cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Reaction of Amines with Carbonyls: Its Significance in the Nonenzymatic Metabolism of Xenobiotics

The studies cited above indicated that many carbonyl amine reactions can alter both in vitro and in vivo rates of xenobiotic metabolism. The carbonyl amine reaction may be enzymatic or nonenzymatic and in most instances is readily reversible with few examples of the isolation and identification of the Schiff bases (azomethine). Endogenous primary amine and amines generated by metabolic N-dealkylation can react with biogenic ketones and aldehydes and under selected physiological conditions give further condensation products. The new products in most instances alter the biological activity and/or toxicity. It is apparent that these findings can be extended to carbonyl hydrazine reactions. The rates of reaction for simple alkyl and aryl hydrazine are more rapid and the products of these reactions and more stable, with the condensation products of alpha-keto acids being isolated and characterized the most frequently. The further reaction of hydrazones to yield condensation products is also observed with selected hydrazines such as hydralazine. It is now clear that the inherent toxicity of many exogenous ketones and aldehydes exists. Many of these toxicities are due to the reactions which occur with the amino groups of amino acids and proteins. The condensation reactions in most instances are readily reversed and are only dependent on the physiological concentration of aldehydes of ketones. However, there are a number of ketones and aldehydes, some of which are metabolically produced that are capable of forming azomethine intermediates which are not readily reversed under physiological conditions. There are an increasing number of examples of further nonenzymatic condensations which result in stable products which can alter xenobiotic metabolism.
Time Course of and Effect of Dietary Iron Level on Iron Incorporation into Erythrocytes by Infants

As a part of our effort to explore various aspects of ferrokinetics in infancy, the present study was designed to determine the timing of entry of an orally ingested iron isotope into circulating erythrocytes, and the effect of the level of dietary iron [0.3 mg/100 kcal (418.4 kJ) vs. 1.8 mg/100 kcal] after isotope administration on erythrocyte incorporation of the isotope. We administered the stable isotope, (58)Fe, orally to 56-d-old and 168-d-old infants. All infants were fed a low-iron formula (LF) before and until 5 h after isotope administration. Thereafter, half the infants were fed a formula high in iron (HF group) while the remaining infants continued to receive the LF (LF group) for an additional 28 d. The quantity of (58)Fe in circulating erythrocytes increased from 14 to 28 d after isotope administration was nearly constant from 28 through 84 d of age (plateau value) and decreased between 84 and 112 d. Erythrocyte incorporation of (58)Fe was greater by the 168-d-old infants than by the 56-d-old infants, presumably because of the lesser iron stores of the older infants. In the 56-d-old infants, erythrocyte incorporation of (58)Fe was greater by the LF than by the HF group, but this difference was not significant in the 168-d-old infants. Thus, at least in younger infants, the level of iron intake after administration of an iron isotope affects erythrocyte incorporation of the isotope. The fact that less isotope was present in erythrocytes 112 d than 84 d after administration indicates that the life span of erythrocytes of infants, even beyond the immediate newborn period, is less than the 120-d life span of erythrocytes in the adult.
14C tracer study of the dehydrocyclization of n-heptane over Pt on nonacidic alumina

The 14C in the methyl position of toluene from the dehydrocyclization of n-heptane labeled in the 1 or 4 position was consistent with a mechanism including a direct six-carbon ring formation. The aromatic ring was degraded, and the 14C distribution in the ring was also in agreement with 80% or more of the aromatic being formed by a direct six-carbon ring formation.
Vasomotor and vascular effects of hormone replacement therapy

Abstract Cardiovascular risk factors impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation as well as other functions of the endothelium, thereby predisposing the patient to atherosclerosis and its overt clinical manifestations. Loss of endogenous estrogen also leads to reduced bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. In premenopausal women, the impairment of endothelial function develops within 1 month of surgical ovariectomy and is reversed by the administration of exogenous 17β-estradiol. Exogenous estrogen administration restores endothelial function by enhancing nitric oxide synthesis through genomic and nongenomic mechanisms and by reducing oxidative stress and nitric oxide breakdown. The effect of progesterone on endothelial function is still under investigation. In animal studies, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) counteracts estrogen’s beneficial effects on endothelial function and on coronary plaque size. In humans, however, the addition of progesterone to estradiol does not appreciably attenuate estrogen-associated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Secondary prevention trials with conjugated equine estrogen plus MPA have no proven benefit in reducing coronary events, progression of angiographic coronary atherosclerosis, or incidence of cerebrovascular events. This suggests that beneficial effects of estrogen on endothelial function are counterbalanced by detrimental effects, perhaps because of proinflammatory and prothrombotic actions. The selective estrogen receptor modulators are currently under investigation as agents that might retain the favorable, without possessing the unfavorable, effects of estrogen on the vascular system.
QUANTUM EFFECTS OF DOMAIN WALL FORMATION IN THE EARLY UNIVERSE

We consider the formation of domain walls in the early Universe. Our models consist of spacetimes which are initially either Minkowski or de Sitter space and which evolve into the type-I or -II domain-wall spacetimes of Ipser and Sikivie. The geometrical matching between these spacetimes is done explicitly and the structure of the resulting spacetime is studied. Finally, we consider quantum field theory in these spacetimes. We study the effects of particle production and vacuum polarization which result from the formation and existence of type-I domain walls by computing the energy density of a quantized scalar field. We find that these effects are important only for walls with Planckian surface tension such as those that occur in some superstring models.
Modeling Multiscale Subbands of Photographic Images with Fields of Gaussian Scale Mixtures

The local statistical properties of photographic images, when represented in a multi-scale basis, have been described using Gaussian scale mixtures. Here, we use this local description as a substrate for constructing a global field of Gaussian scale mixtures (FoGSM). Specifically, we model multi-scale subbands as a product of an exponentiated homogeneous Gaussian Markov random field (hGMRF) and a second independent hGMRF. We show that parameter estimation for this model is feasible, and that samples drawn from a FoGSM model have marginal and joint statistics similar to subband coefficients of photographic images. We develop an algorithm for removing additive Gaussian white noise based on the FoGSM model, and demonstrate denoising performance comparable with state-of-the-art methods.
Alternative Splicing of the Tuberous Sclerosis 2 ( TSC2 ) Gene in Human and Mouse Tissues

The recently isolated gene for tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) encodes a 5.5.kb transcript that is widely expressed. The TSC2 gene product, named tuberin, is a 1784-amino-acid protein that shows a small stretch of homology to the GTPase activating protein rap1GAP. We have detected a novel variant of the TSC2 mRNA lacking 129 nucleotides, predicting an in-frame deletion of 43 amino acids spanning codons 946-988 of tuberin. This 129-bp deletion precisely corresponds to exon 25 of the TSC2 gene suggesting that alternative splicing leads to production of two forms of transcripts designated isoforms 1 and 2. Further molecular analysis revealed a third isoform exhibiting a deletion of 44 amino acids spanning codons 946-989 of tuberin. Amino acid 989 is a Ser residue encoded by the first codon of exon 26. The two isoforms also exist in newborn and adult mouse tissues, reinforcing the potential functional importance of these alternatively spliced products. These alternative isoforms should have implications for efforts aimed at identifying mutations in TSC patients. The distinct polypeptides encoded by the TSC2 gene may have different targets as well as functions involved in the regulation of cell growth. 26 refs., 4 figs.
Determining absolute thermal expansion of titania-silica glasses: a refined ultrasonic method.

Specific test conditions for determining ultrasonic velocities in titania-silica glasses are shown to improve the experimentally established linear correlation between velocity and thermal expansion. Finer surface finish, normalized thermal history (annealing), and controlled temperature for the test specimen improve the relationship. A statistical analysis shows that 5–35°C average expansion coefficients can be accurately predicted from ultrasonic velocities with a standard deviation of 1 ppb/°C. Excellent agreement is established between the ultrasonic predicted expansion and test results supplied by the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center.
Some measurements of particle velocity autocorrelation functions in a turbulent flow

Particle velocity autocorrelations of single spherical beads (46·5 μhollow glass, 87 μ glass, 87 μ corn pollen, and 46·5 μ copper) were measured in a grid-generated turbulence. The hollow glass beads were small and light enough to behave like fluid points; the other types had significant inertia and ‘crossing trajectories’ effects. The autocorrelations decreased much faster for heavier particles, in contradiction to previous experimental results. The integral scale for the copper beads was 1/3 of that for the hollow glass beads. The particle velocity correlations and the Eulerian spatial correlation were coincident within experimental error when the separation was non-dimensionalized by the respective integral scale. The data generated by the hollow glass beads can be used to estimate Lagrangian fluid properities. The Lagrangian time integral scale is approximated by L/u′, where L is the Eulerian integral scale and u′ is the turbulence intensity.
Electronic 'how things work' articles: two early prototypes

The electronic encyclopedia exploratorium (E/sup 3/) is a vision of a future computer system-an electronic book describing how thing work. Typical articles in E/sup 3/ will describe such mechanisms as compression refrigerators, engines, telescopes, and mechanical linkages. Each article will provide simulations, three-dimensional animated graphics that the user can manipulate, laboratory areas that allow a user to modify the device or experiment with related artifacts, and a facility for asking questions and receiving customized, computer-generated English-language explanations. Some of the foundational technology is discussed, focusing on topics in artificial intelligence, graphics, and user interfaces. The initial prototype system and the technical lessons learned from it, as well as the second prototype currently under construction, are described. >
Preventing Congressional Violations of Taxpayer Privacy

This article claims that the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee violated the law in 2014 when it voted (strictly along party lines) to release to the public the tax return information of 51 taxpayers. The committee acted under the belief that an obscure tax law provision authorized its action. But the provision required the committee to have a legitimate purpose for the disclosures and — incredibly — the committee failed to satisfy this almost trivial, common-sense restriction. Although the disclosures occurred in connection with the committee’s allegations of possible criminal misconduct by a high-ranking IRS official (Lois Lerner), most of the return information released was completely unrelated to the oversight objective and no disclosure was necessary to support the committee’s claims. In fact, there does not appear to have been any purpose whatsoever for the disclosures other than possibly providing a partisan political advantage to the committee majority. Because the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution insulated the committee from prosecution for the violation, the incident reveals a serious gap in taxpayer privacy protections. A future tax committee, for no legitimate reason, might release with impunity the return information of any taxpayer, including sensitive information belonging to a political enemy of those controlling the committee at the time.To prevent that outcome, this article proposes a new restriction on the access of the tax committees to tax return information. If the committees cannot obtain the information in the first instance, then they will be unable to disclose it for improper purposes. The proposal respects the legitimate need of the tax committees for the information by giving exclusive access to a Congressional staff intermediary who would be responsible for conveying necessary information to the tax committees while preventing improper disclosures. If, as claimed in this article, the intermediary’s actions would likely not be protected by the Speech or Debate Clause, then restrictions placed on the intermediary’s discretion in order to protect taxpayer privacy rights could be adequately enforced. Since today’s majority on a committee may obviously be tomorrow’s minority, it behooves every legislator to take action to prevent illegitimate disclosures in the future.
1031 Exchanges and the Sale of Commercial Office Properties

Executive Summary. This paper examines the impact of 1031 exchanges in the commercial office market using transaction level data from a national sample of recent sales. Properties that are bought o...
Executive Director's Report, 2003, Part II

This report is the second half of APSA's annual report for this past year, and completes an overview of APSA activities for the past year. Part I of this report, printed in the October 2003 issue of PS, reported on activities clustered around themes of scholarship, teaching and learning, and the public presence of political science. This part of the report discusses activities related to building the professional community of political science, supporting institutional components of the field including academic departments and research support, and furthering international linkages. It also refers to the operational dimensions of the association-how we are organized to manage meetings, provide adequate technology support, development, business services, and overall Association administration and
ETO and AML1 phosphoproteins are expressed in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitors: implications for t(8;21) leukemogenesis and monitoring residual disease

To study acute myelogenous leukemia 1 (AML1) transcription factor, ETO protein, and t(8;21) AML chimeric AML1/ ETO protein in normal hematopoiesis and in leukemia, we raised rabbit antisera to a bacterially expressed polypeptide containing amino acid residues 1 to 220 of ETO and to synthetic peptides extending from residues 528 to 548 of ETO and 32 to 50 of AML1. The latter was selected to have little chance of cross-reactivity with other members of the PEBP2 alpha family. With affinity-purified reagents, we observed immunofluorescent staining for both AML1 and ETO in the nucleus of HEL, K562, and Kasumi- 1 leukemic cell lines, the last from a t(8;21) AML. Biochemical analysis confirmed specificity of the antibodies and the nuclear localization of the antigens, the latter being exclusive for AML1 and primary for ETO. Immunoprecipitations of metabolically labeled 32P- proteins from Kasumi-1 cells show that AML1 and ETO are phosphorylated on serine and threonine. Investigations with normal bone marrow reveal AML1 and ETO are coexpressed in megakaryocytes and that each is expressed in a portion of the approximately 10-microns-diameter cells residing there. Using a CD34+ enriched population mobilized to peripheral blood, we found AML1 and, unexpectedly, ETO present in these cells. Because of this, we conclude that the expression of ETO in hematopoietic cells is not by itself leukemogenic. Also, because ETO would not be exclusively expressed as part of chimeric AML1/ETO in leukemic patients, its presence cannot be used to monitor t(8;21) AML residual disease.
Characterization of the membrane-inserted C-terminus of cytoprotective BCL-XL.

BCL-XL is a dominant inhibitor of apoptosis and a significant anti-cancer drug target. Endogenous BCL-XL is integral to the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM). BCL-XL reconstituted in detergent-free lipid bilayer nanodiscs is anchored to the nanodisc lipid bilayer membrane by tight association of its C-terminal tail, while the N-terminal head retains the canonical structure determined for water-soluble, tail-truncated BCL-XL, with the surface groove solvent-exposed and available for BH3 ligand binding. To better understand the conformation and dynamics of this key region of BCL-XL we have developed methods for isolating the membrane-embedded C-terminal tail from its N-terminal head and for preparing protein suitable for structural and biochemical studies. Here, we outline the methods for sample preparation and characterization and describe previously unreported structural and dynamics features. We show that the C-terminal tail of BCL-XL forms a transmembrane α-helix that retains a significant degree of conformational dynamics. We also show that the presence of the intact C-terminus destabilizes the soluble state of the protein, and that the small fraction of soluble recombinant protein produced in Escherichia coli is susceptible to proteolytic degradation of C-terminal residues beyond M218. This finding impacts the numerous previous studies where recombinant soluble BCL-XL was presumed to be full-length. Nevertheless, the majority of recombinant BCL-XL produced in E. coli is insoluble and protected from proteolysis. This protein retains the complete C-terminal tail and can be reconstituted in lipid bilayers in a folded and active state.
Off-state self-heating, micro-hot-spots, and stress-induced device considerations in scaled technologies

In this paper we show that devices in scaled technologies could undergo self-heating (SH) even in the off-state when subjected to stress conditions that would in turn adversely impact product life-time. We present a detailed methodology in analyzing the impact of off-state SH, thus preventing unintentional overstressing during product stress-screening. We propose an analytical model for modeling this effect, verifying it against detailed TCAD simulations and actual hardware (HW) data from 14nm SOI FinFET technology. We show that the amount of off-state SH depends on the actual device size and the circuit layout. Additional temperature rise (deltaT) can increase ∼2.7x for 2-finger vs. 40-finger FETs. We demonstrate the SH impact on off-state hot-carrier-injection (HCI) induced degradation based on HW data. Finally, we analyze its impact on backend electromigration (EM) showing that median-time-to-fail (MTTF) can be reduced as much as 80% in large multi-finger (MF) FETs when off-state SH is taken into account.
Ultrasound for Control of Bollworms on Cotton

Adults of Heliothis zea (Boddie), a noctuid, detect pulsed ultrasound with a pair of tympanic organs and make evasive flight maneuvers in nature when pursued by echolocating bats or when exposed to electronicaly generated pulses of ultrasound. When a plot of cotton was blanketed with pulsed ultrasound for 3 weeks at a period when the population of moths was high, egg and larval counts in the control and treated plots were similar, and bollworms in the 2 plots destroyed all the blossoms and bolls. The failure of ultrasound to prevent the infestation of bollworms was probably the result of the sound shadows produced by the plants within which the moths continued normal feeding, mating, and oviposition, and the habituation of moths exposed to the continuous pulse train of ultrasound (probably within 2 minutes of continuous exposure). Since recovery from habituation requires silent periods of 10 minutes or longer, pulsed ultrasound as applied cannot be used to control bollworms on cotton.
ShareTable Application for HP Sprout

Projector-camera (pro-cam) systems create virtual environments for remote interaction with audio and video support. However, previous pro-cam systems require custom hardware and thus have not been used at-scale in the field. In this work, we present a pro-cam application to reinforce social relationships for an off-the-shelf pro-cam system. The ShareTable application users can use video chat in conjunction with sharing tabletop video, allowing them to connect while playing and interacting together.
Construction of Property Rights of Land Use Right for Farmers' Housing

In China,in fact,land use right for farmers'housing have the responsibility of rural social security,so the system of its rights is.Though it is so-called usufruct right,there are many differences between them.It can be safely said that after ending the mission of rural social security,the land use right for farmers'housing will regress to its standard of property right,with reform of town and country;with construction of the system of rural social security.
Association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with frailty measurements in Hiv-infected and uninfected Veterans.

OBJECTIVE Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence is increasing among aging HIV-infected individuals. We determined the association between COPD and self-reported measures of frailty [adapted frailty-related phenotype (aFRP)] and physical limitation, and a clinical biomarker of physiologic frailty [Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index] in HIV-infected compared with uninfected individuals. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of VACS participants between 2002 and 2012. METHODS Prefrail/aFRP was obtained from self-reported surveys. Prefrail was defined as 1-2 domains of physical shrinking, exhaustion, slowness and low physical activity; aFRP was defined as at least 3 domains. Physical limitation scale was determined from 12 self-reported survey items assessing limitations performing physical activities. VACS index includes age and laboratory measurements. We used regression models to test for associations between COPD and outcomes in models stratified by HIV status. RESULTS The sample included 3538 HIV-infected and 3606 uninfected participants; 67 and 63% were black (P = 0.0003), 97 and 92% were men (P < 0.0001) and 4 and 5% had COPD (P = 0.2). In unadjusted analyses, COPD was associated with all three outcomes (P < 0.0001). In adjusted analyses, COPD was associated with increased prefrail and aFRP in HIV-infected and uninfected participants (P ≤ 0.01 for all comparisons). COPD was associated with physical limitation in both groups (P < 0.0001). There was an interaction between COPD and physical limitation by HIV status with increased physical limitation among HIV-infected participants (P = 0.04). COPD was not associated with VACS index. CONCLUSION COPD was strongly associated with aFRP and physical limitations. COPD management may mediate frailty through functional limitations rather than physiologic biomarkers, especially in HIV-infected individuals.
He Is Black and We Are Queer: The Legacy of the Black Messiah for Black LGBTQ Christians

Lightsey interrogates Cleage’s black Messiah to find kernels that can facilitate the queering of womanist theology. She explicates the way Cleage’s claim of Jesus as black correlates to her claim of Jesus as black and queer, a claim that rejects heteronormativity. Cleage decries racial oppression and black people’s acceptance of it, and Lightsey adeptly extends that critique to include those who would condone the oppression of the black LGBTQ community. Just as Cleage claimed black people have accepted a false and racist theology, a slave theology, Lightsey makes clear they have also accepted a false, heteronormative theology. This chapter challenges Cleage and his adherents to respond to the questions of womanist and womanist queer theologies.
Considerations for analgosedation and antithrombotic management during extracorporeal life support

Despite the immense growth in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) technology and experience, opportunity remains to better characterize the pharmacotherapeutic considerations during ECLS. Analgosedation can be particularly challenging in the ECLS population due to in drug-circuit interactions that may lead to decreased systemic concentrations and pharmacodynamic effect. ECLS also requires the use of antithrombotic agents to mitigate the prothrombotic state created by the artificial surface in the ECLS circuit. There are a number of coagulation monitoring tests available. However, optimal monitoring and management in ECLS has not been established. Heparin continues to be the anticoagulant of choice for most ECLS centers, however, there is growing interest in the use of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI) in this population. Advances in understanding pharmacotherapeutic management have not kept up with the technological advances in this population. More investigation is warranted to gain a greater understanding of the pharmacotherapeutic implications, facilitate standardized evidence-based practices, and improve patient centered outcomes.
Crisis Teams for Obstetric Patients

Obstetric care has periodic maternal and fetal crisis situations that are best managed by an organized multidisciplinary team. Hospitals globally have incorporated obstetric teams as part of their rapid response to recurring but unpredictable maternal and/or fetal emergencies. This approach has been advocated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as well as maternal fetal organizations in other countries, the Institution for Health Care Improvement, and the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Targeting EGFRvIII oncogenic over-expression by ATM inhibition

4080 Carcinogenesis is an evolutionary process selecting for mutations that inactivate the cellular safeguards against the various tumor phenotypes, including uncontrollable proliferation and apoptosis evasion. Oncogenic activation contributes to this process, in part, by causing increased DNA damage accumulation that is converted into mutations during the process of repair. This paradigm implies an increased reliance on DNA damage response/repair in cells harboring certain oncogenic mutations, since unrepaired or improperly repaired DNA damage often triggers cell death/senescence. We tested this hypothesis using a glioma cell line model over-expressing an activated form of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR). EGFR is a member of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) family of oncogenes that is over-expressed in many cancers, including brain, breast, and lung. Frequently, the amplified form of EGFR bears mutations or rearrangements resulting in altered receptor function. An example of this type of rearrangement is the EGFRvIII in brain tumors where an in-frame deletion of exons 2-7 causes constitutive receptor activation. This variant is found in 30-50% of high-grade gliomas. In this study, we show that EGFRvIII over-expression in the U87 glioma cell line increased DNA damage accumulation, as reflected by the elevated levels of 8 oxoguanine and H2AX phosphorylation. This increased level of DNA damage was associated with an approximately 3-fold increase in spontaneous mutation frequency. To test whether this increased level of damage reflected an increased cellular reliance on DNA repair pathways in the EGFRvIII over-expressing cells, we carried out a SiRNA based screen to identify repair pathways that, when inactivated, caused preferential toxicity to the EGFRvIII over-expressing cells relative to the isogenic U87 cell line. We screened a commercially available library consisting of SiRNAs directed against 356 known DNA repair genes (Qiagen), including genes required for DNA repair/tolerance/damage response pathways (homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining, translesion synthesis, base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, DNA mismatch repair, ATM-CHK2, ATR-CHK1, and the Fanconi Anemia/BRCA pathway). The results from three independent screens revealed that SiRNAs against ATM (Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated) consistently caused selective toxicity to EGFRvIII cells. Inhibition of ATM using the small molecular inhibitor KU55933 also caused selective toxicity to EGFRvIII cells. Further studies revealed that EGFRvIII over-expression induced hyper-phosphorylation of ATM (Ser 1981) as well as its downstream effector CHK2 (Thr 68), suggesting hyper-activation of this pathway. In sum, these results suggest EGFRvIII over-expression increased cellular reliance on ATM activation and can be targeted byATM inhibition. Further investigation of ATM inhibition as glioma therapy is warranted.
Anticancer efficacy of tannic acid is dependent on the stiffness of the underlying matrix.

Tannic acid (TA) has been previously shown to have anticancer potential for breast cancer but its effects on melanoma have not yet been investigated. Similarly, stiffness of the tumor microenvironment is known to have a profound effect on breast cancer metastasis, but little is known about its role on melanoma. The goal of the current study is to investigate the synergistic effects of TA and matrix stiffness on melanoma progression. A375 melanoma cells with metastatic potential were cultured on TA crosslinked uncompacted (UC; soft) and electrochemically compacted (ECC; stiff) collagen gels and the effects of TA on gel morphology, mechanical properties, and cellular response (i.e. morphology and proliferation) were evaluated. SEM results showed that TA crosslinking induced merging of collagen fibrils that resulted in decrease in pore size of both UC and ECC collagen gels. Tensile testing showed that TA crosslinking significantly (p < 0.05) improved the mechanical properties of ECC collagen gels. Results from Alamar blue assay showed that TA preferentially inhibited the proliferation of A375 melanoma cells compared to the non-cancerous NIH 3T3 fibroblasts on UC collagen gels. However, on ECC collagen gels, preferential effect of TA was not prevalent as proliferation of both cell types was inhibited to a similar extent. When comparing the two gel types, inhibition of A375 melanoma cell proliferation was more pronounced on TA crosslinked UC collagen gels compared to TA crosslinked ECC collagen gels. Overall, these results suggest that TA incorporated into UC collagen gels may more selectively inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells, and that matrix stiffness is an important driver of tumor proliferation and progression.
Exit, Voice, Loyalty Revisited: Contours and Implications for Public Administration in Dark Times

The ascendance of public choice theory in public administration scholarship and practice has contributed to America's increasing vulnerability to state crimes against democracy. Hirschman's framework of "exit, voice, and loyalty" helps to explain the implications of public choice theory. In practice, the theory's dominance has led to expanded opportunities for exit at the expense of opportunities and conditions necessary for popular control of government through voice. A "forensic public administration" is needed to detect and investigate patterns in elite decision-making indicative of enduring efforts to game democratic processes.
How hospitality brands grow: what hospitality marketers should know about Andrew Ehrenberg's work (invited paper for 'luminaries' special issue of International Journal of Hospitality Management).

Abstract Andrew Ehrenberg’s work challenges the emphasis that hospitality marketing practitioners, educators and academic researchers place on segmentation, targeting (especially of heavy users), positioning, and meaningful brand differentiation. However, few marketing practitioners and scholars in hospitality appear familiar with this work. This invited paper attempts to increase awareness and appreciation of Ehrenberg’s work as well as its relevance to and implications for hospitality marketing. Topics covered include the NBD Law, Law of Double Jeopardy, Duplication of Purchase Law, and Law of Natural Monopoly as well as the evidence of weak brand segmentation, low perceived brand uniqueness, and the generalizability of the brand belief-usage relationship.
Fermentation Substrates from Cellulosic Materials: Fermentation Products from Cellulosic Materials

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fermentation products from cellulosic materials. The substitution of fermentation derived fuels, chemical feedstocks, and protein supplements for those currently derived from nonrenewable resources is now possible because of the low-cost quantitative recovery of hexoses and pentoses from any cellulosic material. This chapter discusses the potential for cellulosic-derived fermentation substrates for those industrial fermentations that benefit the most from such an inexpensive renewable substrate source. Fermentation products solely derived from microbial metabolism, such as the enzyme and antibiotic industries, will gain little advantage. However, those fermentation products that directly compete with a current synthetic process based on a nonrenewable raw material will definitely gain an advantage by switching to a cellulose-derived substrate. The solvent pretreatment cellulose process may not immediately solve but will significantly alleviate the fossil-fuel dependency of the chemical industry. Cellulose will remain the largest renewable resource and the most logical raw material to base the future chemical needs.
European Society of Pediatric Nephrology survey on current practice regarding recurrent focal segmental glomerulosclerosis after pediatric kidney transplantation.

Introduction Primary FSGS is an important cause of ESRD in children. FSGS recurrence after kidney transplantation is associated with early graft loss. No guidelines for treatment of FSGS recurrence exist. We conducted a survey to gain insight into variation of treatment between centers. Methods A survey was sent to all members of the ESPN on behalf of the "Renal Transplantation" and "Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome" working groups. Results Fifty-nine nephrologists from 31 countries responded, reporting 807 FSGS patients, with 241 (30%) FSGS recurrences after transplantation. Recurrence varied from 0% to 100% between respondents. Native nephrectomy before or during transplantation was performed, respectively, always (37%), never (39%), or on clinical indication (17%). Half of the respondents started preventive treatment before transplantation, using PF (n = 10); R (n = 4); PF or IA, plus R (n = 9); cyclosporine (n = 2); or unknown (n = 4). Immunosuppressive therapy for patients without known mutations consisted of a combination of steroids, tacrolimus/cyclosporine, and MMF, with or without IL-2R-blockade in, respectively, 61% and 86% of the respondents. Sixty-three percent applied a similar regimen to patients with known mutations. FSGS recurrence was treated with PF or IA, plus R by 66% of respondents; 54% observed no response. Complete remission in >50% of patients was reported by 41% of the respondents. Discussion FSGS recurrence after transplantation is common, but varies greatly between centers. We found great variability in preventive and therapeutic treatment regimens. Future research should focus on predisposing factors, including biopsy findings and genetic mutations, and standardized treatment.
The Future Role of Residential Schools for Visually Handicapped Children

During a meeting at the American Foundation for the Blind in early 1979, representatives from the federal Bureau of Education for the Handicapped, and from public and private residential schools fo...
Validity and Reliability of a Novel Method for Physical Activity Surveillance in Toddlers

The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of a brief, wearable, sensor-based screening tool for risk of insufficient daily physical activity (PA) in toddlers. Families (N =...
THERMAL FRAGMENTATION OF SULFOXIMINES OF N-AMINOOXAZOLIDONES, A NOVEL OLEFIN SYNTHESIS

Aus den N-Amino-oxazolidonen (I) erhalt man durch Oxidation mit Bleitetraacetat in Dimethylsulfoxid die Sulfoximine (II), die beim Erhitzen uber die Zwischenstufen (III) zu den Olefinen (IV), Kohlendioxid und Stickstoff zersetzt werden, wobei die Olefine stereospezifisch in Ausbeuten uber 90% erhalten werden.
A 50-Year Journey from Phosphate to Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

This narrative is a personal account of my evolution as a student of phytoplankton and the ocean. Initially I focused on phytoplankton nutrient physiology and uptake, later switching to photosynthe...
Cluster Analysis of High-Dimensional scRNA Sequencing Data

With ongoing developments and innovations in single-cell RNA sequencing methods, advancements in sequencing performance could empower significant discoveries as well as new emerging possibilities to address biological and medical investigations. In the study, we will be using the dataset collected by the authors of Systematic comparative analysis of single cell RNA-sequencing methods. The dataset consists of single-cell and single nucleus profiling from three types of samples - cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and brain tissue, which offers 36 libraries in six separate experiments in a single center. Our quantitative comparison aims to identify unique characteristics associated with different single-cell sequencing methods, especially among low-throughput sequencing methods and high-throughput sequencing methods. Our procedures also incorporate evaluations of every method's capacity for recovering known biological information in the samples through clustering analysis.
Diana Kennedy, Rick Bayless and the Imagination of ‘Authentic’ Mexican Food

This article studies the ways in which the idea of ‘authenticity’ is built and shaped through cultural discourse in Mexican food. The article engages with the intellectual origins of the concept of...
Impact on Electrodes During Plasma Decomposition of CO 2

A reactor being developed and instrumented for plasma decomposition of carbon dioxide contains a pin-to-plane micro-discharge, with a stainless steel pin and aluminum electrode. The degradation of the aluminum electrode over testing time is an unwanted effect of this particular system. A predictive model of degradation of the current electrode is being developed to relate the system parameters and treatment time with degradation of the electrode. Other aspects of the set-up are also being studied based on this phenomenon, including energy losses from the system, which can detract from the overall efficiency of the process of plasma decomposition of carbon dioxide. A test electrode of aluminum is arranged with a demarcated grid of test sections. Then, plasma discharges are applied at the centers of these grids within each area of approximately 2 mm x 2mm. Scans of these areas are taken using a three-dimensional optical profiler for non-contact measurement and characterization of micro- and nano-scale features of the aluminum surface. It should be noted that the instrumentation utilized provides up to 0.15 nm vertical precision. Hence, a predictive model can be developed with the purpose of determining how long the discharge gap length can remain within a reasonable range to sustain the plasma discharge across the electrodes. Toward the goal of engineering a plasma system which can be consistently deployed to decompose carbon dioxide, considerations on longevity of the electrodes and/or necessary maintenance can be a useful step in scaling these systems and preparing them for more widespread use. Results will include impact of the micro-discharge on the electrodes during typical treatment times of plasma decomposition of carbon dioxide.
Meld Scoring System to Predict Outcomes in Patients Who Undergo VV ECMO Implantation

Purpose Veno-venous Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO) is gaining popularity in the management of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and bridge patients to lung recovery or transplantation. Several risk factors have been reported to predict prognosis of patients with lung failure. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) system provides a score based on a patient's international normalized ratio (INR) and creatinine and total bilirubin levels. Originally, the score was used to measure mortality risk in patients with end-stage liver disease. In this current analysis, we evaluated the ability of the MELD scoring system to predict clinical outcomes in patients who underwent VV ECMO. We also analyzed the incidence of morbidity including acute kidney injury (AKI), gastrointestinal bleeding (GI bleeding), pump malfunction, oxygenator dysfunction in patients supported with VV ECMO. Methods This is a retrospective review of an institutional ECMO database. We included consecutive patients from January 2015 through February 2019. During the study period, 71 patients underwent VV ECMO implantation at our center and were included in our study (Table 1). Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their MELD score. Of the 71 patients, Patients were stratified into two cohorts: those with a MELD score Results Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a lower overall survival for patients with MELD scores ≥12 who underwent VV ECMO implantation compared to those with MELD scores Conclusion These findings suggest that a MELD score ≥12 was associated with a higher postoperative mortality rate than that seen in patients with a lower MELD score. MELD scoring system can be used to predict outcomes in patients with advanced respiratory failure patients who undergo VV ECMO implantation.
Metal chelation reduces skin epithelial inflammation and rescues epithelial cells from toxicity due to thermal injury in a rat model.

Background One of the most pervasive complications of burn injury is wound progression, characterized by continuous tissue destruction in untreated wounds, which leads to wound infection, inflammation, oxidative stress and excessive scar formation. We determined whether additional tissue destruction could be attenuated with Livionex formulation (LF) lotion, which contains a metal-chelating agent and reduces inflammation in burn wounds. Methods We subjected male Sprague Dawley rats to a 2% total body surface area (TBSA) burn using a brass comb model and topically applied LF lotion (containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and methyl sulfonyl methane) to the affected area every 8 hours over 3 days. Inflammatory cytokine levels, cell apoptosis and wound healing were compared in LF lotion-treated and untreated rats. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance in conjunction with Tukey's post-hoc test. Results Serum inflammatory cytokines were not detectable after 3 days, suggesting that small burn wounds induce only an immediate, localized inflammatory response. Microscopy revealed that LF lotion improved burn site pathology. Deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-d-UTP nick-end labeling staining showed reduced cell death in the LF-treated samples. LF lotion prevented the spread of tissue damage, as seen by increased amounts of Ki-67-positive nuclei in the adjacent epidermis and hair follicles. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in LF-treated skin sections from burned rats were comparable to the levels observed in unburned control sections, indicating that LF lotion reduces inflammation in and around the burn site. Conclusions These results establish LF lotion as a therapeutic agent for reducing inflammatory stress, cell death and tissue destruction when applied immediately after a burn injury. Further studies of LF lotion on large TBSA burns will determine its efficacy as an emergency treatment for reducing long-term morbidity and scarring.
Inequities in access to VA’S aid and attendance enhanced pension benefit to help Veterans pay for long-term care

OBJECTIVE To examine characteristics that are associated with receipt of Aid and Attendance (A&A), an enhanced pension benefit for Veterans who qualify on the basis of needing daily assistance, among Veterans who receive pensions. DATA SOURCES Secondary data analysis of 2016-2017 national VA administrative data linked with Medicare claims. STUDY DESIGN Observational study examining sociodemographic, medical, and healthcare utilization characteristics associated with receipt of A&A among Veterans receiving pension. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In 2017, 9.7% of Veterans with pension newly received the A&A benefit. The probability of receiving A&A among black and Hispanic pensioners was 4.6 percentage points lower than for white pensioners (95%CI = -0.051, -0.042). Married Veterans receiving pension had a 4.4-percentage point higher probability of receiving A&A (95%CI = 0.039, 0.048). Most indicators of need for assistance (eg, home health utilization, dementia, stroke) were associated with significantly higher probabilities of receiving A&A, with notable exceptions: pensioners with a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (marginal effect = -0.029 95%CI = -0.037, -0.021) or enrolled in Medicaid (marginal effect = -0.053, 95%CI = -0.057, -0.050) had lower probabilities of receiving A&A. Unadjusted and adjusted rates of receiving A&A among Veterans receiving pension varied by VA medical center. CONCLUSIONS This study identified potential inequities in receipt of the A&A enhanced pension among a sample of Veterans receiving pension. Increased Veteran outreach, provider education, and VA office coordination can potentially reduce inequities in access to this benefit.
Sensing and Control of a Multi-Joint Soft Wearable Robot for Upper-Limb Assistance and Rehabilitation

In the field of wearable robotics, there has been increased interest in the creation of soft wearable robots to provide assistance and rehabilitation for those with physical impairments. Compared to traditional robots, these devices have the potential to be fully portable and lightweight, a flexibility that may allow for increased utilization time as well as enable use outside of a clinical environment. In this letter, we present a textile-based multi-joint soft wearable robot to assist the upper limb, in particular shoulder elevation and elbow extension. Before developing a portable fluidic supply system, we leverage an off-board actuation system for power and control, with the worn components weighting less than half kilogram. We showed that this robot can be mechanically transparent when powered off, not restricting users from performing movements associated with activities of daily living. Three IMUs were placed on the torso, upper arm and forearm to measure the shoulder and elbow kinematics. We found an average RMSE of $\sim\!5$ degrees when compared to an optical motion capture system. We implemented dynamic Gravity Compensation (GC) and Joint Trajectory Tracking (JTT) controllers that actively modulated actuator pressure in response to IMU readings. The controller performances were evaluated in a study with eight healthy individuals. Using the GC controller, subject shoulder muscle activity decreased with increasing magnitude of assistance and for the JTT controller, we obtained low tracking errors (mean $\sim\!6$ degrees RMSE). Future work will evaluate the potential of the robot to assist with activities in post-stroke rehabilitation.