cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
219 Artificial Dermis as an Alternative for Coverage Following Malignant Melanoma Excision.

Background A bilaminate skin substitute consisting of a thin outer layer silicone membrane with an inner layer of porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan (Integra) has been successfully used as an acellular dermal replacement in full-thickness wounds with a well-vascularized surgical bed. Approximately 2-4 weeks after Integra placement, full vascularization of the Integra neodermis occurs, which allows harvesting of a thin split-thickness skin graft (STSG) to cover the neodermis. The use of Integra is also known to suppress scar formation. Although the benefits of Integra have been widely studied in deep and full-thickness burn wounds, the use of artificial dermis post excision of malignant melanoma has not been reported. Methods Ten patients (five men and five women; mean age 64 ± 16 years) with soft tissue defects (mean defect area, 69 ± 40 cm≤) following resection of malignant melanoma underwent immediate reconstruction with Integra. After adequate cancer resection, Integra was applied to the defect area until permanent histology was completed. An STSG (0.01 ± 0.003 inches in thickness) was placed on the operative site at postoperative day 39 ± 14 after the removal of the silicone layer. One patient received repeated application of artificial dermis post re-excision to augment a soft tissue defect. One patient required a leg amputation due to dissemination of the malignancy. After successful perioperative management of melanoma excision, two patients received serial excision of the grated area to improve the cosmetic result. Results Clinically, all reconstructed areas showed well-vascularized neodermis before skin grafting. Eight out of 10 skin grafts had a 100% graft take. Notably, the two grafts requiring serial re-excision of the graft had reduced split-thickness graft take (67% and 85%). Melanoma excision, Integra placement, and STSG placement occurred in less than 2 and a half hours operative time. Besides re-excision for cosmetic reasons, no complications using Integra and STSG reconstruction were seen. Conclusion Artificial dermis can be successfully used for reconstruction of complex defects following oncologic resection of malignant melanoma. The use of Integra decreases morbidity to the donor site, expedites operative time, and acts as a temporary closure until histologic margins are confirmed.
Effect of long-term desalinated seawater consumption as drinking water on blood lipids in rats

Objective To observe the effect of long-term consumption of desalinated seawater as drinking water on blood lipids in rats. Methods A total of 120 Wistar rats were divided into an experimental group drinking desalinated seawater and a control group drinking municipal tap water for one year. The blood samples of the rats were collected at 3,6,and 12 month. The indicators of blood lipid such as triglyceride( TG),total cholesterol( TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol( HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol( LDL-C) were analyzed with automatic biochemical analyzer. Results In the observation period,food-taking,drinking,and general state of the rats in the experimental group were normal and the change of body weight showed no obvious difference between the rats of the experimental and the control group. At 6 month,serum TC( 1. 52 ± 0. 18 mmol / L),HDL-C( 0. 90 ± 0. 14 mmol / L),and LDL-C( 0. 17 ± 0. 03 mmol / L)of the female rats in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the rats in the control group( all P 0. 05); serum TC( 1. 82 ± 0. 24 mmol / L),HDL-C( 0. 901 ± 0. 14 mmol / L) of the male rats in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the rats in the control group( both P 0. 05). At 12 month,serum TG( 2. 01 ± 0. 63 mmol / L),TC( 1. 20 ± 0. 30 mmol / L),HDL-C( 0. 71 ± 0. 11 mmol / L),and LDL-C( 0. 15 ± 0. 03 mmol / L) of the female rats in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the female rats in the the control group( all P 0. 05). Conclusion Long-term consumption of desalinated seawater as drinking water has no significant effect on the growth and development of rats but may influence blood lipid level of the female rats.
Opportunistic Spectrum Sharing in Dynamic Access Networks: Deployment Challenges, Optimizations, Solutions, and Open Issues

In this paper, we investigate the issue of spectrum assignment in CRNs and examine various opportunistic spectrum access approaches proposed in the literature. We provide insight into the efficiency of such approaches and their ability to attain their design objectives. We discuss the factors that impact the selection of the appropriate operating channel(s), including the important interaction between the cognitive linkquality conditions and the time-varying nature of PRNs. Protocols that consider such interaction are described. We argue that using best quality channels does not achieve the maximum possible throughput in CRNs (does not provide the best spectrum utilization). The impact of guard bands on the design of opportunistic spectrum access protocols is also investigated. Various complementary techniques and optimization methods are underlined and discussed, including the utilization of variablewidth spectrum assignment, resource virtualization, full-duplex capability, cross-layer design, beamforming and MIMO technology, cooperative communication, network coding, discontinuousOFDM technology, and software defined radios. Finally, we highlight several directions for future research in this field.
One-Dimensional Electrophoresis of Nucleic Acids in Agarose Using Denaturation with Formaldehyde and Identification of 3 H-Labeled RNA by Fluorography

The procedure described in this chapter is used to display single-stranded nucleic acids according to their sizes, within the range of 0.5 to 30 kilobases (kb). Possible applications include examining products of in vitro synthesis, hybrid-selected RNAs from total cellular nucleic acids, and Northern blots. The method works equally well with RNA and DNA.
Recent Developments of Liposomes as Nanocarriers for Theranostic Applications

Liposomes are nanocarriers comprised of lipid bilayers encapsulating an aqueous core. The ability of liposomes to encapsulate a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic agents has led to significant interest in utilizing liposomes as nanocarriers for theranostic applications. In this review, we highlight recent progress in developing liposomes as nanocarriers for a) diagnostic applications to detect proteins, DNA, and small molecule targets using fluorescence, magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and nuclear imaging; b) therapeutic applications based on small molecule-based therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy; and c) theranostic applications for simultaneous detection and treatment of heavy metal toxicity and cancers. In addition, we summarize recent studies towards understanding of interactions between liposomes and biological components. Finally, perspectives on future directions in advancing the field for clinical translations are also discussed.
The Wages of Grief

We have a gift for making virtue of necessity; our propensity to do this may prove our curse. When we cannot forestall endless successions of pregnancies, we deem them gifts of God or Fortune or nature’s bounty. When we can do nothing to forestall aging and physical decline, we speak in hushed tones of revered elders and their hard won wisdom. When we cannot repel death, we invoke the language of theodicy, assuring ourselves that everything happens for a reason. These bromides, however, have scarcely discouraged our efforts to wrest greater control over our embodiment. To the contrary, as our reproductive practices become more optional, any particular pregnancy become less a reflexive joy or sorrow, and more a matter of individual choice. When we can defer signs of physical decline, by cosmetic surgery or therapeutic or enhancement-oriented medical treatments, aging becomes less a relentless inevitability to be embraced and more itself a medical malady to be resisted. When death can be better managed and timed, it becomes less an inerrant feature of the human condition, and more a matter of individualized, substantive choice. Indeed, this growing autonomy in the face of natural necessity is at the heart of the conflict between the cult of life and the cult of rights. For the cult of life, liberating ourselves from that necessity dehumanizes us, stripping us of our dignity and catapulting us into a Brave New World, a post-human future.
Single and correlated cues in an artificial language learning paradigm

Les As. examinent l'acquisition de la structure formelle d'une langue artificielle, en tentant de determiner si les signaux simples de 2 types -extralinguistique et linguistique- different dans leur degre d'efficacite pour l'acquisition de la grammaire de la langue. En ce qui concerne le signal linguistique, la clarte ou la transparence des marqueurs a ete manipulee afin de voir si ceci ameliore l'apprentissage. Ils se sont egalement demande si des paires de signaux redondants parfaitement relies produisent un meilleur apprentissage que les memes signaux utilise de maniere isolee, et si l'effet de la redondance peut etre moderee par la relative transparence des 2 signaux
Classification of Cruciate Ligament Dysplasia and the Severity of Congenital Fibular Deficiency.

BACKGROUND Dysplasia of the cruciate ligaments has been found in many patients with congenital fibular deficiency. A recent classification system has shown that radiographic tibial spine changes can predict the hypoplasia and aplasia of the cruciate ligaments. We used this radiographic classification to determine the frequency of these abnormalities and how they correlate with the severity of fibular deficiency and lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia. METHODS Using a hospital database search for fibular deficiency, 99 patients ≥6 years with unilateral fibular deficiency were identified. Existing radiographs of both knees were available for 75 patients and reviewed for the tibial spine changes and Achterman and Kalamchi classification of the fibular deficiency. Measurements of femoral condyle heights in 74 of 75 patients were recorded before any surgery to the distal femoral physis to assess lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia. RESULTS Twenty-two patients had hypoplasia of the lateral tibial spine+normal medial spine, 29 had absence of the lateral tibial spine+hypoplastic medial spine, and 11 had absence of both tibial spines. Five tibial spines were normal and 8 were unclassifiable. The severity of the tibial spine dysplasia, particularly absence of the lateral tibial spine, correlated with the severity of the fibular deficiency. (P<0.0001) The mean lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia, measured by involved: uninvolved lateral condyle heights, was 0.85±0.11. Those with some preservation of the lateral tibial spine had less lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia (P=0.0009). This lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia was positively associated with the severity of the fibular absence (P=0.039) and foot ray deficiency (P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS The severity of cruciate ligament dysplasia in fibular deficiency is directly correlated with the severity of fibular absence, lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia, and the absence of foot rays. This suggests that the embryological factors involved have a complex interplay for all of these clinical findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.
Predicting paleohydraulics from storm surge and tsunami deposits: Using experiments to improve inverse model accuracy

How accurately can flow depths and velocities of storm surges and tsunamis be predicted from sedimentary deposits? Inverse models have been proposed to quantify hydrodynamics from suspended sediment deposits, but assumptions about how deposit grain size distributions (GSDs) are influenced by flow characteristics remain largely untested. Using laboratory experiments, we evaluate an existing advection-settling model in which suspended sediment transport is assumed to reflect horizontal advection (constraining flow velocity) and vertical settling from the water surface (constraining depth). While the original model assumed that depth and velocity would be best predicted by the deposit D95 (the diameter for which 95% of the cumulative GSD is finer), we find that the median deposit size (D50) tends to better predict mean flow hydraulics. Two key factors influencing how flow characteristics control deposit GSDs are (a) dispersion caused by turbulence and (b) the transport distance required for suspension and settling to effectively sort grains. Deposits proximal to sediment sources primarily reflect the source GSD, while deposits farther from the source preferentially represent transport-dependent sorting. In our experimental data, transport distances longer than 1–2 advection length scales are required for the deposit GSD to reasonably predict flow depths and velocities. These results suggest ways that event deposits can be used to more accurately assess coastal risks from tsunamis and storm waves.
Safety analysis of a phase III randomized trial of chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (B) in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN).

6022 Background: The addition of B, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, to chemotherapy has improved outcomes in several solid tumors. Pemetrexed plus B in R/M SCCHN showed promising efficacy but sig...
Free in-network pricing as an entry-deterrence strategy

This paper analyzes the entry-deterring power of free in-network pricing with multiple incumbents. Free in-network pricing may deter entry since it creates network externality that intensifies competition. One may expect that a particular entry-deterrent strategy adopted by all incumbents would have more entry-deterring power than when it is adopted by some incumbents only. However, we show that when free-in network plan has entry-deterrence power with two incumbent firms, sometimes one incumbent offering free in-network plan may have more entry deterrence power than both firms offering free in-network plans. In other words, we find that an asymmetric adoption of entry-deterrence strategies by the incumbent firms may be the best for entry deterrence. This result highlights the importance of the strategic choice of the pricing plan as a function of not only the likelihood/cost of entry but also of the plan choices of other firms, and may partially explain the asymmetric strategies used by competing firms.
Space weathering trends on carbonaceous asteroids: A possible explanation for Bennu’s blue slope?

Abstract We compare primitive near-Earth asteroid spectral properties to the irradiated carbonaceous chondrite samples of Lantz et al. (2017) in order to assess how space weathering processes might influence taxonomic classification. Using the same eigenvectors from the asteroid taxonomy by DeMeo et al. (2009), we calculate the principal components for fresh and irradiated meteorites and find that change in spectral slope (blueing or reddening) causes a corresponding shift in the two first principal components along the same line that the C- and X-complexes track. Using a sample of B-, C-, X-, and D-type NEOs with visible and near-infrared spectral data, we further investigated the correlation between prinicipal components and the spectral curvature for the primitive asteroids. We find that space weathering effects are not just slope and albedo, but also include spectral curvature. We show how, through space weathering, surfaces having an original “C-type” reflectance can thus turn into a redder P-type or a bluer B-type, and that space weathering can also decrease (and disguise) the D-type population. Finally we take a look at the case of OSIRIS-REx target (101955) Bennu and propose an explanation for the blue and possibly red spectra that were previously observed on different locations of its surface: parts of Bennu’s surface could have become blue due to space weathering, while fresher areas are redder. No clear prediction can be made on Hayabusa-2 target (162173) Ryugu.
Early accumulation of active fraction soil carbon in newly established cellulosic biofuel systems

Abstract We examined relative changes in soil C pools shortly after the establishment of six perennial and two annual bioenergy cropping systems that differed in diversity (monoculture vs. polyculture). Perennial systems included two monocultures (switchgrass, Panicum virgatum; and miscanthus, Miscanthus × giganteus) and four polycultures including hybrid poplar (Populus sp.) + herbaceous understory; mixed native grasses, successional vegetation, and restored prairie. Two annual systems included no-till continuous corn (Zea mays) and rotational corn (corn-soybean (Glycine max)-canola (Brassica napus)). Each crop was planted in a full factorial design at both a moderate fertility Alfisol and a high fertility Mollisol site. Relative differences in active, slow, and passive C pools in surface soils, where C changes are most likely to be detected early, were evaluated with 322-day laboratory incubations followed by acid hydrolysis to infer different pools from exponential decay curves. Five years post-establishment, active C pools under perennial polycultures at the Alfisol site were up to twice those under annual and perennial monocultures, and followed the order hybrid poplars (696 ± 216 μg C g− 1 soil, n = 5 replicate blocks) ≈ native grasses (656 ± 155) ≈ restored prairie (638 ± 44) > early successional (500 ± 54) ≫ continuous corn (237 ± 68) ≈ rotational corn (180 ± n.a.). Active C pools in perennial monocultures were similar to those in continuous corn: switchgrass (274 ± 29) ≈ miscanthus (299 ± 9). In contrast, differences in active C pools among crops at the more fertile Mollisol site were not detectable except for greater pools in the restored prairie and rotational corn systems. At both sites, slow and passive C pools differed little among systems except that slow pools were greater in the poplar system. That diversity rather than perenniality itself led to greater active C pools suggests that polycultures might be used to accelerate soil C accumulation in bioenergy and other perennial cropping systems.
Vasopressors in Sepsis

Abstract Background: Sepsis accounts for 10% of intensive care unit admissions and significant healthcare costs. Although the mortality rate from sepsis has been decreasing with better critical care, early identification of septic patients, and prompt interventions, the mortality rate remains 20%–30%. Method: Review of the English-language literature. Results: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor in shock and is associated with a lower mortality rate as well as fewer adverse effects. Dopamine has similar actions but is associated with significantly more tachydysrhythmias and should be reserved for patients with bradycardia. Epinephrine and vasopressin are appropriate second-line vasopressors and may enable use of lower doses of norepinephrine while improving hemodynamics. Inotropes may be added in patients with cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion: Appropriate treatment of sepsis includes prompt identification, early antimicrobial drug therapy, appropriate fluid resuscitation, and initiation of vasopre...
Neurologic Aspects of Autism and Rett Syndrome

Autism is a rare disorder (2–4 cases per 10,000) but a serious one. The diagnosis of autism remains a clinical one. The criteria for diagnosis are not uniformly agreed upon and there is no one pathognomonic clinical feature. Thus, the situation is rather like that for Tourette disease or, for that matter, common migraine. Nonetheless, there are certain features without which the diagnosis should not be made, namely, it is a disorder that affects multiple brain-related functions and abnormalities are present on examination that are not normal for any stage of development. There is a distortion, not merely a delay, in development.
An a priori error analysis of operator upscaling for the acoustic wave equation

In many earth science problems, the scales of interest range from centimeters to kilometers. Computer power and time limitations prevent inclusion of all the fine-scale features in most models. However, upscaling methods allow creation of physically realistic and computationally feasible models. Instead of solving the problem completely on the fine scale, upscaling methods produce a coarse-scale solution that includes some of the fine-scale detail. Operator-based upscaling applied to the pressure/acceleration formulation of the acoustic wave equation solves the problem via decomposition of the solution into coarse and subgrid pieces. To capture local fine-scale information, small subgrid problems are solved independently in each coarse block. Then these local subgrid solutions are included in the definition of the coarse problem. In this paper, accuracy of the upscaled solution is determined via a detailed finite element analysis of the continuous-in-time and fully-discrete two-scale numerical schemes. We use lowest-order Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element approximation spaces on both the coarse and fine scales. Energy techniques show that in the L2 norm the upscaled acceleration converges linearly on the coarse scale, and pressure (which is not upscaled in this implementation) converges linearly on the fine scale. The fully discrete scheme is also shown to be second-order in time. Three numerical experiments confirm the theoretical rate of convergence results.
Correction to: Decomposing Legal Personhood

The Acknowledgment section of this article was inadvertently misprinted. The following sentence should have concluded the Acknowledgment: Above all I would like to thank Spenser Powell. This essay would not have been possible without the many conversations we shared as he composed his exceptional undergraduate thesis, Equality of Participation, at the University of Tennessee. We deeply regret this omission.
Performance Comparison of Knowledge-Based Dose Prediction Techniques Based on Limited Patient Data

Purpose:The accuracy of dose prediction is essential for knowledge-based planning and automated planning techniques. We compare the dose prediction accuracy of 3 prediction methods including statis...
Low-Cost and Secure Firmware Obfuscation Method for Protecting Electronic Systems From Cloning

The continuous growth of the cloning of electronic devices poses a severe threat to our critical infrastructure that uses the Internet, as cloned devices can transmit secret information and cause security concerns. Cloned devices can also be unreliable as they may be manufactured with inferior quality materials, and they may have many defects as they may not be tested properly. It is thus extremely important to protect these electronic devices from cloning. An efficient way to prevent a device being cloned is to prevent the firmware from being copied because, without the proper firmware, the device will not function like the original. In this paper, we present a novel firmware obfuscation method without encrypting the entire memory. The firmware is obfuscated by swapping a subset of instructions. The instructions to be swapped are specifically chosen so that an attacker cannot discover their location. During operation, the hardware reconstructs the original program using a physically unclonable function-generated identifier and a small memory that stores the swapped instructions. An adversary cannot make a program work completely without knowing which instructions have been swapped, as the program will execute in the wrong sequence and produce the incorrect result. Our proposed solution requires only a small overhead to reconstruct the firmware, making it practical for devices with strict resource constraints. This solution also allows remote updates of new obfuscated firmware without any modification and is practical for the rising trend of ubiquitous computing.
Treatment of Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraine (VM) is prevalent among the general population. Treatment of VM can be a challenge due to variability in the duration, severity, and nature of the vestibular symptoms (vertigo, imbalance, “brain fog,” etc.). Specific treatment modalities consist of lifestyle modifications (diet, regular sleep and exercise, stress management), physical therapy, and, of course, pharmacotherapy. Medications used to treat VM are similar to those used to treat migraine headaches and may be used either in abortive or prophylactic manners. Although few quality studies exist for outcomes related to VM treatment, the majority of patients respond favorably to treatment.
Smart city: Evaluation of intelligent agents

This article evaluates the current situation regarding the development of Intelligent Agents. First, it introduces and explains in detail all of the defining characteristics of an agent, and how each trait separates an AI from a normal software code. Then, this article examines what Intelligent agents must possess in order to be successful, and outline the main problems that it faces. Finally, a few real-life examples are given in order to demonstrate the goals and purposes of a few different types of agents.
Changes in chromatin accessibility ensure robust cell cycle exit in terminally differentiated cells.

During terminal differentiation, most cells exit the cell cycle and enter into a prolonged or permanent G0 in which they are refractory to mitogenic signals. Entry into G0 is usually initiated through the repression of cell cycle gene expression by formation of a transcriptional repressor complex called dimerization partner (DP), retinoblastoma (RB)-like, E2F and MuvB (DREAM). However, when DREAM repressive function is compromised during terminal differentiation, additional unknown mechanisms act to stably repress cycling and ensure robust cell cycle exit. Here, we provide evidence that developmentally programmed, temporal changes in chromatin accessibility at a small subset of critical cell cycle genes act to enforce cell cycle exit during terminal differentiation in the Drosophila melanogaster wing. We show that during terminal differentiation, chromatin closes at a set of pupal wing enhancers for the key rate-limiting cell cycle regulators Cyclin E (cycE), E2F transcription factor 1 (e2f1), and string (stg). This closing coincides with wing cells entering a robust postmitotic state that is strongly refractory to cell cycle reactivation, and the regions that close contain known binding sites for effectors of mitogenic signaling pathways such as Yorkie and Notch. When cell cycle exit is genetically disrupted, chromatin accessibility at cell cycle genes remains unaffected, and the closing of distal enhancers at cycE, e2f1, and stg proceeds independent of the cell cycling status. Instead, disruption of cell cycle exit leads to changes in accessibility and expression of a subset of hormone-induced transcription factors involved in the progression of terminal differentiation. Our results uncover a mechanism that acts as a cell cycle–independent timer to limit the response to mitogenic signaling and aberrant cycling in terminally differentiating tissues. In addition, we provide a new molecular description of the cross talk between cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation during metamorphosis.
Longitudinal EEG power in the first postnatal year differentiates autism outcomes

An aim of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research is to identify early biomarkers that inform ASD pathophysiology and expedite detection. Brain oscillations captured in electroencephalography (EEG) are thought to be disrupted as core ASD pathophysiology. We leverage longitudinal EEG power measurements from 3 to 36 months of age in infants at low- and high-risk for ASD to test how and when power distinguishes ASD risk and diagnosis by age 3-years. Power trajectories across the first year, second year, or first three years postnatally were submitted to data-driven modeling to differentiate ASD outcomes. Power dynamics during the first postnatal year best differentiate ASD diagnoses. Delta and gamma frequency power trajectories consistently distinguish infants with ASD diagnoses from others. There is also a developmental shift across timescales towards including higher-frequency power to differentiate outcomes. These findings reveal the importance of developmental timing and trajectory in understanding pathophysiology and classifying ASD outcomes.
Tibial tuberosity anteriomedialization vs. medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for treatment of patellar instability related to malalignment: Computational simulation.

Abstract Background Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and tibial tuberosity anteromedialization are common treatment options for recurrent lateral patellar instability, although ligament reconstruction is not commonly applied to knees with lateral malalignment. Methods Multibody dynamic simulation was used to assess knee function following tibial tuberosity anteromedialization and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for knees with lateral malalignment. Dual limb squatting was simulated with six models representing knees being treated for patellar instability with an elevated tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove distance. The patellar tendon attachment on the tibia was shifted medially (10 mm) and anteriorly (5 mm) to represent tibial tuberosity anteromedialization. A hamstrings tendon graft was represented for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Patellar tracking was quantified based on bisect offset index. The patellofemoral contact pressure distribution was quantified using discrete element analysis. Data were analyzed with repeated measures comparisons with post-hoc tests. Findings Both procedures significantly reduced bisect offset index, primarily at low flexion angles. The decrease was larger for tibial tuberosity anteromedialization, peaking at 0.18. Tibial tuberosity anteromedialization shifted contact pressures medially, significantly increasing the maximum medial contact pressure at multiple flexion angles, with the maximum pressure increasing up to 1 MPa. Interpretation The results indicate tibial tuberosity anteromedialization decreases lateral patellar maltracking more effectively than medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, but shifts contact pressure medially. Tibial tuberosity anteromedialization is likely to reduce the risk of post-operative instability compared to medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. The medial shift in the pressure distribution should be considered for knees with medial cartilage lesions, however.
Immigrants and Syrian refugees in the Turkish press: Analysis of news discourse in the context of the ‘refugee crisis’

This paper examines the way in which news reports and op-eds published in daily newspapers in Turkey handle the issues of asylum and refugees. The paper aims at revealing the patterns of discriminatory discourses towards refugees and also seeks an answer to the question of how much a discourse that will facilitate the acceptance of refugees and that will help them to be perceived as equipped with public rights finds a place in the Turkish press. The study examines the newspaper discourse on matters of immigration and asylum that is built within the news reports and op-eds of 7 national and 7 local newspapers from 1 June 2017 to 30 November 2018. The texts were first subjected to content analysis and then the selected news reports were treated based on the main components of the news discourse.
Neuropeptide Substance P Enhances Inflammation-Mediated Tumor Signaling Pathways and Migration and Proliferation of Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are extremely aggressive, highly recurrent, and the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Neuropeptide substance P, along with its primary receptor, neurokinin-1 (NK-1R), is overexpressed in HNC and is a central player in inflammation and growth and metastasis of several cancers. However, the precise SP-mediated signaling that promotes HNC progression remains ill defined. Using a panel of HNC lines, in this study, we investigated the effects of SP on proliferation and migration of HNC. Tumor cells were also treated with SP and alterations in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and their cognate receptors were analyzed by real-time PCR. Furthermore, we investigated the role of SP in inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and matrix metalloproteases that promote tumor invasion. Our results showed that SP significantly increased tumor cell proliferation and migration and induced the expression of several genes that promote tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis which was suppressed by a specific NK1R antagonist L-703606. SP also activated NFκB that was suppressed on inhibiting NK1R. Collectively, our data shows that SP-NK1R-mediated inflammatory signaling comprises an important signaling axis in promoting HNC and may prove to be effective clinical target against HNC cells that are resistant to traditional therapy.
Collapsing Categories is Often More Advantageous than Modeling Sparse Data: Investigations in the CFA Framework

When questionnaires include Likert scales, items endorsed by relatively few respondents may result from characteristics of examinees or the constructs under study. Researchers may collapse categori...
Levels in Cr 50 , Cr 52 , Cr 53 , and Cr 54

Inelastically scattered proton spectra from targets of natural chromium and targets enriched in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{50}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$, and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$ have been studied for bombarding energies in the region of 4.3 to 4.6 Mev using a doublefocusing magnetic spectrometer, at angles of observation of 91.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 136.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The enriched targets were prepared by the vacuum evaporation of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ from a small carbon crucible mounted on a tungsten filament onto gold-leaf backings. Surveys were taken up to at least 2.0-Mev excitation. The following level energies in kev were determined: ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{50}$, 780\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3; ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$, 1432\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5; ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{53}$, 562\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3, 1006\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4, and 1287\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5; ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$, 842\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6. The new level in ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{50}$ occurs at the energy expected for the first 2+ state. Inelastically scattered proton groups corresponding to the known second excited states of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{52}$ and ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$ were not of sufficient intensity to be observed.
Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: evaluation by 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the imaging characteristics of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) on staging 18F-FDG PET/CT. Materials and methods An IRB-approved retrospective review was conducted for patients with biopsy-proven EHE who underwent FDG PET/CT at our institution between 2005 and 2019. Patients with a history of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy prior to PET/CT were excluded. PET/CT exams were analyzed, noting metabolic activity, distribution of involvement, and CT morphologic features. PET/CT findings were correlated with comparative CT and MRI performed within three months. Results There were 35 patients [21 females, 14 males; average age 55.1±16.9 years (range 15-82 years)]. 18/35 patients (52%) had more than one organ affected on PET/CT. The most common sites were liver [21/35 (60%)], lung [(19/35 (54%)], bone [5/35 (14%)], lymph nodes [4/35 (11%)], and vasculature [4/35 (11%)]. Most patients [30/35, (86%)] presented with multiple lesions. The average largest lesion dimension was 4.0±3.6 cm (range 0.6-15.0 cm). The average SUVmax of the most metabolically active lesion at any site was 5.3±3.3 (range 1.2-17.1), and for bone was 7.9±5.4 (range 3.5-17.1), liver was 5.1±2.1 (range 2.6-10.5), and lung was 3.0±1.9 (range 1.2-8.5). Of patients with pulmonary lesions, 9/19 (47%) showed calcification, and 4/19 (21%) had nodules that were either non FDG-avid or too small for accurate SUV assessment. Of patients with hepatic lesions, 11/21 (52%) demonstrated capsular retraction, and 12/21 (57%) were found to have additional hepatic lesions on contrast-enhanced CT or MRI that were occult on PET/CT. Conclusion EHE demonstrates variable, but most commonly moderate FDG activity on PET/CT. The most common sites of disease are the liver, lungs, and bones, and most patients present with multiple lesions and more than one organ involved. Given the intrinsic metabolic activity and multi-organ involvement, FDG PET/CT represents an attractive modality for EHE evaluation. However, it may be best used in combination with CT or MRI given that EHE pulmonary or hepatic lesions may be missed by PET/CT.
Plant waxes

The surface of plants is covered with a complex mixture of lipids, often in crystalline form, called plant waxes. The chemistry, biosynthesis, catabolism and function of plant waxes are reviewed. The most common components are hydrocarbons, wax esters, free fatty alcohols and acids. Ketones, secondary alcohols, diols, aldehydes, terpenes and flavones are also found. The major function of the wax appears to be protection of the organism from water loss and other hazards of the environment. The alkanes are formed from fatty acids either by elongation followed by decarboxylation or by head-to-head condensation between two biochemically dissimilar fatty acids followed by specific decarboxylation of one of them. Fatty acyl-CoA is reduced to the aldehyde which in turn is reduced to the alcohol. The alcohol is then esterified with acyl moieties from acyl-CoA or phospholipids. Plant waxes undergo very little catabolism in plants but animals can degrade them to a limited extent and microorganisms readily degrade them.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome in a Patient With COVID-19 Infection

Since the identification of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 in Wuhan, several case reports have proposed a possible association between Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and COVID-19. We describe a case of a 59-year-old female who initially presented with shortness of breath, tested positive for COVID-19, and subsequently developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Her recovery was complicated by acute polyneuropathy. Clinical exam and lumbar puncture showing an albuminocytologic dissociation were consistent with GBS. The prevalence and association of GBS following COVID-19 infection require further research to understand the short and long-term neurological effects of COVID-19, as well as the management of these various neurological manifestations.
Intra-dural fluid collections in spontaneous CSF leaks: The dural dissection theory (P3.105)

Objective: To describe a dural dissection theory whereby the “subdural” fluid collections in patients with spinal CSF leaks occur intra-durally through a layer of loose fibroblasts rather than by opening of a real or potential subdural space. Background: The pachymeninges, but not the pia or arachnoid membranes, lack a blood-brain barrier and are thus subject to venous hyperemia, visualized as thickening and smooth, linear enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced MRI. Design/Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with spinal CSF leaks and MRI scans demonstrating intracranial extra-axial hygromas or hematomas at a single tertiary referral center. All MRI scans that included gadolinium-enhanced images were reviewed, as were the histopathologic findings in one patient who had undergone meningeal biopsy. Results: Five patients’ (3 men, mean age 56 y, range 47–76 y) MRIs showed gadolinium enhancement of dura both above and below the fluid collections, which were usually bilateral at presentation (4 of 5). One man had diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement on initial MRI that evolved to thin bilateral intra-dural hygromas (IDH) on repeat scan 2 months later (without intervening treatment). IDH were generally thin (range 1–8 mm) and without mass effect. Meningeal biopsy in one patient showed diffuse benign dural transition cell proliferation without inflammation, infection, or neoplasia. Epidural blood patch or surgical leak repair improved symptoms (primarily orthostatic headache) and resolved IDH in all 3 patients in whom follow-up MRI was available. Conclusions: Our dural dissection theory predicts an intra-dural location for fluid collections caused by CSF volume depletion, which is supported radiographically by contrast enhancement in thickened dura above and below hygromas and histopathologically by the finding of a transitional dural cell zone between periosteal dura and the underlying subarachnoid membrane. Though they have traditionally been called “subdural” hygromas or hematomas, the extra-axial fluid collections in patients with CSF leaks are better termed “intra-dural.” Disclosure: Dr Montenegro has nothing to disclose. Dr Cutsforth-Gregory has nothing to disclose.
Effect of primary empty sella syndrome on pituitary surgery for Cushing's disease.

Object Primary empty sella syndrome (ESS) results from herniation of arachnoid mater into the pituitary fossa. It has been suggested to have a negative effect on pituitary surgery; however, outcomes in this cohort have not been defined. This study was performed to determine the effect of ESS on immediate and long-term biochemical outcome after pituitary surgery for Cushing's disease (CD). Methods Using a matched cohort study design, the authors followed patients treated with pituitary surgery for CD with and without ESS. Complete ESS was defined as pituitary gland height ≤ 2 mm, whereas partial ESS was defined as pituitary gland height > 2 mm but less than three-quarters of the total sellar depth. The primary end points were immediate and long-term biochemical outcome. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks were recorded as a secondary end point. Results Seventy-eight patients with CD and primary ESS were identified and matched with 78 patients with CD without ESS. After surgical management, immediate biochemical remi...
Flexible and safe resolution of file conflicts

In this paper we describe the support provided by the Coda File System for transparent resolution of conflicts arising from concurrent updates to a file in different network partitions. Such partitions often occur in mobile computing environments. Coda provides a framework for invoking customized pieces of code called application-specific resolvers (asrs) that encapsulate the knowledge needed for file resolution. If resolution succeeds, the user notices nothing more than a slight performance delay. Only if resolution fails does the user have to resort to manual repair. Our design combines a rule-based approach to ASR selection with transactional encapsulation of ASR execution. This paper shows how such an approach leads to flexible and efficient file resolution without loss of security or robustness.
Contemporary United States Presidents: Impact on American Poverty

This paper examines the impact of policies and programs implemented by U.S. Presidents since 1964. That year, President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty and made a conscious decision to mobilize the resources of a nation to address this adverse social condition, a problem which has become an almost inherent fact of American life. The primary objective of this paper is to better understand why some federal policies and programs which were designed to reduce poverty were successful while others failed. Obviously, an understanding of policies and programs which result in sustained reductions in poverty rates could have significant structural implications for future local, state and federal policy and program initiatives. These lessons could also help improve the economic development models used by policy makers, at all levels, to address poverty and adverse social conditions throughout the United States.
Structured competency-based hospital pharmacy internship program

A structural competency-based internship program involving terminal behavioral objectives (TBOs) is described. The program is set up for three levels of interns; junior, senior grade B, and senior grade A. Each level has specific learning requirements and a minimum number of experience hours and TBOs to fulfill. Upon completion of the minimum hours for each level, the intern is evaluated by a committee of pharmacists and examined on his attainment of the TBOs. The order followed in the program allows the interns to progressively build a foundation for professional practice by exposing them to all areas of the pharmacy. All level advancements are accompanied by a salary increase. The program provides departmental staff coverage to the hospital all year. The student interns work approximately 40 hr/wk during the summer and 18 hr/wk during the academic year. The TBO-based program allows the students to gain 3300 hours of experience before they are licensed. This program is an essential complement to a student's scholastic work in his professional training as a hospital pharmacist.
Heat shock response and autophagy—cooperation and control

Protein quality control (proteostasis) depends on constant protein degradation and resynthesis, and is essential for proper homeostasis in systems from single cells to whole organisms. Cells possess several mechanisms and processes to maintain proteostasis. At one end of the spectrum, the heat shock proteins modulate protein folding and repair. At the other end, the proteasome and autophagy as well as other lysosome-dependent systems, function in the degradation of dysfunctional proteins. In this review, we examine how these systems interact to maintain proteostasis. Both the direct cellular data on heat shock control over autophagy and the time course of exercise-associated changes in humans support the model that heat shock response and autophagy are tightly linked. Studying the links between exercise stress and molecular control of proteostasis provides evidence that the heat shock response and autophagy coordinate and undergo sequential activation and downregulation, and that this is essential for proper proteostasis in eukaryotic systems.
Development and longevity of ephemeral and perennial leaves on Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis

Big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) is one of the most successful plants in the Great Basin based on its abundance and wide distribution. The development of dimorphic leaves may be an important mechanism attributing to its adaptive and competitive abilities. Development, persistence, and proportions of ephemeral and perennial leaves on Wyoming big sagebrush ( Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis ) were studied for two years. The large ephemeral leaves are the first to develop in early spring. As early developing ephemerals mature and stems elongate, new ephemeral and perennial leaves develop in the axes of these large ephemerals. Perennial leaves expanded in the summer of their first growing season, persisting on the shrub until their abscission during summer drought of the second growing season. Plants maintained 33% of their leaf weight through the winters of 1985 and 1986. Active leaf and stem growth occurred at soil water potentials above –0.2 MPa.
Multichannel tunable dispersion compensation using all-pass multicavity etalons

We have proposed and demonstrated a novel approach to multi-channel tunable dispersion compensation using all-pass multi-cavity etalon filters for 10 Gb/s applications.