cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural insights by molecular dynamics simulations into specificity of the major human AP endonuclease toward the benzene‐derived DNA adduct, pBQ‐C

The benzetheno exocyclic adduct of the cytosine (C) base (pBQ-C) is a product of reaction between DNA and a stable metabolite of the human carcinogen benzene, p-benzoquinone (pBQ). We reported previously that the pBQ-C-containing duplex is a substrate for the human AP endonuclease (APE1), an enzyme that cleaves an apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site from double stranded DNA. In this work, using molecular dynamics simulation (MD), we provided a structural explanation for the recognition of the pBQ-C adduct by APE1. Molecular modeling of the DNA duplex containing pBQ-C revealed significant displacement of this adduct toward the major groove with pronounced kinking of the DNA at the lesion site, which could serve as a structural element recognized by the APE1 enzyme. Using 3 ns MD it was shown that the position of the pBQ-C adduct is stabilized by two hydrogen bonds formed between the adduct and the active site amino acids Asp 189 and Ala 175. The pBQ-C/APE1 complex, generated by MD, has a similar hydrogen bond network between target phosphodiester bond at the pBQ-C site and key amino acids at the active site, as in the crystallographically determined APE1 complexed with an AP site-containing DNA duplex. The position of the adduct at the enzyme active site, together with the hydrogen bond network, suggests a similar reaction mechanism for phosphodiester bond cleavage of oligonucleotide containing pBQ-C as reported for the AP site.
Dysregulation of Positive Transcription Elongation Factor b and Myocardial Hypertrophy

See related articles, pages 1347–1354 Prolonged stimulus of the adult heart by hypertension, arrhythmias, or other pathogenic conditions can result in myocardial hypertrophy and subsequently heart failure. Hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in the size of cardiomyocytes and this is associated with an elevated rate of RNA synthesis and protein synthesis in these cells. Although mechanisms responsible for this increased RNA and protein synthesis remain to be fully elucidated, an article by Espinoza-Derout et al1 in this issue of Circulation Research provides additional evidence that dysregulation of the general RNA polymerase II elongation factor known as P-TEFb can be an important mechanism in the development of hypertrophy. RNA polymerase II transcribes all protein-coding genes, and its function is regulated both at the levels of transcription initiation and elongation. Initiation is positively regulated by transcription factors that bind to specific cis -regulatory sequences in the promoters of individual genes. These transcription factors function to recruit both coactivators and the RNA polymerase II complex and transcription initiation is enhanced at these genes. After initiation, transcriptional elongation can be defective because of the action of 2 negative factors, DSIF and NELF, which limit elongation.2,3 These negative factors may function as a quality control mechanism to ensure capping of nascent mRNA, thereby stabilizing the RNA for subsequent processing events and transcriptional termination.4 Although almost all protein-coding genes appear to undergo some level of constitutive transcription initiation, only a subset actually produce full-length transcripts, indicating that many genes are defective in transcriptional elongation.5 This block to productive elongation is overcome by the action of P-TEFb (positive transcription elongation factor b). P-TEFb is a protein kinase that can hyperphosphorylate the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit of RNA polymerase. The CTD of mammalian RNA polymerase II contains 52 repeats …
Analysis and Control of a Photovoltaic System: Application to a High-Penetration Case Study

This paper explores a two-stage, multistring photovoltaic system connected by a common dc bus to a centralized inverter, interfaced with a utility grid. The centralized inverter is controlled via a decoupled current control method and interfaced to the utility grid through a distribution transformer. Inverter control is completely independent of maximum power point control of the boost converter, used to step up the photovoltaic (PV) array voltage. Modeling and stability analysis of the photovoltaic system interfaced with the IEEE 14 bus grid system via a double circuit transmission line are presented. A control strategy is developed to overcome instability problems associated with the series compensated transmission connecting the photovoltaic system to the grid. Studies are also conducted that explore the transient response of the photovoltaic system following a three-phase and single-line to ground fault on the transmission line. Additionally, participation factor analysis is applied to a small signal model of the entire system to identify the parameters that have the most influence on the system stability. The developed models and analysis are validated through detailed simulation studies. The results obtained from this paper reveal the importance of conducting system level analysis when characterizing grid-connected PV systems.
Labels, Routing, and Capacity: Bringing Theoretical Networking Closer to Practice

In this work we study a variety of problems, including network coordinate systems, compact routing, and wireless network capacity. The unifying thread is the observation that while strong theoretical properties are already known about all of these problems, the standard models used to prove these properties are not particularly realistic. We attempt to work in more realistic models, which are either new (slack guarantees for distance problems) or old but difficult to work in (the geometric SINR model for wireless network capacity). Sometimes this involves getting around theoretical lower bounds by weakening the model, and in other cases it involves strengthening the model to make it more realistic, and thus becoming unable to use existing theoretical algorithms. While obviously we do not claim to have the final word on these problems, we view this as a step towards bringing theory closer to practice.
Nanomorphing with Ultrafast Lasers and Biomedical Applications

Classically, the limit for optical machining is on the order of the wavelength of the incident light. However, by taking advantage of precise, nonlinear damage mechanisms that occur for femtosecond laser pulses, damage can be achieved on a scale an order of magnitude lower, allowing precise removal of very small amounts of material to produce holes mere tens of nanometers wide. Femtosecond laser nanomachining can be carried out in a variety of dielectrics, and in transparent substrates machining can be sub-surface, in contrast to other nanomachining techniques such as using an electron beam or focused ion beam. We focus on the use of glass, as it is in many ways an ideal material for use in biological applications due to its chemical, optical, electrical and mechanical properties. By precisely placing laser pulses in glass, three dimensional nano and microfluidic channels and devices can be formed including nozzles, mixers, and separation columns. Recent advances in this technique allow the formation of high aspect ratio nanochannels from single pulses, thus helping address the fabrication speed limitations presented by serial processing. These nanochannels have a range of applications including the fabrication of nanoscale pores and nanowells that may serve as vias between fluidic channels, or from channels to a surface. These nanochannels have applications as a standalone technique for fabrication of nanopores and nanowells, but can also complement other fabrication techniques by allowing precisely placed jumpers that can connect channels that are out of plane. We discuss applications for diagnostic microfluidic devices, and basic cell biology research.
Theory and models for creating engaging and immersive ecommerce Websites

The purpose of this paper is to describe theory and research from several disciplines, not generally understood by web developers, which the author believes are applicable to creating engaging and immersive ecommerce environments. These disciplines include aesthetic experience (AE), Flow, landscape assessment, and a proposed aesthetic framework. The link between these different areas is aesthetics, specifically aesthetic experience. Developing ecommerce sites based on models related to aesthetics can provide an organized means of designing engaging and immersive sites which are more likely to lead to positive user experience. IT personnel commonly understand the psychological aspects of human-computer interaction (HCI). Similarly, the toolbox of every web designer and Internet system architect should include knowledge of the concepts related to engaging and immersive environments.
Deficiency in metabolic regulators PPARγ and PTEN cooperates to drive keratinizing squamous metaplasia in novel models of human tissue regeneration.

Hindgut-derived endoderm can differentiate into rectal, prostatic, and bladder phenotypes. Stromal-epithelial interactions are crucial for this development; however, the precise mechanisms by which epithelium responds to stromal cues remain unknown. We have previously reported ectopic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2 (PPARγ2) increased androgen receptor expression and promoted differentiation of mouse prostate epithelium. PPARγ is also implicated in urothelial differentiation. Herein we demonstrate that knockdown of PPARγ2 in benign human prostate epithelial cells (BHPrEs) promotes urothelial transdifferentiation. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo heterotypic tissue regeneration models with embryonic bladder mesenchyme promoted urothelial differentiation of PPARγ2-deficient BHPrE cells, and deficiency of both PPARγ isoforms 1 and 2 arrested differentiation. Because PTEN deficiency is cooperative in urothelial pathogenesis, we engineered BHPrE cells with combined knockdown of PPARγ and PTEN and performed heterotypic recombination experiments using embryonic bladder mesenchyme. Whereas PTEN deficiency alone induced latent squamous differentiation in BHPrE cells, combined PPARγ and PTEN deficiency accelerated the development of keratinizing squamous metaplasia (KSM). We further confirmed via immunohistochemistry that gene expression changes in metaplastic recombinants reflected human urothelium undergoing KSM. In summary, these data suggest that PPARγ isoform expression provides a molecular basis for observations that adult human epithelium can be transdifferentiated on the basis of heterotypic mesenchymal induction. These data also implicate PPARγ and PTEN inactivation in the development of KSM.
Linking attentional processes and conceptual problem solving: visual cues facilitate the automaticity of extracting relevant information from diagrams.

This study investigated links between visual attention processes and conceptual problem solving. This was done by overlaying visual cues on conceptual physics problem diagrams to direct participants’ attention to relevant areas to facilitate problem solving. Participants (N = 80) individually worked through four problem sets, each containing a diagram, while their eye movements were recorded. Each diagram contained regions that were relevant to solving the problem correctly and separate regions related to common incorrect responses. Problem sets contained an initial problem, six isomorphic training problems, and a transfer problem. The cued condition saw visual cues overlaid on the training problems. Participants’ verbal responses were used to determine their accuracy. This study produced two major findings. First, short duration visual cues which draw attention to solutionrelevant information and aid in the organizing and integrating of it, facilitate both immediate problem solving and generalization of that ability to new problems. Thus, visual cues can facilitate re-representing a problem and overcoming impasse, enabling a correct solution. Importantly, these cueing effects on problem solving did not involve the solvers’ attention necessarily embodying the solution to the problem, but were instead caused by solvers attending to and integrating relevant information in the problems into a solution path. Second, this study demonstrates that when such cues are used across multiple problems, solvers can automatize the extraction of problem-relevant information extraction. These results suggest that low-level attentional selection processes provide a necessary gateway for relevant information to be used in problem solving, but are generally not sufficient for correct problem solving. Instead, factors that lead a solver to an impasse and to organize and integrate problem information also greatly facilitate arriving at correct solutions.
Direct Experimental Comparison of the Theories of Thermal and Optical Electron-Transfer: Studies of a Mixed-Valence Dinuclear Iron Polypyridyl Complex

The spectral parameters for the optically induced intervalence charge transfer and the rates of thermal electron transfer as a function of temperature have been measured for a rigid, triply linked mixed-valence dinuclear tris(2,2‘-bipyridine)iron complex. The total reorganizational energy associated with the intramolecular electron exchange in this complex is almost exclusively outer-sphere in nature and comes from thermal fluctuations of the solvent. Thus, the system can be treated rigorously at the classical level, where in this context classical refers to treatments of the nuclear modes. The theories developed to describe the optical electron transfer and the thermal electron transfer are evaluated by analysis of the spectral and rate data, respectively. The quantities common to both theories are the donor−acceptor coupling matrix element, H12, and the total reorganizational energy. Applying the respective theories to the appropriate corresponding sets of data yields reorganizational energies that are ...
A constant‐volume ventilator and gas recapture system for hyperpolarized gas MRI of mouse and rat lungs

We present a ventilator that enables high-resolution proton and hyperpolarized gas MR imaging of mice and rats. The design differs from previous approaches by eliminating the need for a custom pneumatic valve located near the trachea. This permits the system to be constructed from off-the-shelf components and reduces dead volumes sufficiently to make HP gas MRI feasible in the mouse. The constant-volume ventilator routinely ventilates mice and rats for period of time up to 6 hrs and maintains reproducible tidal volumes over extended image acquisition periods, as we demonstrate with high-resolution 3D lung images in the mouse using 1H, 3He and 129Xe. The ventilator is designed to deliver a constant tidal volume regardless of changes in airway resistance, which we demonstrate with 3He MR images acquired during severe broncho-constriction. While the images reveal clear airway narrowing, the 3He signal intensity remained within ±10% of baseline level. Finally, given the paucity of 3He and the high cost of enriched 129Xe, the ventilator has been designed to enable the recapture of these rare gases and we demonstrate a compact system to compress and store them for subsequent reprocessing. We expect that this constant-volume ventilator will be readily reproducible by other laboratories, which we facilitate by providing extensive parts lists, detailed wiring diagrams and complete plumbing schematics. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 39B: 78–88, 2011
Infrared emission from tidal disruption events — probing the pc-scale dust content around galactic nuclei

Recent UV-optical surveys have been successful in finding tidal disruption events (TDEs), in which a star is tidally disrupted by a supermassive black hole (BH). These TDEs release a huge amount of radiation energy ~ 10^51-52 erg into the circum-nuclear medium. If the medium is dusty, most of the radiation energy will be absorbed by dust grains within ~ 1 pc from the BH and re-radiated in the infrared. We calculate the dust emission lightcurve from a 1-D radiative transfer model, taking into account the time-dependent heating, cooling and sublimation of dust grains. We show that the dust emission peaks at 3-10 microns and has typical luminosities ~ 10^42-43 erg/s (with sky covering factor of dusty clouds ranging from 0.1-1). This is detectable by current generation of telescopes. In the near future, James Webb Space Telescope will be able to perform photometric and spectroscopic measurements, in which silicate or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) features may be found. Observations at rest-frame wavelength > 2 microns have only been reported from two TDE candidates, SDSS J0952+2143 and Swift J1644+57. Although consistent with the dust emission from TDEs, the mid-infrared fluxes of the two events may be from other sources. Long-term monitoring is needed to draw a firm conclusion. We also point out two nearby TDE candidates (ASSASN-14ae and -14li) where the dust emission may be currently detectable. The dust infrared emission can give a snapshot of the pc-scale dust content around weakly- or non-active galactic nuclei, which is hard to probe otherwise.
Predicting Intentional Tax Error Using Open Source Literature and Data

Intentional non-compliance in providing accurate income tax returns, also known as ‘tax evasion’ or ‘intentional error’, has been studied from both attitudinal and socio-demographic perspectives. A significant portion of previous research employs a common set of indicators, which we can exploit by pooling meta-analytically with the hopes of obtaining a unified, well-predicting model of intentional error. Towards this end, we turn to a large, nationally representative data source, namely the Census Bureau’s Public-Use Microdata Samples (PUMS), as our source of covariance between the socio-demographic covariates of interest. Additionally, the same source offers data on potential opportunities of evasion for each PUMS respondent (or agent), in certain line item/taxpayer categories, allowing us to construct distinct error models for these categories. Furthermore, we extend the error model to include attitudinal meta-analysis, by linking the General Social Survey (GSS) to the PUMS through imputation of a GSS covariate that identifies respondents who are more likely to break the law. Our meta-analysis requires an in-depth re-analysis of the selection of previously published results on non-compliance. The result is a comprehensive model of non-compliance that fits historical, published data and that can be applied generically and to specific tax issues.
Effects of stress on students' physical and mental health and academic success.

Stress affects students in multiple ways. This article provides a conceptual overview of the direct (e.g., psychoneuroimmunological, endocrine) and indirect (health behavior) pathways through which stress affects physical health, the psychological effects of stress on mental health, and the cognitive effects of stress (e.g., attention, concentration) on academic success. We review relevant literature highlighting these links and suggest directions for future research and interventions.
INVESTIGATING TEOTIHUACAN THROUGH TMP SURFACE COLLECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS

In the 1960s, the Teotihuacan Mapping Project (TMP) focused an ambitious, multiyear survey program on the pre-Columbian urban center of Teotihuacan. In addition to creating a highly detailed map, the TMP made systematic records of surface remains and collected nearly one million artifacts from roughly 5,000 provenience tracts. Taken together, the spatial, descriptive, and artifactual data collected by the TMP still constitutes one of the most extensive and most detailed records in existence for any ancient city. This paper characterizes and provides an update on TMP surface observations, particularly as they exist in digital format. Several analytical case studies illustrate substantive ways in which these data have been used in the decades since the TMP survey to investigate the culture and history of ancient Teotihuacan. The utility of extensive surface survey data for investigating key urban organizational elements such as neighborhoods and social districts is briefly considered, along with the growing importance of the TMP collections and records as increasingly large parts of Teotihuacan are lost to urban sprawl and destructive agricultural practices.
Mutation in BRAF and Other Members of the MAPK Pathway in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in the Pediatric Population

Context.— Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is an uncommon tumor in the pediatric population. A limited number of studies have examined genetic mutations affecting the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the pediatric population. Objective.— To examine mutations affecting this pathway in PTC in our pediatric population and compare the BRAF V600E mutation rates in pediatric and adult tumors. Design.— Eighty-four patients, including 14 pediatric and 70 adult, with PTC were tested for the BRAF V600E mutation by using real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Additionally, we examined the rate of RAS point mutations with real-time polymerase chain reaction and rearrangements of RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 in the pediatric group with fluorescence in situ hybridization. Clinical and histologic data were compared as well. Results.— Of 77 tumors that had an interpretable result, the BRAF V600E mutant was identified in 4 of 13 pediatric patients (31%) and 43 of 64 adult patients (67%), which was...
Understanding inherited genetic risk of adult glioma – a review

During the past six years, researchers have made major progress identifying common inherited genetic variation that increases risk for primary adult glioma. This paper summarizes knowledge about rare familial cancer syndromes that include adult glioma and reviews the available literature on the more recently discovered common inherited variation. Ten independent inherited variants in eight chromosomal regions have been convincingly associated with increased risk for adult glioma. Most of these variants increase relative risk of primary adult glioma by 20% to 40%, but the TP53 variant rs78378222 confers a two-fold relative risk (ie, 200%), and rs557505857 on chromosome 8 confers a six-fold relative risk of IDH-mutated astrocytomas and oligodendroglial tumors (ie, 600%). Even with a six-fold relative risk, the overall risk of developing adult glioma is too low for screening for the high-risk variant on chromosome 8. Future studies will help clarify which inherited adult glioma risk variants are associated with subtypes defined by histology and/or acquired tumor mutations. This review also provides an information sheet for primary adult glioma patients and their families.
Observations on “Why Violence Spreads”

The study of terrorism has undergone a number of developments in recent years. One of the most important is the adoption of quantitative methods. Long mired in unproductive arguments over the a priori disadvantages of statistical techniques in studying violence, the field has discovered that terrorist activity is amenable to systematic analysis. With their article "Why violence spreads," Midlarsky et al. (1980) have joined a small but growing group of scholars raising new and stimulating questions about terrorism and the environment in which it occurs. Like all new fields, however, the quantitative study of terrorism is fraught with obstacles. The three looming largest are data reliability, the selection of a level of analysis and universe of discourse, and making the transition from quantitative analysis to substantive argument and explanation.
Psychiatric Problems in Office Practice

The majority of patients with psychiatric illness are seen by the physician rather than the psychiatrist. The physician must be prepared to approach such a patient with understanding and to encourage a free-flowing interview by listening to the patient and showing interest in his problems. Anxiety, depression and psychophysiologic disorders are most frequently encountered.
Comparison of the hamstring/quadriceps ratio in females during squat exercise using various foot wedges

[Purpose] This study compared the hamstring/quadriceps ratio in females during squat exercise using various foot wedges. [Subjects and Methods] Nine females participated in this study. Surface electrodes measurements were taken over the hamstring and quadriceps under 3 squat exercise conditions, and the hamstring/quadriceps ratio was calculated. [Results] The hamstring/quadriceps ratio was significantly increased during squat exercise in inclined wedge condition (7.4 ± 1.8), compared to the declined wedge condition (5.3 ± 2.2) and no wedge condition (6.4 ± 3.2). [Conclusion] This study suggests that squat exercise in the inclined wedge condition may be effective for increasing the hamstring/quadriceps ratio in females.
Copper alloy surfaces sustain terminal cleaning levels in a rural hospital.

Objective To assess the ability of copper alloy surfaces to mitigate the bacterial burden associated with commonly touched surfaces in conjunction with daily and terminal cleaning in rural hospital settings. Design A prospective intention-to-treat trial design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of cooper alloy surfaces and respective controls to augment infection control practices under pragmatic conditions. Setting Half of the patient rooms in the medical-surgical suite in a 49-bed rural hospital were outfitted with copper alloy materials. The control rooms maintained traditional plastic, metal, and porcelain surfaces. Methods The primary outcome was a comparison of the bacterial burden harbored by 20 surfaces and components associated with control and intervention areas for 12 months. Locations were swabbed regardless of the occupancy status of the patient room. Significance was assessed using nonparametric methods employing the Mann-Whitney U test with significance assessed at P Results Components fabricated using copper alloys were found to have significantly lower concentrations of bacteria, at or below levels prescribed, upon completion of terminal cleaning. Vacant rooms were found to harbor significant concentrations of bacteria, whereas those fabricated from copper alloys were found to be at or below those concentrations prescribed subsequent to terminal cleaning. Conclusions Copper alloys can significantly decrease the burden harbored on high-touch surfaces, and thus warrant inclusion in an integrated infection control strategy for rural hospitals.
Optimal control for linear systems with retarded state and observation and quadratic cost

Stabilization (feedback control) of linear finite dimensional systems has long been based on the use of input-output models and ideas associated with equivalent systems. When such ideas are applied to the linear hereditary systems or other infinite dimensional systems new results appear which are significant in terms of controller synthesis and analysis.
Earth science RADAR CubeSat deployable Ka-band mesh reflector antenna

CubeSat will play a key role in Earth Science missions wherein multiple copies of the same RADAR instrument are launched in desirable formations. This will allow for the measurement of atmospheric processes over a short, evolutionary timescale. Such RADAR instruments require a high-gain antenna that fits in a constrained and limited volume. This paper introduces a 42.6 dBi gain mesh deployable antenna folding in a 1.5U stowage volume suitable for 6U class CubeSats.
A Cultural Semantic and Ethnopragmatic Analysis of the Russian Praise Words Molodec and Umnica (with Reference to English and Chinese)

Using data from the Russian National Corpus the chapter explores the semantics and ethnopragmatics of two Russian praise words molodec and umnica. The methodology of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) is employed to formulate semantic explications of the words in question as well as cultural scripts as a reflection of underlying cultural ideas. Cultural specificity of the terms is established by comparison with other Russian cultural key words and ideas as well as comparison with their closest pragmatic equivalents in English (good boy/girl) and in Chinese (guāi). The investigation allows us to formulate culturally valued modes of behaviour in Russian.
Understanding families' educational decision-making along extended learning pathways

This paper explores the socio-cultural-historical influences on educational decisions made by a sample of families from an urban community in the northwestern United States. We report on three analyses of the everyday cultural and social contexts in which parents' and their children's ideas about formal and informal education are developed and applied through educational choices. The research employs a family-centered analytical focus and a cognitive ethnography of learning to examine educational decisions and knowledge about learning opportunities that families use in their homes, at school, and in their communities. Our analyses foreground the role of choice and values in families' everyday lives, their lived histories, and their educational decisions. Implications for better coordinating in-and-out of school learning experiences in light of extended learning pathways are discussed.
A switched current, switched capacitor temperature sensor in 0.6u CMOS

A Temperature to Digital Converter is described which uses a Sensor based on the principle of switching accurately scaled currents in the parasitic substrate PNP in a standard fine-line CMOS process. The resulting PTAT δV BE signal is amplified in an Auto-Zeroed Switched-Capacitor circuit, sampled and converted to a Digital output by a low power 10 Bit ADC providing a resolution of 0.25 degree from -55 to 125 degrees with an error of less than 1 degree. The paper will focus on the design of the Sensor.
Laparoscopic Right Donor Nephrectomy (Transperitoneal Approach)

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has gained significant momentum in recent years with the aim of minimizing postoperative morbidity as well as enhancing the recovery of the donors. Laparoscopic right donor nephrectomy continues to be performed less often despite increased uptake of laparoscopy in recent years. This has been due to combination of factors, which includes short length of the right renal vein, technical challenge and the poor graft survival in the early years.
Lignin Acidolysis Predicts Formaldehyde Generation in Pine Wood

Pinus virginiana wood was heated (200 °C, 10 or 60 min) while dry or after aqueous/acid/base pretreatment in order to reveal mechanisms of formaldehyde (CH2O) generation. Consistent with prior reports, among wood structural polymers, lignin was the overwhelming source of biogenic CH2O (defined as having a carbon source in wood). Effects of wood extractives were ignored and reserved for a later report. The selection of acid catalyst strongly affected CH2O generation as predicted in the acidolysis literature of lignin model compounds and isolated lignins. Lignin methoxyl cleavage was observed but considered an unlikely source of CH2O under the experimental conditions. Alkaline pretreatments did not catalyze CH2O generation above levels observed using neutral water. Regarding wood-based composite manufacture, the implications are that lignin reactions might be manipulated during hot-pressing. Potential benefits include reduced product emissions and/or novel cross-linking strategies using biogenic CH2O. Perha...
Network Dimensionality of Selected Uranyl(VI) Coordination Polymers and Octopus like Uranium(IV) Clusters.

Using slow diffusion methods at room temperature, five uranium coordination polymers were obtained, which either employ glutarate (Glut), terephthalate (TP), or 2-aminoterephthalate (TPNH2) as bridging systems. Four of these networks are based on the uranyl(VI)-unit, UO22+, and one formed through the integration of tetravalent uranium as the coordinating metal center. [[UO2](TP)(H2O)2]·2THF (1) arranges as intermeshed one-dimensional (1D) infinite linear chains, locked into a three-dimensional (3D) network through hydrogen bonds with a uninodal 4-coordinated uom topology. [[UO2](TPNH2)(H2O)2]·2H2O (2) assembles as intermeshed two-dimensional (2D) layers, also stabilized as a 3D network through hydrogen bonding with a 2-nodal 4-coordinated pts network topology. Na2[[UO2]2(TP)3]·9H2O (3) forms parallel layers that are stacked in an AB pattern. Layers possess the uninodal 3-coordinate honeycomb (hcb) motif. Na2[[UO2]2(Glut)3]·8H2O (4) assembles as a 3D-coordination network with a uninodal 3-c srs (SrSi2) top...
Investigation of dental cone-beam CT pixel data and a modified method for conversion to Hounsfield unit (HU).

Objectives:To investigate the relationship in dental cone-beam CT (CBCT) between the manufacturer-reported image pixel data and a modified conversion to CT number densities in Hounsfield unit (HU).Methods:A standardized CT phantom was imaged using typical clinical parameters on CBCT from three manufacturers (Carestream 9300®, Carestream Health, Rochester, NY; J Morita 3D Accutomo®, J. Morita Mfg. Corp., Kyoto, Japan; and Planmeca Promax 3D®, Planmeca Helsinki, OY, Finland). Reconstructed axial slices were evaluated using regions of interest to ascertain the mean pixel value in five materials in the phantom. The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data were also evaluated to determine if raw pixel data had been adjusted during the image reconstruction. A modified version of the existing manual HU conversion technique was applied, and the resultant slope and y-intercept were used to scale the pixel values ultimately to HU for all images.Results:The DICOM header data show that a modified rescale y...
Gaining relevance from the random: Interpreting observed spatial heterogeneity.

Abstract In Bayesian disease mapping, spatial random effects are used to account for confounding in the data so that reasonable estimates for the fixed effects can be obtained. Typically, the spatial random effects are mapped and qualitative comments are made related to an increase or decrease in risk for certain areas. The approach outlined here illustrates how a quantitative secondary assessment can be applied to make more useful and applicable inference related to these spatial random effects. We are able to recover important but unmeasured or unincluded risk factors via a secondary model fit. Results from the secondary model fit can determine association between spatial region-level risk factors and the estimated spatial random effects. We believe this work presents a useful, quantitative technique highlighting the importance and applicability of spatial random effects as well as illustrates how these methods lead to more interpretable conclusions.
Comparison of cobas HCV GT against Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 (LiPA) with confirmation by Sanger sequencing.

Abstract Background : Correct identification of infecting hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is helpful for targeted antiviral therapy. Objectives : Here, we compared the HCV genotyping performance of the cobas HCV GT assay against the Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 (LiPA) assay, using 97 archived serum samples. Study design : In the event of discrepant or indeterminate results produced by either assay, the core and NS5B regions were sequenced. Results : Of the 97 samples tested by the cobas, 25 (26%) were deemed indeterminate. Sequencing analyses confirmed 21 (84%) of the 25 samples as genotype 6 viruses with either subtype 6m, 6n, 6v, 6xa, or unknown subtype. Of the 97 samples tested by the LiPA, thirteen (13%) were deemed indeterminate. Seven (7%) were assigned with genotype 1, with unavailable/inconclusive results from the core region of the LiPA. Notably, the 7 samples were later found to be either genotype 3 or 6 by sequencing analyses. Moreover, 1 sample by the LiPA was assigned as genotypes 4 (cobas: indeterminate) but were later found to be genotype 3 by sequencing analyses, highlighting its limitation in assigning the correct genotype. Conclusions : The cobas showed similar or slightly higher accuracy (100%; 95% CI 94–100%) compared to the LiPA (99%; 95% CI 92–100%). Twenty-six percent of the 97 samples tested by the cobas had indeterminate results, mainly due to its limitation in identifying genotype 6 other than subtypes 6a and 6b. This presents a significant assay limitation in Southeast Asia, where genotype 6 infection is highly prevalent.
Black Family Structure and Educational Outcomes: the Role of Household Structure and Intersectionality

Although many studies have examined associations between Black single-parent families and their children’s educational achievement, few have considered the longitudinal impact of single- and two-parent Black families. Using a nationally representative sample from the Education Longitudinal Study and a theoretical model of intersectionality, we found that in general, 10 years beyond their sophomore year of high school, (1) female students in single-parent households had better outcomes than did their male counterparts; (2) college social capital and positive class preparedness had a positive impact on educational outcomes for both males and females; (3) the resource dilution hypothesis operated very differently for female versus male students; (4) parental control had a negative impact on males, while cultural capital had a positive impact on both genders; and (5) for both males and females, socioeconomic status had a positive impact on educational outcomes.
Implementing Radio Frequency Identification within the Perioperative Process: A Case Study Perspective

As a technology solution, radio frequency identification (RFID) has proven increased efficiency and accuracy within traditional production and inventory control environments. RFID also offers increased transparency, accountability, and quality across the healthcare industry. This paper provides an a priori perspective to implementing RFID applications in a hospital environment. The paper describes, examines, and discusses the opportunities and challenges that RFID poses across an individual hospital’s perioperative and auxiliary services. Based on an 87-month longitudinal study of a large 909 registered-bed teaching hospital, this paper investigates the complexity of technological change dynamics, integrated information systems, as well as the benefits and learning curves associated with implementing RFID technology in a hospital’s perioperative processes. This paper also provides theoretical and practical implications, as well as study limitations.
Mobility and Adsorption of Trace Elements in a Coal Residues-Affected Swamp

A study was conducted to determine the mode of transport of Cd, Cu and Ni through the Steel Creek sediments at the Savannah River Site and to find the adsorption of these metals to the sediments. The sediments collected from three adjacent sites showed considerable heterogeneity but had a uniform pH approximating 6.0. Three periodic collections of sediment cores (0–20 cm) from two sites and surface sediments (0–10 cm) of 3rd site were analyzed for three metals in the pore water and DTPA extract of wet sediments. The concentrations of dissolved metals in the pore water were quite low in the ranges of 0.02–0.5 µg L−1 Cd, 0.0–6.0 µg L−1 Cu, and 2.3–11.9 µg L−1 Ni. DTPA-extractable metals in the sediments ranged 0.0–34.67, 0.0–491.4, and 44.6–676.4 µg L−1 for Cd, Cu and Ni, respectively. Surface water enclosed in two polyethylene chambers imbedded in the stream path was spiked with 100 µg L−1 of each metal. The metals moved downward and outside the chambers through the sediments and equilibrated with the ambient within two weeks. Adsorption study with seven sediment samples using Cd and Cu solutions in the concentration range of 50–110 µg L−1 provided essentially linear adsorption isotherms at 25°C with significant correlation coefficients. The amounts of Cd adsorption were greater as compared to Cu adsorption. Study revealed low concentrations of dissolved metals in the surface and pore water and but relatively high adsorption by the sediments and particulate matter which forms the mobility pattern of these metals as a mechanism of transport in the swamp system.
Marrow transplantation for severe aplastic anemia: methotrexate alone compared with a combination of methotrexate and cyclosporine for prevention of acute graft-versus-host disease.

Forty-six patients with severe aplastic anemia (median age, 23 years) were treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide followed by infusion of marrow from an HLA-identical family member. To evaluate postgrafting prophylaxis for graft-v-host disease (GVHD), they were entered into a prospective randomized trial comparing the effect of a combination of methotrexate and cyclosporine (n = 22) to that of methotrexate alone (n = 24). Forty-four of the forty-six patients had evidence of sustained marrow engraftment. Only one patient in each of the two study groups showed graft rejection. A significant reduction in the cumulative incidence of grades II to IV acute GVHD was seen in patients given methotrexate/cyclosporine (18%) compared with those given methotrexate alone (53%) (P = .012). In three patients given methotrexate alone, grade III developed, and in six, grade IV acute GVHD developed, compared with none given methotrexate/cyclosporine. Eighteen of the 22 patients given methotrexate/cyclosporine and 15 of the 24 given methotrexate alone are alive between 5.5 and 44.5 months (median, 18 months), with actuarial survival rates at 2 years of 82% and 60%, respectively (P = .062). The incidence of fatal infections was higher in patients given methotrexate alone, whereas there are as yet no significant differences in the incidence of chronic GVHD. We conclude that methotrexate/cyclosporine treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence and severity of acute GVHD in patients who received transplants for severe aplastic anemia and thus an improvement in survival.
Integrated AI in space: the autonomous sciencecraft on earth observing one

The Earth Observing One spacecraft has been under the control of AI software for several years - experimentally since 2003 and since November 2004 as the primary operations system. This software includes: model-based planning and scheduling, procedural execution, and event detection software learned by support vector machine (SVM) techniques. This software has enabled a 100x increase in the mission science return per data downlinked and a >$1M/year reduction in operations costs. In this paper we discuss the AI software used, the impact of the software, and lessons learned with implications for future AI research.
‘Un suelo que no deja de moverse:’ temporalidades no-humanas de Nuno Ramos

Provavelmente algumas das mais significativas investigacoes das artes e literaturas contemporâneas no Brasil focalizam a questao da temporalidade, o limiar entre os vivos e os mortos e as formas em que as temporalidades e o anacronismo conflitantes articulam uma critica do presente. Neste contexto, as instalacoes e escritos de Nuno Ramos, trabalhando no terreno instavel entre os vivos e os mortos, o orgânico e o inorgânico, o fossilizado e o espectral, representam uma intervencao decisiva. Na obra de Ramos, a memoria nunca e inteiramente humana; e irredutivel ao dominio da subjetividade nem as narrativas compartilhadas do coletivo. De livros como Cujo ou Junco ate a materia fossilizada presente em muitas de suas obras, a relacao entre a vida e a morte e tanto politica quanto tecnologica e nao-antropomorfica - e, em outras palavras, biopolitica. Este artigo analisa as formas pelas quais a configuracao de tal perspectiva critica na obra de Nuno Ramos interroga e reformula as formas em que a temporalidade e a interface politica estao onde a propria nocao de vida - a bios que articula a biopolitica - esta em jogo. --- Original em espanhol.
Characterization of adhesive joints under high-speed normal impact: Part I – Experimental studies

Abstract This two-part article presents an experimental method with numerical verification of the characterization of adhesive bonds under normal impact loading. Part I presents experimental results of the mechanical behavior of two different adhesives (a methacrylate and an epoxy). Though the two adhesives have similar static behavior, their impact strengths are significantly different. Thus adhesives that are to be used under impact loading need their own dynamic characterization tests. Here we present an impact test that is analogous to the commonly used blister test for static adhesive testing. One major advantage of the present impact test is that existing apparatus and methods that are currently used for ballistic penetration can be readily adopted for the proposed dynamic test. The average dynamic stress as well as energy absorbed by the adhesive are experimentally determined by the proposed method.
Kill shot: Flu vaccine is a stone cold cancer killer

Injection of seasonal influenza vaccine into tumors enhances local and systemic anti-cancer immunity and sensitizes previously resistant tumors to immune checkpoint therapy.
The hardships of long distance relationships: time zone proximity and the location of MNC's knowledge-intensive activities

Abstract Using a unique global dataset on multinational corporations (MNCs) with precise location of headquarters and affiliates, I present evidence of a trade-off between distance to the headquarters and knowledge intensity of the affiliates' economic activity. This trade-off is strongly diminished the higher the overlap in working hours between the headquarters and the affiliate. In order to rule out biases arising from confounding factors, I implement a regression discontinuity framework to show that the economic activity of a subsidiary located just across the time zone line which increases the overlap in working hours with its headquarters is, on average, roughly 1% higher on the knowledge intensity scale. The results are present only for foreign horizontal subsidiaries. Overall, the findings suggest that barriers to real-time communication within MNCs play an important role in the location decisions of their subsidiaries.
Implementation of a digital chatbot to screen health system employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The screening of healthcare workers for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms and exposures prior to every clinical shift is important for preventing nosocomial spread of infection but creates a major logistical challenge. To make the screening process simple and efficient, University of California, San Francisco Health designed and implemented a digital chatbot-based workflow. Within 1 week of forming a team, we conducted a product development sprint and deployed the digital screening process. In the first 2 months of use, over 270 000 digital screens have been conducted. This process has reduced wait times for employees entering our hospitals during shift changes, allowed for physical distancing at hospital entrances, prevented higher-risk individuals from coming to work, and provided our healthcare leaders with robust, real-time data for make staffing decisions.