cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel quantitative generalized total effective entrapment (gTEE) metric for enhanced clinical outcome prediction: application to PET/CT imaging of pancreatic cancer

647 Objectives To investigate a novel quantitative metric, denoted generalized total effective entrapment (gTEE), derived by analogy to a model of generalized effective uniform dose (gEUD) as used in radiation therapy, for assessment of tumor burden. Methods The metric is given by gTEE(a)=( Δv * Σiuia )1/a for a given tumor with N sub-volumes (voxels) of volume Δv each and PET uptake ui (i=1…N). The metric is attractive as it generalizes commonly utilized metrics using a single additional degree-of-freedom or parameter ‘a’ (values of a=0, 1 and ∞ correspond to MTV, TLG and SUVmax, respectively). We applied this metric to n=45 pancreatic cancer patients with non-resectable locoregional disease imaged by FDG PET/CT scan at baseline. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of overall survival (OS) was performed, where different threshold were considered and optimized for a given parameter ‘a’, and the hazard ratios (HR) between the higher and lower percentile groups were computed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results The proposed gTEE metric was optimized for a=10, i.e. when greater emphasis is put on PET uptake than volume, unlike TLG (a=1) which places equal emphasis on volume and uptake, and unlike MTV or SUVmax, which altogether neglect either uptake or volume, respectively. The optimized HR values for MTV, TLG, SUVmax and gTEE where 2.51, 2.51, 2.93 and 3.48, respectively. For the Cox model, the corresponding goodness of fit log-likelihood (LOGL) were -125.7, -125.7, -125.1 and -123.6, and the p-values (for the null hypothesis that HR=1) were 0.011, 0.011, 0.0077 and 0.0019. MTV&TLG (SUVmax) were outside the 95% (90%) confidence intervals of gTEE. Conclusions The proposed framework enable an intuitive generalization of existing metrics, enabling placement of differing degrees of emphasis on tumor volume vs. uptake, to arrive at enhanced clinical outcome prediction.
ANALYSIS OF DEFECTS AND FAILURE FOR TUBE MATERIALS USED ON BOILERS OF ULTRA-SUPERCRITICAL UNITS

The problems easily occurred on ferritic heat-resisting steel and austenitic stainless heat-resisting steel tubes used on boilers of ultra-supercritical units after putting them into operation,such as cracking on the weld joints,dropping of oxide skin from inner wall,etc.,as well as over-temperature tube-burst occurred in operation of T91 and T92 steel tubes,have been analysed from aspects of microstructure and performance.It shows that the metallographic structure at thick-expanding location is white and bright fine ferritic carbide and grey island structure;the tensile strength Rpo.2,RM,and hardness of bursted tube all have been considerably deacreased as compared with the blow-demaged tubes,the lowest value of diamond penetrator hardness at sharpened end of the burst hole has decreased to 162,while the said hardness value of the neighboaring thick-expanding tubes without burst is 175~187.
A Multiplex Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization Protocol for Clonal Analysis of Drosophila Oogenesis

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a common inmunohistochemical method used to examine the distribution of RNAs in tissue samples. In mosaic tissues composed of a mixed population of wild-type and loss-of- or gain-of-function mutant cells, FISH allows comparison of the effect of the perturbation on gene expression patterns in a mutant cell and its wild-type neighbors. Here, we provide a protocol for the detection of RNA in Drosophila mosaic follicular epithelia, where the mosaic analysis with a repressible cell marker (MARCM) technique is used for expression of transgenes.
Quantitative analysis of duty cycle in pediatric and adolescent in-hospital cardiac arrest

Abstract Aims Quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with improved outcomes during cardiac arrest. Duty cycle (DC) represents an understudied element of CPR quality. Our objective was to quantitatively analyze DC during actual pediatric and adolescent in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). Methods Prospective observational study of IHCA at a large academic children's hospital. CPR variables included DC (%) up to the first 10 min of recorded chest compressions (CCs). American Heart Association (AHA) DC compliance was prospectively defined as an average event DC of 50 ± 5%. Percentage of events compliant with AHA DC was compared to a priori hypothesized compliance percentage of 25% using chi-square. Association between DC quartiles and categories of depth ( 120 min −1 ) were analyzed by chi-square test for trend. Results Between October 2006 and June 2015, 97 events in 87 patients were analyzed. Mean DC for events was 40 ± 2.8%. DC quartiles: Q1 (DC ≤38.3%), Q2 (>38.3–40.1%), Q3 (>40.1–42.1%), Q4 (>42.1%). Only 5 (5.2%) events met AHA DC compliance, significantly less than the a priori hypothesis of 25% ( p −1 ; p Conclusions Compression DC during resuscitation of actual child and adolescent IHCA met AHA recommendations in only 5% of events. In this series we found no association of DC with CC depth or survival.
Aspects of Macroeconomic Adjustment

The economy of Sierra Leone fell into stagnation and then decline in the 1970s and 1980s, and in the mid-1980s into chronic instability. This instability the World Bank attributed to economic mismanagement by the government. In light of our subsequent discussion, it is worth giving an extended quotation that summarizes the view of the Bank, [The Government] did not adjust the exchange rate in a timely and sufficient manner, and it continued to keep agricultural producer prices … low and incurred huge budget deficits. In 1979, when the terms of trade drastically turned against Sierra Leone, instead of managing demand, the Government … increased its expenditure program sharply. Domestic inflation soared, and the spread between the official and parallel market exchange rate widened sharply. With the Leone grossly overvalued in the official market market, most trade and foreign exchange was attracted away from that market. (World Bank, 1985a, p. 1)
A Possible Cause of the Diminished Solar Wind During the Solar Cycle 23 – 24 Minimum

Interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind plasma density observed at 1 AU during Solar Cycle 23 – 24 (SC-23/24) minimum were significantly smaller than those during its previous solar cycle (SC-22/23) minimum. Because the Earth’s orbit is embedded in the slow wind during solar minimum, changes in the geometry and/or content of the slow wind region (SWR) can have a direct influence on the solar wind parameters near the Earth. In this study, we analyze solar wind plasma and magnetic field data of hourly values acquired by Ulysses. It is found that the solar wind, when averaging over the first (1995.6 – 1995.8) and third (2006.9 – 2008.2) Ulysses’ perihelion ( ${\sim}\,1.4~\mbox{AU}$ ) crossings, was about the same speed, but significantly less dense ( ${\sim}\,34~\%$ ) and cooler ( ${\sim}\,20~\%$ ), and the total magnetic field was ${\sim}\,30~\%$ weaker during the third compared to the first crossing. It is also found that the SWR was ${\sim}\,50~\%$ wider in the third ( ${\sim}\,68.5^{\circ}$ in heliographic latitude) than in the first ( ${\sim}\,44.8^{\circ}$ ) solar orbit. The observed latitudinal increase in the SWR is sufficient to explain the excessive decline in the near-Earth solar wind density during the recent solar minimum without speculating that the total solar output may have been decreasing. The observed SWR inflation is also consistent with a cooler solar wind in the SC-23/24 than in the SC-22/23 minimum. Furthermore, the ratio of the high-to-low latitude photospheric magnetic field (or equatorward magnetic pressure force), as observed by the Mountain Wilson Observatory, is smaller during the third than the first Ulysses’ perihelion orbit. These findings suggest that the smaller equatorward magnetic pressure at the Sun may have led to the latitudinally-wider SRW observed by Ulysses in SC-23/24 minimum.
High-Frequency Learning Goals: Using Self-Regulated Learning to Influence Day-to-Day Practice in Clinical Education.

ABSTRACTProblem: Although self-regulated learning (SRL) is considered a fundamental skill that must be developed in physician training, many programs of SRL utilize learning goals that are generated only at the beginning of learning experiences or are widely spaced apart in time. These goals are often not formally shared with those actually working with the learner in the clinical setting. Intervention: We developed a program of written, student-generated weekly learning goals in which students focused on processes of becoming better doctors for their patients. These goals were shared at the beginning of each week with students' clinical teams for feedback and incorporation into the work. Context: The weekly learning goals program was developed and implemented as part of a required 3rd-year neurology clerkship. At the end of each 4-week clerkship, students were asked to evaluate the program through an anonymous electronic survey utilizing quantitative and open-ended qualitative questions. Outcome: Seventy...
A “Friendly Negotiation”: Jewish Labor, the Newspaper Guild, and the Limits of the New Deal

The rise of commercial media and a broader consumer culture positioned consumers as the guardians of a moral economy during the depths of the Depression, but it also handed journalists the burden of protecting democracy. This chapter describes how the American Newspaper Guild (ANG) sought to organize media workers within the Jewish labor movement’s own institutions. By the late 1930s, a new generation of activists had come of age during the era of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). Jewish labor promoted an outdated anti-Communism that fueled a proto-McCarthyism, but the CIO-inspired organizers did not comprehend the importance of the labor and ethnic press to maintaining a broader, democratic public sphere. ANG organizers and Jewish labor institutions came into enormous conflict as a result, as the Forward and the garment unions all opposed the ANG’s efforts to wage a strike at the Yiddish-language Der tog () The Day ).
Physician and Patient Radiation Exposure During Endovascular Procedures.

Endovascular procedures expose both patients and physicians to fluoroscopic ionizing radiation that carries a dose-dependent risk of acute toxicity and a small, but demonstrable, long-term risk of malignancy due to resultant genetic mutations. Exposure doses vary widely based upon patient-related factors including body size and anatomic complexity, operator technique, procedure type (diagnostic vs. therapeutic), vascular bed imaged, and imaging equipment employed. Effective dosage may vary as much as 200-fold for physicians and 20-fold for patients depending upon the procedure: for example, complex aortic interventions with branched graft devices may convey mean effective doses of more than 0.4 mSv for physicians and 100 mSv for patients, whereas distal, small-vessel angiography may entail mean effective doses of less than 0.002 mSv for physicians and 5 mSv for patients. Particular attention is given to physicians’ ocular exposure, which may cause cataract development, and to hand exposure, which is significantly higher than total body exposure when operators work near the x-ray beam. Given the risks of radiation exposure, numerous strategies have been developed to reduce both physician and patient doses. These measures include physician education about dose-reducing imaging techniques, development of low-dose imaging equipment, introduction of new radiation shielding drapes and caps, and real-time dose monitoring. Here, we review physician and patient effective doses of radiation by procedure type as reported in the literature and present recent data regarding dose-reduction strategies.
Regioselectivity of Mercury-Promoted Oxacyclizations of Alkynyl Diols

Hg(OTf)2-catalyzed cyclization of an alkynyl alcohol on a tetra­hydropyran template gives the bispyranyl ketone arising from dehydrative cyclization and alkyne hydration, rather than the targeted fused pyran-oxepane product. The combination of stoichiometric Hg(OTf)2 and triethylsilane gives reductive cyclization, but affords the fused pyran-oxocane corresponding to an 8-endo-mode oxacyclization process.
A low-cost masquerade and replay attack detection method for CAN in automobiles

Controller Area Network (CAN) is the main bus that connects Electronic Control Units(ECUs) in automobiles. The CAN protocol has been revised over the years to improve vehicle safety but the security of communication over a CAN bus is still a concern. Despite different kinds of attacks challenge the CAN security, the attack that injects masqueraded CAN frames is extremely difficult to defeat given the limited resources available in CAN system. We propose a low-cost detection mechanism to address the masquerade and replay attacks on the CAN bus. Existing work either requires to store a long list of legal CAN IDs or uses hardware-consuming cryptographic algorithms to detect attacks. In contrast, our method only adds one more CAN ID to the acceptance filter of the CAN node under protection, eliminating the need for cryptographic modules and significantly reducing the hardware cost. We implemented our method in a CAN system prototype. Our experimental results show that the latency overhead of the proposed method is approximately three orders of magnitude less than that of other methods. Our method is capable of detecting the masqueraded and replayed CAN frames with a detection speed of 40μs, which satisfies the real-time requirement of automobiles.
The American Public Health Association’s 2017 Year of Climate Change and Health: Time for Action

Climate change is today’s greatest public health threat.1 As the nation’s leading voice in public health, the American Public Health Association (APHA) has demonstrated an enduring commitment to climate change as a health issue. As far back as the mid-1920s, AJPH reported on the health impacts of climate change.2–4 Shaping the development of future organizational efforts, APHA members created the organization’s first policy statement on climate change in 1995 (updated in 2007 and 2015). APHA continued to bring attention to climate change and public health, making it the theme of National Public Health Week 2008. Since then, evidence of climate change’s causes and effects has mounted, but politicization of the issue and low prioritization by the public has made progress toward mitigation and adaptation slow. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 26, 2017: e1–e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.304168)
Acromegalic cardiomyopathy: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management

Acromegalic cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients with acromegaly. Though acromegaly is a rare condition, the associated derangements are vast and severe. Stemming from an increase in circulating growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (IGF-1), acromegalic cardiomyopathy results in pathological changes in myocyte growth and structure, cardiac contractility, and vascular function. These molecular changes manifest commonly as biventricular hypertrophy, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and valvular regurgitation. Early recognition of the condition is paramount, though the insidious progression of the disease commonly results in a late diagnosis. Biochemical testing, based on IGF-1 measurements, is the gold standard of diagnosis. Management should be centered on normalizing serum levels of both IGF-1 and GH. Transsphenoidal resection remains the most cost-effective and permanent treatment for acromegaly, though medical therapy possesses benefit for those who are not surgical candidates. Ultimately, achieving control of hormone levels results in a severe reduction in mortality rate, underscoring the importance of early recognition and treatment.
Washer and Post Augmentation of 90/90 Wiring for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis: A Biomechanical Study.

Purpose To describe a novel construct for proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis using headless cannulated screws as an intramedullary washer to augment 90/90 intraosseous wiring and compare the biomechanical properties of this construct with those of the 90/90 intraosseous wiring without headless screw augmentation. Methods Biomechanical evaluation of augmented 90/90 intraosseous wiring with headless cannulated screws (group 1) or 90/90 intraosseous wiring without augmentation (group 2) for PIP joint arthrodesis was performed in 3 matched-pair cadaveric specimens (12 digits per group). Each group was loaded to 10 N in the sagittal and coronal planes and the resultant stiffness from the load-displacement curve was calculated. In extension, each group then underwent load to permanent deformation and load to catastrophic failure. Results The augmented 90/90 intraosseous wiring with cannulated screws construct demonstrated significantly greater stiffness by 132%, 64%, 79%, and 75% in flexion, extension, ulnar, and radial displacement, respectively. During load to permanent deformation testing, a 42% greater force was required to create permanent deformation in group 1 compared than group 2. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups during load to catastrophic failure testing. Conclusions Augmenting 90/90 intraosseous wiring for PIP joint arthrodesis with 2 headless cannulated screws in the sagittal plane that serve as intramedullary washers for the sagittal wire and posts for the coronal wire significantly increases stiffness in all directions as well as load to permanent deformation compared with 90/90 intraosseous wiring without cannulated screw augmentation. Clinical relevance Augmentation of the 90/90 intraosseous wire construct with headless cannulated screws can be considered in patients at risk for wire cutout or implant failure.
Modeling electronic properties of twisted 2D atomic heterostructures

We present a general method for the electronic characterization of aperiodic 2D materials using ab-initio tight binding models. Specifically studied is the subclass of twisted, stacked heterostructures, but the formalism provided can be implemented for any 2D system without long-range interactions. This new method provides a multi-scale approach for dealing with the ab-initio calculation of electronic transport properties in stacked nanomaterials, allowing for fast and efficient simulation of multi-layered stacks in the presence of twist angles, magnetic field, and defects. We calculate the electronic density of states in twisted bilayer systems of graphene and MX\(_2\) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). We comment on the interesting features of their density of states as a function of twist-angle and local configuration and how these features are experimentally observable. These results support the bilayer twist-angle as a new variable for controlling electronic properties in artificial nanomaterials (“Twistronics”).
Apoptosis in Acute Lung Injury

In 1972, Kerr and Currie described a new type of cell death characterized by morphological changes distinct from the features observed during necrosis (1). The term of “apoptosis” was adopted to describe this highly conserved genetic program leading to regulated cellular self-destruction. Subsequent investigations showed that this programmed cell death is crucial during fetal development and critical for controlling harmful mechanisms triggered by environmental stresses. Recent literature has defined new roles for apoptosis in the normal and injured lung. For example, apoptosis plays an important role in postnatal lung development (2), and it is evident that resolution of lung inflammation after bacterial infection occurs by neutrophil apoptosis (3). While there is an increasing body of evidence supporting a role for apoptosis in the remodeling of the lung after acute lung injury (ALI) (3, 4), the factors that regulate normal and abnormal apoptotic cell death during ALI remain to be fully elucidated.
Downward Transport of Particulate Matter in the Peru Coastal Upwelling: Role of the Anchoveta, Engraulis Ringens

Anchoveta fecal material links production and sedimentation of particulate matter, including organic carbon, organic nitrogen and diatom frustules, in the Peruvian coastal upwelling ecosystem. Longterm fluctuations in anchoveta stock could, therefore, affect the quantity and composition of particulate matter input to the benthos and thereby to the sediment record.
Neuroimmune cross talk and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a global and devastating epidemic effecting the health, well-being, and social fabric of many of the world’s populations. UNAIDS estimates that 34 million people are infected with HIV with 2.7 million new infections yearly. The majority of infections are in sub-Saharan Africa (http://www.who.int/hiv/data/en/). Viral infection is persistent despite vigorous host immune responses [1–6]. HIV enters its CD4+ T lymphocyte, and mononuclear phagocyte (MP; dendritic cells, monocytes, macrophages, and microglial cells) targets through cell surface interaction of its envelope protein, gp120, with its CD4 and chemokine receptor/co-receptors, CCR5 and CXCR4 [7–11]. Following cell entry, HIV RNA is reverse transcribed and integrated into the host cell’s genome. Transcription of viral genes is controlled by interactions between HIV-1 regulatory proteins and host cell transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) [12–15]. Viral assembly proceeds at the cell surface or in subcellular organelles and the viral RNA encapsulated by interactions with Gag, GagPol, and envelope proteins, with subsequent viral budding and release of mature virions [16–23]. Ongoing HIV infection results in profound CD4+ T cell losses with consequent immune impairments resulting in a range of opportunistic infections, metabolic disorders, and malignancies [3, 5, 24–26]. Less appreciated are primary manifestations of viral replication that include its effects on the central nervous system (CNS) [27–29]. Indeed, although HIV primarily affects immune function and integrity [3, 24–26], virus-associated effects on the nervous system are a significant cause of comorbidity during the course of disease [27, 29, 30]. Prior to the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), opportunistic infections (OIs) and advanced cognitive, motor, and behavioral abnormalities commonly occurred as HIV disease advanced and was associated with virus-induced progressive immunosuppression. While cART has reduced the prevalence of OIs along with severity of virus-induced nervous system disorders, both remain active albeit less severe [27].
NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE | Peripheral Nerves

Injury to and/or dysfunction of peripheral nerves may arise from autoimmune processes that target the Schwann cell, myelin, and/or axon. Because of the dramatic and potentially life-threatening involvement of the respiratory system, the Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), the prototypic immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy, will be the focus of this article. Required criteria for its diagnosis include progressive weakness of two or more limbs, hyporeflexia or areflexia, and progression for no more than 4 weeks. At least 70% of patients with GBS have a history of a preceding infection and case–control studies have demonstrated significant associations with a number of pathogens, particularly Campylobacter jejuni. The pathogenesis of GBS is currently viewed as an organ-specific, immune-mediated disorder arising from synergistic interactions of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to as yet incompletely characterized peripheral nerve antigens. The mainstay of treatment continues to be supportive measures and intensive care, but several control clinical trials have demonstrated that both plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin shorten the time to recovery when used in the early stages of the disease. Overall, the prognosis for recovery is favorable, with mortality below 5% and the majority of patients experiencing little or no disability.
Magnetic Cell Therapy for Vascular Disease

The present study evaluated the potential of magnetically mediated delivery of endothelial cells (ECs) to inhibit in-stent stenosis induced by mechanical injury in a rat carotid artery stent angioplasty model. Syngeneic ECs loaded with biodegradable polymeric magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were administered at the distal end of the stented artery using a brief exposure (12 min) to a uniform magnetic field (1.4-kOe). After two months, magnetic delivery of ECs demonstrated significant protection from stenosis at the distal part of the stent in the cell therapy group compared to both the proximal part of stent in the cell therapy group and the control (stented, nontreated) group: 1.7-fold (p < 0.001) less reduction in lumen diameter as measured by B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound, 2.3-fold (p < 0.001) less reduction in the ratios of peak systolic velocities as measured by pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound, and 2.1-fold (p < 0.001) attenuation of stenosis as determined through end point morphometric analysis.
Enteral fish oil supplementation in the resolution of parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze safety, tolerance and efficacy of enteral omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) in the resolution of Parenteral Nutrition Associated Cholestasis (PNAC) and postnatal growth among preterm neonates. STUDY DESIGN This is a single center retrospective case-control study of all neonates born less than 32 weeks of gestation and developed PNAC (Direct bilirubin >2 mg/dl). Infants who received enteral omega-3 FAs supplementation (1 g/Kg/d) served as cases and were compared with gestational age, gender and direct bilirubin level matched controls who did not receive enteral omega-3 FAs supplementation. RESULTS A total of 48 infants were analyzed, 24 who received enteral omega-3 fatty acids were matched with 24 controls. The omega-3 FAs and control groups were similar in gestational age (weeks) and birth weight (gram). Overall there were no differences between the two groups in infants' demographics or clinical characteristics including risk factors for the development of PNAC. Infants who received enteral omega-3 FAs had significantly fewer days of cholestasis (p = 0.025) and a higher average daily weight gain (grams/day) (p = 0.011) than their controls. In a linear regression analysis with days of cholestasis as the dependent variable and Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and Omega-3 FAs as independent variables, enteral omega-3 FAs remained associated with a shorter duration of cholestasis, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION Enteral fish oil is inexpensive, safe & well tolerated in preterm neonates with no contraindications to enteral feeding. Enteral omega-3 FAs are easy to administer and help in rapid resolution of PNAC while promoting postnatal weight gain in preterm infants.
Spatial analysis of family forest landownership in the southern United States

Abstract Family forest landowners in the United States have diverse ownership and management objectives. Assessing and monitoring regional patterns and trends in landowner motivations and management behavior may aid in understanding the conservation and economic implications of social change. This paper presents a regional analysis of family forest landowners in the southern United States by combining a GIS-based exploratory data analysis with spatially explicit information on landowner motivations and management behavior data obtained from the U.S. Forest Service National Woodland Owners Survey (NWOS). Results reveal that spatial autocorrelation was present in motivations reflecting tangible and pecuniary benefits (e.g. timber, investment, hunting), but not in motivations reflecting intangible and non-pecuniary benefits (e.g. privacy, beauty). Statistically significant clusters of landowners with similar motivations and management behaviors (i.e., hotspots/coldspots) were identified using local indicators of spatial association and visualized in a series of maps to discuss their policy and management implications. The findings are useful in understanding regional variations as well as concentrations in landownership motivation, management activities, and will guide stakeholders in locating areas of interest for conservation planning, strategic marketing, and education and outreach.
Neurogenin regulates effectors of migratory neuron cell behaviors in Ciona

Abstract The bipolar tail neurons (BTNs) of Ciona develop according to a highly dynamic, yet highly stereotyped developmental program and thus could serve as an accessible model system for neuronal delamination, migration, and polarized axon outgrowth. Here we used FACS/RNAseq to profile the transcriptional output of Neurogenin in the BTNs, searching for candidate effectors of BTN cell behaviors. We identified several candidate genes that might play conserved roles in similar cell behaviors in other animals, including mammals. Among the more interesting candidates were several microtubule-binding proteins and TGFβ pathway antagonists. A small Gαi subunit was also found to be upregulated in migrating BTNs, and interfering with its function through expression of a dominant negative inhibited delamination and a complete epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We propose models for the regulation of BTN behaviors by the identified candidate effectors, establishing a foundation for testing effector gene functions that might be conserved in chordate neurodevelopment.
Simulation Silicon Surfactant Rule on Polyurethane Foaming Reactions

During the foaming process of polyurethane, the surfactant plays a significant role in stabilizing and setting of the foam. Simulation this role helps in better predicting the final performance and optimum foam formulation. The relation between the amount of surfactant added to the formulation and the surface tension was studied experimentally by using the capillary rise method to develop a simulation model. This model was aimed to study the critical role of the mechanism that surfactants have in the initial stages of gel formation and through the point where viscosity is high enough to create resistance to support the foams. Bubble sizes were calculated based on the number of nucleation sites, gas generation rate, surface tension, and inner bubble pressure. Since important properties of polyurethane foam, such as compressive strength, closed-cell content, and thermal conductivity can be related to the bubble sizes, this model can be used to predict foam performance and to develop new foam formulations.
Selective Cryolysis of Melanocytes: Critical Temperature and Exposure Time to Induce Selective Pigmentary Loss in Yucatan Pig Skin

Background and objectives Cryotherapy for melanocytic lesions is often accompanied by collateral damage to the surrounding skin, resulting in skin necrosis and scarring. Adipocytes, like melanocytes, are neural crest-derived cells. Adipocytes have been shown to be more sensitive to cold exposure than their neighboring cells of ectodermal origin, such as epidermal keratinocytes. Such differential sensitivity to cold exposure has led to the development of novel treatment modalities, like cryolipolysis, to selectively target a cell type while sparing neighboring cells. Study design/materials and methods In this study, we investigated the roles of controlled skin freezing, tissue temperature, and exposure time in inducing selective loss of melanocytes and skin depigmentation in swines. Results The results of our study demonstrated that contact cooling of the skin surface causes selective loss of epidermal melanocytes when the tissue temperature reaches -7.5°C or cooler with an exposure time of 10 minutes or longer, leading to partial skin depigmentation in swine skin. Longer exposures combined with colder temperature exposure led to more complete depigmentation in the treated skin surface. Conclusion Cold-sensitivity of melanocytes can be harnessed to selectively remove melanocytes while sparing surrounding keratinocytes. The results from this study demonstrated that improved clinical treatments specifically targeting melanocytic lesions is possible using skin cooling to achieve tissue temperatures capable of inducing selective loss of melanocytes without skin necrosis or scarring. Additional studies are needed to optimize the treatment conditions to prolong the selective removal of melanocytes. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Injury Burden of Introducing E-scooters: A review of E-scooter Injury Studies Using Retrospective Review of Emergency Department Records, 2015-2019

With the mass introduction of shared, dockless electric scooter (e-scooter) programs, many cities are struggling to understand injury implications. This article systematically documents what is kno...
Durable and highly selective ion transport of a sulfonated Diels Alder Poly(phenylene) for vanadium redox flow batteries

Abstract To improve the durability and ion selectivity of a hydrocarbon membrane for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) a polymer was rationally designed with an external hydrophobic shell and internal hydrophilic core. The polymer was designed to prevent hydrophilic polymer chain aggregation by functionalizing the external polymer shell with hydrophobic side chains and attaching acid moieties onto the polymer backbone. The hydrophobic shell is the result of pentafluorobenzoyl functionalization on the pendent aryl rings in a Diels Alder poly(phenylene) backbone. The internal polymer chain contains sulfonic acid moieties to impart hydrophilic character. The physical and electrochemical characteristics of the membrane were systematically studied and compared with widely used Nafion-212. The synthesized membranes were found to be superior to Nafion-212 not only in terms of lower vanadium ion permeability (4.25 × 10−8 vs. Nafion-212: 6.0 × 10−6 cm2 min −1) but also higher VRFB performance (EE = 89% and vs. Nafion-212: 85.5% at 40 mA/cm2). The membrane showed over three times higher capacity retention than Nafion-212 (0.075% vs. 0.25% capacity loss per cycle respectively) and excellent ex situ and in situ chemical stability.
Computing molecular fluctuations in biochemical reaction systems based on a mechanistic, statistical theory of irreversible processes.

Abstract We discuss the quantification of molecular fluctuations in the biochemical reaction systems within the context of intracellular processes associated with gene expression. We take the molecular reactions pertaining to circadian rhythms to develop models of molecular fluctuations in this chapter. There are a significant number of studies on stochastic fluctuations in intracellular genetic regulatory networks based on single cell-level experiments. In order to understand the fluctuations associated with the gene expression in circadian rhythm networks, it is important to model the interactions of transcriptional factors with the E-boxes in the promoter regions of some of the genes. The pertinent aspects of a near-equilibrium theory that would integrate the thermodynamical and particle dynamic characteristics of intracellular molecular fluctuations would be discussed, and the theory is extended by using the theory of stochastic differential equations. We then model the fluctuations associated with the promoter regions using general mathematical settings. We implemented ubiquitous Gillespie's algorithms, which are used to simulate stochasticity in biochemical networks, for each of the motifs. Both the theory and the Gillespie's algorithms gave the same results in terms of the time evolution of means and variances of molecular numbers. As biochemical reactions occur far away from equilibrium—hence the use of the Gillespie algorithm—these results suggest that the near-equilibrium theory should be a good approximation for some of the biochemical reactions.
A TERMITE (ISOPTERA) IN LATE CRETACEOUS AMBER FROM VENDÉE, NORTHWESTERN FRANCE

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of primitive termite is described and figured from the remains of an alate in Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian to Santonian) amber from the Department ofvendee in northwestern France. Termitotron vendeense n. gen. and sp. is distinguished on the basis of its head and wing morphology and exhibits unique features in the mouthparts relative to other Cretaceous termite genera. Brief comments are made on its possible affinities among the “Meiatermes grade” of Euisoptera.
Impact of Clay Minerals and DOM on the Competitive Sorption/Desorption of PAHs

Two model compounds were used to investigate sorptive phenomena of a silty-sand soil under single and binary solute systems at different concentrations. In the sorption isotherms, the presence of phenan-threne (PHE) exhibited a statistically significant (P<0.05) sorption competition over pyrene (PYR), regardless of the concentration. PYR influenced the PHE isotherms only when it was present at 15 mg/L. The concentration dependence in sorption competition was only evident for the more hy-drophobic PYR. In the presence of PHE, the fraction of desorbed PYR was significantly increased with an increase in PYR concentration. PHE desorption enhancement was the most observable with the higher initial concentration (15 mg/L). However, the presence of PYR did not affect PHE desorption. This study found that, based on equivalent solid mass, soils containing only clay minerals sorbed 12.2% more PHE than soils with only soil organic matter (SOM) for 3 mg/L PHE. Clay minerals also impacted desorption as evidenced by a ...
Ultrasound assessment and conservative management of inversion injuries of the ankle in children: plaster of Paris versus Tubigrip

We studied 45 children who presented with an inversion injury of the ankle. The clinical signs suggested injury to the distal growth plate of the fibula, but the plain radiographs appeared normal. Ultrasound examination of the joint in 40 patients showed a subperiosteal haematoma consistent with a growth-plate injury in 23 (57.5%). Children who had been treated with a tubular bandage and crutches by random selection had a mean time to return of normal activity of 14.22 days compared with 21.60 days for those treated with a plaster-of-Paris cast (t=3.60, p=0.0032; d=7.38, 95% CI 3.0 to 11.8). We conclude that children with inversion ankle injuries who have clinical signs of injury to the distal fibular growth plate but a normal radiological appearance, should be treated with a tubular bandage and crutches.
Incidence of shyness in elementary-school age children.

In a survey of 396 elementary-aged children, 38% labeled themselves shy, 59% responded that they would rather be less shy, 46% felt that being shy was a personal problem, and 47% wanted to participate in a counseling group to ameliorate this problem Sex differences were found; approximately one-quarter of all boys (26%) and one-half of all girls (49%) applied this label to themselves. This finding differs from surveys of adults for whom no sex differences in shyness were noted.
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Core Bereavement Items

Despite being a routinely administered assessment of grieving, few studies have empirically examined the psychometric properties of the Core Bereavement Items (CBI). The present study investigated the factor structure, internal reliability, and concurrent validity of the CBI in a large, diverse sample of bereaved young adults (N = 1,366). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (conducted on randomly selected halves of the sample) supported a two-factor structure, with items tapping into grief-related Thoughts and Emotional Response to loss. These factors showed strong internal consistency and unique associations with demographic variables, circumstantial factors surrounding the loss, and a measure of prolonged/severe grief—highlighting the potential applicability of the identified factor structure.
CT appearance of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Abstract We report the computed tomographic appearance of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, a self-limited necrotizing cervical lymphadenitis, that can closely mimic the clinical, pathological, and imaging findings of malignant lymphoma.
Evolutionarily Conserved Linkage between Enzyme Fold, Flexibility, and Catalysis

Proteins are intrinsically flexible molecules. The role of internal motions in a protein's designated function is widely debated. The role of protein structure in enzyme catalysis is well established, and conservation of structural features provides vital clues to their role in function. Recently, it has been proposed that the protein function may involve multiple conformations: the observed deviations are not random thermodynamic fluctuations; rather, flexibility may be closely linked to protein function, including enzyme catalysis. We hypothesize that the argument of conservation of important structural features can also be extended to identification of protein flexibility in interconnection with enzyme function. Three classes of enzymes (prolyl-peptidyl isomerase, oxidoreductase, and nuclease) that catalyze diverse chemical reactions have been examined using detailed computational modeling. For each class, the identification and characterization of the internal protein motions coupled to the chemical step in enzyme mechanisms in multiple species show identical enzyme conformational fluctuations. In addition to the active-site residues, motions of protein surface loop regions (>10 A away) are observed to be identical across species, and networks of conserved interactions/residues connect these highly flexible surface regions to the active-site residues that make direct contact with substrates. More interestingly, examination of reaction-coupled motions in non-homologous enzyme systems (with no structural or sequence similarity) that catalyze the same biochemical reaction shows motions that induce remarkably similar changes in the enzyme–substrate interactions during catalysis. The results indicate that the reaction-coupled flexibility is a conserved aspect of the enzyme molecular architecture. Protein motions in distal areas of homologous and non-homologous enzyme systems mediate similar changes in the active-site enzyme–substrate interactions, thereby impacting the mechanism of catalyzed chemistry. These results have implications for understanding the mechanism of allostery, and for protein engineering and drug design.
Stability Constants for Dimercaptosuccinic Acid with Bismuth(III), Zinc(II), and Lead(II)

Abstract Stability constants for the complexation of zinc(II), lead(II), and bismuth(III) by the vicinal dithiolate chelating agent meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) have been determined by a combination of potentiometric titration and spectrophotometric competition at 25°C and 0.1 M ionic strength. The spectrophotometric studies use the shifts in the ultraviolet bands of the thiol groups to quantitate metal binding to DMSA in the presence of competitive aminocarboxylic acids. Bismuth(III) forms a bis(DMSA) chelate with an exceptionally high stability constant of 1043,87. This complex undergoes a series of protonations over the pH range 10 to 2, but there appears to be no measurable dissociation of ligand over this pH range. The zinc-DMSA system is dominated by a Zn2(DMSA)2 dimer, which has a protonation constant of 106 and dissociates completely at lower pH. No more than 20% of total zinc exists as a monomeric complex at any pH. Lead forms a 1:1 complex with a stability constant of 1017,4. Insoluble pr...
The rise of the furniture manufacturing industry in Western North Carolina and Virginia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand better the formation of an industry and the movement toward agglomeration by examining the development of the furniture manufacturing industry of Western North Carolina and Virginia.Design/methodology/approach – In this general review, the initiation and growth of the furniture industry is traced, applying the theory of agglomeration and noting isomorphic tendencies and the primacy of the search for legitimacy among constituents.Findings – The paper finds first of all, the pioneering efforts of Thomas Wrenn in High Point brought the industry to the region. An initial wave of furniture manufacturers followed closely behind Wrenn as the industry gained legitimacy and status in North Carolina. Important elements in building the industry included the establishment of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association and the Southern Furniture Market in High Point. A second wave of furniture producers arrived on the scene after the First World War. This group...
Role of stereotactic breast biopsy

Screening mammography can detect early, nonpalpable breast cancer, resulting in improved long-term survival and cure rates. However, greater compliance with screening guidelines has increased the number of mammographic abnormalities found. Since 75% of the surgical biopsies performed for nonpalpable lesions are benign, less expensive and invasive methods of diagnosis are evolving to reduce the cost of screening mammography programs and the number of women undergoing surgery for benign mammographic findings. Stereotactic needle core biopsy allows minimally invasive sampling of most breast lesions and generates tissue cores for histologic evaluation. A specific pathologic diagnosis, as well as determination of invasiveness, can be achieved for mass lesions. Microcalcification can also be sampled to diagnose in situ cancer, although the use of core biopsy for noncomedo intraductal cancer is still evolving. The procedure demands meticulous technique to assure accurate needle placement, and careful correlation of biopsy results and patient follow-up is mandatory. Accuracy relative to surgical biopsy of nonpalpable lesions has been excellent in published series. The role of this procedure in patients with low, intermediate, and high suspicion mammographic lesions is discussed.
Increasing the Oral Reading Performance of a Learning Disabled Adult

This research project was designed to increase a male adult's oral reading performance. A direct instruction approach was used to teach lacking phonic skills previously determined through a detailed performance analysis. As a result of highly specific phonic lessons, reading performance was increased by three years over a three-month period. A multiple-baseline design was used to compare acquisition and maintenance of each phonic concept.