cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of 6-mercaptopurine on the incorporation of labeled amino acids into cellular protein of chronic granulocytic leukemia leukocytes.

The leukocytes of chronic granulocytic leukemia incorporate labeled valine and leucine at a higher rate than normal leukocytes. 6-mercaptopurine causes significant decrease in the rate of amino acid incorporation into cellular protein of leukemic cells. The onset of a sharp decrease in the amino acid incorporation rate by granulocytic leukemic cells occurs only after several days of therapeutic oral doses of 6-mercaptopurine. The decrease in incorporation rate precedes the decrease in circulating leukocytes by several days, indicating that damage to a vital function of these cells occurs before their disappearance from the blood stream. The decrease in the amino acid incorporation rate persists as long as the leukemia is in remission and even after therapy has been stopped; it exists until exacerbation occurs. Increase in incorporation accompanies exacerbation of the leukemic cell count. A possible action of 6-mercaptopurine is its role in interference with amino acid incorporation into cellular protein of chronic granulocytic leukemia cells.
'Race, Gender und Whiteness.' Einige Überlegungen zur Intersektionalität

The article discusses intersections of race and gender using the example of the United States of America as a special case for the interrelatedness and differences of race- and gender discrimination as known as racism and sexism. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of the term intersectionality in black feminism and the category of Whiteness as unmarked universalism in the post-slavery US. The concept of Whiteness will then be developed in comparison to post-colonial European race-relations. Whiteness as travelling theory in Germany for instance is in need of some cultural translation. The term occidentalism is hereby offered to describe the local brand of cultural supremacy. Finally Queer Theory is implicated to promote a kind correcting mode to hold possible binarism of intersectionality in check and offer a more fluid and flexible approach of thinking of and fighting against discriminating differences and considering possible privileges. Der Artikel diskutiert die Intersektionalitat von Race und Gender. Er bezieht sich dabei zunachst auf den Spezialfall USA und die dortige Beziehungsgeschichte von rassistischen und/oder sexistischen Diskriminierungen. Dabei wird insbesondre die Rolle herausgearbeitet, die afroamerikanischer Feminismus bei der Begriffsbestimmung Intersektionalitat gespielt hat und gleichzeitig eine Kritik an Whiteness als unmarkiertem Universalismus in den USA nach dem Ende der Sklaverei entwickelt. Letzteres wird dann mit europaischen Vorstellungen von weis/arischer/christlicher kultureller Uberlegenheit in Beziehung gesetzt, wobei davon ausgegangen wird, dass Whiteness fur europaische Verhaltnisse einer Ubersetzung bedarf. In diesem Zusammenhang wird die Kategorie Okzidentalismus als abendlandischem Uberlegenheitsgefuhl gegenuber den orientalischem/islamischen Anderen eingefuhrt. Dabei wird auf Queer Theory als korrektive Methdologie Bezug genommen, um nicht nur den einen Binarismus (schwarz/weis) durch einen anderen Binarismus (orientalisch/okzidentalistisch) zu ersetzen, sondern einen mehrdimensionalen flexiblen Zugang zu Mehrfachdiskriminierungen und Privilegien zu erarbeiten.
Phase Chemistry and Micro-Structure of Directionally Solidified Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8

Ceramic rods of Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 (2212) were directionally solidified by laser‐heated float‐zone crystal growth [1]. The microstructure of the resulting material can be controlled through variation of growth rate. The 2212 phase is Sr‐deficient, having an actual composition Bi 2 . 5 Sr 2 CaCu 2 . 2 O y . At slow growth rates (0.2 cm/h), plane front growth produced highly textured samples of almost phase pure 2212, and pole figures show that the solidification front proceeds along the (200) axis of the 2212 grains. Faster growth rates produced dendritic growth and polyphase microstructures. At the fastest growth rate studied (16 cm/h), no 2212 phase was observed. Observations indicate that Bi 2 .5Sr 2 CaCu 2 . 2 O y melts peritectically into (Sr 1‐x .Ca x .) 14 Cu 24 O y and a Bi‐rich liquid.
Dredging in the Spratly Islands: Gaining Land but Losing Reefs

Coral reefs on remote islands and atolls are less exposed to direct human stressors but are becoming increasingly vulnerable because of their development for geopolitical and military purposes. Here we document dredging and filling activities by countries in the South China Sea, where building new islands and channels on atolls is leading to considerable losses of, and perhaps irreversible damages to, unique coral reef ecosystems. Preventing similar damage across other reefs in the region necessitates the urgent development of cooperative management of disputed territories in the South China Sea. We suggest using the Antarctic Treaty as a positive precedent for such international cooperation.
Rickettsia felis, an Emerging Flea-Borne Rickettsiosis

Rickettsia felis is an emerging insect-borne rickettsial pathogen and the causative agent of flea-borne spotted fever. First described as a human pathogen from the USA in 1991, R. felis is now identified throughout the world and considered a common cause of fever in Africa. The cosmopolitan distribution of this pathogen is credited to the equally widespread occurrence of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis), the primary vector and reservoir of R. felis. Although R. felis is a relatively new member of the pathogenic Rickettsia, limited knowledge of basic R. felis biology continues to hinder research progression of this unique bacterium. This is a comprehensive review examining what is known and unknown relative to R. felis transmission biology, epidemiology of the disease, and genetics, with an insight into areas of needed investigation.
Reduced fertility in female mice exposed transplacentally to diethylstilbestrol (DES).

Prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen, has been associated with a low incidence of vaginal adenocarcinoma as well as a variety of more numerous benign abnormalities in the reproductive tract of human beings and experimental animals. For the purpose of assessing the effects of prenatal exposure to DES on postnatal reproductive tract function, timed pregnant CD-1 mice were treated subcutaneously with doses of DES ranging from 0.01 to 100 μ g/kg/day on days 9 through 16 of gestation. The fertility of the female offspring was determined postnatally by a repetitive forced breeding technique. The most striking effect observed was a dose-related decrease in reproductive capacity ranging from minimal subfertility at the lower DES doses to a high frequency of total sterility at the highest DES doses. Reduced reproductive capacity appeared to be a reflection of both a decrease in the total number of litters and smaller litter sizes. A major component of the sterility seen in those females given higher doses of DES was oviductal/ovarian, since the number of ova recovered from the oviductal ampullae after induced ovulation was less than 30% that of controls. In addition, structural abnormalities of the oviduct, uterus, cervix, and vagina were observed, and contributed to infertility. These data suggest that in utero exposure to DES results in permanent impairment of female mouse reproductive capacity. Recent reports of altered pregnancy outcomes in young women who were exposed in utero to DES demonstrate the clinical importance of the findings obtained in mice.
Comparison of follicular fluid hormones in patients with one or two ovaries participating in a program of in vitro fertilization

The authors recently reported on the follicular response to clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) in patients with one or two ovaries participating in a program of in vitro fertilization. This study was designed to analyze the follicular fluid hormones in patients with one or two ovaries in order to elucidate the compensatory mechanisms by which a single ovary achieves folliculogenesis equal to that of two ovaries. Twenty-one follicles from ten patients with one ovary were compared to 30 follicles from eight patients with two ovaries present. Ovulation induction was achieved using a standard protocol with sequential CC and hMG. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered after appropriate estradiol (E 2 ) values and ultrasonic findings, and oocyte aspiration by laparoscopy was performed 33hours later. Follicular fluid (FF) hormones were assayed by standard radioimmunoassay techniques and no differences were found in the levels of progesterone (P), testosterone, estradiol/testosterone ratio, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. However, follicles from patients with one ovary had a lower mean concentration of E 2 (286 versus 542ng/ml, P =0.001) and a lower mean E 2 /P ratio (0.055 versus 0.107, P =0.016). Also, the mean follicular diameters and volumes were similar in both groups. In view of the authors' previous finding of a comparable number of mature oocytes from patients with either one or two ovaries, these data suggest that follicles from patients with a single ovary may achieve comparable oocyte maturity despite less efficient production of E 2 . Although FF E 2 levels were lower in patients with one ovary, this dysynchrony between oocyte maturity and FF E 2 values does not appear to affect outcome adversely.
The Hardt Creek Site

ABSTRACTThe excavation of a small preceramic site in the Tonto Basin, central Arizona is described. Analysis of the artifacts is presented to support placement of the site in a generalized Cochise culture association and to reconstruct the activities of the occupants of the site.
The Politics of Perception

On the second floor of the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena, in a room dedicated to the city’s ruling council of nine (Sala dei Nove) there are three frescos painted between 1338–1340 by the Italian master Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The first is an image of the city in a state of corruption. The horned, cross-eyed figure of Tyranny presides over a state where it is unsafe to travel, people hide in their homes, murder and civil strife are common, the countryside burns, and the army commits war crimes against civilians. The court in this ‘City-state under Tyranny’ is populated by other figures, the sins of bad government including cruelty, treason, fraud, furor, division, and war. Underneath the court, the female figure of justice (Justicia) is bound, a reminder of what can happen when the common good has been forgotten.
A practical preventive maintenance guide for oil-filled power transformers

The life of the transformer is the life of its insulation system. This paper focuses on its two major components -- mineral insulating oil and oil impregnated kraft paper.
Implications of land-use change on forest carbon stocks in the eastern United States

Given the substantial role that forests play in removing CO2 from the atmosphere, there has been a growing need to evaluate the carbon (C) implications of various forest management and land-use decisions. Although assessment of land-use change is central to national-level greenhouse gas monitoring guidelines, it is rarely incorporated into forest stand-level evaluations of C dynamics and trajectories. To better inform the assessment of forest stand C dynamics in the context of potential land-use change, we used a region-wide repeated forest inventory (n = 71 444 plots) across the eastern United States to assess forest land-use conversion and associated changes in forest C stocks. Specifically, the probability of forest area reduction between 2002–2006 and 2007–2012 on these plots was related to key driving factors such as proportion of the landscape in forest land use, distance to roads, and initial forest C. Additional factors influencing the actual reduction in forest area were then used to assess the risk of forest land-use conversion to agriculture, settlement, and water. Plots in forests along the Great Plains had the highest periodic (approximately 5 years) probability of land-use change (0.160 ± 0.075; mean ± SD) with forest conversion to agricultural uses accounting for 70.5% of the observed land-use change. Aboveground forest C stock change for plots with a reduction in forest area was −4.2 ± 17.7 Mg ha−1 (mean ± SD). The finding that poorly stocked stands and/or those with small diameter trees had the highest probability of conversion to non-forest land uses suggests that forest management strategies can maintain the US terrestrial C sink not only in terms of increased net forest growth but also retention of forest area to avoid conversion. This study highlights the importance of considering land-use change in planning and policy decisions that seek to maintain or enhance regional C sinks.
Psychomotor Retardation and Regression

T he differential diagnosis of psychomotor retardation (developmental delay) is quite different from that of psychomotor regression. Slow progress in the attainment of developmental milestones may be caused by either static ( Table 5–1 ) or progressive ( Table 5–2 ) encephalopathies. In contrast, the loss of developmental milestones previously attained usually indicates a progressive disease of the nervous system, but also may result from parental misperception of attained milestones or by the development of new clinical features from an established static disorder as the brain matures ( Table 5–3 ).
Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology

Objective The primary aim of this study was to investigate eating disorder (ED) pathology in those living with food insecurity. A secondary aim was to investigate whether any-reason dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry increased as level of food insecurity increased. Method Participants (N = 503) seeking food from food pantries completed questionnaires assessing level of food insecurity, demographics, ED pathology, dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry. Results Consistent with hypotheses, participants with the highest level of food insecurity (i.e., adults who reported having hungry children in their household) also endorsed significantly higher levels of binge eating, overall ED pathology, any-reason dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry compared to participants with lower levels of food insecurity. Contrary to hypotheses, compensatory behaviors also increased as level of food insecurity worsened. Overall, 17% of those in the child hunger food insecurity group reported clinically significant ED pathology. Discussion This is the first study to assess the full spectrum of ED pathology in a low income, marginalized population with food insecurity. Given that food insecurity is a global concern, results from this study suggest that greater attention to the association between ED pathology and food insecurity is warranted by researchers around the world.
Anion Exchange Membrane Capacitive Deionization Cells

The electrochemical response of capacitive deionization (CDI) employing a single anion exchange membrane (AEM-CDI) is contrasted to conventional two-membrane CDI (MCDI) formed with complementary anion and cation exchange membranes. Pristine activated carbon cloth electrodes that possess native posit...
An RNA polymerase II-driven Ebola virus minigenome system as an advanced tool for antiviral drug screening

Ebola virus (EBOV) causes a severe disease in humans with the potential for significant international public health consequences. Currently, treatments are limited to experimental vaccines and therapeutics. Therefore, research into prophylaxis and antiviral strategies to combat EBOV infections is of utmost importance. The requirement for high containment laboratories to study EBOV infection is a limiting factor for conducting EBOV research. To overcome this issue, minigenome systems have been used as valuable tools to study EBOV replication and transcription mechanisms and to screen for antiviral compounds at biosafety level 2. The most commonly used EBOV minigenome system relies on the ectopic expression of the T7 RNA polymerase (T7), which can be limiting for certain cell types. We have established an improved EBOV minigenome system that utilizes endogenous RNA polymerase II (pol II) as a driver for the synthesis of minigenome RNA. We show here that this system is as efficient as the T7-based minigenome system, but works in a wider range of cell types, including biologically relevant cell types such as bat cells. Importantly, we were also able to adapt this system to a reliable and cost-effective 96-well format antiviral screening assay with a Z-factor of 0.74, indicative of a robust assay. Using this format, we identified JG40, an inhibitor of Hsp70, as an inhibitor of EBOV replication, highlighting the potential for this system as a tool for antiviral drug screening. In summary, this updated EBOV minigenome system provides a convenient and effective means of advancing the field of EBOV research.
Risk Factors and Trends in Incidence of Heart Failure Following Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Patients who develop heart failure (HF) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at higher risk of adverse fatal and nonfatal outcomes. Published studies on the incidence and associations of HF after infarction have been contradictory, with some reporting increasing and others decreasing incidence. Between 2000 and 2015, 109,717 patients admitted for a first AMI in New Jersey were discharged alive. In the 15 years from 2000 to 2015, the rates of admission for HF in AMI patients who were discharged alive decreased by 60%, from 3.48% to 1.4%, at 1-year follow-up. At 5 years of follow-up, the decline was more pronounced, from 7.21% to 1.4%, an 80% decline. All-cause death, and the combined end point of admission for HF or death, showed decreasing trends. Cox regression indicated a decrease in the risk of admission for HF over time (hazard ratio [HR] 0.955, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.949 to 0.961). Younger age, male gender, and commercial insurance were associated with lower HRs for HF (p
Uniting needs, responses, and theory during reentry: The distinct and joint contributions of peer influence and religious/spiritual support on substance use

ABSTRACTUsing a dual framework of differential association and the risk-need-responsivity model, this study uses data from the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative to investigate how peer criminality, peer support, and religious or spiritual support impact substance use during reentry. Results indicate that less peer criminality and more religious/spiritual support relate to lower levels of substance use, and in both independent and interdependent ways. However, results also suggest that religious/spiritual support interacts with high amounts of peer support to increase substance use. Collectively, the three elements of risks, needs, and responses may be intertwined in the case of peer influence and religious/spiritual support.
TAX POLICY IN SERBIAN AGRICULTURE

In paper was analysed tax policy in agriculture of Serbia. Tax policy was observed through the current legal framework, as like: Individual Income Tax Law and Corporate Profit Tax Law. Special attention was paid to the Value Added Tax Law, primarily from the aspect of family agricultural husbandries, as from the stand point of the rules that were valid under the old VAT Law, as well as based on last amendments and supplements adopted at the end of 2012. Mentioned approach of VAT studying is leaned on fact that it represents modern form of tax applicable in field of consumption. It was implemented primarily to facilitate the reduction of the grey economy, to harmonize national tax policy with European Union (EU) standards, as well as to increase tax collection.
Nonstatistical Behavior in the Vibrational Predissociation Dynamics of Binary and Tertiary Complexes

Near infrared laser-molecular beam spectroscopy has been used to study a wide range of van der Waals and hydrogen bonded molecules. In this article we discuss (1) the geometrical structure of selected systems, (2) mode dependent vibrational predissociation of these species, (3) the determination of intermolecular vibrational frequencies from near infrared spectroscopy and (4) the effects of intermolecular vibrational excitation on the vibrational predissociation dynamics.
Cognitive effects of mifepristone in overweight, euthymic adults with depressive disorders.

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that individuals with mood disorders have a higher prevalence of both hypercortisolemia and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is posited to contribute to the cognitive deficits observed in individuals who have depression. However, the mechanistic relationship between cortisol and insulin within the central nervous system remains to be further elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the antiglucocorticoid agent, mifepristone, on metabolic function and cognitive performance in individuals receiving treatment for depressive disorders who were euthymic at baseline. Methods Participants were administered a 600 mg/day dose of mifepristone for 28 days. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and cognitive assessments measuring verbal memory and executive functioning were administered at baseline and after 28 days of treatment. Results Improvements in attention and verbal learning were associated with reduction of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in response to mifepristone treatment. Limitations Limitations include the open-label design of this study and a small sample size. Conclusions The findings from this study suggest that improvement in fasting plasma glucose levels, upon administration of mifepristone, is associated with the improvement in early input of verbal information. Further studies are warranted in order to better evaluate the use of mifepristone or other antiglucocorticoid agents in treatment of mood disorders characterized by metabolic dysfunction.
Olfactory Awareness and the Self-Reported Importance of Olfactory Information in Romantic Interest

Many people seem to be looking for similar attributes when searching for a potential romantic partner. Olfactory social cues can be important parts of the process, though there are individual differences as to their value. Gay men, for example, value scent less in selecting a romantic partner than do heterosexual men (White and Cunningham, Chemosens Percept 10:31–41, 2017). Is it possible that the relative importance of olfaction in mate selection is simply a natural consequence of being generally aware of odorants? The present study examined the relationship between odor awareness and odor importance in mating in two studies. Participants in each of the studies completed both the Romantic Interests Survey (Herz and Inzlich, Evol Hum Behav 23:359–364, 2002) and the Odor Awareness Survey (Smeets et al., Chem Senses 33:725–734, 2008). In the first study, 455 college-aged heterosexual individuals were surveyed, while in the second study, 453 individuals varying in sexual preference (142 heterosexual women, 161 heterosexual men, and 150 gay men) completed the questionnaires. Principle components analyses from both studies revealed two different components underlying scores on the RIS; one component best accounted for OAS scores. Regression analysis for both studies indicated that OAS scores predicted the first RIS principle component, but not the second one. The value of odorants in selecting a romantic partner seems to reflect two different underlying attitudes. The first attitude values all aspects of the smell of a lover, while the second only finds it important that the lover does not smell badly. Odor awareness is related only to the first of these attitudes. These findings suggest that odor awareness accounts for some of the attitudes concerning the value of odors in mate selection, but not all of them. Other factors, such as the need to avoid aversive stimuli, may also contribute to the relative importance of olfaction in selecting a partner.
Utilizing Donors with Hepatitis C Antibody Positivity and Negative Nucleic Acid Testing

The demand for organs in the USA exceeds supply resulting in high mortality for patients awaiting transplantation. To increase the pool of available organs, the transplant community is investigating the safety and utility of organs previously considered high risk. Guidelines currently advocate for the use of hepatitis C antibody, nucleic acid testing (NAT)-negative organs in hepatitis C–positive recipients. However, data is limited regarding outcomes of using such grafts in hepatitis C–negative recipients. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on utilizing hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive NAT-negative livers and to determine if utilizing direct-acting antivirals lowers the risk of HCV transmission regardless of the recipient’s HCV status. The current literature demonstrates that the overall risk of transmission of HCV with the use of these organs in HCV-negative recipients is low and that risk is increased with high-risk donors that died from IVDA overdose. Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective in treating HCV and lowering the risk of transmission. Therefore, we should reconsider utilizing these organs in HCV-positive recipients.
External Validation of the Recurrence of Kidney Stone Nomogram in a Surgical Cohort.

Objective: To assess the performance of recurrence of kidney stone (ROKS) nomogram in identifying first-time stone formers who will require future stone procedures. Materials and Methods: From January 2009 to February 2016, 2287 patients underwent surgical treatment for nephrolithiasis at our institution and 498 of them were eligible for this study. We defined recurrence as repeat surgery for symptomatic nephrolithiasis. We analyzed the performance of the nomogram with respect to discrimination, calibration, and the clinical net benefit. We also examined the performance of each individual variable from the nomogram. Results: Over a median follow-up of 4.8 years (mean 4.6, IQR 3.1-6.1), 88 patients (17.7%) had recurrent nephrolithiasis requiring surgical treatment. The ROKS nomogram demonstrated moderate discriminative ability (AUC 0.655 for 2 years and 0.605 for 5 years). Calibration of the ROKS nomogram-based predictions was poor and net clinical benefit was minimal. Three of 11 predictors from the nomogram were statistically significantly associated with the risk of repeat surgery, with two of them representing similar clinical scenarios, namely symptomatic and nonsymptomatic renal stones. Conclusion: ROKS nomogram demonstrated limited discrimination and calibration in predicting the risk of repeat surgery for symptomatic nephrolithiasis in our cohort of first-time stone formers. This may be caused by the differences between stone patients who do and do not require surgery and suggests the need for development of more precise prediction instruments.
Assessment of bioactivities of the human milk lactoferrin–osteopontin complex in vitro

Lactoferrin (LF) and osteopontin (OPN) are both multi-functional whey proteins present at high levels in human milk. These two proteins have a high affinity for each other due to their opposite charges; LF is a basic glycoprotein while OPN is an acidic phosphorylated glycoprotein. LF and OPN were identified to bind to each other over a decade ago, but potential functions of their complex remain unexplored. In this work, we investigated the characteristics of the LF-OPN complex with a focus on its bioactivities. Our results reveal a stronger stability of the LF-OPN complex towards in vitro digestion and more effective binding and uptake by human intestinal cells (HIEC) than LF or OPN alone show. Moreover, the LF-OPN complex promotes proliferation and differentiation of intestinal cells significantly more than the individual proteins do and shows an effect on anti-bacterial function and immune-stimulatory activities intermediate between those of LF and OPN. Thus, by forming a complex in human milk, LF and OPN may protect each other against proteolysis and enhance their individual bioactivities.
A Facile Entry into Naphthopyran Quinones via an Annelation Reaction of Levoglucosenone. The Total Synthesis of (−)-Hongconin1

The annelation reactions of levoglucosenone, prepared by pyrolysis of paper, with 3-cyano-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone and 3-cyano-5-methoxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone have been studied. Reductive ring-opening of the annelation products with zinc/copper couple and subsequent chemical transformations provide a facile entry into the naphthopyran quinone ring system. Standard chemical transformations of the annelation product from 3-cyano-5-methoxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone and levoglucosenone afforded (1R)-5,9,10-trimethoxy-1-methyl-1H-naphtho[2,3-c]pyran-4(3H)-one. The lithium enolate of this compound undergoes an interesting and potentially useful reaction with oxygen to afford (3R)-4,5,9-trimethoxy-3-methylnaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1(3H)-one. When oxygen is rigorously excluded, methylation of the enolate could be performed in good yield using 10 equiv of methyl iodide in the presence of 10 equiv of DMPU. This chemistry culminated in a total synthesis of (−)-hongconin in six steps from levoglucosenone.
Transparent, Reproducible, and Open Science Practices of Published Literature in Dermatology Journals: Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background: Reproducible research is a foundational component for scientific advancements, yet little is known regarding the extent of reproducible research within the dermatology literature. Objective: This study aimed to determine the quality and transparency of the literature in dermatology journals by evaluating for the presence of 8 indicators of reproducible and transparent research practices. Methods: By implementing a cross-sectional study design, we conducted an advanced search of publications in dermatology journals from the National Library of Medicine catalog. Our search included articles published between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018. After generating a list of eligible dermatology publications, we then searched for full text PDF versions by using Open Access Button, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Publications were analyzed for 8 indicators of reproducibility and transparency—availability of materials, data, analysis scripts, protocol, preregistration, conflict of interest statement, funding statement, and open access—using a pilot-tested Google Form. Results: After exclusion, 127 studies with empirical data were included in our analysis. Certain indicators were more poorly reported than others. We found that most publications (113, 88.9%) did not provide unmodified, raw data used to make computations, 124 (97.6%) failed to make the complete protocol available, and 126 (99.2%) did not include step-by-step analysis scripts. Conclusions: Our sample of studies published in dermatology journals do not appear to include sufficient detail to be accurately and successfully reproduced in their entirety. Solutions to increase the quality, reproducibility, and transparency of dermatology research are warranted. More robust reporting of key methodological details, open data sharing, and stricter standards journals impose on authors regarding disclosure of study materials might help to better the climate of reproducible research in dermatology.
Comparison between circular and conventional free electron lasers

We analyze the characteristics of a Free-Electron Laser (circular FEL) with a rotating electron beam in a uniform axial magnetic field and in azimuthal wiggler field, both in the low gain regime and the high gain regime, and compare with a conventional linear FEL. For a cold electron beam, the growth rate and efficiency of the circular FEL are higher than those of a conventional FEL, by a factor γ2/3, for fixed frequency. However, the circular FEL performance is more sensitive to the energy spread than the linear FEL. We also examine the influence of the negative mass instability on the circular FEL.
Abdominal CT-CBCT deformable image registration using Deep Neural Network with directional local structural similarity

We proposed an unsupervised deep learning registration network using the combined directional local structural similarity and original images as input for multimodal CT-CBCT image registration. Due to the HU value discrepancy between CT and CBCT, conventional similarity metrics may not provide accurate image similarity measures. Directional local structural similarity measures the image’s self-similarity which reflects the underlying structural similarity regardless of the modality in use. The directional local structural similarity features could be used to drive the image deformation in conventional iterative image registration methods. A total of 30 patients’ datasets was used to train and test the network. For 15 testing cases, our results show that the alignment between the abdominal soft tissues has greatly improved after registration. The average mean-absolute error (MAE), normalized cross correlation (NCC) and target registration error (TRE) were 59.37±11.26 HU, 0.97±0.02 and 1.88±0.74 mm.
Understanding the Hardness of Doped WB4.2

WB4.2 is one of the hardest metals known. Though not harder than diamond and cubic boron nitride, it surpasses these established hard materials in being cheaper, easier to produce and process, and ...
History of Entomology

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a brief history of human and insect's interaction. History traces the interactions of humans and insects dating from the adoption of agriculture some 10,000 years ago and its inherent ecological disruptions. The class Insecta has plagued and fascinated humans for all of their history. The most striking features of the Insecta are diversity and numerical superiority. Of the 5–30 million species estimated to compose the global flora and fauna, approximately 1.7 million have been named, and more than half are insects. It is estimated that insects make up 75% of the known animal kingdom. Because insects occupy almost every conceivable terrestrial niche, they interact with humans in countless ways that accord them status as “pests.” This same diversity bestows on insects essential roles in the functioning of the biosphere as a sustainable biological system. Considering the countless interactions between humans and insects, it is not surprising that insects have become fixed in the fabric of human culture. They have become important components of art, language, literature, music, philosophy, and religion. In addition, insects are remarkable sources of knowledge, ideal models for the study of biological processes, including genetics, physiology, and molecular biology.
A collection of early Holocene flaked-stone crescents from the northern Great Basin

Abstract Several flaked-stone crescents from the northern Great Basin were recently identified within the James M. Collins artifact collection held in the Archaeological Research Collections, Department of Anthropology, Southern Methodist University. These artifacts are morphologically and technologically consistent with other pre-Columbian crescents reported from the region. The two obsidian crescents in the collection exhibit compositions that are consistent with obsidian from the Whitehorse/Double H source, located immediately south of where the artifacts were reportedly obtained. Analysis of the crescents for use wear suggests that they were used in a manner consistent with transversely hafted projectiles. Data reported here add to a growing body of information relating to the morphology, use, and preferred raw materials of flaked-stone crescents in the region.
Migration of an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Screw into the Constrictor Muscle of the Hypopharynx: A Case Report.

Case A 53-year-old man developed dysphagia 4 years after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), and radiographs revealed a dislodged screw anterior to the ACDF plate. Intraoperatively, the screw was found to be completely embedded within the pharyngeal constrictor muscle fibers and was removed with assistance from otolaryngology without injury to the pharyngeal mucosa. Conclusion Implant migration after ACDF can variably damage tracheoesophageal and retropharyngeal structures, and a multidisciplinary approach involving otolaryngology or thoracic surgery may be required to diagnose and treat these complications.
Influenza A M2 Channel Oligomerization is Sensitive to its Chemical Environment

Viroporins are small viral ion channels that play important roles in the viral infection cycle and are proven antiviral drug targets. Matrix protein 2 from influenza A (AM2) is the best characterized viroporin, and the current paradigm is that AM2 forms monodisperse tetramers. Here, we used native mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, and size-exclusion chromatography to characterize the oligomeric state of full-length AM2 in a variety of different pH and detergent conditions. Unexpectedly, we discovered that AM2 formed a range of different oligomeric complexes that were strongly influenced by its local chemical environment. The monodisperse tetramer was only observed in select conditions when the antiviral drug, amantadine, was added. Native mass spectrometry of AM2 in lipid nanodiscs with different lipids showed that lipids also affected the oligomeric states of AM2. Finally, nanodiscs uniquely enabled measurement of amantadine binding stoichiometries to AM2 in the intact lipid bilayer. These unexpected results reveal that AM2 forms a wider range of oligomeric states than previously thought possible, which provides new potential mechanisms of influenza pathology and pharmacology.
Wearable device signals and home blood pressure data across age, sex, race, ethnicity, and clinical phenotypes in the Michigan Predictive Activity & Clinical Trajectories in Health (MIPACT) study: a prospective, community-based observational study.

Summary Background Wearable technology has rapidly entered consumer markets and has health-care potential; however, wearable device data for diverse populations are scarce. We therefore aimed to describe and compare key wearable signals (ie, heart rate, step count, and home blood pressure measurements) across age, sex, race, ethnicity, and clinical phenotypes. Methods In the Michigan Predictive Activity & Clinical Trajectories in Health (MIPACT) prospective observational study, we enrolled participants from Michigan Medicine, Ann Abor, MI, USA, and followed them up for at least 90 days. Patients were included if they were aged 18 years or older, were fluent in English, owned an iPhone 6 or newer model with a supported iOS version, and had regular access to the internet throughout the study period. All participants were provided with an Apple Watch Series 3 or 4, an Omron Evolv Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor, and the MyDataHelps study smartphone application. Participants were asked to wear their watch for 12 h per day or longer and to do daily or weekly tasks, including home blood pressure measurements and breathing tasks. Heart rate, blood pressure, step counts, and distance walked were collected. The study was divided into two phases: an intensive 45-day collection phase (phase 1); and a 3-year longitudinal monitoring phase (phase 2). Here we report the first 90 days of data for all participants, which includes all of phase 1 and the first 45 days of phase 2. Participants' electronic health records were used to establish clinical diagnoses for analysis. Findings We enrolled 6765 eligible participants between Aug 14, 2018, and Dec 19, 2019, of whom 6454 participants from Michigan Medicine completed the phase 1 study protocol and were included in this analysis (3482 [54%] women and 2972 [46%] men; 3657 [57%] participants were White, with 1094 [17%] Asian and 1090 [17%] Black participants). On days when participants wore their smart watches, median daily watch wear time was 15·5 h (IQR 14–17). Participants contributed a total of 1 107 320 blood pressure and 202 198 347 heart rate measurements over 90 days, with 172 (SD 50) blood pressure and 31 329 (SD 24 620) heart rate measurements per participant. Mean systolic blood pressure was 122 mm Hg (SD 10) and mean diastolic blood pressure was 77 mm Hg (SD 8), with 167 312 (15%) measurements having a systolic blood pressure higher than 140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mm Hg. Mean resting heart rate was 64 beats per min (SD 8). Blood pressure and resting heart rate varied by sex, age, race, and ethnicity, with higher blood pressures in males and lower heart rate in participants aged 65 years or older (p Interpretation These data could inform clinical trial design, interpretation of wearable data in clinical practice, and health-care interventions. Funding Apple, University of Michigan.
Identification of the first neuropeptides from the enigmatic hexapod order Protura

The Hexapoda consists of two classes, the Entognatha and the Insecta, with the former group considered basal to the latter. The Protura is a basal order within the Entognatha, the members of which are minute soil dwellers first identified in the early 20th century. Recently, a transcriptome shotgun assembly (TSA) was generated for the proturan Acerentomon sp., providing the first significant molecular resource for this enigmatic hexapod order. As part of an ongoing effort to predict peptidomes for little studied members of the Arthropoda, we have mined this TSA dataset for transcripts encoding putative neuropeptide precursors and predicted the structures of mature peptides from the deduced proteins. Forty-seven peptide-encoding transcripts were mined from the Acerentomon TSA dataset, with 202 distinct peptides predicted from them. The peptides identified included isoforms of adipokinetic hormone, adipokinetic hormone-corazonin-like peptide, allatostatin A, allatostatin B, allatostatin C, allatotropin, bursicon α, bursicon β, CCHamide, corazonin, crustacean cardioactive peptide, crustacean hyperglycemic hormone/ion transport peptide, diuretic hormone 31, diuretic hormone 44, ecdysis-triggering hormone, eclosion hormone, FMRFamide-like peptide, GSEFLamide, insulin-like peptide, intocin, leucokinin, myosuppressin, neuropeptide F, orcokinin, proctolin, pyrokinin, RYamide, short neuropeptide F, SIFamide, sulfakinin and tachykinin-related peptide; these are the first neuropeptides described from any proturan. Comparison of the Acerentomon precursors and mature peptides with those from other arthropods revealed features characteristic of both the insects and the crustaceans, which is consistent with the hypothesized phylogenetic position of the Protura within the Pancrustacea, i.e. at or near the point of divergence of the hexapods from the crustaceans.
Ikaros deficiency in host hematopoietic cells separates GVL from GVHD after experimental allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

The graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is critical for its curative potential. Hwever, GVL is tightly linked to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Among hematological malignancies, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most resistant to GVL, although the reasons for this remain poorly understood. Clinical studies have identified alterations in Ikaros (Ik) transcription factor as the major marker associated with poor outcomes in ALL. We have shown that the absence of Ik in professional host-derived hematopoietic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) exacerbates GVHD. However, whether Ik expression plays a role in resistance to GVL is not known. In this study we used multiple clinically relevant murine models of allo-HCT to explore whether Ik expression in hematopoietic APCs and/or leukemic cells is critical for increasing resistance to GVL and thus inducing relapse. We found that Ik deficiency in host APCs failed to enhance GVL despite increased GVHD severity. Mechanistic studies with bone marrow (BM) chimeras and tetramer analyses demonstrated reduced tumor-specific immunodominant (gag+) antigen responses in the [B6Ik-/-→B6] group. Loss of GVL was observed when both the leukemia cells and the host APCs were deficient in Ik. We found that calreticulin (CRT) expression in host antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) of Ik-/- animals was significantly lower than in wild-type animals. Rescuing CRT expression in Ik-/- DCs improved leukemic-specific cytotoxic T cell function. Together, our data demonstrate that the absence of Ikaros in host hematopoietic cells promotes resistance to GVL despite increasing GVHD and thus provides a potential mechanism for the poor outcome of Ik-/- ALL patients.
Complementary Strands of Bacteriophage φ29 Deoxyribonucleic Acid: Preparative Separation and Transcription Studies

Bacillus subtilis phage phi29 has a nonpermuted, duplex deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with cohesive ends and a molecular weight of 11 x 10(6). Denaturation of this DNA yielded two intact polynucleotide chains. Preferential binding of the polyribonucleotide polyuridylic-guanylic acid (poly UG) to the complementary strands of denatured phi29 DNA permitted separation of the strands in neutral CsCl gradients. In analytical CsCl density gradient centrifugation, the separated strands with poly UG appeared as two symmetrical bands, both heavier than the normal denatured DNA band. The strands differed in density by 11 mg/cc. Preparative separation of the phi29 DNA strands resulted in two fractions, heavy (H) and light (L). The H fraction was essentially free from L contamination, whereas L contained up to 25% of H, as determined both by rebanding the separated fractions in CsCl and by electron microscopic examination of self- and mixed-annealed fractions. Pulse-labeled ribonucleic acid (RNA) prepared at intervals after infection was hybridized with the self-annealed DNA strands. Preliminary experiments indicated that both strands of phi29 DNA are transcribed during the development of the virus. Early transcribed phi29-specific RNA hybridizes only with the L strand; at later times, transcription occurs from both the L and H strands.
On simultaneous minimizing of the H/sub infinity / sensitivity function and maximizing the disk stability margin

The authors formulate the problem of achieving sensitivity less than r and D(-a,p) disk stability margin, and derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the solvability of this problem. The notion of D(-a,p) disk margin introduced means that the Nyquist plot of the nominal loop transfer function must not enter the forbidden region: the disk centered at -a with radius p. This is equivalent to robust stability under complex gain perturbation in a certain related disk and is believed to be a reasonable uncertainty in cases where the nominal performance is considered. The maximum and the minimum for the (real) gain are estimated, and it is believed that the unmodeled dynamics plays some role, but no estimates are available. >
Magnetism of $L1_{0}{\rm Fe}_{50-{\rm x}}{\rm Co}_{\rm x}{\rm Pt}_{50}$ Films

Films of L10-structure Fe50-xCoxPt50 films are synthesized by co-sputtering Fe, Co and Pt on (001) MgO substrates and Si substrates with in-situ heating at 830°C. The nanostructures and magnetic properties of the films are characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and SQUID. The compositions of the samples Fe50-xCoxPt50 are designed to maintain an atomic (Fe+Co):Pt ratio of 50:50 while increasing the Co content in each successive sample. In all samples, the X-ray diffraction patterns from samples on MgO substrate exhibit three strong peaks, namely L10Fe50-xCoxPt50 (001), (002) and MgO (002). The X-ray and electron diffraction patterns from untextured samples deposited on Si substrates can be indexed using the L10-structure, being consistent with the result of samples on MgO substrate. Hysteresis-loop measurements show that with increase of the Co concentration from 0 to 15 at%, the saturation magnetization Ms increases from 1017 emu/cm3 to 1165 emu/cm3, the coercivity decreases from 30 kOe to 14 kOe, and anisotropy decreases from 67 Merg/cm3 to 46 Merg/cm3. The nominal maximum energy products are in the range of 39-41 MGOe.