cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Caudofemoral musculature and the evolution of theropod locomotion

Living crocodilians and limbed lepidosaurs have a large caudofemoralis longus muscle passing from tail to femur. Anatomical and electromyographic data support the conclusion that the caudofemoralis is the principal femoral retractor and thus serves as the primary propulsive muscle of the hind limb. Osteological evidence of both origin and insertion indicates that a substantial caudofemoralis longus was present in archosaurs primitively and was retained in the clades Di- nosauria and Theropoda. Derived theropods (e.g., ornithomimids, deinonychosaurs, Archaeopteryx and birds) exhibit features that indicate a reduction in caudofemoral musculature, including fewer caudal vertebrae, diminished caudal transverse processes, distal specialization of the tail, and loss of the fourth trochanter. This trend culminates in ornithurine birds, which have greatly reduced tails and either have a minute caudofemoralis longus or lack the muscle entirely. As derived theropod dinosaurs, birds represent the best living model for reconstructing extinct nonavian theropods. Bipedal, digitigrade locomotion on fully erect limbs is an avian feature in- herited from theropod ancestors. However, the primitive saurian mechanisms of balancing the body (with a large tail) and retracting the limb (with the caudofemoralis longus) were abandoned in the course of avian evolution. This strongly suggests that details of the orientation (subhorizontal femur) and movement (primarily knee flexion) of the hind limb in extant birds are more properly viewed as derived, uniquely avian conditions, rather than as retentions of an ancestral dinosaurian pattern. Although many characters often associated with extant birds appeared much earlier in theropod evolution, reconstructing the locomotion of all theropods as completely birdlike ignores a wealth of differences that characterize birds.
Cytotaxonomy of the Genus Polygonatum (Liliaceae)

1. The chromosome number and karyotype of distinct North American Polygonatum species, i.e., P. pubescens and P. commutatum, were studied cytologically on Wisconsin material.2. All P. pubescens plants proved to be diploid with 2n=20 chromosomes, with their karyotype referable to the latifolium-type previously described by Therman (1950).3. Two different clones of P. commutatum were examined, viz., one each of the “typical” and “giganteum” type. Both were tetraploid with 2n=40 chromosomes, with the nearly identical karyotypes characterized by three pairs of chromosomes (Nos. 3, 4 and 8) with a secondary constriction.4. On the basis of chromosome morphology, the tetraploid P. commutatum is nearly identical to a double P. pubescens (i.e. the latifolium-type) except that the characteristic chromosome pair 4 of P. pubescens is only once represented in the tetraploid karyotype (pair 8), its mate (pair 7) lacking the secondary constriction.5. The basic karyotype of the Wisconsin tetraploid plants of P. commutatum is not clearly referrable to the latifolium-type, as one would expect on the basis of simple doubling, although it was reported as such by Therman.6. The possibility need not be excluded that P. commutatum has a different basic karyotype.
Collapsible Wind Powered Energy Generation and Storage Device

The described research is a light weight, inexpensive portable and collapsible wind turbine, small enough to be carried in a backpack, ruck sack or within the storage compartment of a vehicle, which can be used to recharge batteries and provide off-site, emergency, or campsite power. As a means to extend the battery life of electronic equipment while moving away from the power grid and extra battery storage, a power generating unit is needed. Current approaches are to carry the anticipated number of spare batteries, to use solar cells or any number of small generating thermionic devices. While each of these have a place in the market, they also have negative cost, size, and weight drawbacks.The objective of this research is to create a power generating/storage wind turbine device for recreational, emergency, and military use that can easily be collapsed and transported as needed. The device is a lightweight, collapsible wind turbine constructed of rugged materials to be used on camp sites, remote locations etc. and carried within a pack for travel. It is of a size and weight to be part of an emergency or survival pack. The wind turbine, in its preferred embodiment, is a self-starting/sustaining device that starts at low wind speeds so no monitoring or priming of the device is necessary. In addition to the novelty of it being collapsible, the wind turbine device employs advanced features to increase its wind energy capture efficiency and its energy storage and delivery system, along with unique design features that make it rugged, lightweight and easily assembled.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Peer Instruction: Using Isomorphic Questions to Document Learning Gains in a Small Statics Class

AbstractPeer instruction (PI) is an in-class instructional technique implemented to promote an active learning environment. Within this pedagogy, students respond to a multiple-choice conceptual question (often using electronic clickers and a classroom response system), engage in peer discussions, then re-respond to the original conceptual question, and finally participate in a classwide discussion facilitated by the instructor. An improvement in the correct response rate is common and is often associated with student learning during the peer discussion phase of the process. To observe the effectiveness of PI in a small engineering statics class, the PI sequence was modified by including an isomorphic question; the resulting learning gains were measured. Three surveys were also distributed during the course to gauge student attitudes toward PI. Findings show that (1) PI improved student conceptual understanding, (2) the resulting learning gains are not statistically affected by a student’s preclass prepar...
A Short-Tailed Larva of the Genus Drosophila

The larvae of Drosophila melanica Sturtevant were first collected under the impression that they were small Syrphid larvae. The separation of the tips of the posterior spiracles which the larva exhibited (Fig. 5) is not known to occur among the tailed maggots of the family Syrphidae, however, and that it was not a Syrphid was confirmed when an adult Drosophilid was reared from the larva. Malloch and McAtee[2][1] figure the larva of Aulacigaster leucopeza Meig. in the family Drosophilidae, which has a short and somewhat extensible respiratory tube. The body form, the length of the respiratory tube, and the appearance of the puparium of Aulacigaster are, however, quite different from those of the larva here described. Mr. C. T. Greene, of the United States National Museum, graciously consented to examine my specimens and to him I am indebted for the determination of the adult. [1]: #fn-2
Direct Upregulation of STAT3 by MicroRNA-551b-3p Deregulates Growth and Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer

3q26.2 amplification in high-grade serous ovarian cancer leads to increased expression of mature microRNA miR551b-3p, which is associated with poor clinical outcome. Importantly, miR551b-3p contributes to resistance to apoptosis and increased survival and proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. miR551b-3p upregulates STAT3 protein levels, and STAT3 is required for the effects of miR551b-3p on cell proliferation. Rather than decreasing levels of target mRNA as expected, we demonstrate that miR551b-3p binds a complementary sequence on the STAT3 promoter, recruiting RNA polymerase II and the TWIST1 transcription factor to activate STAT3 transcription, and thus directly upregulates STAT3 expression. Furthermore, anti-miR551b reduced STAT3 expression in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and reduced ovarian cancer growth in vivo. Together, our data demonstrate a role for miR551b-3p in transcriptional activation. Thus, miR551b-3p represents a promising candidate biomarker and therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
Evidence based review of type 2 diabetes prevention and management in low and middle income countries

Evidence based review of type 2 diabetes prevention and management in low and middle income countries
The pregnant addict. A study of 66 case histories, 1950-1959.

Abstract Sixty-six case histories of pregnant narcotic addicts were analyzed as to obstetrical history, complications of pregnancy, and addiction. It was found that this population averages less than one prenatal visit per patient; that 40.9 per cent showed obstetrical complications; and that the median number of years of addiction was approximately 5 years. Twenty per cent of the cases studied signed out of the hospital in the early post-partum period against medical advice. It is suggested that additional efforts be made with this population and that a multiple team including pediatrician and psychiatrist be included during early pregnancy.
Assessing the relationship between climate and patterns of wildfires in Ghana

Wildfires are a common occurrence in many areas with a distinct dry season. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between wildfires (bushfires) and the climate in Ghana. I establish the correlation between fire data, mean monthly temperatures and average monthly precipitation. I also assess the pattern of wildfire occurrence in Ghana with respect to the pattern of movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Using climate data for period November 2000 to March 2010 at a 0.5 o by 0.5 o resolution, from the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit (UEA CRU TS3.23), and MODIS Climate Modelling Grid (MOD14CMH) Active Fire Products at a 0.25 o by 0.25 o resolution, obtained from the Active Fire Products data maintained by the University of Maryland, also from November 2000 to March 2010, it was found there is no meaningful correlation between the fire data and individual mean monthly temperatures and average monthly precipitation. However, there is a strong relationship between the pattern of fire occurrence and the pattern of movement of the ITCZ in Ghana. I conclude that there is a strong relationship between wildfire occurrence and climate in Ghana based on the closeness of the relationship between the movement of the ITCZ and the pattern of wildfire occurrence.
Post-War Fates of Collaborators and Survivors

In many respects the story of the local police has remained untold. Mostly uprooted from their homes, the few Jewish survivors engaged themselves in rebuilding their lives; many have been reluctant to burden their children with too much of their difficult past. Their memories have been preserved quietly in Memorial books, memoirs and court depositions. Former policemen have also remained silent about their wartime experiences. Even in the former Soviet Union, the trials of numerous collaborators were quickly overshadowed by a monolithic Soviet historiography, which stressed heroic resistance to the invader and played down the extent of local collaboration. Geography and post-war developments explain how many pieces of the puzzle have been kept secret for the last 30 or 50 years.
Functional interpretation of lyre-shaped Bryozoa

Colonies of Late Paleozoic lyre-shaped fenestrate bryozoans began growth on rigid substrates which were on the sea floor. After production of a basal disc, a fenestrate network developed in the shape of an erect bowed fan. The fenestrate fan was initially concave on the apertural side, but the curvature reversed a few millimeters above the base. Colonies were then separated along or just above the basal disc, and rested directly on the sea floor. The zooecial apertures were directed upward. The lateral margin of the fan grew to form the supporting struts of the soon-to-be lyre-shaped colony. An open vault formed below the upwardly bowed fan. Lyre-shaped colonies are interpreted to have lain on the sea floor so that each had the proximal end on the upcurrent side. Feeding zooids were on the upper surface and pulled water through their expanded tentacles. The filtered water passed through the fenestrules, into the vault, and out the open end of the vault, which was on the downcurrent side.
Highly time-interleaved noise-shaped SAR ADC with reconfigurable order

A novel technique for implementing noise-shaping in time-interleaved SAR ADCs is presented. The noise-shaping is implemented passively and is easily reconfigured from first to second order. In both cases it achieves better SNR improvement than a conventional loop filter for a range of low OSR, and without the need for a power-hungry integrator. The architecture provides an energy-efficient ADC solution for a wide range of sample rates and resolution. To the best of the authors' knowledge, it is the first example of a noise-shaped ADC with more than two interleaved channels.
Root-level inoculation with iron-reducing microorganisms does not enhance iron uptake by southern highbush blueberry plants

Abstract The rate-limiting step in the iron uptake mechanism of strategy-I plants is ferric chelate reductase (FCR)-mediated iron reduction. Southern highbush blueberry (SHB, Vaccinium corymbosum L. interspecific hybrids) is a specialty crop that commonly exhibits iron deficiency in agricultural soils due to its low FCR activity. Extracellular iron reduction has been reported in some fungi and peronosporomycetes (subsequently referred to as oomycetes), and this has the potential to increase iron reduction capacity in the rhizosphere and impact plant iron uptake. Here, we isolated and identified fungi and oomycetes from the roots and nutrient solution of hydroponically grown SHB. Then, we built a consortium of iron-reducing microorganisms and used this to study the iron nutrition of inoculated and non-inoculated SHB plants in vitro and ex vitro . We found isolates of nine fungal species and the oomycete Pythium irregulare complex, all of which exhibited detectable levels of extracellular iron reduction. Isolates of Alternaria alternata, Bjerkandera adusta , and Pythium irregulare exhibited extracellular iron reduction that was equal to or higher than that of SHB roots, and they were used to create a microbial consortium for the inoculation experiments. In vitro , inoculation with a consortium of iron-reducing microorganisms did not affect iron reduction capacity in the SHB rhizosphere under iron deficiency conditions, but it increased iron reduction capacity in the SHB rhizosphere under iron abundance conditions. Nevertheless, inoculation treatments generally decreased SHB iron uptake from the medium. Ex vitro , inoculation with a consortium of iron-reducing microorganisms did not affect iron reduction capacity in the SHB rhizosphere. In all experiments, the inoculation treatment did not increase leaf active iron concentration. Altogether, our results suggest that inoculation with iron-reducing microorganisms is not a viable alternative for enhancing SHB iron nutrition.
Displacement-reduction routes to PtPd clusters and mechanistic inferences for the synthesis of other bimetallic compositions

Abstract Bimetallic PtPd clusters (2.1–2.9 nm) dispersed on SiO 2 and uniform in composition and size were prepared using colloidal methods with reagents containing only C, O, H, and N atoms. These synthetic protocols extend galvanic displacement-reduction (GDR) processes previously used to prepare AuPd and AuPt clusters. Such processes exploit the different redox potentials of two elements to encourage their deposition within the same cluster. The size, composition, and formation mechanism of PtPd clusters were probed using transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and high-angle annular dark-field imaging. Taken together with previous data for AuPd and AuPt systems, these findings highlight key general features, properties, and protocols required to form uniform bimetallic clusters. Exothermic alloys, such as PtPd and AuPd, form predominantly via selective GDR routes; in contrast, alternate routes become significant for endothermic alloys, such as AuPt. Bimetallic clusters grow via GDR processes (PtPd, AuPd) at rates proportional to the surface area of each cluster; therefore, compositional uniformity is dictated by the size distribution of the seed clusters. The rate of GDR processes reflects the difference in reduction potentials of the two components, as shown by more facile formation of AuPd than PtPd clusters. These considerations and experimental evidence provide useful guidance for conditions and protocols likely to succeed for other bimetallic pairs. Low-temperature (≤423 K) reductive treatments (in H 2 or EtOH) successfully removed all synthetic detritus from Pd and PtPd clusters dispersed on SiO 2 , without significant coalescence. Such removal strategies are more challenging for Pd than for Pt clusters because of stronger Pd-polymer bonds and the greater sintering tendency of Pd clusters.
Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Display Life of Ground Beef.

Fresh ground beef containing 20 and 25% fat was either treated with 0.01, 0.05 or 0.10% crystalline ascorbic acid or remained as non-treated controls. Samples were displayed in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film for up to 10 d (24 h/d) at 2 to 3°C under 1076 lux G. E. Natural light. Measures of display life included visual color scores, reflectance measurements, sensory panel scores, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and microbial standard plate counts (SPC). At days 1, 3 and 5 of display, average and worst point visual color scores were judged brighter for all ascorbic acid treatments compared to controls. Lower metmyoglobin percentages, higher %R630nm/%R580nm and higher CIE a* readings at days 3, 5 and 10 for the ascorbic acid-treated product supported visual color results. Higher fat (25%) and higher ascorbic acid levels (0.05 and 0.10%) gave brighter visual color responses at 5 d of display than the 20% fat product and that containing 0.01% ascorbic acid. More intense sensory panel beef flavor was associated with the 0.05 and 0.10% ascorbic acid treatments. More off-flavor was found in the higher fat product (25%). TBA values were not different for fat level comparisons, but were lower for the 0.05 and 0.10% ascorbic acid treatments. At day 5 of display, SPC were not affected by ascorbic acid treatment. The 25% fat product had lower SPC at day 5.
Development of bioluminescence imaging of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in virus-infected live mice and its use for evaluation of therapeutics and vaccines

Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of pneumonia among infants with no human vaccine or efficient curative treatments. Efforts are underway to develop new RSV vaccines and therapeutics. There is a dire need for animal models for preclinical evaluation and selection of products against RSV. Herein, we developed a whole body bioluminescence imaging to follow replication of RSV A2 virus strain expressing firefly luciferase (RSVA2-line19-FFL) in live BALB/c mice that can be used as an extremely sensitive readout for studying effects of antiviral and vaccines in living mice. Strong bioluminescence signal was detected in the nasal cavity and in the lungs following intranasal infection of mice with RSVA2-line19-FFL. The kinetics of viral replication in lungs quantified by daily live imaging strongly correlated with viral titers measured by ex-vivo plaque assay and by assessing viral RNA by qRT-PCR. Vaccination of mice with a pre-fusion F protein elicited high neutralizing antibody titers conferring strong protective immunity against virus replication in the nasal cavity and lungs. In contrast, post-challenge treatment of mice with the monoclonal antibody Palivizumab two days after infection reduced viral replication in the nasal cavity at day 4, but only modestly reduced virus loads in the lungs by day 5. In contrast to RSV bioluminescence, plaque assay did not detect viral titers in lungs on day 5 in Palivizumab-treated animals. This difference between viral loads measured by the two assays was found to be due to coating of virions with the Palivizumab that blocked infection of target cells in vitro and shows importance of live imaging in evaluation of RSV therapeutics. This recombinant RSV based live imaging animal model is convenient and valuable tool that can be used to study host dissemination of RSV and evaluation of antiviral compounds and vaccines against RSV.
The VHI-10 and VHI Item Reduction Translations-Are we all Speaking the Same Language?

Summary Objectives The Vocal Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) was designed as an item reduction of the original VHI to provide a quick, reliable, and quantifiable measure of patients' own vocal handicap perception. Many translations of the VHI-10 have been produced, but methodologies of translation vary between articles and do not always mirror that of the English VHI-10. This discrepancy leads to confusion about normative values and the applicability of published data in non–English-speaking cultures. This article examines the various item reductions of the VHI-10 from the VHI and the differing methodologies of translation of the VHI-10. Study Design This is an invited review article. Methods Published item reductions and translations of the VHI-10 were reviewed. Normative values for each translation, where available, were calculated. The World Health Organization recommendations for the translation of instruments are reviewed. Results/Conclusions There are substantial differences between the original VHI-10 (created and published in American English) and many of the translations of the VHI-10 and other proposed item reductions, both in the actual questions used and the order of the questions. We have to conclude that for a number of the non-English VHI-10/VHI reductions, the instruments are not equivalent, meaning the results from different languages are not comparable. Our recommendation for future patient-reported instrument translations is to translate and validate the instrument according to the World Health Organization protocol while maintaining item consistency and order, allowing studies to be better focused and decrease unnecessary replication of well-performed studies, as well as allowing metadata to be combined from different countries and cultures.
Progress in VCSEL-Based Parallel Links

This chapter covers most aspects of VCSEL-based parallel optical links during the period of 2000–2010, a period of tremendous advancement in this field both in research and in commercial deployment. Section 16.1 introduces the topic. Commercial activities are covered in Sect. 16.2. Section 16.3 covers research activities in this field. Deployment of these technologies in large systems, supercomputers and test beds is discussed in Sect. 16.4. Advances in multi-fiber, multicore fiber and multi-fiber connectors for parallel links is the topic of Sect. 16.5. Section 16.6 discusses reliability for parallel links and its application to large systems. Finally, Sect. 16.7 concludes the chapter with future applications for VCSEL-based parallel links.
Proteins at heterogeneous (lignocellulose) interfaces

Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable resource capable of addressing the increasing worldwide demand for energy and the movement toward low carbon footprint, liquid transportation and aviation biofuels. Purposely grown energy crops (wood and grasses) and crop residues (corn stalks, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat straw) are available for conversion to biofuels if attractive process economics are achieved in hydrolyzing these lignocellulosic materials to sugars and converting the sugars to biofuels and bioproducts. Cellulase enzymes that hydrolyze cellulose to glucose currently contribute operating expenses of $0.15–$0.20 per liter of ethanol out of a total of $0.53. The goal is to decrease enzyme costs to 3–5 ¢/L. The high cost is in part due to the high loading of cellulases needed to make up activity losses when the enzymes bind to lignin rather than the cellulose substrate that is located in close proximity to the lignin. We address the concept of using liquid chromatography columns packed with biomass to efficiently probe partitioning of cellulases and other proteins on the surfaces of various forms of lignocellulose. The correlation of elution profiles to fundamental adsorption behavior provides a pathway to a deeper understanding of inhibition of cellulose hydrolysis due to interactions of proteins at heterogeneous lignocellulosic interfaces.
Hypoxia-Mediated In Vivo Tumor Glucose Uptake Measurement and Analysis

Most solid tumors are hypoxic in nature due to the limited supply of oxygen to internal tissues. Hypoxia plays an important role in metabolic adaptations of tumors that contribute significantly to cancer pathogenesis. Among the several metabolic alterations induced by hypoxia, hypoxia-mediated increased glucose uptake serves as the hallmark of metabolic reprogramming. Hypoxia-mediated stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) transcription factor leads to altered expression of several glycolytic genes and glucose transporters, which results in increased glucose uptake by tumor cells. Here we describe an easy and simple way of measuring the hypoxia-mediated tumor glucose uptake in vivo. The method is based on fluorescent imaging probe, RediJect 2-DG, which is a nonradioactive fluorescent-tagged glucose molecule. We have discussed orthotopic tumor implantation of HIF-1α knockdown and control pancreatic cancer cells and glucose uptake measurement in vivo by using IVIS imaging system along with reagent preparations.
Bread, dignity and social justice: Populism in the Arab world

Although they produced vastly more turmoil, the uprisings in the Arab world shared many characteristics with other early 21st-century popular protests on both the left and the right, from Spain’s I...
Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Pathologist's Guide to Creating an Informative Report and Improving Patient Care

Context.— In this era of minimally invasive procedures for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, pathologists are at the forefront of analyzing specimens and are expected to make more specific diagnoses, providing additional information from the material they receive. Objective.— To familiarize pathologists with the essential components of surgical pathology reports for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) resections. Data Sources.— Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and the liver is the most frequent site of metastases. Not all patients are candidates for surgery initially and may be treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, most commonly with FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin and oxaliplatin) and FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin and irinotecan), after which they may become surgical candidates. When CRLM resections are received post neoadjuvant, the pathologist needs to not only report margin status but also report details regarding the tumor's response to treatment, and should ev...
Human Leukocyte Reactivity to Penicilloylated Erythrocytes

The incubation of penicilloylated mouse erythrocytes with normal human peripheral leukocytes gives rise to plaque formation in an agar medium. While the phenomenon appeared superficially to be like Jerne hemolysin plaque formation, several distinct differences were noted. First, the reaction was not dependent upon the addition of exogenous complement. In addition, plating of enriched lymphocyte populations did not favor plaque formation. In contrast, enrichment of granulocytes favored plaque formation. Furthermore, the addition of protein (bovine serum albumin or human serum) enhanced the plaque formation. Finally, the plaques appeared in normal individuals presumably not sensitized to either mouse or penicillin antigens. On the other hand, certain similarities existed. There was an obligatory incubation time at physiologic temperatures, both systems depended upon the presence of viable cells, and both systems seemed to have an immunologically specific component. Because of the correlation of plaque formation with in vitro erythrophagocytosis, it is postulated that this reaction represented a phagocytosis of penicilloylated mouse erythrocytes directed in some manner by an opsonin.
The iron chelator desferrioxamine attenuates postischemic ventricular dysfunction

Recent evidence suggests that postischemic myocardial dysfunction ("stunning") may be mediated by oxygen free radicals, but the mechanism by which they produce myocellular damage remains unknown. Since iron catalyzes formation of hydroxyl radicals (HO.) as well as HO.-initiated lipid peroxidation, we explored the potential role of this metal in the pathogenesis of myocardial stunning. Open-chest dogs undergoing a 15-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) followed by 4 h of reperfusion (REP) received the iron chelator desferrioxamine intravenously (10 mg/kg over 45 min beginning 30 min before occlusion, then 1.7 mg.kg-1.h-1 throughout REP, n = 19) or normal saline (n = 17). Regional myocardial function was assessed by measuring systolic wall thickening with an epicardial Doppler probe. The two groups exhibited comparable systolic thickening under base-line conditions and similar degrees of dyskinesis during ischemia. After REP, however, recovery of contractile function (expressed as percent systolic thickening) as considerably greater in desferrioxamine-treated compared with control dogs: 5 +/- 3 (mean +/- SE) vs. -3 +/- 2% (P less than 0.05) at 1 h, 6 +/- 3 vs. -2 +/- 3% (P less than 0.05) at 2 h, 5 +/- 3 vs. -6 +/- 2% (P less than 0.005) at 3 h, and 6 +/- 3 vs. -6 +/- 2% (P less than 0.002) at 4 h. These differences could not be ascribed to hemodynamic factors. The results suggest that iron-catalyzed reactions (possibly HO. generation) play a significant role in myocardial stunning after a brief episode of reversible regional ischemia.
Pancreatic Islet Function Tests

Objective: To describe testing indications and protocols for the evaluation of pancreatic islet function. Methods:A review of the literature and consensus guidelines concerning testing of pancreatic islet function was performed.Results:Indications for screening for diabetes mellitus are reviewed. Diagnostic criteria for diagnosis are fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl (7.0 mmol/l) or random ≥200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l)] with hyperglycemic symptoms, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, and oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) 2-h ≥200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) after 75 g glucose. One-step and two-step strategies for diagnosing gestational diabetes using pregnancy-specific criteria as well as use of the 2-h 75-g OGTT for the postpartum testing of women with gestational diabetes (4-12 weeks after delivery) are described. Testing for other forms of diabetes with unique features are reviewed, including the recommendation to use the 2-h 75 g OGTT to screen for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and genetic testing for monogenic diabetes syndromes including neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Elevated measurements of pancreatic autoantibodies [e.g. to the 65-KDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxlase (GAD65), tyrosine phosphatase related islet antigen 2 (IA-2), insulin (IAA), and zinc transporter (ZnT8)] suggest autoimmune type 1 diabetes (vs type 2 diabetes). The use of autoantibody testing in diabetes screening programs are recommended only in first degree relatives of an individual with type 1 diabetes or in research protocols. Use of c-peptide testing and OGTTs to examine insulin secretory reserve and intravenous glucose tolerance testing are also reviewed. These tests are primarily used in research studies. Evaluation of glycemic control is discussed, with special attention to HbA1c and its correlation with mean blood glucose levels as well as assays of other glycated serum proteins. Finally, protocols used to evaluate hypoglycemia [glucose < 55 mg/dl (3.1 mmol/l)] are described, such as the supervised prolonged fast, during which measurements of glucose, insulin, c-peptide, oral insulin secretagogues, proinsulin, and beta-hydroxybutyrate are obtained. Insulinoma is suggested by elevated insulin, proinsulin and c-peptide levels, beta-hydroxybutyrate < 2.7 mmol/l and undetectable insulin secretagogues. Use of the mixed meal test, glucagon tolerance test, c-peptide suppression test and evaluation of autoimmune hypoglycemia are also reviewed. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.
Weaning and Extubation Readiness Assessment in Pediatric Patients

Mechanical ventilation is a lifesaving intervention that is used to support patients with acute respiratory failure. Mechanical ventilation however is not without risk. Complications such as ventilator-induced lung injury, ventilator-associated pneumonia, prolonged exposure to narcotics and sedatives, airway trauma, and consequent respiratory muscle weakness have been well described in the literature [1–5]. Because of these risks as well as the associated costs of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) care, one of the most important goals of pediatric critical care teams is to decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation while concomitantly avoiding extubation failure. Extubation failure has also been associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, ventilator-associated pneumonia, hospital cost, and mortality [6–8]. In contrast to current adult ICU models of care, ventilator weaning and extubation readiness assessment in pediatric ICU populations has not been standardized [9–11]. We aim to present a summary of recent literature focused on pediatric ventilator weaning and extubation readiness assessment that can be used as the foundation for the discussions and collaborative research needed to improve our understanding of this crucial issue in pediatric critical care medicine and the eventual creation of pediatric-specific guidelines.
Radar Automatic Target Recognition Based on Disjoint Multi-Static K-Space Coverage

This paper considers SAR image reconstruction from incomplete K-space coverage. In particular, the problem of image reconstruction from the type of disjoint K-space coverage that may arise from multi-static SAR systems is addressed. In previous work the effectiveness of reconstruction schemes were assessed in terms of their impact on automatic target recognition performance. It was found that a simple Fourier reconstruction, despite the significantly distorted point spread function that results, has advantages over a compressive sensing approach. In this paper, the idea of re-applying a SAR point spread function to the compressive sensing reconstruction is considered. It is found that this approach provides comparable performance to the use of the Fourier reconstruction. An interpretion of this behavior is provided in terms of a feature-based analysis.
Observed Changes in Natural Killer and T cell Phenotypes with Evaluation of Immune Outcome in a Longitudinal Cohort Following Sofosbuvir-Based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection diminishes immune function through cell exhaustion and repertoire alteration. Direct acting antiviral (DAA)-based therapy can restore immune cell subset function and reduce exhaustion states. However, the extent of immune modulation following DAA-based therapy and the role that clinical and demographic factors play remain unknown. Methods We examined natural killer (NK) cell, CD4+, and CD8+ T cell subsets along with activation and exhaustion phenotypes across an observational study of sofosbuvir-based treatment for chronic HCV infection. Additionally, we examined the ability of clinical variables and duration of infection to predict 12 weeks of sustained virologic response (SVR12) immune marker outcomes. Results We show that sofosbuvir-based therapy restores NK cell subset distributions and reduces chronic activation by SVR12. Likewise, T cell subsets, including HCV-specific CD8+ T cells, show reductions in chronic exhaustion markers by SVR12. Immunosuppressive CD4+ regulatory T cells decrease at 4-weeks treatment and SVR12. We observe the magnitude and direction of change in immune marker values from pretreatment to SVR12 varies greatly among participants. Although we observed associations between the estimated date of infection, HCV diagnosis date, and extent of immune marker outcome at SVR12, our regression analyses did not indicate any factors as strong SVR12 outcome predictors. Conclusion Our study lends further evidence of immune changes following sofosbuvir-based therapy. Further investigation beyond SVR12 and into factors that may predict posttreatment outcome is warranted.
Synthesis of Unsaturated Silyl Heterocycles via an Intramolecular Silyl-Heck Reaction

We report the synthesis of unsaturated silacycles via an intramolecular silyl-Heck reaction. Using palladium catalysis, silicon electrophiles tethered to alkenes cyclize to form 5- and 6-membered silicon heterocycles. The effects of alkene substitution and tether length on the efficiency and regioselectivity of the cyclizations are described. Finally, through the use of an intramolecular tether, the first examples of disubstituted alkenes in silyl-Heck reactions are reported.
Comparison of Treadmill and Cycle Ergometer Exercise During Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To compare treadmill versus cycling-based exercise in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on functional capacity (FC) outcomes. Data Source Databases were searched for randomized studies using single modality continuous exercise. Study Selection Studies implemented a continuous cycling or treadmill protocol for patients with either coronary artery disease (CAD) or chronic heart failure (CHF). The effect of single modality exercise on FC (VO2peak) was analyzed. Differences in the effect of CR on FC was assessed between the mode subgroup (cycling vs treadmill) and disease state subgroup (CAD vs CHF) within both the cycling and treadmill groups. Data Extraction Data were extracted from 23 studies including 600 patients (mean age 60y, 86% men). Data Synthesis There was a significant difference in effect size between studies that used cycling, Hedges’ g=0.85 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.52-1.17; k=13) and studies that used treadmill exercise, Hedges’ g=0.46 (95% CI, 0.22-0.70; k=8). Within cycling studies (n=14), FC was higher among CAD patients, Hedges’ g=1.03 (95% CI, 0.65-1.42; k=9) compared to those with CHF, Hedges’ g=0.40 (95% CI, 0.09-0.71; k=4, P Conclusions According to identified studies, when cycling was the primary mode of exercise in CR, there was larger change in FC compared to treadmill exercise. In addition, CAD patients experienced greater gains in FC when cycling was the primary mode of exercise in CR, while CHF patients benefited more from treadmill-based exercise programs.
Management of a Broken PRECICE Femoral Nail at an Ununited Distraction Osteogenesis Site: A Case Report.

Case A 20-year-old man with a history of right lower extremity fibular hemimelia previously treated with PRECICE femoral nail lengthening presented with a broken magnetic nail and a displaced fracture through an ununited distraction osteogenesis site. Using a combination of techniques, we removed the broken implant while maintaining the achieved limb length and preserving the native biology without bone grafting. Conclusion The unique challenges associated with the removal of a broken PRECICE femoral nail are described, with a technique for implant removal that preserves the achieved length, the innate biology of the distraction osteogenesis site, and promoting union without bone grafting.
Emerging prevention and treatment strategies to control COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has now become a serious global threat after inflicting more than 8 million infections and 425,000 deaths in less than 6 months. Currently, no definitive treatment or prevention therapy exists for COVID-19. The unprecedented rise of this pandemic has rapidly fueled research efforts to discover and develop new vaccines and treatment strategies against this novel coronavirus. While hundreds of vaccines/therapeutics are still in the preclinical or early stage of clinical development, a few of them have shown promising results in controlling the infection. Here, in this review, we discuss the promising vaccines and treatment options for COVID-19, their challenges, and potential alternative strategies.
Tendon Turndown to Bridge a Tibialis Anterior Gap and Restore Active Dorsiflexion After Degloving Foot Injury in a Child: A Case Report.

Case A child with a severe degloving injury to the dorsum of the foot and ankle had segmental loss of the tibialis anterior tendon and toe extensors. A tendon turndown procedure was used, and the repaired tendon was covered with a latissimus muscle free flap to restore active ankle dorsiflexion. Details of the procedure are described, and active dorsiflexion and functional ambulation were restored. Conclusions The tendon turndown method is a simple and effective way to overcome segmental tendon loss of tibialis anterior and allowed restoration of active dorsiflexion in this case without relying on tendon transfers or grafting.
International Organizations: Enablers or Impediments for Authoritarian International Law?

International organizations (IOs) provide space for the exchange of ideas. Particularly since the Cold War ended, many expected that this exchange would inevitably lead to more democratization and liberalization around the globe. Instead, some of the largest non-democratic actors on the global stage have functioned within these organizations for decades without liberalizing, while others joined as full or newly transitioned democracies just to see those qualities slowly erode. As Tom Ginsburg's recent article concludes, today's autocrats might instead use international law—including the legal apparatus of IOs—to further their own authoritarian agendas. This essay engages with Ginsburg's thoughtful piece by suggesting that IOs both enable and resist the emergence of “Authoritarian International Law” (AIL). Creating or joining IOs is a costly but attractive strategy for revisionist states since members equally influence IO evolution. Fortunately for democracy's advocates, IOs are usually status quo entities, and liberalism is deeply embedded in many existing today. Cross-temporal observations of changes in IO membership, members’ regime types, and IO features beyond the founding documents are needed to fully understand how organizations simultaneously perform these paradoxical functions.
High voltage atmospheric cold plasma treatment inactivates Aspergillus flavus spores and deoxynivalenol toxin.

Abstract Fungal contamination is a concern for the food industry. Fungal spores resist food sterilization treatments and produce mycotoxins that are toxic for animals and humans. Technologies that deactivate spores and toxins without impacting food quality are desirable. This study demonstrates the efficiency of a high voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP) technology using air to generate reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species for the degradation of Aspergillus flavus cultures and the deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin. Optical emission and absorption spectroscopy demonstrate ionization of hydroxyl groups, atomic oxygen and nitrogen, and confirm production of ROS and RNS, e.g. O3, NO2, NO3, N2O4, and N2O5. Fungal cultures show a depletion in pigmentation and an ~50% spore inactivation after 1-min treatments. Treated spores show surface ablation and membrane degradation by scanning electron microscopy. Twenty-minute direct HVACP treatments of 100 μg of DON in one mL aqueous suspensions resulted in a greater than 99% reduction in DON structure and rescued over 80% of Caco-2 cell viability; however, the same treatment on 100 μg of powdered DON toxin only showed a 33% reduction in DON and only rescued 15% of cell viability. In summary, HVACP air treatment can inactivate both fungal spores and toxins in minutes.
Natives, the Foreign-Born and High School Equivalents: New Evidence on the Returns to the GED

In this paper we explore the labor market returns to the General Education Development exam, or GED. Using new data from the Current Population Survey, we examine how the return to the GED varies between U.S. natives and the foreign-born. We find that foreignborn men who hold a GED but received all of their formal schooling outside of the U.S. earn significantly more than either foreign-schooled dropouts or individuals with a foreign high school diploma. For foreign-born men with some U.S. schooling, earning a GED brings higher wages than a traditional U.S. high school diploma, although this difference is not statistically significantly different from zero. These patterns stand in contrast to those for U.S. natives, among whom GED recipients earn less than high school graduates but significantly more than dropouts. The effects for natives appear to become larger over the life cycle and do not seem to be due to cohort effects. While it is difficult to attach a purely causal interpretation to our findings, they do indicate that the GED may be more valuable in the labor market than some previous research suggests.
Correlation between ketones and mental fatigue in high fat-induced obese and non-obese rats.

Obesity, often caused by a diet high in calories and low physical activity, may induce physical fatigue, as experienced via decreased locomotor activity and mental fatigue such as impaired cognition. This study aims to evaluate glucose and ketone levels secondary to high-fat diet (HFD) exposure and signs of physical and mental fatigue. Fifty-four 7-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus) were assigned to either an HFD (n = 28) or a standard diet (SD; n = 26) for a 6-week period during which body weight, blood glucose, and ketones were measured twice per week. An open field (OF) paradigm was used to measure locomotor activity, while novel object recognition (NOR) test was used as an indicator of cognition. Animals in the HFD group weighed more than SD rats (8.4 g; p < 0.05) starting at Day 11, blood glucose levels were higher in the HFD group versus SD rats (3.9 mg/dl; p < 0.05) beginning in Week 5, and ketones were lower for the HFD versus the SD group throughout the study (0.34 mmol/L on average; p < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference in locomotor activity between the HFD and SD groups (p = 0.12), regardless of diet, higher ketone levels were associated with increased NOR time and ratio between the familiar and novel objects (p < 0.01). Thus, this study provides evidence that an increased level of ketones is associated with greater cognitive performance and a lesser probability of experiencing mental fatigue.
Electrophysiological and behavioral identification of a volatile blend involved in host location of female strawberry sap beetle, Stelidota geminata

The strawberry sap beetle (SSB), Stelidota geminata (Say) (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a serious direct pest of strawberries in the northeastern USA. To date, however, no food or pheromone-based attractants for SSB have been identified. A combination of solid-phase microextraction, adsorbent sampling, gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify volatile compounds from strawberry fruit acting as behavioral attractants for female SSB. Consistent EAD activity was obtained for 16 ester compounds. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, the blend of these 16 compounds mixed at a ratio observed from strawberry headspace was significantly more attractive to adult female SSB than a control. Female SSB showed no difference in response levels between the 16-component blend and a strawberry volatile adsorbent extract. Our data indicate that the combination of the ethyl acetate with some or all of the remaining 15 compounds is necessary for this ester blend to be attractive to female SSB. Previously identified host volatiles found for other species of sap beetles included mostly alcohols associated with over-ripe fruit rather than the esters identified from ripe strawberries for SSB. A highly attractive synthetic food odor will be useful for developing new management options for SSB.