cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
6-Thioguanine alters the structure and stability of duplex DNA and inhibits quadruplex DNA formation

The ability to chemically synthesize biomolecules has opened up the opportunity to observe changes in structure and activity that occur upon single atom substitution. In favorable cases this can provide information about the roles of individual atoms. The substitution of 6-thioguanine (6SG) for guanine is a potentially very useful single atom substitution as 6SG has optical, photocrosslinking, metal ion binding and other properties of potential utility. In addition, 6-mercaptopurine is a clinically important pro-drug that is activated by conversion into 6SG by cells. The results presented here indicate that the presence of 6SG blocks the formation of quadruplex DNA. The presence of 6SG alters the structure and lowers the thermal stability of duplex DNA, but duplex DNA can be formed in the presence of 6SG. These results indicate that some of the cytotoxic activity of 6SG may be due to disruption of the quadruplex structures formed by telomere and other DNAs. This additional mode of action is consistent with the delayed onset of cytotoxicity.
The synthesis, magnetic properties, and crystal structure of two copper(II) complexes prepared from 2-aminomethylpyridine

Abstract The structures of Cu(amp)2(ClO4)2 and [CuLCl2]2 (where L = C9H12N2O) were determined by X-ray crystallographic techniques. Cu(amp)2(ClO4)2 crystallized in space group P1 with a = 7.630(2), b = 7.980(1), c = 7.972(5) A, α = 106.67(3), β = 108.75(3), λ = 95.90(2)° and Z = 1. The structure was refined to R = 0.025 and Rw = 0.037 with 1146 reflections with I>3σ9I). [CuLCl2]2 crystallized in space group P 1 with a = 7.093(1), b = 9.412(1), c = 9.541(2) A, α = 94.25(1), β = 103.69(2) and λ = 108.32(1)°. The structure was refined to R = 0.040 and Rw = 0.051 with 1265 reflections with I>3σ(I). CuLCl2 forms a dimer through coordination of one of its chlorine atoms to the copper atom of an adjacent monomeric unit. Cu(amp)2(ClO4)2forms a monomer with an octahedral coordination sphere. The perchlorate groups are weakly coordinated to the copper atom. Cu(amp)2(ClO4)2 exhibits Curie-Weiss behavior with g = 2.11 and γ = 0.16 K. [CuLCl2]2 exhibits antiferromagnetic intra-dimer coupling with g = 2.09 and 2J = −3.50 cm−1.
Peginterferon alfa-2a versus peginterferon alfa-2b as initial treatment of hepatitis C virus infection: a cost-utility analysis from the perspective of the Veterans Affairs Health Care System.

Study Objective. To assess the cost-utility of peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin, peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, and no therapy for treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection from the perspective of the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system by using patient-reported utility scores. Design. Cost-utility analysis using a Markov model. Setting. Veterans Affairs health care system. Data Source. Data for the model were obtained from clinical trials and published literature. Data from the VA health care system were used to define the patient cohorts. Measurements and Main Results. A Markov model incorporating transition probabilities between disease health states that depend only on the current health state was developed to simulate the progression of HCV disease. The patient cohorts were a 45-year-old male cohort and a 55-year-old male cohort, each with liver fibrosis but no cirrhosis. The lifetime expected costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained, and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) with HCV treatments were determined for each cohort by genotype (genotype 1, and genotypes 2 and 3). Both peginterferon regimens were significantly more cost-effective than no treatment, although no significant differences in costs or QALYs were noted between peginterferon regimens. For the 45-year-old cohort with a genotype 1 infection, the INMB was $128,583 (95% confidence interval [CI] $79,279–$177,308) and $128,025 (95% CI $80,425–$173,448) versus no treatment for peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin and peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, respectively. Treatment with either peginterferon regimen produced significantly lower lifetime HCV-related medical costs for genotype 2 or 3 infections, but not genotype 1. Conclusions. Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin and peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin were found to be cost-effective treatments for patients with HCV infections, particularly with genotypes 2 and 3. However, no significant differences in costs or efficacy were observed between these peginterferon treatment regimens.
Yuxtaposición cronotópica en “Añejo cinco siglos”

El tiempo y el espacio se interconectan en el cuento “Anejo cinco siglos” de la coleccion Apenas murmullos (2004). MariaElena Llana (1936), la periodista y escritora cubana, utiliza una yuxtaposicion a traves del crono. La escritora trae al presentedos personajes femeninos de diferentes epocas. Una es la gallega Dona Isabel de Bobadilla (del tiempo pasado) y otraes la mulata Chabela (del tiempo presente). Ambos personajes femeninos tienen un dialogo que interconecta dos tiempos y espacios diferentes. Ellas crean intersecciones geograficas, politicas y personales, especificamente porque sus hombres han dejado la Habana bajo diferentes circunstancias pero con el mismo objetivo de establecerse en Florida. Don Hernando de Soto continua la expedicion espanola hacia tierra firme dejando a Isabel con el corazon roto mientras Lazarito ha salido en una balsa prometiendole a Chabela que regresaria. Asi, el proposito de este ensayo es demostrar que las diarias interconexiones personales son cronotopos que reconfiguran las condiciones ilegales de cruzar las fronteras geograficas e historicas. No obstante, en estas circunstancias personales ambas mujeres reconfiguran las narrativas del poder politico y erotico.
Spatial variability of African dust in soils in a montane tropical landscape in Puerto Rico

Abstract Dust deposition provides rock-derived nutrients such as phosphorus (P) to terrestrial ecosystems. Over pedogenic timescales, as bedrock sources of P are depleted, dust sources of P may support productivity in certain ecosystems, but controls on the spatial variability of dust in montane forested systems are largely unknown. Here, we use neodymium (Nd) isotope ratios in 31 ridgetop surface soils to evaluate the spatial variability of dust contributions to soil across ~ 100 km 2 in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. Dust from the Sahara–Sahel region of Africa carries a distinct isotopic signature of − 12 e Nd . Local bedrock, in contrast, has a e Nd value of ~+ 7. End-member mixing calculations based on e Nd reveal a wide range in dust influence on surface soils, with between 0% and 92% of the top 20 cm of ridgetop soil Nd derived from African dust. Using e Nd paired with both dust and soil Nd content, the current soil dust content was calculated, ranging from 0 to 8%. There were no correlations between current dust content of soil and 10 Be-based denudation rate, elevation, rainfall, longitude, or forest type. Current soil dust content in the Luquillo Mountains is significantly higher in soils developed on volcaniclastic sandstone, breccia and mudstone than in soils developed on quartz diorite bedrock, which we attribute to greater retention capacity in the volcaniclastic soils. Current soil dust content also increases with increasing ridge-width, implying that small-scale topographic effects and other factors such as wind speed and turbulence influence local dust deposition rates. Higher current dust content of soil is also positively correlated with biologically cycled fractions of soil P on quartz diorite bedrock (r 2 = 0.24 and p = 0.002 for sum of extractable NaHCO 3 -P + NaOH-P), suggesting that atmospheric dust inputs contribute to the fertility of Luquillo Mountain ecosystems on the relatively P-poor quartz diorite bedrock.
Uniaxial stress dependence of the [ζ ζ 0]-TA2 anomalous phonon branch in Ni2MnGa

Abstract Results of neutron scattering experiments on single crystals of Ni2MnGa as a function of uniaxial stress and temperature are reported. Emphasis is placed on the behavior of the low-energy part of the [ζ ζ 0] TA2 phonon branch and the associated premartensitic phase transformation. The dip in the phonon dispersion curve is stress-dependent and shifts from ζ = 0.33 for zero stress to ζ = 0.36 for an applied stress of 95 MPa. The energy of the soft phonon decreases with increasing stress. The premartensitic transition temperature is increased from 265 K in the unstrained sample to ≈ 300 K at 95 MPa.
Concrete Material Response by Acoustic Spectra Analysis

The purpose of the research in this paper was to determine material behavior and strength characteristics of concrete materials, by studying stochastically the random-type acoustic emission patterns and intensities that emanate from concrete during loading. The concrete specimens used for this purpose are standard concrete cylinders made up from specific concrete mixtures with definite material properties and strength characteristics. The first objective in this research was to develop an experimental setup and recording system that is capable of recording the waveform patterns and intensities of these acoustic emissions. The second objective was to develop a methodology that will establish the relationship of these emissions with general material behavior of concrete mixtures, as well as their relationship to specific concrete properties. Suggestions are also included here about the types of concrete problems that can be approached by using this method.
INFLAMMATORY MARKERS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLINICAL CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN HIV INFECTED PATIENTS

Despite evidence for higher risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) among HIV-infected patients, associated mechanisms are not fully understood. We investigated associations of inflammatory markers with subclinical CAD in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). The study population included 1006 [
Houston, We Have a Problem : Math and science education lags in the United States, but CASIS is working to reverse the trend.

As the global economic landscape evolves, the need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers will increase substantially over the next decade, yet the disappointing reality of the U.S. education system casts a bleak shadow over this promising forecast. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only 16% of U.S. high school seniors are sufficiently proficient and interested in mathematics and science to pursue STEM careers. Essentially, the United States is facing a potential educational crisis.
Internally Reinforced Adhesively Bonded Metal to Composite Joints

A methodical scientific study was completed to develop and demonstrate a fail-safe advanced structural concept for joining metallic and composite parts without mechanical fasteners. The approach was to internally reinforce an adhesively bonded joint. The primary reinforcement concepts that were investigated included a titanium mesh and titanium wire bent into a U-shape. Of these, the more successful was the titanium wire bent into a U shape. Observations from the wire mesh concept include difficulties in welding and bending the mesh due to the lack of ductility and high temperature processing characteristics. Presence of the mesh generally degraded the mechanical properties. The primary benefit of the mesh was that it significantly improved the strength of the joint in the presence of a flaw. The Ushaped pin reinforcement concept was very successful. The effect of pin aerial density on the failure characteristics of single overlap shear specimens was determined. The highest pin density increased the overall toughness of the joint by over 4X.
Effects of Plant Growth Regulators(PGRs) on the Abscission of Flower and Pod of Soybean

The abscission of flower and pod is one of main problems affecting grain yield of soybean.In the present study,three PGRs of SOD simulation material(SODM),Choline chloride(Cc) and Diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate(DTA-6)were sprayed at R1 stage with soybean cultivar Kennong 4 as material,and the effect of PGRs on abscission of flowers and pods was determined.Compared with CK,the number of flower and pod significantly increased under Cc treatment.DTA-6 and SODM effectively reduced the abscission number of flower and pod;DTA-6 markedly enhanced plant height,stem diameter,and yield structures.13.24 % of yield increases were obtained under DTA-6 treatment.Results suggest that it is effective to enhance the numbers of flower and pod by spraying Cc and DTA-6 on soybean leaves,and DTA-6 had better yield increasing effect.
Technological Caregiving: Supporting Online Activity for Adults with Cognitive Impairments

With much of the population now online, the field of HCI faces new and pressing issues of how to help people sustain online activity throughout their lives, including through periods of disability. The onset of cognitive impairment later in life affects whether and how individuals are able to stay connected online and manage their digital information. While caregivers play a critical role in the offline lives of adults with cognitive impairments, less is known about how they support and enable online interaction. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, data from focus groups with caregivers of adults with cognitive impairments reveal four forms of cooperative work caregivers perform in the context of supporting online activity. We find that staying active online is a way of empowering and engaging adults with cognitive impairments, yet this introduces new forms of risk, surrogacy, and cooperative technology use to the already demanding work of caregiving.
Nanometer-Scale Strain Measurements in AlGaN/GaN High-Electron Mobility Transistors During Pulsed Operation

Electric, thermal, and mechanical strain fields drive the degradation of AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The resulting mechanical strains within the devices are particularly important. However, a lack of high-resolution measurements of device deformation has limited progress in understanding the related phenomena. This paper presents the atomic force microscope measurements of thermomechanical deformation of AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices during pulsed operation. We investigate the devices with various operating conditions: drain–source voltage, $V_{\mathrm {\mathrm {DS}}}$ , of 0–50 V; drain–source power of 0–6 W/mm; and operating frequency of 55–400 kHz. As $V_{\mathrm {\mathrm {DS}}}$ increases, thermomechanical deformation decreases, especially in the region above the gate. An electrothermomechanical model closely matches with and helps to explain the measurements. According to the model, the maximum periodic tensile thermal stress, which occurs at the drain-side edge of the gate footprint, is 55% larger for $V_{\mathrm {\mathrm {DS}}} = 10$ V than for $V_{\mathrm {\mathrm {DS}}} = 48$ V for the same device power. The maximum tensile thermal stress in the device depends on the gate temperature and not the maximum device temperature. As $V_{\mathrm {\mathrm {DS}}}$ increases, the hotspot moves away from the gate, leading to lower gate temperature rise and lower tensile thermal stress.
Experimental Models and Methods in Antibody Targeting of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is incurable and there are few treatment options that assure even a short prolongation in survival. It is the most common malignancy of the adult kidney and accounts for approximately 12,000 deaths per year (1). Due to a lack of diagnostic markers for early detection and the infrequency of notable symptoms early in the disease process, about one third of patients present with known metastatic disease. However, the staging of RCC is an inaccurate science and in 40% of those patients where a nephrectomy is the treatment choice for presumed organ-confined disease, metastases become evident within about 1 yr (2). For reasons that are poorly understood, metastatic RCC has remained relatively resistant to chemotherapy, biological response modifiers and cellular immunotherapy-although, glimpses of encouragement have appeared in numerous studies. These are discussed in great depth throughout the accompanying chapters.
Repairing a Screaming Silence: Human Rights and Wrongs, Native American Realities and One Museum

I am beginning to pay attention to the screaming silences around Native American stories in the United States today. Part of this is because there is a silenced story in my own family. Aunt Dot shu...
Radar cross section computation of aircraft with engine inlets including fan blades

A combination of asymptotic and rigorous methods is used to compute the radar cross section of an aircraft with engine inlets that include fan blades. The engine inlet and the blades are solved rigorously with an integral-equation method while the aircraft is analyzed with an asymptotic method. A three-step process is proposed that is both accurate and fast.
Postnatal choline supplementation selectively attenuates hippocampal microRNA alterations associated with developmental alcohol exposure.

Abstract Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in a range of physical, neuropathological, and behavioral alterations, collectively termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). We have shown that supplementation with the nutrient choline reduces the severity of developmental alcohol-associated deficits in hippocampal-dependent behaviors and normalizes some aspects of hippocampal cholinergic development and DNA methylation patterns. Alcohol's developmental effects may also be mediated, in part, by altering microRNAs (miRNAs) that serve as negative regulators of gene translation. To determine whether choline supplementation alters ethanol's long-lasting effects on miRNAs, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 5.25 g/kg/day ethanol from postnatal days (PD) 4–9 via intubation; controls received sham intubations. Subjects were treated with choline chloride (100 mg/kg/day) or saline vehicle subcutaneously (s.c.) from PD 4-21. On PD 22, subjects were sacrificed, and RNA was isolated from the hippocampus. MiRNA expression was assessed with TaqMan Human MicroRNA Panel Low-Density Arrays. Ethanol significantly increased miRNA expression variance, an effect that was attenuated with choline supplementation. Cluster analysis of stably expressed miRNAs that exceeded an ANOVA p p
Applying Precision Medicine and Immunotherapy Advances from Oncology to Host-Directed Therapies for Infectious Diseases.

To meet the challenges of increasing antimicrobial resistance, the infectious disease community needs innovative therapeutics. Precision medicine and immunotherapy are transforming cancer therapeutics by targeting the regulatory signaling pathways that are involved not only in malignancies, but also in the metabolic and immunologic function of the tumor microenvironment. Infectious diseases target many of the same regulatory pathways as they modulate host metabolic functions for their own nutritional requirements, and impede host immunity. These similarities and the advances made in precision medicine and immuno-oncology that are relevant for the current development of host-directed therapeutics (HDTs) to treat infectious diseases are discussed. To harness this potential, improvements in drug screening methods and development of assays that utilize the research tools including high through-put multiplexes already developed by oncology are essential. A multi-disciplinary approach that brings together immunologists, infectious disease specialists, and oncologists will be necessary to fully develop the potential of HDTs.
When Killers Become Victims: Diversionary War, Human Rights, and Strategic Target Selection

ABSTRACTThe diversionary theory largely focuses on the incentives leaders have to use force. However, little attention has been given to the characteristics that make for a good target. We argue that US presidents choose targets that repress human rights since they are the easiest to sell to international and domestic audiences. By targeting repressive states US presidents can justify their use of force by cloaking their motivation in the language of human rights, responding to calls for intervention, pointing to the failure of international actors and institutions to resolve these problems, and building upon emerging norms that allow for intervention in repressive states. Updating US Use of Force data, we empirically test and find support for our hypothesis that presidents target human rights abusers when they face trouble at home. This paper contributes to target selection process by offering a complete theory of diversionary conflict accounting for cost/benefit calculation of presidents. Moreover, we b...
Actual and Ideal Tasks of Nutrition Support Dietitians

Abstract Two questionnaires were sent to the "Chief Clinical Dietitian" at 300 randomly selected, general medical/surgical hospitals, with 300 or more beds in the United States and Puerto Rico. One questionnaire was to be completed by the chief clinical dietitian (CC); the other was to be given to a nutrition support dietitian (NSD) who spends at least 50% of her/his time managing patients receiving enteral and/or parenteral nutrition. The questionnaires consisted of 3 parts: a list of 15 tasks of nutrition support dietitians, questions regarding preparation for the practice of nutrition support, and demographic data. Twenty experts in nutrition support validated the list of 15 tasks using the Delphi method. The NSDs were asked to indicate how often they perform each task and would ideally perform each task (5 point scale, 5=always, 1=never). Likewise, the CCs were asked to indicate their perception of how often each task is currently and would ideally be performed by the NSD at their hospital. The total response rate among the CC group was 42.6% (N=128); 118 of the questionnaires were usable. The total response rate among the NSD group was 40% (N=120); 111 of the questionnaires were usable. The Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test was used to determine differences between NSD actual and ideal frequencies, between CC actual and ideal frequencies, between NSD and CC actual frequencies, and between NSD and CC ideal frequencies. The differences between NSD actual and ideal frequencies and CC actual and ideal frequencies for all 15 tasks were significant (p
Effects of In-utero Heat Stress on Porcine Post-natal Thermoregulation

Pigs were exposed to heat stress (HS) and thermoneutral (TN) conditions in-utero. Post-natally, they were exposed to either TN or HS environments for 15 days, and differences in physiological response comparing inutero treatment groups were determined. Our results indicated that gestational HS (GHS) pigs had increased core body temperature during post-natal HS compared to pigs exposed to gestational TN (GTN); however, there were no production differences between gestational groups. This provides evidence suggesting pigs exposed to in-utero HS may have an increased tolerance to post-natal HS, at least from a productivity standpoint.
Effect of CO2 on intracellular pH and contraction of retinal capillary pericytes.

Purpose. To test the potential participation of pericytes in the regulation of capillary blood flow according to metabolic needs. Methods. The authors measured the change in extracellular pH (pH o ), intracellular pH (pH i ), and contractile tone of cultured bovine retinal pericytes when the ambient carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) level was changed. Results. Raising the partial pressure of CO 2 (Pco 2 ) from 5% to 10% or 20% acidified the medium, decreased the pH,, and relaxed the pericytes. Lowering the Pco 2 from 5% to 0% or 2% alkalized the medium, raised the pH i , and contracted the pericytes. The reactions of pericytes in both cases were dose dependent. When the pH,, was kept at ∼7.4 as the Pco 2 was changed by adjusting the ratio of NaHCO 3 and NaCI in the medium (or by using HEPES buffer when Pco 2 was zero), both elevating and lowering the Pco 2 caused intracellular acidification but did not change the contractile tone of the retinal pericytes significantly. Conclusions. The effect of CO 2 on the pH i and the contractility of pericytes is mediated primarily by its influence on the pH o . Elevation of CO 2 causes pericytes to relax, whereas dispersion of CO 2 causes pericytes to contract under the condition that allows pH o to be affected by Pco 2 . Therefore, pericytes may contribute to the regulation of local blood flow by their response to the change in local metabolic conditions.
THE KINETICS OF HALOGENATED HYDROCARBON RETENTION AND ELIMINATION IN DAIRY CATTLE

ABSTRACT. A series of similar experiments with chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides and related industrial compounds are summarized in the context of a model with two open compartments with an irreversible exit to the exterior. Maximum steady state milk excretion was about 0.5 × daily intake with hexachlorobenzene and DDE. The value decreased both with increasing halogenation or ease of metabolism. The more persistent compounds are eliminated with half-lives of 40 to 70 days. The ratio of milk fat level to body fat level ranges from 0.4:1 for polybrominated biphenyls to 1:1 for dieldrin. These measures provide the basic information required to make regulatory and economic decisions in contaminating incidents .
EUROPEAN TEMPUS TATU PROJECT AND WIRESHARK SOFTWARE IN INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS DATA TRANSFER PROTOCOLS STUDYING AND ANALYZING

Industrial data transfer technologies are implementing in industry, transport, energetic together with Industry 4.0 and IIoT concepts. Compatible with previous generations TCP/IP based protocols ProfiNet, ModBus/TCP, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT were created to perform complex technical systems remote control. In 2013 – 2017 European TEMPUS TATU (Trainings in Automation Technologies for Ukraine) project was realized and TATU Smart Lab (TSL) equipment was obtained. TSL is a set of devices for modern automation technologies studying. It matches to Industry 4.0 and IIoT concepts. It contains programmable logic controllers, I/O devices, switches, wireless access points and can be used for studying of Ethernet based data transfer technologies, wireless data transfer, TCP/IP technologies, hard real-time systems, EtherCAT, CAN, RS232/485, PROFINET, Modbus TCP interfaces. Wireshark software allows to analyze network traffic and supports capturing of long network protocols list. It helps to understand the reason of network problems, simplifies industrial and corporate networks exploitation.
Shaping buildings to promote street ventilation: A large-eddy simulation study

Abstract Proper ventilation of urban streets is important for safeguarding the health and comfort of urban inhabitants. To compare the influence of different street canyon building geometries on urban ventilation, large-eddy simulations (LES) have been performed under neutral stability conditions. Five different street canyon building geometries have been tested: the i) flat roof, ii) pitched roof, iii) round roof, iv) terraced building and v) building with balconies. The geometries were configured as seven building arrays, with six street canyons in between them aligned in the span-wise direction. The Air Exchange Rate (ACH) between the street canyons and the free atmosphere has been computed for the different cases. The results show that the ACH is very sensitive to the building geometry; therefore, it appears reasonable to suggest that buildings can be shaped to promote urban ventilation. The paper also proposes an alternative ACH estimation method based on the folded-normal distribution that is shown to produce very good estimates of the LES-computed ACH. The new method uses vertical mean velocity and turbulence statistics that can be obtained from less intensive Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) models. A simplified two-reservoir Pollutant Concentration (PC) estimation methodology based on the ACH results is also proposed.
A Statistical Analysis of Relationships between Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones and Extratropical Circulation Patterns Accompanying the Madden–Julian Oscillation

AbstractRelationships between the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and the extratropical circulation have been studied extensively and applied in operational settings to improve subseasonal predicti...
Visual Diagnosis: Teenager with Fever, Petechiae, Confusion, and Weakness

1. Senthil Velan Bhoopalan, MD, PhD* 2. Rupesh Kumar Natarajan, MD† 3. David Di John, MD† 1. *Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 2. †Department of Pediatrics, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV A 13-year-old previously healthy girl presents with fever (101.5°F [38.6°C]) for 3 days. It was preceded by generalized headache. The patient reports no history of vomiting, difficulty breathing, coughing, chest pain, blurry vision, speech disturbance, or trauma. The patient also has diffuse muscle pain, although no swelling of limbs or limitation of activity is reported. There is no history of any recent travel, sick contacts, or exposure to animals or insects. She does not report any intravenous drug abuse. Her dental braces were adjusted 2 weeks before admission. Our patient has no previous medical or surgical history. There is no family history of any congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, or frequent infections. She lives with her parents and has a 31-year-old brother, who is healthy. In the emergency department she has a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C), with associated tachycardia but otherwise normal vital signs. Her physical examination shows an ill-appearing young febrile girl who is alert and oriented to time, place, and person but has trouble recalling events that happened in the past 5 to 7 days. Strikingly, there are multiple nonblanching petechial hemorrhages in the tips of her fingers and toes (Figs 1–3). In addition, tender nodes are appreciated in both palms and soles. The patient also has some weakness of all 4 limbs, but no other notable findings on clinical examination are appreciated. Importantly, auscultation of the heart …
Cafeteria noise exposure and fruit and vegetable consumption at school lunch: A cross-sectional study of elementary students.

Abstract Presently in the U.S., few children meet the recommendation for daily consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV). School feeding programs have shown promise for increasing FV consumption among young children. However, several aspects of the school cafeteria environment have not been examined regarding their relationship with FV consumption. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between noise, selected environmental factors previously explored in the literature (i.e., recess/lunch order, the amount of time allocated for lunch, the presence of a salad bar, and number of FV items offered) and 2nd and 3rd grade students’ FV consumption during lunch. A digital photography method was used to assess FV consumption among students across 40 days from 20 schools and environmental exposures, including the noise or sound pressure level of the cafeteria, were assessed during lunch. On average, students in this study consumed 0.35 (SD = 0.31) cups of fruit and 0.24 (SD = 0.29) cups of vegetables. The average noise level in cafeterias was 79.7 (SD = 4.1) Leq DbA (range 70 DbA - 84 DbA). Combined FV consumption was negatively associated with noise exposure (B = −0.017; SE = 0.004; P
The importance of sampling technique and rinse water for assessing flexible gastrointestinal endoscope reprocessing: A 3-year study covering 59 centers.

Background Various guidelines recommend several sampling techniques to verify endoscope reprocessing, but a comparative study of the efficiency for recovering microorganisms was rare. Our goal was to compare different sampling techniques for the postreprocessing endoscope to assess residual bacterial contamination and analysis of the critical factors affecting the endoscope reprocessing failure. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 3 techniques, the conventional flushing sampling method, flush-brush-flush sampling method (FBFSM), and pump-assisted sampling method (PASM), were compared covering all 59 endoscope units in Tianjin, China. Results A total of 237 (84.64%) flushing channel samples and 110 (61.11%) final rinse water samples met the Chinese national standard. The univariate analysis showed that the qualified rates of endoscope reprocessing sampled by PASM (65.52%) and FBFSM (75%) were significantly lower than those of the conventional flushing sampling method (91.38%). Five other factors, including the final rinse water, dry, and hospital level, were potential factors besides sample technique. The multivariate logistic analysis indicated only 2 factors (sampling technique and final rinse water) remained in the model. FBFSM, PASM, and the purified water were significantly associated with the odds of endoscope reprocessing failure, with the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of which were 4.206 (1.757-10.067), 5.326 (2.463-11.645), and 0.309 (0.137-0.695), respectively. Conclusions The problem of residual microorganisms of the postreprocessing endoscope was severe. Sampling technique and final rinse water were critical for endoscope reprocessing verification.
Pseudoaneurysm of Patent Ductus Arteriosus Following Previous PDA Closure: Case Report and Literature Review.

Background:Pseudoaneurysm developing after repair of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is uncommon, with only a handful of cases reported in the literature. While older literature cites infection, r...
Did the Byzantines call themselves Byzantines? Elements of Eastern Roman identity in the imperial discourse of the seventh century

This article examines the term ‘Byzantine’ as it appears in the 678 Sacra of Constantine IV to Pope Donus. Unlike most other late antique and medieval usages of the term, that is, to describe individuals from Constantinople, the Emperor used the term in relation to Palestinian, Cilician and Armenian monastic communities in Rome. The article considers a number of possible readings of the term and suggests that, in the context of distinction between Eastern and Western Romans, the term functioned as a designation for Eastern Romans.
The Rise of Minimally Invasive Surgery: 16 Year Analysis of the Progressive Replacement of Open Surgery with Laparoscopy.

Objective The expansion of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has been exponential since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery in the late 1980s. This shift in operative technique has led many to believe that surgery residents are not developing the skills needed to adequately perform open operations. Methods We performed a retrospective review of the Accreditation Council for Graduating Medical Education national operative case log database of general surgery residents from January 2003 to December 2019. We compared the open vs. laparoscopic case numbers for six different operations, including cholecystectomy, appendectomy, inguinal hernia repair, colectomy, gastrectomy, and Nissen fundoplication. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess the linear trend in the procedures performed. Results Total average residency case volumes for the procedures studied have increased from 270 to 368 (36%) over the 16-year period with MIS steadily representing a greater proportion of these cases. From 2003 to 2018, MIS representation increased in all studied procedures: cholecystectomy (88% to 94%, p = 0.048), inguinal hernia repair (20% to 47%, p ≤ 0.001), appendectomy (38% to 93%, p ≤ 0.001), colectomy (8% to 43%, p ≤ 0.001), gastrectomy (43% to 84%, p = 0.048), and Nissen (71% to 91%, p = 0.21). Conclusion While the overall operative volume has increased nationally for surgical residents, the representation of open cases has steadily declined since the advent of MIS. The experience needed in open surgery during resident training is still to be determined and may be necessary now that laparoscopy is progressively replacing open operations.
Heat transfer and pseudo phase transition for low-Reynolds, mixed-convection channel flow in the supercritical thermodynamic regime

Abstract Fluids at supercritical thermodynamic conditions are inherently complex due to the large variations in thermodynamic and transport properties. Multiple recent numerical and experimental investigations indicate ongoing interest for these fluids, especially supercritical CO 2 and supercritical water, for a variety of applications. The potential heat transfer benefits in this regime are directly influenced by the extreme variations in thermodynamic and transport properties, which occur at, and above, the critical point. Limited studies have been conducted for low-Reynolds/intermediate-Rayleigh numbers mixed-convection channel flow of supercritical water, which is the focus of this study. To investigate the thermally driven hydrodynamic instabilities in this regime, we use a high-order fully-implicit numerical method. As expected, in this channel configuration and flow regime, a competition arises between the forced and the natural convection. Buoyancy, driven by the thermal gradient at the wall, pushes the fluid upwards in the channel, while inertial forces drive the fluid from inlet to outlet. We observe significant differences in the heat transfer coefficient between the top and bottom walls of the channel flow, due to natural convection, and unstable plumes. We further quantify the buoyancy forces along the channel flow through evaluation of the Richardson number. Simulations show that with a higher negative Richardson number, there are more unstable structures along the channel, resulting in enhanced mixing. Furthermore, we demonstrate the existence of gas-like, liquid-like, and the possibility of pseudo-two-phase regimes in the supercritical fluid. The pseudo-two-phase regime occurs when the range of fluid temperatures is crossing the pseudo-critical line, also known as the Widom line. The density of the fluid varies significantly near the Widom line, and further influences the natural convection and heat transfer in the flow.
A scalable, secure, and interoperable platform for deep data-driven health management.

The large amount of biomedical data derived from wearable sensors, electronic health records, and molecular profiling (e.g., genomics data) is rapidly transforming our healthcare systems. The increasing scale and scope of biomedical data not only is generating enormous opportunities for improving health outcomes but also raises new challenges ranging from data acquisition and storage to data analysis and utilization. To meet these challenges, we developed the Personal Health Dashboard (PHD), which utilizes state-of-the-art security and scalability technologies to provide an end-to-end solution for big biomedical data analytics. The PHD platform is an open-source software framework that can be easily configured and deployed to any big data health project to store, organize, and process complex biomedical data sets, support real-time data analysis at both the individual level and the cohort level, and ensure participant privacy at every step. In addition to presenting the system, we illustrate the use of the PHD framework for large-scale applications in emerging multi-omics disease studies, such as collecting and visualization of diverse data types (wearable, clinical, omics) at a personal level, investigation of insulin resistance, and an infrastructure for the detection of presymptomatic COVID-19. The increasing scale and scope of biomedical data is generating tremendous opportunities for improving health outcomes, but also raises new challenges ranging from data acquisition and storage to data analysis and utilization. To meet these challenges, the authors develop the Personal Health Dashboard, which provides an end-to-end solution for deep biomedical data analytics.
Variable-radius circles of cluster merging in geometric constraints: I. Translational clusters

Variable-radius circles are common constructs in planar constraint solving and are usually not handled fully by algebraic constraint solvers. We give a complete treatment of variable-radius circles when such a circle must be determined simultaneously with placing two groups of geometric entities. The problem arises for instance in solvers using triangle decomposition to reduce the complexity of the constraint problem. Part I sets up the problem statement and considers clusters where the relative motion is translational. Part I also reviews past work on the subject. Part II treats rotational clusters motion.
Duffing resonator circuits for performance enhancement of wireless power harvesters

This paper presents the application of Duffing nonlinear resonator circuits in wireless power harvesters. Such resonators allow the wireless harvesters to maintain high voltage amplitude over a wide bandwidth. Therefore, they can effectively reduce the frequency sensitivity of the harvesters, and can be used to capture energy within a wide frequency spectrum. The theoretical analysis, as well as the properties of the circuit, are investigated and verified by experimental results.
Land Use: Problems and Experiences

Starting from the observation of the current lack of knowledge of the external land use structure, a simple model is proposed as a tool for an ordered collection of applications and relevant data in "application layers", such that, in a further step, such layers could be implemented as views on a shared data base.
Evolutionary biology. Use it or lose it.

How does an organism specialize in a particular ecological niche? Clues to the mechanisms involved come from a study using bacteria.
A Particle-Grid Air Quality Modeling Approach

A particle-grid air quality modeling approach that can incorporate chemistry is proposed as an alternative to the conventional PDE-grid air quality modeling. The particle trajectory model can accurately describe advection of air pollutants without introducing artificial diffusion, generating negative concentrations or distorting the concentration distributions. It also accurately describes the dispersion of emissions from point sources and is capable of retaining subgrid-scale information. Inhomogeneous turbulence necessitates use of a small timestep, say, 10 s to describe vertical dispersion of particles in convective conditions. A timestep as large as 200 s can be used to simulate horizontal dispersion. A time-splitting scheme can be used to couple the horizontal and vertical dispersion in a 3D simulation, and about 2000–3000 particles per cell of size 5 km × 5 km × 50 m is sufficient to yield a highly accurate simulation of 3D dispersion. Use of an hourly-averaged concentration further reduces the demand of particle per cell to 500.
The relationship between life span and adult body size is highly strain-specific in Drosophila melanogaster.

Among mammals, body size and life span tend to vary inversely within species, but the pattern is less clear in invertebrates. Here, we report on survival and weight of male flies from 29 laboratory strains of Drosophila melanogaster. Natural variation in body mass was enhanced by rearing larvae under normal and limited food conditions. Strain, weight, and larval treatment have significant effects on survival, but higher order interactions are also significant, indicating strain specificity. For pooled data the overall relationship between mass and life span is slight, positive, and statistically significant, but mass explains 40% of the variation in survival. For long-lived 'O' lines reared under normal larval conditions, smaller flies live 16% longer than larger flies; the latter are significantly underrepresented in the most advanced age class. We conclude that the body size-life span relationship is highly strain-specific; that inconsistencies in the literature probably reflect real biological variation; and that variation in body size can be a significant source of experimental noise in survival studies.
Low Red Blood Cell Vitamin C Concentrations Induce Red Blood Cell Fragility: A Link to Diabetes Via Glucose, Glucose Transporters, and Dehydroascorbic Acid

Strategies to prevent diabetic microvascular angiopathy focus on the vascular endothelium. Because red blood cells (RBCs) are less deformable in diabetes, we explored an original concept linking decreased RBC deformability to RBC ascorbate and hyperglycemia. We characterized ascorbate concentrations from human and mouse RBCs and plasma, and showed an inverse relationship between RBC ascorbate concentrations and deformability, measured by osmotic fragility. RBCs from ascorbate deficient mice were osmotically sensitive, appeared as spherocytes, and had decreased β-spectrin. These aberrancies reversed with ascorbate repletion in vivo. Under physiologic conditions, only ascorbate's oxidation product dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), a substrate for facilitated glucose transporters, was transported into mouse and human RBCs, with immediate intracellular reduction to ascorbate. In vitro, glucose inhibited entry of physiologic concentrations of dehydroascorbic acid into mouse and human RBCs. In vivo, plasma glucose concentrations in normal and diabetic mice and humans were inversely related to respective RBC ascorbate concentrations, as was osmotic fragility. Human RBC β-spectrin declined as diabetes worsened. Taken together, hyperglycemia in diabetes produced lower RBC ascorbate with increased RBC rigidity, a candidate to drive microvascular angiopathy. Because glucose transporter expression, DHA transport, and its inhibition by glucose differed for mouse versus human RBCs, human experimentation is indicated.
Primordial germ cell-somatic cell partnership: A balancing cell signaling act

Recent studies demonstrate that the normal progression of the germ cell lineage during gonadogenesis involves a delicate balance of primordial germ cell survival and death factors generated by surrounding somatic cells. This balance operates in a different fashion in females and males. The fine tuning primordial germ cell specification in the wall of the yolk sac, migration through the hindgut and dorsal mesentery, and colonization in the urogenital ridges involves the temporal and spatial activation of the following signaling pathways: Primordial germ cell specification involves bone morphogenetic proteins 2, 4 and 8b, and their migration is facilitated by the c-kit receptor-ligand duet. When colonization occurs: (1) neuregulin-β ligand is expressed and binds to an ErbB2–ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase heterodimer on primordial germ cells; (2) Vasa, an ortholog of the Drosophila gene vasa, member of an ATP-dependent RNA helicase of the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp)-box family protein is also expressed by primordial germ cells; (3) Bcl-x (cell survival factor) and Bax (cell death factor) join forces to modulate the first burst of primordial germ cell apoptosis; (4) Cadherins, integrins, and disintegrins bring together primordial germ cells and somatic cells to organize testis and ovary. Information on other inducers of primordial cell survival, such as TER (teratoma) factor, is beginning to emerge. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 277–280, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Migration patterns and breast carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. Many American Indian and Alaska Native women have lower incidence rates of breast carcinoma than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. The rates in most areas, however, have increased in recent years. The author reviews the migration patterns and effects that might contribute to this change. METHODS. A review of the literature on migration and breast carcinoma incidence was conducted. RESULTS. Migration significantly impacts on breast carcinoma incidence in all groups of women studied. CONCLUSIONS. Research must be designed that will explore the components of host, life-styles, and environment on breast carcinoma rates in American Indian and Alaska Native women to elucidate mechanisms of breast carcinoma etiology.