cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Fmoc-amino acids as selective inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase

Cholinesterases are involved in neuronal signal transduction, and perturbation of function has been implicated in diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. For the two major classes of cholinesterases, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), previous studies reported BChE activity is elevated in patients with Alzheimer's disease, while AChE levels remain the same or decrease. Thus, the development of potent and specific inhibitors of BChE have received much attention as a potential therapeutic in the alleviation of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we evaluated amino acid analogs as selective inhibitors of BChE. Amino acid analogs bearing a 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group were tested, as the Fmoc group has structural resemblance to previously described inhibitors. We identified leucine, lysine, and tryptophan analogs bearing the Fmoc group as selective inhibitors of BChE. The Fmoc group contributed to inhibition, as analogs bearing a carboxybenzyl group showed ~tenfold higher values for the inhibition constant (K I value). Inclusion of a t-butoxycarbonyl on the side chain of Fmoc tryptophan led to an eightfold lower K I value compared to Fmoc tryptophan alone suggesting that modifications of the amino acid side chains may be designed to create inhibitors with higher affinity. Our results identify Fmoc-amino acids as a scaffold upon which to design BChE-specific inhibitors and provide the foundation for further experimental and computational studies to dissect the interactions that contribute to inhibitor binding.
Systemic Blastomyces Infection Presenting as a Soft-Tissue Infection of the Finger: A Case Report.

Case: A thirty-eight-year-old male patient presented with fusiform swelling of the left ring finger after minor trauma. After medical evaluation by the emergency department, primary care service, and rheumatology service, he was referred to the orthopaedic service, where he underwent 2 surgical debridements. Cultures from the second surgery revealed a diagnosis of blastomycosis, and the patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B followed by oral itraconazole. Conclusion: Our case report demonstrates a rare presentation and diagnosis of blastomycosis. Knowledge of atypical infections such as this can allow for earlier diagnosis and more appropriate treatment.
Lens density measurements by two independent psychophysical techniques.

Cataract, a leading cause of vision impairment, is due to the lens becoming excessively optically dense. Change in the lens optical density (LOD) could be a useful indicator of incipient nuclear cataract and would necessitate the development of accurate measurement techniques. Mapcat sf™ is a heterochromatic flicker photometer for measuring macular pigment optical density (MPOD) under photopic conditions. In the process, it also measures LOD that is needed in the calculation of MPOD. LOD is then converted by the instrument to “lens equivalent age” (LEA). However, varying cone photoreceptor ratios among individuals could affect the LEA measurement. Scotopic vision is mediated by rod photoreceptors; therefore, LEA measurement under scotopic conditions potentially provides a reliable standard for assessing other methods. The study was conducted to test the level of agreement between the LEA data obtained under photopic and scotopic conditions for a sample population. We also comment on factors that might contribute to any disagreement. LEAs were obtained by Mapcat sf for 25 subjects and compared with those obtained under absolute scotopic threshold conditions. The mean scotopic LEA for the subjects was 2.7 years higher than the mean photopic LEA, but this difference was not statistically significant. Measurements by the two methods were reasonably correlated (r2 = 0.59, p < 0.0001). Significant individual differences in LEA by the two methods were found for six of the 25 subjects. Although our calculations included a standard long- to medium-wavelength-sensitive cone ratio, we found that different ratios could be found that rendered the differences in LEA insignificant for two of these six subjects. Variability in pupil diameter during scotopic measurements was considered another potential source of discrepancy between LEAs by the two methods. The absolute threshold technique, with long adaptation times, is probably impractical for routine lens density measurement, whereas Mapcat sf provided a rapid, straightforward test that may find its application in optometric/ophthalmic practice.
Recent advances in Entamoeba biology: RNA interference, drug discovery, and gut microbiome.

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in understanding the molecular and cell biology of the human parasite Entamoeba histolytica , an important pathogen with significant global impact. This review outlines some recent advances in the Entamoeba field in the last five years, focusing on areas that have not recently been discussed in detail: (i) molecular mechanisms regulating parasite gene expression, (ii) new efforts at drug discovery using high-throughput drug screens, and (iii) the effect of gut microbiota on amoebiasis.
Oxyradical stress increases the biosynthesis of 2-arachidonoylglycerol: involvement of NADPH oxidase

NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived oxyradicals contribute to atherosclerosis by oxidizing low-density lipoproteins (LDL), leading to their phagocytosis by vascular macrophages. Endocannabinoids, such as 2...
Stuck behind kitchen doors? Assessing the work prospects of latter-generation Latino workers in a Los Angeles restaurant

ABSTRACTThe disproportionate number of Latinos employed in unskilled US service industries appears to exemplify the bleak labour market prospects and inter-generational immobility facing this population. Yet as the children of immigrants enter “bad” service and retail jobs alongside the first generation, how might they be faring differently? Drawing on over two years of ethnographic research, this study examines the labour prospects of 1.5- and second-generation Latinos working at a Los Angeles restaurant. I show that while structural disadvantages initially funnel these workers into bottom-rung jobs at the restaurant, many are able to leverage their in-betweenness on a shopfloor divided into immigrant Latino and privileged white employee cohorts. Doing so has allowed some latter-generation workers access to new occupational mobility pathways virtually closed to the first generation.
Elastin-PLGA hybrid electrospun nanofiber scaffolds for salivary epithelial cell self-organization and polarization.

Abstract Development of electrospun nanofibers that mimic the structural, mechanical and biochemical properties of natural extracellular matrices (ECMs) is a promising approach for tissue regeneration. Electrospun fibers of synthetic polymers partially mimic the topography of the ECM, however, their high stiffness, poor hydrophilicity and lack of in vivo-like biochemical cues is not optimal for epithelial cell self-organization and function. In search of a biomimetic scaffold for salivary gland tissue regeneration, we investigated the potential of elastin, an ECM protein, to generate elastin hybrid nanofibers that have favorable physical and biochemical properties for regeneration of the salivary glands. Elastin was introduced to our previously developed poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanofiber scaffolds by two methods, blend electrospinning (EP-blend) and covalent conjugation (EP-covalent). Both methods for elastin incorporation into the nanofibers improved the wettability of the scaffolds while only blend electrospinning of elastin-PLGA nanofibers and not surface conjugation of elastin to PLGA fibers, conferred increased elasticity to the nanofibers measured by Young’s modulus. After two days, only the blend electrospun nanofiber scaffolds facilitated epithelial cell self-organization into cell clusters, assessed with nuclear area and nearest neighbor distance measurements, leading to the apicobasal polarization of salivary gland epithelial cells after six days, which is vital for cell function. This study suggests that elastin electrospun nanofiber scaffolds have potential application in regenerative therapies for salivary glands and other epithelial organs. Statement of Significance Regenerating the salivary glands by mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a promising approach for long term treatment of salivary gland damage. Despite their topographic similarity to the ECM, electrospun fibers of synthetic polymers lack the biochemical complexity, elasticity and hydrophilicity of the ECM. Elastin is an ECM protein abundant in the salivary glands and responsible for tissue elasticity. Although it’s widely used for tissue regeneration of other organs, little is known about its utility in regenerating the salivary tissue. This study describes the use of elastin to improve the elasticity, hydrophilicity and biochemical complexity of synthetic nanofibers and its potential in directing in vivo-like organization of epithelial salivary cells which helps the design of efficient salivary gland regeneration scaffolds.
A method to compare the performance of two molecular diagnostic tools in the absence of a gold standard.

The paper is motivated by the problem of comparing the accuracy of two molecular tests in detecting genetic mutations in tumor samples when there is no gold standard test. Commonly used sequencing ...
Analysis of a Complex Faulted CO2 Reservoir Using a Three-dimensional Hydro-geochemical-Mechanical Approach

Abstract This work applies a three-dimensional (3D) multiscale approach recently developed by Nguyen et al. ( Int. J. Greenhouse Gas Control, 2016, 46:100-115; Greenhouse Gases: Sci. & Technol. , DOI: 10.1002/ghg.1616) to analyze a complex CO 2 faulted reservoir that includes some key geological features of the San Andreas and nearby faults. The approach couples the STOMP-CO2-R code for flow and reactive transport modeling to the ABAQUS ® finite element package for geomechanical analysis. The objective is to examine the coupled hydro-geochemical-mechanical impact on the risk of hydraulic fracture and fault slip in a complex and representative CO 2 reservoir that contains two nearly parallel faults. STOMP-CO2-R/ABAQUS ® coupled analyses of this reservoir are performed assuming extensional and compressional stress regimes to predict evolutions of fluid pressure, stress and strain distributions as well as potential fault failure and leakage of CO 2 along the fault damage zones. The tendency for the faults to slip and pressure margin to fracture are examined in terms of stress regime, mineral composition, crack distributions in the fault damage zones and geomechanical properties. This model in combination with a detailed description of the faults helps assess the coupled hydro-geochemical-mechanical effect.
Marine Electromagnetic Methods

Geophysical electromagnetic methods were originally introduced for land observations only. However, it was discovered in the mid-twentieth century that various electromagnetic methods can be used quite effectively on and in the World Ocean. Marine EM methods are used both in academic applications to study the deep structure of the earth crust and upper mantle, and in exploration for mineral resources. In this Chapter we discuss marine magnetotelluric and controlled source methods. The methodic of the marine magnetotelluric (MT) method is similar to that used on the land. The geoelectrical study at the sea bottom, however, is not the same as geoelectrical studies conducted on land. These differences result in different techniques for measuring the EM field in the seawater and in different behaviors of the observed electromagnetic fields in comparison with land observations, which are examined in this Chapter. We also discuss marine controlled source electromagnetic (MCSEM) methods. There are two major survey configurations of the MCSEM methods. One is based on the fixed sea-bottom receivers and a towed electric field transmitter. Another widely used marine EM method is based on the data acquisition system consisting of an electric bipole transmitter and an array of electric field receivers towed by a vessel. Both methods are described and analyzed in this Chapter.
Clinical Decision Rules for Pulmonary Embolism in Hospitalized Patients: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

Background Clinical decision rules (CDRs) for pulmonary embolism (PE) have been validated in outpatients, but their performance in hospitalized patients is not well characterized. Objectives The goal of this systematic literature review was to assess the performance of CDRs for PE in hospitalized patients. Methods We performed a structured literature search using Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane library for articles published on or before January 18, 2017. Two authors reviewed all titles, abstracts and full texts. We selected prospective studies of symptomatic hospitalized patients in which a CDR was used to estimate the likelihood of PE. The diagnosis of PE had to be confirmed using an accepted reference standard. Data on hospitalized patients were solicited from authors of studies in mixed populations of outpatients and hospitalized patients. Study characteristics, PE prevalence and CDR performance were extracted. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the QUADAS instrument. Results Twelve studies encompassing 3,942 hospitalized patients were included. Studies varied in methodology (randomized controlled trials and observational studies) and reference standards used. The pooled sensitivity of the modified Wells rule (cut-off ≤ 4) in hospitalized patients was 72.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 63.7–79.2) and the pooled specificity was 62.2% (95% CI, 52.6–70.9). The modified Wells rule (cut-off ≤ 4) plus D-dimer testing had a pooled sensitivity 99.7% (95% CI, 96.7–100) and pooled specificity 10.8% (95% CI, 6.7–16.9). The efficiency (proportion of patients stratified into the ‘PE unlikely’ group) was 8.4% (95% CI, 4.1–16.5), and the failure rate (proportion of low likelihood patients who were diagnosed with PE during follow-up) was 0.1% (95% CI, 0–5.3). Conclusion In symptomatic hospitalized patients, use of the Wells rule plus D-dimer to rule out PE is safe, but allows very few patients to forgo imaging.
Neuroprotection by chitosan nanoparticles in oxidative stress-mediated injury

Oxidative stress is a critical component of nervous system secondary injury. Oxidative stress produces toxic chemical byproducts including reactive aldehydes that traverse intact membranes and attack neighboring healthy cells. This secondary damage often leads to further patho-biochemical cascades that exacerbate the original insult. In this work, we investigate the therapeutic effects of chitosan nanoparticles on cell cultures exposed to oxidative stress. We found chitosan nanoparticles can rescue BV-2 glial cells from death, but only for cells undergoing necrosis. Necrosis occurred when cultures were challenged with high concentrations of H2O2 (> 110 μM) whereas a slow and progressive loss of cultures was observed in more dilute (50–100 μM) peroxide applications. In the latter case, the primary mode of cell death was apoptosis. These studies revealed that while rescue of H2O2 challenged cultures was achieved for necrotic cell death, no such sparing was observed in apoptotic cells. Based on the current and cumulative data regarding the membrane fusogenic properties of chitosan, we conclude that chitosan neuroprotection arises from its membrane sealing effects. Consistent with this hypothesis is the observation that apoptotic cells did not exhibit early stage membrane damage. These in vitro results elucidate mechanisms by which membrane fusogens may provide therapeutic benefit.
MUTATIONAL ALTERATIONS OF THE GENETIC CODE

This chapter discusses the mutational alterations of the genetic code. The genetic code expresses the relationship between nucleotide triplets in messenger RNA and amino acids in proteins. This chapter focuses on one of the amino acids, lysine, for which there are the two codons, ApApG and ApApA. It has been found that both ApApG and ApApA can function, in-vivo , as codons for lysine, because lysine has been obtained as an amino acid substitution in alkaline phosphatase as a result of a mutational alteration of UpApG and UpApA triplets in the phosphatase structural gene. To analyze whether E. coli makes use of ApApG and ApApA as lysine codons, the present study examined the possibility of generating UpApG and UpApA triplets in the alkaline phosphatase structural gene by mutation of lysine codons. If ApApG is normally used as a lysine codon, then it should be possible to obtain UpApG by mutation of a lysine codon; however, if ApApA is a normal lysine codon, it should be possible to obtain UpApA by the same procedure. The result is that UpApA triplets readily appear by mutation of lysine codons, but in no case has the same procedure generated an UpApG triplet.
Electrons in Dense Gases

The study of electron-molecule interactions in dense gases has received considerable attention recently, and a number of workers [1–7] have reviewed and synthesized these advances. It has been pointed out [2] that knowledge of the effects of the density and nature of a gaseous medium on the “isolated molecule”-electron interactions in the intermediate density range between a low-pressure gas and the condensed phase is essential in understanding radiation effects and mechanisms and in linking the wealth of information on electron-molecule interactions in low-pressure gases to that on similar processes in the condensed phase. In this chapter we briefly review recent studies on electron transport and electron attachment to molecules in dense gases (for a discussion of these processes in nonpolar liquids and the linking of gaseous to condensed-phase behavior see [5, 7]).
Requirement for uvrAB function for postirradiation DNA synthesis in vitro.

Toluene-treated Escherichia coli cells from uvrA - and uvrB - strains do not show an ultraviolet-induced, DNA polymerase-III-dependent DNA synthesis.
Childhood Pulmonary Function, Exercise Capacity, and Exhaled Nitric Oxide Levels: Outcomes following Neonatal Treatment with Inhaled Nitric Oxide to Prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective The goal was to determine if inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for 3 weeks during neonatal care of high-risk preterm infants was associated with improved pulmonary function and exercise capacity or altered exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels in later childhood. Study Design Thirty-four very preterm children previously enrolled in a randomized, neonatal trial of iNO to prevent chronic lung disease, were assessed in follow-up at 7 to 9 years of age, including pulmonary function testing (PFT), exercise testing, and measurement of FeNO. Results There were no differences in PFTs or exercise capacity between iNO treated and controls. FeNO levels showed large interpatient variability but tended to be lower in the iNO treated. Conclusion Findings indicate no overall differences in pulmonary function or exercise capacity for children who had neonatal iNO treatment compared with placebo.
Wake vortex regimes of a pitching cantilever plate in quiescent air and their correlation with mean flow generation

Abstract Jet flows induced by oscillating cantilever plates enable power-efficient cooling enhancement and fluid acceleration. We report a combined experimental and numerical study of the vortex regimes present in the wake of a harmonically oscillating thin cantilever plate in a quiescent fluid and analyze their effect on the flow generation downstream. We use Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) in conjunction with two-dimensional numerical simulations to investigate the vortex evolution around the trailing edge of the plates with different geometries and vibrational properties. Our observations suggest the existence of three distinct regimes in the wake: non-propagating, intermediate and propagating. Comparing the temporal decay of the vortex circulation in different regimes shows that different mechanisms are involved in the formation of these vortical patterns. A regime map is proposed next, denoting the incident of each vortex regime as a function of relevant dimensionless parameters. Our analysis of the mean jet on the normal mid-plane, as quantified by the momentum-averaged Reynolds number Re jet , shows that the induced jet downstream the trailing edge is tightly correlated with the identified vortex regimes. The present study improves our understanding of vortex generation and propagation in oscillating cantilevers and facilitates optimized design and operation of piezoelectric fans and similar devices.
On Controlled DeEntanglement for Natural Language Processing.

Latest addition to the toolbox of human species is Artificial Intelligence(AI). Thus far, AI has made significant progress in low stake low risk scenarios such as playing Go and we are currently in a transition toward medium stake scenarios such as Visual Dialog. In my thesis, I argue that we need to incorporate controlled de-entanglement as first class object to succeed in this transition. I present mathematical analysis from information theory to show that employing stochasticity leads to controlled de-entanglement of relevant factors of variation at various levels. Based on this, I highlight results from initial experiments that depict efficacy of the proposed framework. I conclude this writeup by a roadmap of experiments that show the applicability of this framework to scalability, flexibility and interpretibility.
Should Nursing Institute Random Drug Screening

The nursing profession should follow what other professions have already done by instituting random drug screening in health care facilities now.
Using of Plastic waste and Metal Bottle Caps In Concrete for Fortifying and Sound Resistance

The growing amount of garbage waste has been a big issue. given the fact that our production of garbage waste is excessive Stated by the Conserve Energy Future(n.d). Plastic and metal wastes are scattered everywhere and its reduction remains a problem. According to Fonti, D. (2013). Due to the rising presence and low biodegradability of Plastic waste, mitigation has been still a problem to our environment.( Baboo, R. et. Al 2012). With this, the researchers were inspired on how they could help to lessen the garbage waste produced in our world.
Cancer-stromal cell fusion as revealed by fluorescence protein tracking.

PURPOSE We previously determined that cancer-stromal interaction was a direct route to tumor cell heterogeneity progression, since cancer-stromal cell fusion in coculture resulted in the creation of heterogeneous clones of fusion hybrid progeny. In this report, we modified the cancer-stromal coculture system to establish optimal experimental conditions for investigating cell fusion machinery and the mechanism of heterogeneity progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Red fluorescence protein-tagged LNCaP cells were cocultured with green fluorescence protein-labeled prostate stromal cells for cancer-stromal cell fusion, which was tracked as dual fluorescent cells by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS We identified the most efficient strategy to isolate clones of fusion hybrid progenies. From the coculture, mixed cells including fusion hybrids were subjected to low-density replating for colony formation by fusion hybrid progeny. These colonies could propagate into derivative cell populations. Compared to the parental LNCaP cells, clones of the fusion hybrid progeny displayed divergent behaviors and exhibited permanent genomic hybridization. CONCLUSIONS Cancer-stromal cell fusion leads to cancer cell heterogeneity. The cancer-stromal coculture system characterized in this study can be used as a model for molecular characterization of cancer cell fusion as the mechanism behind the progression of heterogeneity observed in clinical prostate cancers.
Chaos and Possible Underpinnings for Quantum Mechanics

Alternative, parallel explanations for a number of counter-intuitive concepts connected with the foundations of quantum mechanics can be constructed in terms of nonlinear dynamics. These include ideas as diverse as the statistical exponential decay law and spontaneous symmetry breaking to decoherence itself and the inference from violations of Bell’s inequality that local reality is ruled out in hidden variable extensions of quantum mechanics. Such alternative explanations must not be taken as demonstrations of nonlinear underpinnings for quantum mechanics, but they do raise the possibility of their existence. In this article I delve a bit into ideas connected with the exponential decay law and with Bell’s inequality as demonstrations. Then an investigation of the Klein-Gordon equation shows that it should not come as a complete surprise that quantum mechanics just might contain fundamental nonlinearities.
Three-dimensional phase field sintering simulations accounting for the rigid-body motion of individual grains

Abstract Sintering is a widely used powder processing technique in industrial applications. During sintering, atoms migrate to decrease the energy of the system via two main mechanisms: coarsening and densification, both of which lead to significant morphological variation of the sintered microstructure. When simulating sintering dynamics, the phase-field method has been broadly utilized because of its convenience in tracking morphology evolution. When a large number of grains is involved, it is common to use the same order parameter to describe multiple grains that are not in direct contact with one another (in order to reduce the computational memory demands). However, with this treatment it is difficult to handle the rigid-body motion of individual grains during densification. In this work, an implementation scheme is introduced to overcome the challenge of calculating individual particle motion based on existing equations. It uses a grouping algorithm and sets a cutoff radius on each grain for calculating the particle velocity during densification. This method allows for the incorporation of the densification mechanism, which has been commonly ignored in previous work, into phase-field sintering models in three-dimensional simulations with a large number of particles/grains. Moreover, through combination with the smoothed boundary method, material properties of sintered microstructures, such as the effective diffusivity and Young’s modulus, can be calculated during the sintering processes.
Does heart rate response confirm the attainment of maximal oxygen uptake in adults 45 years and older

To test the efficacy of a plateau in heart rate (HRplat) as an effective indicator for confirming $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max attainment in a middle-aged to older sample. Nine men and eleven women (age 60 ± 8.5 years, $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max 35.9 ± 9.4 ml/kg/min, N = 20) completed a single $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max test on both the treadmill and cycle ergometer. $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max was confirmed using a plateau in $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ ( $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ plat) of ≤ 150 ml/min, a verification bout, and HRplat (≤ 4 bpm). $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ plat occurred in 100% and 95% of participants on the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively. Verification criteria ( $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max during verification ≤ 2% of $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max during incremental test) were met by 80% of participants on both modalities. HRplat was achieved by 90% and 70% of participants on the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively. These results suggest that a verification bout is reliable for confirming $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max in older adults on both modalities. In our sample of middle-aged and older adults, $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ plat was the most robust method to assess $$ \dot{V}{\text{O}}_{2} $$ max when indirect calorimetry is available. Although more research is warranted, when indirect calorimetry is not available, a HRplat of ≤ 4 bpm may be a useful alternative to get an accurate representation of maximal effort in middle-aged and older adults.
‘Rape is a man’s issue:’ gender and power in the era of affirmative sexual consent

The #MeToo movement has shined light on sexual harassment and assault, creating new avenues for survivors to seek justice, outside of the justice system. People (mostly men) accused of sexual assau...
The Intra.Ox Near-Infrared Spectrometer Measures Variations in Flap Oxygenation That Correlate to Flap Necrosis in a Preclinical Rodent Model.

BACKGROUND Mastectomy flap necrosis affects 7 to 40 percent of patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, with many cases resulting in infection and/or explantation. The Intra.Ox near-infrared spectrometer is a novel device that assesses tissue perfusion by measuring the interactions of light with oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. This handheld device facilitates serial flap perfusion assessment and may objectively identify at-risk tissues and guide evidence-based treatment algorithms. In this preliminary study, we hypothesized that the Intra.Ox spectrometer detects differences in tissue oxygenation that correlate to tissue necrosis. METHODS Dorsal, random-pattern flaps measuring 10 × 3 cm were raised in eight male Sprague-Dawley rats. Intraoperative tissue oxygen saturation was measured using Intra.Ox in 10 standardized locations. On postoperative day 7, the skin flaps were evaluated for full-thickness necrosis. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. A receiver operating characteristic curve assessed the accuracy of intraoperative tissue oxygenation in predicting the risk of flap necrosis. RESULTS Tissue oxygen saturation exhibited a strong negative correlation to distance from the flap pedicle (r = -0.798). Oxygen saturation in tissue that developed necrosis averaged 32 percent, compared to 59 percent in tissues that did not (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.969. Post hoc oxygen saturation cutoffs with 100 percent specificity and sensitivity in predicting necrosis were identified at 46 percent and 54 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Intra.Ox detects significant differences in tissue oxygenation saturation that are associated with the risk for flap necrosis. This technology can be used to identify at-risk tissues and represents an avenue for research aimed at preventing flap necrosis.
Chest CT characteristics of patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia

Rationale: The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has presented major challenges for global health systems. Given limited availability of diagnostic testing and delays in test results during the first wave of the pandemic, our hospital used computed tomography (CT) to risk stratify patients with suspected COVID-19. The aim of this study was to describe the various patterns of disease on chest CT and relate them to chest x-ray (CXR) findings. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 559 symptomatic patients infected with COVID-19 (diagnosed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) admitted from March 2020 to May 2020 at Temple University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) who received admission CXR and chest CT scans that were performed within 24 hours of admission. Scans were independently reviewed by a group of radiologists. CXRs was interpreted as “consistent with COVID-19” if there were lower lobe peripheral opacities. Chest CTs were evaluated for the presence of ground glass opacities, consolidations, interlobular septal thickening, centrilobular nodules, and crazy paving pattern. Chest CT was also assessed for background lung disease (emphysema, interstitial lung disease). Results: Of the 559 patients, median age was 58 years old, 55.5% were female, and 56.7% were African American. Median BMI was 31.61. Median duration of symptoms at time of chest imaging was 5 days. 153 (27.4%) of patient's admission CXR was not consistent with COVID-19. Of those, 124 (81%) had abnormalities on chest CT. Median number of lobes involved with disease on CT was 3.8 and 317 patients (56.7%) had all 5 lobes with disease. The most common abnormalities found were ground glass opacities (n=507, 90.7%), consolidations (n=224, 40%) and centrilobular nodules (n=127, 22.7%). Less common findings included pleural effusion (n=62, 11.8%), lymphadenopathy (n=55, 9.8%), pericardial effusion (n=24, 4.2%), and pneumothorax (n=3, 0.53%). Of note, 82 (14.7%) patients were found to have emphysema, and 2 (0.35%) were found to have interstitial lung disease. Conclusion: We present one of the largest reviews of CT scans in patients admitted for COVID-19. The majority of our population had significant burden of disease on CT at time of presentation. Ground glass opacities and consolidations were the predominant findings. Most patients did not have background emphysema or interstitial lung disease. The fact that many patients with normal CXR had abnormalities on chest CT highlights the utility of chest CT in evaluating patients with COVID-19.
Adaptive Spike Removal Method for High-Speed Pavement Macrotexture Measurements by Controlling the False Discovery Rate

Tire–pavement interactions, such as friction, tire–pavement noise, splash and spray, and rolling resistance, are significantly influenced by pavement macrotexture. Accurate texture data collection and analysis at a network level are key to achieving the desired level of safety, comfort, and sustainability of pavements. This study addressed the problem of noise in the form of spikes revealed in dynamic measurements that were performed with the use of vehicle-mounted lasers to measure macrotexture at traffic speed. The presence of spikes in collected data leads to erroneous texture measurements that do not reflect the actual pavement texture profile. As a solution to this problem, an innovative denoising methodology was developed. It consisted of an algorithm that determined the distribution of texture measurements with the use of the family of generalized Gaussian distributions, which allowed for the tail of the distribution to be heavier or thinner than the normal distribution, and with the use of the fal...
Living with Your Biographical Subject: Special Problems of Distance, Privacy and Trust in the Biography of G. Ledyard Stebbins Jr

This paper explores the special problems encountered by the biographer of a living scientific subject. Inparticular, it explores the complex of problems that emerges from the intense interpersonal dynamic involving issues of distance, privacy and trust. It alsoexplores methodological problems having to do with oral history interviews and other supporting documentation. It draws on the personal experience ofthe author and the biographical subject of G. Ledyard Stebbins Jr., the botanist, geneticist and evolutionist. It also offers prescriptives and recommendations for future research.
Uterine contractions during labor in myotonic muscular dystrophy

Abstract Graphic tracings representing uterine contractions during labor in a patient with myotonic muscular dystrophy are presented. The patient had a clinically inert labor requiring oxytocin stimulation and tocodynamometer tracings taken before and after stimulation are compared. The graphic representation of the uterine contractions suggested a prolonged plateau phase of relaxation, which had not been previously reported, and this relaxation phase appeared to be shortened by the oxytocin stimulation. This is also a case of cardiac arrest at 15 weeks' gestation, with survival of mother and delivery of an apparently normal infant.
Regional genetic subdivision in the Mohave ground squirrel: evidence of historic isolation and ongoing connectivity in a Mojave Desert endemic

The Mojave Desert is characterized by a unique biodiversity and is an area of particular interest for the development of renewable energy facilities, which could impact habitat quality and population connectivity. To begin understanding current habitat connectivity in a Mojave Desert endemic, we examine population genetic characteristics of the Mohave ground squirrel, Xerospermophilus mohavensis. We use microsatellite and mitochondrial data to examine the spatial distribution of genetic variation and to infer regional demographic history and connectivity across the species' range. We also examine the demographic history of individual populations and assess the degree to which X. mohavensis may be hybridizing with its sister species, Xerospermophilus tereticaudus. We find that populations of X. mohavensis group into three regionally defined genetic clusters with admixture among the groups. Patterns of regional genetic subdivision and inferred patterns of colonization are consistent with what would be expected from the location and timing of the historic lake and river systems of the region. On a more recent timescale, most X. mohavensis populations do not appear to have experienced genetic bottlenecks, as would be expected from known population declines. Finally, we find that hybridization between X. mohavensis and X. tereticaudus is limited, and thus, not a source of introgression into the threatened species. The patterns of diversity and regional connectivity that we describe here for the Mohave ground squirrel are a first step in determining critical conservation areas for endemic Mojave Desert fauna.
Whither Legal Scholarship in Japan

The establishment of the professional law schools in Japan has generated conditions for a perfect storm that may devastate legal scholarship. First, the current generation of law scholars are so burdened by teaching and administration for the new law schools that it has become difficult for them to produce their own scholarship. Second, these burdens are impairing law professors’ ability to mentor new scholars. Finally, the academic track graduate law programs are attracting fewer among first tier of talent. Many of the best and brightest potential scholars are instead enrolling in the new professional law school programs.Scholarship generates the intellectual foundation of the law. As the great pedagogical theorist Paulo Friere said: “I do research so as to know what I do not yet know and to communicate and proclaim what I discover.” If legal scholars in Japan cease to generate creative empirical and theoretical analysis of the law and society, a weakened ability to understand and report on the present will imperil the future.This paper portrays the dynamics in legal education in Japan generating the current circumstances, considers the attending risks for the future, and aims to offer valuable policy reform suggestions.
MAKING THE BEST USE OF A TEXTBOOK IN INDONESIAN TERTIARY EFL READING CLASSROOMS

Nowadays, EFL reading textbooks have adjusted their level of linguistic difficulties to their prospective users and provide texts about a variety of topics, detailed explanation of reading skills and practices, not to mention the smart lay-out and good quality of paper, all aiming at facilitating both students and teachers to successfully learn and teach reading, respectively. However, having qualified reading textbooks, teachers cannot take for granted that their students will directly appreciate reading and the textbook selected for the course because in some places extensive reading may not be part of the people's routine, and may not be considered to be very important by the authority. This article provides several useful techniques to take a full advantage of textbooks in A. M. Da Silva, Making the Best Use ofa Textbook 21 EFL reading classrooms in the aforementioned context.
Why Can't a Computer Be More Like a Brain?

Computer scientists may tout their machines9 abilities to perform millions or billions of operations a second, but in fact, biological systems are fantastically efficient at certain types of computation, such as interpreting sensory data. Some computer scientists are now trying to build a new kind of computer that captures in silicon the "essence" of biological subsystems. So-called "neuromorphic engineers" are adapting the tricks that the nervous system has come up with over the course of evolution.
[89WLRO001] An Economic Analysis of Subject Matter Jurisdiction Waiver: A Response to Professor Buehler

For nearly a century, it has been black letter law that federal subject matter jurisdiction is non-waivable. Both parties and judges can raise subject matter jurisdiction problems at any time, even on appeal. This doctrine has been criticized as wasteful, because cases are sometimes dismissed after trial and relitigated in state court. Dustin Buehler proposes that federal judges be required to issue a subject matter certification order near the beginning of every federal case, but that judges no longer routinely dismiss cases if it later becomes apparent that subject matter jurisdiction is lacking. While this proposal has much merit, its costs are likely to exceed its benefits. Judges and their clerks will have to prepare certification orders in all cases in order to prevent relitigation of a very small number of cases. Because the number of certification orders prepared will exceed the number of relitigations avoided by about a 500-to-1 ratio, the aggregate cost of certification orders (even though individually each order will require relatively little effort) is likely to be greater than the aggregate benefit of cases where relitigation in state court is avoided (even though each relitigated case imposes significant costs on parties and courts). While an economic analysis of the federalism concerns underlying the current non-waivability of subject matter jurisdiction suggests that the costs of occasional jurisdictional mistakes is low, there are better alternatives than requiring jurisdictional certification in every case. One alternative is notifying the relevant state Attorney General when subject matter jurisdiction defects are belatedly discovered; such cases would be dismissed only if the Attorney General asserts a state interest in having the case resolved in state court. In addition, the benefits of the current rule should not be ignored. The non-waivability of subject matter jurisdiction may, paradoxically, have the salutary effect of encouraging parties to be more careful about jurisdiction early in each case.
Magnetic Materials: Interactions in ferromagnetic materials

Anyone who is not shocked by quantum theory has not understood it. Niels Bohr (1885–1962) In Chapter 2 we introduced the concept of ferromagnetism, and looked at the hysteresis loop which characterizes the response of a ferromagnetic material to an applied magnetic field. This response is really quite remarkable! Look at Figs. 2.3 and 2.4 again – we see that it is possible to change the magnetization of a ferromagnetic material from an initial value of zero to a saturation value of around 1000 emu/cm 3 by the application of a rather small magnetic field – around tens of oersteds. The fact that the initial magnetization of a ferromagnet is zero is explained by the domain theory of ferromagnetism. The domain theory was postulated in 1907 by Weiss and has been very successful. We will discuss the details of the domain theory, and the experimental evidence for the existence of domains, in the next chapter. The subject of this chapter is: How can such a small external field cause such a large magnetization? In Exercise 6.2(b), you'll see that a field of 50 Oe has almost no effect on a system of weakly interacting elementary magnetic moments. Thermal agitations act to oppose the ordering influence of the applied field, and, when the atomic magnetic moments are independent, the thermal agitation wins.
Recurrent Stroke-like Events Preceding the X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Diagnosis (P6.011)

OBJECTIVE: To discuss diagnostic difficulties in children presenting with acute encephalopathy syndrome and to emphasize the need for awareness of early presentation of X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X) BACKGROUND: Mutations of gap junction beta-1 protein Connexin 32 (Cx32) are responsible for CMT1X, a common cause of hereditary peripheral neuropathy presenting in childhood. In addition to the manifestations of peripheral nerve dysfunction, patients occasionally have recurrent stroke-like events - focal weakness, sensory loss, aphasia, and dysarthria. Also, transient diffusion abnormalities are often symmetric and not restricted to vascular territories on imaging. Thus, diagnostic difficulties occur in children with recurrent encephalopathy, especially when CMT diagnosis has not already been established. The stroke-like phenomena often precipitated by acute infections and metabolic stressors. DESIGN/METHODS: A previously healthy boy was evaluated by clinical, laboratory testing, and repeated imaging studies. He initially presented at 11 years of age with acute hemiparesis, ataxia, and dysarthria. Maternal family history is significant for peripheral neuropathy. The CSF and metabolic tests were normal and brain MRI showed symmetrical diffusion abnormalities in the white matter. This pattern resolved but recurred at ages 14 and 17. He later developed peripheral neuropathy - weakness of distal muscles, decreased sensations, areflexia, and foot drop. RESULTS: The brain MRIs performed at the time of recurrences revealed symmetric signal alterations with restricted diffusion involving bilateral centrum semiovale, splenium of the corpus callosum, and cerebellar peduncles. Diffusion abnormalities normalized after 6 months. Genetic testing for hereditary neuropathy revealed mutation in Cx32, suggesting a diagnosis of CMT1X. CONCLUSIONS: The transient encephalopathic syndrome with focal paresis, dysarthria, and ataxia is an under recognized early presentation of CMT1X and it continues to be clinically challenging due to its rarity. Thus, this case emphasizes the need for awareness among practitioners to consider CMT1X in the differential diagnosis of acute encephalopathy with symmetric cerebral white matter signal alterations with restricted diffusion to avoid unnecessary work-up and the associated costs. Study Supported by: none Disclosure: Dr. Kimbason has nothing to disclose. Dr. Anilkumar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bronov has nothing to disclose.
Anticancer effects of monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin: oxidative stress, nuclear translocation and modulation of AP-1 and NF-κB

Purpose: In order to elucidate anticancer effects of monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin (MACs), we have undertaken the present study to obtain information regarding drug targets by using a microarray approach, and to study the cellular localization of EF24 and the activity of two key transcription factors, AP-1 and NF-κB, involved in complex cellular responses of cell survival and death. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of various drugs was evaluated using a Neutral Red Dye assay. Cellular localization of biotinylated EF24 (active) and reduced EF24 (inactive) was determined using light and confocal microscopy. Measurement of transcription factor binding was carried out using Transfactor ELISA kits (BD Clontech, Palo Alto, CA). Gene microarray processing was performed at Expression Analysis, Inc (Durham, NC) using Affymetrix Human U133A Gene Chips. Results: In this study, we demonstrated that EF24 and UBS109 exhibit much more potent cytotoxic activity against pancreatic cancer than the current standard chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine. EF24, rapidly localizes to the cell nucleus. The compound modulates the DNA binding activity of NF-κB and AP-1 in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells and DU-145 human prostate cancer cells. Immunohistochemical studies utilizing biotinylated-EF24 and chemically-reduced EF24 show that the unsaturated compound and biotinylated EF24, but not reduced EF24, translocates to the nucleus within 30 minutes after the addition of drug. Through a gene microarray study, EF24 is shown to affect genes directly involved in cytoprotection, tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis and apoptosis. Conclusion: EF24 and UBS109 warrant further investigation for development of pancreatic cancer therapy. The dualistic modulations of gene expression may be a manifestation of the cell responses for survival against oxidative stress by EF24. However, the cytotoxic action of EF24 ultimately prevails to kill the cells.