cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
X-ray Absorption Edge Spectroscopy and Computational Studies on LCuO2 Species: Superoxide−CuII versus Peroxide−CuIII Bonding

The geometric and electronic structures of two mononuclear CuO2 complexes, [Cu(O2){HB(3-Ad-5-iPrpz)3}] (1) and [Cu(O2)(β-diketiminate)] (2), have been evaluated using Cu K- and L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies in combination with valence bond configuration interaction (VBCI) simulations and spin-unrestricted broken symmetry density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Cu K- and L-edge XAS data indicate the Cu(II) and Cu(III) nature of 1 and 2, respectively. The total integrated intensity under the L-edges shows that the 's in 1 and 2 contain 20% and 28% Cu character, respectively, indicative of very covalent ground states in both complexes, although more so in 1. Two-state VBCI simulations also indicate that the ground state in 2 has more Cu (|3d8〉) character. DFT calculations show that the in both complexes is dominated by O2n- character, although the O2n- character is higher in 1. It is shown that the ligand L plays an important role in modulating Cu−O2 bonding in these LCuO2 systems ...
Regulation of Rous sarcoma virus RNA splicing and stability.

Abstract Only a fraction of retroviral primary transcripts are spliced to subgenomic mRNAs; the unspliced transcripts are transported to the cytoplasm for packaging into virions and for translation of the gag and pol genes. We identified cis-acting sequences within the gag gene of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) which negatively regulate splicing in vivo. Mutations were generated downstream of the splice donor (base 397) in the intron of a proviral clone of RSV. Deletion of bases 708 to 800 or 874 to 987 resulted in a large increase in the level of spliced RSV RNA relative to unspliced RSV RNA. This negative regulator of splicing (nrs) also inhibited splicing of a heterologous splice donor and acceptor pair when inserted into the intron. The nrs element did not affect the level of spliced RNA by increasing the rate of transport of the unspliced RNA to the cytoplasm but interfered more directly with splicing. To investigate the possible role of gag proteins in splicing, we studied constructs carrying frameshift mutations in the gag gene. While these mutations, which caused premature termination of gag translation, did not affect the level of spliced RSV RNA, they resulted in a large decrease in the accumulation of unspliced RNA in the cytoplasm.
Kinetic analysis of the effect of zinc ion on the inorganic pyrophosphatase reaction.

Abstract A kinetic study is presented in which the effect of Zn(II) on yeast inorganic pyrophosphatase was quantitatively determined. A dual role model for metal ion effect, previously determined for the Mg(II)-pyrophosphatase system (O. A. Moe and L. G. Butler, 1972 , J. Biol. Chem. 247 , 7308–7315), was applied successfully to the analysis of the kinetics for Zn(II)-pyrophosphatase and Zn(II), Mg(II)-pyrophosphatase systems. The model, assigning an activator role to free Zn(II) ion and a substrate role to the Zn(II)-pyrophosphate complex, gave an excellent fit to the data. Inhibition of the Mg(II)-pyrophosphatase system by Zn(II) was analyzed by a model in which competitive binding of the Mg(II)-pyrophosphate and Zn(II)-pyrophosphate complexes occurred at the enzyme active site, with both complexes undergoing reaction at different rates. Relative maximal velocities and enzymeligand dissociation constants for the Zn(II)-pyrophosphate complex were determined for the cases where the metal ion activator role was fulfilled by Zn(II) and Mg(II), respectively. The maximal velocity parameter showed a dependence on the nature of the activator metal ion, demonstrating that the role of the latter is associated both with the process of substrate binding and with the mechanism of catalysis. Values for all kinetic parameters are reported for an ionic strength of 0.2, pH 7.0, and 25.0 °C.
Association of cystic neck metastases and human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract Human papillomavirus is an established cause of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Similar to cervical cancer, these cancers are usually caused by high-risk human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 and are associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma typically affects the palatine and lingual tonsils and frequently results in cystic neck metastases. The histopathology of this subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is unique and typically characterized by poorly differentiated, nonkeratinizing morphology with a basaloid appearance. These tumors occur in younger patients and are more often seen in nonsmokers compared with conventional oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The incidence of human papillomavirus–associated squamous cell carcinoma is increasing. Recognition of this unique clinicopathologic subset of head and neck carcinoma is important because these patients typically respond more favorably ...
Evaluation of the immune response and detection of infectious bursal disease viruses by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after in ovo vaccination of commercial broilers.

SUMMARY. Maternal immunity can interfere with infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccine efficacy. The effect of maternal antibody (MatAb) on the immune response and detection of two vaccine viruses, an IBDV immune complex (cx) and IBDV-2512, was investigated. Vaccines were administered in ovo at 100 mean embryo infectious dose to commerical broiler embryos derived from young (29 wk) or old (63 wk) flocks. Chickens with low MatAb were challenged with an antigenic standard IBDV strain at 21 and 35 days post in ovo vaccination (PIOV). At 28 and 42 days PIOV, birds were euthanatized and bursa weight:body weight ratios were determined. MatAb of progeny from the 29-wk-old flock was higher (P < 0.05) than that from progeny of the 63-wk-old flock. Progeny titers declined by day 21 PIOV. Birds with MatAb vaccinated with either the IBDV-2512 or IBDV-Icx vaccine did not mount an antibody response by 21 days PIOV. The IBDV-Icx vaccination protected chickens against bursal atrophy when they were challenged at 21 ...
Citation apps for mobile devices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a selection of basic Android and iOS apps for mobile devices designed to generate bibliographic citations. Design/methodology/approach – A number of inexpensive or free apps were installed on several different tablets and phones. Book citations in MLA and APA format were generated and evaluated for accuracy. Findings – Results show that the majority of the apps tested produced unacceptably inaccurate citations, and many had limited functionality. The best of the apps tested was EasyBib. Research limitations/implications – There are infinite combinations of operating systems, apps, citation styles, material types and devices. Testing for this study was limited to uncomplicated apps likely to appeal to undergraduate students. It did not include more sophisticated apps for managing reference libraries. The study investigated how well several Android and iOS apps installed on mobile devices functioned to generate MLA and APA citations for print books. Practical/implications – As the role of mobile technology in education continues to grow, librarians need to remain aware of solutions that can help students manage their research. Librarians have an opportunity to provide feedback to developers by reviewing and rating apps. Originality/value – Undergraduate students face challenges in learning to appropriately acknowledge materials they have consulted in their research and writing. Librarians can play an important role in helping students select the most appropriate tools to make citing sources easier and more accurate.
High-Throughput Method for Automated Colony and Cell Counting by Digital Image Analysis Based on Edge Detection

Counting cells and colonies is an integral part of high-throughput screens and quantitative cellular assays. Due to its subjective and time-intensive nature, manual counting has hindered the adoption of cellular assays such as tumor spheroid formation in high-throughput screens. The objective of this study was to develop an automated method for quick and reliable counting of cells and colonies from digital images. For this purpose, I developed an ImageJ macro Cell Colony Edge and a CellProfiler Pipeline Cell Colony Counting, and compared them to other open-source digital methods and manual counts. The ImageJ macro Cell Colony Edge is valuable in counting cells and colonies, and measuring their area, volume, morphology, and intensity. In this study, I demonstrate that Cell Colony Edge is superior to other open-source methods, in speed, accuracy and applicability to diverse cellular assays. It can fulfill the need to automate colony/cell counting in high-throughput screens, colony forming assays, and cellular assays.
Resistance of human gingival collagen to human gingival bacteria.

SummaryIn 44 tests, in which untreated human gingival tissue from cases of periodontitis simplex was incubated for 10 days in broth with its indigenous microbiota, no breakdown of collagen could be detected either chemically or histologically. All other tissue elements, however, were stripped away. In concurrent controls, bovine Achilles'tendon, stored frozen and sterilized by ethylene oxide as in a previous investigation, was used as a substrate for the same microorganisms and underwent collagenolysis in 37 of 44 tests. Freezing, thawing, and sterilization of human gingival tissue with ethylene oxide rendered its collagen susceptible to degradation by its indigenous flora in 17 of 23 tests. This action of ethylene oxide was paralleled by a striking alteration of the reaction of the tissues to the Mallory-azan stain for connective tissue. The participation of true bacterial collagenases in periodontal disease has not yet been substantiated. Conclusions to the contrary have been based on the digestion of a...
Isolation and characterization of two forms of beta-D-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger.

β-d-glucosidase purified from commercial preparations of clarified culture broth ofAspergillus niger (Novo SP188) was shown to elute as two distinct species during analytical anion-exchange chromatography (AEC). However, the two enzyme forms behaved identically on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), and isoelectric focusing. Also, the N-terminal amino acid sequence, amino acid composition, fingerprint of tryptic-digest peptides, circular dichroism spectra, and reaction kinetics appear identical for these forms. This feature of theA. niger enzyme is distinctly different from β-d-glucosidase isozymes reported from other sources, where multiple forms tend to differ in molecular weight and/or isoelectric pH. Michaelis-Menten kinetic analysis also gave comparable results for the two forms. The distinct behavior on AEC was explained by considering the differences in N-linked carbohydrates liberated from both species following treatment with endoglycosidase H or F.
Factors Affecting Results Obtained With the Mooney Viscometer

Abstract Experience with the operation of the Mooney viscometer in 18 laboratories indicates the need for better reproducibility of results. A study of the available data from these laboratories along with numerous experiments made at the National Bureau of Standards have shown the factors that must be considered in improving the reproducibility. If uniformity in the values of Mooney viscosity on the same sample with different viscometers and in different laboratories is to be obtained, the methods of adjustment that must be followed and the precautions that must be taken are cleaning, mechanical calibration, dimensions of dies, die holders, and rotors, die closures, and preparation of testpieces. Each of these items and the errors which may result from maladjustments and lack of precautions in the use of this instrument are discussed.
Proximal tubular hypertrophy in a case of acute leukemia of childhood: a study by microdissection.

The proximal tubules of the kidneys from a child who died of acute leukemia were found to be significantly hypertrophied. This finding coincides with evidence presented by Sternby and by Frei and associates, that the renal enlargement frequently encountered in leukemia is not necessarily the sole result of leukemic infiltration, edema, or hemorrhage. The structural glomerulotubular balance of the nephrons in these kidneys approached that of an adult. The child, under rather standardized therapy, including prednisone, had survived for 17 months following diagnosis. The cause of intrinsic renal hypertrophy in leukemia is not clear.
Capture of Spodoptera frugiperda and S. exigua in Pheromone Traps

Pheromone traps of 7 designs were tested against natural populations of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and the beet armyworm, S. exigua (Hubner). ( Z )-9-dodecen-1-ol acetate was used as the attractant for male S. frugiperda; virgin beet armyworm females were used to attract male S. exigua moths. The electric grid trap captured more moths of both species than any of the other traps tested. Sticky traps were useful as long as their capacity was not exceeded. Color appeared to have little effect on the number of males of either species captured in the traps. Hourly sampling of the catches of S. exigua moths in electrocutor grid traps showed that these moths were most active 6–8 h after sunset.
Preparation and hydration of tiny silica

In order to increase the function of the silica to extend its application,the hydration of the silica powder obtained by the controlled hydrolysis of metal alkoxide was studied.The results indicated that the size and hydration of the silica were affected by the concentration of the ammonia and the tetraethoxysilane.More hydroxyls would be in the surface of silica after acid activation and microwave irradiation.The number of hydroxyls was determined by infra-red spectrogram,hydration,etc.As a result,acid activation and microwave irradiation could make the surface of the silica active and increase its hydration.
Retrospective ideological representation and its impact on democratic satisfaction

Congruence between government policies and citizen preferences is a key element that increases the quality of democracy. While scholars have shown that governments generally adopt ideological posit...
Confinement of fusion plasmas with electric fields

Most fusion reactor designs involve the confinement of plasmas by magnetic fields. We show that electric fields may also be useful in fusion energy devices.
Regression analysis of mixed panel count data with dependent terminal events

Event history studies are commonly conducted in many fields, and a great deal of literature has been established for the analysis of the two types of data commonly arising from these studies: recurrent event data and panel count data. The former arises if all study subjects are followed continuously, while the latter means that each study subject is observed only at discrete time points. In reality, a third type of data, a mixture of the two types of the data earlier, may occur and furthermore, as with the first two types of the data, there may exist a dependent terminal event, which may preclude the occurrences of recurrent events of interest. This paper discusses regression analysis of mixed recurrent event and panel count data in the presence of a terminal event and an estimating equation-based approach is proposed for estimation of regression parameters of interest. In addition, the asymptotic properties of the proposed estimator are established, and a simulation study conducted to assess the finite-sample performance of the proposed method suggests that it works well in practical situations. Finally, the methodology is applied to a childhood cancer study that motivated this study. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transferable Memristive Nanoribbons Comprising Solution-Processed Strontium Titanate Nanocubes.

Memristors, often comprising an insulating metal oxide film between two metal electrodes (MIM), constitute a class of two-terminal devices that possesses tunable variations in resistance based on the applied bias history. Intense research remains focused on the metal–insulator interface, which serves as the crux of coupled electronic–ionic interactions and dictates the underpinning transport mechanisms at either electrode. Top-down, ultrahigh-vacuum (UVH) deposition approaches for MIM nanostructures yield highly crystalline, heteroepitaxial interfaces but limit the number of electrode configurations due to a fixed bottom electrode. Here we report on the convective self-assembly, removal, and transfer of individual nanoribbons comprising solution-processed, single-crystalline strontium titanate (STO) perovskite oxide nanocrystals to arbitrary metallized substrates. Nanoribbon transferability enables changes in transport models ranging from interfacial trap–detrap to electrochemical metallization processes....
Towards a Prototype Tool Leveraging Design Patterns to Support Design of Games for Brain Injury Therapy

In this paper, we discuss our user-centered approach in creating a game design tool prototype, GaPBIT (Game Design Patterns for Brain Injury Therapy). GaPBIT leveraged game design patterns to streamline designer-therapist collaboration when ideating games for brain injury therapy. In user studies, professional game designers expressed enthusiasm about the patterns and the GaPBIT prototype, indicating that conceptual and information tools like GaPBIT would be well received by design practitioners and help them in their work. We argue that tools like GaPBIT are promising facilitators for promoting design of games for health and could potentially be used for educating designers interested in serious games.
A Review of Droplet Dynamics and Vaporization Modeling for Engineering Calculations

The present paper reviews the methodologies for representing the droplet motion and vaporization history in two-phase flow computations. The focus is on the use of droplet models that are realistic in terms of their efficient implementation in comprehensive spray simulations, representation of important physical processes, and applicability under a broad range of conditions. The methodologies available at present to simulate droplet motion in complex two-phase flows may be broadly classified into two categories. First one is based on the modified BBO equation. This approach is more comprehensive, but requires modifications and/or correlations at higher droplet Reynolds number. Second approach aims at developing correlations, using detailed numerical simulations or laboratory experiments, for the effects of flow nonuniformity and droplet relative acceleration on the instantaneous drag and lift coefficients. Recent advances made in the droplet vaporization models are also discussed. The advanced vaporization models include the effects of transient liquid heating, gas-phase convection, and variable thermophysical properties. All of these models are discussed, and recommendations are made for their inclusion in comprehensive two-phase computations.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
The Na+/Cl−-Coupled, Broad-Specific, Amino Acid Transporter SLC6A14 (ATB0,+): Emerging Roles in Multiple Diseases and Therapeutic Potential for Treatment and Diagnosis

Amino acids are essential building blocks of all mammalian cells, and amino acid transporters play a vital role in transporting them into cells and their further distribution among the various cellular compartments. There are ~ 430 known transporters in the solute-linked carrier (SLC) gene family, divided into 52 distinct families. Eleven of these gene families contain one or more amino acid transporters. These transporters differ significantly from each other in terms of substrate specificity, ion dependence, and energetics. Given the variety of roles they fulfill in human physiology, it is not surprising that a number of diseases are associated with the malfunction of these transporters. In particular, as amino acids are critical for cell growth, survival, and proliferation, the role of amino acid transporters in cancer is gaining increasing attention in recent years. The present review primarily focuses on one particular amino acid transporter, SLC6A14 (also known as ATB0,+), with regard to its relevance to specific diseases, including cancer, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease-related alterations in the expression of the transporter. Furthermore, the review highlights the possible utility of this transporter in drug delivery and also its therapeutic potential for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer.
Upgrade of the spoke test cavity station

Originally the spoke test cavity cryostat was designed to test exclusively SSR1 cavities. The goal of this upgrade is to extend this capability to SSR2 cavities, and to the low and high beta 650 MHz cavities. These cavities are the last elements of the superconducting linac architecture which is the main component of the Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II) at Fermilab. The size of SSR2 and 650 MHz cavities being much bigger than SSR1, extensions of the vacuum vessel and of all the cryogenic lines have been necessary. Mechanical, thermal and cryogenic analyses have been performed to ensure proper operation. This paper summarizes the design choices which have been made by describing the main elements of this upgrade and the interface between cryogenic lines and cavities.
Examining Incremental Rehearsal: Multiplication Fluency with Fifth-Grade Students with Math IEP Goals

Reports show that only 40% of 4th-grade students are proficient in math and American students are failing to demonstrate proficiency in key areas of mathematics (National Center for Educational Statistics 2011). Improving students’ fluency of basic math multiplication facts has been recommended as a way to increase math proficiency (Psychology in the Schools, 47:342–353, 2010). Incremental rehearsal is one promising strategy for improving multiplication skills. In this study, three 5th-grade students with disabilities who had Individual Education Plan math goals received one-to-one multiplication instruction using an incremental rehearsal strategy twice per week for 7 weeks. Data indicated immediate and large effects with intervention and growth rates for each student that exceeded expectations. Implications are discussed including the importance of considering both statistically significant and instructionally meaningful results in interpretation.
A novel quinazoline derivative, MJ-56, exhibits phototoxicity toward human bladder cancer cells

Background: Quinazolines, which process a wide spectrum of biological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antivirus, and anticancer activities, are considered one of the most important heterocycles in medicinal chemistry. Here, we described for the first time the novel quinazoline derivative MJ-56 (6-pyrrolidinyl-2-(3-bromostyryl) quinazoline-4-one) which emits green fluorescent in the cytosol and exhibits phototoxicity toward human bladder cancer (BC) cells under blue-light exposure. Materials and Methods: Human BC cells (5637 and T24) and immortalized uroepithelial cell (SV-HUC1) were utilized in this study. To trace the localization of MJ-56, MitoTracker and LysoTracker were applied. The cell viability with or without blue light exposure were monitored by WST-1 reagent, direct recording, and clonogenic assays. The apoptosis induction in MJ-56 treated cells was detected. Results: MJ-56 emits green fluorescent in the cytosol. Vital staining of mitochondria or lysosomes demonstrated that the MJ-56 fluorescent was not located in either organelles. MJ-56 treatment for 24 h did not cause significant loss of cell viability in BC cells. However, treatment of 0.125 μM MJ-56 for 1 h and exposed to blue light for 15 mins significantly reduced cell viability. Interestingly, our results showed that MJ-56 has minimal impact on SV-HUC1 even with the blue-light exposure. The caspase 3/7 activities in BC cells treated with MJ-56 and exposed to blue light were significantly increased 1 h post-treatment. However, the DNA fragmentation cannot be detected at 1, 6, or 24 h posttreatment due to the loss of viable cells. Conclusions: MJ-56 exhibits phototoxicity toward BC cells with minimal impact on uroepithelial cells, indicating a novel therapeutic agent against BC. The mechanism underlying MJ-56-induced cell death as well as the translational studies warrants further investigation.
Psychosomatic Issues in Chronic Pain Syndromes

Pain of uncertain etiology represents a major cause of disability in the United States with 790,000 cases of back pain hospitalized in 1984 (2nd leading cause of hospitalization)1, the term “chronic pain syndrome” being applicable where intractable multiple pain complaints exist in the absence of, or out of proportion to any underlying pathology, persist beyond a six month period, and they are usually associated with occupational or social disability, and psychological regression. Extensive review of the subject in the literature and our clinical and research findings suggest an interplay of psychologic, sociocultural and biologic factors in the production of the syndrome. Depression appears to play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of the sensory-affective experience of chronic pain.
FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ORAL DISINETGRATING FILM OF ROPINIROLE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Ropinirole Hydrochloride is an Anti-Dyskinesia Agents used in the management of Parkinson's Disease. Present work aimed at preparing quick onset of action which is beneficial in hypertension, aiding in the enhancement of bioavailabity and is very convenient for administration without the problem of swallowing and using water. The film were prepared by using polymers such as Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) E3, E5, E15 by a solvent casting method. They were evaluated for physical characteristics such as Thickness, Weight Variation, Disintegration time, Drug content, Tensile strength, % Elongation, Folding Endurance and Invitro Dissolution Studies give satisfactory results. The in vitro dissolution time of the optimized batch F5 was found to be 99.04%. The optimized batch in vitro disintegration time was found to 15 sec.
Abstract WP331: Choice of Antihypertensive Agent Prior to Thrombolysis Has No Affect on Door-to-Needle Time: A Single Center Experience

Introduction: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) should be as rapid as possible. A subset of patients with acute ischemic stroke present with blood pressures abo...
Study and Mitigation of Non-Cooperative UWB Interference on Ranging

UWB localization systems are well known for their accuracy for indoor localization. Recently UWB-based localization systems with less than 5 cm error have been proposed. Since IEEE802.15.4-11 standard only allows UWB signal transmission with very low power (-41.3 dBm/MHz), UWB systems cannot utilize carrier sensing techniques to manage shared access to the wireless channel. In this paper, first, we studied the likelihood of wideband interference in localization applications and also analyzed the impact of interference on ranging performance. Then, we design and evaluate RAPSI (Random Pulse Shape Identification), a simple yet effective technique to detect and mitigate the ranging error caused by interference. Our results show 30% to 40% reduction in ranging errors caused by wideband interference after applying the proposed techniques.
Reclaiming an Ideal: The Islamization of Education in Muslim Mindanao

Muslim Filipino families have long been accustomed to sending their children to public schools in hopes of securing their economic future while also sending them to Islamic schools to secure their religious faith. But by the early 1990s, growing dissatisfaction with what Hashim (2004) has termed “educational dualism”—that is secular education that ignored or even undermined students’ identity as Muslims and Islamic education that provided few if any economic opportunities—led more and more Muslim Filipino parents to call for the “Islamization” of education in Muslim Mindanao. This chapter traces the development of the notion of Islamization from its initial articulation by Muslim Filipino intellectuals and proprietors of private madaris to serious policy proposals by both the national Department of Education and the regional DepEd in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. It critically examines the potential promise and pitfalls of this policy experiment.
PEGylation-Enabled Extended Cyclability of a Non-aqueous Redox Flow Battery.

Non-aqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising energy storage devices owing to the broad electrochemical window of organic solvents. Nonetheless, the wide application of these batteries has ...
Nrf2 Activator PB125® as a Potential Therapeutic Agent Against COVID-19

Nrf2 is a transcription factor that regulates cellular redox balance and the expression of a wide array of genes involved in immunity and inflammation, including antiviral actions. Nrf2 activity declines with age, making the elderly more susceptible to oxidative stress-mediated diseases, which include type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, and viral infections. Published evidence suggests that Nrf2 activity may regulate important mechanisms affecting viral susceptibility and replication. We examined gene expression levels by GeneChip microarray and by RNA-seq assays. We found that the potent Nrf2 activating composition PB125® downregulates ACE2 and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression in human liver-derived HepG2 cells. ACE2 is a surface receptor and TMPRSS2 activates the spike protein for SARS-Cov-2 entry into host cells. Furthermore, in endotoxin-stimulated primary human pulmonary artery endothelial cells we report the marked downregulation by PB125 of 36 genes encoding cytokines. These include IL1-beta, IL6, TNF-α the cell adhesion molecules ICAM1, VCAM1, and E-selectin, and a group of IFN-γ-induced genes. Many of these cytokines have been specifically identified in the "cytokine storm" observed in fatal cases of COVID-19, suggesting that Nrf2 activation may significantly decrease the intensity of the storm.
In the Know: Debunking 35 Myths about Human Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an important trait for success at work. IQ tests are biased against minorities. Every child is gifted. Preschool makes children smarter. Western understandings of intelligence are inappropriate for other cultures. These are some of the statements about intelligence that are common in the media and in popular culture. But none of them are true. In the Know is a tour of the most common incorrect beliefs about intelligence and IQ. Written in a fantastically engaging way, each chapter is dedicated to correcting a misconception and explains the real science behind intelligence. Controversies related to IQ will wither away in the face of the facts, leaving readers with a clear understanding about the truth of intelligence.
Atrial functional mitral regurgitation.

Purpose of review To review the prevalence and prognosis of atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR), the distinctive echocardiographic and mechanistic findings, and the therapeutic implications of this newly described disorder. Recent findings Initial studies identified an association between atrial fibrillation, mitral annular dilation, and significant mitral regurgitation despite a normal mitral valve and left ventricle. Accumulating data suggest that AFMR is not rare and may have a prognosis as poor as functional MR associated with LV remodeling. Echocardiography has played an important role in understanding the unique pathophysiology of AFMR, and proposed mechanisms include not only atrial remodeling, but structural and functional abnormalities of the LV (HFpEF shares a common pathophysiology) and insufficient leaflet growth. Timely rhythm control of atrial fibrillation and strategies that reduce diastolic pressure, left atrial and mitral annular enlargement, and that favorably affect mitral leaflet adaptation, are promising preventive and treatment options that warrant clinical study. Summary Functional mitral regurgitation may be atrial in origin and should be considered in patients with (particularly long-standing) atrial fibrillation and in those with HFpEF.
A Painterly Rendering Approach to Create Still-Life Paintings with Dynamic Lighting

In this work, we present a method to turn still life paintings with global illumination effects into dynamic paintings with moving lights. Our method specifically focuses on still life images containing (1) glass objects, which can have specular highlights with Fresnel effect and (2) fruits, which can have reflection and subsurface scattering. Our goal is to preserve the original look-and-feel of the still-life paintings while allowing the user to move the light source anywhere in the scene, causing the shadows, diffuse shading, as well as reflections and specular highlights to move according to the new light position. We have provided a proof of concept based on an original digital painting. This method can be used to turn any similar still life painting into a dynamic painting.
A Nomogram for Predicting 30-day Mortality in Elderly Patients Undergoing Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fractures.

Introduction:Femoral neck fractures in the elderly are increasingly common as a result of a growing geriatric population with 1-year mortality rates approaching 35%. While preoperative medical opti...
Prosodic prominence effects in the processing of spectral cues

Two experiments test how phrasal prominence influences listeners' perception of vowel contrasts and how prominence information and vowel formant cues are integrated in processing. Experiment 1 find...
Increased risk for cerebral small vessel disease is associated with quantitative susceptibility mapping in HIV infected and uninfected individuals

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess, in the context of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), whether cardiovascular risk factors and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were associated with brain tissue susceptibility as measured by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Given that CSVD is diagnosed by the presence of lacunar strokes, periventricular and deep WMHs, increased perivascular spaces, and microbleeds, we expected that QSM could capture changes in brain tissue due to underlying CSVD pathology. We compared a cohort of 101 HIV-infected individuals (mean age ± SD = 53.2 ± 10.9 years) with mild to moderate cardiovascular risk scores, as measured by the Reynolds risk score, to 102 age-matched controls (mean age (SD) = 50.3 (15.7) years) with similar Reynolds scores. We performed brain MRI to assess CSVD burden by acquiring 3D T1-MPRAGE, 3D FLAIR, 2D T2-TSE, and mGRE for QSM. We found that signs of CSVD are significantly higher in individuals with HIV-infection compared to controls and that WMH volumes are significantly correlated with age and cardiovascular risk scores. Regional QSM was associated with cardiovascular risk factors, age, sex, and WMH volumes but not HIV status. These results suggest that QSM may be an early imaging marker reflective of alterations in brain microcirculation.
Anti-Ramsey Hypergraph Numbers

The anti-Ramsey number a r n ( H ) of an r-uniform hypergraph is the maximum number of colors that can be used to color the hyperedges of a complete r-uniform hypergraph on n vertices without producing a rainbow copy of H. In this paper, we determine anti-Ramsey numbers for paths of length 2, certain stars and complete hypergraphs, and the complete 3-uniform hypergraph of order 4 with a single hyperedge removed.
The Last Male Bastion: Gender and the CEO Suite in America’s Public Companies

Table of Contents Preface Part I: PORTRAITS OF WOMEN CEOS. Chapter 1. The Fall of Jill Barad at Mattel Toy. Chapter 2. Carleton Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard. Chapter 3. A CEO Success - Andrea Jung at Avon Products. Chapter 4. Plowhorse - Marion Sandler at Golden West Financial. Chapter 5. Ann Mulcahy at Xerox and Patricia Russo at Alcatel-Lucent - Fix It CEOs. Chapter 6. Go Where They Aren't - Susan Ivey, Paula Reynolds, and Patricia Woertz. Chapter 7. Two Additional CEO Portraits: Barbara Barnes and Meg Whitman. Chapter 8. Five Who Leave Few Footsteps. Chapter 9. CEO Additions of 2008-09. Part II: WHY THERE AREN'T MORE. Chapter 10. Why Women? Chapter 11. How We Choose CEOs. Chapter 12. Glass Ceilings, Floors, Walls and Cliffs. Chapter 13. Work/Life Issues and the Price of Motherhood. Chapter 14. In a Different Register. Chapter 15. Legacies of Tokenism: Retreats into Stereotypes. Part III: HOW TO GET THERE. Chapter 16. Narcissists, Malignant Narcissists, and Productive Narcissists. Chapter 17. Good to Great Companies and Plowhorse CEOs. Chapter 18. The Plowhorse Versus the Showhorse. Chapter 19. Education, Mentoring, and Networking. Chapter 20. Lessons Learned. Chapter 21. Conclusion: Evolving a New Paradigm for a New Century.
Development and functions of the choroid plexus-cerebrospinal fluid system

The health of the vertebrate brain is dependent on appropriate levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is secreted by the choroid plexus (ChP). In this Review, Lehtinen and colleagues examine ChP structure and development and explore recently discovered functions of the ChP–CSF system.
Clinical Toxicology: Principles and Mechanisms

Preface Acknowledgments Contributors Introduction to Basic Toxicological Principles Introduction Risk Assessment and Regulatory Toxicology Therapeutic Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions Classification of Toxins in Humans Exposure Effects Dose Response Descriptive Animal Toxicity Tests In Vitro Alternatives to Animal Toxicity Toxicokinetics Chemical and Drug Receptor Interactions-Zacharoula Konsoula Toxicogenomics-Zacharoula Konsoula Toxicity of Therapeutic Agents Sedative/Hypnotics Opioids and Derivatives Sympathomimetics Hallucinogenic Agents Anticholinergic and Neuroleptic Drugs Acetaminophen, Salicylates, and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids Cardiovascular Toxicology Antineoplastic Agents Vitamins Herbal Remedies Toxicity of Non-Therapeutic Agents Alcohols and Aldehydes Gases Metals-Louis D. Trombetta and Frank A. Barile Aliphatic and Aromatic Hydrocarbons Insecticides Herbicides Rodenticides Chemical Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity Radiation Toxicity Chemical and Biological Threats to Public Safety Index
Structural analysis of fertilinβ cyclic peptide mimics that are ligands for α6β1 integrin

The NMR structural analysis of two fertilin(beta) mimics cyclo(EC2DC1)YNH2, 1, and cyclo(D2EC2D1C1)YNH2, 2 is described. Both of these mimics are moderate inhibitors of sperm-egg binding with IC50 values of 500 microm in a mouse in vitro fertilization assay. For peptide 1, the optimized conformations that best match the NMR data have a pseudo-type II' beta-turn with the linker and Glu at the i+1 and i+2 positions, respectively. The EC2D1C1 sequence is in a nonclassical (type IV) beta-turn. For peptide 2, the conformation that best matches the NMR data has two turns: a pseudo-type II' beta-turn in the D2EC2D1 sequence followed by a nonclassical beta-turn in the EC2D1C1 sequence. The Cbeta-Cbeta distance between E and D1 in peptide 1 is 9.1 A, in peptide 2, it is 7.7 A. Thus, one possibility for the high IC50 values of these cyclic peptides is that the acidic residues are not constrained to a sufficiently tight turn, and thus much entropy must still be lost upon binding to the alpha6beta1 integrin. This explains why the cyclic peptides are the same as linear peptides at inhibiting sperm-egg binding.
Noninvasive, in vivo imaging of subcortical mouse brain regions with 1.7 μm optical coherence tomography.

A spectral/Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) intravital microscope using a supercontinuum light source at 1.7 μm was developed to study subcortical structures noninvasively in the living mouse brain. The benefits of 1.7 μm for deep tissue brain imaging are demonstrated by quantitatively comparing OCT signal attenuation characteristics of cortical tissue across visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Imaging of hippocampal tissue architecture and white matter microvasculature are demonstrated in vivo through thinned-skull, glass coverslip-reinforced cranial windows in mice. Applications of this novel platform include monitoring disease progression and pathophysiology in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease and subcortical dementias, including vascular dementia.
Perioperative nitroprusside infusion in a patient with severe aortic stenosis: another component of afterload reduction uncovered.

Background: The traditional goals of perioperative management of severe aortic stenosis are based on maintaining a high systemic vascular resistance (SVR) to allow for good coronary perfusion. Case Report: An 87-year-old male presented with septic arthritis of a prosthetic knee joint. Arthroplasty, implant removal, and joint washout were planned as surgical intervention. His comorbidities included severe aortic stenosis (peak/mean gradient 109/60 mmHg, aortic valve area of 0.80 cm 2 ), new onset mitral regurgitation secondary to a flail posterior mitral valve leaflet, and a new third-degree conduction block. A nitroprusside infusion was initiated 72 hours preoperatively and continued throughout the intraoperative period and postoperative intensive care stay. This novel use of nitroprusside improved cardiac output and forward flow through the stenotic aortic valve. Conclusions: To our knowledge, the use of nitroprusside infusion during the intraoperative period in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing noncardiac surgery has not been described previously. Although contrary to the traditional goal of maintaining a high SVR, this important pharmacological intervention optimizes cardiac indices during the perioperative period in these patients.
Damage to the insula leads to decreased nicotine withdrawal during abstinence

Background and Aims Current pharmacotherapies for tobacco dependence are generally well tolerated, but have relatively high rates of relapse. They target primarily the brains’ mesocorticolimbic ‘reward’ pathway. However, recent evidence suggests that the insular cortex, a central cerebral hemispheric region historically overlooked in addiction models, may also play an important role in cognitive and emotional processes that facilitate drug use. We examined whether insular versus non-insular damage from ischemic stroke attenuated acute withdrawal from cigarette smoking and reduced the likelihood of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use during hospitalization. Design Data were derived from a longitudinal study with 3 months’ follow-up, beginning June 2013 and ending May 2014. Setting Three acute care hospitals in Rochester, NY, USA. Participants One-hundred and fifty-six current smokers hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke (38 with insular infarctions and 118 with non-insular infarctions, assessed by three neuroradiologists). Measurements The Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) and Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) were administered during hospitalization (a period of forced abstinence) to assess the frequency and severity of withdrawal symptoms. NRT use was also assessed during hospitalization. Findings On average, smokers with insular damage had a lower WSWS score during admission [mean = 5.89, standard deviation (SD) = 4.72] compared with those with non-insular damage (mean = 9.20, SD = 4.71; P < 0.001) [covariate-adjusted difference in means of –3.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –4.97, –1.27]. A similar difference was also noted when the MNWS was used (P = 0.02). Furthermore, participants with insular lesions appeared to be less likely to use NRT during admission compared with those with non-insular lesions [odds ratio (OR) = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.32, 1.64]. Conclusions Current smokers with damage to their insular cortex brain region appear to experience fewer and less severe tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and appear to be less likely to require nicotine replacement therapy during hospitalization, compared with smokers with non-insular damage. These findings support the potential role of the insular cortex in regulating withdrawal during abstinence, a motivator responsible for the maintenance of addictive behaviors.
Calculation of beta-decay half-lives of proton-rich nuclei of intermediate mass

We present the results of a calculation of the beta-decay half-lives of several proton-rich even-even nuclei of intermediate mass: 74Sr, 76Sr, 78Zr, 80Zr, 84Mo, 86Mo, 88Ru, 90Ru, 92Pd, and 96Cd. The calculation is based upon the random phase approximation with the quasiparticle formalism and takes into account the residual particle-particle interaction.
Magnetic field decay in model SSC dipoles

The authors have observed that some of the model SSC dipoles have long-time-constant decays of the magnetic field harmonics with amplitudes large enough to result in significant beam loss, if they are not corrected. The magnets were run at constant current at the SSC injection field level of 0.3 Tesla for one to three hours, and changes in the magnetic field were observed. One explanation for the observed field decay is time-dependent superconductor magnetization. Another explanation involves flux creep or flux flow. Data are presented on how the decay changes with previous flux history. Similar magnets with different Nb-Ti filament spacings and matrix materials have different long time field decay. A theoretical model using proximity coupling and flux creep as mechanisms for the observed field decay is discussed. >
The financial impact of standard stringency: An event study of successive generations of the ISO 9000 standard

Abstract While ISO 9000 has been shown to improve internal metrics of firm performance, external measurements may be unaffected. This paper examines the economic value of successive generations of the ISO 9000 standard by assessing the equity returns of 204 firms certified between 1999 and 2002. This study also examines the economic effects of ISO 9001:2000 versus the superseded 1994 standards. The complete sample experienced no significant changes in stock price. The market reaction to ISO 9001:2000 certification is significantly more positive than the reaction to ISO 9000:1994 registration.
Channel one, the anti-commercial principle, and the discontinuous ethos

This article argues that administrators normally do a serious wrong when they contract with companies that market to children within schools. This is because in doing so, they violate the anti-commercial principle, which, in turn, is justified by the obligation schools have to facilitate the autonomy of their students. The author focuses particularly on Channel One but argues that numerous other standard features of school life are similarly problematic in the light of the values that justify the anti-commercial principle.
Perfusion abnormalities in prodromal AD

Cerebral perfusion abnormalities in patients with established Alzheimer's disease (AD) are most commonly seen in the temporoparietal cortex. As the disease progresses, this perfusion pattern is increasingly prevalent. Recently, investigators have begun to examine the patterns of perfusion among individuals at risk for AD. To date, such studies have been conducted either in individuals who have a progressive memory difficulty but do not yet meet clinical criteria for AD, or in individuals with a genetic risk factor or family history of AD, either with or without a memory problem. These latter studies suggest that a set of brain regions show decreased perfusion during the prodromal phase of AD, and that a brain network or networks with multiple nodes is affected early in the course of AD. These perfusion abnormalities may also shed light on how AD progresses during the prodromal phase of disease and may ultimately lead to improved diagnosis or methods of monitoring response to treatment.