cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dimercaprol is an acrolein scavenger that mitigates acrolein-mediated PC-12 cells toxicity and reduces acrolein in rat following spinal cord injury.

Acrolein is one of the most toxic byproducts of lipid peroxidation, and it has been shown to be associated with multiple pathological processes in trauma and diseases, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, suppressing acrolein using acrolein scavengers has been suggested as a novel strategy of neuroprotection. In an effort to identify effective acrolein scavengers, we have confirmed that dimercaprol, which possesses thiol functional groups, could bind and trap acrolein. We demonstrated the reaction between acrolein and dimercaprol in an abiotic condition by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Specifically, dimercaprol is able to bind to both the carbon double bond and aldehyde group of acrolein. Its acrolein scavenging capability was further demonstrated by in vitro results that showed that dimercaprol could significantly protect PC-12 cells from acrolein-mediated cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, dimercaprol, when applied systemically through intraperitoneal injection, could significantly reduce acrolein contents in spinal cord tissue following a spinal cord contusion injury in rats, a condition known to have elevated acrolein concentration. Taken together, dimercaprol may be an effective acrolein scavenger and a viable candidate for acrolein detoxification.
Osimertinib: A third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor for treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small cell lung cancer with the acquired Thr790Met mutation:

Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for the treatment of metastatic EGFR T790M mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients failing previous TKI therapy. The T790M mutation is an acquired resistance mechanism found in over half of patients with NSCLC progressing on first-generation TKIs. First- and second-generation TKIs do not inhibit the T790M mutation at clinically relevant concentrations. Osimertinib is selective for mutated forms of EGFR, including the TKI-sensitizing mutations L858R and exon 19 deletions, as well as the acquired T790M resistance mutation. In a trial comparing osimertinib to platinum doublet therapy among patients with the T790M mutation progressing on first-line TKI therapy, median progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients receiving osimertinib. Osimertinib has a favorable safety profile compared to platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Common adverse events include diarrhea, skin rash, dry skin, and paronychia; however, because it spares wild-type EGFR, these toxicities appear to occur with less frequency and severity compared to other TKIs. Serious, but rare, adverse events include pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease-like events, QT interval prolongation, and reduced ejection fraction. Osimertinib has the unique ability to distribute readily into brain tissue compared with other TKIs, giving it a potential role in the treatment and/or prevention of CNS metastases; future studies are warranted in this area. An ongoing study evaluating osimertinib versus first-generation TKIs as first-line treatment for patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC may help to define the role of osimertinib as front-line therapy.
Microstructural description of shear-thickening suspensions

Dynamic particle-scale numerical simulations are used to study the variation of microstructure with shear stress during shear thickening in dense non-Brownian suspensions. The microscale information is used to characterize the differences between the shear thickened (frictional) and non-thickened (lubricated, frictionless) states. Here, we focus on the force and contact networks and study the evolution of associated anisotropies with increase in shear stress. The force and contact networks are both more isotropic in the shear-thickened state than in non-thickened state. We also find that both force and structural anisotropies are rate independent for both low and high stress, while they are rate (or stress) dependent for the intermediate stress range where the shear thickening occurs. This behavior is similar to the evolution of viscosity with increasing stress, showing a clear correlation between the microstructure and the macroscopic rheology.
Composition and Control of a Deg/ENaC Channel during Presynaptic Homeostatic Plasticity.

The homeostatic control of presynaptic neurotransmitter release stabilizes information transfer at synaptic connections in the nervous system of organisms ranging from insect to human. Presynaptic homeostatic signaling centers upon the regulated membrane insertion of an amiloride-sensitive degenerin/epithelial sodium (Deg/ENaC) channel. Elucidating the subunit composition of this channel is an essential step toward defining the underlying mechanisms of presynaptic homeostatic plasticity (PHP). Here, we demonstrate that the ppk1 gene encodes an essential subunit of this Deg/ENaC channel, functioning in motoneurons for the rapid induction and maintenance of PHP. We provide genetic and biochemical evidence that PPK1 functions together with PPK11 and PPK16 as a presynaptic, hetero-trimeric Deg/ENaC channel. Finally, we highlight tight control of Deg/ENaC channel expression and activity, showing increased PPK1 protein expression during PHP and evidence for signaling mechanisms that fine tune the level of Deg/ENaC activity during PHP.
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering on dielectric microspheres with whispering gallery mode resonance

Conventionally, metallic nanostructures are used for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), but recently there has been increasing interest in the enhancement of Raman scattering from dielectric substrates due to their improved stability and biocompatibility compared with metallic substrates. Here, we report the observation of enhanced Raman scattering from rhodamine 6G molecules coated on silica microspheres. We excite the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) supported in the microspheres with a tapered fiber coupler for efficient WGM excitation, and the Raman enhancement can be attributed to the WGM mechanism. Strong resonance enhancement in pump laser intensity and modified Raman emission from the Purcell effect in the microsphere resonator are observed from the experiment and compared with theoretical results. A total Raman enhancement factor of 1.4×104 is observed, with contribution mostly from the enhancement in pump laser intensity. Our results show that, with an efficient pumping scheme, dielectric microspheres are a viable alternative to metallic SERS substrates.
Pediatric Spinal Ependymomas: An Epidemiologic Study.

Objective Pediatric intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas represent a rare central nervous system neoplasm with few available data regarding incidence and outcomes. To this end, large population-based studies are needed to assess the epidemiology and survival risk factors associated with these tumors in the hope of better understanding these tumors as well as improving outcomes. This retrospective study was undertaken to explore factors that may influence survival in pediatric patients with intramedullary spinal cord ependymomas. Methods Using the SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) database, a prospective cancer registry, we retrospectively assessed survival in histologically confirmed spinal ependymomas in patients 17 years of age and younger. Survival was described with Kaplan-Meier curves, and a multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the association of several variables with survival, controlling for confounding variables. Results Invasive tumor extension (P Conclusions Invasive ependymomas occurring in the spine have a worse prognosis, whereas higher tumor grades do not clearly show worse rates of survival. Early diagnosis and surgery seem to be associated with improved survival and outcomes, whereas radiation therapy and chemotherapy have an unclear role.
Detection of a K-ras mutation in urine of patients with colorectal cancer

We previously demonstrated that human urine contains small, 150 to 250 nucleotide-sized, soluble DNA derived from the circulation, which may be useful in the detection of colorectal cancer. In this report we have determined the stability of DNA in urine and have found that the half-life time interval of this small, fragmented DNA is at least 4 hours post collection. We further compared, in a blinded study, the frequency of detecting mutated K-ras sequence in DNA isolated from plasma and urine derived from individuals who have either a colorectal carcinoma (CRC), or adenomatous polyps that contain a mutation in codon 12 of the K-ras proto-oncogene. There was an 83% concurrence of mutated DNA detected in urine and its corresponding disease tissue from the same individuals, when paired urine and tissue sections from 20 patients with either CRC or adenomatous polyps were analyzed for K-ras mutation. However, only a 56% concurrence was observed when the matched plasma specimens were tested from these 20 patients. These results suggest that urine might be a better resource for detecting K-ras mutation in circulating DNA.
Hypophosphatemia and Hyperphosphatemia

Pathophysiology, clinical sequelae, and treatment for hypophosphatemia and hyperphosphatemia are discussed. Hypophosphatemia results from a variety of conditions including malnutrition, carbohydrate refeeding, acid-base disorders, and hormonal and drug effects. Patients suffering from severe hypophosphatemia may present with a variety of syndromes that can become detrimental and even life-threatening if this electrolyte depletion goes untreated. Hyperphosphatemia occurs because of increased extracellular phosphate load from either endogenous or exogenous sources or from a decrease in renal phosphate excretion. Left untreated, hyperphosphatemia can result in dangerous calcium-phosphate precipitation into vital organs and tissues.
Chronic mild hypoxia increases expression of laminins 111 and 411 and the laminin receptor α6β1 integrin at the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract The laminin family of glycoproteins are major constituents of the basal lamina of blood vessels, and play a fundamental role in promoting endothelial differentiation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) stability. Chronic mild hypoxia (CMH), in which mice are exposed to 8% O2 for two weeks, induces a strong vascular remodeling response in the central nervous system (CNS) that includes endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis, arteriogenesis as well as increased expression of tight junction proteins, suggestive of enhanced vascular integrity. As previous studies highlight an important role for laminin in promoting vascular differentiation and BBB stability, the goal of this study was to determine if CMH influences the expression of the laminins and their cell surface receptors in cerebral blood vessels. Our studies revealed that over a 14 day period of CMH, blood vessels in the brain showed strong upregulation of the specific laminin subunits α1 and α4, corresponding to increased expression of laminins 111 and 411 respectively, with no discernible changes in the expression levels of the α2 or α5 laminin subunits. This was accompanied by marked endothelial upregulation of the laminin receptor α6β1 integrin but no alterations in the other laminin receptors α1β1 integrin or dystroglycan. In light of the instructive role for laminins in promoting vascular differentiation and stability, these data suggest that upregulation of the laminin-α6β1 integrin axis is part of the molecular response triggered by mild hypoxia that leads to enhanced BBB stability.
Reversible Hierarchical Assembly of Trimeric Coiled-Coil Peptides into Banded Nano- and Microstructures

We report a set of coiled-coil peptides, radially functionalized with bipyridines, that demonstrate hierarchical assembly into banded rectangular nano- and microstructures, the dimensions of which vary with the strategic placement and number of aromatic groups on the monomer backbone. Finer structural aspects of the hexagonal packing of the individual trimers were determined by X-ray scattering, including intertrimer aromatic interactions between bipyridine moieties. The ease of formation of these biomaterials under physiological conditions and the use of pH to reversibly modulate assembly demonstrate future potential for a range of biological applications, such as drug delivery in a pH-controlled manner.
Iran's Troubled Modernity : Debating Ahmad Fardid's Legacy

Ahmad Fardid (1910–94), the 'anti-Western' philosopher known to many as the Iranian Heidegger, became the self-proclaimed philosophical spokesperson for the Islamic Republic, famously coining the term 'Westoxication'. Using new materials about Fardid's intellectual biography and interviews with thirteen individuals, Ali Mirsepassi pieces together the striking story of Fardid's life and intellectual legacy. Each interview in turn sheds light on Iran's twentieth-century intellectual and political self-construction and highlights Fardid's important role and influence in the creation of Iranian modernity. The Fardid phenomenon was unique to the Iranian story, and yet contributed to a broader twentieth-century Heideggerian tradition that marked the political destiny of other countries under a similar ideological sway. Through these accounts, Mirsepassi cuts to the nerve of how deadly political 'authenticity movements' take hold of modern societies and spread their ideology. Combining a sociological framework with the realities of lived experience, he examines Iran's recent and astonishing upheavals, experiments, and mass mobilizations.
Multistatic Terahertz Imaging Using the Radon Transform

We present a novel imaging method for compact low-profile imagers in millimeter wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) frequencies. The method borrows the principles of computerized tomography to generate 2-D or 3-D high-resolution images using simplified RF front ends. To perform imaging, the proposed scheme implements the projection-slice theorem. Specifically, it records the Radon transform (RT) of the desired field-of-view (FOV) and reconstructs the image using the Fourier slice theorem. To achieve the illumination of the FOV, the proposed imaging configuration uses a rotating linear antenna array that produces a highly directive fan beam. The antenna elements are further reduced using multistatic sparse array techniques without compromising the image reconstruction process. By dramatically reducing the number of active elements, the new method could allow high-resolution mmW/THz imaging systems to be embedded in low profile and lightweight platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles or CubeSats. In this paper, we present the basic concept of the novel imaging scheme and simulation results verifying the proof of concept. Finally, we present a modified imaging antenna array that alleviates interference from objects and sources outside the FOV.
MultiDomainBenchmark: a multi-domain query and subject database suite.

Genetic sequence database retrieval benchmarks play an essential role in evaluating the performance of sequence searching tools. To date, all phylogenetically diverse benchmarks known to the authors include only query sequences with single protein domains. Domains are the primary building blocks of protein structure and function. Independently, each domain can fulfill a single function, but most proteins (>80% in Metazoa) exist as multi-domain proteins. Multiple domain units combine in various arrangements or architectures to create different functions and are often under evolutionary pressures to yield new ones. Thus, it is crucial to create gold standards reflecting the multi-domain complexity of real proteins to more accurately evaluate sequence searching tools. This work introduces MultiDomainBenchmark (MDB), a database suite of 412 curated multi-domain queries and 227,512 target sequences, representing at least 5108 species and 1123 phylogenetically divergent protein families, their relevancy annotation, and domain location. Here, we use the benchmark to evaluate the performance of two commonly used sequence searching tools, BLAST/PSI-BLAST and HMMER. Additionally, we introduce a novel classification technique for multi-domain proteins to evaluate how well an algorithm recovers a domain architecture. MDB is publicly available at http://csc.columbusstate.edu/carroll/MDB/ .
Efficacy of the chemical trifluoromethanesulfonamide as a male gametocide in field-grown sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench) is a cereal grain and forage crop that is grown across tropical and temperate regions of the world. Sorghum has a complete flower, resulting in self-pollination as the primary form of reproduction, but it is also grown commercially as a hybrid. Consequently, methods of cross-pollination for both breeding and hybrid seed production are important. In sorghum breeding, current methods of cross-pollination are effective, but they have limitations in terms of achieving complete and temporal male sterility. With the development of new breeding approaches, such as doubled haploids, temporal male sterility is essential. Temporal male sterility would also be useful in testing new seed parent lines prior to an investment in sterilization of the line in the cytoplasmic male sterility system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of trifluoromethanesulfonamide (TFMSA) as a sorghum male gametocide under field conditions. TFMSA was foliarly applied to three male-fertile parental lines, in two environments, using a pipette and a sprayer, respectively, in dosages ranging from 5 to 30 mg/plant. Repeated applications over time for the 10 and 15 mg dosage rates were conducted on a subset of individual plants. The results indicate that once a minimum dosage threshold (between 10 and 15 mg) was reached, panicles became male sterile. Additional dosages and number of applications had little overall effect, and both hand-applied and sprayer-applied TFMSA had similar male sterility induction capability. From these studies, it appears that TFMSA can be used as an effective chemical male gametocide on sorghum under field conditions.
A study of school feeding programs. I. Economic eligibility and nutritional need.

Family income and size are presently used to determine children s eligibility for free school lunches. Are these criteria also indicative of nutritional need?
Intrathecal nusinersen in older children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy (S5.001)

Objective: To report our experience of treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients with intrathecal nusinersen who are of 12 years of age and older at the time of first injection. Background: SMA is a fatal neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, respiratory compromise, and paralysis. Nusinersen, the first Food and Drug Administration approved treatment for SMA, is administered intrathecally. Nusinersen was effective in phase III randomized controlled trials in infants with SMA1 and children with later onset SMA in improving motor function. Recent phase 3 clinical trial of nusinersen in later onset SMA included patients up to 12 years of age at the time of screening. Data on efficacy and safety of intrathecal nusinersen in older children and adults with SMA is lacking. Design/Methods: Retrospective chart review Results: 12 patients (6 males; 1 type 1, 4 type 2 and 7 type 3 SMA) between 12 and 52 years of age were treated with nusinersen. Mean Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) score at baseline, after loading and first maintenance doses of nusinersen were 14.4±9.3, 17.3±10.5, and 19.8±9.9 respectively. Two type 3 patients were ambulatory at baseline and the ambulation was after loading and first maintenance doses. Improvements in endurance, hand movements, hand writing, and louder/clearer speech were reported. All patients had scoliosis and 10 had spinal fusion and instrumentation. 37 lumbar and 18 cervical punctures were performed with successful administration of intrathecal nusinersen. Post lumbar puncture site pain and headache were reported in 5 occurrences. Conclusions: Improvements and stability in motor functions and ambulation was noted with nusinersen in our cohort of older children and adults with SMA. Our data also demonstrate feasibility and safety of intrathecal administration of nusinersen in such patients. Disclosure: Dr. Veerapandiyan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Eichinger has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, and Acceleron Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Guntrum has nothing to disclose. Dr. Collins has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kwon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ciafaloni has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Sarepta, Santhera. Dr. Ciafaloni has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for MedLink.
YAP and TAZ Mediate Osteocyte Perilacunar/Canalicular Remodeling.

Bone fragility fractures are caused by low bone mass or impaired bone quality. Osteoblast/osteoclast coordination determines bone mass, but the factors that control bone quality are poorly understood. Osteocytes regulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity on bone surfaces but can also directly reorganize the bone matrix to improve bone quality through perilacunar/canalicular remodeling; however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We previously found that deleting the transcriptional regulators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-motif (TAZ) from osteoblast-lineage cells caused lethality in mice due to skeletal fragility. Here, we tested the hypothesis that YAP and TAZ regulate osteocyte-mediated bone remodeling by conditional ablation of both YAP and TAZ from mouse osteocytes using 8 kb-DMP1-Cre. Osteocyte-conditional YAP/TAZ deletion reduced bone mass and dysregulated matrix collagen content and organization, which together decreased bone mechanical properties. Further, YAP/TAZ deletion impaired osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling by reducing canalicular network density, length, and branching, as well as perilacunar flourochrome-labeled mineral deposition. Consistent with recent studies identifying TGF-β as a key inducer of osteocyte expression of matrix-remodeling enzymes, YAP/TAZ deletion in vivo decreased osteocyte expression of matrix proteases MMP13, MMP14, and CTSK. In vitro, pharmacologic inhibition of YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity in osteocyte-like cells abrogated TGF-β-induced matrix protease gene expression. Together, these data show that YAP and TAZ control bone matrix accrual, organization, and mechanical properties by regulating osteocyte-mediated bone remodeling. Elucidating the signaling pathways that control perilacunar/canalicular remodeling may enable future therapeutic targeting of bone quality to reverse skeletal fragility. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Tropical Convective Spectrum

A taxonomy of tropical convective and stratiform vertical structures is constructed through cluster analysis of 3 yr of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) "warm-season" (surface temperature greater than 10 C) precipitation radar (PR) vertical profiles, their surface rainfall, and associated radar-based classifiers (convective/ stratiform and brightband existence). Twenty-five archetypal profile types are identified, including nine convective types, eight stratiform types, two mixed types, and six anvil/fragment types (nonprecipitating anvils and sheared deep convective profiles). These profile types are then hierarchically clustered into 10 similar families, which can be further combined, providing an objective and physical reduction of the highly multivariate PR data space that retains vertical structure information. The taxonomy allows for description of any storm or local convective spectrum by the profile types or families. The analysis provides a quasi-independent corroboration of the TRMM 2A23 convective/ stratiform classification. The global frequency of occurrence and contribution to rainfall for the profile types are presented, demonstrating primary rainfall contribution by midlevel glaciated convection (27%) and similar depth decaying/stratiform stages (28%-31%). Profiles of these types exhibit similar 37- and 85-GHz passive microwave brightness temperatures but differ greatly in their frequency of occurrence and mean rain rates, underscoring the importance to passive microwave rain retrieval of convective/stratiform discrimination by other means, such as polarization or texture techniques, or incorporation of lightning observations. Close correspondence is found between deep convective profile frequency and annualized lightning production, and pixel-level lightning occurrence likelihood directly tracks the estimated mean ice water path within profile types.
The English Galileo and His Vision of Projectile Motion under Air Resistance

This article presents a detailed discussion of the shape of the trajectory traced by a projectile under the forces of gravity and air resistance. In particular, our results confirm the insight of the English scientist Thomas Harriot into the motion of a projectile before the development of Newtonian classical mechanics. Our approach is based on the fact that the flight path of a resisted projectile is implemented by a strictly concave function for which the derivative is also strictly concave.
Students and faculty perceptions of standards-based grading for clinical education

Abstract Designing safe and effective student clinical courses is an essential component of nursing education. A variety of approaches have been used to measure student achievement of clinical competencies. Standards-based grading (SBG) is a unique approach to student assessment and clinical course grading that has been used in Higher Education to promote student-centered learning, application, and prioritization, and of course, learning outcomes. At our institution, a mixed-method pilot and follow-up study were conducted to examine student and faculty attitudes and experiences concerning the incorporation of SBG in a nursing clinical capstone course. The results of our study found that students and faculty felt that SBG effectively measured student learning, provided clear grading expectations, increased student motivation, improved course grading consistency, and minimized conflict between students and faculty. Overall, students and faculty preferred SBG as compared to a traditional-points based grading system.
A dimensionless number for predicting universal processing parameter boundaries in metal powder bed additive manufacturing

Abstract One of the main challenges facing selective laser melting processes is finding suitable process parameters to achieve maximum density (pore-free) parts. In this letter, two newly discovered dimensionless numbers are presented that correlate process parameters to a part’s density allowing for an initial estimation of suitable process parameters without the need for extensive modeling or experimentation. The prediction is achieved by utilizing the Buckingham-Π theorem and the implementation of Pawlowski’s matrix transformation method. The universality of the new dimensionless numbers is verified by applying them to selective laser melting data for eight different metals and alloy systems, obtained both experimentally and gathered from the literature. The dimensionless numbers allow for identification of process parameters that will result in a maximum density regime in the as-built part. Finally, a universal scaling law is introduced that can aid in quantitative prediction of process parameters that result in the highest as-built density.
Soil fungal communities are compositionally resistant to drought manipulations – Evidence from culture-dependent and culture-independent analyses

Abstract Current environmental change predictions forecast intensified drought conditions. It is becoming increasingly evident that plant communities are sensitive to drought and that soil-inhabiting microbial communities vary along precipitation gradients. However, the drought sensitivity of microbial communities in general and that of soil fungi in particular remains unclear, even though understanding their responses to adverse environmental conditions is vital for better understanding of ecosystem service provisioning. We sampled soils at two sites with established experiments that imposed extreme, chronic drought to assess fungal community responses. We analyzed fungal communities using both culture-dependent and -independent tools and MiSeq-sequenced communities from colony forming units (CFU-PCR) on a drought simulating medium and from environmental DNA (ePCR), to compare the conclusions derived from these two methods. Our data from the two approaches consistently indicate that the composition of fungal communities is not affected by the drought treatment, whereas – based on the CFU-PCR but not ePCR data – their richness and diversity increased under drought conditions at the more mesic of the two sites. Further, based on the direct comparisons of CFU-PCR and ePCR, we estimate that more than 10% of the fungal community and more than 20% of the ascomycetes were culturable. We conclude that although recent research indicates that plant and bacterial communities respond to drought, fungal community responses are more variable, particularly in experiments that impose chronic drought under field conditions.
COVID-19 Pediatric Problems: A Narrative Review

COVID-19 pediatric problems have been similar to those for adults, including medical, neurological, sensory and psychological conditions, although they have typically been less prevalent and severe. The lesser severity in children may relate to their less mature viral receptors, less dysregulation of immune responses, and a lesser incidence of pre-existing comorbid conditions. This narrative review is a summary of publications found on PubMed for 2019-2021 on the prevalence of infection and the characteristics of the clinical condition that has predominated for children (multisystem inflammatory syndrome typically presenting with fever and cough in 1-5% of children between the ages of 1 and 14). Most of the extra-pulmonary symptom literature has focused on neurological, sensory and psychological conditions including headaches and loss of smell and taste as well as skin problems. The research on psychological symptoms has noted helplessness, worry and fear as well as more serious problems including anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation. These problems have been attributed to less exercise, separation from schools and peers, over-exposure to social media, already existing psychiatric disorders and chronic illnesses that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Methodological limitations of the literature include small sample, cross-sectional studies assessing single variables in countries that experienced lockdowns early in the pandemic. And, sequelae or post-COVID problems have rarely been researched. This narrative review was intended to be a brief overview of publications on medical, neurological, sensory and psychological problems that children and adolescents have experienced during COVID-19. The review is based on some of the larger sample studies and systematic reviews that appeared on PubMed for the years 2019-2021. The terms pediatrics, children, adolescents and COVID-19 were entered and the search yielded 173 papers. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews. Case reports and non-English papers were excluded. Following these criteria, 57 papers were selected. The resulting review that reflects the current literature includes prevalence data, clinical characteristics and potential underlying mechanisms. Consistent with the aims of this review, the paper is divided into sections on medical, neurological, sensory and psychological conditions as well as COVID-19 sequelae.
Architects of their own humanity: race, devotion, and artistic agency in Afro-Brazilian confraternal churches in eighteenth-century Salvador and Ouro Preto

Writing about Afro-Brazilians in the second part of his history of the Franciscan Order in Brazil, Novo orbe serafico brasilico (Seraphic Brazilian New World, 1764–68), friar Antonio Santa Maria Ja...
Fatigue Crack Growth in Ceramics and Ceramic Composites at High Temperatures

The susceptibility of ceramics and ceramic composites to subcriticai fracture under the influence of cyclic stresses has been a topic of considerable research during the past decade. Experiments conducted on both unreinforced and reinforced ceramics at room and elevated temperatures have shown1 that true cyclic fatigue effects may occur under certain conditions as a consequence of one of the following mechanisms. (1) The generation of tensile residual stresses ahead of stress concentrations in ceramics subjected to far-field cyclic compression can induce the nucleation of stable mode I fatigue cracks at room and elevated temperatures.2 This crack formation and growth process is aided by the existence of a zone of permanent deformation ahead of the stress concentration upon unloading from the far-field compressive stress.3 (2) Intrinsic differences between the crack-tip deformation characteristics induced by static and cyclic loads at elevated tempertures can lead to cyclic fatigue effects in some monolithic and reinforced ceramics.4 These effects generally arise from such factors as viscous flow of glassy films formed at grain boundaries and interfaces, grain boundary sliding, frictional sliding of a discontinuous reinforcement within the crack-tip region, or the breakage of the reinforcement.5, 6 (3) Degradation of grain bridging or reinforcement bridging of the crack faces in response to repeated cyclic loading can amplify the effective driving force at the crack tip such that the rates of crack growth under cyclic loads are significantly more pronounced than under static loads.7, 8
Root-knot resistance in tomato.

Root knot is a major disease of tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum (L) Mill.) caused by nematodes belonging to the genus Meloidogyne. They are responsible for marked reduction in tomato yields and sometimes for complete crop failures in many parts of the world. Although over 60 species of Meloidogyne have been described, the most common species attacking tomatoes are M. incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, M. javanica (Treub) Chitwood, M. arenaria (Neal) Chitwood, and M. hapla Chitwood.
Modulation of MicroRNA Expression and Function by ADARs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by preventing the translation of specific messenger RNAs. Adenosine deaminases acting on RNAs (ADARs) catalyze adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing, the conversion of adenosines into inosines, in double-stranded RNAs. Because inosine preferentially base pairs with cytidine, this conversion is equivalent to an adenosine to guanosine change. Over the past seven years, an increasing number of edited adenosines have been identified in miRNAs. Editing of miRNAs affects their biogenesis, causes their degradation or alters the set of messenger RNAs that they regulate. Recently, ADARs have been shown to also affect the miRNA phenomenon by sequestering miRNAs or by editing the messenger RNAs they regulate. This article reviews the recent attempts to identify miRNA editing sites and elucidate the effects of ADARs on miRNA expression and function.
Pathogens in Biosolids

The world population of 6.8 billion people all produce sewage. In the developed world most of this is treated by the activated sludge process, which results in large volumes of sludge or biosolids being produced (NRC, 2002). This results in millions of tons of biosolids produced each year in the United States, which must either be disposed of or recycled in some manner. Land application has been seen as the most economical and beneficial way of handling biosolids. Biosolids that result from municipal wastewater treatment processes contain organic matter and nutrients that, when properly treated and applied to farmland, can improve the productivity of soils or enhance revegetation of disturbed ecosystems. However, besides the documented benefits of land application, there are also potential hazards, which have caused the public response to the practice to be mixed. Here we review one of the potential hazards associated with biosolids and its land application, namely human pathogens associated with biosolids.
Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in elderly patients: is there a difference in morbidity compared with younger patients?

Aim The aim of this study was to review the recent results of ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Method Retrospective evaluation was carried out based on a prospective Institutional Review Board approved database of patients who underwent IPAA from 2001 to 2008. Patients aged ≥65 years were matched with a group of patients aged <65 years by gender, date of procedure, diagnosis and type of procedure performed. Preoperative and intra-operative data and early postoperative complications were obtained. Results Thirty-three patients (22 women), 32 with mucosal ulcerative colitis, were included in each group. The elderly group had a mean age of 68.7 years, body mass index of 27 kg/m2, duration of disease of 17.4 years, high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and high incidence of comorbid conditions (87.9% had one or more). Dysplasia and carcinoma were the indication for the surgery in more than 50% of patients, followed by refractory disease (24.4%). The matched younger group had a mean age of 36.9 years, body mass index of 25.4 kg/m2, shorter duration of disease (8.1 years; P = 0.001), lower ASA score (P = 0.0001) and lower comorbidity (42.4%; P = 0.0002). Operative data were similar for both groups. The elderly group had a higher rate of rehospitalization for dehydration (P = 0.02). Other medical complications (30 vs 27%) and surgical postoperative complications (33 vs 24%) were similar for both groups. The long-term function and complications were comparable for the groups. Conclusion Elderly patients who underwent IPAA had more comorbid conditions than younger patients. Except for rehospitalization for dehydration, medical and surgical postoperative complications were not different in the two groups.
A National Study of the Location of Death for Older Persons with Dementia

OBJECTIVES: To describe where older Americans with dementia die and to compare the state health system factors related to the location of dementia-related deaths with those of cancer and all other conditions in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: United States in 2001. PARTICIPANTS: All persons aged 65 and older who died from nontraumatic causes in the United States during 2001. The underlying cause of death, as determined by the National Center for Health Statistics from death certificate data, was used to categorize subjects into three decedent groups: dementia (n 588,523, 5.1%), cancer (n 5389,754, 22.4%), and all other conditions (n 51,256,873, 72.5%). MEASUREMENTS: Site of death was identified as the hospital, home, nursing home, or another location as recorded on the death certificate. In each state, the proportion of hospital deaths in the three decedent groups was categorized as high, medium, and low based on terciles of the national distribution. Using multivariate analyses, associations between state-level variables and the proportion of deathsoccurringinthehospitalineachstatewereexamined. RESULTS: The majority of dementia-related deaths in the United States occurred in nursing homes (66.9%). In contrast, most older persons with cancer died at home (37.8%) or in the hospital (35.4%). The hospital was the most common site of death for all other conditions (52.2%). The state-specific proportion of dementia-related deaths occurring in hospitals varied from 5.0% to 37.0% across the nation and was in the highest tercile in 18 states. Hospital death rates related to cancer and all other conditions were in the highest tercile in 14 of these 18 states. After multivariate adjustment, states with a greater number of hospital beds per 1,000 persons and a lower percentage of decedents aged 85 and older were more likely to have a higher proportion of hospital deaths in all three decedent groups. Additionally, in the dementia cohort, states with fewer nursing home beds had a greater proportion of hospital deaths. CONCLUSION: The majority of older Americans whose underlying cause of death is attributable to dementia on their death certificate die in nursing homes. State-level factors, including the availability of hospital and nursing home beds and the age of decedents in the population, explain, in part, the wide state-to-state variability in the proportion of dementia-related deaths occurring in the hospital. JA m Geriatr Soc 53:299–305, 2005.
Breaking through artificial selection limits of an adaptive behavior in mice and the consequences for correlated responses.

Previous divergent selection for nest-building behavior at 22 ± 1°C resulted in a 40-fold difference between the high and the low lines in amount of cotton used to build a nest. Correlated responses to selection indicated positive genetic correlations with body weight, nest-building at 4 ± 1°C, and litter size and negative genetic correlations with food consumption. At generation 46, the replicate high-selected (High 1 × High 2), randomly bred control (Control 1 × Control 2), and low-selected (Low 1 × Low 2) lines were crossed and the F1 showed significant heterosis for nest-building behavior. Regression of the F3 on the F2 generation gave heritability estimates of 0.16 ± 0.10 for the high and 0.07 ± 0.10 for the low cross, revealing a potential to break the selection limit (at least in the high direction), which had been reached at about 20 generations of selection. Indeed, renewed selection resulted in responses in both the high and the low directions of nesting, yielding realized heritabilities of 0.29 ± 0.02 and 0.30 ± 0.004, respectively. Replicated renewed selection, using the F3 generation as the base population, in the high direction of nesting resulted in correlated increases in nest-building at 4 ± 1°C, litter size, and food consumption. Body weight did not change. The positive correlation with food consumption is opposite in sign compared to the original selection experiment. This indicates that the evolutionary potential of a population to adapt to a changing environment not only depends on its current genetic variability in one adaptive trait, but may be constrained by genetic correlations changing over the course of selection.
Differentiation potential of adipose derived adult stem (ADAS) cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the multi-lineage differentiation potential of adipose derived adult stem (ADAS) and the implications this can have on the nascent fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Adipose tissue is found throughout the body in the adult human and serves multiple functions throughout life. Adipose depots have been categorized, based on morphology and distinct histochemical markers, into two types: white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT). In adult humans, WAT is the most abundant form, whereas BAT serves to insulate and heat the major organs and vessels in newborn humans and in hibernating animals. The development of adipocytes has been examined in human, rodent, rabbit, and porcine embryos by light and electron micrographic methods. Adipose tissues are derived from the embryonic mesoderm and initially appear as condensations of mesenchymal cells. The isolation of rodent adipose cells is described. This involved fine mincing of the adipose tissue, collagenase digestion, and differential centrifugation to separating the mature adipocytes from the stromal-vascular fraction containing blood cells, fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells, and putative adipocyte precursors. The protocol for the isolation of ADAS cells from liter quantities of liposuction aspirates is outlined in the chapter.
Marginal Notes on Schrödinger

Even the non-scientist among scholars is more or less acquainted with the fact that Erwin Schrodinger, who died in 1961, belongs to that galaxy of original thinkers in physics, which is distinguished by names like Planck, Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, Born, Dirac, Pauli, and so forth. And the physicist learns during his study of quantum theory that Schrodinger is the founder of wave mechanics, and thus the creator of one of the most impressive physical edifices of modern theoretical physics. The various versions of the famous equation called after him have become permanent features in current physical theory. I do not think that wave mechanics will ever reach the exceptional, prominent status of general theory of relativity. Anyhow, it is not custom to compare the relevance of one physical theory with another. In other words, we usually refrain from ranking, as it were, the accomplishments of physicists whose contributions have not only affected the domain of physics, but changed our general conception of the universe.
Introduction and Scope

In this chapter, we highlight the background behind and the motivation for a unified approach to supply chain network analytics for time-sensitive, perishable products. We describe the methodological framework and provide the organization of the book, detailing the featured applications in sectors ranging from healthcare, including pharmaceutical, blood, and medical nuclear supply chains, to food and fashion apparel that are explored in depth through models and case studies.
Robust ectropy-based cooperative control of a wind DFIG for transient stabilization and MPPT

In this paper we design a cooperative control scheme for a wind Double-Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) with an integrated energy storage. The proposed control scheme can enable the wind generator to provide new advanced capabilities and support to the grid. More specifically, we design a controller for the rotor side converter (RSC) that guarantees maximum power point tracking (MPPT) while the controller for the grid side converter (GSC) guarantees transient stabilization of a neighboring synchronous generator (SG). Simulations on a small test system verify that the proposed control scheme achieves the desired objectives with good dynamic performance.