cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of a dimerization domain of human Caprin-1: insights into the assembly of an evolutionarily conserved ribonucleoprotein complex consisting of Caprin-1, FMRP and G3BP1.

Caprin-1 plays roles in many important biological processes, including cellular proliferation, innate immune response, stress response and synaptic plasticity. Caprin-1 has been implicated in several human diseases, including osteo­sarcoma, breast cancer, viral infection, hearing loss and neurodegenerative disorders. The functions of Caprin-1 depend on its molecular-interaction network. Direct interactions have been established between Caprin-1 and the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), Ras GAP-activating protein-binding protein 1 (G3BP1) and the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) core protein. Here, crystal structures of a fragment (residues 132–251) of Caprin-1, which adopts a novel all-α-helical fold and mediates homodimerization through a substantial interface, are reported. Homodimerization creates a large and highly negatively charged concave surface suggestive of a protein-binding groove. The FMRP-interacting sequence motif forms an integral α-helix in the dimeric Caprin-1 structure in such a way that the binding of FMRP would not disrupt the homodimerization of Caprin-1. Based on insights from the structures and existing biochemical data, the existence of an evolutionarily conserved ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex consisting of Caprin-1, FMRP and G3BP1 is proposed. The JEV core protein may bind Caprin-1 at the negatively charged putative protein-binding groove and an adjacent E-rich sequence to hijack the RNP complex.
Immunobiolqgy of Human Bladder Cancer

Abstract The immune destruction of bladder cancer most likely results from an interaction of specificand non-specific cellular and humoral responses evoked by tumor-associated antigens. We are just beginning to comprehend the complex immune mechanisms operating to retard or facilitate tumor growth in patients with this disease. This understanding has led to renewed hope that the immune system may be manipulated for the benefit of the tumor-bearing patient. However, only a thorough understanding of the basic functions of the immune system in man will permit a rational approach to immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.
Tailored flow sequestration treatment using high-flow and low-flow bypass for partially thrombosed giant internal carotid artery aneurysm—a technical case report

Direct clipping of giant partially thrombosed intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms is challenging, especially when important perforating arteries are involved. Proximal occlusion with bypass represents a possible alternative approach. An 80-year-old female presented with worsening visual acuity and severe headache caused by partially thrombosed giant (38 mm in diameter) aneurysms of the right ICA, suggestive of impending rupture. Direct clipping in conjunction with temporary occlusion of the lesion involving the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) was considered too risky. Thus, we sequestrated the ipsilateral ICA flow into a low-flow and a high-flow system using two external carotid artery (ECA)-ICA bypasses and one in situ bypass with cervical ICA ligation. As a result, the low-flow system by the superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass perfused mainly the proximal MCA lesions and aneurysm, whereas the high-flow system by ECA-radial artery-M2 bypass exclusively supplied the residual distal MCA area. This tailored flow sequestration successfully interrupted intra-aneurysmal flow and accelerated near-complete thrombosis of the aneurysm while preserving the AChA and avoiding any significant neurological deterioration. We conclude that this method is effective for the management of giant partially thrombosed aneurysms of the ICA, especially when direct clipping is difficult.
Sequelae of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The sequelae of sexually transmitted diseases most seriously affect women and their infants. Pelvic inflammatory disease with associated ectopic pregnancy and infertility leads the list. Male infertility as a result of sexually transmitted diseases appears uncommon.
Function of mature coronary collateral vessels and cardiac performance in the exercising dog.

Formation of extensive collateral vessels after chronic constriction of a coronary artery in dogs can provide for similar increases in blood flow to native and collateralized regions of myocardium ...
Management and Outcomes of Ovarian Masses in Children and Adolescents

Ovarian masses in the pediatric age group are rare, and malignancies are even less common. We reviewed our large single-center experience to determine the rate of malignancy and discuss management. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of ovarian masses in children in our institution over a 10-year period. Demographic and tumor-specific data were reviewed and analyzed, and a Student's unpaired t test was used where appropriate. A total of 49 children and adolescents with ovarian masses were found. The mean age at presentation was 13.3 years. Eight masses were malignant (16%) with malignant teratoma, dysgerminoma, and germ cell tumors found. These patients responded to chemotherapy, but there were three recurrences noted that responded to further therapy. Seventy-four per cent of the benign tumors were teratomas. The most common presentation was abdominal pain in 27 patients (55%) followed by an abdominal mass. Ultrasound and CT scans were the most common imaging studies with a mean mass size of 14.7 cm. A majority of the patients underwent a laparotomy with 12 per cent having a minimally invasive procedure. Only 37 per cent of the operations were performed by the pediatric surgeons. There were no deaths in this series after a follow up of over 6 years. Most ovarian masses in childhood are benign. Malignant lesions have favorable outcomes with chemotherapy, even with recurrent disease. Consideration for laparoscopic procedures should be given for the benign lesions.
Transportation Infrastructure and Economic Growth in China: A Meta-analysis

Transportation infrastructure has experienced a rapid development in China over the past decade. Although the economic contribution of transportation infrastructure has been widely examined in the literature using various data and approaches, the understanding remains unsatisfactory as the economic output elasticities for transportation are found to vary substantially across different studies. Our study improves the understanding of the linkages between transportation infrastructure and economic growth with a focus on China using a meta-analysis. Through a statistical analysis of 133 estimates from 18 empirical studies, our results find that the average output elasticity of the Chinese transportation system is 0.13. Variations in earlier estimates were found to be due to the different dependent variables, transportation variables, control variables, data, and models being used. Although the results are generally consistent with previous studies based on different survey samples, some unique characteristics of the Chinese economy and its transportation system are found to play a significant role. These should be considered carefully and suggest interpretive cautious in future research endeavors.
Tanapoxvirus lacking a neuregulin-like gene regresses human melanoma tumors in nude mice

Neuregulin (NRG), an epidermal growth factor is known to promote the growth of various cell types, including human melanoma cells through ErbB family of tyrosine kinases receptors. Tanapoxvirus (TPV)-encoded protein TPV-15L, a functional mimic of NRG, also acts through ErbB receptors. Here, we show that the TPV-15L protein promotes melanoma proliferation. TPV recombinant generated by deleting the 15L gene (TPVΔ15L) showed replication ability similar to that of wild-type TPV (wtTPV) in owl monkey kidney cells, human lung fibroblast (WI-38) cells, and human melanoma (SK-MEL-3) cells. However, a TPV recombinant with both 15L and the thymidine kinase (TK) gene 66R ablated (TPVΔ15LΔ66R) replicated less efficiently compared to TPVΔ15L and the parental virus. TPVΔ15L exhibited more robust tumor regression in the melanoma-bearing nude mice compared to other TPV recombinants. Our results indicate that deletion of TPV-15L gene product which facilitates the growth of human melanoma cells can be an effective strategy to enhance the oncolytic potential of TPV for the treatment of melanoma.
Climate Change and Labour Allocation in Rural Mexico: Evidence from Annual Fluctuations in Weather

This paper evaluates the effects of annual fluctuations in weather on employment in rural Mexico to gain insight into the potential labour market implications of climate change. Using a 28-year panel on individual employment, we find that years with a high occurrence of heat lead to a reduction in local employment, particularly for wage work and non-farm labour. Extreme heat also increases migration domestically from rural to urban areas and internationally to the U.S. A medium emissions scenario implies that increases in extreme heat may decrease local employment by up to 1.4% and climate change may increase migration by 1.4%. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Excision of Dorsal Wrist Ganglia

Arthroscopic excision of dorsal ganglia is a reasonable alternative to open excision, with decreased postoperative morbidity. Arthroscopic excision has been shown to equal, if not lower the risk of recurrence, as compared with open excision. This lower risk of recurrence in preliminary studies, combined with more rapid improvement in postoperative range of motion is a significant advantage over open excision. Arthroscopic excision allows precise identification and excision of the stalk of the ganglion from the scapholunate interosseous ligament under magnified conditions. It allows protection of the scapholunate interosseous ligament as it is directly visualized under bright light and in well-magnified conditions. This may potentially lower the risk of injury to the interosseous ligament as compared to open excision.17 Simultaneous arthroscopic evaluation of the radiocarpal and midcarpal spaces allows detection and management of any additional intra-articular pathology that may be extant. This also allows the patient to trade a bump for a portal rather than a scar, which is pleasing to those patients who feel cosmesis is important.
Discriminative Maze Learning in the Mongolian Gerbil

A comparative study of discriminative maze learning ability in the albino rat (N=9) and the Mongolian gerbil (N=9) yielded statistically significant results strongly favoring the rat (F=27.58; df=l; p<.01).
Bildungswesen und die Welt objektiven Wissens

Lassen Sie mich mit der Darlegung eines wissenschaftlichen Misverstandnisses beginnen, das ich benutzt habe, als ich gegen das Reduktionistendogma argumentierte, namlich das alles, Biologie und bewuste Erfahrung eingeschlossen, auf Physik und Chemie zuruckzufuhren sei. In der Vergangenheit habe ich die Frage gestellt: Was aber sind Physik und Chemie? Man wird mir zustimmen, das damit nicht die Lehrbucher von Physik und Chemie oder die wissenschaftlichen Veroffentlichungen als solche oder die Institutionen und Laboratorien dieser Wissenschaften gemeint sind. Es ist noch nicht einmal der Physiker oder Chemiker per se. So fuhr ich fort zu erklaren, das letzten Endes Physik und Chemie nur Gedanken und Ideen von Physikern und Chemikern bei ihren Anstrengungen seien, die Manifestationen der naturlichen Welt zu verstehen und zu erklaren, sei es durch direkte Beobachtung oder durch Beobachtung experimenteller Vorgange. Diese Behauptung fuhrte zu der zusatzlichen Aussage, das Physik und Chemie auf diese Weise auf eine subjektive Kategorie zuruckgefuhrt worden sind, und das das Reduktionistendogma, wie oben ausgefuhrt, daher nicht als Stutze einer materialistischen Philosophie angesehen werden kann.
Progress Toward 2D Tunneling Devices

Despite the relative ease with which 2D devices can be fabricated using exfoliated materials compared to bottom-up (growth) methods, the task of making a device from start to finish is still rather complicated. These difficulties must be overcome, however, if the goal is to measure transport in real 2D devices. To this end, I will outline the state of art, beginning with my personal contribution to creating a new user facility at Carnegie Mellon University for building 2D heterostructures using micromanipulation to achieve clean and dry transfers.
INCREMENTAL VALUE OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR STRAIN AND 3D ECHO COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL ECHO APPROACHES FOR DETECTION OF CARDIAC MRI (CMR) EVIDENCED RIGHT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION IN ISCHEMIC MITRAL REGURGITATION

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a nidus for RV dysfunction (RVdys) - a known poor prognostic marker. Echocardiography (echo) is widely used to screen for RVdys but relative utility of established and emerging echo approaches is unknown. Population comprised ischemic MR (iMR) pts undergoing a
The travel writer in disguise: Ali Bey and the construction of a national Hispano-Arabic discourse (1800 – present)

Between 1803 and 1818, the Catalan entrepreneur Domingo Badia y Leblich (1767–1818) toured North Africa and the Middle East disguised as a certain ‘Ali Bey’, an Abbasid prince from Aleppo whose ali...
Test fixture to apply DC bias and AC ripple current for reliability testing of electrolytic capacitors

Electrolytic capacitors are widely used in the DC link of variable frequency drives (VFDs). Their reliability has a significant impact on VFD performance and life time. Typically, the life time of electrolytic capacitors is specified in vendors' datasheets at the rated continuous DC voltage and at the rated ripple current at one fixed frequency, under rated temperature and humidity conditions. In order to analyze and verify their life time, a test fixture is needed to apply both adjustable DC bias voltage and AC ripple current at a specific frequency. In this paper, a portable test fixture with low kVA requirements is proposed for electrolytic capacitor reliability testing. The test fixture can easily be scaled to test large capacitors with high ripple current rating. Multiple capacitor samples or entire capacitor bank assemblies used in VFDs can be tested. Design details of the test fixture and reliability test results are provided.
Justifying data warehousing investments

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of information technology. Many large IT projects in the area of data warehousing and data mining have been taken up in the last few years. While many data warehousing and data mining projects have resulted in interesting business benefits, there are also many examples of cost and schedule overruns and dissatisfaction regarding the results from these projects. A recent issue of Information Week (May 24, 1999) reported that organizations are carefully scrutinizing the returns from large data warehousing projeets. This makes it increasingly important for information systems professionals to understand the payoff from data warehousing investments. It is also extremely important for information systems professionals to articulate the business benefits of data warehousing and other big ticket information technology projects in terms that senior managers in general and finance executives in particular can relate to. This article outlines an approach to justifying data warehousing investments that is based on the concept of options in finance. This approach to justifying investments is being increasingly recognized as being superior to traditional methods by finance professionals (Business Week, June 7, 1999).
Malabsorption Due to Selected Oral Antibiotics

This article represents an overview of recent research conducted on antibiotic-induced malabsorption in calves. The authors feel strongly that this work identifies a serious and ill-defined problem in the management of neonatal calves. Too often the solution utilized by veterinarian and stockmen for controlling neonatal diarrhea has been to administer oral antibiotics. In many cases, this has been done on the basis of antibiotic sensitivity testing, an approach that seems appropriate. Unfortunately, little consideration has been given to the relative sensitivity of the neonatal intestinal mucosa, with its very rapid turnover, to the potentially detrimental effects of oral antimicrobial therapy. The data that we have collected over the past 3 years conclusively demonstrate that high levels of four commonly used oral antibiotics, especially neomycin and chloramphenicol but also tetracycline and ampicillin, can cause a malabsorption diarrhea in normal calves. This action is not due to viral agents or overgrowth of resistant microbes but is the result of direct modification of the intestinal mucosa. Extrapolation of these data to different dose levels may not be accurate. Oral antibiotics may be of value in treating neonatal enteritis. Conversely, there can be too much of a good thing, and many cases of chronic diarrhea following use of oral antibiotics may be the result of an overenthusiastic and prolonged dosage regimen. Be cautious!
Managing the components of the aging neck: from liposuction to submentalplasty, to neck lift.

The ideal appearance of the youthful neck is described as having a distinct inferior mandibular border with no jowls, subhyoid depression, visible thyroid cartilage bulge, distinct border to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and a cervicomental angle between 105° and 120°. Treatment options are based on individualized patient assessment and vary from liposuction to submentalplasty alone to a traditional neck lift with the possibility of liposuction as well as submentalplasty. The authors discuss the techniques and possible complications.
Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis by GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1) is a secreted peptide that acts as a key determinant of blood glucose homeostasis by virtue of its abilities to slow gastric emptying, to enhance pancreatic insulin secretion, and to suppress pancreatic glucagon secretion. GLP-1 is secreted from L cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa in response to a meal, and the blood glucose-lowering action of GLP-1 is terminated due to its enzymatic degradation by dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-IV). Released GLP-1 activates enteric and autonomic reflexes while also circulating as an incretin hormone to control endocrine pancreas function. The GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated directly or indirectly by blood glucose-lowering agents currently in use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These therapeutic agents include GLP-1R agonists (exenatide, liraglutide, lixisenatide, albiglutide, dulaglutide, and langlenatide) and DPP-IV inhibitors (sitagliptin, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin). Investigational agents for use in the treatment of T2DM include GPR119 and GPR40 receptor agonists that stimulate the release of GLP-1 from L cells. Summarized here is the role of GLP-1 to control blood glucose homeostasis, with special emphasis on the advantages and limitations of GLP-1-based therapeutics.
Motor Conduction Studies and Needle Electromyography in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Distal median motor latency and electromyography were historically the first electrophysiologic tests to be studied in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. Since that time, motor studies have been modified to increase their senstivity and thus, remain an essential component in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. Median CMAP latency, median-ulnar motor comparison, inching, amplitude and duration, and stimulation above and below the carpal ligament have been developed as tools for the motor evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision to use needle electromyography as a diagnostic tool should be based on the patient’s history and physical exam
Genesis of segmental identity in the leech nervous system.

The Antennapedia-class homeobox genes are likely to play a role in the specification of neuronal identities in invertebrates. The leech Hirudo medicinalis, a species well-suited for the analysis of these genes at the level of identified neurons, contains homologs of many Antennapedia-class and related genes. The expression pattern in the central nervous system of four leech homebox genes was examined in detail. Lox1 is expressed during early gangliogenesis in one pair of transient neurons present in every segment and, at later stages, in 15–20 pairs of neurons per segment. Lox2 is expressed in 25–30 pairs of neurons repeated in the posterior two-thirds of the midbody. Lox4 is present in 20–30 pairs of iterated neurons in the posterior half of the midbody, and in smaller subset of them in more anterior ganglia. Lox6 is expressed in 15–20 pairs of neurons of the third subesophageal neuromere and in fewer cells of more posterior ganglia. The subsets of neurons that express these homeobox genes are different but overlapping. Combinations of Lox genes could in theory generate enough variability to specify all central neurons in a leech ganglion.
Explaining the origins and distribution of health and disease: an analysis of epidemiologic theory in core Master of Public Health coursework in the United States

This article examines the epidemiologic theories taught most frequently in core social and behavioral science coursework in Master of Public Health (MPH) programs in the United States, identifies l...
Effect of Cutting Size on Rooting and Subsequent Growth of Acer rubrum ‘Red Sunset’ Cuttings

Rooting and subsequent overwinter survival and growth of single-node (5 cm; 2 in), triple-node (15 cm; 6 in), and tip cuttings (15 cm; 6in) of Acer rubrum L. ‘Red Sunset’ were compared. Triple-node...
Long Term Strategies for Respiratory Muscle Rest

Inspiratory muscle (IM) fatigue may be a cause of hypercapnic respiratory failure.1 Muscle fatigue is defined as a condition in which there is a loss in the capacity for developing force and/or velocity in response to a load and which is reversible by rest.2 IM may become fatigued in chronic diseases of airways (COPD), in restrictive lung and chest wall diseases (RTD) and in neuromuscular diseases (NMD). Ventilatory failure of patients with acute severe asthma or who fail to be weaned from mechanical ventilation (MV) may be the result of IM fatigue.3 Regardless of the mechanism, the rest should be the best treatment of fatigued IM. The hypothesis that hypercapnia in stable COPD may be caused by a state of chronic muscle fatigue has been questioned, so that according to the aforementioned definition of fatigue, benefits arising from IM rest, if any, might be considered as a demonstration ex juvantibus of the existence of chronic IM fatigue. This situation is however not easy to be proven due to the fact that IM rest is usually delivered by means of MV, so that it is not easy to know whether benefits depend on rest or ventilatory effects or both.
The crystal structure of adenylosuccinate synthetase from Escherichia coli

92 Introduction 92 Methods and Results 94 Discussion 96 APPENDIX 2. STRUCTURAL ASYMMETRY IN THE CTP-LI6ANDED FORM OF ASPARTATE CARBAMOYLTRANSFERASE FROM ESCHERICHIA SSLL 97
Physiological and molecular analysis of glyphosate resistance in non-rapid response Ambrosia trifida from Wisconsin.

Background We previously identified a glyphosate-resistant A. trifida phenotype from Wisconsin USA that showed a non-rapid response to glyphosate. The mechanism of glyphosate resistance in this phenotype has yet to be elucidated. We conducted experiments to investigate non-target-site resistance and target-site resistance mechanisms. The roles of glyphosate absorption, translocation, and metabolism in resistance of this phenotype have not been reported previously, nor have EPSPS protein abundance or mutations to the full-length sequence of EPSPS. Results Whole-plant dose-response results confirmed a 6.5-level of glyphosate resistance for the resistant (R) phenotype compared to a susceptible (S) phenotype. Absorption and translocation of 14 C-glyphosate were similar between R and S phenotypes over 72 h. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations in leaf tissue did not differ between R and S phenotypes over 96 h. In vivo shikimate leaf disc assays confirmed that glyphosate EC50 values were 4.6- to 5.4-fold greater for the R than S phenotype. Shikimate accumulation was similar between phenotypes at high glyphosate concentrations (>1000 μM), suggesting that glyphosate entered chloroplasts and inhibited EPSPS. This finding was supported by results showing that EPSPS copy number and EPSPS protein abundance did not differ between R and S phenotypes, nor did EPSPS sequence at Gly101, Thr102, and Pro106 positions. Comparison of full-length EPSPS sequences found five nonsynonymous polymorphisms that differed between R and S phenotypes. However, their locations were distant from the glyphosate target site and, therefore, not likely to affect enzyme-glyphosate interaction. Conclusion The results suggest that a novel mechanism confers glyphosate resistance in this A. trifida phenotype. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing colorectal surgery within an institutional enhanced recovery after surgery protocol: comparison of two prophylactic antiemetic regimens.

Background Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) provide optimal perioperative care for surgical patients. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common after colorectal surgery (CRS). We aim to compare the efficacy of aprepitant to a cost-effective alternative, perphenazine, as components of triple antiemetic prophylaxis in ERP patients. Methods Patients who underwent ERP CRS at a single institution from July 2015 to July 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Only subjects who received aprepitant (Group 1) or perphenazine (Group 2) preoperatively for PONV prophylaxis were included. Patient characteristics, simplified Apfel PONV scores, perioperative medications, and PONV incidence were compared between the groups. PONV was defined as the need for rescue antiemetics on postoperative days (POD) 0-5. Results Five hundred ninety-seven patients underwent CRS of which 498 met the inclusion criteria. Two hundred thirty-one (46.4%) received aprepitant and 267 (53.6%) received perphenazine. The incidence of early PONV (POD 0-1) was comparable between the two groups: 44.2% in Group 1 and 44.6% in Group 2 (P = 0.926). Late PONV (POD 2-5) occurred less often in Group 1 than Group 2, respectively (35.9% vs. 45.7%, P = 0.027). After matching the groups for preoperative, procedural, and anesthesia characteristics (164 pairs), no difference in early or late PONV could be demonstrated between the groups. Conclusions The incidence of PONV remains high despite most patients receiving three prophylactic antiemetic medications. Perphenazine can be considered a cost-effective alternative to oral aprepitant for prophylaxis of PONV in patients undergoing CRS within an ERP.
Investigating the Antioxidant Characteristics of Saccharina Latissima and Its Ability to Reduce Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells (P06-091-19)

The goal of this study is to understand the anti-inflammatory characteristics of Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp). Sugar kelp is a brown macroalga that grows readily off the coast of Maine. Other seaweeds are known to contain bioactive chemicals that reduce inflammation—a contributing factor to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. It is hypothesized that injuring farmed sugar kelp by trimming the kelp may increase the beneficial bioactives and promote anti-inflammatory effects. The specific aims are (1) to produce extracts of Maine-grown sugar kelp through accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), (2) to measure the samples’ antioxidant capacity, and (3) to investigate the samples’ anti-inflammatory effect in vitro. Sugar kelp samples were freeze-dried and extracts were produced using ASE. Total phenolic content was measured using the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, and radical scavenging capacity was measured with a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The sugar kelp extracts were tested for cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophages using a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation in the cells, and the attenuation effect of extract doses ranging from 12.5–50 µg total phenolics (TP)/mL was observed by measuring nitric oxide (NO) secretion with the Griess assay. Preliminary data shows that sugar kelp contains polyphenols (8.4–16.0 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried biomass) and radical scavenging capacity (IC50 = 61.8–79.5 µg/mL). The data did not demonstrate the trimming the kelp has a beneficial effect to increase phenolic compounds. The polyphenolic contents of the trimmed samples were lower than the untrimmed (9.5 vs. 13.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dried biomass). The radical scavenging capacity decreased when the samples were trimmed (14.7%). The greatest decrease in NO production was at a concentration of 50 μg TP/mL for a trimmed sample (up to 78.5%), which supports the hypothesis. This data suggests that sugar kelp may be a good source of antioxidants and trimmed samples may contain additional bioactives to help decrease inflammation. Further investigation is needed to confirm the hypothesis. The University of Maine The University of New England
Nae Ionescu, the Young Generation, ‘The Spiritual Itinerary’ and Education Abroad, 1927–1932

This chapter is devoted to the experiences of the key Criterionists in the 1920s and early 1930s. Bejan starts with a portrait of the most important intellectual influence on the Young Generation, Nae Ionescu. The chapter then introduces the most significant members of the Young Generation as well as how they knew each other. This chapter then presents an in-depth exposition of the material explored by Eliade in his manifesto for the Young Generation: ‘The Spiritual Itinerary’ (1927). As most of these figures pursued higher education abroad, Bejan examines Eliade’s doctoral research in Indian philosophy and yoga in Calcutta, Comarnescu’s doctoral studies in esthetic philosophy at the University of Southern California and Cioran’s philosophy studies in Berlin, where he became enamored of Hitler and Nazism.
Exposure to American Football and Neuropsychiatric Health in Former National Football League Players: Findings From the Football Players Health Study.

Background:Former American football players have a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment than that of the US general population. It remains unknown what aspects of playing football are associat...
Postdoc perspective: On being a postdoc and a government employee

One of my first days at my postdoc, I got to see a Nobel laureate speak. It was then that the reality that I had secured a position in a federal laboratory settled in. Actually, I take that back. The reality settled in when I had to fill out a mountain of paperwork just to step foot in the place unescorted. Jokes aside, being a postdoc at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been nothing short of cool. I am surrounded by brilliant minds and fascinating research. People are eager to collaborate, and I have received tons of support as I dip my toes into materials science for the first time. Furthermore, my fellow postdocs and I are well connected, and I quickly made friends in my new city. However, I won’t pretend that my experience hasn’t had its ups and downs. Six weeks after I started,
Ramping up telemedicine in pediatric urology- Tips for using a new modality

The COVID pandemic has incited the rapid implementation of telehealth services. Through telemedicine, pediatric urologists can counsel children and their families about genitourinary tract conditions, while adhering to social distancing requirements and keeping families safe at home. With the accelerated use of telemedicine, it is crucial to maintain standards of providing high-quality and secure urologic care. Clinicians must practice effective virtual communication or 'webside' manner. While research may not be a priority, collecting data on telemedicine efforts will be critical in bringing about both payer-based and legislative reforms to encourage and enable wider telemedicine use in the post-COVID world.
Transcriptomic Study of Substrate-Specific Transport Mechanisms for Iron and Carbon in the Marine Copiotroph Alteromonas macleodii.

ABSTRACT Iron is an essential micronutrient for all microbial growth in the marine environment, and in heterotrophic bacteria, iron is tightly linked to carbon metabolism due to its central role as a cofactor in enzymes of the respiratory chain. Here, we present the iron- and carbon-regulated transcriptomes of a representative marine copiotroph, Alteromonas macleodii ATCC 27126, and characterize its cellular transport mechanisms. ATCC 27126 has distinct metabolic responses to iron and carbon limitation and, accordingly, uses distinct sets of TonB-dependent transporters for the acquisition of iron and carbon. These distinct sets of TonB-dependent transporters were of a similar number, indicating that the diversity of carbon and iron substrates available to ATCC 27126 is of a similar scale. For the first time in a marine bacterium, we have also identified six characteristic inner membrane permeases for the transport of siderophores via an ATPase-independent mechanism. An examination of the distribution of specific TonB-dependent transporters in 31 genomes across the genus Alteromonas points to niche specialization in transport capacity, particularly for iron. We conclude that the substrate-specific bioavailability of both iron and carbon in the marine environment will likely be a key control on the processing of organic matter through the microbial loop. IMPORTANCE As the major facilitators of the turnover of organic matter in the marine environment, the ability of heterotrophic bacteria to acquire specific compounds within the diverse range of dissolved organic matter will affect the regeneration of essential nutrients such as iron and carbon. TonB-dependent transporters are a prevalent cellular tool in Gram-negative bacteria that allow a relatively high-molecular-weight fraction of organic matter to be directly accessed. However, these transporters are not well characterized in marine bacteria, limiting our understanding of the flow of specific substrates through the marine microbial loop. Here, we characterize the TonB-dependent transporters responsible for iron and carbon acquisition in a representative marine copiotroph and examine their distribution across the genus Alteromonas. We provide evidence that substrate-specific bioavailability is niche specific, particularly for iron complexes, indicating that transport capacity may serve as a significant control on microbial community dynamics and the resultant cycling of organic matter.
A sustained dual drug delivery system for proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a significant threat for vision recovery from retinal detachment or ocular trauma. Currently, no approved pharmacological intervention to prevent PVR. Daunorubicin (DNR) and dexamethasone (DEX) were sequentially loaded into oxidized porous silicon (pSiO2) particles by covalent conjugation. The DNR + DEX-loaded particles, and control particles loaded with DNR only and DEX only were incubated with RPE-populated collagen for daily gel surface quantitation. Toxicity was monitored by ophthalmic examinations and histological evaluation 21 days after injection. At 3rd week following intravitreal injection, a localized retinal detachment (RD) was created by subretinal injection of Healon in all pretreated eyes in addition to 3 non-interventional control eyes. 10 µg of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected into the vitreous 4 h before sacrifice on day 3 after RD induction. Retinal sections were stained for glial fibrillary green protein (GFAP) and BrdU to identify activated glial cells and retinal cell proliferation. The studies demonstrated that all three pSiO2 particle types were well tolerated in vivo. DNR alone and DNR + DEX combination formulations demonstrated equally strong suppression on gel contraction (least square mean area of the gel: control = 1.71 vs. 30DNR = 1.85 or 30/40Dual = 1.83, p < .05). Eyes pretreated with pSiO2-DNR + DEX exhibited the least GFAP activation (least square mean intensity mm-2: Dual = 4.03, DNR = 7.76, Dex = 16.23, control = 29.11, p < .05) and BrdU expression (Mean number of BrdU positive cells per mm of retina: Dual = 2.77, DNR = 4.58, Dex = 4.01, control = 6.16, p < .05). The synergistic effect of a sustained release pSiO2-DNR/DEX showed promise for the prevention of PVR development while reducing the necessary therapeutic concentration of each drug.
Intracerebral hemorrhage: who gets tested for methamphetamine use and why might it matter?

Methamphetamine use is an emerging risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to investigate the use of urine drug screen (UDS) for identifying methamphetamine-associated ICH. This is a retrospective, single-center study of consecutive patients hospitalized with spontaneous ICH from January 2013 to December 2017. Patients were divided into groups based on presence of UDS. The characteristics of patients with and without UDS were compared. Factors associated with getting UDS were explored using multivariable analyses. Five hundred ninety-six patients with ICH were included. UDS was performed in 357 (60%), and positive for methamphetamine in 44 (12.3%). In contrast, only 19 of the 357 patients (5.3%) had a documented history of methamphetamine use. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that patients screened with UDS were more likely to be younger than 45 (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 0.26–0.78; p = 0.004), male (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.44–0.84; p = 0.003), smokers (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.09–2.77; p 4 (OR, 1.92; 95%CI, 1.34–2.75; p < 0.001), or require external ventricular drain (EVD) (OR, 1.63; 95%CI, 1.07–2.47; p = 0.021. There was no significant difference in race (p = 0.319). Reported history of methamphetamine use was the strongest predictor of obtaining a UDS (OR,10.48). Five percent of patients without UDS admitted history of use. UDS identified 12.3% of ICH patients with methamphetamine use as compared to 5.3% per documented history of drug use. There was no racial bias in ordering UDS. However, it was more often ordered in younger, male, smokers, with history of methamphetamine use, without diabetes or anticoagulant use.
Quadruplex‐Templated and Catalyzed Ligation of Nucleic Acids

Template-guided chemical reactions between nucleic acid strands are an important process in biomedical research. However, almost all of these reactions employ an oligonucleotide-templated approach that is based on the double-helix alignment. The moderate stability of the double helix makes this approach unsuitable for many chemical reactions, so alternative nucleic acid alignment mechanisms, demonstrating higher thermal and chemical stability, are desirable. Earlier, we described a noncovalent coupling mechanism between DNA strands through a quadruplex-and-Mg2+ connection (QMC). QMC is based on G-quadruplexes and allows unusually stable and specific interactions. Herein, a novel catalytic nucleic acid reaction, based on QMC, is described. This approach uses G-tetrads as a structural and recognition element without employing Watson-Crick complementarity rules at any stage of substrate/catalyst formation or interaction between them. Quadruplex-templated ligation can be achieved through the self-ligation of two nucleic acid strands, or through a quadruplex catalyst, which forms a G-triplex and specifically connects the strands. The process is extraordinarily robust and efficient. For instance, the ligation of carbodiimide-activated substrates can proceed in boiling solutions, and complete ligation is demonstrated within a minute. The quadruplex-templated and catalyzed reactions will create new opportunities for chemical reactions requiring harsh experimental conditions.
How and When Humble Leadership Facilitates Employee Job Performance: The Roles of Feeling Trusted and Job Autonomy:

This study extends our understanding of humble leadership as an important trust-engendering leadership style that influences employee behaviors. Drawing on social exchange theory, we articulate how...
Finite-Element Study of Motion-Induced Eddy Current Array Method for High-Speed Rail Defects Detection

Nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are widely used in the rail industry to detect and characterize rolling contact fatigue (RCF) defects in railroads, which is very important for railway inspection and maintenance to prevent catastrophic accidents. Existing NDT methods, e.g., ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic flux leakage (MFL), and eddy current testing (ECT) have been successfully applied in the rail industry, and the state-of-the-art UT method reported recently achieved a high speed of 40 mi/h with a probability of detection (POD) over 80% under 30% false alarms. However, NDT methods still suffer from a bottleneck in that a higher inspection speed causes lower detection sensitivity due to their physical limits, such as negative velocity effect and long sensing time. One of the leading challenges to the rail NDT community is to develop a high-speed high-sensitivity (HSHS) capability that can provide an improved POD of rail defects in high-speed inspection scenarios over 60 mi/h. This article proposes a horizontal U-shaped magnets-based motion-induced eddy current array (MIECA) method to detect rail surface defects with the HSHS capability. The MIECA method deploys a three-axis magnetic sensor array along the rail transverse direction at the middle of the magnets to measure the MIECA signals, which utilizes the wake effect of the diffused motion-induced eddy current (MIEC) caused by the relative high-speed motion between the magnets and the rail track. Finite-element method (FEM) simulations with a wide speed range from 0 to 62.5 mi/h are carried out to investigate the relationships between the MIEC generation, diffusion and magnitude, and the three-axis MIECA signals. The simulation results show that the higher the speed, the greater the magnitude of diffused MIEC, and the greater the peak-to-peak values of three-axis MIECA signals caused by rail surface defects, which shows a great promise for detecting rail surface defects in high-speed scenarios and is superior inspection relative to existing NDT methods in terms of inspection speed, detection sensitivity, and defect characterization capability.
Poisoning of Automotive Catalysts

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the more specific topic of poisoning of just one category of catalysts—namely, those used for purification of automotive exhaust. Poisoning is a specific but particularly important aspect with far reaching technological and even economic consequences. It has been the subject of much detailed and thorough investigation. Ample documentation of poisoning has by government regulation, required the alteration of long accepted fuel formulations, beginning with 1975 automobile models, to permit installation of catalytic devices on vehicles. Automotive fuels marketed under the label of “unleaded” have, indeed, proved to be nearly devoid of lead. In turn, the availability of the fuels made it possible to design even more effective catalytic emission-control systems. It should be borne in mind, though, that this circumstance gives rise to more sophisticated and sensitive catalytic systems. The catalyst-poison interaction is also being reinvestigated at new levels of sophistication, bringing into play the most modern analytical tools available. The chapter documents and illustrates the considerations and importance of basic principles to a technology of universal importance.
Transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatases

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the transmembrane phosphatases concerning their potential roles in regulating cellular behavior. Cell surface receptors serve to monitor environmental signals and function to initiate events that result in changes in cellular physiology. One key regulatory mechanism affected by many cell surface receptors is reversible tyrosine phosphorylation. This important molecular switch controls many aspects of cellular activation, differentiation, and division. Tyrosine phosphorylation is controlled by the antagonistic action of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). Transmembrane PTPases present a potentially novel and important mechanism for regulating extracellular signals. Many of the extracellular domains are heavily glycosylated and many have characteristics of adhesion proteins or cell–cell interaction proteins. This leads to the speculation that they may function in directing or facilitating interactions between cells. This may be important in communicating and controlling tyrosine phosphorylation levels in the cell. The best characterized transmembrane PTPase, cluster of differentiation 45 (CD45), functions to regulate Src-family member kinase activity and this function is essential for efficient signaling through lymphocyte antigen receptors. The extracellular domain has not been shown to be essential for this function. Currently, it is thought that CD45 dephosphorylates and activates Src-family members prior to exposure to antigen, and thus the confinement of this interaction is important to activation.
Quality control-an overview

This report provides information on the latest robotics and vision system technologies affecting the manufacturing sector today. Machine vision, sensors, artificial intelligence, and expert systems are all explored. Applications and examples of actual implementations of these technologies are also given. >
Effect of amplifier spacing on end-to-end gain equalization

In this paper a theory is presented to analyze the end-to-end gain equalization scheme for a chain of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs). We provide closed-form expressions for the maximum number of amplifiers that can be cascaded with and without end-to-end gain equalization. Given these expressions we are able to quantify the increase in number of amplifiers achieved by employing this gain equalization scheme. Results suggest a potential 2-4 fold increase in transmission distance beyond that allowed in the unequalized system.
Identification of a potential source of chloroform in urban air

Abstract A new potential source of elevated chloroform (CHCl3) concentrations in urban air is reported. The exhaust gases from gasoline internal combustion engines operated on conventional “leaded” fuel and not equipped with catalytic converters contain parts-per-billion concentrations of chloroform which can, in congested urban areas, contribute significantly to the ambient concentration of chloroform. Exhaust gases from engines burning conventional “leaded” gasoline contain much higher levels of chloroform than do exhaust gases from engines equipped with catalytic converters and operating on “nonleaded” gasoline.
Use of a computer model to determine energy requirements of a predatory fish, the largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides)

In some types of biological research the techniques of engineering and other applied sciences have figured prominently in many significant advances made during the last ten years. Such analytical methods as simulation studies, optimization techniques, dynamic programming, and others have opened whole new theoretical and mission-oriented capabilities in many areas of investigation. The analysis of energy flow in both individual animals and populations of animals has been one field of ecological research that has developed rapidly, and one which will continue to enlarge in scope in the future. However, modern numerical techniques are not solely responsible for advances in energetics analysis. Rather, progress has been due to the conceptual framework for study that has developed from principles and considerations underlying theory in many seemingly diverse disciplines. At first glance, such areas of endeavor as urban transit system design, land and resource management strategies, urban planning, and economic theory do not appear to be too closely related. However, all of these activities along with the study of energetics in ecological systems have in common the analysis and optimization of energy flow.