cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The league of SuperNets

The author proposes a major effort to transform the Internet into a league of SuperNets. Doing so offers the promise of revolutionary new business opportunities, and could save the emerging Web services technology area from a snarl of reliability and security problems. We can slash the costs of operating big networks, roll out new kinds of applications with real-time properties, and start to build other kinds of applications for purposes like controlling the restructured electrical power grid or managing military assets on a battlefield. Unfortunately, however, the proposal departs drastically from the way that the Internet is currently evolving. The technical side of the issue is likely to be the easy part; the problem centers on the politics of the Internet sector and the community that controls its future. Yet, the payoff could be so great that I want to argue for a community response. If we all get behind a common vision, we can make it a reality.
Light adaptation of bovine retinas in situ stimulates phosphatidylinositol synthesis in rod outer segments in vitro

Light-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover has been reported in both vertebrate retina and isolated rod outer segments (ROS). In the current investigation, we examined the incorporation of [3H]-inositol in vitro in bovine ROS isolated from dark adapted (DROS) or bleached (BROS) retinas. Incorporation of [3H]-inositol into phosphoinositides in BROS was 3-5 fold higher than in DROS. The majority (approximately 90%) of [3H]-inositol was found in phosphatidylinositol (PI), whereas phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) accounted for 7-8% of the label. The enhanced labelling of PI was only observed when bovine retinas were light-adapted prior to ROS preparation, suggesting the requirement for an intact photoreceptor for the observed effect. Our data strongly suggest that bleaching of bovine retina in situ stimulates PI synthesis in isolated ROS in vitro.
Evidence That Adrenergic Ventrolateral Medullary Cells Are Activated whereas Precerebellar Lateral Reticular Nucleus Neurons Are Suppressed during REM Sleep

Rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) is generated in the brainstem by a distributed network of neurochemically distinct neurons. In the pons, the main subtypes are cholinergic and glutamatergic REMS-on cells and aminergic REMS-off cells. Pontine REMS-on cells send axons to the ventrolateral medulla (VLM), but little is known about REMS-related activity of VLM cells. In urethane-anesthetized rats, dorsomedial pontine injections of carbachol trigger REMS-like episodes that include cortical and hippocampal activation and suppression of motoneuronal activity; the episodes last 4–8 min and can be elicited repeatedly. We used this model to determine whether VLM catecholaminergic cells are silenced during REMS, as is typical of most aminergic neurons studied to date, and to investigate other REMS-related cells in this region. In 18 anesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated rats, we obtained extracellular recordings from VLM cells when REMS-like episodes were elicited by pontine carbachol injections (10 mM, 10 nl). One major group were the cells that were activated during the episodes (n=10). Their baseline firing rate of 3.762.1 (SD) Hz increased to 9.762.1 Hz. Most were found in the adrenergic C1 region and at sites located less than 50 mm from dopamine b-hydroxylase-positive (DBH + ) neurons. Another major group were the silenced or suppressed cells (n=35). Most were localized in the lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) and distantly from any DBH + cells. Their baseline firing rates were 6.864.4 Hz and 15.867.1 Hz, respectively, with the activity of the latter reduced to 7.463.8 Hz. We conclude that, in contrast to the pontine noradrenergic cells that are silenced during REMS, medullary adrenergic C1 neurons, many of which drive the sympathetic output, are activated. Our data also show that afferent input transmitted to the cerebellum through the LRN is attenuated during REMS. This may distort the spatial representation of body position during REMS.
Maternal mRNA encoding the orphan steroid receptor SpCOUP-TF is localized in sea urchin eggs

The SpCOUP-TF gene is a highly conserved sea urchin homologue of the vertebrate COUP-TFs and the Drosophila seven up subfamily of transcription factors, which are members of the orphan steroid hormone receptors. Whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments, using three sea urchin species, detect the maternal SpCOUP-TF mRNA deposited unevenly in the oocytes, mature eggs and the blastomeres of the early embryo. The localization pattern indicates that, in all three sea urchin species, the maternal SpCOUP-TF mRNA is placed in the egg in a fixed position relative to the embryonic axes, i.e. lateral to the animal-vegetal and at 45 degree angle to the oral-aboral (ventral-dorsal) axis. The embryonic expression of the SpCOUP-TF gene is spatially restricted in the oral ectoderm of the early embryo and, at later stages, in the cells of the ciliated band, the neurogenic cell lineage of the sea urchin embryo. The SpCOUP-TF mRNA, the first sea urchin maternal mRNA encoding a transcription factor that is specifically localized with respect to both embryonic axes in the egg, could be involved in early specification events in the sea urchin embryo.
There’s a Hole in My Data Space: Piecewise Predictors for Heterogeneous Learning Problems

We study statistical learning problems where the data space is multimodal and heterogeneous, and constructing a single global predictor is dicult. We address such problems by iteratively identifying high-error regions in the data space and learning specialized predictors for those regions. While the idea of composing localized predictors is not new, our approach is unique in that we actively seek out predictors that clump errors together, making it easier to isolate the problematic regions. When errors are clumped together they are also easier to interpret and resolve through appropriate feature engineering and data preprocessing. We present an error-clumping classification algorithm based on a convex optimization problem, and an ecient stochastic optimization algorithm for this problem. We theoretically motivate our approach with a novel sample complexity analysis for piecewise predictors, and empirically demonstrate its behavior on an illustrative classification problem.
Breakfast Protein Source Does Not Influence Postprandial Appetite Response and Food Intake in Normal Weight and Overweight Young Women

Breakfasts higher in protein lead to a greater reduction in hunger compared to breakfasts higher in carbohydrate. However, few studies have examined the impact of higher protein breakfasts with differing protein sources. Our objective was to determine if protein source (animal protein (AP) versus plant protein (PP)) influences postprandial metabolic response in participants consuming a high protein breakfast (~30% energy from protein). Normal weight (NW; n = 12) and overweight women (OW; n = 8) aging 18-36 were recruited to participate. Participants completed two visits in a randomized, cross-over design with one week between visits. Subjects had 15 minutes to consume each breakfast. Blood glucose and appetite were assessed at baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes postprandial. Participants kept a 24-hour dietary record for the duration of each test day. No difference was found between NW and OW participants or breakfasts for postprandial appetite responses. AP had a significantly lower glucose response at 30 minutes compared with PP (-11.6%; 127 ± 4 versus 112 ± 4 mg/dL; P < 0.05) and a slower return to baseline. There was no difference in daily energy intake between breakfasts. These data suggest that protein source may influence postprandial glucose response without significantly impacting appetite response in breakfast consumers.
Anticonvulsant Action of 2-Substituted-l,3-Propanediols

Summary2,2-Diethyl-l,3-propanediol and certain other substituted 1,3-propanediols possess qualitatively similar pharmacological properties as myanesin. These compounds differ from myanesin in having a weaker paralysing action and a more powerful anticonvulsant action.
Balanced Canavati Fractional Opial Inequalities

Here we present \(L_{p}\), \(p>1\), fractional Opial type inequalities subject to high order boundary conditions.
What Is the Predictive Value of Animal Models for Vaccine Efficacy in Humans? The Importance of Bridging Studies and Species-Independent Correlates of Protection

Animal models have played a pivotal role in all stages of vaccine development. Their predictive value for vaccine effectiveness depends on the pathogen, the robustness of the animal challenge model, and the correlates of protection (if known). This article will cover key questions regarding bridging animal studies to efficacy trials in humans. Examples include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in which animal protection after vaccination with heterologous prototype virus-like particles (VLPs) predicted successful efficacy trials in humans, and a recent approval of anthrax vaccine in accordance with the "Animal Rule." The establishment of animal models predictive of vaccine effectiveness in humans has been fraught with difficulties with low success rate to date. Challenges facing the use of animal models for vaccine development against Ebola and HIV will be discussed.
Silencing of α-complex protein-2 reverses alcohol- and cytokine-induced fibrogenesis in hepatic stellate cells.

Abstract Background and aim α-complex protein-2 (αCP2) encoded by the poly (rC) binding protein 2(PCBP2) gene is responsible for the accumulation of type I collagen in fibrotic livers. In this study, we silenced the PCBP2 gene using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) to reverse alcohol- and cytokine-induced profibrogenic effects on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Methods Primary rat HSCs and the HSC-T6 cell line were used as fibrogenic models to mimic the initiation and perpetuation stages of fibrogenesis, respectively. We previously found that a PCBP2 siRNA, which efficiently silences expression of αCP2, reduces the stability of type I collagen mRNA. We investigated the effects of the PCBP2 siRNA on cell proliferation and migration. Expression of type I collagen in HSCs was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. In addition, we evaluated the effects of the PCBP2 siRNA on apoptosis and the cell cycle. Results PCBP2 siRNA reversed multiple alcohol- and cytokine-induced profibrogenic effects on primary rat HSCs and HSC-T6 cells. The PCBP2 siRNA also reversed alcohol- and cytokine-induced accumulation of type I collagen as well as cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, the combination of LY2109761, a transforming growth factor-β1 inhibitor, and the PCBP2 siRNA exerted a synergistic inhibitive effect on the accumulation of type I collagen in HSCs. Conclusions Silencing of PCBP2 using siRNA could be a potential therapeutic strategy for alcoholic liver fibrosis.
The Surprising Robustness of Surprising Events: A Response to a Critique of “Performing on Cue”

Paolino presents two core critiques of “Performing on Cue.” First, he suggests that my dichotomous measures of support for the Iraq War bias against finding evidence of reinforcing cues. Second, he suggests that using party identification (ID) as a moderator for the treatment effects biases against finding an impact for elite cues. Unfortunately, Paolino’s statistical modeling choices do not reflect these theoretical concerns. His arguments about attitude strength and source credibility imply that the experimental treatments should have nonlinear effects. Yet Paolino relies on an ordinal logit model with a linear interaction of the treatments with a six-point index of party ID and Bush approval. A more appropriate approach for capturing Paolino’s critiques would estimate a multinomial logit model with categorical interaction effects between the treatments and the source credibility. These more appropriate statistical modeling choices reveal that the findings of “Performing on Cue” are very robust to the c...
Solid Phase Equilibrium Relations in the CaO-SiO 2 -Nb 2 O 5 -La 2 O 3 System at 1273 K

Silicate slag system with additions Nb and RE formed in the utilization of REE-Nb-Fe ore deposit resources in China has industrial uses as a metallurgical slag system. The lack of a phase diagram, theoretical, and thermodynamic information for the multi-component system restrict the comprehensive utilization process. In the current work, solid phase equilibrium relations in the CaO-SiO2-Nb2O5-La2O3 quaternary system at 1273 K (1000 °C) were investigated experimentally by the high-temperature equilibrium experiment followed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive spectrometer. Six spatial independent tetrahedron fields in the CaO-SiO2-Nb2O5-La2O3 system phase diagram were determined by the Gibbs Phase Rule. The current work combines the mass fraction of equilibrium phase and corresponding geometric relation. A determinant method was deduced to calculate the mass fraction of equilibrium phase in quaternary system according to the Mass Conservation Law, the Gibbs Phase Rule, the Lever’s Rule, and the Cramer Law.
Urban Precarity and Home: There Is No “Right to the City”

Employing qualitative and ethnographic data from field research in 2009 and 2017 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this article seeks to position urban housing and the home at the center of discussions a...
Duodenal-Type Follicular Lymphoma: A Clinicopathologic Review

Duodenal-type follicular lymphoma (D-FL) is a newly recognized entity in the 2016 World Health Organization classification update. It has an immunophenotype similar to that of other FLs and usually carries the typical t(14;18)(q32;q21) translocation. However, unlike other FLs, D-FL is almost always diagnosed at a low stage and stays localized to the small intestine, most commonly the second portion of the duodenum, whereas the vast majority of other FLs are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Additionally, D-FL gene expression and pathogenesis appear to be more closely related to extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue than to other types of FL. Therefore, many oncologists have opted to treat this variant of FL in a “watch and wait” manner because of its excellent prognosis and the rarity of D-FL to progress even when no treatments are attempted.
Diamond Patterns: Cumulative Cornsweet Effects and Motion-Induced Brightening:

A Cornsweet edge creates the perception of a step in surface lightness between two adjacent regions of identical mean luminance due to a gradient on both sides. We might imagine that in a concatena...
Multidisciplinary management of a Jehovah's Witness patient for the removal of a renal cell carcinoma extending into the right atrium.

Purpose: To highlight the management of a Jehovah’s witness surgical patient presenting for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. Clinical features: A 47-yr-old male, Jehovah’s Witness, with renal cell carcinoma was admitted for left radical nephrectomy and excision of tumour thrombus extending into the junction of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA). The preoperative goals were to maximize red blood cell mass, delineate the extent of tumour extension and develop a surgical plan incorporating blood conservation strategies to minimize blood loss. A midline abdominal incision was made to optimize removal of the non-caval portion of the tumour from the intra-abdominal region. CPB and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest were instituted to aid in removing the tumour from the IVC and RA. Intraoperative blood conservation strategies included the use of acute normovolemic hemodilution, antifibrinolytics, cell salvage, point-of-care monitoring of heparin and protamine blood concentrations, leukocyte-depleting filter, and meticulous surgical techniques. The patient was successfully weaned from CPB and was transported to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit without complication. The patient was discharged home one week after the operation with a hemoglobin of 10.2 g·dL –1 and a hematocrit of 31.2%. Conclusion: Multiple blood conservation techniques were employed to manage this Jehovah’s Witness patient through complex cardiac surgery, which was previously denied to him at other institutions. The successful outcome of this patient, while respecting the right to refuse allogeneic blood products, is a result of a multidisciplinary collaboration as well as the application of established blood conservation techniques.
Defects in Macroscopic Structures: Ginzburg-Landau Approach

We give a description of defects in macroscopic structures by means of Ginzbug-Landau equations.
Advances in Rapid Molecular Blood Culture Diagnostics: Healthcare Impact, Laboratory Implications, and Multiplex Technologies.

Background: For far too long, the diagnosis of bloodstream infections has relied on time-consuming blood cultures coupled with traditional organism identification and susceptibility testing. Technologies to define the culprit in bloodstream infections have gained sophistication in recent years, notably by application of molecular methods. Content: In this review, we summarize the tests available to clinical laboratories for molecular rapid identification and resistance marker detection in blood culture bottles that have flagged positive. We explore the cost–benefit ratio of such assays, covering aspects that include performance characteristics, effect on patient care, and relevance to antibiotic stewardship initiatives. Summary: Rapid blood culture diagnostics represent an advance in the care of patients with bloodstream infections, particularly those infected with resistant organisms. These diagnostics are relatively easy to implement and appear to have a positive cost–benefit balance, particularly when fully incorporated into a hospital9s antimicrobial stewardship program.
Using a collaborative data collection method to update life-history values for snapper and grouper in Indonesia\'s deep-slope demersal fishery

Abstract The deep-slope demersal fishery that targets snapper and grouper species is an important fishery in Indonesia. Boats operate at depths between 50-500 m using drop lines and bottom long lines. There are few data, however, on the basic characteristics of the fishery which impedes accurate stock assessments and the establishment of harvest control rules. To address this gap, we developed a collaborative data collection and recording system for species and length composition of commercial catches. The Crew-Operated Data Recording System (CODRS) involves fishers who take photos of each individual fish in the catch along with a low-cost vessel tracking system. As it relies on fisher’s collaboration and willingness to share data, CODRS is comparable with a logbook system but enables verification of species identification with greater spatial resolution. We implemented this system from 2015 to 2018 and gathered data from 251 captains and 2,707 fishing trips, which yielded more than one million individual fish, or 2,680 tons. While there were over 100 species in the fishery, we found that the top five species accounted for approximately half of the total catch. We also unveiled fifteen species previously not associated with the fishery due to the fish being eaten on-board, used as bait, or sold prior to being recorded by traders. Using these data, we updated life-history parameters (length at maturity, optimum fishing length, asymptotic length, and maximum length) of the top 50 species in the fishery based on the maximum observed length; this study resulted in higher estimates for maximum length, most likely due to the high sampling size. For some species, the discrepancies between different sources were large, whereas others were not. This collaborative data collection method and findings are useful for scientists and managers interested in conducting length-based stock assessments to establish harvest control rules for data-poor fisheries.
Reflections on a leadership development program: Impacts on culture in a surgical environment.

Abstract Background Although a growing body of literature has focused on the impacts leadership development programs have had on the individual surgeon, little effort has been focused on understanding the impacts these programs have had on surgical culture. The purpose of this study was to explore the impacts of implementing a leadership development program on the culture of the Department of Surgery at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 14 surgery faculty in the first cohort of a leadership development program at University of Michigan. Using NVivo (version 11.4.3; QSR International, Melbourne, Australia), thematic analysis was used to locate, analyze, and report patterns within the data. Results Thematic analysis demonstrated that participation in a leadership development program influenced surgical culture in the following ways: (1) promoted a more participative leadership style, providing tools for surgeons to create a more collaborative environment; (2) increased the culture of diversity, with leaders in the department valuing a more inclusive and wide range of skill sets; and (3) strengthened the collegial environment as evidenced by improved morale and relationships within the department. In addition, several participants expressed difficulty in teasing out what was a direct benefit of a leadership development program versus what could be attributable to other factors, referred to here as the chicken or egg argument. Conclusion Almost all participants expressed experiencing at least some change that they believed was related to the leadership development program. This research may provide insight into the broader implications that programs like these have on surgical culture.
Culture protocols for the gulf coast pygmy sunfish, Elassoma gilberti

Increasing interest in native North American fishes for ornamental use provides opportunities for novel aquaculture endeavors. Elassoma gilberti is a brightly colored, small‐bodied, warm water fish native to the southeast United States that is currently traded as an ornamental species. Little information is available on the biology and ecology of Elassoma species, and empirical culture protocols have yet to be established. Here, we develop and experimentally evaluate culture protocols for E. gilberti, including spawning substrate preference, egg incubation and disinfection, larval dietetics, and larval growth and development. Broodfish preferentially spawned in artificial floating vegetation (yarn mops) when compared to benthically oriented bottle brushes and gravel beds. Embryos exhibited significantly higher hatch rates in static incubators (71.25 ± 22.5%) when compared to upwelling incubators (13.75 ± 7.5%). Hatch rates did not vary significantly following the exposure of embryos to various concentrations of formalin, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide, indicating the potential for safe use of these chemicals in production protocols. Larvae fed Artemia nauplii from first feeding to 18 days posthatch exhibited significantly higher growth than those fed three manufactured microparticulate diets, although survival did not vary among treatments. The results of these trials provide necessary information for the successful culture of E. gilberti, as well as valuable baseline data for captive rearing of other members of the genus.
Syndromes associated with multiple pilomatricomas: When should clinicians be concerned?

Since social distancing measures were introduced in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual consultations (either telephone or video) were identified as important alternative methods of consultation to minimise face-to-face attendance 1 We undertook a prospective study of consultations in a tertiary paediatric dermatology clinic during the reinstatement of routine services Our aim was to compare the three consultation modes (face-to-face, telephone and video) to assess differences between the average consultation time, diagnoses, outcomes and technical issues encountered Over an eight-week period, 142 consultations were carried out, with 101 new referrals seen The majority (61%) were telephone, 25% were face-to-face and 14% were video using NHS Attend Anywhere The average consultation was shorter over telephone (08:54 min) compared to video (11:07 min) and face-to-face (13:53 min) The most common reason for telephone consultation was a lesion (29%), compared to eczema (30%) for face-to-face or video 33% of telephone consultations required face-to-face follow-up compared to only 10% of video consultations Patients were more likely to be discharged following face-to-face than by virtual consultation A third of video consultations could not be accessed due to technical difficulties, and telephone was used instead Our results could reflect patient selection for each mode: Severe inflammatory disease, diagnostic uncertainty, systemic medication monitoring or genital disease requiring face-to-face consultation, whilst telephone consultation frequently used for lesion triage It is important to compare modes of consultation whilst we progress to a partially virtual method of working, ensuring virtual consultations are utilised appropriately with adequate patient selection Reference: 1 British Association of Dermatologists COVID-19: Clinical guidelines for the management of dermatology patients remotely, March 2020
Social Eating and Parkinson's Disease (PD): Eating Difficulties and Stigma Are Associated With Reduced Social Participation

Date Presented 04/05/19 People with PD who have eating difficulties and experience stigma may avoid social eating and reduce their overall social participation. This study presents a conceptual model of social eating in PD and the results of a secondary data analysis. OTs should consider the impact of eating difficulties upon the social lives of people with PD, and future work should focus on intervention approaches to optimize the social eating experience. Primary Author and Speaker: Amber Murray-Smith Contributing Authors: Michael Stevenson, Linda Tickle-Degnen
From Philanthropy to Profits in London

This chapter explores the early careers of Ronald McDougall, Robert Lockhart and John Pearce, three caterers whose companies in different ways shaped the catering revolution in late Victorian London.
Accounting for seasonal and composition‐related variability in acoustic material properties in estimating copepod and krill target strength

Estimation of abundance or biomass, using acoustic techniques requires knowledge of the frequency dependent acoustic backscatter characteristics, or target strength, of organisms. Target strength of zooplankton is typically estimated from physics-based models that involve multiple parameters, notably including the acoustic material properties (i.e., the contrasts in density and sound speed between the animal and surrounding seawater). In this work, variability in the acoustic material properties of two zooplankton species in the Gulf of Maine, the copepod (Calanus ﬁnmarchicus) and krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica), was investigated relative to changing season as well as, for the copepod, temperature and depth. Increases in the density and sound speed contrasts of these species from fall to spring were observed. Target strength predictions based on these measurements varied between fall and spring by 2-3 dB in krill. Measurements were also conducted on C. ﬁnmarchicus lipid extract at changing temperature and pressure. The density contrast of the extract varied negatively with temperature, while the sound speed contrast changed by more than 10 % over the temperature and pressure ranges that the organism expected to occupy. C. ﬁnmarchicus target strength predictions showed that the combined effect of temperature and pressure can be signiﬁcant (more than 10 dB) due to the varying response of lipids. The large vertical migration ranges and lipid accumulation characteristics of these species (e.g., the diapause behaviour of Calanus copepods) suggest that it is necessary for seasonal and environmental variability in material properties to be taken into account to achieve reliable measurements.
Via negativa: considering caring by way of non-caring.

The author explores the dialectic between caring and curing, and caring and non-caring by a method of contrast. (non-author abstract)
Comparison of Two Online Courseware Instructional Methods Using Propensity Score Matching

This study used propensity score matching to compare two online courseware systems intended for use as supplements to either face-to-face or online courses. One courseware system focused on adaptive features available to students while completing assignments; whereas the other system was an interactive courseware that provided embedded media supplements and assessments. Participants were students enrolled in a psychology course taught by an instructor who used the adaptive courseware in Fall 2013, switching to the interactive courseware in Fall 2015 and 2016. Propensity score matching was used to match students in 2015 with students in 2013. A separate matching process was done for the 2016 versus 2013 students. The use of propensity score matching was successful in allowing comparison across groups. However, the only consistent finding across the two matched samples was that students appeared to spend less time in the interactive courseware than the adaptive courseware. The most likely reason for the difference is a function of the requirements of the two courseware systems.
James Pat Evans, MD, 1930-2019.

This biographical sketch of Dr. J. Pat Evans commemorates the life and contributions of one of the most influential sports surgeons in the history of orthopedic surgery, drawing on articles written...
SchistoCyte Atlas: A Single-Cell Transcriptome Resource for Adult Schistosomes

Schistosomes cause untold disease and disability in the developing world. Here, we introduce SchistoCyte Atlas, a web-based platform for exploring gene expression at single-cell resolution in adult Schistosoma mansoni. Similar resources accessible to non-specialists across the globe will expedite our ability to understand the biology of these devastating parasites.
Methacrylate-functionalized proanthocyanidins as novel polymerizable collagen cross-linkers – Part 1: Efficacy in dentin collagen bio-stabilization and cross-linking

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of methacrylate-functionalized proanthocyanidins (MAPAs) on dentin collagen’s bio-stabilization against enzymatic degradation and crosslinking capability. Methods Three MAPAs were synthesized via varying methacrylate (MA) to proanthocyanidins (PA) feeding ratios of 1:2, 1:1, and 2:1 to obtain MAPA-1, MAPA-2, and MAPA-3, respectively. The three MAPAs were structurally characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods. 5-μm-thick dentin films were microtomed from dentin slabs of third molars. Following demineralization, films or slabs were treated with 1% MAPAs or PA in ethanol for 30 s. Collagen bio-stabilization against enzymatic degradation was analyzed by weight loss (WL) and hydroxyproline release (HYP) of films, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) on dentin slabs. Crosslinking capacity and interactions of MAPAs with collagen were investigated by FTIR. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05%). Results MA:PA feeding ratios affected MAPAs’ chemical structures which in turn led to different collagen stabilization efficacy against degradation and varied collagen crosslinking capabilities. Higher collagen stabilization efficacy was detected using MAPA-1 (WL 10.52%; HYP 13.53 μg/mg) and MAPA-2 (WL 5.99%; HYP 11.02 μg/mg), which was comparable to that using PA (WL 8.79%; HYP 13.17 μg/mg) (p > 0.05), while a lower collagen stability occurred in MAPA-3 (WL 38.48%; HYP 29.49 μg/mg), indicating excessive MA-functionalization would compromise its stabilization efficacy. In comparison, complete digestion was detected for untreated collagen (WL 100%; HYP 102.76 μg/mg). The above results were consistent with collagen crosslinking efficacy of the three MAPAs revealed by SEM and FTIR. Significance A new class of novel polymerizable collagen cross-linkers MAPAs was synthesized and shown that, when appropriate MA:PA ratios were applied, the resulting MAPAs could render high collagen stability and the ability to copolymerize with resin monomers, overcoming the drawbacks of PA. These new polymerizable crosslinkers, when included in adhesives, could lead to long-lasting dentin bonding.
Addiction Treatment and Crime Rates

Addiction is defined as a physio-psychological health dysfunction characterized by compulsively craving drugs, alcohol, chemicals or any other substance that may cause harm to our bodies...
Abstract TP457: Intraventricular and Intravenous Milrinone for Cerebral Vasospasm in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Introduction: Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is a complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Intraventricular milrinone (IVtM) and intravenous milrinone (IVM) have been studied for treatm...
Ethical Guidelines for Using Emotion AI to Obtain Consent in Federally Regulated Human Participant Research

The debt the world owes to those who have stepped forward to volunteer for studies testing possible treatments and vaccines is, therefore, immense. It is in this context that we should consider how the rapid development of artificial intelligence, already playing a major role in decision making across a wide range of industries and activities, could risk the core legal and ethical principle on which human participant research must be based: the voluntary and informed consent of the people who step forward and risk their own well-being for the future benefit of others. This is especially true now as hundreds of thousands of volunteers, dozens of governments and pharmaceutical companies have been engaged in large-scale global clinical trials of desperately needed vaccines against the novel coronavirus, which may well be remembered as the most active periods of recruitment of human subjects for participation in research trials in history. The repayment of that debt takes the form of assuring that these volunteers are protected by the core legal and ethical principle on which human participant research must be based: the voluntary and informed consent of the people who step forward and risk their own well-being for the future benefit of others. It is expected, and appropriate, that the research consent process make appropriate use of existing technology such as conducting informed consent discussions over video or, for studies where there is minimal risk, providing information through prerecorded presentations. Nor is it necessarily problematic to conduct and track the informed consent process using applications that can respond in real time to specific concerns. However, given the cost of conducting human participant research and the intense need for expediting the process in the face of Covid-19, we must be especially wary that short-cuts in the process of obtaining informed consent do not undermine this process either by affecting the process of sharing information or improperly influencing the decision to consent. This should be of particular concern given the growing adopting of a form of artificial technology, Emotion AI, that was originally designed to persuade consumer behavior by monitoring and then mimicking the emotional state of potential customers. Potential participants in research studies, either in biomedical clinical trials or behavioral research, are not customers nor are those recruiting research participants hawking a product. Taking the claims of those marketing Emotion AI at face value, its ability to shape decision making to the specifications of those seeking to influence decision making means that we need to move quickly in ensuring that it not become part of obtaining consent for research--failing to act means failing to honor society’s commitment to individuals who take risks for the benefit of acquiring information of benefit to others.
Abstract W P85: Enzymes that Influence Histone Acetylation and DNA Methylation are Altered Following Ischemia in an Age and Sex Specific Manner

Background: In animal models, ischemia results in larger infarcts in middle-aged females as compared to young adult females and several measures important for stroke recovery are impaired in middle-aged animals including growth factor production and neuroinflammatory responses. Middle-aged males however, appear to be similar to their younger counterparts on these measures. This impaired recovery following stroke may be related to epigenetic alterations that occur during aging, including changes in DNA methylation and histone acetylation. The level of acetylation is modulated in part by histone deacetylases (HDACs); whereas DNA methylation is modulated by DNA methyltransferases. We evaluated the hypothesis that ischemia would result in epigenetic alterations and that both sex and age would influence this epigenetic profile. Methods: The middle cerebral artery was occluded in adult (6 month) and middle-aged (11+ month) male and female Sprague Dawley rats (n=8/grp). Nuclear proteins were extracted from the ischemic and non-ischemic hemispheres 48 hours after surgery. ELISA based assays were used to measure the amount of HDAC 6 and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) as well as the activity of sirtuins and pan-HDACs. Results: Following stroke, the ischemic hemisphere had higher levels of HDAC activity (.22±.02 vs .16±.008; p<.05) and a greater amount of HDAC 6 (76.6±5.1 vs 43.3±1.6; p<.05) than the non-ischemic hemisphere. In contrast, sirtuin activity was lower in the ischemic hemisphere (4.9±.5 vs 7.4±.6; p<.05). Importantly, middle-aged males had lower levels of sirtuin activity than adult males (4.7±.4 vs 8.3±.9; p<.05). DNMT1 did not differ between the hemispheres; however, middle-aged females had a greater amount of DNMT1 than adult females (239.6±45.8 vs 125.3±19.8; p<.05). Conclusions: Epigenetic modifications are known to influence gene transcription and this study suggests that ischemia alters the activity and availability of enzymes that modulate DNA methylation and histone deacetylation. Importantly, the effects of ischemia are sex and age specific. The differences in epigenetic profiles between the sexes and during aging provide insights into possible mechanisms for the differences in stroke recovery previously documented.
La decadencia de Estados Unidos : sus causas y consecuencias

La crisis economica por la que aun sigue atravesando los Estados Unidos de America ha hecho que en los ultimos anos este sea un tema recurrente en todo el mundo. Noam Chomsky, a traves de este articulo resena de una manera muy precisa y con cierto humor negro los cambios por los que ha atravesado este pais a lo largo de las ultimas decadas. Un analisis que inicia desde la epoca de la Segunda Guerra Mundial y que concluye en la actual crisis financiera que rodea al pais norteamericano nos revela la perspectiva de Chomsky respecto a la situacion que actualmente se vive en los Estados Unidos, explicando de la manera mas clara las razones que han contribuido a que hoy se viva este dificil momento. The economic crisis that continues to afflict the United States has been a recurring subject of discussion around the world in recent years. In this essay, Noam Chomsky provides an accurate summary of the changes that the U.S. has undergone in the last decades. Starting with the World War II era and concluding with the current continuing financial crisis, Chomsky presents his perspective on the current situation of the United States, explaining with great clarity the factors that have contributed to creating the difficulties the U.S. now confronts.
Ag “promoted” sulfidation of metal and oxide surfaces:: a photoemission study of the interaction of sulfur with Ag/Rh(111) and Ag/ZnO

Abstract The interaction of S 2 with Ag/Rh(111) and Ag/ZnO surfaces has been investigated using high-resolution photoemission spectroscopy. In general, silver “promotes” the reaction of S 2 with both clean Rh(111) and polycrystalline ZnO. On dosing Ag/Rh(111) surfaces with S 2 at 300 K, the S 2p spectra show the presence of multiple sulfur species (S, S n polymers). Annealing to 500 K decomposes the sulfur species that have significant S–S bonding and, in addition, results in the formation of metal–sulfur bonds (Rh–S and Ag–S). The formation of Rh–S bonds is indicated by a big drop in the density of states at the Fermi edge, while the formation of Ag–S bonds is evidenced by a slight positive shift (0.4 eV) and narrowing of the Ag 4d band. On Ag/Rh(111) surfaces, the rate of adsorption of S 2 is substantially larger than on Rh(111). A comparison of these results with those previously reported for the S 2 /Ag/Mo(110) and S 2 /Ag/Pt(111) systems indicates that Ag adatoms have the “ability” to enhance the rate of sulfidation of transition metal surfaces. On zinc oxide the Ag overlayers show a band structure that is significantly different from that of pure metallic Ag. Nevertheless, the reactivity of the Ag/ZnO surfaces towards sulfur adsorption is larger than that of pure ZnO. Ag clusters supported on ZnO react with S 2 to form AgS x species which are stable up to temperatures above 500 K. The supported Ag clusters provide a large number of electronic states that are efficient at donating electrons to the S 2 (2π g ) orbitals, inducing in this way the breaking of the S–S bonds and the formation of AgS x . When Ag is vapor deposited on S/ZnO surfaces, the sulfur migrates from the oxide to on-top of the Ag overlayer. This migration is favored by differences in the strength of the Ag→S and ZnO→S electron–donor interactions. Trends in the poisoning of metal/oxide catalysts by sulfur are discussed in terms of a simple mode based on perturbation theory and the Huckel or tight-binding method.
Neural Mechanisms of Perception and Motor Control in a Weakly Electric Fish

Publisher Summary This chapter raises questions as to how far one can understand complex behavioral phenomena at the cellular level. It also demonstrates that a physiological study of neuronal systems necessarily raises speculations about their evolution and ontogeny. Neuronal systems are most complex processors of information, and any study of their organization is likely to be trapped into the analysis of epiphenomena. It is thus an important role of behavioral studies to identify relevant stimulus patterns and to propose possible mechanisms for their perception and evaluation. Weakly electric fishes repetitively discharge an electric organ located in the tail section of their body, and they monitor the electric current penetrating their body surface by means of electroreceptors embedded in their skin.
The Fungibility of Damages Awards: Punitive Damage Caps and Substitution

Conventional wisdom suggests that punitive damages are growing out of control. To stop juries from awarding blockbuster punitive damages, a number of states have passed caps to set a ceiling on the amount of punitives. In principle, if plaintiffs' attorneys and/or juries wish to circumvent such caps, they could simply increase the amount of compensatory damages awarded. To investigate this possibility, we examine data from the Civil Justice Surveys performed by the National Center for State Courts and present evidence in both difference-in-difference and triple differences frameworks that punitive damage caps are associated with an increase in compensatory damage awards. These results suggest that caps alone are a poor way to constrain damage awards.
Ultraviolet photodissociation at 355 nm of fluorescently labeled oligosaccharides.

Ultraviolet photodissociation (UVPD) produces complementary fragmentation to collision-induced dissociation (CID) when implemented for activation of fluorescently labeled oligosaccharide and glycan ions. Reductive amination of oligosaccharides with fluorophore reagents results in efficient photon absorption at 355 nm, producing fragment ions from the nonreducing end that do not contain the appended fluorophore. In contrast to the fragment ions observed upon UVPD (A- and C-type ions), CID produces mainly reducing end fragments retaining the fluorophore (Y-type ions). UVPD affords better isomeric differentiation of both the lacto-N-fucopentaoses series and the lacto-N-difucohexaoses series, but in general, the combination of UVPD and CID offers the most diagnostic elucidation of complex branched oligosaccharides. Four fluorophores yielded similar MS/MS results; however, 6-aminoquinoline (6-AQ), 2-amino-9(10H)-acridone (AMAC) and 7-aminomethylcoumarin (AMC) afforded more efficient photon absorption and subse...
Who Gets Blamed for Intimate Partner Violence? The Relative Contributions of Perpetrator Sex Category, Victim Confrontation, and Observer Attitudes

The present study examined the effects of perpetrator sex category, victim confrontation, observer sex category, and observer attitudes on attributions of blame and behavioral stability for partner violence. Data were collected from 728 college-aged students enrolled at 2 universities in the United States. Results demonstrated that males and females attributed less blame and behavioral stability to female perpetrators than male perpetrators, especially if the perpetrator was provoked. Moreover, attitudes toward women and violence were important for predicting attributions, and some of the evidence for observer effects was reduced to nonsignificance once these variables were added to the model.
Attractive or Not?: Beauty Prediction with Attractiveness-Aware Encoders and Robust Late Fusion

Facial attractiveness is an ever-lasting issue in art and social science. It also draws considerable attention from multimedia community recently. In this paper, we develop a framework highlighting attractiveness-aware feature extracted from a pair of auto-encoders to learn human-like assessment of facial beauty. Our work is fully-automatic that does not require any landmark and puts no restrictions on the faces' pose, expressions, and lighting conditions and therefore is applicable on a larger and more diverse dataset. To this end, first, a pair of auto-encoders is built respectively with beauty images and non-beauty images, which can be used to extract attractiveness-aware features by putting test images into both encoders. Second, we further enhance the performance using an efficient robust low-rank fusion framework to integrate the predicted confidence scores which are obtained based on certain kinds of features. We show that our attractiveness-aware model with multiple layers of auto-encoders produces appealing results and performs better than previous appearance-based approaches.
Evolution of surface structure and chemistry of pigmented coatings during drying

Abstract Pigmented coatings made of styrene–butadiene (SB) latex and kaolin clay with a wide range of pigment volume concentration (PVC) were quenched and freeze-dried at different stages of film formation. The surface was characterized by XPS, SEM, gloss and surface energy measurements. The SB/clay ratio increased at the surface with drying time. The latex–pigment interaction at the surface, at and below the critical pigment volume concentration (CPVC), is different from that above CPVC. While at and below CPVC latex coalescence is almost complete at the second critical concentration (SCC), where air enters into the coating, above CPVC latex continues coalescing after SCC. This behavior of latex coalescence at the surface above CPVC is different from that found in the bulk. Even at PVC as low as 40%, XPS results indicate that the surface is still heterogeneous and not covered totally with latex. Surface energy and its polar component decreased during film formation.