cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suppressive service of the soil food web: Effects of environmental management

Soil food webs perform the important ecosystem services necessary to maintain both agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. Higher trophic levels in soil food webs can play a role suppressing plant parasites and affecting nutrient dynamics by modifying abundance of intermediate consumers. Natural and agricultural landscapes were sampled to compare soil faunal structure. Top-down soil suppressiveness of a parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, was determined in laboratory assay. Five treatments, including two nitrogen fertilizers, two herbicides and simulated tillage were established in experimental microcosms to evaluate the effects of simulated agricultural practices on top-down suppressiveness. Soil food web indices, based on the composition of the nematode fauna, were calculated to infer soil food web condition. Long and complex soil food webs in natural areas, with more trophic links and abundant predatory nematodes, effectively suppressed plant–parasite populations, while disturbed communities in agricultural soils did not. Soil suppressiveness was related to the ratio of predators to prey and to the prevalence of omnivore and predator species. Agricultural management led to a reduction in the suppressive capacity of the soil food web. Abundance of predatory nematodes was related to soil NH4+, probably due to excretory products of nematodes and other organisms grazing on microbes. Soil suppressiveness, soil food web dynamics and agricultural management are strongly inter-related.
Genome Structure and Thymic Expression of an Endogenous Retrovirus in Zebrafish

In a search for previously unknown genes that are required for lymphocyte development in zebrafish, a retroviral sequence was identified in a subtracted thymus cDNA library and in genomic DNA libraries. The provirus is 11.2 kb and contains intact open reading frames for the gag, pol, and env genes, as well as nearly identical flanking long terminal repeat sequences. As determined by in situ hybridization, the thymus appears to be a major tissue for retroviral expression in both larval and adult fish. Several viral transcripts were found by Northern blotting in the adult thymus. The provirus was found at the same genomic locus in sperm from four fish, suggesting that it is an endogenous retrovirus. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that it is closest to, yet distinct from, the cluster of murine leukemia virus-related retroviruses, suggesting that this virus represents a new group of retroviruses.
Fine structure of the secretory and nonsecretory ameloblasts in the frog. I. Fine structure of the secretory ameloblasts

Amelogenesis in the tooth germs of the frog Rana pipiens was examined by electron microscopy at different stages of tooth development. Cellular changes in secretory ameloblasts during this process showed many basic similarities to those in mammalian amelogenesis. Amelogenesis can be divided into three stages based on histological criteria such as thickness of enamel and the relative position of the tooth germ within the continuous succession of teeth. These stages are early, transitional and late. The fine structure of the enamel-secreting cells reflects the functional role of these ameloblasts as primarily secretory in the early stage, possibly transporting in the late stage and reorganizing between the two functions in the transitional stage. In early amelogenesis the cell exhibits well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, microtubules, dense granules, smooth and coated vesicles, lysosome-like bodies in supranuclear and distal portions of the cell and mitochondria initially concentrated in the basal part of the cell. Numerous autophagic vacuoles are observed concomitant with the loss of some cell organelles at the transitional stage. During late amelogenesis the ameloblasts exhibit numerous vesicles, granules, convoluted cell membranes, junctional complexes and widely distributed mitochondria. Toward the end of amelogenesis, cells become oriented parallel to the enamel surface and the number of organelles is reduced. Amelogenesis in the frog is an extracellular process and mineralization seems to occur simultaneously with matrix formation.
Use of an Osteocutaneous Plantar Free Flap for Salvage of a Below-the-Knee Amputation in a Child A CASE REPORT*

We report the results of a transplantation of a free flap that included the vascularized calcaneus and associated soft tissues in an attempt to obtain greater function after a below-the-knee amputation by providing sensate skin for prosthetic weight-bearing. An eleven-year-old boy slipped and fell while trying to board a slow-moving train. The left leg was caught in the train tracks, and the train continued to move over it. He was taken to a nearby hospital for initial evaluation and then was transferred to our institution. The initial duration of ischemia was six hours. He had a devascularizing and degloving injury of the leg, which was rotated 360 degrees, was cold, was without a pulse, and was without motor function distal to the knee. There was only a six-millimeter-wide flap of dorsal skin attaching the knee to the foot. There was a segmental defect of muscle, bone, and neurovascular tissue that extended from the proximal to the distal tibial metaphysis. The tibia and the fibula were completely shattered. The zone of injury to the skin extended to the level of the distal femoral metaphysis. There were no associated injuries, and the patient was hemodynamically stable. He had a history of melorheostosis for which he had had a quadricepsplasty to improve flexion of the knee. The severe segmental defects of soft tissue and bone made replantation impossible and amputation inevitable. We decided to salvage the extremity by creating a below-the-knee amputation stump that would permit weight-bearing and preserve the extensor mechanism. A microvascular free flap was fashioned, with use of the plantar skin, the …
Iron Biology, Immunology, Aging, and Obesity: Four Fields Connected by the Small Peptide Hormone Hepcidin

Iron status and immune response become impaired in situations that involve chronic inflammation, such as obesity or aging. Little is known, however, about the additional burden that obesity may place on the iron status and immune response in the elderly. This question is relevant given the rising numbers of elderly obese (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) individuals and the high prevalence of iron deficiency worldwide. Iron is necessary for proper function of both the innate and adaptive immune system. Hepcidin, a peptide hormone that regulates cellular iron export, is essential for the maintenance of iron homeostasis. Therefore, since immune cells require iron for proper function hepcidin may also play an important role in immune response. In this review, we summarize the evidence for hepcidin as a link between the fields of gerontology, obesity, iron biology, and immunology. We also identify several gaps in knowledge and unanswered questions pertaining to iron homeostasis and immunity in obese populations. Finally, we review studies that have shown the impact of weight loss, focusing on calorie restriction, iron homeostasis, and immunity. These studies are important both in elucidating mechanistic links between obesity and health impairments and identifying possible approaches to target immune impairment and iron deficiency as comorbidities of obesity.
Volatile constituents in sensory defective virgin olive oils

Negative aromas such as rancid, fusty, winey-vinegary and frozen are sensory attributes of defective virgin olive oil recognized by the International Olive Council. Solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometery (SPME-GC/MS) was employed to establish a flavour profile for each defective oil. The potential contribution of the identified compounds to the overall aromas of oil samples was assessed by calculating the ratio relative area/odour threshold in air – Relative Area over Threshold (RAOT). The relevant compounds of each defective sensory attributes were suggested: a series of C7-C12 unsaturated aldehydes, such as 2, 4-heptadienal, E-2-nonenal and E-2-octenal, were found to be responsible for rancidity, Z-3-hexenyl acetate and nonanoic acid were related to fusty defects, acetic acid and butyric acid were responsible for winey-vinegary defects, and limonene was found as a relevant compound in frozen oil. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquidus relations in Y–Ba–Cu oxides

The liquidus relations in the system YO1.5–BaO–CuOx in air in the compositional region near the superconducting oxide YBa2Cu3Ox were studied by differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, and visual observation. The temperatures of 11 invariant points and the corresponding reactions were determined. YBa2Cu3Ox was found to melt incogruently at 1015 °C to Y2BaCuO5, which in turn melts incongruently to Y2O3 at 1270 °C. These reactions mean that preparing the superconducting phase by melting and rapid cooling will result in the presence of these two phases as well. The peritectic reaction YBa2Cu3Ox + CuO⇉Y2BaCuO5 + liquid at 940 °C accounts for the observation of partial melting, improved synthesis purity, and grain growth at temperatures of 950 °C. The determination of these invariant temperatures and reactions provide insight into optimal processing conditions.
The Role of Rewards in Motivating Participation in Simple Warfare

In the absence of explicit punitive sanctions, why do individuals voluntarily participate in intergroup warfare when doing so incurs a mortality risk? Here we consider the motivation of individuals for participating in warfare. We hypothesize that in addition to other considerations, individuals are incentivized by the possibility of rewards. We test a prediction of this “cultural rewards war-risk hypothesis” with ethnographic literature on warfare in small-scale societies. We find that a greater number of benefits from warfare is associated with a higher rate of death from conflict. This provides preliminary support for the relationship between rewards and participation in warfare.
Addition of Ceftaroline to Daptomycin after Emergence of Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Staphylococcus aureus during Therapy Improves Antibacterial Activity

Antistaphylococcal beta-lactams enhance daptomycin activity and have been used successfully in combination for refractory methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Ceftaroline possesses MRSA activity, but it is unknown if it improves the daptomycin potency comparably to other beta-lactams. We report a complex patient case of endocarditis who was treated with daptomycin in combination with ceftaroline, which resulted in clearance of a daptomycin-nonsusceptible strain. An in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model of renal failure was used to simulate the development of daptomycin resistance and evaluate the microbiologic effects of daptomycin plus ceftaroline treatment. Combination therapy with daptomycin and ceftaroline restored daptomycin sensitivity in vivo and resulted in clearance of persistent blood cultures. Daptomycin susceptibility in vitro was increased in the presence of either ceftaroline or oxacillin. Daptomycin at 6 mg/kg of body weight every 48 h was bactericidal in the model but resulted in regrowth and daptomycin resistance (MIC, 2 to 4 μg/ml) with continued monotherapy. The addition of ceftaroline at 200 mg every 12 h after the emergence of daptomycin resistance enhanced bacterial killing. Importantly, daptomycin plus ceftaroline as the initial combination therapy produced rapid and sustained bactericidal activity and prevented daptomycin resistance. Both in vivo- and in vitro-derived daptomycin resistance resulted in bacteria with more fluid cell membranes. After ceftaroline was added in the model, fluidity was restored to the level of the initial in vivo isolate. Daptomycin-resistant isolates required high daptomycin exposures (at least 10 mg/kg) to optimize cell membrane damage with daptomycin alone. Ceftaroline combined with daptomycin was effective in eliminating daptomycin-resistant MRSA, and these results further justify the potential use of daptomycin plus beta-lactam therapy for these refractory infections.
To Know Is Not Enough Knowledge, Power, and the Zone of Generativity

In this 2012 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Presidential Address, the author considers this year’s conference theme—how to take what we know from research and put it to effective (policy and practice) use. The essay challenges members individually and collectively to improve the connection. She reflects on the history of AERA as an organization, why many seminal research studies fail to get relevant uptake, several models that are instructive in considering the translation process, and comments on several of the papers commissioned by AERA, in advance of the 2012 meeting, which also address different aspects of the translation challenge. The author highlights her own model of change, which she refers to as the Model of Generative Change, and explains the stages or phases of generativity that can be experienced in the research lives of education researchers.
Use of FT-IR and UV spectrometers for monitoring multiple pollutants in the lower troposphere

Automated Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectrometers have been developed that provide real-time detection of multiple pollutants in the lower troposphere. In "open path" applications, the FT-IR and UV beams are transmitted through the pollution in the open air to a retromirror located up to 500 meters away. A path-averaged concentration is then determined from the total absorbance measured along the entire pathlength. Open path FT-IRs have been applied to urban areas and hazardous waste sites, but the most common application is industrial fence line monitoring of fugitive emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Open path ultraviolet (OPUV) spectrometers have also been developed for monitoring criteria pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/), sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/), and ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, and carbonyl compounds in urban areas and along industrial fence lines. A description of each system will be given in this paper as well as areas of further development.
Formation of 2- and 1-methyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene isomers via the crossed beam reactions of phenyl radicals (C6H5) with isoprene (CH2C(CH3)CHCH2) and 1,3-pentadiene (CH2CHCHCHCH3).

Crossed molecular beam reactions were exploited to elucidate the chemical dynamics of the reactions of phenyl radicals with isoprene and with 1,3-pentadiene at a collision energy of 55 ± 4 kJ mol−1. Both reactions were found to proceed via indirect scattering dynamics and involve the formation of a van-der-Waals complex in the entrance channel. The latter isomerized via the addition of the phenyl radical to the terminal C1/C4 carbon atoms through submerged barriers forming resonantly stabilized free radicals C11H13, which then underwent cis–trans isomerization followed by ring closure. The resulting bicyclic intermediates fragmented via unimolecular decomposition though the atomic hydrogen loss via tight exit transition states located 30 kJ mol−1 above the separated reactants in overall exoergic reactions forming 2- and 1-methyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene isomers. The hydrogen atoms are emitted almost perpendicularly to the plane of the decomposing complex and almost parallel to the total angular momentum vector (‘sideways scattering’) which is in strong analogy to the phenyl–1,3-butadiene system studied earlier. RRKM calculations confirm that 2- and 1-methyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalene are the dominating reaction products formed at levels of 97% and 80% in the reactions of the phenyl radical with isoprene and 1,3-pentadiene, respectively. This barrier-less formation of methyl-substituted, hydrogenated PAH molecules further supports our understanding of the formation of aromatic molecules in extreme environments holding temperatures as low as 10 K.
A robotic model of the Ecological Self

This paper discusses an integrated model of a robot's sensory and perceptual capabilities based on one of the earliest forms of self-knowledge that humans develop, knowledge of the Ecological Self. The Ecological Self is a cohesive model of the body and senses learned through the experience of using them together. This unified model allows kinematic and sensory data to be combined, producing an intersensory perception grounded in both inputs. Taking inspiration from this Ecological Self, but building on modern engineering practices, this model allows a robot to learn the kinematics of its end-effector by witnessing its motion in its visual field. This property of adaptation through self-observation also allows the model to adapt to changes in the robot's kinematic structure, as in the case of tool use. A final refinement is performed over the combined visual-kinematic model and is demonstrated to improve not only the accuracy of the kinematic model, but also the robot's stereo vision calibration. This refinement is inspired by the hypothetical process by which infants learn about their selves. The system is demonstrated to require fewer than 200 motion samples to fully train, to predict end-effector position within 2.29mm (SD=0.10) and 2.93 pixels (SD=3.83), to learn the lengths of the linkages in the robot's arm to within 1.1mm, and to adapt to tool use after only 52 samples.
Structure and properties of flexible polyurethane foams with nano- and micro-fillers:

The feasibility of using mineral nano- and micro-fillers as replacement of copolymer polyols in flexible foams was examined. Nano-fillers were nano-clays, a natural montmorillonite (Cloisite Na+) and montmorillonite modified with an organic quaternary ammonium salt (Cloisite 10A), and nano-silica dispersed in methylethylketone. Micro-fillers were micronized clay and silica. Flexible foams were prepared from the ethylene oxide caped polyether triol and toluene diisocyanate with water as the chemical blowing agent. All foams had good morphology except those with nano-clay. The open cell content was above 95%, but air flow was very low in all samples. Micro-fillers did not significantly change cell structure and morphology of hard domains. They moderately increased density, hardness, compression strength, and compression set and decreased elongation at break. The other properties were not affected. Cloisite Na+ (non-treated montmorillonite) and nano-silica with a hydrophilic surface increased hardness, compr...
Transcriptional Silencing of Arabidopsis Endogenes by Single-Stranded RNAs Targeting the Promoter Region

Transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) of transgenes by promoter-related RNAs has been known for more than a decade. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of silencing of endogenes by single-stranded and inverted repeat (IR) RNA/silencers remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that a single-stranded antisense (AS) silencer targeting the promoter region can efficiently silence four Arabidopsis endogenes, with comparable efficiency to an IR silencer. In the case of Too Many Mouths (TMM), single-stranded silencers generated mainly 24 nt small RNAs (smRNAs), whereas IR silencers produced a higher proportion of 21-23 nt smRNAs. Heavy CG, CHG and CHH methylations were detected on the TMM promoter in silenced plant lines. We also demonstrated that the silencing and DNA methylation of the TMM promoter was dependent on the presence of the silencer. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that DNA methylation was accompanied by formation of repressive chromatin structures. Our results suggest that single-stranded silencer transcripts are converted to double-stranded RNA to enter the RdRM (RNA-directed DNA methylation) pathway for TGS of endogenes.
Individual differences in customer sociability

Two studies examined the quality of clerk-customer interactions. In the first study, customers in a mall were followed from one purchase to another and retest reliability of customer sociability was found to be 0.73. A second study of the same and another mall found a retest reliability of 0.56 for customer sociability and a correlation of 0.57 between sociability of different salespersons serving the same customer. These results indicate that the sociability of salesperson—customer interactions is determined by stable individual differences in customer sociability, and suggest that salespeople do better to echo than to escalate customer sociability.
Thelarche, Pubarche, and Menarche Attainment in Children With Normal and Elevated Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND. The early onset of puberty may be related to obesity, so there is a need to know the prevalence of early pubertal milestones in nonoverweight children. OBJECTIVE. We compared attainment of stage 2 breasts, stage 3 (sexual) pubic hair, and menarche in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey sample of children with normal BMI with those with excessive BMI (≥85th percentile). DESIGN/METHODS. The ages at which 5%, 50%, and 95% of youth had attained key pubertal stages were estimated by probit models. Logit models were then fit to compare attainment of these milestones in children of excessive and normal BMI. RESULTS. Pubertal signs occurred before 8.0 years of age in CONCLUSIONS. Prevalence estimates are given for the key pubertal milestones in children with normal BMI. Breast and sexual pubic hair development are premature before 8 years of age in girls with normal BMI in the general population. Adiposity and non-Hispanic black and Mexican American ethnicity are independently associated with earlier pubertal development in girls.
The Fall of Agricultural Cartel Enforcement in Hungary

The paper gives an overview of the recent developments in competition law enforcement in the agricultural sector in jurisdictions like the U.S., the EU and Hungary. I examine critically the new Hungarian law exempting domestic agricultural collusion from the cartel prohibition that raises the standard of living of farmers. The implications of the broad agricultural exception and the fine immunity can be chilling. It is a clear political message to the Hungarian Competition Authority that Parliament would like to see an end to some cartel investigations. The latest development is that the Hungarian Competition Authority has adopted its termination order in the melon cartel case on the 12th of April 2013. With reference to the provision hindering the imposition of fines, the authority stressed that for public interest reasons it has decided to terminate the lengthy and costly investigation.
No Kelisia Fieber (Hemiptera: Fulgoroidea: Delphacidae) in South America: New Taxonomic Placement Of Phrictopyga Vittata (Muir) Comb. Nov. from Brazil

2Kelisia vittata Muir, 1926 is the only New World species nomenclaturally in the Kelisiinae from south of the contiguous USA. The delphacid genus Kelisia Fieber, 1866 (Kelisiinae: Kelisiini) consists of 46 species of Laurasian distribu tion, plus 2 species of uncertain status, one ( Kelisia nigripennis Muir 1929) from South Africa and one ( Kelisia vittata Muir 1926) from Brazil. In North America, Kelisia includes 12 species found from southern Canada to Texas, all of which appear to be specialized sedge feeders (Beamer 1945, 1951; Bartlett & Wheeler 2007, Bartlett et al., 2014). Muir’s (1926) illustrations of Kelisia vittata (viz. Figures 50-51) are sufficient to show that it belongs to the Delphacini (Del phac inae), not the Kelisiinae, but they are not adequate to place the genus (hence its omission by Caldwell and Martorell 1951). Muir’s type material consisted of 4 males, 3 females from Campinas, Brazil, and 1 male from ‘Villa Americana’ (both Sao Paulo state, Brazil). Here the species is briefly diagnosed based on the ‘Villa Americana’ paratype (Figure 1, from the California Academy of Sciences
On the Electron Diffusion Region in Asymmetric Reconnection with a Guide Magnetic Field

Particle-in-cell simulations in a 2.5-D geometry and analytical theory are employed to study the electron diffusion region in asymmetric reconnection with a guide magnetic field. The analysis presented here demonstrates that similar to the case without guide field, in-plane flow stagnation and null of the in-plane magnetic field are well separated. In addition, it is shown that the electric field at the local magnetic X point is again dominated by inertial effects, whereas it remains dominated by nongyrotropic pressure effects at the in-plane flow stagnation point. A comparison between local electron Larmor radii and the magnetic gradient scale lengths predicts that distribution should become nongyrotropic in a region enveloping both field reversal and flow stagnation points. This prediction is verified by an analysis of modeled electron distributions, which show clear evidence of mixing in the critical region.
Identifying Glass Compositions in Fly Ash

In this study, four Class F fly ashes were studied with a scanning electron microscope; the glassy phases were identified and their compositions quantified using point compositional analysis with k-means clustering and multispectral image analysis. The results showed that while the bulk oxide contents of the fly ashes were different, the four fly ashes had somewhat similar glassy phase compositions. Aluminosilicate glasses (AS), calcium aluminosilicate glasses (CAS), a mixed glass, and, in one case, a high iron glass were identified in the fly ashes. Quartz and iron crystalline phases were identified in each fly ash as well. The compositions of the three main glasses identified, AS, CAS, and mixed glass, were relatively similar in each ash. The amounts of each glass were varied by fly ash, with the highest calcium fly ash containing the most of calcium-containing glass. Some of the glasses were identified as intermixed in individual particles, particularly the calcium-containing glasses. Finally, the smallest particles in the fly ashes, with the most surface area available to react in alkaline solution, such as when mixed with portland cement or in alkali-activated fly ash, were not different in composition than the large particles, with each of the glasses represented. The method used in the study may be applied to a fly ash of interest for use as a cementing material in order to understand its potential for reactivity.
Application of autoregressive integrated moving average model to forecasting of the bacterial dysentery epidemic trend in Lu'an city

Objective To explore the feasibility of application of autoregressive integrated moving average( ARIMA)model to forecast the incidence rate of bacterial dysentery in Lu'an city,and provide scientific basis for early prevention and control of bacterial dysentery. Methods ARIMA model was established by using SPSS 17. 0 software based on the monthly incidence rate of bacillary dysentery of Lu'an from January 2003 to December 2012. The actual monthly incidence rate of bacillary dysentery from January to July 2013 was used as inspection sample to predict the model,and the forecast result was also assessed. Results The model of monthly incidence of bacillary dysentery in Lu'an was ARIMA( 0,0,1) ×( 0,1,1)12,in which moving average( MA1) was-0. 473( t =-5. 153,P 0. 05) and seasonal moving average( SMA1) was 0.937( t = 2. 494,P 0. 05),Ljung-Box Q had no statistical significance( Ljung-BoxQ = 10. 208,P = 0. 856),and residuals was the white noise. The average of the relative error between actual and predicted values was 27. 82%,but the dynamic trend of model prediction and the actual value was basically same,and actual values were within the predictive value of 95% confidence interval. Conclusion The ARIMA( 0,0,1) ×( 0,1,1) 12 model could provide a reference to the prevention and control of bacillary dysentery in Lu'an city.
Five-Year Institutional Bibliometric Profiles for 119 North American Neurosurgical Residency Programs-An Update.

Background We recently performed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 103 U.S. neurosurgical departments and found the ih(5)-index as meaningful and reproducible using public data. The present report expands this analysis by adding 14 Canadian and 2 additional U.S. programs. Methods Departments were included if listed in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons Residency Directory. Each institution was considered a single entity, and original research articles with authors who were neurosurgeon faculty were counted only once per institution, although a single article may have been credited toward multiple institutions, if applicable. The following bibliometric indices were calculated and used to rank departments: ih(5), ig(5), ie(5), and i10(5). In addition, intradepartmental comparison of productivity among faculty members was analyzed by computing Gini coefficients for publications and citations. Results The top 5 most academically productive North American neurosurgical programs based on ih(5)-index were found to be the University of Toronto, University of California at San Francisco, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Pittsburgh, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The top 5 Canadian programs were the University of Toronto, University of Calgary, McGill University, University of Sherbrooke, and University of British Columbia. The median ih(5)-index for U.S. and Canadian programs was 12 and 10.5, respectively. Conclusions This is the most accurate comprehensive analysis to date of contemporary bibliometrics among North American neurosurgery departments. Using the ih(5)-index for institutional ranking allows for informative comparison of recent scholarly efforts.
Self-Organization in Cells I: Active Processes

Another fundamental question in modern cell biology is how cellular and subcellular structures are formed and maintained given their particular molecular components. How are the different shapes, sizes, and functions of cellular organelles determined, and why are specific structures formed at particular locations and stages of the life cycle of a cell? In order to address these questions it is necessary to consider the theory of self-organizing non-equilibrium systems [441].
Novel highly dispersible, thermally stable core/shell proppants for geothermal applications

Abstract The use of proppants, especially larger and more dense proppants, during reservoir stimulation in tight oil and gas plays requires the introduction of highly viscous fluids to transport the proppants (mm–mm) with the fracturing fluid. The highly viscous fluids required result in increased pump loads and energy costs. Furthermore, although proppant deployment with fracturing fluids is a standard practice for unconventional oil and gas stimulation operations, there are only a few examples in the US of the applying proppant technology to geothermal energy production. This is due to proppant dissolution, proppant flowback, and loss of permeability that, although also occurs during unconventional oil/gas stimulation (hydraulic fracturing) operations, it is amplified under the extreme temperatures found in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). This work demonstrates proof-of-concept of a novel, CO 2 -responsive, lightweight sintered-bauxite/polymer core/shell proppant. The polymer shell has two main roles; (1) increase the stability of the proppant dispersion in water without the addition of rheology modifiers, and (2) once at the fracture network react with CO 2 to promote particle aggregation and prop fractures open. In this work, both roles are demonstrated together with the thermal and chemical stability of the materials showing the potential of these CO 2 -responsive proppants as an alternative proppant technology for geothermal and unconventional oil/gas applications.
The Effectiveness of a Hospital-Based School Liaison Program: A Comparative Study of Parental Perception of School Supports for Children With Pediatric Cancer and Neurofibromatosis Type 1:

Childhood survivors of central nervous system (CNS) cancers (defined as cancers whose diagnosis or treatment affect the CNS) are at increased risk for educational related difficulties, as are children affected by neurofibromatosis type 1. This study evaluated the effectiveness of and satisfaction with a model of psychoeducation, consultation, and advocacy provided by a School Liaison Program (SLP) for families and schools of children with CNS-involved cancers compared with a control group of parents of children with a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 who did not receive school-based services. Results indicated significant between-group differences in parents' belief that their child is meeting academic potential, with parents who received SLP services reporting greater satisfaction with their child's progress, better understanding of their child's learning needs, and an increased ability to access school supports. The strong, positive impact associated with the consultation, psychoeducation, and parental advocacy training provided by the SLP suggests that a similar model of care would potentially benefit other groups of children whose neurocognitive functioning is compromised by chronic medical conditions.
Re-coloring of grayscale images: models with aesthetic and golden proportions

The problem of color image composition from original grayscale images is considered. A few models are proposed and analyzed, which are based on the observation done on many color images that in average a proportion exists between primary colors in images. Re-coloring of grayscale images are performed in the RGB color model and the Golden, Silver, Aesthetic ratios and other rules of proportions are considered between the primary colors. The gray is used as the main color to be map into the three colors at each pixel. We also describe a parameterized model with the given ratio of re-coloring images.
Ceramic nanoparticles in metal matrix composites

Abstract: This chapter introduces research conducted on metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs). The chapter reviews the material system used for MMNCs and explains the principles to choose the reinforcement for metal matrix composites. The mechanical properties of MMNCs fabricated by different processes are summarized and models used to predict and describe the effect of different strengthening mechanisms on MMNCs are introduced. Different approaches used to produce MMNCs are reviewed and categorized.
Closed headpiece of integrin αIIbβ3 and its complex with an αIIbβ3-specific antagonist that does not induce opening

The platelet integrin αIIbβ3 is essential for hemostasis and thrombosis through its binding of adhesive plasma proteins. We have determined crystal structures of the αIIbβ3 headpiece in the absence of ligand and after soaking in RUC-1, a novel small molecule antagonist. In the absence of ligand, the αIIbβ3 headpiece is in a closed conformation, distinct from the open conformation visualized in presence of Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) antagonists. In contrast to RGD antagonists, RUC-1 binds only to the αIIb subunit. Molecular dynamics revealed nearly identical binding. Two species-specific residues, αIIb Y190 and αIIb D232, in the RUC-1 binding site were confirmed as important by mutagenesis. In sharp contrast to RGD-based antagonists, RUC-1 did not induce αIIbβ3 to adopt an open conformation, as determined by gel filtration and dynamic light scattering. These studies provide insights into the factors that regulate integrin headpiece opening, and demonstrate the molecular basis for a novel mechanism of integrin antagonism.
Photodynamic therapy for the treatment of tracheobronchial papillomatosis: A multicenter experience

Abstract Objective Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) causes mucosal wart-like growths of the upper aerodigestive tract, which can undergo malignant transformation. These tumors are difficult to treat, often requiring repeated debridement, which can be associated with high morbidity. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitizing medication and a topically applied light source to treat early stage endobronchial lung cancer. Most data on the use of PDT in RRP pertain to laryngeal disease. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT in treating RRP involving the lower respiratory tract. Methods We performed a retrospective multicenter review of adult patients who had a diagnosis of RRP involving the lower airways. We documented details of their disease, treatments, and outcomes. Results Eight patients underwent PDT for ten RRP lesions. Lesions were located in the trachea and more distal airways. Pathology showed malignant conversion to squamous cell carcinoma in half of the cases. All patient underwent debulking and multimodal treatment concurrently with PDT. Treatment was successful in seven patients with improvement in luminal size. Duration of disease-free recurrence ranged from 4 to 33 months. Five of eight patients have sustained ongoing treatment effect, ranging from 10 to 33 months. Most patient had improved quality of life (83 %) and a reduction in interventions (87 %) after PDT. Complications were minimal. Conclusion PDT can be a safe and effective tool when treating RRP of the lower respiratory tract, including lesions with malignant transformation. A multimodal treatment approach is associated with improved outcomes. Further prospective studies are needed to fully determine its effectiveness.
American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Policy Brief: COVID-19 and Nursing Homes

Abstract This policy brief sets forth American Geriatrics Society (AGS) recommendations to guide federal, state, and local governments when making decisions about care for patients with COVID-19 in nursing homes (NHs) and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) The AGS continues to review guidance set forth in peer-reviewed articles and editorials, as well as ongoing and updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other key agencies This brief is based on the situation and any federal guidance/actions as of April 4, 2020 It is focused on NHs and other LTCFs, given their essential role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic This article is protected by copyright All rights reserved
Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Arrhythmia Classification and Diagnosis

Preventing arrhythmic risks in patients with cardiac ailment has been a global concern. No reliable method for diagnosing Arrhythmia exist. Machine learning techniques can be used to predict the advent of arrhythmic risk and recommend appropriate measures to ensure patient safety. In this paper, we implement seven machine learning algorithms to predict Arrhythmia. Our model promises to produce better results than the existing VF15 algorithm and cardiologists. Additionally, our study also advocates that machine learning in arrhythmia identification can reduce diagnostic expenses by minimizing type-I and type-II errors. Our study implements a random forest, gradient boosted trees, artificial neural networks, support vector machine, XG-boost, logistic regression, and ensemble method. All the models in this study have been evaluated using classification accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, gain, lift, ROC, and confusion matrix. A comparative analysis of all the models highlights the strengths and weaknesses of individual algorithms. The ensemble method yields the highest accuracy (0.84), gain (0.31), F1 score (0.81), and ROC (0.87). It produces moderately high false-negative (14%), whereas, support vector machine with an accuracy of 0.71, generates the highest recall value of 0.91 (sensitivity) and a minimum false-negative (11%). The best performing model in this study outperforms the accuracy exiting VF15(62%) technique by more than 20% margin and sensitivity of cardiologist (0.78) by 13%.
Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease: a case report.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is a recently recognized condition with pathologic features that are consistent across a wide range of organ systems. Orbital manifestations of this disease entity typically involve the lacrimal gland and lacrimal duct, extraocular muscles, orbital soft tissue, and sclera. Here, the authors report the first known case of inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease and offer suggestions for clinical management of this enigmatic condition. A 38-year-old Caucasian man with a history of recurrent tonsillitis presented with blurry vision in his left eye of 1-week duration and was diagnosed as having inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane. An infectious workup was negative, but his serum immunoglobulin G4 level was elevated at 248 mg/dL (reference 4–86), and a subsequent tonsillectomy for a repeat episode of tonsillitis revealed increased immunoglobulin G4 staining on histopathology, thus confirming the diagnosis of immunoglobulin G4-related disease. The inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injections and orally administered prednisone resulting in improved visual acuity and choroidal neovascular membrane regression. He later received rituximab infusions for immunoglobulin G4-related disease. We report a case of choroidal neovascularization associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease, a chronic inflammatory condition whose ophthalmic manifestations typically include dacryoadenitis, orbital myositis, or scleritis. This is the first reported instance of inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane associated with immunoglobulin G4-related disease. Early detection of this disease is important to avoid organ damage and potential complications, so clinicians should maintain an index of suspicion for this condition when inflammatory choroidal neovascular membrane is observed.
Brain Metastasis From Bartholin Gland Carcinoma.

Background Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is an extremely uncommon gynecologic tumor. Brain metastasis from a malignant gynecologic lesion is rarely encountered and the prognosis for this type of metastasis is quite poor. Case Description We report a case of a brain metastasis from a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the Bartholin gland that was treated by surgical resection followed by whole-brain radiation therapy and review the literature. Conclusions Different treatment options, including resection, stereotactic radiosurgery, and whole-brain radiation therapy, as well as chemotherapy, are available and should each be considered on an individual basis.
Philosophy and Art

Providence and imitation - Sophocles's "Oedipus" and Aristotle's "Poetics", Thomas Prufer understanding theatre, Paul Woodruff objects of appreciation - early reflections on television, with further remarks on baseball, Ted Cohen Narcissus and Pygmalion - lessons of two tales, Karsten Harries the nature of art's nature Joseph Margolis some issues in a neothomis philosophy of art, Francis J.Kovach who's afraid of Marcel Duchamp, John Brough the bounds of art, Kenneth Schmitz creativity and beauty, Paul Weiss aesthetics in the Kantian project, Robert Wood aspects of Schiller's philosophy of art, Walter Hinderer art, origins, otherness - Hegel and aesthetic self-mediation, William Desmond the religion of art, Daniel O.Dahlstrom.
Racial and ethnic minority disparities in COVID-19 related health, health beliefs and behaviors, and well-being among students.

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate racial/ethnic disparities in physical, mental, behavioral, and psychosocial COVID-19 impacts. Participants: In May 2020, 403 undergraduates (7...
Integration of mechanics and biology in computer simulation of bone remodeling

Bone remodeling is a complex physiological process that spans across multiple spatial and temporal scales and is regulated by both mechanical and hormonal cues. An imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation in the process of bone remodeling may lead to various bone pathologies. One powerful and non-invasive approach to gain new insights into mechano-adaptive bone remodeling is computer modeling and simulation. Recent findings in bone physiology and advances in computer modeling have provided a unique opportunity to study the integration of mechanics and biology in bone remodeling. Our objective in this review is to critically appraise recent advances and developments and discuss future research opportunities in computational bone remodeling approaches that enable integration of mechanics and cellular and molecular pathways. Based on the critical appraisal of the relevant recent published literature, we conclude that multiscale in silico integration of personalized bone mechanics and mechanobiology combined with data science and analytics techniques offer the potential to deepen our knowledge of bone remodeling and provide ample opportunities for future research.
Learning to Do Philosophy of Religion in the Anthropocene

The philosophy of religion and emerging discussions of the Anthropocene have barely taken notice of each other. This chapter engages recent work by critic Roy Scranton, postcolonial novelist Amitav Ghosh, sociologist Bronislaw Szerszynski and multi-species anthropologist Deborah Bird Rose to explore what role the philosophy of religion of the future might play in a world where the vertiginous loss of long taken-for-granted futures leaves us in an uncanny territory haunted by Holocene ghosts and spooked by Anthropocene monsters. It is suggested that the philosophy of religion’s understanding of histories and traditions of interpretation can free great text humanisms from paleological thinking, but that this will require relinquishing the illusory comforts of secular modernity’s immanent frame. Discerning the spectres of a post-secular present may lead philosophy of religion into conversation with speculative futurological fiction and with the environmental humanities’ experiments in mourning and making kin of our fragile more-than-human world. The chapter ends with some prognostications about how Anthropocene reframings of agency, temporality and the significance of the human might reshape traditional philosophy of religion topics like the problem of evil (and a revived problem of good), and may draw provocative new meanings out of classic philosophical and religious texts such as the Book of Job.
Statistical guided-waves-based SHM via stochastic non-parametric time series models

Damage detection in active-sensing, guided-waves-based Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has evolved through multiple eras of development during the past decades. Nevertheless, there still exists a number of challenges facing the current state-of-the-art approaches, both in the industry as well as in research and development, including low damage sensitivity, lack of robustness to uncertainties, need for user-defined thresholds, and non-uniform response across a sensor network. In this work, a novel statistical framework is proposed for active-sensing SHM based on the use of ultrasonic guided waves. This framework is based on stochastic non-parametric time series models and their corresponding statistical properties in order to readily provide healthy confidence bounds and enable accurate and robust damage detection via the use of appropriate statistical decision making tests. Three such methods and corresponding statistical quantities (test statistics) along with decision making schemes are formulated and experimentally assessed via the use of three coupons with different levels of complexity: an Al plate with a growing notch, a Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) plate with added weights to simulate local damages, and the CFRP panel used in the Open Guided Waves project [1], all fitted with piezoelectric transducers and a pitch-catch configuration. The performance of the proposed methods is compared to that of state-of-the-art time-domain damage indices (DIs). The results demonstrate the increased sensitivity and robustness of the proposed methods, with better tracking capability of damage evolution compared to conventional approaches, even for damage-non-intersecting actuator-sensor paths. Overall, the proposed statistical methods exhibit greater damage sensitivity across different components, with enhanced robustness to uncertainty, as well as user-friendly application.