cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
uAUG‐mediated translational initiations are responsible for human mu opioid receptor gene expression

Mu opioid receptor (MOR) is the main site of interaction for major clinical analgesics, particularly morphine. MOR expression is regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. However, the protein expression of the MOR gene is relatively low and the translational control of MOR gene has not been well studied. The 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of the human MOR (OPRM1) mRNA contains four upstream AUG codons (uAUG) preceding the main translation initiation site. We mutated the four uAUGs individually and in combination. Mutations of the third uAUG, containing the same open reading frame, had the strongest inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect caused by the third in-frame uAUG was confirmed by in vitro translation and receptor-binding assays. Toeprinting results showed that OPRM1 ribosomes initiated efficiently at the first uAUG, and subsequently re-initiated at the in-frame #3 uAUG and the physiological AUG site. This re-initiation resulted in negative expression of OPRM1 under normal conditions. These results indicate that re-initiation in MOR gene expression could play an important role in OPRM1 regulation.
Educational Context: Preparing Accounting Students To Identify Ethical Dilemmas

We examine the effect of different contexts in an educational process on measures of ethical sensitivity and levels of moral reasoning of accounting majors in the first Intermediate Accounting course. The educational process compared a context that centers on ethical issues with one that focuses on technical accounting issues. At the end of the semester, we measured students’ ethical sensitivity and levels of moral reasoning in an environment that does not provide obvious ethical implications. Results from a sample of 193 undergraduate students indicate that those exposed to the ethical context demonstrated higher levels of ethical sensitivity and moral reasoning than students exposed to the technical accounting context. In contrast to prior studies in which participants were asked to respond to an obvious ethical issue, our research instrument contains only subtle clues about a developing ethical dilemma.
Multivector Solution to Harmonic Systems

The real Clifford Algebra R3.1 or R(4) in the (-+++) metric allows the formulation of a new pedagogical solution to the classical harmonic oscillator. The formulation provides examples of physical quantities which can be usefully described by multivector aggregates, i.e. sums of unlike geometries. The equation of motion of the harmonic oscillator is “geometrized” by being factored into a first order multivector differential equation. This is analogous to factoring the (relativistic) Klein-Gordon equation into the linear Dirac equation by the use of Dirac matrices. The solution is a special “geometric phasor”, which is analogous to the complex phasor of standard theory, however the timelike vector eO, replaces the usual imaginary “1”. The geometric phasor is reinterpreted as a vector in a particular two- dimensional subalgebra which has the properties of a geometric phase space. Clifford Algebraic velocity (timelike bivector) and position are found to be naturally perpendicular in the phase space.
Evaluation of an inexpensive sensor to measure soil color

Field and rapid laboratory determination of soil color can be subjective due to environmental conditions and human error.The Nix Pro Color Sensor was compared to Munsell soil color chart.The Nix Pro Color Sensor can be a successful tool to measure soil color. Soil color determination can be subjective due to environmental conditions and human error. The objectives of this study were to examine the precision of a relatively inexpensive color sensor (NixTM Pro); to compare soil color measurements using this color sensor to human determination by soil science professionals using the standard Munsell Color Chart; and to compare the accuracy of this color sensor to a laboratory standard colorimeter (Konica Minolta CR-400). Sensor measurements were compared to the soil color chart by converting the Nix Pro values to Munsell soil color codes using BabelColor conversion software. Thirty-one Cecil (Fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) soil samples were collected and tested for color. Munsell color codes were converted into cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) color values, and the Nix sensor's scan results were tested against predetermined Munsell color values and colorimeter CMYK color values using correlation analysis for all treatments. Nix Pro Color Sensor was precise in soil color determination and it was more accurate than the Munsell Color Chart and comparable to the Konica Minolta CR-400 for both dry and moist soil. The Munsell Color Chart was accurate compared to the Konica Minolta CR-400 in dry soil, but it was less accurate in moist soil. The Nix Pro Color Sensor can be a successful tool to measure soil color in the standard Munsell color codes and this study presents a step-by-step method for converting sensor measurements to the standard Munsell color codes.
Multicystic Renal Dysplasia Masquerading as Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

AbstractMulticystic dysplastic kidney usually is identified easily by ultrasound examination, and treatment decisions are based upon the diagnosis and clinical status of the patient. We report on 3 newborns in whom renal ultrasound findings were strikingly similar to severe neonatal ureteropelvic junction obstruction but operation revealed multicystic dysplastic kidney.
Draft Genome Sequence of “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni” Strain CX, a Plant-Pathogenic Bacterium

ABSTRACT “Candidatus Phytoplasma pruni” strain CX, belonging to subgroup 16SrIII-A, is a plant-pathogenic bacterium causing economically important diseases in many fruit crops. Here, we report the draft genome sequence, which consists of 598,508 bases, with a G+C content of 27.21 mol%.
A Turing Game for commonsense knowledge extraction

Collecting commonsense from text with the aid of a game can reduce the cost and effort of creating large knowledge bases. In this paper, we design, implement, and evaluate an online game that classifies, with input from players, text extracted from the Web as commonsense knowledge, domain-specific knowledge or nonsense. We also create a knowledge base that includes commonsense facts in natural language and information on how common a given fact is. The game is currently available for play on the Web and on Facebook, and under constant improvement. The creation of a continuous scale to classify commonsense helped during evaluation of the data by clearly identifying which knowledge is reliable and which needs further qualification. When comparing our results to other similar knowledge acquisition systems, our Turing Game performs better with respect to coverage,redundancy, and reliability of the commonsense acquired.
Interactive Effects of Reactivity and Melt Flow in Laser Machining

A numerical model is developed to study the oxidation effects in oxygen-assisted laser cutting of mild steel. Coupled oxygen concentration and energy balance equations are solved by a control-volume based computational scheme while the velocity field is obtained by analytical boundary theory. Theoretical explanation on striation formation is given based on an instability analysis of the molten front. The striation frequency and depth are predicted. The steady-state simulation results include the temperature and oxygen concentration profiles at the cut front, the effects of impurity gas on the cutting speed, reaction energy, conduction loss, and heat affected zone. The dynamic simulation shows the oscillation of the molten temperature that is related to striations. The striation frequency and depth are experimentally validated.
Condition Based Maintenance, Life Cycle Management, and Autolog

Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) was instituted by the United States Navy in a policy outlined in OPNAV INSTRUCTION 4790.16 dated 6 May 1998. The goal is to move from time-directed preventive maintenance to condition-directed maintenance. It is hoped this will optimize readiness while reducing maintenance and manning requirements. The concept is that use of sensors, algorithms, and automated reasoning and decision making models to monitor equipment operations will provide critical analyses to operators that will help prevent impending failure. Red flags to operators allows maximization of maintenance effort that will focus limited resources to areas most needed to ensure safety and mission readiness while simultaneously minimizing operating costs (O & S), labor, and risk of mission degrading failures (Hedderich [3]). For the U.S. Navy, there is a large chasm to bridge between vision and reality. CBM technology is being slowly tested and integrated. But testing, modifying and back fitting all the Navy’s critical systems with CBM technology will be long term and costly and will be constantly faced with the dilemma of having just integrated one technology as it is being replaced by newer ones. In the mean time, more focus could be paid to possible interim phases that could be more quickly and cheaply integrated and still move the Navy forward in utilizing CBM technology. Autolog is such an effort and is offered here as an application and process to gather more real time data needed for CBM from one source that can be quickly and easily provided to distant engineering support activities for Gas Turbines systems while also easing record keeping and data transmittal requirements for the fleet.© 2003 ASME
Effect of Photoperiod and Castration on Prolactin, Testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone Concentrations in Male Calves

After 8 wk exposure to 8 h of light per day, prolactin (PRL) averaged 18.3 ng/ml of serum in eight male calves. Four calves then received 16 h of light per day; 6 wk later (age 14 wk) PRL averaged 93.8 ng/ml of serum, whereas PRL averaged 36.9 ng/ml of serum in four calves maintained under 8 h of daily light. By wk 20, PRL was not different in calves exposed to 16 or 8 h of daily light, averaging 34.7 and 17.2 ng/ml serum. Testosterone averaged .43 ng/ml of serum at wk 8 but was greater at wk 14 in calves receiving 16 h of light daily when compared with controls receiving 8 h of light (1.92 vs. .97 ng/ml of serum). Testosterone concentrations were not different between photoperiod treatments at wk 20. Luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were unaffected by photoperiod. In a second experiment, four male calves were castrated at approximately 2 wk of age while four similar controls were left gonadally intact. After 8 wk exposure to 8 h of light per day, PRL averaged 12.3 ng/ml of serum in all calves. After 6 wk exposure to 16 h of light per day, PRL in serum increased in castrates to 48.0 ng/ml and in controls to 59.8 ng/ml. We conclude that serum concentrations of PRL and testosterone, but not LH, increased in bull calves receiving 16 h of light daily relative to calves receiving 8 h of light, and that the PRL response to photoperiod is independent of the testes. However, 16 h light-induced stimulation of serum concentrations of prolactin is not maintained indefinitely.
Update of the Oxford Overview: New Insight and Perspectives in the Era of Personalized Medicine

Overview:There is great appreciation for the heterogeneity of breast cancers, particularly of hormone-receptor positive breast cancers. A goal of modern oncology managing such heterogeneity is to d...
Aging of the hematopoietic stem cell niches

Adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) reside in the bone marrow (BM) and provide the basis to fulfill the hematopoietic needs of an organism. Their properties of self-renewal and multilineage differentiation are controlled by direct interaction with a specific microenvironment – the so-called stem cell ‘niche’. Conceptual advances in our understanding of the composition of the HSC compartment suggest that changes in the BM HSC microenvironment may reflect the aging process. The balance and extent of the effect of intrinsic versus extrinsic (environment) changes during aging on HSC are still under investigation. Growing evidence suggests that the BM HSC niche is very important in the regulation of cellular aging of HSCs. A young HSC niche would act as a protective environment, preventing HSC DNA damage, as well as replicative senescence through protection from radicals and toxic compounds, and prevention/amelioration of aging-associated signaling pathways resulting in epigenetic/genetic modifications, hematopoietic impairments, and cancer predisposition. To what extent the aging of the niche contributes to the “HSC aging” phenotype remains unknown. The analysis of the effect of aging on the activity of these specialized cell “niches” and their molecular products is the focus of this chapter.
Dietary Requirement for Preformed Purine and Pyrimidine Bases for Intact Function of Cellular Immune Response: A Review

The nucleotides are involved with many biological pathways. They are precursors to both ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis and are essential components for cellular energetics and metabolism.
Rapid Distinction of Leucine and Isoleucine in Monoclonal Antibodies Using Nanoflow LCMSn.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are large heterogeneous molecules that represent a growing class of therapeutics. De novo sequencing of mAbs becomes necessary when the original cell line or the cDNA is unavailable. An important feature in sequencing of mAbs is the discrimination of isobaric residues (Xle): leucine (Leu) and isoleucine (Ile). An incorrect identification of the Xle site, especially in the complementarity determining regions (CDRs), can result in the production of an antibody with severely compromised efficacy. Multistage fragmentation (MSn) in the mass spectrometer can provide sufficient evidence for Ile/Leu discrimination. However, most existing methods utilize direct infusion of purified peptides, demanding peptide enrichment which can be labor-intensive and requires large amount of material. Here we introduce an online nano-LCMSn method, which depending on the nature of the peptide, exploits either generation of a signature 69 Da ion from Ile or formation of unique w-ions employing MS3 (ETD...
Metastatic melanoma in a 95 years old patient responding to treatment with talimogene laherparepvec followed by nivolumab

Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC) is an oncolytic virus derived from an attenuated recombinant type-1 herpes virus, genetically engineered to replicate preferentially within tumor cells. When inject...
Sustainable Development Cases in Africa

Abstract Throughout the world, countries and communities are making commitments to sustainability, environmental preservation, and combating climate change. However, those countries with still emerging economies must work to balance these goals with providing for the basic needs of their citizens. The following case studies examine how the African emerging countries of Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya are tackling this balancing act and working for sustainability in profit, people, and the planet.
Laser pre-exposure to mitigate damage on microparticle-contaminated fused silica surface in high power laser systems

Current fused silica surface processing, aimed at reducing known absorbing precursor concentration, has brought laboratory-tested ultraviolet laser-induced damage rates to nearly nil at fluences up to 10 J/cm2 . Yet this damage rate reduction has not been fully realized in large facility operation. A recently discovered source of damage in the facility is from particles ejected from damage of a neighboring optic under laser exposure and deposited onto the substrate surface. This state was observed to provide a means to couple energy from a subsequent laser pulse into the contaminated substrate and cause damage characterized by fracture. In this work, we explore the rate at which particles are removed from the surface and the rate at which particles lead to damage as a function of laser fluence and particle characteristics. This analysis allows for a derivation of an optimal pre-exposure fluence of a contaminated optic which maximizes particle removal probability while minimizing surface damage probability. For fluences up to 9.5 J/cm2 (351 nm, 5 ns square pulse), both particle removal and damage probabilities generally increased with particle size and laser fluence, with damage threshold around 6.5 J/cm2 . Two possible mechanisms that facilitate particle-induced damage on the substrate surface from laser-generated and deposited ejecta will be discussed, namely i) enhanced thermal contact from molten or partially molten ejecta and ii) fracture generated upon impact of solid ejecta with high kinetic energy.
Strategies for solid-phase radio-click chemistry

1442 Objectives Click chemistry has become synonymous with the triazole forming copper-catalyzed 1,3-Huisgen cycloaddition reaction between an azide and an alkyne. The remarkable simplicity, efficiency and selectivity of this reaction, in addition to its tolerance of air, water and many functional groups, has made it a powerful synthetic strategy in modern radiochemistry. When combined with the benefits of solid-phase organic synthesis that include automation, ease of work up, and the ability to drive reactions to completion, the versatility of click chemistry has surpassed even the original solution-phase reactions. Herein we will report strategies for conducting radio-click chemistry with fluorine-18 on solid-phase. Methods Alkyne (or azide) precursors are immobilized on solid-supports using mild efficient chemistry including, but not limited to, the Mitsunobu reaction. "Clicking" the immobilized precursors with the corresponding [18F]fluoroethyl azide (or [18F]1-fluoro-4-pentyne) in the presence of copper sulfate and an appropriate ligand will provide the immobilized radiolabeled species. Purification can then be achieved by simple filtration and washing of the polymer support. Final cleavage will release the fluorine-18 labeled species for QC analysis and reformulation. Results Proof-of-concept has been demonstrated through preparation of a small library of alkyne and azide precursors immobilized on Wang resin in good yields. Click chemistry conditions have been explored and refined for preparing both the non-radioactive reference standards, and their fluorine-18 labeled counterparts. Experimental approaches and QC data will be presented for the library. Conclusions We have developed methodology for radiolabeling molecules, immobilized on solid-supports, via radio-click chemistry. This radiochemistry is straightforward and suitable for automation and adaptation to cassette based synthesis modules. Research Support We gratefully acknowledge funding for this research from the U.S. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-08ER64645), and thank the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at the University of Michigan for financial support of AZ
Role of the human immunodeficiency virus type I envelope glycoprotein in cytopathic effect.

The pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by a depletion of CD4-positive lymphocytes (for review, see Fauci, 1988). HIV-1 infection of CD4-positive lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, monocyte/macrophages in tissue culture is accompanied by cytopathic effects (Popovic et al., 1984). The cytopathic effects follow a temporal course with the initial phase consisting of a period of formation of multinucleated giant cells or syncytia. This is followed by a phase of single cell lysis, which in turn is followed by a period of host cell resistance to cytopathic effect. In the latter phase, cells often continue to produce high titers of viruses that are cytopathic for fresh target cells, without undergoing obvious cytopathic effects.
Laboratory-based evaluation of optical performance for a new soil penetrometer visible and near-infrared (VisNIR) foreoptic

We designed a VisNIR penetrometer foreoptic for proximal soil sensing.We evaluated this design by comparison with a commercial foreoptic in laboratory.The two foreoptics spectra showed a high correlation.Both foreoptics SOC models yielded very similar validation predictions. In situ visible and near infrared (VisNIR) spectroscopy has been gaining interest as a proximal soil sensing technique to rapidly and inexpensively measure soil properties. For this study, our goal was to design a VisNIR soil penetrometer foreoptic that matched the optical performance of a commercial ASD (Analytical Spectral Devices Inc., Boulder, CO, USA) foreoptic and was compatible with any spectrometer having a fiber optic input (e.g. commonly used ASD field spectrometers). Space available for penetrometer optics was constrained by a several practical design requirements: (a) ability to collect in situ soil VisNIR reflectance and insertion force simultaneously; (b) thick probe walls strong enough for insertion into dry soil with high clay content; and (c) a narrow enough cross-sectional diameter for insertion using a standard soil coring hydraulic push system. In this paper, we evaluate the optical and chemometric performance of our design relative to a commercial ASD foreoptic under controlled conditions in a laboratory setting, in order to isolate the optical performance of the probe from complications associated with in situ use. Both the VisNIR penetrometer and ASD Contact Probe, attached to an ASD AgriSpec spectrometer in the lab, were used to interrogate 389 milled and pressed surface and subsoil samples taken from two US continent-scale transects. The reflectance spectra obtained from these two foreoptics were highly correlated (r0.95 for most wavelengths) and the 1st derivatives of the spectra were well correlated for all but the detector splice points (r0.9 for most wavelengths). Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to calibrate and validate VisNIR models predicting soil organic carbon content for both foreoptics. Using reflectance data, our VisNIR penetrometer yielded quantitative SOC predictions with standard error of prediction (SEP=0.19loggkg-1]) and ratio of prediction to determination (RPD=2.34) highly similar to the ASD contact probe (SEP=0.18 and RPD=2.45). Regression coefficients of PLS calibration models from both foreoptic were comparable and highly correlated (r=0.91). These results suggest that our penetrometer foreoptic provides VisNIR reflectance spectra comparable to a widely-used commercial foreoptic. In future work, we deploy this penetrometer in the field and evaluate the performance of this foreoptic where soil heterogeneity, smearing and moisture can impact the quality of VisNIR spectra.
Emerging photonic architectures in two-dimensional opto-electronics

The isolation of thermodynamically stable, free standing materials with single to few atom thicknesses has brought about a revolution in materials science, condensed matter physics and device engineering for opto-electronic applications. These two dimensional (2D) materials cover a broad range of electronic properties ranging from zero-band gap, semi-metallic graphene to wide band gap semiconductors in sulfides and selenides of Mo and W to metallic behavior in Ti, Nb and Ta sulfides and selenides. This permits their potential application in opto-electronic devices from terahertz frequencies up to the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum. However, their atomically thin nature poses fundamental challenges in driving efficient light–matter interactions. A range of strategies have been explored from the area of photonics and resonant optics that enhance the coupling and interaction of light with atomically thin layers to overcome this challenge. By comparing and contrasting critical advantages of integrating nanophotonic elements with 2D materials, this review highlights the challenges and advantages of such opto-electronic devices.
Provider Types and Outcomes in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Case Finding and Treatment.

This systematic review compares case-finding accuracy and comparative effectiveness of care for obstructive sleep apnea between sleep specialist physicians and nonsleep specialists.
Analysis of cross-species IgG binding to human and mouse Fcgamma receptors (FcγRs) (138.29)

Monoclonal antibodies from various species are in therapeutic and diagnostic use and are used extensively in cell depletion studies in rodents. Therefore, in the present investigation the cross-species IgG binding to FcγRs were performed using recombinant dimeric soluble form of human and mouse FcγRs. We observed that human CD16A was able to bind to rabbit IgG better than human CD32A H and CD32A R . The binding specificity is hCD16>hCD32A H >>hCD32 R . Both hCD32A alleles were able to bind mouse and rat IgG subtypes, whereas hCD16 binds weakly. hCD32A R binds mouse IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b but not IgG3 (IgG1>>IgG2a≥IgG2b) whereas CD32A H binds IgG2a and IgG2b (IgG2a≥IgG2b) only not IgG1 and IgG3. With rat IgG subtypes, hCD32A R binds IgG1>IgG2a>>IgG2b and hCD32A H binds IgG1>IgG2b>IgG2a whereas neither hCD32A alleles bound to IgG2c. We observed that hCD32A R allele binds stronger than hCD32A H to rat IgG. With human IgG subtypes, both hCD16A and hCD32A R binds IgG3>IgG1>>>IgG2≥IgG4, whereas hCD32A H binds IgG3>IgG1>IgG2>>>IgG4. We have also characterized binding specificity of mouse FcγRs (mCD16A, mCD32B and mFcRIV) to rabbit and mouse IgGs. All three mFcγRs binds to rabbit IgG. For mouse IgG subtypes, mCD16A binds IgG2b>IgG2a≥IgG1, mCD32B binds IgG1≥IgG2b>IgG2a, whereas FcRIV binds IgG2a≥IgG2b only, none of the mFcγR bound to mIgG3. In conclusion, cross-species FcγR binding to different IgGs must be taken into consideration when IgG based therapeutics and diagnostics are evaluated in rodents.
Risk Factors Associated With Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection.

Background: Recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a problem that can cost up to $20,000 each year in the United States. Studies have reported risk factors that may be associated with a higher incidence of recurrent CDI. We studied additional risk factors, including history of partial colectomy, chemotherapy use and hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all outpatients and inpatients at our institution to determine risk factors associated with recurrent CDI. Frequencies were compared using Fisher’s exact test and continuous data were compared using Wilcoxon ranks sums test. Recurrent CDI was determined for all patients and risk factors were analyzed using single and multiple logistic regression. A P 0.05). Conclusions: Advanced age and history of partial colectomy were associated with a significantly higher recurrence rate of CDI. Contrary to prior studies, chemotherapy use or hospitalization in the ICU were not found to be associated with a higher rate of recurrent CDI. J Clin Med Res. 2019;11(1):1-6 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jocmr3531w
Characterizing the Influence of Natural Variables During Environmental Impact Analysis

Biological field sampling can be expensive, time consuming, and the results highly variable. A major goal of ecological data collection should be to obtain maximum information from each series of biological samples. Majorfactors regulating sampled populations must be identified if impacts are to be discriminated from effects of natural environmental variations. There are often meteorological, hydrological, and water quality (physical-chemical) data available from nearby locations which can be used to describe the aquatic conditions between sample dates. This paper describes a methodology for using environmental data to better understand changes in biological populations by characterizing variations in natural factors. Environmental factors which influence sampled organisms are examined to determine naturally occurring spatial gradients throughout the study region and temporal changes during the period of study. These environmental data are used to examine observed differences in sampled populations relative to natural environmental fluctuations. The methodology is demonstrated with environmental data used in the interpretation of phytoplankton samples. Recommendations are made for improving ecological data collection programs to allow analyses of impacts relative to natural environmental variations.
Growth and Survival of Water Tupelo Coppice Regeneration After Six Growing Seasons

In the lower Atchafalaya Basin, water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) trees were cut in May and November at three stump heights to study coppice regeneration. Sprouting was extremely good after one growing season, and live sprouts grew well through the third andfourth seasons. However, some stumps began to deteriorate and sprouts die after the second growing season. After six years, only 9 percent of the stumps cut in May and 18 percent of those cut in November had live sprouts. Water tupelo is found in cypress-tupelo swamps from southern Virginia to northern Florida; in southeastern Texas; and in the Mississippi Valley northward to Illinois, western Kentucky, and Ten­ nessee. It normally grows in dense stands with or without cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) and other tupelos, and typically has a long, clean, strongly buttressed bole. Trees are either cut near the top of the butt swell or felled and bucked to leave the basal wood. The butt swell may be from as little as one foot above ground line to as much as 8 to 10 feet, depending on flooding depth in the swamp. Water tupelo wood is valued for a number of products because of its white color, lack of odor or taste, good staining qualities, and nail-holding charac­ teristics. The wood is exceptionally clear and used for veneer, box lumber, and furniture stock. The butt-swell portion has been shown to be suitable for pulpwood with the possibility of use in grease­ proof papers and corregating medium (Laundrie and McKnight 1969). Vast acreages of water tupelo are at or near merchantable size. When these stands are cut, we need to know if we can rely on the coppice method of regeneration to produce the next stand, and, if so, what effects stump height and season of cutting have on this regeneration. METHODS
Said the Spider to the Fly: The Triumph of the Minor in Octave Mirbeau’s In the Sky

In the Sky (1892–1893), by Mirbeau (1848–1917), is a tale of a docile and insecure writer’s friendship with a devilish painter who degenerates into an inhuman creature. Written by an avid defender of revolutionary painters such as Claude Monet, Auguste Rodin and Vincent van Gogh, on whom In the Sky is based, the novella reveals the interdependent relationship between writing and painting as well as the close proximity between genius and animality. Nettleton argues that in its comparison between avant-gardists and nonhuman creatures, the novella affirms the power of animals as minor, creative entities. Mirbeau’s philosophy of art as an organic process that evolves and transforms echoes Darwinian and Lamarckian beliefs. Mirbeau suggests that, like microorganisms that develop and evolve into more complex creatures, drops of paint on the canvas “evolve” into a painting (Mirbeau 1989, 92). He thus diminishes the importance of the author or the painter of a creative work.
Impact of the 2016 revision of US Pediatric Heart Allocation Policy on waitlist characteristics and outcomes.

US Pediatric Heart Allocation Policy was recently revised, deprioritizing candidates with cardiomyopathy while maintaining status 1A eligibility for congenital heart disease (CHD) candidates on "high-dose" inotropes. We compared waitlist characteristics and mortality around this change. Status 1A listings decreased (70% to 56%, P < .001) and CHD representation increased among status 1A listings (48% vs 64%, P < .001). Waitlist mortality overall (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 0.96, P = .63) and among status 1A candidates (SHR 1.16, P = .14) were unchanged. CHD waitlist mortality trended better (SHR 0.82, P = .06) but was unchanged for CHD candidates listed status 1A (SHR 0.92, P = .47). Status 1A listing exceptions increased 2- to 3-fold among hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy candidates and 13.5-fold among dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) candidates. Hypertrophic (SHR 6.25, P = .004) and restrictive (SHR 3.87, P = .03) cardiomyopathy candidates without status 1A exception had increased waitlist mortality, but those with DCM did not (SHR 1.26, P = .32). Ventricular assist device (VAD) use increased only among DCM candidates ≥1 years old (26% vs 38%, P < .001). Current allocation policy has increased CHD status 1A representation but has not improved their waitlist mortality. Excessive DCM status 1A listing exceptions and continued status 1A prioritization of children on stable VADs potentially diminish the intended benefits of policy revision.
The impact of age at orchiopexy on testicular cancer outcomes

To estimate how many boys with UDT must undergo orchiopexy to prevent one case of TC, one death from TC and one exposure to TC treatment beyond radical orchiectomy as compared to being treated at an older age. This retrospective study utilized data from a 2007 Swedish study of males who underwent orchiopexy for UDT (Pettersson et al.). TC incidence for boys undergoing orchiopexy for UDT was assessed based on the age at orchiopexy (0–6 years, 7–9 years, 10–12 years, 13–15 years). The incidence of TC in each age cohort was calculated and used to determine the number needed to treat (NNT) for each age group using assumptions based on published TC outcomes. For an index patient ≤ 6 years, 372 boys need to undergo orchiopexy to prevent a single case of TC, 1488 boys to prevent exposure to TC therapy beyond radical orchiectomy, and 5315 boys to prevent a single TC-related death compared to treatment at an older age. While there is evidence supporting benefits of early orchiopexy, the NNT to affect TC outcomes is very high. Even those with delayed orchiopexies have low risk for TC poor outcomes. This information can be used when counseling patients and families faced with UDT about the risks related to TC, especially with comorbidities.
A Non-canonical Function of BMAL1 Metabolically Limits Obesity-Promoted Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Summary The epidemiological association between disrupted circadian rhythms and metabolic diseases is implicated in increased risk of human breast cancer and poor therapeutic outcomes. To define a metabolic phenotype and the underlying molecular mechanism, we applied chronic insulin treatment (CIT) to an in vitro model of triple-negative breast cancer to directly address how BMAL1, a key circadian transcription factor, regulates cancer cell respiration and governs tumor progression. At the cellular level, BMAL1 suppresses the flexibility of mitochondrial substrate usage and the pyruvate-dependent mitochondrial respiration induced by CIT. We established an animal model of diet-induced obesity/hyperinsulinemia and observed that BMAL1 functions as a tumor suppressor in obese, but not lean, mice. Downregulation of BMAL1 is associated with higher risk of metastasis in human breast tumors. In summary, loss of BMAL1 in tumors confers advantages to cancer cells in both intrinsic mitochondrial metabolism and extrinsic inflammatory tumor microenvironment during pre-diabetic obesity/hyperinsulinemia.
Microencapsulation of retinyl palmitate by melt dispersion for cosmetic application.

Retinyl palmitate was encapsulated in wax matrix by melt dispersion for the purpose of economic and sustainable cosmeceutical formulation with minimum use of synthetic chemicals. We evaluated the e...
Structured Egonet Tensors for Robust Node Embedding

Recent advances in algorithmic and computational tools have led to an unprecedented growth in data mining over networks. However, partial knowledge of node connectivity (due to privacy concerns or the large number of nodes), as well as incomplete domain knowledge (as in e.g., biological applications), challenge learning tasks over real networks. For robust learning from incomplete data, node embedding over graphs is thus well motivated, and is pursued here by leveraging tensors as multi-dimensional data structures. To this end, a novel tensor-based network representation is advocated, over which node embedding is cast as a structured nonnegative tensor decomposition. The trilinear factorization involved is performed using an alternating least-squares approach. The extracted node embeddings are then utilized to predict the missing links. Performance is assessed via numerical tests on benchmark networks, corroborating the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed technique over incomplete graphs.
Use of Cardiac Grafts from Suicidal Hanging Donors: Single-Center Experience

Purpose Donors of death due to anoxic brain injury such as suicidal hanging are at risk for a severe catecholamine surge leading to an acute myocardial stress that can cause global tissue hypoxia as well as pulmonary edema and barotrauma, all of which may potentially adversely impact myocardial tissue. Concerns have been raised about potential higher rates of Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD) in heart transplant recipients of such donors due to this acute myocardial stressor. We wanted to assess if this mechanism of donor death does carry an increased risk of PGD or other adverse outcomes in our single center experience. Methods Between January 2014 and July 2019, 331 heart transplantations were performed at our center. Seventeen patients received a heart from donors after suicidal hanging, confirmed by review of the United Network for Organ Sharing UNet DonorNet database. Results Three out of 17 recipients (18%) from suicidal hanging donors experienced primary graft dysfunction (PGD) peri-operatively requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In comparison, 29 out of 314 recipients (9%) from all other donors during this time period experienced PGD requiring peri-operative ECMO (p = 0.25). The 30-day and 1-year survival among recipients of grafts from suicidal hanging donors were 16/17 (94%) and 16/17 (94%), respectively. The one death during this period was due to complications from PGD (multi-system organ failure, ischemic limb with ECMO). Conclusion Overall, in a large-volume, single-center experience, while there was a trend toward a higher incidence of PGD requiring ECMO, transplantation of a heart from a suicidal hanging donor was not associated with a higher 30-day and 1-year mortality. Thus, these results suggest that hearts from suicidal hanging donors may be appropriately considered for transplantations, with heightened awareness of a possible increased risk of PGD requiring ECMO.
Developing a DCD Liver Transplant Program

With the significant risk of waitlist mortality in the end-stage liver disease population, donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation remains an important but underutilized source of deceased donor organs in many parts of the world. Committing to develop a DCD liver transplant program in many ways requires a reinvention of the liver transplant program itself. It requires strong but collaborative leadership, identification of program demand for DCD livers, and broad stakeholder engagement inside the hospital with transplant and non-transplant personnel. Additionally, protocols must be developed for recipient selection, donor acceptance criteria, and clinical management. A strong performance monitoring plan is necessary. Understanding the key principles discussed here may help DCD liver transplant programs provide wider access to liver transplantation to clinically vulnerable populations whose mortality risk is not well represented by their MELD score. In this chapter, we aim to review key principles that programs should consider in implementing a DCD liver transplant program. These key principles include: leadership and mentorship, team development and engagement, careful recipient selection, utilization of data-driven protocols, relationship management with organ procurement organizations and donor hospitals, and the use of clinical quality improvement techniques to push stepwise program maturation.
Protonic conductor: better understanding neural resting and action potential

The newly formulated action potential equation provides biophysical insights for neuron electrophysiology, which may represent a complementary development to the classic Goldman–Hodgkin–Katz equati...
M-cube: an open-source millimeter-wave MIMO software radio for wireless communication and sensing applications

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) technologies represent a cornerstone for emerging wireless network infrastructure, and for RF sensing systems in security, health, and automotive domains. Through a MIMO array of phased arrays with hundreds of antenna elements, mmWave can boost wireless bit-rates to 100+ Gbps, and potentially achieve near-vision sensing resolution. However, the lack of an experimental platform has been impeding research in this field. We propose to fill the gap with M3 (M-Cube), the first mmWave massive MIMO software radio. M3 features a fully reconfigurable array of phased arrays, with up to 8 RF chains and 256 antenna elements. Despite the orders of magnitude larger antenna arrays, its cost is orders of magnitude lower, even when compared with state-of-the-art single RF chain mmWave software radios. In this demo, we will show M3's hardware modules, and demonstrate its usage in mmWave MIMO communication and sensing.
De- and Re-constructing Public Governance for Biodiversity Conservation

This Article deconstructs the substantive, procedural, and structural components of biodiversity governance in the United States. Though proposals for untangling wicked problems largely focus on procedural governance, managing complex problems like biodiversity loss also requires consideration of substantive and structural elements. Particularly in the context of global anthropogenic climate change, the substantive goals and tools of public action, the processes used by governmental institutions to advance such goals and implement such tools, and the structure of allocated authority among public institutions have been devised in ways that make biodiversity loss virtually impossible to tackle meaningfully. In other words, the existing legal infrastructure lacks the adaptive capacity to manage complexity and uncertainty. A preliminary reconstruction of public biodiversity governance explains how the United States might reframe public institutions to better cope with the wickedness of biodiversity loss. Express integration of ecological health and reliance on more active and flexible interventions in conservation laws may be necessary for managing ecological change. Significant opportunities also remain for adapting biodiversity governance to promote learning, reduce uncertainty, and adjust strategies as ecological conditions shift and managers gain information. Finally, tailored alterations to the allocation of authority over natural resources can leverage key advantages of centralized and/or coordinated institutions while maintaining the largely decentralized, independent, and overlapping character of public biodiversity governance.
Secondary malignancy after radiotherapy: not always a secondary concern.

Radiotherapy is one of the most effective modalities for cancer treatment, but radiation-associated secondary malignancies are important potential morbidities. Here, we highlight a recent article that examines radiation-associated muscle-invasive bladder cancer and explore how we as clinicians should consider the management of secondary malignancies.
From the Graceful Sari to the Scourge of Dowry: Indian Women in the Crucible of Tradition

India is not just the exotic, mystifying spiritual icon of a captivating land. Far from that. It is a bustling place of thriving, up-and-coming businesses, but it is also beset with millions of problems, like any other country: poverty, discrimination, corruption, political intrigue, and political radicalism. Atop all these issues, in my mind, sits the lack of equality, discrimination against and oppression of women. This oppression is engrained and is practiced by virtually all: the husband, the father, the in-laws, the kinship, the community, the religion, the culture, the custom, the political class, the government, the law, the private sector. It even cuts across the other great problem of structural inequality, i.e. the caste system, only nominally abolished, but still very much part of Indian reality. Within this vast array of problems that surround life and particularly women, this brief paper focuses on two tribulations, which, arguably, are uniquely Indian. One of them, dowry in the form of demanded cash, jewelry, and other material wealth is manifestly objectionable from a natural and positive law perspective. The other one, the traditional quasi-mandate of wearing the sari, is slightly more ambiguous and can be considered, on the face of it, a mere annoyance, but it is much more abidingly restrictive, because it is the culture firmly regulating women’s attire in order to control the reactions of men. A cross-cultural analysis and evaluation of these two problems will be done primarily through the lens of human rights, determining that borderline of acceptability of culture in universal human rights law. I argue that government has a duty to respect, to protect and ensure human rights of women, including a positive obligation to build the human and material infrastructure that would put into practice a policy and law that is often present only on paper.
An assessment of perioperative respiratory adverse events and difficult intubation in pediatric patients with Trisomy 21.

Introduction Several prior studies have demonstrated an association between trisomy 21 and airway-related anesthetic complications. However, there is a paucity of large clinical studies characterizing the airway challenges associated with trisomy 21. In this analysis, we examine anesthetic-related airway complications in children with trisomy 21 and compare our findings to well-matched controls. Methods A chart review of all general anesthetics occurring between 2011 and 2017 at a single pediatric hospital was performed. Children with trisomy 21 were identified. Matched controls were created using a 1:1 propensity score and controlling for patient sex, patient age, surgical specialty, airway management, and anesthetic induction technique. The primary outcomes were the numbers of difficult intubations and perioperative respiratory adverse events. Secondary outcomes included the number of intubation attempts and the Cormack-Lehane grade in each cohort. Results/data analysis A total of 2702 anesthetic records were reviewed. Propensity score matching resulted in adequately matched control groups as indicated by a standard mean difference below 0.2 in each case. Logistic regression analysis between trisomy 21 patients and matched controls demonstrated that the trisomy 21 cohort had a higher incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.34-3.09, p = .0008) due largely to a higher incidence of airway obstruction (1.7% vs. 0.2%, p = .0005). The trisomy 21 group had a lower rate of difficult intubation (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.91, p = .034). There was no association between trisomy 21 and the number of intubation attempts (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.88-1.13, p = .92) or Cormack-Lehane grade (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87-1.05, p = .35). Discussion The trisomy 21 cohort had an increased incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events compared to matched controls, largely secondary to a higher rate of obstructed ventilation, but without statistically different rates of laryngospasm, bronchospasm, postextubation stridor, or other desaturation events. Our trisomy 21 cohort had a decreased incidence of difficult intubation. There was no association between trisomy 21 and number of attempts required to successfully place an endotracheal tube or a less favorable CL grade. Conclusions Compared to matched controls, children with trisomy 21 have a lower incidence of difficult intubation and a higher incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events, largely due to increased rate of airway obstruction.