cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Body-machine interface for control of a screen cursor for a child with congenital absence of upper and lower limbs: a case report.

There has been a recent interest in the development of body-machine interfaces which allow individuals with motor impairments to control assistive devices using body movements. In this case study, we report findings in the context of the development of such an interface for a 10-year old child with congenital absence of upper and lower limbs. The interface consisted of 4 wireless inertial measurement units (IMUs), which we used to map movements of the upper body to the position of a cursor on a screen. We examined the learning of a task in which the child had to move the cursor to specified targets on the screen as quickly as possible. In addition, we also determined the robustness of the interface by evaluating the child’s performance in two different body postures. We found that the child was not only able to learn the task rapidly, but also showed superior performance when compared to typically developing children in the same age range. Moreover, task performance was comparable for the two different body postures, suggesting that the child was able to control the device in different postures without the need for interface recalibration. These results clearly establish the viability and robustness of the proposed non-invasive body-machine interface for pediatric populations with severe motor limitations.
Nonlinear Representations in Terms of Independent Random Variables

This chapter is concerned with the question of one-sided nonlinear representations of Markov sequences in terms of independent random variables. Such representations could be phrased in the broader context of stationary (possibly non-Markovian) processes and our investigation in the Markovian context is a question of convenience. One way of motivating such problems is by considering the linear Wold representation of a weakly stationary sequence. The Wold representation is briefly derived in section 1. It arises in the context of the linear prediction problem and in the purely nondeterministic case gives a linear resolution of the process in terms of orthonormal random variables. Section 2 describes how the nonlinear problem is suggested by Wold’s result if linearity is replaced by nonlinearity and orthogonality by independence. Wiener regarded such a nonlinear representation as providing a reencoding of the process. The following section indicates that such a representation can be valid if and only if the process is purely nondeterministic in a nonlinear sense and also poses the question of invertibility of such a representation. The existence of such one-sided nonlinear representations is examined at some length for finite state Markov chains in section 4. Partial results for the more general real-valued Markov process are derived in the last section.
Strategies for the Management of Postoperative Anemia in Elective Orthopedic Surgery

Objective: To assess the use of oral iron, intravenous (IV) iron, and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for the prevention and management of perioperative anemia in elective orthopedic surgery patients, and to provide a clinical algorithm for use. Data Sources: A PubMed and MEDLINE search was conducted from 1964 through March 2016 using the following search terms alone or in combination: orthopedic, surgery, elective, anemia, blood transfusion, iron, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and erythropoietin.Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language prospective and retrospective human studies and meta-analyses evaluating oral iron, IV iron, or ESA alone or in combination in elective orthopedic surgery patients were evaluated, provided they reported blood transfusion outcomes. Data Synthesis: A total of 9 prospective and retrospective studies and 1 meta-analysis were identified and included. In the preoperative setting, administration of oral iron, IV iron, or ESA alone or in combination ...
Association of Aerosol Optical Depth with Air Pollutants and Meteorological Factors:A Time Series Analysis

To explore the association between Aerosol Optical Depth(AOD) with air pollutants and meteorological factors,and to provide evidence for the prediction of AOD,time series analysis was used.The data of AOD,air pollutants,and meteorological factors were from January 2002 to December 2004 in Hangzhou.The data of the first 35 months was collected to establish ARIMA(Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average)model,and the data of the last month was used for evaluation.After a time difference,ARIMA(0,0,2)(0,0,0) model was established,the Ljung-Box Q test and the residual plots showed the model fit well.The true values were all above 95% confidence level.From the model,the AOD was not only affected by the air pollutants and meteorological factors on the same day,but also by those in several days before.
Dynamic exercise stimulates group III muscle afferents

1. In decerebrate cats, we investigated the responses of group III muscle afferents to dynamic exercise. The cats performed low intensity dynamic exercise on a treadmill. Group III afferent activity from the dynamically exercising triceps surae muscles was recorded from L7-S1 dorsal root filaments. 2. Single-unit recordings were obtained from 15 group III afferent fibers whose receptive fields were in the triceps surae muscles and from one group III afferent whose receptive field was in the flexor digitorum longus muscle. Conduction velocities for the 16 group III afferents ranged from 3.0 to 27.9 m/s (15.6 +/- 1.9 m/s, mean +/- SE). 3. Ten of 16 group III muscle afferents were stimulated by dynamic exercise. Of the 10, 7 were strongly responsive and 3 were mildly responsive to dynamic exercise. Each of the 10 afferents displayed at least some activity that was synchronized to the contraction phase of the step cycle. The mean developed tensions for strongly responsive afferents, mildly responsive afferents, and afferents that did not respond were 0.8 +/- 0.3, 1.3 +/- 0.5, and 0.7 +/- 0.3 Kg, respectively (P > 0.05). Thus differences in the responsiveness of the afferents to exercise were not attributable to differences in developed tensions. 4. The group III afferents that were strongly responsive to dynamic exercise were also mechanically sensitive. Each strongly responsive afferent (n = 7) was stimulated by nonnoxious pressure applied to its receptive field. Most strongly responsive afferents (n = 5) were stimulated by stretch of the triceps surae muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Evolution of Low Technology Waste Water Disposal in the Developed Countries and Its Implication for the Developing Nations

The majority of people in developing countries are without reasonable access to safe drinking water and are forced to live without proper sanitation. This lack of safe water and poor sanitation is the major cause of untold misery, disability, disease and death. The United Nations declared the 19809s as the “International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade” with the lofty goal of safe water and adequate sanitation for all by 1990. Realizing it required about 150 years for sanitation systems to evolve in the developed nations, it is important that the developing nations learn from their mistakes. The future sanitation systems for developing countries must use appropriate low cost technologies, rather than the conventional high cost water carriage sewerage technology of the developed nations. These low cost solutions when properly sited, designed, constructed and maintained are no less prestigious and as the overall environmental impacts become understood are in many instances the preferred solution.
The Role of Standardized Achievement Tests in Grades K-12

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of standardized achievement tests in grades K-12. Few topics in education have been surrounded by controversy to the extent standardized achievement tests have. In this chapter, these controversial aspects of standardized tests are addressed. The focus of the chapter is the appropriate use and interpretation of standardized test scores. It emphasizes on achievement tests in grades K-12. It begins with a consideration of the differences in the testing situations in elementary versus secondary schools. This is followed by the interpretation and use of standardized test scores. The content of the chapter clearly indicates that there are more similarities than differences here across all grade levels. It discusses the unique challenges of secondary school testing because external testing at the secondary level presents a series of unique problems, particularly when compared to testing at the elementary level. Finally, the chapter concludes that standardized achievement tests must be considered a means to an end and not an end in themselves. These tests function best and most appropriately to “raise flags.” They serve best to draw the attention of faculty to areas of need within a student or group of students.
Understanding Nanoparticle Immunotoxicity to Develop Safe Medical Devices

Nanotechnology has a potential to transform healthcare by improving the quality of drugs and medical devices. The benefits of using nanomaterials in medical devices include improving device durability, decreasing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and providing slow and controlled release of device-associated drugs. Using nanoparticles as implantable materials and components of medical devices also poses some safety concerns and regulatory challenges. This chapter reviews hematological and immunological toxicities relevant to the nanomaterials used in medical devices. Regulatory challenges, translational considerations, and literature case studies pertinent to the immunological safety of nanotechnology-based devices are also discussed.
Diagenetic controls on the evolution of fault-zone architecture and permeability structure: Implications for episodicity of fault-zone fluid transport in extensional basins

Diagenesis demonstrably changes both the mechanical and hydrologic properties of sediments. However, the effect of these changes on the distribution and types of structures that develop in fault zones over time, and their impact on fault-zone fluid flow has not previously been systematically investigated. We explored the impact of diagenesis on the mechanical and hydrologic properties of initially unlithified sand cut by a syndepositional normal fault in an extensional basin. Field, microstructural, and geochemical data document a diagenetic record of initially continuous fluid flow through a hanging-wall damage zone up to 10 m wide. In this zone, initial deformation via particulate flow is recorded by a foliation defined by a grain shape preferred orientation, preserved by subsequently precipitated, pore-filling calcite cement. A transition to episodic fluid flow is demonstrated by calcite veins that crosscut the previously cemented, foliated sandstone within relatively narrow (≤5 m from the fault core) segments of the older damage zone. Unlike the widespread record of particulate flow, veins are restricted to the vicinity of a mapped relay zone between overlapping fault segments, and an inferred, partially covered relay zone. Vein microstructures record repeated fracture opening and sealing. Veins in breccia zones have δ 13 C values as high as +6.0‰, suggesting degassing of CO 2 - and/or CH 4 -charged fluids. These data collectively suggest that relatively early damage zone cementation strengthened and stiffened the foliated damage zone, affecting the localization of brittle fractures and fluid flow in relay zones. Our results highlight systematic changes in the character and locus of deformation and fluid flow during the development of normal faults and provide a basis for predicting how these structures may act to trap or transmit fluids during the development of extensional basins.
Cell-Penetrating Peptide for Transcellular Transport: Membrane Binding and Uptake in Live Cells

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) are a potential drug delivery vehicle into cells and across biological barriers. We discovered that a CPP, called the CL peptide, delivered a conjugated fluorophore into different cell lines and enhanced ten-fold the permeability of the fluorophore across an epithelium. We synthesized CL peptide variants to identify the important parameters that determine the cell- and barrier-penetrating properties. We also used Fully-quantified Spectral Imaging (FSI) method to investigate the binding of the CL-fluorophore conjugate and its variants to live cell membranes and correlate it to the intracellular delivery efficiency.
New Conceptualizations of Lateness since Blau, 1994

Employee lateness is still conceptualized as a distinct and “neglected” form of physical withdrawal behavior, compared to research investigating employee absenteeism (e.g., Brown, Fakhfakh, & Sessions, 1999; Harrison & Martocchio, 1998) and employee turnover (e.g., Dalton, Johnson, & Daily, 1999; Koys, 2001). As Blau (1994) noted, employee lateness has been traditionally defined and measured as arrival after the beginning of scheduled work.
Abstract 16793: Postoperative Acetaminophen Dose is Associated With Lower Rate of Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery and Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Introduction: Half of all pediatric cardiac surgery (CS) patients develop postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and length of stay. CS an...
How are Scope and Adding up Relevant for Benefits Transfer

In this paper, we explore ways in which the theoretical constructs of scope and adding up can inform and improve the practice of benefit transfer. Specifically, we examine how the stated preference literature on scope and adding up can inform three critical steps in benefits transfer: study site selection, including studies to select for use in a meta-regression; calibrating benefit functions; and assessing transfer validity.
History of improving statistical efficiency

Statistical efficiency has been a focus of research since the inception of discrete-event simulation modeling and analysis, with origins perhaps twenty years before the first Winter Simulation Conference. We review important work in the design of simulation experiments, variance reduction through dependence structures, and efficient rare-event simulation. The focus is on the early developments, although some recent innovations also receive mention.
Evaluation of the CAESAR hardware API for lightweight implementations

The Competition for Authenticated Encryption: Security, Applicability, and Robustness (CAESAR) requires that all hardware implementations of candidate algorithms adhere to the CAESAR Hardware API [1]. The CAESAR Hardware API is supported by a development package which includes VHDL code for universal pre- and post-processors for high-speed and recently also for lightweight implementations. These processors are designed to make a cipher core compliant with the API. However, for lightweight implementations it is generally assumed that having generic pre- and post-processors increases the area consumption over merging their functionality with the cipher cores. In this paper we evaluate the lightweight package through two case studies. First, we verified that the lightweight package has a smaller area footprint than the high-speed package. Second, we show that the overhead of using the generic lightweight pre- and post-processors over integrating their functionality into the cipher core is negligible. As part of these case studies, we have developed the first lightweight implementations of Ketje-Sr, Ascon-128, and Ascon-128a.
Over-the-Counter "Adrenal Support" Supplements Contain Thyroid and Steroid-Based Adrenal Hormones.

Abstract Objective To assess whether dietary supplements that are herbal and/or animal-derived products, marketed for enhancing metabolism or promoting energy, "adrenal fatigue," or "adrenal support," contain thyroid or steroid hormones. Methods Twelve dietary adrenal support supplements were purchased. Pregnenolone, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, synthetic glucocorticoids (betamethasone, dexamethasone, fludrocortisone, megestrol acetate, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone, budesonide, and triamcinolone acetonide) levels were measured twice in samples in a blinded fashion. This study was conducted between February 1, 2016, and November 1, 2016. Results Among steroids, pregnenolone was the most common hormone in the samples. Budesonide, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, cortisol, and cortisone were the others in order of prevalence. All the supplements revealed a detectable amount of triiodothyronine (T3) (63-394.9 ng/tablet), 42% contained pregnenolone (66.12-205.2 ng/tablet), 25% contained budesonide (119.5-610 ng/tablet), 17% contained androstenedione (1.27-7.25 ng/tablet), 8% contained 17-OH progesterone (30.09 ng/tablet), 8% contained cortisone (79.66 ng/tablet), and 8% contained cortisol (138.5 ng/tablet). Per label recommended doses daily exposure was up to 1322 ng for T3, 1231.2 ng for pregnenolone, 1276.4 ng for budesonide, 29 ng for androstenedione, 60.18 ng for 17-OH progesterone, 277 ng for cortisol, and 159.32 ng for cortisone. Conclusion All the supplements studied contained a small amount of thyroid hormone and most contained at least 1 steroid hormone. This is the first study that measured thyroid and steroid hormones in over-the-counter dietary "adrenal support" supplements in the United States. These results may highlight potential risks of hidden ingredients in unregulated supplements.
Bitcoin returns and transaction activity

Abstract This paper examines the empirical linkages between Bitcoin returns and transaction activity. Extant literature shows Bitcoin prices may be detached from economic fundamentals. The question that remains however is whether its price movements are linked with its transaction activity - a critical element of its growing market microstructure. Using number of Bitcoin transactions and unique addresses, respectively, to proxy for transaction activity, it is shown that a one standard deviation shock to transaction activity leads to just over a 0.30% gain in returns on the third day following the shock. By the sixth day, there is a reversal in price behavior and any such gains are expunged. When comparing the bidirectional linkages between returns and transaction activity, it is shown here that the contribution of return shocks to transaction activity is quantitatively larger in magnitude.
One Person Family Therapy

This chapter introduces practitioners to the strategies and techniques of One Person Family Therapy (OPFT). It is aimed at family therapists and counselors who want to make immediate, practical use of structural and strategic family therapy techniques but who either prefer or need to work with only one person rather than a whole family in most therapy sessions. Anyone wishing to become truly expert in OPFT should become thoroughly familiar with the theory behind it. A more complete account is available in Szapocznik, Perez-Vidal, Hervis, Foote, and Spencer (1983); Szapocznik and Kurtines (1989); and Szapocznik, Kurtines, Hervis, and Spencer (1984). Briefer accounts are in Szapocznik, Kur-tines, Foote, Perez-Vidal, and Hervis (1983, 1986) and Foote, Szapocznik, Kur-tines, Hervis, and Perez-Vidal (1985). The structural family precursors of the work are described in Minuchin (1974, 1976) and Minuchin and Fishman (1981). Precursors of the strategic components of OPFT are described in Haley (1976) and Madanes (1981).
Octopamine and Other Monoamines in Invertebrates

Biogenic monoamines are involved in virtually all functions in invertebrates. Octopamine and tyramine play major neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, and neurohormonal roles and are considered to be invertebrate counterparts of the vertebrate adrenergic transmitters. Furthermore, as in vertebrates, monoamines dopamine, serotonin, and histamine are involved in many vital functions of invertebrates. This article discusses advances in the understanding of biochemical pathways involved in synthesis and metabolism of monoamines, regulation of presynaptic mechanisms, specific receptors activated by these transmitters, and physiological functional roles of monoaminergic transmission in invertebrates.
Shared Experience and Third-Party Redistribution

Using a three-player dictator-game experiment, we find that similar performance during a shared experience with a real-effort task causes a redistributor to privilege the stakeholder who performed similarly. We generate the shared experience by varying whether a third-party decision maker and a stakeholder acquire money through an effortful activity or through random selection of a ticket. Our results have implications for how perceptions of one’s own self-determination and social connectedness based on perceived similarities affect redistributive preferences.
20 Treating breast cancer with VMAT in deep inspiration breath hold: The Geneva experience

Introduction We report on the treatment management and the dosimetric results of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments for breast cancer patients. Methods A total of sixty-four patients with breast cancer beneficiated from DIBH VMAT treatments since the implementation of this technique in our department in October 2016. The simulation CT (CTsim) room is equipped with the Real-time Position Management™ (RPM 1.7) Respiratory Gating (Varian) and the treatments are delivered on either a TrueBeam with Respiratory Gating or a Varian Linac with RPM. DIBH coaching is performed by the RTTs the day of CTsim. CTsim is acquired when the patient is able to maintain a reproducible and stable DIBH for at least 20 s. The “reference” breathing curve acquired at CTsim is saved, and personalized gating thresholds are defined for treatment delivery. The treatment is delivered using a 6 MV beam with 2 partial arcs (200°) and 2 “tangential-like” arcs (50°). For dosimetric analysis, patients were divided into 9 groups depending on the anatomical regions (breast and lymph nodes) included in the planning target volume (PTV), the breast laterality (50 left, 10 right and 4 double-sided irradiations) and the presence of a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB). The total dose was renormalized at the same value (50 Gy) for each group (4 different dose prescriptions and fractionations are used in Geneva). Results Patient setup is controlled with DIBH kV/kV and CBCT images. The RTTs need to continuously coach the patient as he cannot visualize its DIBH level during the session. Using DIBH technique requires additional time compared to a free breathing treatment (35 vs. 20 min per fraction). As for dosimetry, in all groups, more than 95% of the PTV received at least 95% of the prescribed dose. The dose received by 2% of the PTV did not exceed 107.3% for groups without SIB, and 111.4% for groups with SIB. Mean dose ( D mean ) to the heart was 5 Gy for groups without internal mammary chain (IMC) irradiation, 6 Gy with IMC, and reached 8 Gy for double-sided breast and whole left breast with SIB irradiations. D mean of the contralateral breast did not exceed 2.8 Gy for groups without IMC, and 3.8 Gy for groups with IMC. As for the contralateral lung: D mean was 3 Gy and 5 Gy, V 5 Gy was 20% and 40%, for groups without and with IMC respectively. For the homolateral lung, D mean was below 9.5 Gy for breast alone groups (+/-SIB) and 13.9 Gy for IMC + SIB groups, V 5 Gy was below 50% for breast alone groups, below 56.1 % for SIB groups, and below 78.7% for IMC + SIB groups. Conclusions Radiotherapy treatment of breast cancer using DIBH and a VMAT technique is more and more used in our center because of the excellent achievable OAR dose sparing and the good reproducibility of patient positioning. The additional time resource needed for this treatment modality is compensated by the gain in treatment quality.
The addition of intrathecal morphine to a transversus abdominis plane block with liposome bupivacaine provides more effective analgesia than transversus abdominis plane block with liposome bupivacaine alone: a retrospective study

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine if the standardization of using liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane (LB TAP) blocks eliminated the benefit of intrathecal morphine (ITM) in patients after undergoing a cesarean section. Methods This was a retrospective review of 358 patients who underwent cesarean section over an 11-month period. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received only an LB TAP (67 patients) vs those who received an LB TAP and ITM (291 patients). All blocks were placed bilaterally under ultrasound guidance after closure of the surgical incision, and morphine was added to the spinal used for the case. Results The group that received ITM in addition to the LB TAP received less opioids in the first 24 hours (median 5 range 0-150 mg morphine equivalents [ME] vs 15 range 0-76 mg ME; P<0.001) and less opioids overall (35 mg range 0-450 mg ME vs 47.5 mg range 0-189 mg ME; P=0.041) when compared to the LB TAP block only group. There was no difference between the two groups in opioid use from 24 to 48 hours or 48 to 72 hours. Conclusion Patients who received ITM in addition to an LB TAP block received less opioids in the first 24 hours and overall when compared to those who received an LB TAP alone. This suggests that ITM still plays a role in providing analgesia to patients who have also received an LB TAP block as a part of their multimodal pain regimen for cesarean sections.
A phase I trial of palbociclib plus bortezomib in previously treated mantle cell lymphoma

AbstractIn mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), cyclin D1 combines with CDK4/6 to phosphorylate Rb, releasing a break on the G1 to S phase cell cycle. Palbociclib is a specific, potent, oral inhibitor of CD...
Privacy-Preserving IoT Devices

With the recent exponential increase in network-based devices, it is expected that billions of devices will be connected to the Internet. In enabling this growth, effectively securing Internet of Things (IoT) devices while maintaining performance levels presents major challenges. As IoT attackers always rely on previously collected data to initiate their attacks, they must continuously expose communication links to capture transmitted data and to collect sensitive information. In this paper, we propose an IoT privacy model that will protect a device’s identity during data transmission by applying a Moving Target Defense (MTD). It aims to increase the complexity and uncertainty of potential attacks. According to the results of our experiment, the proposed model helps to ensure that if any data leakage occurs during transmission, the sensitive data collected by attackers will not be valid for the initiation of new connections.
A Hydrogel Based 3D Culture System for Hematopoietic Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

The generation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) holds a great potential in development of cell therapies, modeling hematological malignancies, and testing new drugs. Hematopoiesis is regulated by bone marrow (BM) microenvironmental factors such as BM architecture, and cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The current methods for iPSC differentiation into HSPCs rely on cell-cell interaction (embryoid body formation and feeder cell co-cultures) or cell-matrix interaction (ECM coated dishes). Generation of a 3-dimensional (3D) culture environment attempts to capture both cell-cell and cell matrix interactions in studying the differentiation of the iPSCs. This study reports development of a 3D culture system for hematopoietic differentiation of iPSCs. iPSC colonies were encapsulated in 3D Matrigel or polyethylene glycol (PEG) based hydrogels containing synthetic integrin binding peptide (GRGDSPC) and enzymatically degradable peptide (GGPQGIWGQGKG) and cultured in feeder-free cell culture and maintenance medium (mTeSR1™, Stem Cell Technology). There were notable morphological differences between the 3D encapsulated and 2D cultured iPSC colonies (Fig 1A). The 3D encapsulated colonies were more compact with a spheroid morphology in PEG compared to Matrigel, whereas colonies in 2D were more diffused. Viability of the encapsulated colonies was evaluated in situ using cytotoxicity kit. The 3D encapsulation did not have an adverse effect on the viability and growth of iPSCs (Fig 1B). The encapsulated iPSCs maintained the pluripotent phenotype in 3D as assessed by TRA-1-60 staining (Fig 1C). To test the efficiency of these 3D model systems to generate HSPCs, the encapsulated iPSCs were subjected to hematopoietic differentiation using STEMdiff™ Hematopoietic Kit (Fig 1D). Following differentiation, the single cells were collected and immunophenotype analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Above 50% population stained positive for HSPC surface marker CD34 both in PEG hydrogel and Matrigel (Fig 1E). To test the robustness of the 3D system in inducing hematopoietic differentiation, we encapsulated the isogenic trisomic 21 (Tri21) iPSCs and subjected to hematopoietic differentiation and flow cytometry analysis as described above. As reported previously in 2D system (Banno et al., 2016, Cell Reports), Tri21 iPSCs showed higher percentage of hematopoietic commitment into erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages compared to disomic 21 (Di21), as characterized by the presence of respective surface markers (Fig 1F). In conclusion, 3D culture system was suitable for inducing hematopoietic differentiation of iPSCs in isogenic disomic and trisomic lines. The 3D model can be used to generate patient-specific HSPCs. Download : Download high-res image (92KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
India’s Public Diplomacy in the Twenty-First Century: Components, Objectives and Challenges:

In recent years, several countries have made sustained efforts to project their ‘soft power’ abroad. Public diplomacy has been an important tool for this purpose. Public diplomacy involves activiti...
10.03 – Mechanisms of Enzyme Catalysis and Inhibition☆

Most of the events in the biotransformation of toxic (and other) chemicals involve enzymatic processes. The basic principles by which enzymes achieve catalysis have been studied extensively in the last century, including the enzymes discussed here. The principles are important in understanding how the enzymes work and what they are capable of doing. Inhibition of enzymes is important in theory and practice, due to phenomena involving drug–drug interactions and also complex chemical mixtures encountered in numerous settings. Inhibition can be reversible or irreversible, and in the latter category, mechanism-based inhibition has particular consequences. Inhibitors can also be used diagnostically in basic and practical in vitro studies with many of the enzymes under investigation. Finally, some enzymes show direct stimulation by certain chemicals, and this phenomenon may be relevant in vivo.
Radiation Necrosis Following the Radiosurgical Treatment of Brain Metastases

Stereotactic radiosurgery is becoming increasingly utilized in the management of metastatic intracranial tumors. As treatment advances for systemic cancers extends life expectancy and, as a result, increases the prevalence of these lesions, radiosurgery has become an invaluable and effective treatment modality. However, with a greater reliance on radiation-based methods of treatment, the incidence of radiation-induced side effects, specifically radiation necrosis, is also increasing. As a disease entity in its own right, one of the most challenging aspects of radiation necrosis lies in its diagnosis. Many characteristics of radiation necrosis are similar to tumor progression, including its symptomatology and appearance on the most commonly used imaging modalities. Current research is working to uncover the underlying pathophysiology of radiation necrosis. Recent studies are suggesting significant immune system involvement in the development and progression of radiation-induced changes in the brain tissue surrounding these treated lesions. Therefore, as a likely immunologically driven phenomenon, the concurrent use of immunotherapies with radiosurgery to treat metastatic brain lesion needs to be further evaluated and understood in the setting of radiation necrosis. A better understanding of its underlying biology and pathophysiology is needed to treat, and preferably prevent, radiation necrosis and maximize the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of metastatic brain lesions.
A novel prediction model to identify patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer.

e16801Background: Pancreatic cancer has an insidious presentation with four-in-five patients presenting with disease not amenable to potentially curative surgery. Efforts to screen patients for pan...
Isolation and characterization of antibody fragments selective for human FTD brain derived TDP-43 variants

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second leading cause of early onset dementia following Alzheimer’s disease. It involves atrophy of the frontal and temporal regions of the brain affecting language, memory, and behavior. Transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology is found in most FTD and ALS cases. It plays a role in transcription, translation and serves as a shuttle between the nucleus and cytoplasm. Prior to its aggregation, TDP-43 exists as polyubiquitinated, hyperphosphorylated C-terminal fragments that correlate well with FTD disease progression. Because of the importance of TDP-43 in these diseases, reagents that can selectively recognize specific toxic TDP variants associated with onset and progression of FTD can be effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools. We utilized a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) based biopanning protocol to isolate single chain variable fragments (scFvs) from a phage display library that selectively bind TDP variants present in human FTD but not cognitively normal age matched brain tissue. We then used the scFvs (FTD-TDP1 through 5) to probe post-mortem brain tissue and sera samples for the presence of FTD related TDP variants. The scFvs readily selected the FTD tissue and sera samples over age matched controls. The scFvs were used in immunohistochemical analysis of FTD and control brain slices where the reagents showed strong staining with TDP in FTD brain tissue slice. FTD-TDP1, FTD-TDP2, FTD-TDP4 and FTD-TDP5 all protected neuronal cells against FTD TDP induced toxicity suggesting potential therapeutic value. These results show existence of different disease specific TDP variants in FTD individuals. We have identified a panel of scFvs capable of recognizing these disease specific TDP variants in postmortem FTD tissue and sera samples over age matched controls and can thus serve as a biomarker tool.
Hot Carrier Cooling and Recombination Dynamics of Chlorine Doped Hybrid Perovskite Single Crystals

Methyl ammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr 3 ) crystals, possible replacements for silicon in many photonic applications, were probed with transient reflectivity spectroscopy, revealing faster carrier cooling dynamics and slower recombination dynamics with increased chlorine doping.
Tracking COVID-19 with wastewater.

Wastewater testing captures the rise and fall of novel coronavirus cases in a mid-sized metropolitan region.
Chemically Orthogonal Protein Ligation Domains for Independent Control of Hydrogel Modification with Adhesive Ligands and Growth Factors

The twin, chemically orthogonal protein ligation domains, SpyCatcher and SnoopCatcher, were used to link two engineered proteins into poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels in order to control both endothelial cell adhesion and material-mediated pro-mitotic stimulation. SpyCatcher was appended with an N-terminal adhesion ligand RGDS to form RGDS-SC, and SnoopCatcher was appended with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mimetic peptide QK to form QK-SnpC. QK-SnpC formed a spontaneous covalent bond with SnoopTag peptide with 40% reaction efficiency, both in solution, in a PEG gel containing SnoopTag peptide, and in a PEG gel with both SnoopTag and SpyTag sites. QK-SnpC added to cell culture media enhanced endothelial cell proliferation compared to a negative control, and was statistically indistinguishable from the positive control of 130 pM VEGF165. Endothelial cells seeded onto PEG gels presenting both RGDS-SC and QK-SnpC showed ∼50% of cells actively proliferating (defined as Ki67+), compared to ∼31% of cells seeded on gels presenting RGDS-SC alone. These results show that complementary nondiffusing biochemical signals can be linked into PEG-DA hydrogels simultaneously using 'Catcher-based ligation strategies, thereby inducing more nuanced cell-material interactions.
Data science skills and domain knowledge requirements in the manufacturing industry: A gap analysis

Abstract Manufacturing has adopted technologies such as automation, robotics, industrial Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics to improve productivity, efficiency, and capabilities in the production environment. Modern manufacturing workers not only need to be adept at the traditional manufacturing technologies but also ought to be trained in the advanced data-rich computer-automated technologies. This study analyzes the data science and analytics (DSA) skills gap in today's manufacturing workforce to identify the critical technical skills and domain knowledge required for data science and intelligent manufacturing-related jobs that are highly in-demand in today's manufacturing industry. The gap analysis conducted in this paper on Emsi job posting and profile data provides insights into the trends in manufacturing jobs that leverage data science, automation, cyber, and sensor technologies. These insights will be helpful for educators and industry to train the next generation manufacturing workforce. The main contribution of this paper includes (1) presenting the overall trend in manufacturing job postings in the U.S., (2) summarizing the critical skills and domain knowledge in demand in the manufacturing sector, (3) summarizing skills and domain knowledge reported by manufacturing job seekers, (4) identifying the gaps between demand and supply of skills and domain knowledge, and (5) recognize opportunities for training and upskilling workforce to address the widening skills and knowledge gap.
Independent learning of the sonographic FAST exam technique using a tablet-based training module

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine if a specific tablet-based training module can be used as an effective tool for independently training novice sonographers in the components of the focused assessment for sonography in trauma (FAST) exam. Design: Participants attended a 15-minute orientation presentation followed by a 2-hour ultrasound scanning workshop where they used a novel tablet-based training module to learn the components of the FAST exam independently. Setting: This study took place at an accredited United States college of osteopathic medicine. Participants: Thirty-two first-year medical student volunteers without any prior ultrasound training in abdominal scanning. Interventions: Training activities included brief didactic training and participation in an independent learning FAST exam workshop. Main outcome measures: Participants filled out subjective pre- and post-training self-confidence questionnaires and were objectively assessed and scored on their scanning skills. Results: Comparison of the pre- and post-training subjective questionnaires showed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in participant confidence in performing all components of the FAST exam. During skill evaluation, participants collectively demonstrated correct technique in 366 (82 percent) of the 448 total FAST exam scanning tasks they attempted. Conclusions: Based on these findings, the authors believe that learning to perform the FAST exam with this digital training module is an effective means of independently acquiring ultrasound skill. Digital ultrasound training modules like this one could have several useful applications, such as serving as an educational resource, or functioning as a point-of- care scanning adjunct to medical professionals in underdeveloped and rural areas where formal ultrasound training is not available.
On Ordered Uniform Spacings for Testing Goodness of Fit

Tests for the goodness of fit problem, based on sample spacings i.e., observed distances between successive order statistics, have been used in the literature. This paper reviews some recent work on tests which make use of ordered spacings, like the largest spacing, sum of the k largest spacings and a test based on counting the number of “small” spacings where “small” is defined so as to optimize the large sample efficiency of the test.
Structural and energetic consequences of noncomplementary base oppositions in nucleic acid helices.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes that secondary structure in nucleic acids generally consists of double-stranded helical regions that are stabilized by a variety of interbase forces. Bases in the opposing strands are regularly oriented with respect to the long axis of the helix by at least two hydrogen bonds, and only certain oppositions seem to be allowed, usually a purine and a pyrimidine. In the chapter, the variety of codon-anticodon interactions observed in protein synthesis suggests that there can be some flexibility in these requirements, such that pairing need not be restricted to base oppositions that are precisely accommodated by the one-dimensional lattice of a long double helix. The conformational possibilities of base oppositions that fall outside these complementary categories also merit definition, particularly in view of several recent indications that noncomplementary residues may have important functional roles in naturally occurring nucleic acids. The conformational alternatives available to noncomplementary residues within helical regions logically fall into two general categories, one being intrahelical and the other extrahelical or “looped-out’’. The conformational class that is adopted in a particular case depends upon the interplay of some factors, such as: (1) the degree of local stereochemical distortion of the helix when the non-complementary residue is left intrahelical, (2) conformatianal entropy, (3) solvation, (4) charge effects, and (5) the relative stacking tendency of the noncomplementary base
Trehalose phosphate synthesis from uridine diphosphate glucose or guanosine diphosphate glucose. Activation of uridine diphosphate-glucose: trehalose phosphate synthetase by polynucleotides.

Abstract Cell-free extracts of a number of mycobacteria catalyzed the synthesis of trehalose phosphate from either uridine diphosphate-d-glucose or guanosine diphosphate-d-glucose and glucose 6-phosphate. A cell-free extract of Mycobacterium smegmatis was separated into two fractions by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. Fraction 1 catalyzed trehalose synthesis from GDP-glucose but was relatively inactive with UDP-glucose. However, when Fraction 2 was added to Fraction 1, UDP-glucose was able to serve as an effective glucosyl donor for trehalose synthesis. Under these conditions, GDP-glucose was still active, but less so than with Fraction 1 alone. Fraction 2 had no detectable enzymatic activity and had the following properties. (a) It was heat-stable and gave a typical RNA ultraviolet absorption spectrum, (b) it was orcinol-positive and diphenylamine-negative, and was inactivated by incubation with RNase, (c) it was retained on a 50,000 molecular weight filter but passed through a 100,000 filter. Fraction 2 could be replaced by crude α-lactalbumin but not by purified lactalbumin, lysozyme, serum albumin, or a number of other proteins. The active component of crude lactalbumin, isolated by phenol extraction, was found to be susceptible to RNase. Although Fraction 2 was quite active in causing UDP-glucose utilization, it could be replaced to a greater or lesser extent by polyuridylic acid, the RNA fraction of α-lactalbumin, or the RNA fraction of M. smegmatis. The activity of each of these was destroyed by treatment with RNase. Purified yeast RNA, yeast transfer RNA, polyadenylic acid, UTP and UMP were all inactive or only slightly active when tested at various concentrations. UDP was somewhat active at high concentrations, apparently because of polynucleotide phosphorylase. The dephosphorylated products formed from either UDP-glucose-14C and Fractions 1 and 2, or GDP-glucose-14C and Fraction 1 were identified as α,α-trehalose since they were stable to alkali, had the same chromatographic mobility as trehalose in several solvents, were hydrolyzed to glucose by a specific trehalase, and their octaacetate derivatives cocrystallized to constant specific activity with authentic α,α-trehalose octaacetate.
Diversifying physician risk through contract.

A physician's ability to earn a living depends significantly on her investments in capital. But unlike a manufacturer, whose primary investments are in physical assets, the physician principally invests in human capitalskills, reputation, and the like-which cannot be transferred easily to alternative uses. The non-redeployability of her assets makes her particularly vulnerable to unforeseen circumstances. As unanticipated events occur she cannot, for instance, protect herself by simply entering the spot market, selling the investment, taking her profits or losses, and putting the money elsewhere. Protecting her human capital investment from unforeseen risks will require a more complex institutional mechanism than simple spot markets. This article explores a multi-party contractual solution to the physician's risk problem. This article argues that, handled correctly, the contracting implicit in the large, multi-specialty group practice provides an important opportunity for physicians to diversify and protect their portfolio of human assets.
Influence of spinal cord injury on the morphology of bladder afferent and efferent neurons.

Abstract Severe micturition dysfunction can occur following spinal cord injury (SCI) due to abnormal contractions of the urethral sphincter during bladder contractions (bladder/sphincter dyssynergia). This causes urinary retention, bladder overdistension, and increases the workload of the bladder leading to hypertrophy of the bladder muscle. Bladder hypertrophy induced by urethral outlet ligation in rats is accompanied by enlargement of both the afferent and efferent neurons innervating the bladder. The primary aim of this study was to test whether SCI-induced bladder hypertrophy produces a similar enlargement of bladder afferent neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) or efferent neurons in the major pelvic ganglia (MPG). Following SCI in female Wistar rats, there was a four-fold increase in bladder weight. The mean cross-sectional area of bladder DRG cell profiles increased approx. 50% after SCI; however, the mean area of MPG cell profiles did not change significantly. Urinary diversion (disconnecting the ureters from the bladder) prevented both the bladder hypertrophy and the DRG cell hypertrophy after SCI, suggesting that bladder hypertrophy drives DRG cell enlargement. On the other hand, since the size of MPG cells did not change significantly after SCI, bladder hypertrophy does not mandate MPG cell enlargement. However, preliminary results indicate that the mean cross-sectional area of MPG cells did increase (2–3 times) in SCI rats when the neural input to the MPG was eliminated by transecting the pelvic and hypogastric nerves; this suggests that the lack of change in size of MPG cells after SCI may be due to an inhibitory influence from the spinal cord.
Plasmids in bacillus popilliae

Presentation du profil d'un plasmide de B-popilliae et d'un protocole de lyse cellulaire et de preparation des plasmides