cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regional differences in ribonuclease content of rat and mouse kidney.

Abstract Kidney cortex, red medulla and white medulla were separated into nuclei, mitochondria, microsomal and 105000g supernatant fractions. Assay of RNAase (ribonuclease) activity at pH7.8 revealed that, for each subcellular fraction, activity was much greater in cortex than in red or white medulla; this was true for both free RNAase and total (free plus latent) RNAase. For example, the free RNAase activity in the 105000g supernatant of cortex was 5 and 8 times higher than in red and white medulla respectively. No latent RNAase activity was found in any particulate fraction. Latent supernatant RNAase activities (suggesting presence of bound RNAase inhibitor) were similar in cortex and medulla. The cortex supernatant contained minimal free RNAase inhibitor, whereas that of the red and white medulla showed about one-third and one-tenth respectively of the inhibitor activity measured in liver. Adrenalectomy did not change RNAase activity in any fraction nor the content of free RNAase inhibitor in the kidney supernatant, but did decrease the liver RNAase inhibitor content by 40%. In supernatants from mouse kidney, both free and total RNAase activities of both cortex and red medulla were similar to those of rat red medulla. Mouse cortex contained appreciably higher amounts of free RNAase inhibitor than rat cortex. The difference between the rat and mouse cortical RNAase activity and inhibitor content may help explain the relative ease with which satisfactory renal polyribosome profiles were obtained from mouse kidneys. Our results, as well as those of Kline & Liberti [(1973) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 52, 1271–1277], showing that renal red and white medulla are more active than cortex in protein synthesis, are consistent with the hypothesis that the RNAase–RNAase-inhibitor system may participate in the regulation of protein synthesis.
Life stages, demographic rates, and leaf damage for the round-leaved orchids, Platanthera orbiculata (Pursh.) Lindley and P. macrophylla (Goldie) P.M. Brown in a northern hardwood forest in New Hampshire, USA

Terrestrial orchids are especially susceptible to population declines, and hence are the focus of plant conservation efforts worldwide, but the life history and demography of heterotrophic orchids is not well understood. Our objective was to quantify life stage transition rates for a species pair of rare round-leaved orchids (Platanthera spp.) in a northern hardwood forest. Marked individuals were measured over 5 years, and metrics included: leaf area, damage by herbivores and pathogens, flowering, and seed production. Germination trials were also conducted. Vital rates were very similar for the two species, which were about equally abundant despite large differences in seed production. Mortality was twice as high for juvenile as for adult stages, and juvenile abundance was markedly lower than for adults. Both species are vulnerable to leaf damage by invertebrates and fungi and exhibit clear leaf area thresholds for progression across life stages, both suggesting a delicate carbon balance for these mixotr...
Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome resulting in distal aortic thromboembolism in a dog.

Objective To describe clinically significant thromboembolism as the result of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) in a dog. Case Summary A 3-year-old neutered female Boxer was evaluated for 2-week history of progressive respiratory difficulty and hemoptysis. A brief thoracic ultrasound performed shortly after presentation identified a presumed thrombus within the left atrium. Initial blood work revealed a marked eosinophilia 6.8 × 109/L (6.8 × 103/μL; reference interval, 0.1–2.1 × 109/L [0.1–2.1 × 103/μL]) and evidence of organ dysfunction. Within 24 hours of admission the patient developed acute paraparesis with absent femoral pulses and was euthanized. Necropsy findings included marked infiltration of multiple organs with large numbers of histologically normal eosinophils and numerous thrombi including a large aortic thrombus. This combination of findings resulted in a final diagnosis of HES with associated thromboembolism. New or Unique Information Provided Thromboembolism occurs relatively commonly in people with HES. While there are a few case reports of HES in the veterinary literature, this is the first to describe thromboembolism as a manifestation of this disease in a canine patient.
Functional Separation of GVHD-Derived and Naturally Occurring CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is mediated by mature alloreactive donor T cells. Upon activation, alloreactive CD4+ T cells upregulate CD134 (OX40), a member of the TNF receptor superfamily. Using a rat hapolidentical parent into F1 model of GVHD, we recently reported that CD25 expression stratifies these CD4+134+ T cells into two alloreactive T cell subsets (Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2004 May;10(5):298-309; results summarized in the table below). In the current study we investigated the immune regulatory potential of the GVHD-associated CD4+CD25+ T cell subset. Cocultivation of the two GVHD-associated CD4+134+ T cell subsets revealed that the GVHD-derived CD4+CD25+ T cells suppressed, in a dose dependent manner, alloantigen-induced proliferation of the CD4+CD25− T cell subset. As this observation is similar to the suppressive activity associated with naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, cells implicated in the inhibition or suppression of a wide range of immune responses, it suggested that GVHD-associated CD4+CD25+ T cells play a regulatory role in GVHD. However, in further contrasting the biological properties of GVHD-associated CD4+CD25+ T cells with those of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, substantive differences in these two types of regulatory T cells became apparent. At the phenotypic level, GVHD-associated regulatory T cells expressed higher levels of MHC Class II and lower levels of CD45RC and CD62L, suggesting different stages of activation. GVHD-associated and naturally occurring regulatory T cells also differed functionally. While naturally occurring regulatory T cells suppressed primary mixed lymphocyte cultures, GVHD-derived CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells provided a potent proliferative advantage for responding T cells. When contrasted with standard mixed lymphocyte cultures, addition of GVHD-derived CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells yielded a 15–20 fold increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation. Thus, GVHD-associated CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells have the unique ability to differentially regulate immune responses, promoting proliferation of naive alloresponsive T cells while suppressing proliferation of previously activated GVHD-derived alloreactive CD4+CD25− T cells. These data suggest that GVHD-derived CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells may contribute to progression of GVHD in two ways: 1) By facilitating activation of allospecific naive T cells, providing a mechanism for further amplification of the immunoinflammatory cascade associated with this disease; and 2) By maintaining a reservoir of previously activated allospecific T cells, cells that may be available for supplementation of disease-associated immunoinflammatory responses as needed.
Abstract 445: Tumor microenvironment influences survival of mantle cell lymphoma-initiating cells through FGF/FGFR1 signaling

Introduction Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) represents an aggressive, incurable form of non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL). The health complications associated with advanced age of MCL patients restrict treatment with intense chemotherapy. Translocation t(11;14), responsible for overexpression of cyclin-D1, is the hallmark of MCL. More detailed insight into MCL pathogenesis has been delayed until the recent development of a tissue culture system, using human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSC), suitable for propagating primary MCL cells. We hypothesized that tumor-initiating cells are responsible for MCL relapse and chemoresistance and thus, identification of signals responsible for survival and maintenance of MCL-initiating cells (MCL-ICs) is essential for design of curative treatment strategies. Methods Isolates of primary MCL cells (n = 24) were co-cultured with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and the content of MCL-ICs was analyzed by flow-cytometry based on marker expression profile; CD34-CD3-CD45+CD19-. Cytokine array was used to identify the soluble factors enriched in the co-cultures and the expression of these factors was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. The signaling pathways employed by the newly-identified factors were blocked in 3 MCL cell lines (JVM2, Mino, Z138) to confirm their essential role in survival of MCL cells and, more importantly, for MCL-ICs. Results Co-cultures of primary MCL isolates with hMSCs supported the growth of MCL cells for over 4 weeks with continued presence of MCL-ICs (CD34-CD3-CD45+CD19-) representing about 1% of MCL cells. We found that IL-6 produced by hMSCs triggered an FGF/FGFR autocrine loop in MCL-ICs. The extent of FGFR expression correlated tightly with expression of SOX11, a pathology related negative prognostic marker in MCL. MCL cell survival and growth was regulated via the FGFR/mir101/ EZH2/ NF-κB/XIAP axis. Blocking of this signaling pathway with FGFR1 inhibitors consistently induced early reduction in XIAP levels and subsequently MCL cell death. Conclusion We established that propagation of primary MCL in co-cultures with hMSCs depends on an FGF/FGFR autocrine loop that enhances XIAP protein expression and thus, supports survival of MCL cells. We identified the factors essential for survival of MCL and MCL-ICs that present new targets for improved MCL treatment strategies. Citation Format: Lalit Sehgal, Rohit Mathur, Zuzana Berkova, Tamer Khashab, Xin Wang, Jorge E. Romaguera, Alma E. Rodriguez, Sattva Neelapu, Felipe Samaniego. Tumor microenvironment influences survival of mantle cell lymphoma-initiating cells through FGF/FGFR1 signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 445. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-445
Relationships among traumatic experiences, PTSD, and posttraumatic growth for police officers: A path analysis.

Objective Law enforcement officers tend to be exposed to a high frequency of potentially traumatic incidents. A dichotomous distinction among these events involves the witnessing of threat or harm to others and the experiencing of threat or harm directly to oneself. Past research suggests that different types of trauma exposure produce varying levels of negative posttraumatic responses including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and positive outcomes such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). With the goal of better assisting officers experiencing posttraumatic stress, enhanced knowledge regarding this psychological response to the development of PTG is necessary. Method The purpose of this study was to test a proposed model involving a pathway from type of trauma exposure to PTG that is mediated by PTSD symptoms among law enforcement officers (N = 193). Differences among cognitive PTG and behavioral PTG as our dependent variables, with age, marital status, and relationship stress as control variables, were assessed. Results Findings indicate that events involving threat to self are more closely related to PTG, via an indirect pathway through PTSD symptoms. Additionally, personal relationship stress was directly associated with PTSD symptoms and behavioral PTG, but not cognitive PTG. Conclusion Overall, the results of this study provide initial evidence that trauma exposure type (i.e., direct vs. indirect) plays a significant role in the level of PTG. Lastly, the results allow for the possibility of positive changes in behaviors facilitated by cognitive avoidance, in contrast to the common notion that deliberate cognitive engagement is required for growth to occur. (PsycINFO Database Record
Human Flourishing and Human Morphogenesis: A Critical Realist Interpretation and Critique

Critical Realists have long argued that social science has an axiological concern with “human flourishing.” But they have rarely spelt out what they mean by this term. It is urgent that they do so, in order to respond effectively to the post-humanist movement’s appropriation of the flourishing concept. This article sketches a theory of human flourishing that is: (1) rooted in the Aristotelian tradition that underlies most versions of CR; (2) compatible with central tenets of CR such as “emergence”, “ontological stratification”, “actualism” and “transcendence”; and (3) allows for a critical assessment of the posthumanist vision. The conclusion reflects on the implications of human morphogenesis for social morphogenesis and social theory.
Chapter 39 – Pleistocene Glaciation of Ohio, USA

Millennial-scale oscillations of late Wisconsinan ice front are responsible for the bulk of Pleistocene sediments in Ohio. Illinoian deposits crop out in a narrow band or in deeply dissected valleys in eastern and central Ohio, whereas extensive Illinoian sediments occur in southwestern Ohio where pre-Illinoian deposits are also exposed.
Variant Angina: The Role of Thromboxane A2 with Observations on the Importance of Study Design

The principal focus of this symposium is on the relief of acute coronary artery obstruction, but it seems appropriate to be concerned with the mechanisms by which an acute occlusion may occur. Data are extremely fragmentary and incomplete concerning events immediately preceding and responsible for acute myocardial infarction, although the evidence that they result in acute obstruction in a large portion of patients now seems convincing.
Laws of Nature, Explanation, and Semantic Circularity

AbstractHumeans and anti-Humeans agree that laws of nature should explain scientifically particular matters of fact. One objection to Humean accounts of laws contends that Humean laws cannot explai...
Prediction of Carboxylic and Polyphenolic Chemical Feedstock Quantities in Sweet Sorghum

Quantitative chemical phenotyping is in an increasing demand to develop sweet sorghum genotypes targeted to accumulate carboxylate and polyphenolic secondary products as the plant-derived feedstocks for renewable biobased products including plastics. Of 24 sweet sorghum genotypes investigated, No. 5 Gambela (i) accumulated as much as sixfold higher (p < 0.05) trans-aconitic acid and redox-active secondary product concentrations and (ii) was most susceptible to lodging and was latest flowering. Partial least-squares calibration and prediction models were developed based on UV/visible spectra of juice and bagasse. Two-year field experiment indicated the accumulation of secondary products (carboxylates, polyphenolic chromophores, and alkali/alkaline earth metals) at the expense of fermentable sugar production. Liquid- (juice and methanol extract of bagasse) and solid-phase (bagasse without extraction) fluorescence excitation emission spectrophotometry with parallel factor analysis indicated the replacement o...
Roux-En-Y gastric bypass following failed fundoplication.

Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an alternative to reoperative fundoplication. The aim of this study was to expand long-term outcomes of patients undergoing RYGB after failed fundoplication and assess symptom resolution. A single institution prospective study was performed of patients undergoing fundoplication takedown and RYGB between March 2007 and September 2016. Demographics, body mass index (BMI), preoperative symptoms, operative duration and findings, and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Data were assessed using standard statistical methods. 87 patients with failed antireflux surgery underwent RYGB. Median age 58 years (range 25–79 years). Median preoperative BMI 32.4 kg/m2 (range 21.6–50.6 kg/m2). Comorbidities included hypertension (48.3%) and diabetes (11.5%). Sixty-six patients had undergone 1 prior fundoplication, 18 had 2 prior fundoplications, and 3 had 3 prior fundoplications. At least one previous open antireflux procedure had been performed in 16.1% of patients. The most common recurrent symptoms were reflux (85.1%), dysphagia (36.7%), pain (35.6%), and regurgitation (29.9%). Median symptom-free interval from last antireflux surgery was 3 years (range 0–25 years). RYGB was performed laparoscopically in 47.1% of cases, robotically in 44.8% of cases, and open in 5.9%. Operative duration was longer in the robotic group (p = 0.04). During RYGB, 85.1% patients were found to have an associated hiatal hernia, 34.5% had intrathoracic migration of the fundoplication, 32.2% a slipped fundoplication onto proximal stomach, and 13.8% had wrap disruption. Median length of stay (LOS) was 4 days (range 1–33 days). Median follow-up was 35.8 months, 11 patients (12.6%) had recurrent reflux symptoms. Excess body weight loss (%EWL) was 80.4%. There was no mortality but 8 patients required reoperation during follow-up. Fundoplication takedown with RYGB was successful for long-term reflux resolution. Most can be performed via a minimally invasive approach with acceptable perioperative morbidity, symptom resolution, and the additional benefit of %EWL.
Early intervention for adolescents at-risk for bipolar disorder: A pilot randomized trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)

Abstract Objective To conduct a pilot randomized trial of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy plus Data-Informed Referral (IPSRT + DIR) versus DIR-alone for adolescents at-risk for bipolar disorder (BP). Method Eligible participants included youth (12–18) with a BP parent; youth with BP were excluded. Participants (n = 42) were randomized to receive IPSRT + DIR to treat any psychiatric disorders present at baseline, or DIR-alone. A blind evaluator assessed outcomes at baseline, 3- and 6-months. Participants wore an actigraph to measure sleep/wake patterns for 7 days at baseline and 6-months. Primary outcomes included mood and non-mood symptoms and sleep disturbance. Results Youth randomized to IPSRT + DIR attended approximately half of scheduled IPSRT sessions. Although 33% of DIR-alone youth were referred for mental health services at intake (another 33% were already engaged in services), none initiated new services over follow-up. No youth developed new-onset mood disorder over follow-up. Self- and parent-reported mood and non-mood psychiatric symptoms did not distinguish the groups, although youth in DIR-alone tended to have higher baseline scores on most measures. Per clinician ratings, 1 youth receiving IPSRT + DIR displayed subthreshold hypo/manic symptoms, versus 2 receiving DIR-alone (OR = 14.7, p = 0.03), possibly signaling less subthreshold hypo/manic symptoms, and for fewer weeks (χ2= 11.06, p = 0.0009), over 6-months with IPSRT + DIR. We found a small effect for youth in the IPSRT + DIR group to evidence more WASO at pre-treatment, but less at follow-up (cohen's d = 0.28). Limitations Small sample size limits statistical power, and we are unable to definitively attribute group differences to IPSRT versus greater clinical contact. Ability to examine distal/rare (i.e., BP onset) outcomes was limited. Conclusions Adolescents at-risk for BP present challenges to psychosocial treatment engagement and retention. IPSRT merits further study as an acceptable intervention for at-risk youth, though necessary frequency and intensity to affect outcomes should be examined. The potential to delay or prevent subthreshold hypo/manic symptoms via enhanced sleep continuity is an area for further examination. Future studies with larger samples and extended follow-up can help determine whether IPSRT may delay or prevent syndromal hypo/mania in youth at-risk.
Clinic-day surgery for children: a patient and staff perspective

For the past 3 years, our institution has implemented a same clinic-day surgery (CDS) program, where common surgical procedures are performed the same day as the initial clinic evaluation. We sought to evaluate the patient and faculty/staff satisfaction following the implementation of this program. After IRB approval, patients presenting for the CDS between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, patient families who received CDS were contacted to perform a telephone survey focusing on their overall satisfaction and to obtain feedback. In addition, feedback from faculty/staff members directly involved in the program was obtained to determine barriers and satisfaction with the program. Twenty-nine patients received CDS, with the most commonly performed procedures being inguinal hernia repair (34%) and umbilical hernia repair (24%). Twenty (69%) patients agreed to perform the telephone survey. Parents were overall satisfied with the CDS program, agreeing that the instructions were easy to understand. Overall, 79% of parents indicated that it decreased overall stress/anxiety, with 75% saying it allowed for less time away from work, and 95% agreeing to pursue CDS again if offered. The most common negative feedback was an unspecified operative start time (15%). While faculty/staff members agreed the program was patient-centered, there were concerns over low enrollment and surgeon continuity, because there were different evaluating and operating surgeons. This study successfully evaluated the satisfaction of patients and faculty/staff members after implementing a clinic-day surgery program. Our results demonstrated improved patient family satisfaction, with families reporting decreased anxiety and less time away from work. Despite this, faculty and staff members reported challenges with enrollment and surgeon continuity.
Dual-Route, Act*, and PDP Models of the Acquisition of Word Decoding Skills

A necessary, but perhaps not sufficient condition of literacy is the ability to decode individual words. Our understanding of this remarkable achievement has profited greatly by the fact that the study of word-level reading processes has been, and continues to be, a major interest to those who study human cognition.
The Generalized Master Equation and its Applications

The generalized master equation (GME) is an entity one meets with on the wayside in one’s journey from the microscopic to the macroscopic level of the dynamics of large systems in statistical mechanics. The prominent character in this journey is not the GME but is the Pauli master equation (PME) also known as the Master equation. The latter, with its distinctive tendencies as are evident in the H-theorem and its generally built-in irreversibility, possesses the ability to guide the weary [1] traveller safely (?) to the realm of macroscopic phenomena. The importance of the GME is therefore not always appreciated in the normal course of this journey. In fact, usually, the equation is not even allowed to live long. Almost immediately after one makes its acquaintance, a procedure known as the Markoffian approximation [2] is thrust into the GME, destroying its special characteristics and converting it into the sought-after PME. There are, However, researchers, who admire the GME for its own qualities (and not merely for its ability to give birth to the PME), who have recently studied it in its own right and have put to use its potentialities.
The Transformation of Pollutants

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the transformation of pollutants. The atmosphere is composed principally of nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor. All other gases are considered as trace gases. The sources of these gases are based at the earth's surface or in the atmosphere as a transformation product of a surface released gas. By dividing trace gas sources into anthropogenic and natural categories, the relative importance of man's activities on a meso- or global scale could be understood. Anthropogenic, or man-made, sources are dominated by the use of energy for home heating, hot water, and industrial processes, such as converting raw materials into consumer products. The major man-made source categories are fossil fuel combustion for power generation and transportation, chemical processes, petroleum recovery, refining, and distribution. Natural sources might be subdivided into releases from physical or biological processes. Two of the physical processes entail venting of gases from the earth's crust in the form of volcanic eruptions and volatile hydrocarbon seepage. Biological processes include fermentation, denitrification, and terpene release from vegetation. Society can alter natural emission patterns by converting tropical rain forests to agricultural land. Estimates on a global scale compare anthropogenic and natural sources of various trace gases.
An Examination of Overtaking Judgments Based on Limitations in the Human Perceptual System: Implications for the Design of Driver-Assistance Systems

Traffic accidents that occur during an overtaking maneuver is a worldwide problem. Such accidents lead to several injuries and fatalities each year. Similarly, rear-end collisions also comprise a large proportion of accidents each year. However, there is a high disparity in the number of studies that has examined the underlying causes for the two types of accidents. Several studies have investigated driver performance during a car-following task, which have in turn led to the development of driver-assistance systems to avoid rear-end collisions. However, only few studies have attempted to study judgments during an overtaking task, and even fewer studies have investigated the perceptual demands on a driver during such a maneuver. Since driving is primarily a visual task, in this paper, I conduct a detailed examination of an overtaking task with an emphasis on the limitations in the human perceptual system. Also, to better understand the complexity of an overtaking task, I compare and contrast an overtaking task with a car-following task. As an implication for design, I address certain disadvantages in using a typical forward-collision-avoidance-warning-system (designed to avoid rear-end collision) to aid an overtaking maneuver. Considering such limitations, seven functional requirements have been described that are important to be considered in the design of driver-assistance systems to support safe overtaking. Finally, I propose a model for the design of driver-assistance systems that emphasizes overcoming drivers’ perceptual limitations by enhancing the effectiveness of the visual information that is available from the traffic environment.
Cobalt and nitrogen-codoped ordered mesoporous carbon as highly efficient bifunctional catalysts for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions

The high cost and limited reserves of noble metals such as Pt have hampered their large-scale commercial applications in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we developed a simple silica template approach to form porous carbons codoped with nitrogen and cobalt as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for the ORR and HER. The resulting porous carbons exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the ORR in alkaline media, which compares favorably with that of commercial Pt/C (20 wt%), and had superior durability and excellent methanol tolerance. The porous carbons also showed superior performance for the HER, with a low onset potential of −0.04 V, a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec−1, an overpotential of −0.106 V at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, and remarkable durability. These results demonstrate that the Co, N-doped carbons are promising bifunctional catalysts for fuel cell applications.
Fluorescent Thienothiophene-Containing Squaraine Dyes and Threaded Supramolecular Complexes with Tunable Wavelengths between 600–800 nm

A new family of fluorescent thiophene and thienothiophene-containing squaraine dyes is described with tunable wavelengths that cover the absorption/emission range of 600–800 nm. The deep-red and near-infrared fluorescent compounds were easily prepared by simple synthesis and purification methods. Spectral studies showed that each squaraine was rapidly encapsulated by a tetralactam macrocycle, with nanomolar affinity in water, to produce a threaded supramolecular complex with high chemical stability, increased fluorescence quantum yield, and decreased fluorescence quenching upon dye self-aggregation. Energy transfer within the supramolecular complex permitted multiplex emission. That is, two separate dyes with fluorescence emission bands that match the popular Cy5 and Cy7 channels, could be simultaneously excited with a beam of 375 nm light. A broad range of practical applications is envisioned in healthcare diagnostics, microscopy, molecular imaging, and fluorescence-guided surgery.
Engineered nanoceria cytoprotection in vivo: mitigation of reactive oxygen species and double-stranded DNA breakage due to radiation exposure

Cerium oxide nanomaterials are known to absorb ionizing radiation energy, as well as to neutralize free radicals in solution, by undergoing redox changes. We, therefore, proposed that ceria nanoparticles could be used in biomedical applications as an injectable, radio-protectant material. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of engineered nanoparticles in protecting germ cells from the damaging effects of irradiation-induced cell death, in vivo. C57BL/6J male mice were used as a model and irradiation was localized to the scrotal region at 2.5, 5, and/or 10 Gy intensities. Ceria nanoparticles were introduced as 100 μL injections at 100 nM and 100 μM via tail vein injections, weekly, for one month. Following this, the animals were sacrificed and their organs (heart, brain, kidneys) were harvested. Tissues were fixed, sectioned, and stained for instances of cell death, DNA damage (TUNEL assay), and ROS (nitro-tyrosine evolution). Tissues from mice treated with ceria nanoparticles showed significantly less (∼13% decrease; *P < 0.05) tissue damage (per immunohistochemistry) over controls at up to 5 Gy radiation. DNA damage and ROS also decrease substantially with ceria treatment, confirming ceria's capacity as an injectable, radio-protectant material. The study also highlights the ability of ceria nanoparticles to protect cells/tissues from both direct and indirect effects of ionizing radiation.
Machine Learning Techniques for Diagnostic Differentiation of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Detection of cognitive impairment, especially at the early stages, is critical. Such detection has traditionally been performed manually by one or more clinicians based on reports and test results. Machine learning algorithms offer an alternative method of detection that may provide an automated process and valuable insights into diagnosis and classification. In this paper, we explore the use of neuropsychological and demographic data to predict Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores (no dementia, very mild dementia, dementia) and clinical diagnoses (cognitively healthy, mild cognitive impairment, dementia) through the implementation of four machine learning algorithms, naive Bayes (NB), C4.5 decision tree (DT), back-propagation neural network (NN), and support vector machine (SVM). Additionally, a feature selection method for reducing the number of neuropsychological and demographic data needed to make an accurate diagnosis was investigated. The NB classifier provided the best accuracies, while the SVM classifier proved to offer some of the lowest accuracies. We also illustrate that with the use of feature selection, accuracies can be improved. The experiments reported in this paper indicate that artificial intelligence techniques can be used to automate aspects of clinical diagnosis of individuals with cognitive impairment.
State Power and Democracy: Before and During the Presidency of George W. Bush by Andrew Kolin

This book deserves wide readership. Conventional US history narratives celebrate growing trees of liberties. Advocates and legislators secure rights for people of color, natives, women, migrants, poor laborers, and homosexuals. Reversals, especially the McCarthy era, are portrayed as national emergencies or temporary setbacks on America's positive trajectory for values of citizenship and freedom. By contrast, this critical, painstakingly documented book shows a negative reality. Law and order prevailed over the rule of law. A public intellectual with progressive to radical outlook, Andrew Kolin, a professor of Political Science at Hilbert College, is eminently qualified. He is an accomplished author whose scholarship focused on the acute dangers inherent in oppressive state structures culminating with genocide. His comparative, theoretical, and applied public policy research and teaching analyze ethics and genocide, highlighting the Holocaust, state structure, mass media, constitutional law, and US foreign policy. Kolin ably and accessibly blended documentation with concern about official misdeeds. He offers magisterial tour de force of ideological and government-sanctioned legal and political oppression since the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The establisment subverted direct democracy through a complex system of circuitous representation and tenure on the Supreme Court.Every president used some statuary and administrative powers, alongside extrajudicial tools. Both parties are culpable in manipulating public opinion. Republican Nixon fell to Watergate, though Reagan survived Iran-Contra. Democrat Wilson victimized blacks and pacifists. Franklin Roosevelt interned Japanese Americans without cause and persecuted “subversives.” Executive organs such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency limited or disregarded democratic protections afforded to all people, particularly citizens. The infamous FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover lives on in every administration through executive privilege. Laws are coercive rather than benevolent and continually enforce wrongs rather than protect rights. This Hum Rights Rev (2013) 14:57–58 DOI 10.1007/s12142-013-0249-3
Gastric Seed: Toward Distributed Ultrasonically Interrogated Millimeter-Sized Implants for Large-Scale Gastric Electrical-Wave Recording

This brief presents the concept of Gastric Seed, which is an ultrasonically interrogated millimeter-sized implant for gastric electrical-wave [also known as slow waves (SWs)] recording. A network of Gastric Seeds can be endoscopically implanted within the stomach submucosal space for large-scale SW recording. This brief also summarizes our recent effort toward Gastric Seed development including ultrasonic (US) self-regulated power management and addressable US pulse-based data transfer. The proposed power management in the form of a voltage doubler only requires a single off-chip capacitor for simultaneous rectification, regulation and over-voltage protection (OVP) by utilizing US transducer’s internal capacitance and reverse current. For data transfer, sharp US pulses are transmitted to reduce the implant’s power consumption. A proof-of-concept addressable chip was fabricated in a 0.35- $ {\mu }\text{m}$ standard CMOS process. Utilizing two pairs of millimeter-sized stacked power/data US transducers spaced by 3.75 cm in a water tank, the chip achieved measured regulated voltage of 3 V and data rate of 75 kb/s with the data transmitter energy consumption of 440 pJ/bit.
Post-Exertion Neuropsychological Testing in the Management of Sport-Related Concussion

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of physical exertion on computerized neuropsychological test performance in high school athletes as part of concussion return-to-play protocols. ImPACT data and consultation records were retrospectively reviewed among athletes undergoing their physical stepwise progression for return-to-play following sport-related concussion. Two hundred forty athletes met inclusion criteria and participated in the study. 36.7% of concussed athletes who were symptom-free and had reached an advanced stage of their return-to-play protocol demonstrated cognitive decline following a moderate level of physical exertion. Cognitive changes occurred on all four cognitive ImPACT composites after physical exertion. There was no difference with respect to post-concussive symptoms among within RCI (W-RCI) and below RCI (B-RCI) groups. Return-to-play protocols should include post-exertion neuropsychological testing, as relying on athlete symptom report will miss a significant portion of athletes who are continuing to recover from sport-related concussion, putting them at additional risk for repeat or catastrophic injury.
In fatal COVID-19, the immune response can control the virus but kill the patient.

COVID-19 is often a biphasic illness with an initial phase of upper respiratory symptoms that can rapidly progress to profound hypoxemia and respiratory failure. Postmortem studies of severe COVID-19 reveal diffuse alveolar damage, hyaline membranes, and thrombi, with varying degrees of inflammation and types of cellular infiltrates (1⇓⇓⇓–5). Now, with their autopsy study of early victims of the pandemic in China, Wu et al. (6) provide important insights into the inflammatory pathways that lead to severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Their extensive transcriptional and proteomic analyses of lung tissue from patients with severe pneumonia reveal signatures indicative of a neutrophil-driven inflammatory response without evidence of much active viral proliferation. These findings indicate that the pathogenesis of late severe COVID-19 pneumonia involves a dysregulated immune response, rather than direct viral damage. The identification of neutrophil-driven inflammatory pathways by Wu et al. (6) is consistent with reports of hyaline membrane formation, neutrophils, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and platelet-induced immunopathology in COVID-19 lung damage (7⇓–9). Another critical finding is the paucity of viral sequences in the lung tissues examined, implying little or no viral replication (6). In fact, it is possible that the few viral reads identified represent residual nucleic acid in tissue from nonviable virus. One recent autopsy study did not identify SARS-CoV2 in lung tissue of patients with advanced disease (10), another found virus in the lungs of patients who died during acute disease (11), and another found that viral loads correlated with the inflammatory response and death; those with high viral loads expressed high levels of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes with minimal lung damage, whereas those with low viral loads had extensive lung damage and low IFN-stimulated gene expression (5). Thus, the immune response during severe COVID-19 pneumonia may progress from inhibition of viral replication … [↵][1]2To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: acasadevall{at}jhu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Thresholds in the Lattice of Subspaces of \(\mathbb {F}_q^n\)

Let \(Q\) be an ideal (downward-closed set) in the lattice of linear subspaces of \(\mathbb {F}_q^n\), ordered by inclusion. For \(0 \leqslant k \leqslant n\), let \(\mu _k(Q)\) denote the fraction of k-dimensional subspaces that belong to \(Q\). We show that these densities satisfy $$\begin{aligned} \mu _k(Q) = \frac{1}{1+z} \quad \Longrightarrow \quad \mu _{k+1}(Q) \leqslant \frac{1}{1+qz}. \end{aligned}$$ This implies a sharp threshold theorem: if \(\mu _k(Q) \leqslant 1-\varepsilon \), then \(\mu _\ell (Q) \leqslant \varepsilon \) for \(\ell = k + O(\log _q(1/\varepsilon ))\).
Epidemiology of PTLD After SOT

PTLD is a relatively rare but important and feared complication of transplantation. Several different types of risk factors (host, infectious, transplant, immunosuppression) are associated with PTLD development. Epstein-Barr virus infection is the single most important risk factor. PTLD is a significant cause of earlier graft loss and added mortality.
From semiotic exegesis to contextual ecclesiology: The hermeneutics of missional faith in the covidian era

This essay uses the global impact of the Coronavirus as a heuristic semiotic for exploring the future of the church. Unlike the pandemic of 1918, which left few dents on the world’s economic, social, and cultural systems, almost all the nations of the world have passed laws and implemented procedures that are only comparable to world wars in their impact on entire populations. Nations are acting in unison, but not in unity. This post-COVID, post-Corona world is the ‘time that is given’ to the church. But it will not be a post-pandemic world. We may become COVID-proof, but we will never be pandemic-proof. There is no pre-COVID reset. There is only risk assessment from natural extinction risks to existential dangers of our own creation that are catching up to us (climate change, GRAIN [genetic engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence {AI}, info-tech, nanotechnology]). Disruption is the new status that is never quo; stability is the new abnormality; global cataclysm is the ever-present peril. The only way to prepare for a future of constant ‘the end of the world as we know it?’ moments is by developing a high Contextual Quotient (CQ), and deepening our Contextual Intelligence (CI) so we can choose ‘the next right thing’ in a world of volcanic volatility. Contribution: This essay frames the semiotics of a missional ecclesiology in the COVIDian wake from the hermeneutics of blessings not curses. What virtues might we expect to come out of a virus that is fast-forwarding the future, virtues that will shape the contours of Christianity. What if the pandemic is a shock treatment that is putting the world, and the church, back in a new and better equilibrium? What if there are goldmines on the other side of the landmines and minefields?
Natural Hazards as the Cause of Toxic Spills in the United States, with some Notes on Liability

Natural disasters that create technological emergencies by causing the release of dangerous materials such as oil, chemicals, or radiological/infectious agents are called “na-tech” events (Showalter and Myers 1992). Although there has yet to be a catastrophic na-tech event in the United States, low impact events are fairly common. An example of this occurred a few weeks ago when, during flooding in Texas, an oil pipeline ruptured by floodwaters exploded. The potential for a serious na-tech event is rising, however, bacause the US, like many industrialized countries, is greatly dependent on the production and use of chemicals. For example, industry manufactures millions of gallons of gasoline and millions of pounds of herbicides every day. Additionally, in 1985, approximately 200,000 facilities in the US generated 275 million metric tons of hazardous waste. Many of these facilities, as well as those that store, transport, and/or use such toxic materials, are vulnerable to the different types of natural hazards that exist in a country as large as the US.
Closed postprostatectomy irrigation-drainage system

Abstract A sterile, closed drainage system described by Miller 1 and this report, will enable the urologic surgeon to utilize vesical irrigation when necessary without breaking continuity of the system and, therefore, without increasing the risk of postoperative infection to the patient.
Relation browser++: an information exploration and searching tool

The system we will demo is an interface called Relation Browser++ (RB++), which is intended to help users explore, browse and search large information collection effectively and efficiently. It is the latest updated version of relational browser (Marchionini & Brunk, 2003). Applications of RB++ in several different domains will be demonstrated, such as library video collection, EIA (Energy information administration) web site. Following description is based on the RB++ application for EIA web site.
Microorganisms in unamended soil as observed by various forms of microscopy and staining.

A light-diffraction microscope was modified to allow sequential viewing of the microorganisms in a soil smear by transmitted, reflected, and reflected-polarized incandescent light and by reflected ultraviolet light. Observations were also made by conventional incandescent and ultraviolet transmitted-light microscopy. All results for the various forms of bright-field microscopy with stained and unstained soils were in agreement, but they differed from the results obtained for two types of ultraviolet-fluorescence microscopy. The latter proved to be nonspecific for in situ soil microorganisms. Capsule-like areas were noted surrounding many of the resident microbial cells of soil when viewed by the various forms of bright-field microscopy. These areas could not be stained or removed by a variety of treatments, but they apparently often did take up stain after in situ soil growth had been initiated. It was concluded that these areas are not capsules but may represent a structural component of nonmultiplying microbial cells in soil. Images
The RISC MPC505 MCU in cable set top converters

Cable set top converters are taking on an increased computational role in the distribution of cable television signals. The MPC505 processor implements a very advanced controller that can deliver new levels of performance in a microcontroller chip. These new levels of performance are required in such applications as automotive engine control where there are many timing functions to be performed with very critical timing windows. The modularity of the device allows code written for a module on one processor to execute on any of the MPC500 family processors that contain the same module. The MPC500 instruction set is fully PowerPC/sup TM/ compliant. These features insure reusability of code and forward compatibility of code with future members of the MPC500 family. The ability to run at low voltages, processing speed and high levels of integration of the MPC505 along with the advantages of very high volume production combine to make this processor family a very powerful, economical MCU engine for embedded designs.
Keplerian Astronomy after Kepler: Researches and Problems:

Les decouvertes scientifiques de Kepler (J.) concernant le mouvement des planetes ont ete qualifiees de lois apres la demonstration mathematique de Newton (I.)
Global consistency constraints considered harmful for heterogeneous database systems

Argues that heterogeneous databases and serializable schedules are contradictory terms in practice. This implies that mechanisms that guarantee fully serializable schedules are an overkill. Much simpler and unrestricted mechanisms can provide the correctness that is needed in heterogeneous systems. Serializable schedules are desirable because they enforce database consistency constraints. In a multi-computer system there are two types of consistency constraints: local and global. Global constraints are the ones that cause problems, as enforcing them requires synchronization among sites. >
Correlation between the Chaperone-like Activity and Aggregate Size of α-Crystallin with Increasing Temperature

Abstract α-Crystallin, the major protein of the mammalian eye lens, is also found in the major tissues of the body, where one or the other of its two isoforms is characteristically expressed. Both isoform sequences are highly related to others of the small heat shock protein superfamily, leading to speculation about their functions in vivo outside of the lens. Tests of chaperone-like activity at 37 and 66°C indicate that the protein can act to prevent the superaggregation of partially denatured proteins, but both α-crystallin aggregate size and shape are significantly altered with increasing temperature. Characterization of these changes indicates that secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure are modified, with the latter effect especially striking above 50°C. Furthermore, these changes appear to be irreversible when the temperature is returned to 25 or 37°C. Functionally, the protein is effective in chaperone-like activity at all temperatures, but exhibits a somewhat increased capability after a cycle of heating and cooling. The results presented here indicate the heat-induced formation of high-molecular-weight aggregates of α-crystallin is a slow progressive process. The increased activity of these aggregates suggests that chaperone-like activity depends in part on the packing parameters of the aggregate and on conformation of the subunit within that aggregate.