particular, we show that some class of the (singular and complex) KP solitons of the $l$-th generalized KdV hierarchy with $l\ge 2$ is related to the rational space curves associated with the numerical semigroup $\langle l,lm+1,\dots, lm+k\rangle$, where $m\ge 1$ and $1\le k\le l-1$. We also calculate the Schur polynomial expansions of the $\tau$-functions for those KP solitons. Moreover, we construct smooth curves by deforming the singular curves associated with the soliton solutions. For these KP solitons, we also construct the space curve from a commutative ring of differential operators in the sense of the well-known Burchnall-Chaundy theory.
Sustained virological response rates with direct-acting antivirals in black subjects with HCV genotype 1 infection: systematic analysis of clinical trials.

Abstract Objectives Under representation of black subjects in trials of hepatitis C virus (HCV) direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) complicates assessment of differential outcomes for black individuals vs non-black individuals. HCV trials submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (2013–2017) to support approval or to expand an indication of 12-week interferon-free DAA regimens with or without ribavirin to treat HCV genotype 1 (GT1) infection were pooled to explore efficacy comparisons by ethnicity. Methods Twenty-six trials were pooled and included 2869 individuals with HCV GT1 alone and 742 individuals with both HCV GT1 and HIV. Results Of the 2869 HCV GT1-mono-infected subjects, 408 (14.2%) were black. Sustained virological response assessed 12 weeks following cessation of treatment (SVR12) was 92%–100% in black individuals and 87.5%–100.0% in non-black individuals. In pooled analyses, SVR12 was numerically similar between black and non-black subjects (97.1% vs 97.3%). Baseline characteristics did not affect SVR12 for the two groups. Of the 742 subjects with both HCV GT1 and HIV, 243 (32.7%) were black: SVR12 was 89.5%–100% in black individuals and 94.4%–100% in non-black individuals. In pooled analyses for HCV GT1/HIV co-infection, black individuals had a 4% (95% confidence interval −7.7% to 0.3%) lower SVR12 than non-black individuals (93.4% vs 97.0%). This difference was driven by ION-4 in which study SVR12 was approximately 10% lower for black than for non-black individuals (89.5% vs 99.1%). Baseline characteristics did not affect SVR12 for the two groups. Conclusion No notable SVR12 differences were seen in between black and non-black individuals with HCV GT1 alone. Although a numerical difference was observed between black and non-black individuals with both HCV GT1 and HIV, this finding was driven by results from a single trial and may be due to reasons other than ethnicity: 19 subgroup analyses showed baseline characteristics did not affect SVR12 for black and non-black individuals with both HCV GT1 and HIV.
Chapter 2.1 – Copper Production

Section 2.1.1 covers the basic thermodynamic and kinetic principles involved in producing copper by high-temperature smelting processes. The section starts with the description of the stability of copper compounds relevant to the pyrometallurgical production of copper from the minerals and how it relates to the development and operation of different production methods. Next, the thermodynamic principles involved in the mattemaking and converting steps of copper smelting, including the behavior of minor elements and their distribution into various phases during these steps. Finally, the rate processes relevant to various subprocesses of copper smelting, such as the oxidation of concentrate and intermediate compounds as well as the volatilization of minor elements during the converting step, are discussed. Section 2.1.2 covers the current technologies used for pyrometallurgical production of copper. The section starts with the description of the mattemaking processes, grouped into suspension smelting and bath smelting, followed by converting processes which are similarly classified into two groups. The Mitsubishi continuous copper smelting process that combines the matte smelting and converting steps into one continuous coupled operation is then discussed. Finally, some observation on the industry trends for copper production is presented. The use and degradation of refractory linings in copper furnaces are discussed in Section 2.1.3. Magnesia-chrome bricks are widely used to line copper furnaces, despite the potential risk for the formation of hexavalent Cr under specific conditions, typically in the presence of alkali or alkaline earth oxides. Which combination of chemical, thermal, and mechanical degradation mechanisms is dominant depends on many factors such as the furnace type, the lining design, including the selection of the refractory type, and the process conditions. This overview concludes with refractory selection and use on the industrial level, including the waste and recycling management of spent refractories.
Predominant phosphorylation patterns in Neisseria meningitidis lipid A determined by top-down MS/MS

Among the virulence factors in Neisseria infections, a major inducer of inflammatory cytokines is the lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The activation of NF-κB via extracellular binding of LOS or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the toll-like receptor 4 and its coreceptor, MD-2, results in production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that initiate adaptive immune responses. LOS can also be absorbed by cells and activate intracellular inflammasomes, causing the release of inflammatory cytokines and pyroptosis. Studies of LOS and LPS have shown that their inflammatory potential is highly dependent on lipid A phosphorylation and acylation, but little is known on the location and pattern of these posttranslational modifications. Herein, we report on the localization of phosphoryl groups on phosphorylated meningococcal lipid A, which has two to three phosphate and zero to two phosphoethanolamine substituents. Intact LOS with symmetrical hexa-acylated and asymmetrical penta-acylated lipid A moieties was subjected to high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry MALDI-TOF MS. LOS molecular ions readily underwent in-source decay to give fragments of the oligosaccharide and lipid A formed by cleavage of the ketosidic linkage, which enabled performing MS/MS (pseudo-MS3). The resulting spectra revealed several patterns of phosphoryl substitution on lipid A, with certain species predominating. The extent of phosphoryl substitution, particularly phosphoethanolaminylation, on the 4′-hydroxyl was greater than that on the 1-hydroxyl. The heretofore unrecognized phosphorylation patterns of lipid A of meningococcal LOS that we detected are likely determinants of both pathogenicity and the ability of the bacteria to evade the innate immune system.
A fiber optoacoustic emitter with controlled ultrasound frequency for cell membrane sonoporation at submillimeter spatial resolution.

Abstract Focused ultrasound has attracted great attention in minimally invasive therapeutic and mechanism studies. Frequency below 1 MHz is identified preferable for high-efficiency bio-modulation. However, the poor spatial confinement of several millimeters and large device diameter of ∼25 mm of typical sub-MHz ultrasound technology suffered from the diffraction limit, severely hindering its further applications. To address it, a fiber-based optoacoustic emitter (FOE) is developed, serving as a miniaturized ultrasound point source, with sub-millimeter confinement, composed of an optical diffusion layer and an expansion layer on an optical fiber. By modifying acoustic damping and light absorption performance, controllable frequencies in the range of 0.083 MHz–5.500 MHz are achieved and further induce cell membrane sonoporation with frequency dependent efficiency. By solving the problem of compromise between sub-MHz frequency and sub-millimeter precision via breaking the diffraction limit, the FOE shows a great potential in region-specific drug delivery, gene transfection and neurostimulation.
Usability, Perceived Usefulness, and Shared Decision-Making Features of the AFib 2gether Mobile App: Protocol for a Single-Arm Intervention Study.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that atrial fibrillation (AF) affects between 2.7 million and 6.1 million people in the United States. Those who have AF tend to have a much higher stroke risk than others. Although most individuals with AF benefit from anticoagulation (AC) therapy, a significant majority are hesitant to start it. To add, providers often struggle in helping patients negotiate the decision to start AC therapy. To assist in the communication between patients and providers regarding preferences and knowledge about AC therapy, different strategies are being used to try and solve this problem. In this research study, we will have patients and providers utilize the AFib 2gether app with hopes that it will create a platform for shared decision making regarding the prevention of stroke in patients with AF receiving AC therapy. Objective: The aim of our study is to measure several outcomes related to encounters between patients and their cardiology providers where AFib 2gether is used. These outcomes include usability and perceived usefulness of the app from the perspective of patients and providers. In addition, we will assess the extent and nature of shared decision making. Methods: Eligible patients and providers will evaluate the AFib 2gether mobile app for usability and perceived usefulness in facilitating shared decision making regarding understanding the patient’s risk of stroke and whether or not to start AC therapy. Both patients and providers will review the app and complete multiple questionnaires about the usability and perceived usefulness of the mobile app in a clinical setting. We will also audio-record a subset of encounters to assess for evidence of shared decision making. Results: Enrollment in the AFib 2gether shared decision-making study is still ongoing for both patients and providers. The first participant enrolled on November 22, 2019. Analysis and publishing of results are expected to be completed in spring 2021. Conclusions: The AFib 2gether app emerged from a desire to increase the ability of patients and providers to engage in shared decision making around understanding the risk of stroke and AC therapy. We anticipate that the AFib 2gether mobile app will facilitate patient discussion with their cardiologist and other providers. Additionally, we hope the study will help us identify barriers that providers face when placing patients on AC therapy. We aim to demonstrate the usability and perceived usefulness of the app with a future goal of testing the value of our approach in a larger sample of patients and providers at multiple medical centers across the country. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04118270; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04118270
The Localization of Phytohormones within the Gall-inducing Insect Eurosta solidaginis (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The phytohormone production hypothesis suggests that organisms, including insects, induce galls by producing and secreting plant growth hormones. Auxins and cytokinins are classes of phytohormones that induce cell growth and cell division, which could contribute to the plant tissue proliferation which constitutes the covering gall. Bacteria, symbiotic with insects, may also play a part in gall induction by insects through the synthesis of phytohormones or other effectors. Past studies have shown that concentrations of cytokinins and auxins in gall-inducing insects are higher than in their host plants. However, these analyses have involved whole-body extractions. Using immunolocalization of cytokinin and auxin, in the gall-inducing stage of Eurosta solidaginis, we found both phytohormones to localize almost exclusively to the salivary glands. Co-localization of phytohormone label with a nucleic acid stain in the salivary glands revealed the absence of Wolbachia sp., the bacterial symbiont of E. solidaginis, which suggests that phytohormone production is symbiont independent. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that phytohormones are synthesized in and secreted from the salivary glands of E. solidaginis into host-plant tissues for the purpose of manipulating the host plant.
Enteric viruses seize their immunomodulatory niche

Enteric eukaryotic viruses are increasingly recognized as non-pathogenic, immunomodulatory participants in the healthy intestinal microbiota. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Dallari et al. (2021) use a single virus infection approach to reveal both generalized viral immune responses and numerous unique, virus-specific response profiles.
Shining a Light on the Challenging Behaviors of Adolescents with Comorbid Diagnoses: Use of Pictorial Concurrent Operant Preference Assessment

Currently, there are no published studies that have used the concurrent operant preference assessment procedure to identify functions of challenging behaviors displayed by individuals with comorbid diagnoses. Four participants (aged 11–16 years) with comorbid diagnoses who displayed multiple challenging behaviors were referred to this study. We modified the standard concurrent operant preference assessment and used the new modified version, the pictorial concurrent operant preference assessment, to identify the functions of the challenging behaviors. Utilizing the triangulation mixed-methods design, we compared the indirect functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and the direct FBA with the pictorial concurrent operant preference assessment. The results obtained successfully demonstrated the concordance among these assessments in identifying the behavioral function for each participant. The results further showed that (1) the preferences served the same functional effects on both the challenging behaviors and the adaptive behaviors and (2) the pictorial concurrent operant preference assessment can be used independently to identify potential behavioral function and to specify the reinforcing potency of each behavioral function. The significance of the study results, limitations of this study, and directions for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation Induced Motor Map Plasticity Does Not Require Cortical Dopamine

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) paired with motor rehabilitation is an emerging therapeutic strategy to enhance functional recovery after neural injuries such as stroke. Training-paired VNS drives significant neuroplasticity within the motor cortex (M1), which is thought to underlie the therapeutic effects of VNS. Though the mechanisms are not fully understood, VNS-induced cortical plasticity is known to depend on intact signaling from multiple neuromodulatory nuclei that innervate M1. Cortical dopamine (DA) plays a key role in mediating M1 synaptic plasticity and is critical for motor skill acquisition, but whether cortical DA contributes to VNS efficacy has not been tested. Objective: To determine the impact of cortical DA depletion on VNS-induced cortical plasticity. Methods: Rats were trained on a skilled reaching lever press task prior to implantation of VNS electrodes and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) mediated DA depletion in M1. Rats then underwent training-paired VNS treatment, followed by cortical motor mapping and lesion validation. Results: In both intact and DA-depleted rats, VNS significantly increased the motor map representation of task-relevant proximal forelimb musculature and reduced task-irrelevant distal forelimb representations. VNS also significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH+) fiber density in intact M1, but this effect was not observed in lesioned hemispheres. Conclusion: Our results reveal that though VNS likely upregulates catecholaminergic signaling in intact motor cortices, DA itself is not required for VNS-induced plasticity to occur. As DA is known to critically support M1 plasticity during skill acquisition, our findings suggest that VNS may engage a unique set of neuromodulatory signaling pathways to promote neocortical plasticity.
Anticoagulation in COVID-19: a review of current literature and guidelines.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections are associated with greater risk of both arterial and venous thromboembolic events. This has been attributed to a florid pro-inflammatory state resulting in microvascular dysfunction, activation of platelets and procoagulant systems as well as possible direct endothelial injury. The associated morbidity and mortality of these events has prompted much speculation and varied anticoagulation and fibrinolytic strategies based on multiple criteria including disease severity and biomarkers. No clear definitive benefit has been established with these approaches, which have frequently led to greater bleeding complications without significant mortality benefit. In this review, we outline the burden of these thromboembolic events in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) as well as the hypothesized contributory biological mechanisms. Finally, we provide a brief overview of the major clinical studies on the topic, and end with a summary of major societal guideline recommendations on anticoagulation in COVID-19.
Enter the Dragon: An Essay on China's WTO Accession Saga

How did a country join the General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade(“GATT”)? How does a country become a member of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”)? GATT Articles XXXII-XXXIII and WTO Agreement Articles XI-XII provide the answers. To examine these provisions in the context of China’s bid to join or re-join, is entertaining and instructive. The story itself is an epic saga, and no country currently seeking WTO membership - Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia, for example - could possibly raise a more complex array of issues than the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). Neither the principles nor policies, theories nor doctrines, laws nor regulations in the domain of international trade are irrelevant to the PRC epic. In addition to addressing these questions, this article critically examines the commitments of the PRC to join the WTO, and the reactions to them, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. Those commitments were, indeed, breathtaking, and the reactions to them were telling, with lessons for the future of the WTO.
How Good Are Sparse Cutting-Planes?

Sparse cutting-planes are often the ones used in mixed-integer programing (MIP) solvers, since they help in solving the linear programs encountered during branch-&-bound more efficiently. However, how well can we approximate the integer hull by just using sparse cutting-planes? In order to understand this question better, given a polyope P (e.g. the integer hull of a MIP), let P k be its best approximation using cuts with at most k non-zero coefficients. We consider d(P, P k ) = \(\max_{x \in{\bf P}^k} (\min_{y \in \bf P} \| x - y\|)\) as a measure of the quality of sparse cuts.
Materials chemistry: from glasses to liquid crystals to crystals through molecular symmetry and functionalization

The relationship between molecular architecture and three dimensional structure in condensed phases of macromolecules has been rarely addressed in a global sense. Efforts in this important area of materials chemistry have often considered very specific aspects of the subject, two popular themes have been crystallinity vs. stereoregularity of vinyl polymers and more recently molecular structure vs. the phase transitions of liquid crystals. A global study of the problem requires at the moment empirical observation of structure in carefully constructed homologous chains and their non-polymeric model compounds. In fact new synthetic methodologies are often necessary to accomplish the goal and in our highly compartmentalized community this has slowed down development of the area. The authors have undertaken a major effort in synthesis and structure determination which they hope will provide in time some insight for the development of theories on the subject.
Novel Multi-Atlas Segmentation by Matrix Completion

The goal of multi-atlas segmentation is to estimate the anatomical labels on each target image point by combining the labels from a set of registered atlas images via label fusion. Typically, label fusion can be formulated either as a reconstruction or as a classification problem. Reconstruction-based methods compute the target labels as a weighted average of the atlas labels. Such weights are derived from the representation of the target image patches as a linear combination of the atlas image patches. However, the related issue is that the optimal weights in the image domain are not necessarily corresponding to those in the label domain. Classification-based methods can avoid this issue by directly learning the relationship between image and label domains. However, the learned relationships, describing the common characteristics of all the training atlas patches, might not be representative for a particular target image patch, and thus undermine the labeling results. In order to overcome the limitations of both types of methods, we innovatively formulate the patch-based label fusion problem as a matrix completion problem. By doing so, we can jointly utilize (1) the relationships between atlas and target image patches (thus taking the advantage of the reconstruction-based methods), and (2) the relationships between image and label domains (taking the advantage of the classification-based methods). In this way, our generalized paradigm can improve the label fusion accuracy in segmenting the challenging structures, e.g., hippocampus, compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
Hypergeometric Filters for Optical Flow and Affine Matching

This paper proposes new “hypergeometric” filters for the problem of image matching under the translational and affine model. This new set of filters has the following advantages: (1) High-precision registration of two images under the translational and affine model. Because the window effects are eliminated, we are able to achieve superb performance in both translational and affine matching. (2) Affine matching without exhaustive search or image warping. Due to the recursiveness of the filters in the spatial domain, We are able to analytically express the relation between filter outputs and the six affine parameters. This analytical relation enables us to directly compute these affine parameters. (3) Generality. The approach we demonstrate here can be applied to a broad class of matching problems as long as the transformation between the two image patches can be mathematically represented in the frequency domain.