cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of vascular closure with the pre-closure technique on adverse events in patients undergoing transfemoral balloon aortic valvuloplasty: results from a single-center registry

Absrac Caegor 20. CI - Valvular Hear seasereseao umber 2533-319Auhors Brian P. ONeill, Vikas Singh, Jennifer Yu, David Knopf, Usman Baber, Claudia Martinez, Carlos Alfonso, Jason Kovacic, George Dangas, Evan Jacobs, Annapoorna Kini, Roxana Mehran, Samin Sharma, Pedro Martinez-Clark, Samantha Sartori, Alan Heldman, William ONeill, Mauricio Cohen, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USABackground: Ischemc ad bleedg comlcaos, or e adverse clcal eves (ACE), are commo followg rasfemoral balloo aorc valvulolas (BAV). The mac of suure-medaed vascular closure o ACE hs seg s o ow.Methods: We coduced a rerosecve revew of 428 cosecuve aes who uderwe BAV wh large sheahs (10-13 Frech) over a 6-ear erod a wo hgh-volume academc ceers. Vascular closure was erformed usg he roGlde (Abbo Vascular) devce. ACE was deied as he comose of major bleedg ad major adverse clcal eves (MACE). All eves were adjudcaed b a deede CEC who were blded o ahromb use.Results: re-closure was erformed 269 (62.8%) of aes. Whle bvalrud was used more frequel hose wh re-closure (60.6% vs. 37.7%, <0.001), a hsor of ror BAV (11.1% vs. 3.6%, =0.04) ad erheral vascular dsease (30.7% vs. 19.7%, =0.01) was more commo hose o udergog re-closure (=159, 37%). Oher clcal ad demograhc feaures were well balaced bewee grous. Vascular closure was assocaed wh a sgica reduco ACE (Fgure). Resuls remaed sgica afer adjusg for basele dffereces ad bvalrud use (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.21 - 0.68; =0.001).Conclusions: Our sud suggess ha suure-medaed vascular closure resuls a subsaal reduco ACE afer rasfemoral BAV. Large radomed clcal rals should be coduced o coirm our resuls.
Study on the landing height of wintering Culex pipens pallens in Yongcheng city,Henan province,China

Objective To identify the species,number and landing height of wintering mosquitoes in Yongcheng city,Henan province,China,so as to provide evidence for the development of vector control strategies.Methods Two residential blocks in urban and suburb areas were selected as surveillance sites.The number of mosquitoes was determined through visual observation,which was then adjusted with data from indoor settings using the labor hour method.Results All landing mosquitoes from the surveillance sites mentioned above were Culex pipiens pallens.The mosquito number differed across floors.Most of mosquitoes were on the first floor,and the number declined with the increasing of height.Conclusion Mosquitoes in residential areas of Yongcheng might come from the external environment.Physical isolation might have a good effect in avoiding mosquito bites.Chemical method should be used as the primary option for mosquito control on the first floor.
The pathogenesis and treatment of delayed union and non-union; a survey of eighty-five ununited fractures of the shaft of the tibia and one hundred control cases with similar injuries.

1. The mechanism of non-union of fractures of the tibia, common to all clinical circumstances of this condition, is fibrinoid degeneration of connective tissue in the interior of the callus. Fibrinoid forms when the bone injury has been extensive, has been complicated by infection, or has been difficult to immobilize. The process appears to be similar to that seen in chronic adventitious bursitis. If motion and friction are not controlled, fibrinoid degeneration continues indefinitely, and a permanent pseudarthrosis may develop. Immobilization acts as a deterrent to the formation of fibrinoid and permits the refilling of the defect with new fibrocartilaginous callus. 2. Fibrinoid is not a simple barrier to osteogenesis; it indicates a defective callus. Fibrinoid fails to draw osteogenesis from the periosteum and endosteum across the fracture gap. According to interpretations of the newer theory of osteogenesis, it lacks the ability of cartilage and fibrocartilage to promote new-bone formation by induction. 3. The effect of open operations on fresh fractures is to increase the volume of damaged bone which has to be absorbed and replaced before the fracture can unite and permit full weight-bearing on the leg. Comminuted fractures of the shaft of the human adult tibia should be considered non-operable fractures during the first six months of healing, because the trauma added by surgery exceeds the normal capacity for bone regeneration in this area of the skeleton. 4. Bone-grafting, without excision of the fibrocartilaginous callus, may be applied successfully in ununited fractures of the tibia before eighteen months of healing. Excision of the pseudarthrosis, osteotomy of the fibula, and telescoping of the fracture ends are advisable in ununited fractures after eighteen months. All of the standard surgical procedures of onlay, inlay, or intramedullary bone grafts are capable of producing union with the aid of one additional year of immobilization of the fracture, but the success of the operation is determined by the proliferative reaction of the bone ends, not the bone graft. If the bone ends are in close contact, the function of the graft appears to be that of an inductor. 5. Recurrence of sepsis is the chief cause of failure of all types of bone-graft operations. Roentgenograms which show a diffuse increase in density of bone tissue three or four centimeters above and below the fracture line indicate latent sepsis. In such cases six months, or even two years, without drainage is not a safe period of waiting to permit a bone-graft operation. Only synostosis operations which avoid the fracture site are free of risks of further damage to the bone ends by infection. 6. Radical leg-shortening procedures are an alternative to amputation and may be applicable in old ununited fractures with large soft-tissue defects after repeated failure of bone-grafting operations.
Side-Necked Turtles (Testudines, Pleurodira) from the Ancient Gulf Coastal Plain of Florida During Middle Cenozoic Megathermals

Abstract Fossils from paleocoastal deposits in northwestern Florida represent at least 3 pleurodire taxa. Biochronologic and paleoclimatic correlates suggest that the presence and absence of side-necked turtles in Florida was synchronous with global climatic shifts in the middle to late Paleogene and early Neogene. The oldest pleurodire record in Florida is from the end of the Greenhouse World in the middle to late Eocene, followed by a hiatus of ∼ 11 million yrs during the onset of the Icehouse World in the early Oligocene. Their sojourn in Florida during the latest Oligocene (25–24 Ma) was concurrent with a brief late Oligocene warming (LOW), and a subsequent hiatus in the early Miocene (∼ 24–18 Ma) was contemporaneous with global cooling. Their resettlement and most populous occurrences in Florida during the middle to late Hemingfordian through early Barstovian (∼ 18–15.5 Ma) coincided with the Middle Miocene Climatic Optimum (MMCO), a significant global warming event. Pleurodires are indicators that p...
Elevated Intraocular Pressure and Endothelial Cell Loss Following Iris Color Change

Amaninhis30spresentedwithcomplaintsofbilateralblurryvision,eye redness, andheadaches. His ocular history was significant for amotor vehicle crash resulting in likely left optic neuropathy (18 years ago), a procedure performed to change the color of his eyes from brown to blue (4 years ago), and bilateral laser in situ karatomileusis surgery (2 years ago). He was being treated by outside ophthalmologists with loteprednol, nepafenac, timolol, andartificial tears.Hedidnotwearcontact lenses.Hisbest-correctedvisualacuitywas20/20 OD and 20/30OS. Anterior slitlamp examination of both eyes revealed the finding shown in Figure 1. His anterior segment was deep and quiet, and his dilated fundus examination was unremarkable. His intraocular pressure (IOP) was reproducibly higher in the right eye on 3 separate visits, averaging 20mmHg OD and 13 mmHg OS. His central corneal thickness was 496 μm OD and 480 μm OS. His endothelial cell count was 1681 cells/mm2 OD and 2045 cells/mm2 OS. Figure 1. External photograph of patient’s right eye on presentation.
A Multivariate Theory of God Concept, Religious Motivation, Locus of Control, Coping, and Spiritual Well-Being

A previous factor analytic study of the same data set was published as an incremental validity study of a new scale (Wong-McDonald & Gorsuch, 2000). The current analysis examines the multivariate d...
No single solution: application of behavioural principles in mitigating human–wildlife conflict

There is no proverbial silver bullet for mitigating human–wildlife conflict, but the study of animal behaviour is foundational to solving issues of coexistence between people and wild animals. Our purpose is to examine the theoretical and applied role that behavioural principles play in understanding and mitigating human–wildlife conflict, and delineate gaps in behavioural theory relative to mitigating these conflicts. Specifically, we consider two different, yet contemporary, examples of human–wildlife conflict: animal–vehicle collisions and carnivore depredation of livestock. Although ostensibly unrelated, both conflict areas share common themes relative to animal behavioural responses to disturbance and perception of risk. We first place the effects on wildlife due to these conflicts in the scope of population sustainability, and then examine current research relative to the following three questions. How is behavioural ecology relevant to these particular areas of conflict? Are advances toward understanding the mechanisms by which animals process information and make decisions being translated into management methods? How might management efforts be affected over time by individual behaviours, method integration and habituation/sensitization? Regarding animal–vehicle collisions, only in the last decade have researchers applied an antipredator theoretical framework with sensory ecology to understand aspects of marine mammal, terrestrial mammal and bird responses to vehicle approach, speed and associated stimuli. However, the size and speeds of modern vehicles demand that we improve economic models and possibly develop novel theoretical frameworks to better predict animal responses to vehicle approach. Within the context of carnivore–livestock depredation, our understanding of individual predator behaviour relative to perceived risk and factors contributing to the development of problem individuals will influence the efficacy of the most promising, nonlethal management approaches (e.g. distractive techniques, reproductive inhibition and olfactory barriers). In both cases, successful management is contingent upon a mechanistic understanding of how animals respond to disturbance and the information utilized to assess risk.
A Model for the Binding of Chain-Like Molecules to Compact Macromolecular Surfaces

Several theories have been developed to describe the interactions between flexible polymer chains and surfaces(2–4). However, these theories generally use uniform and essentially infinite planar lattices to represent the surface, a restriction which prevents their application to situations in which the binding surface either is limited in size or covers the surface of a compact particle. Examples of the latter case include colloidal particles and proteins, many of which may be regarded as spheres or ellipsoids. It is the purpose of this paper to present a model for the binding of chainlike molecules to the surfaces of small, compact particles.
Innate Immunity Signaling

Innate immunity response is an ancient self-defence mechanism, which is conserved across a very broad spectrum of species. The innate immune system constitutes the first line of host defense during infection or homeostatic regulatory activities and therefore plays a crucial role in the initial recognition and regulation of immune responses to invading organisms. Peripheral mononuclear phagocytes (MP; monocytes, tissue macrophages and dendritic cells) respond to pathogens but in molecular pattern-specific manners using phagocytosis and clearance mechanisms for intracellular killing. In the central nervous system (CNS), those are perivascular and brain macrophages and microglia. Of relevance they are separated from the antigen specific and long-lasting adaptive immune system, thus MP provide immediate surveillance responses against invading microbial pathogens and cancerous cells in the CNS. Of particular importance to the CNS, innate immunity can be both neuroprotective or neurodestructive contingent on the activation responses and phenotype that has emerged. In reference to phylogeny, MP-governed innate immunity strongly recapitulates ontogeny as it represents evolutionary primitive defense that is self-contained at a single cell level. It is operative in all species from single cell organisms to plants and, insects and inevitably conserved to man.
SOARING WEATHER AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD

City College and Tribhuvan University scientists studying air pollution transport in the Himalaya encountered unusual soaring weather. A frequent, stationary line of cumulus clouds formed during the afternoons in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. The subcloud updrafts vacuumed the valley of the ovemight accumulation of air pollutants. In Tibet, dust devils formed at 4300 m MSL Old Tingri which is 70 km north of 8848 m MSL Mt. Everest. Meteorological measurements confirmed observations of cumulus forming with bases of 8000 m MSL between Old Tingri and Everest. Further, lenticular clouds with associated rotor clouds were observed over the Rongbuk valley indicating mountain wave activity on the north side of Everest. These observations suggest awesome soaring possibilities for gliders launched from Old Tingri over the nearby Himalayas once the significant diplomatic and logistical obstacles are overcome.
Efficient and high yield isolation of myoblasts from skeletal muscle.

Abstract Skeletal muscle (SkM) regeneration relies on the activity of myogenic progenitors that reside beneath the basal lamina of myofibers. Here, we describe a protocol for the isolation of the SkM progenitors from young and old mice by exploiting their outgrowth potential from SkM explants on matrigel coated dishes in the presence of high serum, chicken embryo extract and basic fibroblast growth factor. Compared to other protocols, this method yields a higher number of myoblasts (10–20 million) by enabling the outgrowth of these cells from tissue fragments. The majority of outgrowth cells (~90%) were positive for myogenic markers such as α7-integrin, MyoD, and Desmin. The myogenic cell population could be purified to 98% with one round of pre-plating on collagen coated dishes, where differential attachment of fibroblasts and other non-myogenic progenitors separates them from myoblasts. Moreover, the combination of high serum medium and matrigel coating provided a proliferation advantage to myogenic cells, which expanded rapidly (~24 h population doubling), while non-myogenic cells diminished over time, thereby eliminating the need for further purification steps such as FACS sorting. Finally, myogenic progenitors gave rise to multinucleated myotubes that exhibited sarcomeres and spontaneous beating in the culture dish.
Health Behavior in Developing Countries

The distinction between developed and developing countries has become increasingly blurred as many less developed countries make important strides in social conditions as well as economic development. While it long has been recognized that the nations of the world do not fall neatly into two categories of “more” and “less” developed, but instead extend across a wide continuum of socioeconomic diversity, only recently have observers noted that health and quality of life indicators can be quite variable within countries traditionally considered underdeveloped (Pillai & Shannon, 1995). Some very poor countries have made remarkable improvements in the health of their populations, while comparatively wealthier nations have not fared so well (Caldwell, 1990). It is common to find a fourfold typology by which nations are classified as least developed, less developed, newly industrialized, and developed.
Determining corrosion defect geometry from magnetic flux leakage pig data

Accurate determination of the size of corrosion defects is important for determining defect severity. Many magnetic flux leakage pigs employ strong magnetizers and a large number of sensors for improved defect geometry determination methods. Analysis of data from 128 metal loss defects examined repeatedly under different test conditions is used to illustrate pig performance capabilities. An assessment of two inspection variables that can degrade performance is also presented.
High resolution linkage map of human chromosome 11p

Recent advances in the application of recombinant DNA technologies to human genetics combined with samples from large three-generation families permit the construction of high resolution linkage maps of the human. Gene order is determined from multiply marked recombinant chromosomes issuing from multiply heterozygous parents. Recombination fractions are determined by examination of large sample sets. We report here the results obtained with four tightly linked loci from the short arm of chromosome 11.
The Impact of FEMA Reorganization: Implications for Policy

Prior to 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was an independent agency with direct congressional oversight. But in the wake of the September 11th attacks, FEMA was integrated into the newly-formed Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This merger, which severed the congressional influence over FEMA's decision making, brought about changes in how FEMA allocates disaster-relief funds.This policy comment discusses the impact and implications of FEMA's move to DHS. Understanding how this merger affected the federal government's disaster-relief decision making is important when considering future decisions to reorganize existing government agencies.
Location-Awareness in Time Series Compression

We present our initial findings regarding the problem of the impact that time series compression may have on similarity-queries, in the settings in which the elements of the dataset are accompanied with additional contexts. Broadly, the main objective of any data compression approach is to provide a more compact (i.e., smaller size) representation of a given original dataset. However, as has been observed in the large body of works on compression of spatial data, applying a particular algorithm “blindly” may yield outcomes that defy the intuitive expectations – e.g., distorting certain topological relationships that exist in the “raw” data [7]. In this study, we quantify this distortion by defining a measure of similarity distortion based on Kendall’s \(\tau \). We evaluate this measure, and the correspondingly achieved compression ratio for the five most commonly used time series compression algorithms and the three most common time series similarity measures. We report some of our observations here, along with the discussion of the possible broader impacts and the challenges that we plan to address in the future.
Native Elder and Youth Perspectives on Mental Well-being, the Value of the Horse, and Navigating Two Worlds

Purpose: Native American youth experience significant challenges to mental well-being. As part of a larger study to evaluate hope and resilience in a Plains tribal population, the purpose of this study was to learn from Native American elders and youths what they feel is needed to for youth to grow up healthy on the reservation, and to identify connections between horse use and mental well-being. Sample: Six Native American elders and eight Native American youths from the same Plains tribe. Method: The research team conducted Talking Circles with youths and elders. During the Talking Circles, participants identified community-specific questions for inclusion in a resilience measurement and provided personal stories regarding the relevance of the horse to well-being. Findings: Both groups felt cultural traditions and language, education, relationships, and interactions with horses have significant roles in enhancing identity development and resilience in youth. However, elders indicated that tribal youth seem to struggle in navigating two worlds. Elders expressed that for youth to be well, they need to return to traditional ways within the realms of culture, language, education, and relationships. On the other hand, the youths were more confident in their ability to navigate two worlds, and wished to seek opportunities to blend their traditional and contemporary lives. Conclusion: The challenges of navigating two worlds for Native Americans are experienced across generations. Both youths and elders said that resilient youth are able to successfully navigate these challenges when they: (a) know their indigenous identity, (b) participate in cultural activities, (c) have strong family ties, and (d) are able to learn in an environment where their culture is championed. We propose that future efforts must include community-based participatory methods in the development of interventions that include use of the horse to strengthen Native American youth resilience and foster health and well-being. Keywords: American Indian health, resilience, identity, mental well-being, horses DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v18i2.542
Using the Motion of the Head-Neck as a Joystick for Orientation Control

Head-neck interfaces have the potential to command and control orientation tasks when the hand-wrist is not available for use as a joystick. We pose the question in this paper–How well can the head-neck be used to perform orientation tasks when compared to the hand-wrist? Anatomically, the motion of the head-neck is similar to that of the hand-wrist. We hypothesize that the head-neck motion can be as effective as the motion of the hand-wrist to control orientation tasks. A study was designed to characterize the ability of head-neck to command and control general orientation tasks. Fourteen healthy participants were asked to control the head orientation of an avatar on a computer screen using the motion of their head-neck and hand-wrist, measured by a robotic neck brace and a conventional joystick, respectively. Visual feedback was given to the participants with the display of the target and the actual head orientations of the avatar. The outcomes were defined for comparison between the head-neck and hand-wrist motions as follows: 1) mean absolute error; 2) time delay in tracking continuous orientation trajectories; and 3) settling time to reach target orientations. The results showed that the performance outcomes were significantly better with the hand-wrist than that of the head-neck when used as a joystick. However, all participants successfully completed the tasks with the head-neck. This demonstrates that the head-neck can be used as a joystick for controlling three dimensional object orientations, even though it may not be as dexterous as the hand-wrist. These results have fundamental implications in the design of devices and interfaces with the human head-neck.
The impact of cholesterol deposits on the fibrillar architecture of the Achilles tendon in a rabbit model of hypercholesterolemia

Increased tendon pain and tendon damage is a significant complication related to hyperlipidemia. Unlike the well-established pathogenesis associated with increased serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the role of hyperlipidemia in promoting tendon damage remains controversial and requires mechanistic clarity. In this study, we analyzed the consequences of hypercholesterolemia on the integrity of the collagen-based architecture of the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendons from rabbits fed with normal-cholesterol (nCH) and high-cholesterol (hCH) diets were analyzed. We studied the morphology of tendons, distribution of lipids within their collagen-rich milieu, the relative amounts of fibrillar collagen I and collagen III, and selected biomechanical parameters of the tendons at the macroscale and the nanoscale. Histological assays of hCH tendons and tenosynovium demonstrated hypercellular areas with increased numbers of macrophages infiltrating the tendon structure as compared to the nCH tendons. While Oil Red staining revealed lipid-rich deposits in the hCH tendons, hybridization of tendon tissue with the collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP) demonstrated damage to the collagen fibers. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the presence of distinct peaks consistent with the presence of cholesterol ester. Additionally, the hCH tendons displayed regions of poor collagen content that overlapped with lipid-rich regions. The hCH tendons had a substantial fourfold increase in the collage III to collagen I ratio as compared to the nCH tendons. Tendons from the hCH rabbits showed poor biomechanical characteristics in comparison with control. The biomechanical changes were evident at the macrolevel and the nanolevel of tendon structure. Our findings support the hypothesis that hypercholesterolemia coincides with the weakening of the tendons. It is likely that the intimate contact between collagen fibrils and cholesterol deposits contributes to the weakening of the fibrillar structure of the tendons.
Long-term risk of de novo mental health conditions after hysterectomy with ovarian conservation: a cohort study.

Objective The aim of this research was to study the long-term risk of de novo mental health conditions in women who underwent hysterectomy with bilateral ovarian conservation compared with age-matched referent women. Methods Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project records-linkage system, we identified a historical cohort of 2,094 women who underwent hysterectomy with ovarian conservation for benign indications at age ≥18 years and with an index date between 1980 and 2002 in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Each woman was age-matched (±1 y) to a referent woman residing in the same county who had not undergone hysterectomy or any oophorectomy before the index date. These two cohorts were followed historically to identify de novo mental health conditions. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for 20 preexisting chronic conditions and other potential confounders. We also calculated absolute risk increases (ARIs) and reductions (ARRs) at 30 years of follow-up. Results Over a median follow-up of 21.9 years, women who underwent hysterectomy at any age experienced increased risks of de novo depression (adjusted HR 1.26; 95% CI, 1.12-1.41; ARI 6.6%) and anxiety (adjusted HR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08-1.38; ARI 4.7%). The association for depression increased significantly with younger age at hysterectomy, but did not vary significantly by indication. Interactions were not significant for anxiety. Conclusions Hysterectomy, even with ovarian conservation, is associated with an increased long-term risk of de novo depression and anxiety, especially when performed in women who are younger. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A465.
Surgical management of perforated bowel due to typhoid infection. What are the predictive factors for pre-operative diagnosis in the endemic area

Perforated typhoid fever is a common cause of peritonitis in the endemic areas and associated with high mortality and morbidity if not managed properly. This prospective study included 75 patients with perforated bowel that operated upon in two years( 2017-2018) and other 29 cases of non-perforated typhoid enteritis presented as acute abdomen. Of 75 cases, 13 (17%) presented as local peritonitis, while 63 (87%) as general peritonitis, which was confirmed by chest X-Ray/ gas under the diaphragm in 80%. 61(81%) patients were males. The age was 15-40 years in 54 (72%) patients. White Blood Cell count [WBC] is low or normal in all cases. 35(46%) patients were presented as an acute abdomen without fever. All patients had at least one perforation in the terminal ileum. There was single perforation in 47(62%) patients. The midline incisions were complicated by dehiscence in 15 (24%) of 54 cases and by wound infection in 35(64%). Six(8%) cases were complicated by fecal fistula and 3(4%) patients unfortunately died. Wound infection complicated 4 (26%) of 15 cases of gridiron incisions, but no wound dehiscence or incisional hernia. Conclusion: WBC is helpful in the diagnosis of perforated bowel due to typhoid infection. This is important for the proper choice of an incision. Grid iron incision is associated with minimal complications and is preferred to the midline one. Acute diffuse peritonitis indicates perforation in almost all cases, but only one-third of local peritonitis caused by perforation. Early limited surgery and the proper choice of antibiotics according to local microbiologist opinion or culture decreased the mortality to 4%.
Three Emerging Coronaviruses in Two Decades.

In the past two decades, the world has seen three coronaviruses emerge and cause outbreaks that have caused considerable global health consternation Coronaviruses are enveloped, nonsegmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses that have a characteristic appearance on electron microscopy negative staining Image 1 As a matter of fact, the characteristic electron microscopy appearance was the clue to amplify and sequence nucleic acids from Dr Urbani’s (one of the health care providers who died of severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] in 2003) respiratory specimen using a consensus coronavirus primer 1 The sequence of the virus was significantly different from other coronaviruses known to cause human disease at the time The virus was ultimately named SARS-CoV, as febrile patients had severe acute respiratory syndrome and could present with pneumonia and lower respiratory symptoms such as cough and dyspnea 2 The SARS-CoV outbreak started in Guangdong, China, and spread to many countries in Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and South Africa Transmission was primarily person to person through droplets that occurred during coughing or sneezing, through personal contact (shaking hands), or by touching contaminated surfaces Of note, health professionals were particularly at risk of acquiring the disease, as transmission also occurred if isolation precautions were not followed and during certain procedures The last case of SARS-CoV occurred in September 2003, after having infected over 8,000 persons and causing 774 deaths with a case fatality rate calculated at 9 5%
Polycarbonate Heat Molding for Soft Lithography

Soft lithography enables rapid microfabrication of many types of microsystems by replica molding elastomers into master molds. However, master molds can be very costly, hard to fabricate, vulnerable to damage, and have limited casting life. Here, an approach for the multiplication of master molds into monolithic thermoplastic sheets for further soft lithographic fabrication is introduced. The technique is tested with master molds fabricated through photolithography, mechanical micromilling as well as 3D printing, and the results are demonstrated. Microstructures with submicron feature sizes and high aspect ratios are successfully copied. The copying fidelity of the technique is quantitatively characterized and the microfluidic devices fabricated through this technique are functionally tested. This approach is also used to combine different master molds with up to 19 unique geometries into a single monolithic copy mold in a single step displaying the effectiveness of the copying technique over a large footprint area to scale up the microfabrication. This microfabrication technique can be performed outside the cleanroom without using any sophisticated equipment, suggesting a simple way for high-throughput rigid monolithic mold fabrication that can be used in analytical chemistry studies, biomedical research, and microelectromechanical systems.
Scope and Importance of Plant Biotechnology in Crop Improvement

Plant biotechnology involves breeding to improve plants for various reason such as increasing yield and quality, heat and drought resistance, resistance to phytopathogens, herbicide and insect resistance, increasing biomass for biofuel production, and enhancing the nutritional quality of the crops. This chapter presents a brief history of breeding, disadvantages of conventional breeding while advantages of non-conventional breeding techniques such as molecular marker-assisted breeding techniques and molecular farming. Tissue culture, as a form of large-scale plant micropropagation and its advantages along with the future of breeding program based on high throughput sequencing platform called genomic assisted molecular farming have been also discussed.
Impacts of ciliary neurotrophic factor on the retinal transcriptome in a mouse model of photoreceptor degeneration

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been tested in clinical trials for human retinal degeneration due to its potent neuroprotective effects in various animal models. To decipher CNTF-triggered molecular events in the degenerating retina, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing analyses using the Rds/Prph2 (P216L) transgenic mouse as a preclinical model for retinitis pigmentosa. In the absence of CNTF treatment, transcriptome alterations were detected at the onset of rod degeneration compared with wild type mice, including reduction of key photoreceptor transcription factors Crx, Nrl, and rod phototransduction genes. Short-term CNTF treatments caused further declines of photoreceptor transcription factors accompanied by marked decreases of both rod- and cone-specific gene expression. In addition, CNTF triggered acute elevation of transcripts in the innate immune system and growth factor signaling. These immune responses were sustained after long-term CNTF exposures that also affected neuronal transmission and metabolism. Comparisons of transcriptomes also uncovered common pathways shared with other retinal degeneration models. Cross referencing bulk RNA-seq with single-cell RNA-seq data revealed the CNTF responsive cell types, including Muller glia, rod and cone photoreceptors, and bipolar cells. Together, these results demonstrate the influence of exogenous CNTF on the retinal transcriptome landscape and illuminate likely CNTF impacts in degenerating human retinas.
Mobile Energy Balancing in Heterogeneous Opportunistic Networks

Energy is a scarce resource in mobile networks consisting of devices running on batteries. Thus, many studies have looked at the energy management issue in these networks from different aspects. Thanks to the recent advances in wireless power transfer (WPT) technology, the wireless charging of the mobile devices has been considered for their continuous operation. While most of the research efforts have focused on the scheduling of mobile chargers for charging of the devices (e.g., sensor) in the field, interesting research problems such as energy balancing among a population of nodes have also emerged with the consideration of bidirectional wireless charging among nodes. Energy balancing aims to balance the energy among nodes towards prolonging the network lifetime especially when external energy sources are not available. Previous studies target an energy balance among the devices as fast as possible but they waste energy in the network during this process due to the excessive interactions between nodes. Moreover, they do not take into account the heterogeneous contact relations between the nodes in the network. In this paper, we address these issues and present efficient and loss-aware energy balancing protocols considering the contact graph heterogeneity between nodes and a time threshold for completing the energy balancing. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms outperform the previous work by reaching a better energy balance with a lower energy loss within the restricted relations among nodes in the network.
Influence of imposed feed intake patterns during lactation on reproductive performance and on circulating levels of glucose, insulin, and luteinizing hormone in primiparous sows

Thirty-six primiparous sows were assigned to one of five treatments designed to mimic the lactation feed intake patterns observed in a previous study of commercial farms: high energy intake (HHH) or low energy intake during each week of a 3-wk lactation (LLL), or reduced intake during wk 1 (LHH), wk 2 (HLH) or wk 3 of lactation (HHL). The metabolizable energy intake of sows was either 16.5 (H) or 6.5 (L) Mcal/d. Diets were equal in lysine, providing 45 g/d. The HHH sows had a shorter (P .1) in mean serum concentrations of LH were observed among treatment groups either on d 21 of lactation or on d 1 postweaning. When fed a low-energy diet, sows had lower (P < .05) concentrations of serum insulin and plasma glucose than did sows fed a high-energy diet. Our results indicate that energy intake during lactation influences circulating insulin and glucose levels and LH pulse frequency and amplitude during midlactation and during the postweaning period.
Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Using Output Feedback

This paper presents an output feedback model predictive control for a class of nonlinear systems in a multirate scheme, where the control sampling period is larger than the estimation sampling period. With a small sampling period, the observer is designed to be faster than the dynamics of the closed-loop system under state feedback. Stabilization is achieved by a separation approach in which the control is designed first using state feedback and practical stabilization is achieved by output feedback.
How WEIRD are you

Most psychological research involves people from rich, democratic countries. We are missing the bigger picture of human thinking, Joe Henrich tells Dan Jones
Particulate Matter Exposure Exacerbates Amyloid-β Plaque Deposition and Gliosis in APP/PS1 Mice.

Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. There are several well-established genetic and environmental factors hypothesized to contribute to AD progression including air pollution. However, the molecular mechanisms by which air pollution exacerbates AD are unclear. Objective This study explored the effects of particulate matter exposure on AD-related brain changes using the APP/PS1 transgenic model of disease. Methods Male C57BL/6;C3H wild type and APP/PS1 mice were exposed to either filtered air (FA) or particulate matter sized under 2.5μm (PM2.5) for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 3 months and brains were collected. Immunohistochemistry for Aβ, GFAP, Iba1, and CD68 and western blot analysis for PS1, BACE, APP, GFAP, and Iba1 were performed. Aβ ELISAs and cytokine arrays were performed on frozen hippocampal and cortical lysates, respectively. Results The Aβ plaque load was significantly increased in the hippocampus of PM2.5-exposed APP/PS1 mice compared to their respective FA controls. Additionally, in the PM2.5-exposed APP/PS1 group, increased astrocytosis and microgliosis were observed as indicated by elevated GFAP, Iba1, and CD68 immunoreactivities. PM2.5 exposure also led to an elevation in the levels of PS1 and BACE in APP/PS1 mice. The cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and MIP-3α were also elevated in the cortices of PM2.5-exposed APP/PS1 mice compared to FA controls. Conclusion Our data suggest that chronic particulate matter exposure exacerbates AD by increasing Aβ plaque load, gliosis, and the brain inflammatory status.
Measuring Household Distress and Potential Policy Impacts

Government policies such as income support and debt relief may help explain low levels of household financial distress, but outcomes are uncertain once assistance ends.
Label-free detection of Giardia lamblia cysts in water samples using a field-portable imaging flow cytometer and deep learning

We report a label-free, field-portable, holographic imaging flow cytometer that can automatically detect and count Giardia lamblia cysts in water samples with a throughput of 100 mL/h. Our cytometer has the dimensions of 19×19×16 cm and a laptop computer-connected to it reconstructs the phase and intensity images of the flowing microparticles in the sample at three different wavelengths and classifies them by a trained convolutional neural network, thereby detecting the Giardia cysts in real time. We experimentally demonstrated that our system can detect Giardia contamination in fresh and seawater samples containing as low as <10 cysts/50 mL.
When are Explicit Racial Appeals Accepted? Examining the Role of Racial Status Threat

Evidence has emerged demonstrating that whites no longer reject negative, explicit racial appeals as they had in the past. This seeming reversal of the traditional logic of the powerlessness of explicit appeals raises the question: Why are explicit racial appeals accepted sometimes but rejected at other times? Here, I test whether the relative acceptance of negative, explicit racial appeals depends on whites’ feelings of threat using a two-wave survey experiment that manipulates participants’ feelings of threat, and then examines their responses to an overtly racist political appeal. I find that when whites feel threatened, they are more willing to approve of and agree with a negative, explicit racial appeal disparaging African Americans—and express willingness to vote for the candidate who made the explicit racial appeal.
Mental Health Under Occupation: The Dilemmas of “Normalcy” in Palestine

This chapter, co-authored by two psychiatrists, explores from an ethical perspective the question, “What is normal?” in the context of mental health in occupied Palestine. A description of Palestine, its history and its current conditions, sets the framework for several clinical vignettes. These vignettes then form the basis of a discussion of clinical and social issues which include an ethical dimension arising from the challenges faced by an individual within a disturbed social context. Implications arise for mental health workers, policy makers, and solidarity activists. These issues may resonate in contexts beyond Palestine, such as settings in many parts of the world which involve systemic injustice, abuse, and human rights violations. Recommendations are made.
Cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness after COVID-19 hospitalization.

Understanding the clinical manifestations of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become an urgent objective in the research community. Amongst the emerging neurologic complications is sensorineu...
Photophysics of Ru(II) complexes with hydroxylated diimine ligands: Photoinduced electron/proton transfer to anthraquinone

Abstract This manuscript reports the reaction of the 3MLCT excited states of two luminescent chromophores, [(bpy)2Ru(OHbpy)]2+ and [(bpy)2Ru(OMebpy)]2+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, OHbpy = 4-hydroxy-2,2′-bipyridine, OMebpy = 4-methoxy-2,2′-bipyridine), with anthraquinone (AQ). A series of luminescence, electrochemical, spectrophotometric and transient absorption studies were done in order to determine free energies for the potential reaction paths between the photoexcited complexes and AQ. For the OMebpy complex, only excited state electron transfer (ET*) from the 3MLCT state of the complex to AQ was possible. However, for the OHbpy complex, the excited state could react with AQ via a variety of pathways including excited state electron transfer, ET*, excited state proton transfer (PT*) and excited state proton coupled electron transfer (PCET*). The thermodynamic analysis revealed that, for the OHbpy complex PT* was very endergonic and not a viable reaction pathway, however both ET* and PCET* could occur. Luminescence quenching studies revealed that both the OHbpy and the OMebpy excited complexes reacted with AQ (kq ~ 109 M−1s−1 for both). Transient absorption analysis showed that, for the OMebpy complex, no photoproducts escaped the encounter complex associated with the quenching reaction. The result is consistent with strong electrostatic association of the 3+/1- encounter complex. For the OHbpy complex transient absorption results clearly show the formation of PCET* products from the encounter complex. The result represents one of a small number of examples of excited states of chromophores reacting via proton coupled electron transfer within an encounter complex.
History and Summary Analyses of Articles Published in the Journal of Personnel Evaluation in Education: Documenting the First Twelve Years

The Journal of Personnel Evaluation in Education (JPEE) began publication in 1987 with the goal of a “journal that focuses on current thought and research in the field of personnel evaluation” (Iwanicki, 1987, p. 5). During the first twelve years, forty-eight issues have been published in twelve volumes. This article presents results of analyses of JPEE articles to answer questions on the journal's success in accomplishing its original goals, how it has impacted personnel evaluation practice, and how the focus of the JPEE has evolved through its history. All of the 293 articles that have appeared in the JPEE were coded using a process of qualitative document analysis. Each article was coded according to its contents in each of eight coding groups. The results indicate that the JPEE has published a comprehensive array of evaluation theory and practice, including the results of ninety-four research studies, reports on thirty-five specific programs or projects, twelve special issues on timely topics, and nine book reviews on books about personnel evaluation. Other conclusions note that the JPEE is highly oriented toward teacher evaluation, that it is dominated by United States authors, and that there are whole areas of educational personnel evaluation without substantial research.
Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b Mutants Having Constitutive Expression of Soluble Methane Monooxygenase in the Presence of High Levels of Copper

The methanotrophic bacterium Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is unusually active in degrading recalcitrant haloalkanes such as trichloroethylene (TCE). The first and rate-limiting step in the degradation of TCE is catalyzed by a soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO). This enzyme is not expressed when the cells are grown in the presence of copper at concentrations typically found in polluted groundwater. Under these conditions, M. trichosporium OB3b expresses a particulate form of the enzyme (pMMO), which has a narrow substrate specificity and does not degrade TCE at any significant rate. We have isolated M. trichosporium OB3b mutants that are deficient in pMMO and express sMMO constitutively in the presence of elevated concentrations of copper. One mutant (PP358) exhibited a TCE degradation rate which was almost twice as high as that of the wild-type strain grown under optimal conditions (without copper). All of the mutants lost the ability to express pMMO activity and to form stacked intracellular membranes characteristic of wild-type cells expressing pMMO.