cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CRTC1 rearrangements in the absence of t(11;19) in primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Summary Background Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the skin is an uncommon neoplasm with a remarkable resemblance to MEC of the salivary glands. The latter has been shown to harbour an oncogenic translocation resulting in a fusion gene consisting of exon 1 of CRTC1/MECT1/TORC1 at 19p and exons 2–5 of MAML2 at 11q. Objectives While t(11;19) and rearrangements of the involved loci have been demonstrated in MEC of the salivary gland and other sites, it remains to be determined if morphological similarities in cutaneous MEC are reflected at the molecular level. Methods Cases of cutaneous MEC were defined by three histopathological features: (i) cystic dermal nodule with (ii) overlying intact epidermis and (iii) presence of three cell types (squamoid, intermediate, mucinous), and characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry. Results Eight primary cutaneous MECs were analysed. All informative cases showed CRTC1 rearrangements; none of the cases had MAML2 rearrangements or the presence of t(11;19) by RT-PCR. One case of primary MEC of the breast showed amplification of MAML2 in the absence of CRTC1 or t(11;19). Two MECs metastatic to the skin, histologically identical to primary cutaneous MEC, were included, one of which harboured the CRTC1–MAML2 fusion gene by RT-PCR, verified by interphase FISH and sequencing. Conclusions MEC of the skin harbours CRTC1 rearrangements, a molecular finding that reflects morphological similarities between glandular and cutaneous MEC. The absence of oncogenic t(11;19) or MAML2 aberrations in our series, which is the largest reported, may explain the innocuous clinical behaviour of this uncommon adnexal tumour.
The Leu22Pro tumor-associated variant of DNA polymerase beta is dRP lyase deficient.

Approximately 30% of human tumors characterized to date express DNA polymerase beta (pol β) variant proteins. Two of the polymerase beta cancer-associated variants are sequence-specific mutators, and one of them binds to DNA but has no polymerase activity. The Leu22Pro (L22P) DNA polymerase beta variant was identified in a gastric carcinoma. Leu22 resides within the 8 kDa amino terminal domain of DNA polymerase beta, which exhibits dRP lyase activity. This domain catalyzes the removal of deoxyribose phosphate during short patch base excision repair. We show that this cancer-associated variant has very little dRP lyase activity but retains its polymerase activity. Although residue 22 has no direct contact with the DNA, we report here that the L22P variant has reduced DNA-binding affinity. The L22P variant protein is deficient in base excision repair. Molecular dynamics calculations suggest that alteration of Leu22 to Pro changes the local packing, the loop connecting helices 1 and 2 and the overall juxtaposition of the helices within the N-terminal domain. This in turn affects the shape of the binding pocket that is required for efficient dRP lyase catalysis.
MODELING THE GROWTH AND INVASION OF GLIOMAS, FROM SIMPLE TO COMPLEX: THE GOLDIE LOCKS PARADIGM

As with all mathematical modeling, the scope of the question to be explored determines the scope of the most appropriate model. The case is no different for the modeling of primary brain tumors (gliomas), ranging from too simple, not accounting for the major feature of gliomas (extensive invasion), to too complicated, with too many variables and no easy way to translate from culture media in vitro to brain tissue in vivo. We settle on a "just right" approach which utilizes currently available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to estimate two defining characteristics, net rates of proliferation (ρ) and diffusion (D). Most importantly, these parameters are predictive of clinical behavior, and can be tailored to individual patients in vivo and in real time. These two rates combine to generate a linear radial growth pattern of the MRI visible portion of each glioma. Further, we introduce a novel method for the calculation of glioma invasion through grey and white matter.
Negative shock waves

Negative or rarefaction shock waves may exist in single-phase fluids under certain conditions. It is necessary that a particular fluid thermodynamic quantity Γ ≡ −½δ In (δP/δν)s/δ In ν be negative: this condition appears to be met for sufficiently large specific heat, corresponding to a sufficient level of molecular complexity. The dynamic formation and evolution of a negative shock is treated, as well as its properties. Such shocks satisfy stability conditions and have a positive, though small, entropy jump. The viscous shock structure is found from an approximate continuum model. Possible experimental difficulties in the laboratory production of negative shocks are briefly discussed.
Smoking frequency among current college student smokers: distinguishing characteristics and factors related to readiness to quit smoking

Given the increased prevalence of non-daily smoking and changes in smoking patterns, particularly among young adults, we examined correlates of smoking level, specifically motives for smoking, and readiness to quit smoking among 2682 college undergraduates who completed an online survey. Overall, 64.7% (n 5 1736) were non-smokers, 11.6% (n 5 312) smoked 1‐5 days, 10.5% (n 5 281) smoked 6‐29 days and 13.2% (n 5 353) were daily smokers. Ordinal regression analyses modeling smoking level indicated that correlates of higher smoking level included having more friends who smoke (b 5 0.63, 95% CI 0.57‐0.69) and more frequent other tobacco use (b 5 0.04, 95% CI 0.02‐0.05), drinking (b 5 0.04, 95% CI 0.02‐0.07) and binge drinking (b 5 0.09, 95% CI 0.06‐0.13). Bivariate analyses indicated that daily smokers (versus the subgroups of non-daily smokers) were less likely to smoke for social reasons but more likely to smoke for self-confidence, boredom, and affect regulation. Controlling for sociodemographics, correlates of readiness to quit among current smokers includedfewerfriendswhosmoke(P 5 0.002), less frequent binge drinking (P 5 0.03), being a social smoker (P < 0.001), smoking less for selfconfidence (P 5 0.04), smoking more for boredom (P 5 0.03) and less frequent smoking (P 5 0.001).
Thermodynamics of partly folded intermediates in proteins

Until recently, the energetics of protein-folding intermediates eluded direct measurement by high-sensitivity microcalorimetric techniques. But during the past year, the direct measurement of thermodynamic parameters for folding intermediates of a-lactalbumin, apomyoglobin, cytochrome c, and staphylococcal nuclease has provided new insights on the nature of the forces involved in the stabilization of nascent pro
Wireless sensor network for substation monitoring: design and deployment

We present the design and performance of a wireless sensor network that is deployed in a substation for monitoring the health of power subsystems such as circuit breakers, transformers and transformer bushings. The sensor network consists of 45 low power nodes for temperature sensing and a high power node that is capable of performing more specialized computations. All nodes communicate over a multihop mesh network that uses a dynamic link-quality based routing protocol. The nodes are solar powered and are capable of operating autonomously for multiple years.
Can We Exploit the Weirdness of Quantum Mechanics

Quantum theory is over a century old, yet physicists continue to be perplexed and delighted by the weirdness of the quantum world. Whereas the laws of classical physics successfully explain the phenomena we experience every day, atoms and other tiny objects obey quantum laws that sometimes seem to defy common sense, baffling our feeble human minds. In the 21st century, we hope to put this weirdness to work by building quantum computers capable of performing amazing tasks.
Measurement of plasma adenosine concentration: methodological and physiological considerations.

This study tested the hypothesis that measurements of plasma adenosine concentration made on samples of blood obtained in dipyridamole and EHNA (i.e., "stopping solution") may be falsely elevated as a result of ongoing in vitro production and accumulation of adenosine during sample processing. Studies were performed with samples of anticoagulated blood obtained from anesthesized domestic swine. Adenosine concentration of ultra filtrated plasma was determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The following parameters were evaluated: (i) rate of clearance of [3H]adenosine added to plasma, (ii) endogenous adenosine concentration of matched blood samples obtained in "stopping solution" alone, "stopping solution" plus EDTA, and perchloric acid (PCA), (iii) plasma and erythrocyte endogenous adenosine concentration in nonhemolyzed samples, and (iv) plasma adenosine concentration of samples hemolyzed in the presence of "stopping solution" alone or "stopping solution" plus EDTA. We observed that (i) greater than or equal to 95% of [3H]adenosine added to plasma is removed from it by formed elements of the blood in less than 20 s, (ii) plasma adenosine concentration of samples obtained in "stopping solution" alone is generally 10-fold greater than that of matched samples obtained in "stopping solution" plus EDTA, (iii) deliberate mechanical hemolysis of blood samples obtained in "stopping solution" alone resulted in substantial augmentation of plasma adenosine levels in comparison with matched nonhemolyzed specimens--addition of EDTA to "stopping solution" prevented this, and (iv) adenosine content of blood samples obtained in PCA agreed closely with the sum of plasma and erythrocyte adenosine content of samples obtained in "stopping solution" plus EDTA. The data obtained demonstrate that (i) plasma adenosine concentrations are falsely elevated in samples of blood obtained in "stopping solution" alone, and (ii) addition of EDTA to "stopping solution" blocks in vitro production and accumulation of adenosine. Finally, rapid removal of adenosine from plasma by formed elements of blood may make it difficult to employ measurements of plasma adenosine concentration to assess physiological processes even in the absence of in vitro production of the nucleoside.
Effect of donor age on bone mineral density in irradiated bone-patellar tendon-bone allografts of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background: Allograft tissue remains a valuable alternative for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. No study to date has correlated the effect of donor age to bone mineral density (BMD) in a large series of irradiated bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) allograft tissue.Hypothesis/Purpose: The authors attempted to correlate donor age with BMD in a large group of BPTB allograft specimens treated with low-dose gamma irradiation (1.0-1.3 Mrad) collected over a 4-year period. They hypothesized there would be no effect of donor age on the BMD of irradiated BPTB allografts.Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.Methods: A total of 110 BPTB allograft specimens from 44 male and 66 female donors with a mean age of 46 years (range, 21-58 years) were analyzed. Bone mineral density data were obtained from both the patellar and tibial bone plugs of the BPTB complex. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear regression for correlations and 2-tailed Student t tests for comparisons between groups.Results: ...
FAK activation is required for IGF1R-mediated regulation of EMT, migration, and invasion in mesenchymal triple negative breast cancer cells

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly metastatic disease that currently lacks effective prevention and treatment strategies. The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathways function in numerous developmental processes, and alterations in both are linked with a number of common pathological diseases. Overexpression of IGF1R and FAK are closely associated with metastatic breast tumors. The present study investigated the interrelationship between IGF1R and FAK signaling in regulating the malignant properties of TNBC cells. Using small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated IGF1R silencing methods, we showed that IGF1R is essential for sustaining mesenchymal morphologies of TNBC cells and modulates the expression of EMT-related markers. We further showed that IGF1R overexpression promotes migratory and invasive behaviors of TNBC cell lines. Most importantly, IGF1R-driven migration and invasion is predominantly mediated by FAK activation and can be suppressed using pharmacological inhibitors of FAK. Our findings in TNBC cells demonstrate a novel role of the IGF1R/FAK signaling pathway in regulating critical processes involved in the metastatic cascade. These results may improve the current understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of TNBC metastasis and provide a strong rationale for co-targeting of IGF1R and FAK as therapy for mesenchymal TNBCs.
Effects and interactions of sensory neuropeptides on airway microvascular leakage in guinea-pigs.

1. We have studied the effect of the sensory neuropeptides substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on microvascular permeability in guinea-pig airways in vivo and investigated whether CGRP would potentiate the effect of SP. We used the extravasation of intravenously-injected Evans blue dye as an index of permeability. 2. The tachykinins SP, NKA and NKB (0.025-5.0 nmol kg-1, i.v.) significantly (P less than 0.05) increased extravasation of dye in a dose-related manner and with a similar pattern of distribution; they were most potent in the trachea and main bronchi, less potent in the larynx and intrapulmonary airways, and had little significant effect in the bladder. 3. SP was significantly more potent in causing extravasation of dye than NKA or NKB with ED50 values (nmol kg-1) in the range 0.04-0.1, depending on the airway level, compared with values in the range 0.3-0.7 for the neurokinins. 4. CGRP (0.0025-2.5 nmol kg-1, i.v.) had no significant effect on microvascular permeability and did not potentiate SP-induced extravasation of dye. 5. Each neuropeptide decreased mean arterial blood pressure, indicating vasodilatation, in a dose-related manner. Co-injection of CGRP and SP produced additive decreases in arterial pressure. 6. We conclude that, in guinea-pig airways, tachykinins increase microvascular permeability via tachykinin receptors of the NK-1 sub-type (indicated by an order of potency of SP greater than NKA = NKB) on endothelial cells. The response appears to be related to mechanisms in addition to vasodilatation. The relevance of the responses to the tachykinins in asthma is discussed.
Determinants of anion permeation in the second transmembrane domain of the mouse bestrophin-2 chloride channel.

Bestrophins have been proposed to constitute a new family of Cl channels that are activated by cytosolic Ca. We showed previously that mutation of serine-79 to cysteine in mouse bestrophin-2 (mBest2) altered the relative permeability and conductance to SCN. In this paper, we have overexpressed various mutant constructs of mBest2 in HEK-293 cells to explore the contributions to anion selectivity of serine-79 and other amino acids (V78, F80, G83, F84, V86, and T87) located in the putative second transmembrane domain (TMD2). Residues selected for mutagenesis were distributed throughout TMD2, but mutations at all positions changed the selectivity. The effects on selectivity were rather modest. Replacement of residues 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, or 87 with cysteine had similar effects: the permeability of the channel to SCN relative to Cl (PSCN/PCl) was decreased three- to fourfold and the relative SCN conductance (GSCN/GCl) was increased five- to tenfold. Side chains at positions 78 and 80 appeared to be situated close to the permeant anion, because the electrostatic charge at these positions affected permeation in specific ways. The effects of charged sulfhydryl-reactive MTS reagents were the opposite in the V78C and F80C mutants and the effects were partially mimicked by substitution of F80 with charged amino acids. In S79T, switching from Cl to SCN caused slow changes in GSCN/GCl (τ = 16.6 s), suggesting that SCN binding to the channel altered channel gating as well as conductance. The data in this paper and other data support a model in which TMD2 plays an important role in forming the bestrophin pore. We suggest that the major determinant in anion permeation involves partitioning of the permeant anion into an aqueous pore whose structural features are rather flexible. Furthermore, anion permeation and gating may be linked.
Myomas and Assisted Reproductive Technologies: When and How to Act?

The effect of myomas on reproductive outcome has been the subject of many studies; however, a definitive answer is still missing. Therefore, the authors have tried to outline some guidelines for the management of women who have uterine myomas and desire to conceive. The location and size of the myomas are the two parameters that influence the success of a future pregnancy. Subserosal myomas seem to have little, if any,effect on reproductive outcome, especially if they are up to 5 to 7 cm in diameter. Intramural myomas that do not encroach upon the endometrium also can be considered to be relatively harmless to reproduction, if they are smaller than 4 to 5 cm in diameter. This is the ambiguous gray zone of the subject, and where research should be focused before a consensus can be established. Myomas that compress the uterine cavity with an intramural portion (submucous myoma type II) and submucous myomas significantly reduce pregnancy rates, and should be removed before assisted reproductive techniques are used. Hysteroscopic myomectomy is the gold standard for the treatment of submucous myomas. For other myomas, abdominal myomectomy, or laparoscopic myomectomy--when the experience of the surgeon and the facilities are sufficient--are the best alternatives. In most of the literature, the pregnancy rates were increased and the miscarriage rates were decreased after surgery with these two techniques. Other alternative treatment modalities, such as CUV, laparoscopic myolysis, or MRI-guided focused ultrasound, are to be monitored and evaluated thoroughly before they are applied as routine procedures.
Recursive ultrasonic tomographic imaging using propagation and back-propagation method

This paper presents a recursive ultrasonic tomographic imaging method using the propagation and back propagation for solving a Helmholtz equation with a fixed frequency. The proposed algorithm recursively processes data collected on the eight boundaries of an octagon in a circular mode. Using numerical examples, we demonstrate that the proposed algorithm results in high quality images with fast convergence.
The effect of ionophores on growth and glycosyltransferase production of Streptococcus sanguis

Batch cultures of Streptococcus sanguis NCTC7865 were grown in complex medium in the presence and absence of the ionophores gramicidin, valinomycin and nigericin, to study their effects on growth and glycosyltransferase production. Growth of S. sanguis was markedly inhibited by nigericin or gramicidin, whereas valinomycin had no significant effect. The presence of ionophores caused only slight decreases in glucosyltransferase activity. Fructosyltransferase activity was however reduced by at least 90%. The results indicate that ΔpH rather than ΔΨ is essential for maintaining normal growth in S. sanguis. However, both ΔpH and ΔΨ are necessary for fructosyltransferase synthesis and secretion, but are not apparently involved in the synthesis and secretion of glucosyltransferase.
Drift Denoising of Experimental TE Measurements for Imaging 2D PEC Cylinders

This work presents shape reconstruction results using TE experimental scattering data of a perfect electric conducting (PEC) cylinder. The level set method combined with the method of moments is used for the reconstruction. The experimental data are collected using two ultrawideband strip-fed dielectric resonator antennas rotating around the target. The removal of the drift noise is achieved through spatial low-pass filtering, which is a key element to improve the reconstruction.
Ultrasonic imaging front-end design for CMUT: A 3-level 30Vpp pulse-shaping pulser with improved efficiency and a noise-optimized receiver

A four-channel analog front-end (AFE) transceiver chip for medical ultrasound imaging is demonstrated. The high voltage transmitter uses a 3-level pulse-shaping technique to deliver over 50% more acoustic power for the same power dissipation, compared to traditional methods. The design requires minimum off-chip components and is scalable for more channels. The receiver is implemented with a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) topology and is optimized for noise, bandwidth and power dissipation. Based on both acoustic and electrical measurements, we demonstrate the Transmitter (Tx) efficiency improvement, Tx beamformation and the pulse-echo response, revealing the system's full functionality.
Voluntary disclosure of a discriminated against characteristic

Abstract We intend to explain the phenomena of voluntary disclosure of a discriminated against characteristic by a worker in the labor market (or a relationship seeker in the relationship market). We assume that there are two types of employers (or relationship targets) – those who discriminate against the characteristic and those who do not – and that the discriminating employers would be less inclined to knowingly hire a discriminated against worker, and would also treat such a worker less favorably after hiring, than the nondiscriminating employers. Beforehand, workers do not know who the discriminating employers are, but a worker with the discriminated against characteristic can avoid the discriminating employers by voluntarily disclosing the characteristic – and he would disclose if the benefit from being more likely to be matched with a nondiscriminating employer exceeds the cost of being more likely to be unemployed. We also analyze the effect on the propensity to disclose from various factors including the constitutions and relative numbers of workers and employers, as well as the treatment gap toward the discriminated against worker by the two types of employers.
Control of an electric machine integrated with the trans-rotary magnetic gear in a motor drive train

This paper studies the dynamic performance of an electric machine integrated with the trans-rotary magnetic gear (MITROMAG) in a motoring mode of operation. MITROMAG is formed by mechanically coupling a rotary electric machine to the rotor of a trans-rotary magnetic gear (TROMAG). TROMAG is a magnetic device that converts low-torque, high-speed rotation of its rotor to a high-force, low-speed linear motion of its translator, and vice versa, through magnetic field. In a motoring mode of operation, the rotor of the TROMAG is driven by a rotary electric motor, and as a result, its translator drives a reciprocating load. A nonlinear dynamic model is developed for the TROMAG. Oscillation tests are presented as examples of how the model can be used to predict the dynamic behavior. The model is then linearized to develop system transfer functions and study the dynamic response of the MITROMAG to speed commands. Experimental results confirm the analysis.
Electronic prototyping

Progress in automation will require the ability to electrically represent, reason about, and manipulate objects. The author examines the issues involved with electronic prototyping from the point of view of a computer scientist and discusses the development of representations, languages, editors, and model-driven simulation systems needed to support it. In particular, he identifies areas where basic research is needed before further progress can be made. >
Human cytochromes mediating N-demethylation of fluoxetine in vitro

Biotransformation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant, fluoxetine, to its principal metabolite, norfluoxetine, was evaluated in human liver microsomes and in microsomes from transfected cell lines expressing pure human cytochromes. In human liver microsomes, formation of norfluoxetine from R,S-fluoxetine was consistent with Michaelis-Menten kinetics (mean Km = 33 μM), with evidence of substrate inhibition at high substrate concentrations in a number of cases. The reaction was minimally inhibited by coincubation with chemical probes inhibitory for P450-2D6 (quinidine), -1A2 (furafylline, α-naphthoflavone), and -2E1 (diethyldithiocarbamate). Substantial inhibition was produced by coincubation with sulfaphenazole (Ki = 2.8 μM), an inhibitory probe for P450-2C9, and by ketoconazole (Ki = 2.5 μM) and fluvoxamine (Ki = 5.2 μM). However, ketoconazole, relatively specific for P450-3A isoforms only at low concentrations, reduced norfluoxetine formation by only 20% at 1 μM, and triacetyloleandomycin (≥ 5 μM) reduced the velocity by only 20–25%. Microsomes from cDNA-transfected human lymphoblastoid cells containing human P450-2C9 produced substantial quantities of norfluoxetine when incubated with 100 μM fluoxetine. Smaller amounts of product were produced by P450-2C19 and -2D6, but no product was produced by P450-1A2, -2E1, or 3A4. Cytochrome P450-2C9 appears to be the principal human cytochrome mediating fluoxetine N-demethylation. P450-2C19 and -3A may make a further small contribution, but P450-2D6 is unlikely to make an important contribution.
Climatic Instability and the “Ecological Saturation” of Bird Communities in North American Grasslands

Evolutionary ecologists have, in recent years, devoted considerable attention to the suggestion that many natural communities may be "saturated," i.e., they contain the maximum number of coexisting species that they are able to support. While observations of apparent saturation are few (e.g., Elton 1950, 1966; Cody 1966a; Patrick 1968), theoretical considerations of limits on diversity and species packing are profuse (e.g., MacArthur 1965, 1969, 1972; MacArthur and Levins 1967). In particular, Cody (1966a) has suggested that communities of breeding grassland birds are saturated, noting the remarkable constancy [3 to 4 breeding passerine species, bird species diversity (H') of 0.76 to 1.34] of censuses in North America, Iceland, Panama, and Chile. If these habitats are in fact saturated, then one may infer perhaps that "the kinds of species occupying the habitat are those most appropriate, and hence are better adapted than an equal number of a rather different set of species, as well as better than a different number of species" (Cody 1966a:375). My objectives in this paper are threefold. First, I wish to examine the degree of packing of breeding bird species in North American grasslands in somewhat more detail than did Cody. Then I will explore factors possibly underlying this limitation of avifaunal diversity. Finally, I will determine whether patterns of variation in community structure within the saturation limits may be discerned. Grasslands are especially well suited for this sort of analysis, since the number of breeding species is small, populations may be censused with relatively little difficulty, and the effects of abiotic factors should be only slightly buffered by the biotic community and thus be rather directly evidenced. In places my arguments are frankly speculative, but I believe such speculation is valuable, both by indicating gaps in our knowledge and by suggesting hypotheses which may be central to a good deal of avian community ecology. GRASSLAND BIRD COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
Impact of intake CO 2 addition and exhaust gas recirculation on NO x emissions and soot reactivity in a common rail diesel engine

The impact of intake CO2 addition and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on engine combustion characteristics, NOx emissions, and soot oxidative reactivity was studied in a common rail diesel engine e...
Analysis of Factors Affecting Transformer Oil Electric Performances

There are many factors affecting oil-type transformer electric performance. Major factors affecting transformer voltage withstanding capability are water content, gas content, impurity, temperature, and velocity of flow, etc., within transformer oil. By analyzing the trend of influence of these factors on transformer oil voltage withstanding capability, it shows that the higher voltage class of the transformer, the more strict control requirement on water, gas, and impurity contents in the oil. It is possible to meet voltage requirement by using more advanced techniques to remove water, gas, and impurity from oil.
Aesthetic aspects of nasal reconstruction

Reconstructive nasal surgery aims not just to rebuild a nose or part of a nose, but to blend and tailor the new and old tissues in such a way as to create a nearly ideal shape that is likely to be an improvement on the original. The challenge of the reconstruction is enhanced by the complexity of the defect. Differences in color, texture, and thickness between the nasal remnants and the sources of skin available for the reconstruction impose aesthetic limits that are often difficult to overcome.
Mongo Beti. Le combattant fatigué. Une biographie intellectuelle

Mongo Beti est sans conteste l'un des grands classiques de la litterature africaine. Sa naissance et son emergence dans une epoque particulierement bouleversante de l'histoire de l'Afrique francoph...
Mechanism of the nucleotide pyrophosphatase induced distortion of stoichiometry of TPNH utilization and product formation by hepatic cytochrome P-450 linked N-demethylase systems.

By definition, an hepatic cytochrome P-450-and TPNH-linked monooxygenase reaction requires that a mole of TPNH be utilized for each mole of product formed. When rat hepatic microsomes have been used to study the stoichiometry of N-demethylase reactions, considerably more TPNH utilization has usually been observed than can be accounted for by product (HCHO) formation. The presence of nucleotide pyrophosphatase in microsomes has been shown to cause the apparent substrate-induced enhancement of endogenous TPNH oxidation. Demethylation of the substrate (aminopyrine, benzphetamine, codeine or ethylmorphine) increases the rate of TPNH oxidation and this enhances the rate limitation of TPNH for the pyrophosphatase reaction (a first order reaction) without inflicting a TPNH rate limitation on the endogenous oxidation of TPNH (a zero order reaction). As a consequence, tess 2959 ADP—an inhibitor of TPNH oxidation—is formed from TPNH by the pyrophosphatase when the substrate is present than when it is absent. Because less 2959 ADP is formed in the presence of substrate, less inhibition of endogenous TPNH oxidation occurs; substrate thus appears to stimulate endogenous TPNH oxidation when in fact it is only permitting the reaction to proceed at a less inhibited rate. When EDTA (0.2 mM) or 59 AMP (1 mM) is used to inhibit pyrophosphatase activity, a stoichiometry of TPNH oxidized:HCHO formed of unity was observed when microsomes from several mammalian species were used. Unity was also observed when the influence of pyrophosphatase was diminished by increasing the ratio of demethylase activity to pyrophosphatase activity in microsomes by administering phenobarbital to rats; by modulating the ratios of the two enzymes in this manner, it was shown that disparity in the 1:1 ratio of TPNH oxidation: HCHO formation is directly related to the nucleotide pyrophosphatase content of the microsomes. When EDTA or 59 AMP is added to the medium, the rate of monooxygenase activity of hepatic microsomes can be measured by monitoring the disappearance of the absorbance of TPNH at 340 nm.
Epidural Test Doses

Summary Despite these controversies, it is still safe to summarize the current procedure for safe epidural anesthesia. Appropriate safety steps including the following: 1. Careful aspiration before injection of a needle or catheter. This may require removal of bacterial filters or other obstructions to flow. 2. Use of an epinephrine-containing test dose, with 15 µg of epinephrine and (a) a mechanical or electrical pulse counter; (b) quiet, close observation following injection of the test dose: no conversation or other stimulus should be allowed to interfere with assessment of the patient response in the first 45 seconds following injection; and (c) repetition of the test if results are equivocal. 3. Assessment of sensory anesthesia in the S2 dermatome 2 minutes after injection, if subarachnoid placement is suspected. 4. Incremental injection of 5-mL boluses of anesthetic solution at 30-second intervals, with careful attention to patient mental status. 5. In any of the special situations described (Table 1), the procedure is modified appropriately. As always, regional techniques must be performed in the setting of adequate resuscitation equipment and constant vigilance. None of the tests described will infallibly prevent intravascular or subarachnoid injection.
A Quantitative Measure for Shared and Complementary Situation Awareness

As team structures evolve and become more complex, with human and automated agents working together to accomplish team goals, measurement approaches for system situation awareness must also adapt. This paper proposes a novel approach to the measurement of SA for human automation teams. Limitations of existing individual SA measurement approaches are highlighted with a particular focus on the sensitivity of current measures to knowledge held across human and automated agents in complex sociotechnical systems. We propose that elements from team communication data can be used as a basis for the quantification of shared and complementary situation awareness. We present a conceptual measurement approach for using communication data to measure shared and complementary situation awareness for human-automation teams, appropriate for both open or closed loop communication. This paper discusses how such a measurement approach would be applied specifically for human-automation teams, including automation that functi...
Sex trafficking in the United States: theory, research, policy, and practice

Sex trafficking is a pervasive and substantial issue that plagues United States and global populations. While it is not a new phenomenon, recent media coverage, legislation, and expansion of servic...
Role of Postmastectomy Radiation for DCIS

While previous clinical trials have clearly demonstrated the benefit of adjuvant postmastectomy radiation for appropriately selected patients with invasive breast cancer, the possible role of postmastectomy radiation for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains unclear. Here, we examine the data that may be relevant to inform decisions regarding the potential indications, benefits, and side effects of postmastectomy radiation for DCIS, including data collected in other settings from which one may extrapolate in an attempt to help guide patient decisions. No randomized trials have directly examined the role of postmastectomy radiotherapy for DCIS, and limitations in the available evidence base have precluded the generation of consensus guidelines on this subject. Therefore, we conclude that concerns about clinical and pathologic features that may identify patients at higher risk for local recurrence after mastectomy alone must be balanced against the attendant risks of radiotherapy in this setting and individual patient preferences when supporting shared decision making in this complex context. Future work utilizing more accurate genomic predictors of local recurrence for breast cancer, including DCIS, may help us to identify the few patients with DCIS who are likely to benefit from postmastectomy radiation for DCIS.
Affect in response to stressors and coping strategies: an ecological momentary assessment study of borderline personality disorder

Affect instability is a core symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Ecological momentary assessment allows for an understanding of real-time changes in affect in response to various daily stressors. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in affect in response to specific stressors and coping strategies in subjects with BPD utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology. Subjects (n = 50) with BPD were asked to complete real-time assessments about stressors experienced, affect felt, and coping strategies employed six times per day for a 1-week period. Mixed effect regression models were used to measure the effect of stressors and coping strategies on affect change. While most stressors led to experiencing more negative affect, only being in a disagreement was independently associated with increased negative affect. Among coping strategies, only doing something good for oneself independently reduced negative affect, controlling for all other coping strategies used. These findings provide valuable insights into affective instability in BPD and can help inform treatment with individuals with the disorder.
Genetic variation of grain sorghum germplasm for resistance to Pseudomonas andropogonis

Pseudomonas andropogonis is the causal agent of bacterial leaf stripe of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Fifty grain sorghum accessions were evaluated for genetic variation to P. andropogonis over a 2-year period. Plants were inoculated at the 7 to 8 leaf stage of juvenile growth with an Idico filler-plug gun calibrated to deliver one ml of inoculum. Disease severity ratings were noted 2 weeks after inoculation on a 0 to 5 scale. For 1993 and 1994, disease severity ratings were significantly different (P < 0.01) among accessions and groups of resistant, intermediate, and susceptible germplasm. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were also observed between years. Resistant accessions included SC 326-6, SC 414-12E, BTX 378, B35-6, and TX 2862. Susceptible entries included TX 2767, TX 430, TAM 428, BTx 623, R 9117, and 90B2662.
Association between Exposure to p,p'-DDT and Its Metabolite p,p'-DDE with Obesity: Integrated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in all countries, becoming a substantial public health concern worldwide. Increasing evidence has associated obesity with persistent pollutants s...
Natural-Product Model Systems

What constitutes a model system? What is the importance of studies involving models? What is the proper approach in the use of model systems? These are some of the questions that will be addressed in this chapter before considering specific details of the use of macrocyclic ligands as models for certain naturally occurring metalloproteins and enzymes.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Epidemiology, Genetics, Pathogenesis, and Clinical Manifestations

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects about 3% of the population or 100 million people worldwide. The prevalence is higher in the United States, affecting 6–7% of the population and is increasing at an astounding rate. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 30% of individuals with diabetes are undiagnosed. Furthermore, a third of children born in the United States in the year 2000 will develop diabetes, an estimated 28 million diabetic individuals within the next 50 years.
Effect of concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin on the modification of immunogenicity of canine kidney allografts.

Mongrel dog kidneys were allografted to unrelated nephrectomized recipients which were then treated with subimmunosuppressive doses of azathioprine (2.5 mg/kg/day). Dog kidneys treated in vitro with perfusates containing concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA) survived as long as 60 days (mean 39.8 ± 4.3) after transplantation, whereas normal kidneys survived less than 16 days. The optimal prolongation was achieved by perfusing the kidneys with 500 ml Ringer’s lactate containing 25 mg/L Con A, 25 4°C. Lesser effects were achieved with higher or lower concentrations of Con A, or with perfusions carried out at 25°C. Most evidence suggests that Con A and PHA bind to cell surfaces and interfere with the perception of the graft antigens by the host.
Making Sense of “Outsiderness”: How Life History Informs the College Experiences of “Nontraditional” Students:

This article presents the life histories of two “nontraditional” college students—Demetrius and Christine—as a means to explore the concept of “outsiderness” and its impact on undergraduate student...
Metabolic shift of Staphylococcus aureus under sublethal dose of methicillin in the presence of glucose.

Abstract Traditional strategies in developing novel drugs to treat antibiotic-resistant S. aureus have not been very successful to date, therefore, there is an urgent need for creative usage of existing agents that can treat and control S. aureus infection. This study demonstrated that a combination of glucose and a sublethal dose of antibiotic can reduce the survivability of S. aureus in a glucose concentration-dependent manner. Mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolic profiling detected massive metabolic profile shift of both methicillin-susceptible and resistant S. aureus after methicillin and glucose co-treatment. The dramatic alteration of metabolites from these metabolic pathways can be detected when 10 mg/L or higher concentration of glucose were added to methicillin treated culture. Our data also indicated that multiple biochemical metabolic pathways, including pyrimidine metabolism and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation showed a significant difference (p
Constant temperature operation of fiber-optic hot-wire anemometers.

We demonstrate the constant temperature (CT) operation of a fiber-optic anemometer based on a laser-heated silicon Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI), where the temperature of the FPI is kept constant by adjusting the heating laser power through a feedback control loop and the output signal is the heating laser power. We show that the CT operation can dramatically improve the frequency response over the commonly used constant power (CP) operation, where the laser heating power is kept constant and the output signal is the temperature of the FPI. For demonstration, we used a 100-μm-diameter, 200-μm-thick silicon FPI attached to the tip of a single-mode fiber as the anemometer. The FPI was heated by a 980-nm diode laser, and the temperature was measured using a 1550-nm diode laser. The effect of flow changes was simulated by exposing the silicon FPI to radiation from an external intensity-modulated laser beam. We show that the 10%–90% rise time of the step response in air was reduced from 625 ms for CP operation to 1.8 ms for CT operation, and the 3-dB bandwidth was increased from 0.5 Hz for CP operation to 2 kHz for CT operation. The response of the anemometer also shows good linearity to the radiation power.
Conceptual Neuroadaptive Brain-Computer Interface utilizing Event-related Desynchronization

This paper presents evidence for the possibility of a neuroadaptive system, based on electroencephalography (EEG) readings from the motor cortex region, to predict an individual's actions before the onset of motion. Testing for the neuroadaptive system utilized a G.nautilus headset, MATLAB with the EEGLAB toolbox, and a computer with the Processing IDE. Code from the Processing IDE provides an image slideshow which displays faces of various individuals so that the subject presses a keyboard key on a certain image. Three subjects were tested for 60 trials each, 30 trials where the keyboard key was pressed, and 30 trials where they were not, to gather enough data to train and test a classifier by using a machine learning algorithm. Machine learning assessed classification accuracy initially using 10 training trials and increased the training set by 10 trials each time to reassess accuracy until a total of 40 training trials were used. A set of 20 trials were used to assess accuracy without and with machine learning. Additionally, theoretical accuracy was computed by removing unfeasible machine learning features to assess the potential accuracy in a real-time system. The results provided an average accuracy of 52% without machine learning and an average accuracy ranging from 91.66% to 96.66% using the K-Nearest Neighbors(KNN) algorithm. The average theoretical accuracy ranged from to be 60% to 68.33%.
Complementary doping of van der Waals materials through controlled intercalation for monolithically integrated electronics

Doping control has been a key challenge for electronic applications of van der Waals materials. Here, we demonstrate complementary doping of black phosphorus using controlled ionic intercalation to achieve monolithic building elements. We characterize the anisotropic electrical transport as a function of ion concentrations and report a widely tunable resistivity up to three orders of magnitude with characteristic concentration dependence corresponding to phase transitions during intercalation. As a further step, we develop both p-type and n-type field effect transistors as well as electrical diodes with high device stability and performance. In addition, enhanced charge mobility from 380 to 820 cm2/(V·s) with the intercalation process is observed and explained as the suppressed neutral impurity scattering based on our ab initio calculations. Our study provides a unique approach to atomically control the electrical properties of van der Waals materials, and may open up new opportunities in developing advanced electronics and physics platforms.
Leukoerythroblastic reaction in a patient with COVID-19 infection.

Author(s): Mitra, Anupam; Dwyre, Denis M; Schivo, Michael; Thompson, George R; Cohen, Stuart H; Ku, Nam; Graff, John P
Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Advanced Clinical Practice: Characteristics of Advanced Practice Athletic Trainers

Context The “Strategic Priorities for Athletic Training Education” promote the development of clinical specialists and advanced practice leaders; however, little is known about the characteristics ...
CHAPTER 3 – ELASTODYNAMIC THEORY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several formal aspects of the theory of dynamic elasticity and general methods of solution of elastodynamic problems. The chapter discusses the decomposition of the displacement vector and presents a completeness theorem for scalar and vector potentials. The scalar and vector potentials for the displacement field are governed by the classical wave equations. With the purpose of determining the elastic wave motion generated by body forces in an unbounded medium, the chapter further reviews the general integral representations to problems of elastic wave propagation for the solution of the classical wave equation. The chapter also presents a determination of the displacement and stress fields due to a time-dependent point load. The relevance of integral representations to problems of elastic wave propagation is also reviewed in the chapter.