cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting and Synthesizing Synchronous Joint Action in Human-Robot Teams

To become capable teammates to people, robots need the ability to interpret human activities and appropriately adjust their actions in real time. The goal of our research is to build robots that can work fluently and contingently with human teams. To this end, we have designed novel nonlinear dynamical methods to automatically model and detect synchronous joint action (SJA) in human teams. We also have extended this work to enable robots to move jointly with human teammates in real time. In this paper, we describe our work to date, and discuss our future research plans to further explore this research space. The results of this work are expected to benefit researchers in social signal processing, human-machine interaction, and robotics.
Investigation of noise hazards and hearing status of workers in outdoor quarries

Objective To investigate the noise hazards in open quarries and to provide a basis for further control of noise hazards.Methods An investigation was performed during 2010 to 2011 among all open quarries in Deqing County of Zhejiang Province,China.The investigation included basic information of the quarries,the occupational health situation and noise intensity at the workplace,and the hearing loss of workers exposed to noise in quarry enterprises.The hearing test results were evaluated based on the Diagnostic criteria of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (GBZ 49-2007).Results A total of 25 enterprises with open quarries were investigated,of which only 30.4％ (17/56) workplaces met the national standard.The median noise level was 92.5 dB (A).Fifty-four (10.6％) out of 508 workers in the 25 enterprises were diagnosed with binaural hearing loss in the initial physical examination,with 18.3％ (93/508) under surveillance.The rate of normal hearing among crushing workers,mechanists,drilling workers,and blasting workers ranged between 27.6％ and 41.4％,which was significantly lower than that among workers exposed to slight noise hazards (80.0％) or other workers (63.7％) (P＜0.05).With increasing working years,the binaural hearing loss of crushing workers became serious.Conclusion Serious occupational noise hazards existed in most jobs in open quarries,with crushing workers,mechanists,drilling workers,and blasting workers most seriously jeopardized.Among crushing workers,those working in the first-line or unprotected second-line positions suffered more than the others.Further measures should be taken by the supervision department and the enterprises to control the noise hazards in open quarries. Key words: Quarry; Industrial noise; Hearing; Type of job
Elucidating the Connection between Protonation Switches and Binding and Folding of pHLIP

pH (Low) Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) is a soluble peptide that binds and inserts into cell membranes in a pH-sensitive manner. pHLIP is unstructured at alkaline to neutral pH and binds to the surface of membrane bilayers. At acidic pH, it simultaneously folds into an α-helix and inserts into the bilayer through its C-terminus. Although extensively studied, pHLIP-membrane interactions are not well understood at the molecular level, which severely impairs the development of pHLIP as a potential delivery mechanism for cancer chemotherapeutics. We have employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the behavior of pHLIP in solution and during the binding process to the lipid bilayer surface. Using a total of 820 ns trajectory, we have generated a pool of conformations of unstructured pHLIP, and clustered them using k-means clustering. In addition, our subsequent simulations of these pHLIP structures bound to a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipid surface agree well with recently published solid-state NMR results [1]. The N-terminus of pHLIP preferentially binds to the POPC surface, initiated by a combination of partitioning of hydrophobic stretches of the peptide beneath the headgroup region and hydrogen-bonding of the polar R11 sidechain with the PC headgroups. It has also been determined that D14 and D25 play a significant role in governing the pH response of pHLIP [2]. We have discovered that the altered apparent pK of insertion and sharpness of transition of unnatural amino acid mutations of pHLIP at these positions may be linked to changes in their helix-forming propensity in solution. These results are key to our understanding of pHLIP-membrane interactions and provide a first step in an atomistic characterization of the binding, folding, and insertion processes of pHLIP. [1] Shu, Nat. Comm., 6:7787 (2015); [2] Onyango, Ange. Chem., 54:3658 (2015).
Thiopentone and methohexital, but not pentobarbitone, reduce early focal cerebral ischemic injury in rats.

Purpose Although barbiturates are considered to be cerebral protectants, little is known regarding the relative efficacy of different barbiturates to reduce ischemie brain injury. In a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), we compared the relative effects of 1.0 and 0.4 burst-suppression doses of thiopentone, methohexital, and pentobarbitone on cerebral infarct.
FACETS OF INTRACELLULAR REGULATION OF MEIOSIS AND MITOSIS1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a study to analyze facets of intracellular regulation of meiosis and mitosis. In the study, the response of meiotic and mitotic cells to azaguanine, chloramphenicol, ethionine, and 5-methyltryptophan were studied. It was shown that these reagents are capable of interfering with the progress of the two cycles, the type of interference depending upon the stage of the cycle at which the inhibitors reach the cell. In the case of meiosis, most of the major disruptions observed could occur by inhibiting synthesis of protein up to pachytene or diplotene. These included failure of spindle action, arrest of second division, inhibition of cytokinesis, aberrant wall synthesis, and alterations in chromosome morphology. In the case of mitosis, the study was mainly concerned with a single enzyme—thymidine phosphorylase—and it was shown that reagents that inhibit protein synthesis also inhibit the appearance of that enzyme provided that the reagent is applied at least 1 day prior to its normal appearance.
Effect of Emulsion Type on Physico Chemical and Fire-Resistant Properties of Intumescent Fire-Retardant Coatings

The emulsion-type intumescent fire-retardant paints based on poly(ethylene acetate) emulsion(PEA emulsion),poly(styrene-acrylate) emulsion,and polyacrylic acid emulsion were formulated.The fire resistance and physico-chemical properties of the three kinds of fire-retardant paints were comparatively investigated making use of conventional measure and test for paints and small-chamber combustion test as well.It was found that the fire-retardant coating prepared from the PEA emulsion had a large mass loss,the smallest charcoal volume,excellent expansion capacity,and the best fire-resistance.The coating prepared from the polyacrylic acid emulsion showed the best physico-chemical properties.Besides,the fire-retardant coating prepared from the poly(styrene-acrylate) emulsion had the best comprehensive properties and low cost,and was environmentally acceptable as well,indicating that it could be suitable for the fire-retardation application in engineering.
Study on Substation Synchronization System Based on Master Clock Intelligent Decision

With the continuous improvement of automation level,the stability,reliability and accuracy of time synchronization system has become one of the key element in the safe and stable operation of power system.How to guarantee reliable operation of substation and the entire network time synchronization system becomes one of the key technology of power system research.In this paper,on the basis of existing research,according to the expansion upgrade of the master clock function,it proposes a master clock intelligent decision making of substation time synchronization system based on multi-source data to ensure the reliability of substation time synchronization system from the time source.
Use of immunologic tumor markers in body fluid analysis

Sensitive and specific tumor markers will increase the accuracy of present cytologic techniques and will teach us more about the biology and pathogenesis of tumors. Immunoenzyme studies may also be useful in quality control and may accelerate the development of automated screening techniques for cytology.
New priorities: Analysis of the New Kidney Allocation System on UCLA patients transplanted from the deceased donor waitlist

UNOS implemented a new Kidney Allocation System (New KAS) on December 4, 2014 with a primary goal of increasing equity to organ transplant for patients that were immunologically or socially disadvantaged by the previous allocation system (Previous KAS) that prioritized long wait times. We examined the effects of the New KAS on patients transplanted from the UCLA deceased donor waitlist during the first year and compared to the last year of the Previous KAS. The total number of deceased donor kidney transplants was increased in the New KAS as compared to the Previous KAS (178 vs 148). Transplant of regraft patients and of highly sensitized patients with cPRA⩾99% was significantly increased in the New KAS (New KAS vs Previous KAS, 29.8% vs 11.5%, p⩽0.0001, and 26.4% vs 2.7%, p⩽0.0001, respectively). In the New KAS, the percentage of patient's receiving allografts imported from outside our local area was also significantly increased (34.8% vs 15.5%, p<0.0001). In the New KAS, 59.7% and 48.3% of imported organs were allocated to very highly sensitized (⩾99% cPRA) or re-graft patients, respectively, as compared to 8.7% and 8.7% during the Previous KAS (p<0.001). Recipients and donors with age differences exceeding 15years were decreased in the New KAS as compared to the Previous KAS (36.5 vs 48.7%, p⩽0.032). There was a 40.1% reduction in transplant to patients in the 65+ age group in the New KAS (p⩽0.025). The percentage of patients transplanted with preformed donor specific antibody (DSA) was similar in the New as compared to the Previous KAS (19.7% vs 15.5%) and, patients were transplanted with a range of 1-3 preformed DSA of weak to moderate strength. Cold ischemic time was significantly increased over all organs, and in patients transplanted with preformed DSA during the New as compared to the Previous KAS (17.5 vs 19.1h and 17.2 vs 22.2, p<0.04 and p<0.03, respectively). Episodes of delayed graft function and the number of biopsies for cause were similar between the New and the Previous KAS. However, there were more events of biopsy proven antibody mediated rejection in patients transplanted since the start of the New KAS. The data show that the New KAS is working at the center level as designed to better age match recipients and donors and to increase transplantation of very highly sensitized patients through broader sharing.
The eternal promise of EEG-based biomarkers: Getting closer?

Several years ago, a colleague in the developmental clinic asked me to tell him what I thought about a brain mapping EEG report brought in by a parent. The report made a number of bold pronouncements about the child's brain function, such as, “Decreased current in the fusiform gyrus indicates face-processing difficulties.” From my research using EEG to study the pathophysiology of developmental disabilities, I knew that making even a single conclusion about group data took years of painstaking development of cognitive experiments and obsessive analysis of the data using a variety of signal-processing techniques. The notion that automatic software could validly produce several conclusions from a few minutes' worth of spontaneous EEG data seemed far-fetched.
Early neurological deterioration in older adults with traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Introduction Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and resulting fatalities among older adults increased considerably in recent years. Neurological deterioration often goes unrecognized at the injury scene and patients arrive at emergency departments with near-normal Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. This study examined the proportion of older adults experiencing early neurological deterioration (prehospital to emergency department), associated factors, and association of the magnitude of neurological deterioration with TBI severity. Methods This secondary analysis of National Trauma Data Bank Research Datasets included patients who were age ⩾65, sustained a TBI, and transported from the injury scene to an emergency department. Data analysis included chi-square analysis, t -tests, and logistic regression. Long-term anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy was not associated with deterioration. Results Of the sample of 91,886 patients, 13,913 (15.1%) experienced early neurological deterioration. Adjusting for covariates, age, gender, head AIS max injury severity, and probability of death were associated with early deterioration. Patients with severe and critical head injuries had the highest odds of early neurological deterioration (OR=1.41 [CI=1.22–1.63] and OR=1.98 [CI=1.63–2.40], p Discussion/conclusions Prehospital providers, nurses, physicians, and other providers have opportunities to optimize outcomes from older adult TBI through early recognition of neurological deterioration, rapid transport to facilities for definitive treatment, and targeted rehabilitation.
Reconstructing the Folding of Luciferase to Elucidate the Vectorial Folding Pathways of Large, Multidomain Proteins

Proteins obtain their final functional configuration through incremental folding with many intermediate steps in the folding pathway. If known, these intermediates could be valuable new targets for designing therapeutics and could provide information on the mechanism of chaperones. However, determining these intermediate steps is hardly an easy feat, and has been elusive for most proteins, especially large, multidomain proteins. Here, we effectively map out the majority of a folding pathway for the model large multidomain protein, Luciferase, by combining coarse-grained simulation and single-molecule force-spectroscopy experiments. Simulations indicate that there are several consistent and stable core structures of various sizes nucleating in different regions of Luciferase, each of which has different propensities for propagating to the final folded native state. We identified, using Monte Carlo simulations of Markov chains generated from simulation, that Luciferase most often folds along a pathway originating from the nucleation of the N-terminal domain, and that this pathway is the least likely to form non-native structures. We engineered truncated variants of Luciferase whose sequences corresponded to the putative nucleated cores and using atomic force spectroscopy we determined their unfolding and stability. The experimental results corroborate the structures predicted from the folding simulation and strongly suggest that they are intermediates along the folding pathway. The simulation also identified non-native structures originating mainly from the C-terminal domain. Taken together, our results suggest a pathway for cotranslational folding of Luciferase and also suggest a mechanism that chaperones may exploit to prevent misfolding.
Sipuleucel-T: Autologous Cellular Immunotherapy for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Few treatment options are currently available for patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Second line hormonal approaches are effective for a median of 3 months’ time but have never been shown to prolong survival. Until recently, docetaxel was the only FDA-approved therapy for mCRPC that has been shown to extend survival. Sipuleucel-T is an autologous cellular immunotherapy treatment. In an initial Phase 3 study, a significant effect on the primary endpoint of time to disease progression was not demonstrated, but a 4.5-month improvement in median survival compared to control was observed. A subsequent phase III study of sipuleucel-T in 512 men with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic CRPC, resulted in a 4.1-month improvement in median survival compared to control. The most common adverse events observed in sipuleucel-T treated patients in randomized trials have been chills, fatigue, fever, back pain, nausea, joint ache, and headache. The survival benefit, adverse event profile, and short course of treatment (4 weeks) associated with sipuleucel-T therapy make it an appealing treatment option for asymptomatic metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer patients.
Abstract LB-263: P53 promotes replication genome stability by epigenetics-enabled MRE11 restart

DNA damage activates p53, the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor, to guard the genome and control gene transcription, epigenetics and apoptosis. Yet, how p53 suppresses genome instability remains ill-defined and is clouded by its genome-wide alterations. Here, enabled by our kPOND technology for single-cell nascent DNA/protein interactions and single-molecule DNA spreading, we define p53’s role in promoting genomic stability by enabling replication restart of stalled replication forks. Mechanistically, p53 enables MRE11 nuclease recruitment for stalled replication fork restart via control of epigenetic factor. We find an apoptosis-proficient and tumor promoting p53 mutant allele to be replication restart defective, while an apoptosis defective and poorly tumor-promoting murine p53 allele remains mostly restart proficient, revealing an improved correlation of restart functions with tumorigenesis compared to apoptosis functions. Importantly, both null and p53 gain-of-function (GOF) mutant cells show restart defects resulting in replication dependent genomic instability, uncovering a common function defect aside gene transcription. Both mutant and p53 null cells show increased recruitment of error-prone repair factors and DNA polymerases, providing a mechanism for genomic instability observed in these cells by pathway homeostasis imbalance. Collective results unveil a common transcription-independent pathway defect for both p53 null and GOF mutants laying groundwork for new targeting strategies of p53 defects in cancer. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Katharina Schlacher, Sunetra Roy, Karl-Heinz Tomaszowski. P53 promotes replication genome stability by epigenetics-enabled MRE11 restart [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-263. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-263
Epidemiological Data Challenges: Planning for a More Robust Future Through Data Standards

Accessible epidemiological data are of great value for emergency preparedness and response, understanding disease progression through a population, and building statistical and mechanistic disease models that enable forecasting. The status quo, however, renders acquiring and using such data difficult in practice. In many cases, a primary way of obtaining epidemiological data is through the internet, but the methods by which the data are presented to the public often differ drastically among institutions. As a result, there is a strong need for better data sharing practices. This paper identifies, in detail and with examples, the three key challenges one encounters when attempting to acquire and use epidemiological data: (1) interfaces, (2) data formatting, and (3) reporting. These challenges are used to provide suggestions and guidance for improvement as these systems evolve in the future. If these suggested data and interface recommendations were adhered to, epidemiological and public health analysis, modeling, and informatics work would be significantly streamlined, which can in turn yield better public health decision-making capabilities.
Toward Specifying the “Nonspecific” Factors in Behavior Therapy

Behavior therapy has a defining characteristic, a commitment to scientific method, measurement, and evaluation. This scientific orientation dictates that treatment be consistent with both the substance and the method of psychology as a broadly based experimental behavioral science. Therapeutic techniques must be described with sufficient precision to be measured objectively and replicated across different situations. The experimental evaluation of theoretical concepts and treatment outcome is fundamental (e.g., Bandura, 1969; Kazdin & Wilson, 1978). Partly as a consequence of the scientific emphasis that influences the description and application of behavioral techniques, behavior therapy is often criticized as clinically naive or even sterile. The conceptual bases of behavior therapy are said to be theoretically unable to accomodate the nuances of the therapeutic process, particularly the subtleties of the therapist-patient relationship. Successful applications have frequently been ascribed to the role of factors inadvertently inherent in the therapeutic relationship rather than to the specific behavior change techniques employed (e.g., Marmor, 1971).
The Perceived Effect of the Sociocultural Context on HIV/AIDS Identity Incorporation

Contexts influence the experience of disease. In this study, I examined how the sociocultural context (e.g., race, class, gender, and sexual orientation) affected the experience of living with HIV/AIDS and the incorporation of the HIV/AIDS identity into the self. I interviewed 36 individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Findings indicate that race, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation affected access to HIV/AIDS resources and/or the disclosure of one’s HIV-positive status that, in turn, influenced the integration of the HIV/AIDS identity into the self. Additional research concerning the impact of gender on the HIV/AIDS identity incorporation process is warranted.
Microseismicity Simulated on Asperity-Like Fault Patches: On Scaling of Seismic Moment With Duration and Seismological Estimates of Stress Drops

Observations show that microseismic events from the same location can have similar source durations but different seismic moments, violating the commonly assumed scaling. We use numerical simulations of earthquake sequences to demonstrate that strength variations over seismogenic patches provide an explanation of such behavior, with the event duration controlled by the patch size and event magnitude determined by how much of the patch area is ruptured. We find that stress drops estimated by typical seismological analyses for the simulated sources significantly increase with the event magnitude, ranging from 0.006 to 8 MPa. However, the actual stress drops determined from the on‐fault stress changes are magnitude‐independent and ~3 MPa. Our findings suggest that fault heterogeneity results in local deviations in the moment‐duration scaling and earthquake sources with complex shapes of the ruptured area, for some of which stress drops may be significantly (~100–1,000 times) underestimated by the typical seismological methods.
Cost of Carbon Capture: Can Young People Bear the Burden?

Near-universal recognition of the threat of human-caused global warming, tragically, has not been accompanied by comprehensive quantitative assessment of technological options for mitigating climate change. In this issue of Joule, David W. Keith and co-authors describe a process of capturing CO2 from the air and provide a much-needed empirical cost estimate based on results from a pilot plant. Estimated costs, exceeding $100 per ton of CO2 without including the cost of CO2 storage, are lower than some prior estimates, yet are so high as to strongly support the need for rapid reduction of fossil fuel emissions.
Instability growth seeded by DT density perturbations in ICF capsules

Identifying and controlling hydrodynamic instabilities is vital to inertial confinement fusion. We use simulations to examine the growth of several defects seeded in the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel layer. First, we examine the growth of bulk density fluctuations in a solid DT ice layer. These density perturbations grow with amplitudes similar to surface defects, however the high-mode (m > 40) growth structures differ. We also consider the wetted foam capsule design, where density perturbations can be seeded by foam inhomogeneity. Simulations show that foam-seeded perturbations grow similarly to pure DT density seeds at low modes (m < 40), but at higher modes, the foam seeds grow significantly more. Next, we simulate the growth of two common multimode ice defects, grooves, and bubbles, and find that bubbles are significantly less harmful than grooves of similar width. Finally, we explore shimming the ablator to counteract surface roughness and show that instability growth from low-mode roughness can be effectively mitigated.
Prognostic factors associated with benefit to post-operative chemotherapy: A National Cancer Data Base analysis.

6072Background: Addition of chemotherapy to adjuvant radiation (RT) confers an OS benefit and is recommended in HNSCC patients with nodal extracapsular extension (ECE) and positive surgical margins...
Association of Risk for Venous Thromboembolism With Use of Low-Dose Extended- And Continuous-Cycle Combined Oral Contraceptives: A Safety Study Using the Sentinel Distributed Database

Importance Continuous/extended cyclic estrogen use (84/7 or 365/0 days cycles) in combined oral contraceptives (COCs) could potentially expose women to an increased cumulative dose of estrogen, compared with traditional cyclic regimens (21/7 days cycle), and may increase the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Objective To determine, while holding the progestogen type constant, whether the risk for VTE is higher with use of continuous/extended COCs than with cyclic COCs among women who initiated a COC containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Design, Setting, and Participants Incident user retrospective cohort study of primarily commercially insured US population identified from the Sentinel Distributed Database. Participants were women aged 18 to 50 years at the time of initiating a study COC between May 2007 and September 2015. Using a propensity score approach and Cox proportional hazards regression models, we estimated the hazard ratios of VTE overall and separately by ethinyl estradiol dose and age groups. Exposures Initiation of continuous/extended or traditional cyclic COCs containing ethinyl estradiol or levonorgestrel of any dose. Main Outcomes and Measures First VTE hospitalization that occurred during the study follow-up, identified by an inpatientInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code of 415.1, 415.1x, 453, 453.x, or 453.xx. Results We identified 210 691 initiators of continuous/extended COCs (mean [SD] age, 30.4 [8.6] years) and 522 316 initiators of cyclic COCs (mean [SD] age, 28.8 [8.3] years), with a mean of 0.7 person-years at risk among continuous/extended and cyclic users. Baseline cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (7.2% vs 4.7%), gynecological conditions (39.7% vs 32.3%), and health services utilization were slightly higher among continuous/extended cyclic than cyclic COC users. Propensity score matching decreased the hazard ratio estimates from 1.84 (95% CI, 1.53-2.21) to 1.32 (95% CI, 1.07-1.64) for continuous/extended use compared with cyclic COC use. The absolute risk difference (0.27 per 1000 persons) and the incidence rate difference (0.35 cases per 1000 person-years [1.44 vs 1.09 cases per 1000 person-years]) between the 2 propensity score–matched cohorts remained low, which may not translate into a clinically significant risk differences between cyclic and noncyclic estrogen use. Conclusions and Relevance Holding the progestogen type constant (levonorgestrel), we observed a slightly elevated VTE risk in association with continuous/extended COC use when compared with cyclic COC use. However, due to the small absolute risk difference and potential residual confounding, our findings did not show strong evidence supporting a VTE risk difference between continuous/extended and cyclic COC use.
Reducing surface roughness by chemical polishing of additively manufactured 3D printed 316 stainless steel components

As-produced laser-sintered metal additively manufactured components possess a high roughness and unsuitable surface texture that may lead to several forms of crack generation under static and dynamic loading. This problem is even more severe for additively manufactured (AM) components with intricate geometries involving a large internal surface area. Here, we report the application of the chemical polishing method to improve the surface finish of 316 steel components. After chemical polishing, the AM component surface became dull gray to bright lustrous and surface morphology improved remarkably. As a distinctive advantage, chemical polishing effectively reduces the roughness of the internal and external surfaces of the AM component. The Ra roughness parameter changed from ~ 5 to ~ 0.4 um for the outer surface. However, for the inner surface of the AM component, where abrasive blasting or shot pinning was unable to remove loose metal powder, the Ra surface roughness reduced from ~ 15 to ~ 0.4 um. Our SEM study showed that chemical polishing produced the surface texture covered with ~ 0.3-μm-wide sub-microscopic convex hull-shaped regions. During chemical polishing, material removal preferably occurred from the interior regions of the ubiquitous sub-microscopic regions. The roughness measurement conducted with SEM on a ~ 20-μm scan length chemical polished sample was Ra 0.37 μm. Roughness study in SEM was in close agreement with the roughness measurement performed with optical profilometer over several millimeter-long scan lengths resulting in a ~ 0.4-μm Ra. These studies suggested that chemical polishing produced uniform surface reduction over a large area.
A Biocompatible Therapeutic Catheter-Deliverable Hydrogel for In Situ Tissue Engineering

Hydrogels have emerged as a diverse class of biomaterials offering a broad range of biomedical applications. Specifically, injectable hydrogels are advantageous for minimally invasive delivery of various therapeutics and have great potential to treat a number of diseases. However, most current injectable hydrogels are limited by difficult and time-consuming fabrication techniques and are unable to be delivered through long, narrow catheters, preventing extensive clinical translation. Here, the development of an easily-scaled, catheter-injectable hydrogel utilizing a polymer-nanoparticle crosslinking mechanism is reported, which exhibits notable shear-thinning and self-healing behavior. Gelation of the hydrogel occurs immediately upon mixing the biochemically modified hyaluronic acid polymer with biodegradable nanoparticles and can be easily injected through a high-gauge syringe due to the dynamic nature of the strong, yet reversible crosslinks. Furthermore, the ability to deliver this novel hydrogel through a long, narrow, physiologically-relevant catheter affixed with a 28-G needle is highlighted, with hydrogel mechanics unchanged after delivery. Due to the composition of the gel, it is demonstrated that therapeutics can be differentially released with distinct elution profiles, allowing precise control over drug delivery. Finally, the cell-signaling and biocompatibility properties of this innovative hydrogel are demonstrated, revealing its wide range of therapeutic applications.
Slow Discharge Theory and Calculation of the Potential Drop across the Compact Layer at High Electrode Voltages.

A novel approach presented in this work allows one to calculate the potential drop across the compact layer in electrostatic atomization with high voltages applied at the electrode. Ionic conductor...
Sendai Virosome Envelopes for the Infusion of Macromolecules Into Brain Neurons and Glia

IN1RODUCI10N The possibility of introducing macromolecules across plasma membranes directly into cells to counteract neuropathological processes is an intriguing one that has received increased attention only recently (e.g., 1,2). Of particular interest is the possibility of incorporating normal allelic genes into cells to replace defective ones or to increase the gene dosage for those proteins rendered hypofunctional by disease. Ideally, chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease will eventually be treatable with specific replacement of those cellular constituents that are depleted by or responsible for the symptomology of the disease. While simple in principle, the mechanics of gene therapy are quite complex from both pharmacokinetic as well as pharmacodynarnic perspectives. Nevertheless, studies conducted in non-neuronal cells are promising. A variety of virally derived vectors are now known to be expressed in mammalian cells (3,4), and several cell-specific delivery systems are also available (5,6). Even a few clinical trials have been initiated with some degree of success, e.g., individuals with adenosine deaminase deficiency have been treated with their own T-cells that have been genetically altered toproduce the normal enzyme (7). Functional neuronal gene therapy, however, presents additional problems that are particular to this cell type. With respect to gene expression, many common vectors, including those derived from retroviruses, require cell-mitosis for effective chromosomal integration and expression (8). Neurons, being highly differentiated and post-mitotic, are not likely to express genes delivered in this manner. Altematively, episomally expressed vectors suffer from potential problems with variable expression during the extended life of the neuron. Another problem involves the delivery of genes into neurons. Even vectors with promoters that are both integrated into the host chromosome and expressed in post-mitotic cells, such as those derived from the adenoassociatedor herpes simplex-derived viruses (10,11), must be delivered into neurons in a manner that does not darnage them
Getting a Grip on Variability

Because science is a modeling enterprise, a key question for educators is: What kind of repertoire can initiate students into the practice of generating, revising, and critiquing models of the natural world? Based on our 20 years of work with teachers and students, we nominate variability as a set of connected key ideas that bridge mathematics and science and are fundamental for equipping youngsters for the posing and pursuit of questions about science. Accordingly, we describe a sequence for helping young students begin to reason productively about variability. Students first participate in random processes, such as repeated measure of a person’s outstretched arms, that generate variable outcomes. Importantly, these processes have readily discernable sources of variability, so that relations between alterations in processes and changes in the collection of outcomes can be easily established and interpreted by young students. Following these initial steps, students invent and critique ways of visualizing and measuring distributions of the outcomes of these processes. Visualization and measure of variability are then employed as conceptual supports for modeling chance variation in components of the processes. Ultimately, students reimagine samples and inference in ways that support reasoning about variability in natural systems.
Molecular Mechanisms Controlling Tubulin Synthesis

Microtubules, which are comprised principally of dimeric subunits of one α-and one β-tubulin polypeptide, participate in a diverse spectrum of cellular events. This repertoire of microtubule-associated functions includes formation of mitotic and meiotic spindles, establishment of some forms of intercellular and intracellular motility, establishment of programmed modifications of cell shape during morphogenesis (such as neurite outgrowth), and, in concert with actin filaments and intermediate filaments, establishment of internal cytoarchitecture.
Open hepatic resection in the elderly at two tertiary referral centers.

Abstract Background Surgeons are being increasingly called upon to operate on the very elderly. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes following hepatectomy in patients ≥80 years of age at two tertiary care centers. Methods All adult patients who underwent liver resection from 2001 to 2017 were included. Primary outcome was 90-day postoperative mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative mortality and postoperative complications. Results Between 2001 and 2017, 2397 patients underwent liver resection. On unadjusted analysis, patients ≥80 years of age had higher rates of 90-day mortality (13.3% vs. 3.6%, p Conclusions Across these two major referral tertiary care centers, very elderly patients had higher rates of 90-day and 30-day postoperative mortality on both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.
Elevated cadmium and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in residents living near electroplating industries.

This study aims to evaluate the body burdens of cadmium (Cd) associated with potential health impairment in residents living near electroplating industries. A total of 269 residents from exposure area and 106 from control area were recruited. We measured the blood and urinary Cd levels using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS); performed physical examinations; determined the urinary levels of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), Nacetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); and evaluated the associations between Cd and these biomarkers. Blood and urinary Cd levels in exposure group were statistically higher than in control group (1.712 vs. 1.159 μg/L; 1.980 vs. 1.740 μg/L, respectively, p 0.05). The proportion of abnormal nasal symptoms occurring in exposed subjects (88.8%) was much higher than in control subjects (78.2%, p 0.05). In conclusion, our study revealed that residents living in close proximity to electroplating industries had elevated body burdens of Cd levels, as well as slight renal dysfunction and DNA oxidation damage.
Rare case report of anorectal malformation and intestinal atresia.

Abstract Introduction Intestinal malformations, such as intestinal atresia, malrotation, and anorectal malformation, are rare events, but concurrent intestinal atresia and anorectal malformation are rare in combination. These anomalies have similar in utero and perinatal symptoms, which can make the diagnosis of both defects prenatally challenging. Presentation of case We present a case of a male infant with a prenatal diagnosis of truncus arteriosus who on a 32-week routine prenatal ultrasound was suspected to have an intestinal malformation. On day of life one, the patient was taken to the operating room and found to have both type IIIa ileal atresia and anorectal malformation with normal bowel in between. A complete work up for vertebral defects, anorectal malformation, cardiac septal defects, esophageal atresia, renal anomalies, and radial limb defects (VACTERL) anomalies did not reveal additional anomalies. Discussion In this case, prenatal information supported intestinal obstruction, and the rare combination of both intestinal atresia and anorectal malformation proved surprising and interesting. Conclusion We suggest providers be aware of the potential of multiple alimentary tract malformations to improve operative preparation and reduce the morbidity or mortality risk from repeat procedures when possible.
Sahnish (Arikara) Ethnobotany. Contributions in Ethnobiology

Kelly Kindscher, Loren Yellow Bird, Michael Yellow Bird, and Logan Sutton. 2020. Sahnish (Arikara) Ethnobotany. Contributions in Ethnobiology. (ISBN-13: 978-0-9990759-2-0, pbk). Society of Ethnobiology, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, University of Puget Sound, 1500 North Warner St., CMB#1092, Tacoma, Washington 98416, U.S.A. (Orders: amazon.com). $46.00 US, 223 pp., color maps and photographs throughout, appendix, references, 7" × 10".
Candidiasis as Secondary Infection in Post COVID-19: A New Problem?

Introduction : Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) can develop into post COVID-19 with one of its main attentions being secondary infection. Candidiasis as fungal pneumonia is one of secondary infection in post COVID-19. It is hard to diagnose and has high mortality. We present a case of candidiasis as fungal pneumonia in post COVID-19 patient. Case: A 47-year-old woman came to the emergency room with major complaints of dyspnoea and jaundice since her second day at home after being discharged from having COVID-19. She previously finished her COVID treatment and tested negative 2 times. She had severe sepsis and her sputum culture was positive for non-albicans Candida . She received anti-fungal treatment and her condition was getting better and her chest X-ray showed less infiltrates than before. Discussion : Fungal respiratory infections generate concern in the expanding population of immunosuppressed patients like COVID-19 patient. The mortality from COVID-19 associated candidiasis is high (19-40%) as one of fungal infection. Marked immune dysregulation in COVID-19 makes system immune becomes impaired, it also harms lung epithelium. In this patient, diagnosis and treatment were challenging. Conclusion: Post COVID-19 is a condition that should be given more attention, especially when it develops secondary infection. Candidiasis as fungal pneumonia is hard to diagnose and can quickly become severe sepsis and has high mortality. Health practitioners should recognize it as soon as possible and give the best treatment for the patient.
Practical Computer Vision Application to Compute Total Body Surface Area Burn: Reappraising a Fundamental Burn Injury Formula in the Modern Era.

Importance Critical burn management decisions rely on accurate percent total body surface area (%TBSA) burn estimation. Existing %TBSA burn estimation models (eg, Lund-Browder chart and rule of nines) were derived from a linear formula and a limited number of individuals a century ago and do not reflect the range of body habitus of the modern population. Objective To develop a practical %TBSA burn estimation tool that accounts for exact burn injury pattern, sex, and body habitus. Design, Setting, and Participants This population-based cohort study evaluated the efficacy of a computer vision algorithm application in processing an adult laser body scan data set. High-resolution surface anthropometry laser body scans of 3047 North American and European adults aged 18 to 65 years from the Civilian American and European Surface Anthropometry Resource data set (1998-2001) were included. Of these, 1517 participants (49.8%) were male. Race and ethnicity data were not available for analysis. Analyses were conducted in 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures The contributory %TBSA for 18 body regions in each individual. Mobile application for real-time %TBSA burn computation based on sex, habitus, and exact burn injury pattern. Results Of the 3047 individuals aged 18 to 65 years for whom body scans were available, 1517 (49.8%) were male. Wide individual variability was found in the extent to which major body regions contributed to %TBSA, especially in the torso and legs. Anterior torso %TBSA increased with increasing body habitus (mean [SD], 15.1 [0.9] to 19.1 [2.0] for male individuals; 15.1 [0.8] to 18.0 [1.7] for female individuals). This increase was attributable to increase in abdomen %TBSA (mean [SD], 5.3 [0.7] to 8.7 [1.8]) among male individuals and increase in abdomen (mean [SD], 4.6 [0.6] to 6.8 [1.7]) and pelvis (mean [SD], 1.5 [0.2] to 2.9 [0.9]) %TBSAs among female individuals. For most body regions, Lund-Browder chart and rule of nines estimates fell outside the population’s measured interquartile ranges. The mobile application tested in this study, Burn Area, facilitated accurate %TBSA burn computation based on exact burn injury pattern for 10 sex and body habitus-specific models. Conclusions and Relevance Computer vision algorithm application to a large laser body scan data set may provide a practical tool that facilitates accurate %TBSA burn computation in the modern era.
A Critique of a Phenomenological Fiber Breakage Model for Stress Rupture of Composite Materials

Stress rupture is not a critical failure mode for most composite structures, but there are a few applications where it can be critical. One application where stress rupture can be a critical design issue is in Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels (COPV's), where the composite material is highly and uniformly loaded for long periods of time and where very high reliability is required. COPV's are normally required to be proof loaded before being put into service to insure strength, but it is feared that the proof load may cause damage that reduces the stress rupture reliability. Recently, a fiber breakage model was proposed specifically to estimate a reduced reliability due to proof loading. The fiber breakage model attempts to model physics believed to occur at the microscopic scale, but validation of the model has not occurred. In this paper, the fiber breakage model is re-derived while highlighting assumptions that were made during the derivation. Some of the assumptions are examined to assess their effect on the final predicted reliability.
Is Securities Arbitration Fair to Investors

Most disputes between customers and their brokerage firms are resolved through arbitration as a result of the Supreme Court's holding in Shearson/American Express, Inc. v. McMahon. McMahon was part of two larger trends of the Supreme Court: the Court's general pro-arbitration trend and its efforts to remove private securities fraud claims from federal court. Many investor advocates viewed McMahon as anti-investor, a view that continues to have support today. This is an assessment of the current securities arbitration process from the perspective of an investor advocate. In my view, investors may fare better in arbitration than in litigation. Accordingly, the trend to transform securities arbitration into a more judicial process may not be advantageous to investors. There are additional reasons to be concerned about the securities arbitration structure created in response to McMahon in light of the proliferation of securities arbitration claims and the demands they place on the current system. In addition, this article addresses the special concerns of the small claims investors.
The role of the sRNA cosR in the oxidative stress response of Caulobacter crescentus (750.2)

The ability to survive oxidative stress is crucial for all aerobically growing organisms. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can disrupt cell membranes, proteins, electron transport chain, and DNA if th...
Carcinoma in situ; diagnosis and study of a case.

Abstract A “carcinoma in situ” of the buccal mucosa, and its reconstruction in plastic from serial microscopic sections, is described. The various factors possibly effective in the production of carcinomas are reviewed, and differential diagnoses are considered. It is important to distinguish beginning malignancy from inflammatory conditions and from leucoplakic heterotopia.