cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum Antioxidant Vitamins and Blood Pressure in the United States Population

Serum vitamin C has been inversely associated with blood pressure in several epidemiologic studies, but little is known about effect of other antioxidant vitamins. We examined the relation between serum vitamins A, C, and E, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene levels and blood pressure among 15 317 men and women > or =20 years of age who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Blood pressure was characterized as the average of 6 measurements obtained over 2 visits by trained observers and hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or =140/90 mm Hg and/or taking antihypertensive medications. In multivariate models, a 1 SD difference in vitamin A (16.2 microg/dL) and vitamin E (20.4 microg/dL) was associated with a 43% (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.34 to 1.53) and 18% (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.27) higher odds of hypertension, respectively. A 1 SD difference in alpha-carotene (0.47 micro g/dL) and beta-carotene (496 microg/dL) was associated with a 16% (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76 to 0.94) and 11% (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82 to 0.97) lower odds of hypertension, respectively. In addition, serum vitamins A and E were positively and significantly associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, whereas alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were inversely and significantly associated with systolic and vitamin C associated with diastolic blood pressure in multivariate linear regression analyses. These findings indicate that antioxidant vitamins may be important in the underlying cause and prevention of hypertension. Further studies in this important area are warranted.
The Impact of Rapid Wind Variability upon Air–Sea Thermal Coupling

The basic effect of extratropical atmosphere–ocean thermal coupling is to enhance the variance of both anomalous sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and air temperatures (AIRT) due to a decreased energy flux between the atmosphere and ocean, called reduced thermal damping. In this paper it is shown that rapidly varying surface winds, through their influence upon the turbulent surface heat fluxes that drive this coupling, act to effectively weaken the coupling and thus partially counteract the reduced thermal damping. In effect, rapid fluctuations in wind speed somewhat insulate the atmosphere and ocean from each other. The nonlinear relationship between the rapidly varying wind speed anomalies and SST and AIRT anomalies results in a rapidly varying component of the surface heat fluxes. The clear separation between the dynamical time scales of the ocean and atmosphere allows this rapidly varying flux to be simply approximated by a stochastic process in which rapidly varying wind speed is represented as Gaussian white noise whose amplitude is modulated by the more slowly evolving thermal anomalies. Such state-dependent (multiplicative) noise can alter the dynamics of atmosphere–ocean coupling because it induces an additional heat flux term, the noise-induced drift, that effectively acts to weaken both coupling and dissipation. Another key implication of the outlined theory is that air–sea coupling includes both deterministic and stochastic components. The theory is tested by examining daily observations during extended winter (November–April) at several ocean weather stations (OWSs). Two important results are found. First, multiplicative noise at OWS P effectively decreases the coupling by about one-third, with about a 10% (20%) decrease in the damping of SST (AIRT). This suggests that multiplicative noise may be responsible for roughly half of the AIRT variability at OWS P on subseasonal time scales. Second, OWS observations reveal that joint probability distribution functions of daily averaged SST and AIRT anomalies are significantly non-Gaussian. It is shown that treating the rapidly varying boundary layer heat fluxes as state-dependent noise can reproduce this observed non-Gaussianity. It is concluded that the effect of state-dependent noise is crucial to understand and model atmosphere–ocean coupling.
Getting leukocytes to the site of inflammation.

There is no “response” in either the innate or adaptive immune response unless leukocytes cross blood vessels. They do this through the process of diapedesis, in which the leukocyte moves in ameboid fashion through tightly apposed endothelial borders (paracellular transmigration) and in some cases through the endothelial cell itself (transcellular migration). This review summarizes the steps leading up to diapedesis, then focuses on the molecules and mechanisms responsible for transendothelial migration. Surprisingly, many of the same molecules and mechanisms that regulate paracellular migration also control transcellular migration, including a major role for membrane from the recently described lateral border recycling compartment. A hypothesis that integrates the various known mechanisms of transmigration is proposed.
Vehicular MIMO SAR imaging in multipath environments

In this paper, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) forward looking synthetic aperture radar (FL-SAR) is developed for imaging from a moving ground vehicle in urban multipath environments. Conventional SAR is often seriously degraded by ghost artifacts with the same direction of arrival and delays as direct path returns. In this paper, MIMO methods are used to improve SAR images by suppressing directions of departure which would otherwise be multipath scattered and added to direct path returns. Both conventional and adaptive MIMO SAR methods are presented and compared in a multipath imaging simulation. The results suggest MIMO SAR may offers substantial gains versus conventional SIMO imaging in urban settings.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Multilocus Sequence Types of Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae can colonize the human nasopharynx and cause conjunctivitis and otitis media. Different deletions in the capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis locus and different multilocus sequence types have been described for nonencapsulated strains. Draft genome sequences were generated to provide insight into the genomic diversity of these strains.
Cancer Models and Real-World Data: Better Together

Decision-analytic models are increasingly used to inform health policy decisions. These models synthesize available data on disease burden and intervention effectiveness to project estimates of the long-term consequences of care, which are often absent when clinical or policy decisions must be made. While models have been influential in informing US cancer screening guidelines under ideal conditions, incorporating detailed data on real-world screening practice has been limited given the complexity of screening processes and behaviors throughout diverse health delivery systems in the United States. We describe the synergies that exist between decision-analytic models and health care utilization data that are increasingly accessible through research networks that assemble data from the growing number of electronic medical record systems. In particular, we present opportunities to enrich cancer screening models by grounding analyses in real-world data with the goals of projecting the harms and benefits of current screening practices, evaluating the value of existing and new technologies, and identifying the weakest links in the cancer screening process where efforts for improvement may be most productively focused. We highlight the example of the National Cancer Institute-funded consortium Population-based Research Optimizing Screening through Personalized Regimens (PROSPR), a collaboration to harmonize and analyze screening process and outcomes data on breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers across seven research centers. The pairing of models with such data can create more robust models to not only better inform policy but also inform health care systems about best approaches to improve the provision of cancer screening in the United States.
Variation in generative cell plastid nucleoids and male fertility in Medicago sativa

Biparental inheritance of plastids has been documented in numerous angiosperm species. The adaptive significance of the mode of plastid inheritance (unior biparental) is poorly understood. In plants exhibiting paternal inheritance of plastids, DNA-containing plastids in the microgametophyte may affect survival or growth of the gametophyte or the embryo. In this study the number of plastids containing DNA (nucleoids) in generative cells and generative cell and pollen volumes were evaluated in a range of genotypes of Medicago sativa (alfalfa). M. sativa exhibits biparental inheritance of plastids with strong paternal bias. The M. sativa genotypes used were crossed as male parents to a common genotype and the relationships between the gametophytic traits measured and male reproductive success were assessed. Generative cell plastid number and pollen grain size exhibited opposing associations with male fertility. Path analysis showed that generative cell plastid number was negatively associated with male fertility. This study provides evidence that there may be a competitive advantage at fertilization afforded sperm that have minimized their organelle content. The apparent lack of strong selection for reduced plastid number in generative cells of M. sativa may be a reflection of the diminished importance of reproductive success due to its perenniality or its long use in cultivation.
Gustatory neuron types in rat geniculate ganglion.

We used extracellular single-cell recording procedures to characterize the chemical and thermal sensitivity of the rat geniculate ganglion to lingual stimulation, and to examine the effects of spec...
Compete with the tobacco industry

The future outlined by Clive Bates is one in which public health joins with the pharmaceutical industry to design nicotine delivery devices that deliver the same addictive hit as cigarettes with lower toxicity. Rather than going into business with the pharmaceutical industry to compete with the tobacco industry to deliver nicotine, we should be …
Having the Authority to Know Decision-Making on Student Film Crews

This paper examines how people gain authority over areas of expert knowledge and use this authority to claim the right to make decisions in small group situations. Students who enter film crews are ranked and typed as members both of a school and of a crew. They claim decision-making authority based on these ranks. Thus, depending on the social characteristics students bring to crews, the authority and decision-making patterns of these groups can vary widely.
Modified expression for bulb‐tracer depletion—Effect on argon dating standards

40Ar/39Ar geochronology depends critically on well-calibrated standards, often traceable to first-principles K-Ar age calibrations using bulb-tracer systems. Tracer systems also provide precise standards for noble-gas studies and interlaboratory calibration. The exponential expression long used for calculating isotope tracer concentrations in K-Ar age dating and calibration of 40Ar/39Ar age standards may provide a close approximation of those values, but is not correct. Appropriate equations are derived that accurately describe the depletion of tracer reservoirs and concentrations of sequential tracers. In the modified expression the depletion constant is not in the exponent, which only varies as integers by tracer-number. Evaluation of the expressions demonstrates that systematic error introduced through use of the original expression may be substantial where reservoir volumes are small and resulting depletion constants are large. Traditional use of large reservoir to tracer volumes and the resulting small depletion constants have kept errors well less than experimental uncertainties in most previous K-Ar and calibration studies. Use of the proper expression, however, permits use of volumes appropriate to the problems addressed.
Self-deflection of laser beams in a thin nonlinear film

The self-deflection of slab laser beams with right-triangular and semi-Gaussian intensity profiles that pass through a thin nonlinear film are compared, and semi-Gaussian beam profiles are found to produce near-maximum self-deflection angles. We also analyze symmetric profiles (both triangular and Gaussian), which, instead of self-(de)focusing, exhibit strongly counter-self-deflected beams in the far-field region. This evidence indicates that the self-deflection effect can dominate over self-focusing.
Review of 'Risk in Perspective: Insight and Humor in the Age of Risk Management' by Kimberly M. Thompson

Imagine a primer on risk and its management written for both risk specialists and the general public. It is impossible to address both audiences with the same material, you might think. Well, Kimberly Thompson has done it with Risk in Perspective: Insight and Humor in the Age of Risk Management.
An electrophoretic method for titration of antisera and its application to anti-tumor sera.

Summary1. An electrophoretic technic is described which permits the assay of antisera for their power to combine with the cell surface, as distinguished from any reaction subsequent to combination. 2. This technic has been applied to cells of the Gardner lymphosarcoma 6-C3H-ED. 3. Preliminary studies with regard to the correlation of the electrophoretic titer and animal protection are promising.
Dose tracking and rational examination selection for the medically-exposed population.

AbstractTracking the radiation dose to medically-exposed populations can promote adoption of best practices among medical facilities that use ionizing radiation. Dose index registries provide an important tool for practices to benchmark their radiation doses for medical imaging and highlight areas w
The Use of Torpor by Perognathus amplus in Relation to Resource Distribution

Small (11 g) pocket mice ( Perognathus amplus ) were tested in a laboratory study for their use of torpor in relation to the distribution of food resources (seeds). Generally, the rodents spent more time in torpor the deeper the seeds were buried, but there was essentially no relationship between the dispersion of the seeds and the time spent in torpor. Regardless of the depth or spatial distribution of seeds, the pocket mice maintained similar weight loss patterns, indicating that they can adjust the amount of time spent in torpor to the environmental conditions under which they find themselves.
Binding Interactions between Cucurbit[n]uril Hosts and Tritopic, Dicationic Guests Containing a Central Ferrocenyl and Two Terminal Aminocyclohexyl Sites

The binding interactions between two cucurbit[n]uril hosts (n = 7, 8, CB7 and CB8) and the three new guests 1,1′-bis(cyclohexylammoniomethyl)ferrocene (1H22+), 1,1′-bis(cyclohexylmethylammoniomethyl)ferrocene (2H22+), and 1,1′-bis(cyclohexyldimethylammoniomethyl)ferrocene (32+) were investigated in aqueous solution using 1H NMR spectroscopy, voltammetry, and electrospray (ESI) mass spectrometry. The experimental data reveal that guests 1H22+ and 2H22+ behave similarly with both hosts, leading to the formation of pseudorotaxane complexes in which the host is located centrally around the ferrocenyl residue. A similar complex forms also between 32+ and CB7, but its formation is slower (k = 2.5 × 10–4 s–1) and can be monitored by NMR spectroscopy. Finally, 32+ and CB8 give rise to a ternary 2:1 complex, in which CB8 receptors are bound to the terminal cyclohexyl groups, when the concentration of the host exceeds that of the guest.
Morality and in vitro fertilization.

The question of the morality ofin vitro fertilization is examined. One of the central questions to be answered is whether the zygote loss that seems inseparable from the process is morally justified. Even when embryo transfer occurs, many zygotes which have been intentionally created are intentionally destroyed; they are used as means to the alleged benefits that others will attain (the benefit to the infertile couple, to the child produced by the process, and to those who might benefit from the increase of genetic knowledge that allegedly will occur fromin vitro research).
Semiochemical–Insecticide Bait Placement and Vertical Distribution of Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Adults: Implications for Management

Experiments were conducted in 1988 and 1989 to determine the effect and potential interaction of height of semiochemical–insecticide bait placement and within-canopy adult corn rootworm vertical distribution on beetle mortality in baited traps. Results of an experiment utilizing semiochemical–insecticide baited traps, and unbaited yellow sticky traps placed in a corn ( Zea mays L.) field at 0 m and corn ear height indicated that D. virgifera virgifera LeConte mortality was significantly higher at ear height baited traps. In addition, more D. v. virgifera females were distributed near ear height than at 0 m. Results of subsequent experiments with baited, and unbaited traps placed at 0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.4- m height intervals within the canopy indicated that efficacy of starch baits increases with height of bait placement and the vertical distribution of corn rootworm beetles interacts with height of semiochemicaln–insecticide bait placement. Data from all experiments strongly indicate that semiochemical–insecticide granules placed at ground level will not effectively attract and kill female D. v. virgifera beetles. To optimize the effectiveness of corn rootworm semiochemical–insecticide baits, application of formulations should be restricted as much as possible to regions at or above the ear. Formulations need to be developed that will adhere to plants at the time of application.
Discussion on Steam Cooler Configuration of 1 000 MW USC Unit High Pressure Heater

The thermal economic performance of 1 000 MW USC units are affected by high initial settings,large overheat of the first three stages,value setting of HP heater exit temperature difference,and steam cooler configuration.Using quantitative analysis of equivalent temperature drop,the rationality of HP heater exit temperature difference setting and three configurations of steam cooler of a domestic 1 000 MW unit are discussed.Results show that the optimum plan can be achieved by reducing No.1 HP heater exit temperature difference to-3.38 ℃ and equipping series connected external steam cooler.And the thermal consumption rate of the unit under TMCR working condition can be reduced by 13.41 kJ/(kW·h).
Fibrinogen bethesda III: a hypodysfibrinogenemia.

A qualitative and quantitative defect of fibrinogen in a white female was associated with first trimester abortions and hemorrhage. This congenital hypodysfibrinogenemia was inherited in an autosomal pattern. The functional defect was an abnormality in the fibrin monomer aggregation. Metabolic studies in the propositus revealed that homologous fibrinogen had a normal intravascular survival and fractional catabolic rate, while her fibrinogen, when injected into a normal volunteer, had a very short intravascular survival and high fractional catabolic rate. Coagulation changes were monitored through 36 wk of one pregnancy. The observed coagulation changes included elevation of factors VIII, VII-X, and plasminogen; however, the fibrinogen measured by immunologic or fibrin tyrosine content did not increase during the pregnancy, while the functional fibrinogen assay became undetectable and the thrombin and reptilase times were markedly prolonged. This suggested that this patient either was synthesizing more of her abnormal fibrinogen during pregnancy or that her normal fibrinogen was being catabolized at a different rate than her abnormal fibrinogen. Comparative studies with fibrinogen Philadelphia revealed several similarities in the two fibrinogens; however, significant differences were also noted. This new congenital hypodysfibrinogenemia is designated fibrinogen Bethesda III.
Physician Satisfaction With Integrated Behavioral Health in Pediatric Primary Care: Consistency Across Rural and Urban Settings

As the benefits of integrated behavioral health care services are becoming more widely recognized, this study investigated physician satisfaction with ongoing integrated psychology services in pediatric primary care clinics. Data were collected across 5 urban and 6 rural clinics and demonstrated the specific factors that physicians view as assets to having efficient access to a pediatric behavioral health practitioner. Results indicated significant satisfaction related to quality and continuity of care and improved access to services. Such models of care may increase access to care and reduce other service barriers encountered by individuals and their families with behavioral health concerns (ie, those who otherwise would seek services through referrals to traditional tertiary care facilities).
Concept of Ideal Adsorbed Solution using Gibbsian Surface Excess Framework

ABSTRACT A concept of creating an ideal multi-component- gas adsorbed phase by mixing pure gas adsorbed phases of the components at constant surface potential and temperature using the Gibbsian Surface Excess (GSE) framework of adsorption is proposed. The GSE provides the only unambiguously measured experimental quantity to describe the extent of adsorption. The actual amounts adsorbed can be estimated from the GSE only by making extraordinary assumptions about the volume and structure of the adsorbed phase. The correlations between the multi-component and pure gas GSE isotherms generated by the proposed concept closely resemble those for the classic IAST, which was developed by using the actual amounts adsorbed as the primary variables. The proposed correlations can be obtained by simply substituting the actual amount adsorbed of components in the corresponding IAST correlations by the GSE of the components. All pure and multi-component gas adsorption data published in the literature are GSE, and they ar...
High-spin states in Al 29 and Mg 27

The structure of $^{29}\mathrm{Al}$ and $^{27}\mathrm{Mg}$ was investigated using the reactions $^{18}\mathrm{O}$($^{14}\mathrm{C},p2n$) and $^{18}\mathrm{O}$($^{14}\mathrm{C},\ensuremath{\alpha}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}n$) at 40 MeV. The charged particles were detected and identified with a $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}E\ensuremath{-}E$ telescope in coincidence with $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ radiation detected in the Florida State University Compton suppressed $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ detector array. The level and decay schemes of both nuclei have been expanded at higher spins and excitation energies. The positive-parity states up to 3.5\char21{}4.5 MeV agree well with shell model calculations using the USDA interaction. The negative-parity states in $^{27}\mathrm{Mg}$ are reproduced relatively well by one-particle\char21{}one-hole calculations with the WBP-a interaction. Three $^{27}\mathrm{Mg}$ states unbound by 0.4\char21{}1.4 MeV to neutron decay were observed to decay radiatively. One of these states had been previously observed to $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay in a ($d,p\ensuremath{\gamma}$) experiment along with a surprising 16 other neutron unbound states. The competition between neutron and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ decay in these states is discussed in terms of angular momentum barriers and spectroscopic factors.
Hereditary Disorders of the Dermis

Various proteins compose the connective tissue that is found in normal skin and account for its strength and elasticity. Abnormalities in the structure or function of any of these essential dermal proteins can lead to a myriad of highly variable cutaneous disorders, and because some of these same proteins that are important in the skin also play a critical role in the connective tissue of blood vessels and other organs, these entities range in severity, from entirely benign to those that have significant morbidity or are even lethal. Although occasionally acquired, the majority of the disorders of the dermis are inherited, and the recent discovery of many of the causative mutations has led to improved classification schemes and a clearer understanding of their pathogenesis. Medical therapies for these hereditary disorders of the dermis are limited, and in many cases, optimal medical management of these conditions consists instead of providing an accurate diagnosis, implementation of preventative strategies to avoid future complications, and a multidisciplinary approach to address the cutaneous and extra cutaneous manifestations.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Morphine in Patients With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Healthy Adults

Altered expression and function of transporters in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients may affect the pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, and safety of substrate drugs. A population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis was performed to assess differences in morphine and morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) disposition in NASH and healthy subjects. A total of 315 serum and 42 urine samples from 21 subjects (14 healthy; 7 NASH) were analyzed using NONMEM. Morphine and M3G PK were described by three- and one-compartment models, respectively. After accounting for the effect of total body weight on all clearance and volume of distribution parameters using an allometric scaling approach, NASH severity score (NASF; combination of fibrosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity scores) was the most significant predictor of differences in M3G exposure. The model predicted a linear decrease in the clearance of M3G with increasing NASF scores on a natural logarithmic scale. These results may provide some insight into the potential effect of NASH on the disposition of hepatic transporter substrates.
Time to lay the Libet experiment to rest: Commentary on Papanicolaou (2017).

Author(s): Kihlstrom, JF | Abstract: For more than 30 years, "the Libet experiment" has inspired and dominated philosophical and scientific discussions of free will and determinism. Unfortunately, this famous experiment has been compromised by a serious confounding variable (i.e., there has been no control for watching the clock), and the method of data collection ignored conscious mental activity that occurred prior to the decision to act. Because Libet's results appear to be wholly an artifact of his method, his experiment should be discounted in future discussions of the problem of free will.
Stanley Martin Sapon, A study of the development of the interrogative in Spanish from the twelfth through the fifteenth centuries. Columbus, Ohio, 1951. 99 págs.

Se reseno el libro: A study of the development of the interrogative in Spanish from the twelfth through the fifteenth centuries.
Identification and Comparative Mammalian Cell Cytotoxicity of New Iodo-Phenolic Disinfection Byproducts in Chloraminated Oil and Gas Wastewaters

Hydraulic fracturing wastewaters discharged to surface water have led to elevated bromide and iodide levels, as well as enhanced formation of brominated trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and iodo-trihalomethanes at downstream drinking water treatment plants, in chlorinated effluent from wastewater treatment plants, and in controlled laboratory studies. This enhanced formation of brominated and iodinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) raises concerns regarding human health, because they are much more toxic than chlorinated DBPs. This study represents the first nontarget, comprehensive analysis of iodinated DBPs formed in chloraminated produced waters associated with hydraulic fracturing of shale and conventional gas formations. Fifty-six iodo-phenolics were identified, comprising three homologous series of mono-, di-, and tri-iodinated phenols, along with two new classes of DBPs: iodomethylphenols and iododimethylphenols. Four iodo-phenolics (2-iodophenol, 4-iodophenol, 2,4,6-triiodophe...
Successful heart transplantation in patients with total artificial heart infections.

Background Data are limited on clinical outcomes in patients awaiting heart transplant (HT) with total artificial heart (TAH) infections. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all TAH recipients at our center. TAH infection was classified as definite if a microorganism was isolated in cultures from the exit site or deep tissues around the TAH; as probable in patients without surgical or microbiologic evidence of infection but no other explanation for persistent or recurrent bloodstream infection (BSI); or possible in patients with clinical suspicion and radiographic findings suggestive of TAH infection, but without surgical intervention or microbiologic evidence. Results From 2012 to 2015, a total of 13 patients received a TAH, with a median age at implantation of 52 years (range: 28-60). TAH infection occurred in nine patients (seven definite, one probable, one possible) a median of 41 days after implant (range: 17-475). The majority of TAH infections were caused by Staphylococcus species. Seven of nine patients underwent HT (four had pre-HT mediastinal washout, and five had positive HT operative cultures). Three patients had an active BSI caused by the same pathogen causing TAH infection at the time of HT, with one developing a post-HT BSI with the same bacteria. No patient developed post-HT surgical site infection caused by the TAH infection pathogen. No deaths among HT recipients were attributed to infection. Conclusion TAH infection is frequently associated with BSI and mediastinitis and Staphylococcus was the most common pathogen. A multimodal approach of appropriate pre- and post-HT antimicrobial therapy, surgical drainage, and heart transplantation with radical mediastinal debridement was successful in curing infection.
Investigation of dielectric spectroscopy response in normal and cancerous biological tissues using S-parameter measurements

AbstractDielectric spectroscopy is conducted in terahertz frequency range to differentiate human normal tissues from the cancerous ones. Due to sensitivity of terahertz waves on water content of th...
Phonon thermal transport in a graphene/MoSe2 van der Waals heterobilayer

Combining the best of different monolayers in one ultimate van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure is an appealing approach for practical applications. Recently, a graphene (GR) and molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) heterobilayer was successfully fabricated experimentally. The superior electrical conductivity of GR combined with the unique photoelectrical properties and direct bandgap of MoSe2 can yield many potential applications, such as Li-ion batteries, tunneling field effect transistors and two-dimensional non-volatile memory devices. Efficient heat conduction within the device components is of great importance for nanoelectronic performance. In this work, the cross-plane interfacial thermal resistance (R) and in-plane thermal conductivity (κ) of the GR/MoSe2 vdW heterobilayer are systematically investigated using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The predicted R at a temperature of 300 K is equal to 1.91 × 10−7 K m2 W−1. Effects of several modulators such as temperature, contact pressure and vacancy defects are evaluated, which are all found to have negative correlations with the calculated interfacial thermal resistance. The highest reduction of R amounts to 75% for doubled coupling strength between GR and MoSe2. Spectral energy density (SED) and phonon density of states (Ph-DOS) analyses are performed to gain further insights into the phonon properties of GR and MoSe2. Our study provides reasonable guidelines to increase heat dissipation efficiency for future GR/MoSe2 based applications.
Infrared Population Transfer Spectroscopy of Cryo-Cooled Ions: Quantitative Tests of the Effects of Collisional Cooling on the Room Temperature Conformer Populations

The single-conformation spectroscopy and infrared-induced conformational isomerization of a model protonated pentapeptide [YGPAA + H]+ is studied under cryo-cooled conditions in the gas phase. Building on recent results (DeBlase, A. F.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 5481−5493), firm assignments are established for the presence of two conformer families with distinct infrared and ultraviolet spectra, using IR–UV depletion spectroscopy. Families (A and B) share a similar structure near the N-terminus but differ in the way that the C-terminal COOH group configures itself (cis versus trans) in forming H-bonds with the peptide backbone. Infrared population transfer (IR-PT) spectroscopy is used to study the IR-induced conformational isomerization following single-conformer infrared excitation. IR-induced isomerization is accomplished in both directions (A → B and B → A) in the hydride stretch region and is used to determine fractional abundances for the two conformer families (FA = 0.65 ± 0.04, FB = 0.35 ± 0.04,...
The Hippocratic Math

Not many policymakers or scholars can write with the authority of Gregg Bloche. Bloche is not only a law professor, but a physician, who knows his way around a hospital. Throughout The Hippocratic Myth, Bloche cements his authority in the mind of the reader by relating stories of his experience as a clinician. In each of these stories, his humane and insightful approach as psychiatrist shines through. I do not say this to imply that Bloche uses his book to brag about his own abilities. Rather, these fluently-written passages strike one as the work of one of those rare practitioners who manages to care deeply about the patient at hand while simultaneously contextualizing the encounter in a larger framework. Thus The Hippocratic Myth should take its place among other well-received books by physicians with a sense of the big picture, including Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto and Better and Jerome Groopman’s How Doctors Think. In The Hippocratic Myth, Bloche leverages this authority to advocate for a more cost sensitive health care system, where individuals frankly acknowledge that they should expect trade-offs between cost and access to certain forms of care. My concern in this review is that Bloche the caring and expert physician would have a tough time in a health care world too deeply influenced by Bloche the cost-conscious author.
Urinary tract endometriosis treated by laparoscopy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for the diagnosis and treatment of severe urinary tract endometriosis. Design Retrospective review of 28 cases of severe urinary tract endometriosis. Setting Center for Special Pelvic Surgery, a tertiary referral center. Patient(s) Between October 1989 and September 1994, we treated 28 women who had deeply infiltrating urinary tract endometriosis (bladder, 7, ureter, 21). Intervention(s) All procedures were performed laparoscopically. Main Outcome Measure(s) Postoperative urinary function, pain relief, and complications. Result(s) Those who had vesical endometriosis underwent partial cystectomy and primary repair. Partial ureteral obstruction was found in 17 women; 10 underwent ureterolysis and excision of endometriosis, and 7 had partial wall resection. Four patients with ureter involvement had complete obstruction. Three underwent partial resection and ureteroureterostomy, and one had ureteroneocystostomy. The rate of ureteral endometriosis in the present series is higher than that reported previously. Conclusion(s) Severe infiltrative endometriosis of the bladder and the ureter can present without specific symptoms and can cause silent compromise of renal function. We demonstrated that the laparoscopic approach is safe and effective in the diagnosis and treatment of this entity.
Kinematic sequence patterns in the overhead baseball pitch

Conceptually, an efficient baseball pitch demonstrates a proximal-to-distal transfer of segmental angular velocity. Such a timing pattern (or kinematic sequence) reduces stress on musculoskeletal s...
HPLC Characterization of cis and trans Mixtures of Double-Decker Shaped Silsesquioxanes

HPLC was used as the quantitative analysis technique in determining the molar ratio of cis and trans isomers in the double-decker shaped silsesquioxanes (DDSQ). Different experiments were performed to analyze the effects in the retention times of the polarity of moieties bonded to the DDSQ, as well as other possible adsorption driving forces. As expected, the use of adsorption HPLC was successful in separating cis and trans DDSQ isomers with the resolution of elution better than 1.5. Interestingly, the molecular size of moiety attached to the DDSQ resulted in significant reduction of the retention time suggesting the sterics constraint plays a critical role in the separation of these cage-like structures along with the strength of hydrogen bonding. In partition HPLC using Si bonded with CN groups as a normal phase resulted in a partial separation for one of the selected systems, which indicates the extent of polarity plays a secondary role in the separation mechanism.
Fluids and Electrolytes: Challenges With Short Bowel Syndrome

Abstract Optimizing fluid and electrolyte status is the cornerstone of short bowel syndrome (SBS) management. Careful attention to fluid and electrolyte status is essential to not only avoid life-threatening complications but also to minimize clinical interventions, to maximize the chance of success in weaning off intravenous fluids or parenteral nutrition, and above all to improve a patient’s quality of life. The optimal management of fluids and electrolytes in patients with SBS is not only a function of proper and adequate administration of fluids and electrolytes but also of a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach that includes diet modification and pharmacologic agents. Because SBS disease severity encompasses a heterogeneous population, the spectrum of needs for fluid and electrolytes is broad and depends on many factors including length, location, and functional capacity of remnant bowel and phase of adaptation since resection, in addition to a patient’s ability to incorporate dietary and pharmacologic interventions. This chapter will focus on patient-specific factors that challenge fluid and electrolyte status and specific management approaches for fluids and electrolytes, along with select micronutrients, in patients with SBS.
On the Long-Wavelength Validation of the SWOT KaRIn Measurement

AbstractThe Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will measure the sea surface height (SSH) using a Ka-band radar interferometer (KaRIn) over a swath off the nadir of the satellite trac...
Necessary conditions for weak efficiency for nonsmooth degenerate multiobjective optimization problems

In this paper we give primal first and second-order necessary conditions for the existence of a local weak minimum for nonsmooth multiobjective optimization problems with inequality constraints and an arbitrary constraint set. For nonsmooth multiobjective problems with inequality and degenerate equality constraints, we present primal necessary conditions and Kuhn–Tucker type dual necessary conditions under a new constraint qualification. The effectiveness of our results is illustrated on some examples.
Health-Related Quality of Life Related to Toxicity Treatments in Central Nervous System Metastases

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional concept that measures how a disease and the treatment of that disease impact a patient’s life. It can also aid in the dialogue between physician and patient. As different therapies have distinct mechanisms, the HRQoL of a patient might be affected in diverse ways depending on the particular side effects that he or she experiences. This chapter discusses the importance of HRQoL related to treatment toxicity, the different tools that are used to measure this outcome, and how different therapeutic modalities impact the patient with central nervous system (CNS) metastases.
Monitoring processes in extended emotion regulation

The extended process model of emotion regulation (ER) posits that dynamic ER processes monitor and adjust the implementation of ER strategies over time. When an initial ER strategy is ineffective, monitoring processes allow one to flexibly switch to a new, possibly more effective strategy. The present study employed a novel experimental task to explore these dynamic ER processes. Sixty-eight adult female participants each completed 40 trials. In each trial, participants first were assigned to use either distraction or reappraisal for the either low- or high-intensity negative image presented. Then, they were presented with a choice between continuing to use the assigned strategy or switching strategies before viewing the negative image again. Results showed that the combinations of ER strategies and image intensities generated different affect states for the choice context. The magnitude of intermediate negative affect was positively associated with a greater probability of choosing to switch strategies. Finally, for higher intermediate negative affect, negative affect was lower after choosing to switch strategies. For lower intermediate negative affect, negative affect remained low regardless of continuing or switching strategies. These findings support the extended process model and contribute to a growing body of empirical support for dynamic models of ER.
A thermographic and energy based approach to define high cycle fatigue strength of flax fiber reinforced thermoset composites

Abstract In order to explore the long-term reliability of flax fiber reinforced composites under fluctuating loads through high cycle fatigue strength (HCFS), fatigue tests were conducted on unidirectional flax fiber reinforced thermoset composites at different percentages load of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) with a loading frequency of 5 Hz. The change in temperature of the sample during cyclic loading was captured using an IR camera. Initially, the temperature increase was rapid, but after a certain period of time it stabilized. A Mathematical model was developed to predict the fatigue life from the data of stabilized temperature. Stabilized temperature and dissipated energy per cycle were compared with applied stress. Both of them exhibited a bilinear behavior and the intersection point of those two curves was used to determine HCFS. HCFS for unidirectional flax fiber reinforced composites was about 45% of UTS for a loading frequency of 5 Hz. Unlike fatigue life, stabilized temperature and dissipated energy-based models are convenient to define HCFS as they are timesaving and have little variation from sample to sample.
Plasma supply in the United States

Abstract This descriptive article summarizes the current state of source plasma collection in the United States. It follows the trend of collections over the past several years, ending at 2019, and also includes the number of source plasma collection centers. Usage and distribution of the plasma is also discussed, along with a brief summary of donor compensation policies in the United States.
Evaluation of a Systems-Wide Telebehavioral Health Training Implementation in Response to COVID-19

In response to the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, it became important to rapidly train mental health providers to provide telebehavioral health services (TBH) within a pediatric care setting. T...
COVID-19 vaccination: ethical issues regarding mandatory vaccination for healthcare providers.

With multiple COVID-19 vaccine candidates in development and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of three vaccines, widespread availability may only be months away. As vac...
TrbK controls astrocyte-driven oligodendrocyte copper poisoning.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with the destruction of oligodendrocyte-produced myelin, which results in neuron and oligodendrocyte loss (1, 2). The dysregulated activity of cells of the adaptive immune system, specifically T cells and B cells, plays an important role in MS pathology, particularly during the relapsing–remitting phase of the disease. However, innate immune chronic inflammation driven by CNS-resident cells and recruited monocytes is thought to drive CNS pathology in the progressive phase of MS, an MS phase characterized by the progressive and irreversible accumulation of neurologic disability largely unresponsive to available therapeutic approaches (1, 2). Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the CNS, with important functions in health and disease. In the context of health, astrocytes participate in the development and functional regulation of synapses and the blood–brain barrier, the metabolic support of neurons, and the production of neurotrophic factors (3, 4). During neurologic diseases many of these homeostatic astrocyte functions are impaired, and astrocytes promote CNS pathology through … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may be addressed. Email: fquintana{at}bwh.harvard.edu or hweiner{at}rics.bwh.harvard.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Myxopapillary ependymomas; proximity to the conus and its effect on presentation and outcomes.

Background Myxopapillary ependymomas (MPE) are intradural spinal tumors with a predilection to the filum terminale. Damage to conus medullaris during surgery can result in sphincteric and sexual dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to determine how myxopapillary ependymoma proximity to the conus impacts patient presentation, extent of resection, and clinical outcomes. Methods Fifty-one patients who underwent surgical resection of pathologically confirmed myxopapillary ependymoma with at least 1 year of follow-up were included in the study. We collected initial presenting symptoms, distance of the tumor from the conus, extent of resection, and postoperative clinical outcomes including bladder dysfunction. Results Average age was 38 years (range 7-75 years) with a male to female ratio of 1.43:1. Patients most commonly presented with pain symptoms (88%), and 12 patients (23.5%) had urologic symptoms on presentation. The mean tumor distance from the tip of the conus was 1.60 cm (10 cm above to 21 cm below the tip of the conus). Patients with tumors in contact with the conus had a significantly higher rate of preoperative urinary symptoms and were more likely (32% vs. 14%) to suffer postoperative urinary sphincteric disturbances. Tumors with direct invasion of the conus medullaris were more likely to require intralesional resection and fail to achieve a gross total resection (GTR). Conclusion Patients with MPE in close proximity to the conus were more likely to suffer from long-term morbidity related to urologic issues following surgical resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy may be a viable option for patients who fail to achieve GTR.
Introduction: Classroom Struggles

At the heart of education are teacher–student interactions. Indeed, the relationship between teachers and their students defines education as a concept and an institution. This relationship is the subject of countless research studies, policies, recommended practices, media reports, political platforms, public debates, and private conversations. The common, underlying concern of nearly all of these discussions is student outcomes—namely, what do students need from teachers to succeed in becoming good or better participants in global capitalism? Student abilities, struggles, and progress receive the bulk of attention while teachers’ needs, struggles, perspectives, and professional growth are often ignored. The unspoken assumption seems to be that as long as students are thriving, teachers must be thriving as well.
The Last Hurrah for a Way of Life: The Private Side of Edwin O’Connor’s Famous Novel

Edwin O’Connor’s protagonists were not children as Betty Smith’s, Edward McSorley’s and Mary Doyle Curran’s were, and they tended to have already reached middle class, as members of the clergy, politicians, newspapermen, and businessmen. O’Connor writes slightly later than the other novelists in this study, and so the process of becoming American has largely been completed. The memory of poverty was not far in the past, however. Characters such as Frank Skeffington in The Last Hurrah (1956) remember times of poverty with some fondness, as they were times of talk, and times of ethnic solidarity, with the Irish immigrant generation figuring prominently into their world. This chapter examines the often-ignored private side of The Last Hurrah, which is generally discussed as an end to a certain type of Irish American politics, rather than an entire way of life. It looks at the book as recording the end of family and communal relationships as they once were as well.