cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision Retrieval and Storage Enabled Through Description Logic

The problem addressed in the paper is how to represent the knowledge associated with design decision models to enable storage, retrieval, and reuse. The paper concerns the representations and reasoning mechanisms needed to construct decision models of relevance to engineered product development. Specifically, AL[E][N] description logic is proposed as a formalism for modeling engineering knowledge and for enabling retrieval and reuse of archived models. Classification hierarchies are constructed using subsumption in DL. Retrieval of archived models is supported using subsumption and query concepts. In our methodology, design decision models are constructed using the base vocabulary and reuse is supported through reasoning and retrieval capabilities. Application of the knowledge representation for the design of a cantilever beam is demonstrated.© 2007 ASME
Psychosocial aspects of exercise and physical activity in childhood.

Purpose: A signature characteristic of positive youth development (PYD) programs is the opportunity to develop life skills, such as social, behavioral, and moral competencies, that can be generalized to domains beyond the immediate activity. Although context-specific instruments are available to assess developmental outcomes, a measure of life skills transfer would enable evaluation of PYD programs in successfully teaching skills that youth report using in other domains. The purpose of our studies was to develop and validate a measure of perceived life skills transfer, based on data collected with The First Tee, a physical activity-based PYD program. Method: In 3 studies, we conducted a series of steps to provide content and construct validity and internal consistency reliability for the life skills transfer survey (LSTS), a measure of perceived life skills transfer. Results: Study 1 provided content validity for the LSTS that included 8 life skills and 50 items. Study 2 revealed construct validity (struc...
AlAs-GaAs Beterojunction Engineering by Means of Group IV Interface Layers

Valence and conduction band discontinuities in AlAs-GaAs heterostruc-tures have been tuned through fabrication of epitaxial Ge layers at the interface. The local interface dipole associated with the Ge layer can be added to, or subtracted from the natural band offsets depending on the growth sequence. Comparison with earlier results for AlAs-Si-GaAs heterostructures, shows that the observed dipole is consistent in direction and order of magnitude for Ge and Si interface layers. The dipole initially increases with interface layer thickness more rapidly for Ge than for Si, however the total maximum dipole achievable at the interface is identical (0.4eV), within experimental uncertainty, for the two group IV elements.
Disc electrophoretic investigation of Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora - general protein and malate dehydrogenase of cotyledonary leaves

Disc electrophoretic data for malate dehydrogenase and general protein from cotyledonary leaves revealed detectable differences among Coffea species, varieties and cultivars.
Design of cut unit geometry in hierarchical kirigami-based auxetic metamaterials for high stretchability and compressibility

Abstract We studied the mechanical response of a recently developed new class of mechanical metamaterials based on the paper art of cutting, kirigami. Specially, the geometrical and structural design of representative cut units, via combined line cut, cut-out, and hierarchy of the structure, was explored for achieving both extreme stretchability and/or compressibility in kirigami metamaterials through experiments, alongside geometrical modeling and finite element simulations. The kirigami design was tested on constituent materials including non-stretchable copy papers and highly stretchable silicone rubber to explore the role of constituent material properties. The cut unit in the shape of solid rectangles with the square shape as a special case was demonstrated for achieving the extreme stretchability via rigid rotation of cut units. We found that compared to the square cut units, the theoretically predicted maximum stretchability via unit rotation in rectangle units (aspect ratio 2:1) increased dramatically from about 41% to 124% for the level 1 cut structure without hierarchy, and from about 62% to 156% for the level 2 hierarchical cut structure, which was validated by both experiments and simulations. To demonstrate the achievement of both extreme stretchability and compressibility, we replaced the solid square cut units with porous squares and re-entrant lattice shapes in silicone rubber based metamaterials. We found that a porous structure can enable an extreme compressibility of as high as 81%.
Bis- and Tris-Urea H-Bond Donors for Ring-Opening Polymerization: Unprecedented Activity and Control from an Organocatalyst

A new class of H-bond donating ureas was developed for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactone monomers, and they exhibit dramatic rate acceleration versus previous H-bond mediated polymerization catalysts. The most active of these new catalysts, a tris-urea H-bond donor, is among the most active organocatalysts known for ROP, yet it retains the high selectivity of H-bond mediated organocatalysts. The urea cocatalyst, along with an H-bond accepting base, exhibits the characteristics of a “living” ROP, is highly active, in one case, accelerating a reaction from days to minutes, and remains active at low catalyst loadings. The rate acceleration exhibited by this H-bond donor occurs for all base cocatalysts examined. A mechanism of action is proposed, and the new catalysts are shown to accelerate small molecule transesterifications versus currently known monothiourea catalysts. It is no longer necessary to choose between a highly active or highly selective organocatalyst for ROP.
PURIFICATION OF ARGINYL- AND LYSYL-tRNA SYNTHETASES FROM RAT LIVER: EVIDENCE OF GLYCOPROTEINS

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes the purification of arginyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases from rat liver. Multiple forms, in terms of molecular weight, of arginyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases can be isolated from rat liver. The small molecular weight forms of arginyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases have been purified to apparent homogeneity. Arginyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases co-chromatograph on DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite, phosphocellulose and Blue Sepharose affinity chromatography throughout the entire purification scheme. In the pure state, they also copurify on gel filtration chromatography. Thus, these synthetases may be tightly associated as a complex. Other studies have also found a close association of arginyl- and lysyl-tRNA synthetases in rat liver. Gas chromatographic analysis of the purified complex demonstrates that it contains about 12% carbohydrate by weight. The sugars found associated with the synthetases were mannose, fucose, glucose, galactose, and N-acetylglycosamine. This is the first study stating that mammalian aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are glycoproteins.
A multiverse of probabilities

String theory unifies all of physics, from the smallest to the largest scales. It proposes that the basic constituents of the world are tiny strings moving in a realm with 10 spatial dimensions. Unlike the Standard Model of particle physics, which requires that experimentally determined values of the physical constants be added into it, there are no free parameters in string theory. It would seem, therefore, that one could derive all of physics from the theory without any experimental input. This quality has long been a key element of string theory's appeal. Such first-principles predictions seemed within reach in the heady days of the "first superstring revolution" in the mid-1980s. I even heard that during this period one famous physicist predicted that string the orists would derive the mass of the electron by Christmas.
Managing an Integrated Project - Experiences from the Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition project

Over the last number of decades there has been a tendency within the international development sector to privilege the management of projects in a siloed manner. This translates to projects managed in a narrow way according to pre-defined parameters of say the education or health sectors. As a project manager you are held accountable for delivering education or health outputs. A shift in donor funding to focus on development projects that are considered easy to administer partly explains this siloed approach to project management within the development sector. However, there is a gradual kick back against the siloed project management approach. Instead we are seeing a return to an integrated managerial approach. An integrated managerial approach involves bringing together various technical specialists to work on common objectives in a coordinated and collaborative manner. A growing number of development actors such as Concern Worldwide are embracing this ‘new approach’. For Concern Worldwide integrated projects are interventions which address multiple needs through coordination across a variety of sectors and with the participation of all relevant stakeholders to achieve common goals. Integrated projects are about sector projects working together with the same target group in the same area in a coordinated manner. This paper reflects on Concern’s experience and evidence to date with integration drawing on the agency’s work in Zambia. The Realigning Agriculture to Improve Nutrition project in Zambia highlights the practical challenges and lessons of managing an integrated project.
2008 WHO Classification of Pediatric AML.

Abstract 1044 Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents approximately 15% of cases of childhood leukemia. In children, overall survival rates have improved to 65% but early relapse and poor response to induction therapy are significant reasons for failure. The classification of AML has evolved from the FAB system based on morphology, to the more prognostically useful 2008 WHO Classification based upon morphology, cytogenetics and molecular features (Vardiman JW et al, Blood. 114 p.937 (2009)). As the classification relied heavily on data from adults, the epidemiology and prognostic significance of these categories in children remains to be fully explored. In the current study we review 106 consecutive cases of AML diagnosed between 1993–2010 at Lucile Packard ChildrenOs Hospital and classify them according to the 2008 WHO AML categories. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Data on karyotype, treatment, remission status or death was recorded. Bone marrow morphology was reviewed for all cases lacking a recurrent genetic abnormality and DNA was recovered from archived bone marrow aspirate smears for PCR analysis of NPM1, CEBPA and FLT-3 ITD. Results: Our cohort consisted of 54 (51%) females and 52 (49%) males. Overall survival at 4 years was 58.3% (Figure 1). The breakdown of subgroups according to the WHO 2008 Classification is outlined in Table 1. Discussion: Our results vary from the adult literature, reflecting the increased prevalence of AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities, with some categories occurring almost exclusively in children, such as t (1;22) and t(9;11). Data from cases without one of the seven recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities shows a similar frequency to that seen other pediatric series (Manola. Euro J Haematol 83 p.391 (2009)). Twelve cases (11%) fall under the diagnosis of AML with myelodysplasia related changes, the majority of which share an MDS-related karyotype. This category was previously considered rare in children. Two cases of AML with mutated NPM1 also met diagnostic criteria for the AML-MRC category, including one with multilineage dysplasia, and one with a history of prior MDS. Cases of AML with variant 11q23 were nearly as common as those with the t(9;11). Cases of biphenotypic leukemia were rare (less than 1%), reflecting the more stringent criteria now utilized. Ten percent of cases are therapy-related AML, three times higher than the adult cohort at Stanford (Weinberg et al. Blood 113 p. 1906(2009)). This highlights a serious issue facing pediatric oncologists and their patients. Conclusions: Our pediatric retrospective cohort highlights that important differences exist between adult and pediatric AML. When compared with adults, recurrent genetic abnormalities are more frequently represented as well as treatment related AML. The data also indicate that morphology with myelodysplastic changes is much more frequent than previously thought. KLD and AHM contributed equally to this work. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Preparation of linear polyacrylamide coating and strong cationic exchange hybrid monolith in a single capillary, and its application as an automated platform for bottom-up proteomics by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry

A linear polyacrylamide (LPA) coating and a sulfonate-silica hybrid strong cation exchange (SCX) monolith were prepared sequentially in a single fused silica capillary. The SCX-LPA capillary was used for sample preconcentration using solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) separation and mass spectrometry detection. Samples were prepared in 1 M acetic acid, loaded by pressure onto the SCX SPE monolith, and eluted using 200 mM ammonium bicarbonate (pH 8). The background electrolyte for CZE was 1 M acetic acid. This combination of elution buffer and background electrolyte results in formation of a dynamic pH junction, which further improves the preconcentration performance. All experiments were performed using a CZE autosampler and an electrokinetically pumped nanospray interface. By loading 50 ng of Xenopus laevis eggs protein digest, 330 protein groups and 872 peptides were identified. The system was also applied to the analysis of 11 μL of a 10−4 mg⋅mL−1 (1.1 ng) bovine serum albumin tryptic digest; 12 peptides were identified and the protein coverage was 25%. Finally, by loading 5.5 μL of a 10−3 mg⋅mL−1 (5.5 ng) E. coli digest, 145 protein groups and 365 peptides were identified.
A New Approach to Teaching Biomechanics Through Active, Adaptive, and Experiential Learning

Demand of biomedical engineers continues to rise to meet the needs of healthcare industry. Current training of bioengineers follows the traditional and dominant model of theory-focused curricula. However, the unmet needs of the healthcare industry warrant newer skill sets in these engineers. Translational training strategies such as solving real world problems through active, adaptive, and experiential learning hold promise. In this paper, we report our findings of adding a real-world 4-week problem-based learning unit into a biomechanics capstone course for engineering students. Surveys assessed student perceptions of the activity and learning experience. While students, across three cohorts, felt challenged to solve a real-world problem identified during the simulation lab visit, they felt more confident in utilizing knowledge learned in the biomechanics course and self-directed research. Instructor evaluations indicated that the active and experiential learning approach fostered their technical knowledge and life-long learning skills while exposing them to the components of adaptive learning and innovation.
Optical Mammography in Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: Individual Clinical Response Index

Rationale and Objectives We present an optical mammography study that aims to develop quantitative measures of pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer. Such quantitative measures are based on the concentrations of oxyhemoglobin ([HbO2]), deoxyhemoglobin ([Hb]), total hemoglobin ([HbT]), and hemoglobin saturation (SO2) in breast tissue at the tumor location and at sequential time points during chemotherapy. Materials and Methods Continuous-wave, spectrally resolved optical mammography was performed in transmission and parallel-plate geometry on 10 patients before treatment initiation and at each NAC administration (mean number of optical mammography sessions: 12, range: 7–18). Data on two patients were discarded for technical reasons. The patients were categorized as responders (R, >50% decrease in tumor size), or nonresponders (NR, Results At 50% completion of the NAC regimen (therapy midpoint), R (6/8) demonstrated significant decreases in SO2 (−27% ± 4%) and [HbT] (−35 ± 4 µM) at the tumor location with respect to baseline values. By contrast, NR (2/8) showed nonsignificant changes in SO2 and [HbT] at therapy midpoint. We introduce a cumulative response index as a quantitative measure of the individual patient's response to therapy. At therapy midpoint, the SO2-based cumulative response index had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% for the identification of R. Conclusions These results show that optical mammography is a promising tool to assess individual response to NAC at therapy midpoint to guide further decision making for neoadjuvant therapy.
Expected Timber-Based Economic Impacts of a Wood-Boring Beetle (Acanthotomicus Sp.) That Kills American Sweetgum.

American sweetgum trees (Liquidambar styraciflua L. [Altingiaceae]) in China are being killed by a newly discovered wood-boring beetle "sweetgum inscriber" (Acanthotomicus sp.). It has not been detected in the United States yet, but given the extent of trade with Asian countries, eventual arrival of this beetle is a serious concern. The American sweetgum is one of the main hardwood species in the southern United States, and provides several economic and ecological benefits to society. We present the first economic analysis of the potential damage from sweetgum inscriber (SI) to timber-based land values in the southern United States. We modeled economic impacts for a range of feasible SI arrival rates that reflect policy interventions: 1) no efforts to prevent arrival (scenario A, once every 14 and 25 yr), 2) partial prevention by complying with ISPM 15 standards (scenario B, once every 33 and 100 yr), and 3) total prevention of arrival (scenario C, zero transmission of SI). Our results indicated much lower land values for sweetgum plantations without the prevention on SI establishment (scenario A, US$1,843-US$4,383 ha-1) compared with partial prevention (scenario B, US$5,426-US$8,050 ha-1) and total eradication of SI (scenario C, US$9,825). Across the region, upper bound timber-based economic losses to plantation owners is US$151.9 million (US$4.6 million annually)-an estimate that can help inform policy decisions.
Věřit znamená vidět. Biologie jako ideologie

Text objasňuje mechanismy použivane k legitimizaci genderových rozdilů skrze biologii, stejně jako epistemologický omyl socialnich a biologických věd s ohledem na soucasný výzkum o genderových rozdilech. Cetne přiklady ukazuji skryte nerovnosti, jež jsou vsazeny do samotneho nitra struktury a hodnot americke spolecnosti. Hlavni argument ilustruje roli ocekavani při dekodovani nasi vizualni percepce a odkrýva ideologicky zatižene biologicke výklady reality.
Thermodynamic Comparison between the Orifice Pulse Tube and the Stirling Refrigerator

Using methods developed in previous papers, expressions are derived for the thermodynamic performance of a Stirling Refrigerator (SR). The cycle considered corresponds to the case where the pistons are driven by two-position linear motors, actuated alternately. Detailed results are derived for the temperature profiles of the gas expelled from both sides of the regenerator assembly. Knowledge of these profiles allows calculation of the temperature of the gas entering the cold heat exchanger, and hence the amount of heat Qc removed per cycle. The formulation leads to two non-linear equations with two unknowns. These equations can easily be solved numerically. The work done by the pistons is found from calculating the pressure as function of piston position. Results are presented for Qc, for the coefficient of performance COP, and for the refrigeration efficiency η as function of the ratio of temperatures Tc/Th at the two sides of the regenerator. These results are compared with corresponding ones for the Orifice Pulse Tube (OPT). For the case considered, the SR is found to remove about 10% more heat per cycle than the OPT. The efficiency of both the OPT and the SR are found to about 90% at very small Tc/Th. While the efficiency of the SR remains close to this value over a wide range of Tc/Th, the efficiency of the OPT decreases nearly linearly with Tc/Th till it equals zero at Tc/Th = 0.
A real voyage of discovery

The third in our series exploring practical activities for introducing concepts that will help children in the Understanding the world area of learning – this month, we look at interactive discovery corners.
Tests for glare sensitivity and peripheral vision in driver applicants.

A report is given of field trials of a version of the standard vision test modified to provide both a quantitative measure of susceptibility to glare and defects in peripheral vision. Approximately 1,500 driver applcants were examined in 30 stations throughout the state. The distribution of elevated glare sensitivity and defects in peripheral vision in the driving population were determined and correlated with individual accident records. There were clear indications that a large percentage of older drivers had elevated glare sensitivity. Those drivers limited their driving to nonglare conditions in many cases. Future lines of investigation indicated by the present study are a correlation between this test and the present standard used by the Medical Evaluation Board for restriction to daytime driving. More data is needed on driver applicants over the age of 50 about possible elevations in glare sensitivity and accident records. The peripheral vision tester was satisfactory in all respects and it is recommended that it be adopted for general use.
Electron-Beam ULSI Applications

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of electron-beam ULSI applications. Electron-beam lithography is a technology for the transfer of computer aided design pattern data from a digitally stored format to a high-resolution spatial reality on a nominally flat substrate. Its main characteristics are high resolution, due in part to the short electron wavelength, and flexibility, due to the easily modified pattern source. The suitability of the overall lithographic process for the ultimate pattern transfer step is essential for a viable lithographic process. The most common application for electron-beam lithography is in the fabrication of masks and reticles used for projection optical lithography. For this application, the electron-beam lithography process generates the master mask primarily in a serial manner. This mask is subsequently used in projection optical lithography equipment (steppers) to replicate the mask pattern directly onto resist-coated substrates in a parallel manner. The electron-beam lithography process is highly suitable for mask fabrication and provides sufficient resolution for increasingly demanding mask requirements, such as optical proximity correction, phase shifting, and 1X magnification x-ray masks.
Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy for Mycosis Fungoides Revisited With Adjuvant Systemic Therapy.

Abstract Background Although standard-dose total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) has been thought to provide the greatest clinical benefit for mycosis fungoides, recent studies have shown that low-dose TSEBT may also provide high rates of disease control. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients receiving TSEBT for mycosis fungoides at a single institution from 2009 to 2017. Patients were evaluated for overall survival, progression-free survival, and duration of clinical benefit. Partial response was defined as any documented clinical regression of lesions, whereas complete response was defined as complete resolution of lesions. Results Twenty patients were included in the study. Twelve patients received low-dose radiation (≤ 12 Gy), and 8 received standard-dose radiation (> 12 Gy). Response rate was 100% in both groups. The rate of complete response was 38% in the standard-dose group and 25% in the low-dose group. There was no difference in overall survival between the 2 groups (P = .84). There was also no difference in median progression-free survival (P = .95) or duration of clinical benefit (P = .95) between the 2 groups. Of low-dose patients, 33% received immediate systemic therapy, whereas 92% received adjuvant topical or systemic therapy. In the standard-dose group, only 25% received systemic adjuvant therapy, and 63% received adjuvant topical or systemic therapy. Conclusion Low-dose TSEBT with adjuvant therapy results in adequate symptom palliation, comparable to standard-dose TSEBT. Low-dose TSEBT should be considered a standard treatment option in this population.
Perturbed proximal primal–dual algorithm for nonconvex nonsmooth optimization

In this paper, we propose a perturbed proximal primal–dual algorithm (PProx-PDA) for an important class of linearly constrained optimization problems, whose objective is the sum of smooth (possibly nonconvex) and convex (possibly nonsmooth) functions. This family of problems can be used to model many statistical and engineering applications, such as high-dimensional subspace estimation and the distributed machine learning. The proposed method is of the Uzawa type, in which a primal gradient descent step is performed followed by an (approximate) dual gradient ascent step. One distinctive feature of the proposed algorithm is that the primal and dual steps are both perturbed appropriately using past iterates so that a number of asymptotic convergence and rate of convergence results (to first-order stationary solutions) can be obtained. Finally, we conduct extensive numerical experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Energy Theft Detection Via Artificial Neural Networks

With the implement of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and the efficient communication network, modern power grids can achieve a two-way communication between utilities and their customers for electricity generation and consumption. This feature provides utilities a better view of electricity consumption, which helps utilities better schedule the power generation timely to avoid wasting resource. And the two-way communication is a fundamental element for bilateral transaction between utilities and their customers. In this way, the utilities can stimulate their customers to use electricity more economically through offering a real-time electricity rate, which can lower the total electricity rate. However, energy theft is a big obstacle for this application because it can falsify the meter readings, which can cause economical loss for both utility companies and customers. There are millions of dollars lost annually because of it. Moreover, energy theft can also cause security issues and stabilities problems to power grids. Therefore, it is very important and necessary to clear energy theft situation in power systems. With the AMI, utility companies have way more data about energy consumption of their end users than before, which brings challenge on dealing with large volume of data but also provides opportunities for energy theft detection. This paper presents a method of energy theft detection via artificial neural networks(ANNs). This method utilizes large volume of historical data to train ANN s. The trained ANNs have the ability to detect energy theft with incoming data.
Using health-related quality of life to predict cardiovascular disease events.

Although strong associations between self-reported health and mortality exist, quality of life is not conceptualized as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Our objective was to assess the independent association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and incident CVD. This study used the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke data, which enrolled 30,239 adults from 2003 to 2007 and followed them over 10 years. We included 22,229 adults with no CVD history at baseline. HRQOL was measured using the SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, which range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better HRQOL. Scores were normed to the general US population with mean 50 and standard deviation 10. We constructed a four-level HRQOL variable: (1) individuals with PCS & MCS < 50, (2) PCS < 50 & MCS ≥ 50, (3) MCS < 50 & PCS ≥ 50, and (4) PCS & MCS ≥ 50, which was the reference. The primary outcome was incident CVD (non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), fatal MI or coronary heart disease (CHD) death, fatal and non-fatal stroke). Cox proportional hazards models examined associations between HRQOL and CVD. Median follow-up was 8.4 (IQR 5.9–10.0) years. We observed 1766 CVD events. Compared to having PCS & MCS ≥ 50, having MCS & PCS < 50 was associated with increased CVD risk (aHR 1.46; 95% 1.24–1.70), adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and CVD risk factors. Associations between MCS & PCS < 50 and CVD were consistent for CHD (aHR 1.54 [1.26–1.89]) and stroke (aHR 1.35 [1.05–1.72]) endpoints. Given strong, adjusted associations between poor HRQOL and incident CVD, self-reported health may be an excellent complement to current approaches to CVD risk identification.
TPACK Leadership Diagnostic Tool: Adoption and Implementation by Teacher Education Leaders

This case study describes how leaders from three teacher education institutions utilized a technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge (TPACK) leadership diagnostic tool in the design, develo...
Tribunal on the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, West Berlin, September 26-29, 1988: Verdict

At the request of the American Association of Jurists, the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal was called upon to consider violations of international law of the self-determination of peoples by the Intern...
The Neurological and Immunological Transitions of the Perimenopause: Implications for Postmenopausal Neurodegenerative Disease

While the clinical definition of perimenopause focuses on functional changes in the reproductive system, the symptoms of perimenopause are largely neurological and immunological in nature and are observed in women globally across cultures, races, and ethnicities. Estrogen is the master regulator of the metabolic system of the female brain and body. During the perimenopausal transition, what is known as the “estrogen receptor network” is disconnected from the bioenergetic system resulting in a hypometabolic state that is associated with neurological dysfunction, which in some women may increase risk for neurodegenerative disease. Moreover, an APOE4 genotype exacerbates that bioenergetic crisis. Neurological symptoms that emerge during the perimenopause reflect the disruption in multiple estrogen-regulated systems including thermoregulation, sleep and circadian rhythms, sensory processing, affect, and multiple domains of cognitive function. Many of these symptoms are also associated with risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which in women is twice as high than in men. Such elevated risk is correlated to obesity and systemic inflammation due to estrogen depletion occurring in perimenopause and menopause. Aging and neurodegenerative brains are found to be associated with chronic neuroinflammation primarily due to a dysregulation of the innate immunity, mainly driven by senescent microglia. Identifying women with metabolic or inflammatory at-risk phenotypes for late-onset AD might translate into a target population that is likely to respond to estrogen replacement therapy and adjuvant therapies that serve as metabolic regulators. Transitions of female aging involve a set of sequential, system-level adaptations. The perimenopausal transition is a critical period in the neuro-adaptive landscape of the aging brain and represents a window of opportunity for precision hormone therapeutics.
Imaging Membrane Curvature inside a FcεRI-Centric Synapse in RBL-2H3 Cells Using TIRF Microscopy with Polarized Excitation.

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with polarized excitation (P-TIRF) can be used to image nanoscale curvature phenomena in live cells. We used P-TIRF to visualize rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3 cells) primed with fluorescent anti-dinitrophenyl (anti-DNP) immunoglobulin E (IgE) coming into contact with a supported lipid bilayer containing mobile, monovalent DNP, modeling an immunological synapse. The spatial relationship of the IgE-bound high affinity IgE receptor (FceRI) to the ratio image of P-polarized excitation and S-polarized excitation was analyzed. These studies help correlate the dynamics of cell surface molecules with the mechanical properties of the plasma membrane during synapse formation.
THE AUTOMATED HOME OF THE 21ST CENTURY

The purpose of this article is to help unify thoughts on adopting best practices for home automation. This article also analyzes why fully automated homes are not yet commonplace and what steps are necessary for consumers to feel comfortable making this transition in their lifestyles. This article calls for business to incorporate a standardized system of communication among not only their product offerings, but among other manufacturers’ products within the marketplace. It also calls for businesses to focus on their design schemes, ease of use, and potential for integration so that consumers will want to adopt these new automation technologies.
Refusal of emergency medical care: An analysis of patients who left without being seen, eloped, and left against medical advice

Abstract Objective Emergency department (ED) patients may elect to refuse any aspect of medical care. They may leave prior to physician evaluation, elope during treatment, or leave against medical advice during treatment. This study was undertaken to identify patient perspectives and reasons for refusal of care. Methods This prospective study was conducted at an urban Level 1 Trauma Center. This study examined ED patients who left without being seen (LWBS), eloped during treatment, or left against medical advice during September to December 2018. This project included both chart review and a prospective patient survey. Results Among 298 participants, the majority were female (54%). Most participants were White (61%) or African American (36%). Thirty-eight percent of participants left against medical advice, 23% eloped, and 39% left without being seen by a provider. When compared to the general ED population, patients who refused care were significantly younger (p Conclusion ED patients who refused care were significantly younger than the general ED population. Common reasons cited by patients for refusal of care included wait time, unmet expectations, and negative interactions with ED staff.
Formation of stable aggregates by fluid-assembled solid bridges

When a colloidal suspension is dried, capillary pressure may overwhelm repulsive electrostatic forces, assembling aggregates that are out of thermal equilibrium. This poorly understood process confers cohesive strength to many geological and industrial materials. Here we observe evaporation-driven aggregation of natural and synthesized particulates, probe their stability under rewetting, and measure bonding strength using an atomic force microscope. Cohesion arises at a common length scale (∼5 μm), where interparticle attractive forces exceed particle weight. In polydisperse mixtures, smaller particles condense within shrinking capillary bridges to build stabilizing "solid bridges" among larger grains. This dynamic repeats across scales, forming remarkably strong, hierarchical clusters, whose cohesion derives from grain size rather than mineralogy. These results may help toward understanding the strength and erodibility of natural soils, and other polydisperse particulates that experience transient hydrodynamic forces.
Effect of hyperglycemia and rosiglitazone on renal and urinary neprilysin in db/db diabetic mice.

Alteration in renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The deleterious actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) could be antagonized by the formation of Ang-(1-7), generated by the actions of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neprilysin (NEP). NEP degrades several peptides, including natriuretic peptides, bradykinin, amyloid beta, and Ang I. Although combination of Ang II receptor and NEP inhibitor treatment benefits patients with heart failure, the role of NEP in renal pathophysiology is a matter of active research. NEP pathway is a potent enzyme in Ang I to Ang-(1-7) conversion in the kidney of ACE2-deficient mice, suggesting a renoprotective role of NEP. The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that chronic hyperglycemia downregulates renal NEP protein expression and activity in db/db diabetic mice and treatment with rosiglitazone normalizes hyperglycemia, renal NEP expression, and attenuates albuminuria. Mice received rosiglitazone (20 mg kg-1 day-1 ) for 10 weeks. Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme activity revealed a significant decrease in renal and urinary NEP expression and activity in 16-wk db/db mice compared with lean control (p < .0001). Rosiglitazone also attenuated albuminuria and increased renal and urinary NEP expressions (p < .0001). In conclusion, data support the hypothesis that diabetes decreases intrarenal NEP, which could have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of DKD. Urinary NEP may be used as an index of intrarenal NEP status. The renoprotective effects of rosiglitazone could be mediated by upregulation of renal NEP expression and activity in db/db diabetic mice.
Why the Antipathy Toward Business Loss Deductions is Misguided

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act added — in section 461(l) — a new limitation on an individual business owner’s ability to deduct business losses against non-business income for tax years beginning between 2018 and 2025. In March 2020, Congress temporarily suspended the operation of section 461(l) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Almost immediately thereafter, there began a push—by commentators in the press and academia, and by some members of Congress — to reinstate section 461(l) and to make the rule permanent. Now, the proposed reinstatement of the rule is part of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which passed the House in May 2020. This article explains why the reinstatement of section 461(l) would be a mistake and why the provision should instead be repealed for good.
Gunshot-Related Pediatric Left Ventricular Apical Aneurysm.

Abstract Penetrating injuries of the thorax and abdomen, such as gunshot and stabbing, are rare in children. We present the case of a pediatric patient with a history of remote gunshot injury prese...
Terlipressin and Intravenous Albumin in Advanced Cirrhosis — Friend and Foe

Decompensated cirrhosis is defined by the presence of ascites, variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, or a combination of these disorders. A stage of further decompensation occurs with the de...
Why does passion matter more in individualistic cultures

Self-help books, TED talks, and inspirational memes all claim that finding, following, and fueling one’s passion is critical to success. People should feel passionate about what they do, whom they love, and how they live (1). Consistent with these claims, Li et al. (2) show, in nationally representative samples of 1.2+ million high school students across 59 different cultures, the more “passion” one has for reading, math, and science, the higher one’s achievement scores. However, passion—defined as feelings of enjoyment, interest, and self-efficacy—mattered more in individualistic than in collectivistic cultures. Specifically, one unit of passion translated into an average of 22.67 points on standardized achievement tests in individualistic societies like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, versus an average of only 12.69 points in countries like Columbia, Thailand, and China. If passion is so critical to success, why does it matter more in some cultures than others? And, if passion doesn’t matter as much in more collectivistic cultures, what does? Based on decades of research, the authors (2) suggest that the answer may lie in the different models of self that individualistic vs. collectivistic cultures foster (3, 4). In individualistic cultures, people are encouraged to be more “independent,” or to see themselves as separate from others, whereas, in collectivistic cultures, people are encouraged to be more “interdependent,” or to see themselves as connected to others. These models are reflected in and reinforced by products, practices, and institutions that are widely distributed in these cultures (3, 4). Consequently, people in individualistic cultures have more “independent” goals, which include expressing their … [↵][1]1Email: jeanne.tsai{at}stanford.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Dynamics of electrostatically lofted dust on airless planetary bodies

Abstract The dynamics of lofted dust on airless bodies have been the subject of much study since the 1960s, when the lunar horizon glow was first observed. Lofted dust dynamics have important implications for the evolution of an airless body's surface properties. To date, most of these studies have had to rely on assumptions of initial conditions of the lofted dust grains due to a lack of experimental results. In this paper, we present a study of lofted dust grains, making use of initial conditions obtained from recent laboratory results. Additionally, we distinguish between photoemission rates from isolated dust grains and from the bulk regolith. We explore dust lofting dynamics across a large size range of dust grains (0.1 to 10 μm) and the surface gravity of their parent bodies (0.0001 to 1 lunar g). Charging and lofting results reveal a complex interplay between the grain size, gravity, initial charge, and the various charging currents. It is shown that the sheath electric field becomes increasingly significant in the lofted dust dynamics as the gravitational field decreases. Due to the initial negative charge of dust grains lofted from a positively charged regolith surface, their lofting heights are found to be generally reduced compared to uncharged grains with similar initial speeds. We show that micron-sized dust grains can be lofted to high altitudes and even escape from smaller bodies, leading to the loss of fine-grained materials from the surface.
The Utility of Comorbidity Indices in Assessing Head and Neck Surgery Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Objective To evaluate the utility of comorbidity index (CI) scores in predicting outcomes in head and neck surgery (HNS). The CIs evaluated were the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI), Kaplan-Feinstein Index (KFI), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27), National Cancer Institute Comorbidity Index (NCI-CI), and the Washington University Head and Neck Comorbidity Index (WUHNCI). Methods We report a systematic review according to the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase) and manual search of bibliographies identified manuscripts addressing how CI scores related to HNS outcomes. Results A total of 116 studies associated CI scores with HNS outcomes. CIs were represented in the literature as follows: ASA-PS (70/116), CCI (39/116), ACE-27 (24/116), KFI (7/116), NCI-CI (3/116), ECI (2/116), and WUHNCI (1/116). The most frequently cited justification for calculating each CI (if provided) was: CCI for its validation in other studies, ACE-27 for its utility in cancer patients, and ECI for its comprehensive design. In general, the CCI and ACE-27 were predictive of mortality in HNS. The ECI was most consistent in predicting >1-year mortality. The ACE-27 and KFI were most consistent in predicting medical complications. Conclusion Despite inconsistencies in the literature, CIs provide insights into the impact of comorbidities on outcomes in HNS. These scores should be employed as an adjunct in the preoperative assessment of HNS patients. Comparative studies are needed to identify indices that are most reliable in predicting HNS outcomes. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 2021.
A randomized controlled study of mindful sport performance enhancement and psychological skills training with collegiate track and field athletes

Although both traditional cognitive behavioral psychological skills training (PST) interventions and mindfulness-based alternatives can lead to improvements in sport performance and athlete well-be...
Structural characterization of 2,6‐dichloro‐p‐hydroquinone 1,2‐dioxygenase (PcpA) from Sphingobium chlorophenolicum, a new type of aromatic ring‐cleavage enzyme

PcpA (2,6-dichloro-p-hydroquinone 1,2-dioxygenase) from Sphingobium chlorophenolicum, a non-haem Fe(II) dioxygenase capable of cleaving the aromatic ring of p-hydroquinone and its substituted variants, is a member of the recently discovered p-hydroquinone 1,2-dioxygenases. Here we report the 2.6 A structure of PcpA, which consists of four βαβββ motifs, a hallmark of the vicinal oxygen chelate superfamily. The secondary co-ordination sphere of the Fe(II) centre forms an extensive hydrogen-bonding network with three solvent exposed residues, linking the catalytic Fe(II) to solvent. A tight hydrophobic pocket provides p-hydroquinones access to the Fe(II) centre. The p-hydroxyl group is essential for the substrate-binding, thus phenols and catechols, lacking a p-hydroxyl group, do not bind to PcpA. Site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic analysis confirm the critical catalytic role played by the highly conserved His10, Thr13, His226 and Arg259. Based on these results, we propose a general reaction mechanism for p-hydroquinone 1,2-dioxygenases.
Network security laboratories using SmoothWall

Smooth Wall Express [12] is a free GPL firewall. It uses iptables [20] for firewall rules and Snort [14] as an intrusion detection system (IDS). This paper describes the installation of Smooth Wall. It presents sample SmoothWall laboratory exercises for teaching network security using iptables and Snort.
Response to comments on 'A post-genomic surprise'.

In response to the seven authors who offered comments on my paper, I have tried to synthesize and distill common themes. Foremost among them is the charge to look forward, not only to consider probable developments and implications for how this ‘molecular reinscription of race’ will unfold in forensics and clinical medicine, but as well to suggest how the discipline of Sociology can and should respond. But as several of the commentators noted, this is not just a matter for a single discipline, but should be fertile ground for coordinated empirical investigation by such fields as the Social Studies of Science, Anthropology of Medicine, and Critical Race Theory. For sociologically informed reasons, social scientists should be wary of the unanticipated consequences of collaboration with human molecular geneticists who come to the table deploying databases with pre-fabricated categories of race, thereby poised to provide genetic explanations of social outcomes based upon race and ethnicity. A cautionary note is provided explaining how and why some joint projects are advised, some are ill-advised.