cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MacA, a periplasmic membrane fusion protein of the macrolide transporter MacAB-TolC, binds lipopolysaccharide core specifically and with high affinity

The Escherichia coli MacAB-TolC transporter has been implicated in efflux of macrolide antibiotics and secretion of enterotoxin STII. In this study, we found that purified MacA, a periplasmic membrane fusion protein, contains one tightly bound rough core lipopolysaccharide (R-LPS) molecule per MacA molecule. R-LPS was bound specifically to MacA protein with affinity exceeding that of polymyxin B. Sequence analyses showed that MacA contains two high-density clusters of positively charged amino acid residues located in the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain and the periplasmic C-terminal domain. Substitutions in the C-terminal cluster reducing the positive-charge density completely abolished binding of R-LPS. At the same time, these substitutions significantly reduced the functionality of MacA in the protection of E. coli against macrolides in vivo and in the in vitro MacB ATPase stimulation assays. Taken together, our results suggest that R-LPS or a similar glycolipid is a physiological substrate of MacAB-TolC.
Ibuprofen improves oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model.

Purpose. Retinopathy of prematurity is a developmental vascular anomaly occurring in the incompletely vascularized retina of the premature infant. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent similar to indomethacin, but with less pronounced side-effects. The goal of the study was to test the hypothesis that ibuprofen would improve oxygen-induced retinopathy in a mouse model. Methods. C57BL6 mice pups were exposed to 75% oxygen from postnatal day 7 through postnatal day 12. Ibuprofen was administered along with oxygen exposure as a single subcutaneous dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Animals were sacrificed on postnatal day 17 through postnatal day 20. The severity of retinopathy was assessed by a retinopathy scoring system of fluorescein-conjugated dextran-perfused retinal flat mounts and by quantitation of extra-retinal nuclei by use of periodic acid-Schiff-stained retinal sections. Results. Animals that received ibuprofen during hyperoxia exposure had a significantly lower median (25 th, 75 th q...
Children, adolescents, and television.

No parents in their right minds would invite a stranger into their home to teach their children for 3 to 5 hours per day; yet the television set is doing precisely that.1 Television is a powerful teacher of children. Children and adolescents spend more time watching television than in any other activity except sleeping, and more time from age 2 to 18 in front of the television set (15 000 to 18 000 h) than in the classroom (12 000 h).2 By the time today9s children reach age 70, they will have spent a total of 7 y of their lives watching television. During an average year, an American youngster will be exposed to:3,4 • More than 14 000 sexual references, innuendos, and jokes—yet • Between 1000 and 2000 beer and wine commercials; • More than 1000 murders, rapes, assaults, and armed robberies, and • Nearly 20 000 commercials. These figures notwithstanding, many parents and pediatricians underestimate the power of television to influence attitudes and behavior. Television is an equal opportunity teacher, capable of conveying prosocial messages just as easily as harmful ones. Because television is such a pervasive and influential medium that can affect a variety of health-related behaviors, pediatricians should familiarize themselves with its effects on children and adolescents.
Apple's International Tax Planning

In May 2013 the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing surrounding Apple Inc.’s international tax planning. As the first expert witness at the hearing, Prof. Harvey only had 10 minutes to summarize his thoughts on Apple’s tax planning. Thus, he prepared this slide deck for a 90 minute presentation to the Tax and Corporate Law Societies of Villanova School of Law. The slides summarize (i) the results of Apple’s international tax planning, (ii) international tax planning basics, (iii) and various tax policy options.
Age related differences in individual quality of life domains in youth with type 1 diabetes.

Background Investigating individual, as opposed to predetermined, quality of life domains may yield important information about quality of life. This study investigated the individual quality of life domains nominated by youth with type 1 diabetes.
NEBALIA SCHIZOPHTHALMA, A NEW SPECIES OF LEPTOSTRACAN (MALACOSTRACA) FROM DEEP WATERS OFF THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES

Abstract A new species of leptostracan, Nebalia schizophthalma, is described from a single female specimen from one of the deep-sea stations along the Gay Head-Bermuda Transect. The new species differs from all other known species of the Leptostraca in that the distal margin of the eye is strongly invaginated. Other unusual features include a short, upturned ocular scale, a small indentation along the ventral margin of the carapace, and the absence of strong spinelike setae on the fourth article of the antennule. The new species represents only the fifth species of leptostracan known, and the second in the genus Nebalia, from the east coast of North America.
Prey Selection in a Temperate Zone Insectivorous Bat Community

Abstract I determined foods eaten by bats at Prairie Creek, Vigo County, Indiana, to test the null hypothesis that insectivorous bats eat primarily whatever is available. If bats eat what is available, then all bats taken at the same time and place should eat the same foods. I collected fecal samples from 486 bats of 8 species from 1993 through 1997 in a 650-ha deciduous forest in the Wabash River flood plain. Eptesicus fuscus and Nycticeius humeralis fed heavily on coleopterans, followed by hemipterans in E. fuscus and homopterans in N. humeralis. Lasiurus borealis fed most heavily on lepidopterans, followed by coleopterans and homopterans. Pipistrellus subflavus fed approximately equally on homopterans, coleopterans, and dipterans. The main foods were similar for Myotis sodalis, M. lucifugus, and M. septentrionalis: dipterans 1st, followed by lepidopterans, trichopterans, and then coleopterans in M. lucifugus and by coleopterans and then lepidopterans in the other 2 species. It is clear that bats at Pra...
Ultrafast interfacial electron transfer from conjugated polymers to inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles

There has been intense recent interest in composite materials of conjugated polymers with inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles, especially as potential materials for solar energy conversion [1,2]. Fast and efficient charge separation is a critical factor in optimizing the efficiency of such materials. Charge transfer between conjugated polymer and nanoparticle is a fundamental problem that is still poorly understood. It differs from dye-sensitized nanoparticles, because optical excitations in polymers are extended over a few monomer units and the excitations are mobile along the polymer chain. It also differs from electron tunneling through a junction between two solids, which is commonly dealt with in solid state devices. In polymer materials, the detailed nature of the polymer will have a determining effect on the interfacial dynamics. A fundamental understanding of interfacial ET dynamics will require systematic examination of various parameters of polymer, semiconductors and their interface.
A Fuzzy k -Means Classification and a Bayesian Approach for Spatial Prediction of Landslide Hazard

The increasing availability of geospatial data and the rapid advances in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology for statistical and mathematical modeling and simulation have led to a variety of applications and a growing spatial literature. Spatial statistical methods and techniques have been widely used in a number of discipline-specific applications, some of which are described in this handbook and result from those rapid advances in GIS tools, techniques, and literature.
Rural Broadband Expansion in the United States: Citizen Perception as a Social Process

While the macroeconomic and social inclusion benefits of broadband are well understood, there is little investigation into the question of how it is that citizens come to understand and interpret broadband as a matter of wider social importance, and how they engage with processes of broadband deployment and adoption. Based on an ethnographic study of three rural areas in the United States, we found that both elites and the disadvantaged, policymakers at various levels and ordinary citizens, drew on the same set of cultural understandings to interpret what broadband expansion means to them, and at the same time steer broadband deployments in ways they saw fit. These cultural understandings enabled a conversation to be had about what broadband means amongst these actors, and enabled ordinary people to be engaged with broadband policy. We found three social and cultural principles that are longstanding artifacts of American culture that set the terms of engagement amongst the actors: beliefs about individual autonomy and agency, notions of citizenship (i.e., how people come to be included), and ideas about social class and hierarchy.
Effective Properties of Discrete Random Composites Wherein the Host and Inclusion Phases Obey Different Constitutive Relations

In studying the effective medium theories, polarization is hardly given a consideration in deciding the effective properties of a composite where the host and inclusion phases follow different constitutive equations. A significant conclusion of this paper is that eventhough the composite has discrete inclusions, with the inclusion phase obeying different constitutive properties than the host, the effective medium shows a preference for the inclusion behavior rather than the host which is continuous. As an example, results on polarization study are detailed for the specific case of chiral composites. Application of similar principles is presently explored in more complex problems like the elastic wave propagation through piezoelectric composites and the acoustic wave propagation through sediments.
The dilemma of evaluating and treating cancer of unknown primary site.

In 5% to 10% of cancer cases, the initial presentation reflects metastases and not the primary lesion. How aggressively should one search for the tumor site?
Multiple-Replica Strategies for Free-Energy Calculations in NAMD: Multiple-Walker Adaptive Biasing Force and Walker Selection Rules

From the most powerful supercomputers to multicore desktops and laptops, parallel computing architectures have been in the mainstream for some time. However, numerical schemes for calculating free energies in molecular systems that directly leverage this hardware paradigm, usually taking the form of multiple-replica strategies, are just now on the cusp of becoming standard practice. Here, we present a modification of the popular molecular dynamics program NAMD that is envisioned to facilitate the use of powerful multiple-replica strategies to improve ergodic sampling for a specific class of free-energy methods known as adaptive biasing force. We describe the software implementation in a so-called multiple-walker context, alongside the interface that makes the proposed approach accessible to the end users. We further evaluate the performance of the adaptive biasing force multiple-walker strategy for a model system, namely, the reversible folding of a short peptide, and show, in particular, in regions of th...
Chain and Layer Silicates at High Temperatures and Pressures

Silicate pyroxenes, amphiboles, and micas are important components in the Earth’s crust, upper mantle, and in meteorites (Ringwood 1975, Anderson 1989). A detailed knowledge of crystal structures and phase-transition mechanisms in these minerals is, therefore, of great geophysical importance in understanding planetary interiors. The first crystal structure investigation of a pyroxene was reported by Warren and Bragg (1928) who solved the monoclinic C 2/ c diopside structure. Warren and Modell (1930) solved the structure of orthorhombic Pbca hypersthene, and the monoclinic P 21/ c pyroxene was predicted by Ito (1950), who postulated that Pbca orthopyroxene was a “space group twin” of clinopyroxene. Subsequently, Morimoto et al. (1960) published the first descriptions of P 21/ c pyroxene (pigeonite and clinoenstatite) structures. A synthetic orthorhombic pyroxene with Pbcn symmetry was first described by Smith (1959) and called protoenstatite. While working on the pyroxenes, Warren also solved the structures of C 2/ m tremolite and Pnma anthophyllite (Warren 1929, Warren and Modell 1930). Subsequent work on amphiboles showed similar trends to those in the pyroxenes with the determination of the structure of P 21/ m cummingtonite (Papike et al. 1969) and Pnmn protoamphibole (Gibbs et al. 1969). Jackson and West (1930) determined the structure of muscovite; the different polymorphs were described by Hendricks and Jefferson (1939), Heinrich et al. (1953), and Smith and Yoder (1956). In the years since these pioneering studies were completed, there have been many investigations of silicate chain and sheet structures and we now have a rather complete understanding of their crystal chemistry. More recently, the new frontier has been to explore how their structural chemistry changes with temperature and pressure and to better understand their physical and chemical characteristics under the conditions that exist within the …
Identification of crude drug and determination of baicalin by HPLC for Zhenhuang tablets

OBJECTIVE To establish an identification method and an HPLC method for Zhenhuang tablets.METHODS Microscopic identification,physical and chemical identification,TLC and HPLC Methods were used.RESULTS The identification methods of Pearls,Baicalin abstracts,Bezoar,Pig bile,Radix Notoginseng,Peppermint oil and Borneol of Zhenhuang pian were established and an HPLC method was used to quantitatively determine the baicalin content in Zhenhuang tablets.The regression equation of standard curve was W=7.32×10-8 A+3.57×10-4(r=0.9998,n=6),The calibration curve of baicalin was linear over the ranges of 0.011-0.570 μg.CONCLUSION These methods are simple,credible and can be used to control the quality of Zhenghuang tablets.
Crisis and response: Initial reorientation of the economy

By the late 1970s, Chinese leaders had been grappling with chronic economic problems for many years. Yet the decision to initiate a program of economic reform came remarkably suddenly. Within the span of a single year – between July 1978 and July 1979 – nearly every aspect of Chinese economic policy was recast. Major shifts in development strategy were accompanied by institutional changes that were quickly and vigorously implemented. Why did China move so rapidly to reverse its previous policy direction and move toward fundamental reform? The search for origins has an intrinsic interest, but it takes on additional significance in the Chinese case. Because reforms were begun without a clear reform objective, the initial measures determined the trajectory of reform and shaped the entire reform process. The origins of reform are thus inseparable from the story of how reforms managed to take hold and ultimately succeed. In this chapter I argue that the driving force behind change in 1978–79 was a reorientation of Chinese development strategy. When one examines the entire spectrum of economic policies adopted between 1979 and 1981, one is struck above all by the vigor and consistency of the policies to reorient economic development strategy, rather than with the profundity of institutional reforms. The initial commitment to reform was, in a sense, a sideeffect of that reorientation and can only be fully understood in that context.
DD49: Pflegeroboter und Technologielüge (Oktober 2007)

Einsparungen kommen zuletzt immer dem Menschen zugute! Das ist die Grundluge unserer Zeit. Sie lasst sich schwer entlarven. Vielleicht kann ich am Beispiel des Krankenpflegeroboters Ihre automatischen Gedanken ein wenig umbetten und waschen?
Surgical reconstruction of semilunar valves in the growing child: Should we mimic the venous valve? A simulation study.

Abstract Objectives Neither heart valve repair methods nor current prostheses can accommodate patient growth. Normal aortic and pulmonary valves have 3 leaflets, and the goal of valve repair and replacement is typically to restore normal 3-leaflet morphology. However, mammalian venous valves have bileaflet morphology and open and close effectively over a wide range of vessel sizes. We propose that they might serve as a model for pediatric heart valve reconstruction and replacement valve design. We explore this concept using computer simulation. Methods We use a finite element method to simulate the ability of a reconstructed cardiac semilunar valve to close competently in a growing vessel, comparing a 3-leaflet design with a 2-leaflet design that mimics a venous valve. Three venous valve designs were simulated to begin to explore the parameter space. Results Simulations show that for an initial vessel diameter of 12 mm, the venous valve design remains competent as the vessel grows to 20 mm (67%), whereas the normal semilunar design remains competent only to 13 mm (8%). Simulations also suggested that systolic function, estimated as effective orifice area, was not detrimentally affected by the venous valve design, with all 3 venous valve designs exhibiting greater effective orifice area than the semilunar valve design at a given level of vessel growth. Conclusions Morphologic features of the venous valve design make it well suited for competent closure over a wide range of vessel sizes, suggesting its use as a model for semilunar valve reconstruction in the growing child.
LONG-TERM RESULTS USING A SECOND GENERATION TAPERED FEMORAL CEMENTLESS HIP STEM IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY: A MINIMUM OF 15-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Background Tapered cementless femoral components have been used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) constructs for more than 20 years. The Synergy femoral component was introduced in 1996 as a second generation titanium proximally porous-coated tapered stem with dual offsets to better restore femoral offset at THA (Figure 1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of the authors9 experience using the Synergy stem at minimum 15 years of follow-up. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 102 patients (112 hips) who underwent surgery between November 1996 and October 1998 for primary THA using cementless Synergy stem with a minimum 15-years follow-up. The mean age at the time of surgery was 61 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 16.3 years. Seventeen patients were lost at FU (8 died before the 15 years mark, 8 changed residency, 1 not willing to be seen) with no problems related to the replaced hip. Ninety-four hips in 85 patients were available for clinical and radiologic analysis. Clinical results of the 94 THAs with more than 15 years of follow-up were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 5, 10 and 15 years by means of standard evaluation tools: SF12, WOMAC and Harris Hip Score. Thigh pain frequency and intensity were also recorded. Radiographic analysis (Figure 2) was focused on stem alignment, bone ingrowth, radiolucent lines presence, width and progression, stress-shielding and heterotopic ossification (HTO). Student paired test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results All clinical evaluation tools showed at 5-year FU, 10-year FU and at latest FU (15–17 years) a statistically significant improvement compared to the preoperative scores. We observed a not constant thigh pain in 5 hips (4.75%). Nine stems were revised due to polyethylene wear (3 cases), late periprosthetic fracture (2 cases), infection (2 cases), subsidence (1 case) and instability (1 case). Stem related revision was a case of subsidence, related to occult intraoperative calcar crack and early revised (within 1 year); cumulative stem-related survival rate at 15 years was 99%. Alignment was varus in 5 cases and valgus in 1. Bone in-growth was observed in 93 hips (98%). Radiolucent lines were uncommon, non progressive, less than 2 mm, in Gruen zones 2 and 6. Stress-shielding was present as cortical reaction in 5 femurs in Gruen zones 3 and 5. Fifteen cases of HTO (grade I and II in 12 case and grade III in 3 cases) were observed. Conclusions The Synergy stem demonstrated excellent clinical and radiographic results at 15–17 years FU in 85 patients. Survivorship (with stem revision as end point) was 99% at 15 years. Thigh pain was uncommon and the level of activity and autonomy is excellent. Radiographically bone ingrowth is evident in all stems and radiolucent lines are “benign” with no aseptic loosening.
Centimetre resolution time domain reflectometry using ultra-short millimetre wave pulses

We present a technique for making time domain reflectometry (TDR) measurements of mm-wave systems using sub-nanosecond 94GHz pulses which yields distance resolutions of a few centimetres. Pulses as short as 115ps are generated using a novel switched 7.8 to 94GHz frequency multiplier chain. Applications include the characterisation of standing waves and reflections in quasi-optical systems, the evaluation of very low return loss quasi-optical loads, and high range resolution radar.
Chiral-Substituted Poly-N-vinylpyrrolidinones and Bimetallic Nanoclusters in Catalytic Asymmetric Oxidation Reactions

A new class of poly-N-vinylpyrrolidinones containing an asymmetric center at C5 of the pyrrolidinone ring were synthesized from l-amino acids. The polymers, particularly 17, were used to stabilize nanoclusters such as Pd/Au for the catalytic asymmetric oxidations of 1,3- and 1,2-cycloalkanediols and alkenes, and Cu/Au was used for C-H oxidation of cycloalkanes. It was found that the bulkier the C5 substituent in the pyrrolidinone ring, the greater the optical yields produced. Both oxidative kinetic resolution of (±)-1,3- and 1,2-trans-cycloalkanediols and desymmetrization of meso cis-diols took place with 0.15 mol % Pd/Au (3:1)-17 under oxygen atmosphere in water to give excellent chemical and optical yields of (S)-hydroxy ketones. Various alkenes were oxidized with 0.5 mol % Pd/Au (3:1)-17 under 30 psi of oxygen in water to give the dihydroxylated products in >93% ee. Oxidation of (R)-limonene at 25 °C occurred at the C-1,2-cyclic alkene function yielding (1S,2R,4R)-dihydroxylimonene 49 in 92% yield. Importantly, cycloalkanes were oxidized with 1 mol % Cu/Au (3:1)-17 and 30% H2O2 in acetonitrile to afford chiral ketones in very good to excellent chemical and optical yields. Alkene function was not oxidized under the reaction conditions. Mechanisms were proposed for the oxidation reactions, and observed stereo- and regio-chemistry were summarized.
Calcium signals drive cell shape changes during zebrafish midbrain–hindbrain boundary formation

One of the first morphogenetic events in the vertebrate brain is the formation of the highly conserved midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB). Specific cell shape changes occur at the point of deepest constriction of the MHB, the midbrain-hindbrain boundary constriction (MHBC), and are critical for proper MHB formation. These cell shape changes are controlled by nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) motor proteins, which are tightly regulated via the phosphorylation of their associated myosin regulatory light chains (MRLCs). However, the upstream signaling pathways that initiate the regulation of NMII to mediate cell shape changes during MHB morphogenesis are not known. We show that intracellular calcium signals are critical for the regulation of cell shortening during initial MHB formation. We demonstrate that the MHB region is poised to respond to calcium transients that occur in the MHB at the onset of MHB morphogenesis and that calcium mediates phosphorylation of MRLC specifically in MHB tissue. Our results indicate that calmodulin 1a (calm1a), expressed specifically in the MHB, and myosin light chain kinase together mediate MHBC cell length. Our data suggest that modulation of NMII activity by calcium is critical for proper regulation of cell length to determine embryonic brain shape during development.
The typology problem and the doxastic approach to delusions

This paper explores one of the most fundamental philosophical worries underlying the occurrence of delusions, namely, the problem about the specific type of mental state that grounds a delusional report or, as I shall call it, ‘the typology problem’. The analysis is developed as follows: (i) After formulating and circumscribing the target problem, (ii) I explore the main tenets and advantages of the doxastic view of delusions, perhaps, the strongest candidate currently available within the typology debate. (iii) After, I clarify and evaluate four of the main counter-arguments against the doxastic view offering a number of counter replies to these attacks. (iv) Finally, I conclude that the anti-doxastic argumentation offers no good reasons to abandon the doxastic model and that this model does not need to appeal to external resources to reply to such counter-arguments. At the same time, I finalize with some of the challenges that remain open within the doxastic view. Keywords: psychosis, delusions, doxastic view of delusions, typology problem.
The Metal or the Ligand? The Preferred Locus for Redox Changes in Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactions of Rhenium Amidodiphenoxides

The rhenium(V) oxo complex oxo(triphenylphosphine) (bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-phenoxo)amido)rhenium(V), (ONOCat)ReO(PPh3), reacts with molecular oxygen to give triphenylphosphine oxide and the dimeric rhenium(VII) complex fac,anti-(ONOCat)Re(O)(μ-O)2Re(O)(ONOCat). The ONO ligand adopts an unusual fac geometry, presumably to maximize π donation to rhenium; strong π donation is substantiated by the intraligand bond distances (metrical oxidation state = −2.24(9)). Addition of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand IMes to fac,anti-(ONOCat)Re(O)(μ-O)2Re(O)(ONOCat) cleaves the dimer into monomeric C1-symmetric fac-(ONOCat)ReO2(IMes). The monorhenium(VII) complex is deoxygenated by PMe2Ph to give the rhenium(V) compound (ONOCat)ReO(IMes), which can be independently prepared by ligand substitution of (ONOCat)ReO(PPh3). The degree of stereochemical rigidity exhibited by the dioxo compound, as established by dynamic NMR spectroscopy, excludes the intermediacy of mer-(ONOQ)ReVO2(IMes) in this oxygen atom transfer reaction...
Electromyography(EMG) sensor controlled assistive orthotic robotic arm for forearm movement

There are nearly 1 in 50 people are affected by paralysis, which restrains the free movements of human body parts. Such people rely on support systems that can aid motion and force enhancement to body parts affect by paralysis. The most commonly used support systems are prosthetic and orthotic devices. Prosthetics are artificial extensions used to replace the missing body parts or supplement the defective body parts. Whereas, orthotic devices are external mechanical structures that support non-functional body parts which are actuated by motors. This study presents an orthotic robotic arm that can help in retraining flexion and extension movements of forearm of person affected by stroke. Orthotic Robotic Arm is a rigid brace having two degrees of freedom. Orthotic Robotic Arm helps to restore function of forearm by enabling individuals with paralysis to self-initiate and control movement of their partially paralyzed forearm using their own muscle signals. Accuracy of device was determined through a series of testing trials on 2 subjects who tested the device for 5 times and device registered 80% accuracy on the total number of trials by the subjects. Preliminary results suggest that the orthotic robotic arm has potential to improve the mobility of hand movements of paralyzed person.
Estimating Disease Burden Using Google Trends and Wikipedia Data

Data on disease burden is often used for assessing population health, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, formulating health policies, and planning future resource allocation. We investigated whether Internet usage data, particularly the search volume on Google and page view counts on Wikipedia, are correlated with the disease burden, measured by prevalence and treatment cost, for 1,633 diseases over an 11-year period. We also applied the method of least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to predict the burden of diseases, using those Internet data together with three other variables we quantified previously. We found a relatively strong correlation for 39 of 1,633 diseases, including viral hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, other headache syndromes, multiple sclerosis, sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, and disaccharidase deficiency. However, an accurate analysis must consider each condition’s characteristics, including acute/chronic nature, severity, familiarity to the public, and presence of stigma.
Student Perceptions of Clinical Instructor Characteristics Affecting Clinical Experiences.

Aim The purpose of this study was to explore and describe students' perceptions of clinical instructor characteristics that affect their clinical experiences. Background Clinical instructors can have a profound impact on student clinical experiences, yet little is known about what clinical instructor characteristics promote and hinder quality clinical experiences from the student perspective. Method A multisite prospective, descriptive exploratory design was used. Results Students ranked instructor knowledge and support as the highest desirable characteristics, followed by patience, creating challenges, enthusiasm, and organization. Emerging themes from the content analysis revealed that the ability of the instructor to convey knowledge, demonstrate professionalism, and exhibit enthusiasm and caring were key characteristics that influence the clinical experience. Conclusion Nurse educators can use the results of this study to target hiring and placing of desired characteristics of clinical instructors and to support mentoring programs that promote clinical teaching excellence.
Arguing about Empire: Imperial Rhetoric in Britain and France, 1882–1956: Thomas, Martin, and Richard Toye New York: Oxford University Press 320 pp., $55.00, ISBN 978-0198749196 Publication Date: May 2017

The history of imperialism continues to thrive as one of the most exciting fields of historical inquiry. Yet one of the most important limits of this flourishing sub-discipline is the relative lack...
Racial disparities in postmastectomy breast reconstruction: National trends in utilization from 2005 to 2014

BACKGROUND Evidence of racial disparities in the receipt of postmastectomy breast reconstruction is well documented. The objective of this study was to describe trends in racial disparities overall and by reconstructive technique. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify women who underwent mastectomy and/or breast reconstruction from 2005 to 2014. Patient demographics were recorded, and cases were grouped by reconstructive status and technique. Trends were assessed with the Cochran-Armitage test and the index of disparity. RESULTS Over the study period, 92,960 postmastectomy patients were identified (77,049 white women, 10,396 black women, 4939 Asian women, and 576 Native American women), of whom 46,931 underwent reconstruction. Of these, 7692 women underwent autologous reconstructions (3913 free flaps and 3696 pedicled flaps). From 2005 to 2014, receipt of breast reconstruction by postmastectomy patients rose from 33.2% to 60.0%, receipt of autologous reconstruction by patients who underwent breast reconstruction fell from 30.4% to 15.9%, and receipt of free-flap reconstruction by patients who underwent autologous reconstruction rose from 15.0% to 70.8%. These trends were significant in all racial subgroups (P < .001), except for Native Americans (P = .269). The index of disparity decreased from 51.4% to 22.6% for overall receipt of breast reconstruction, decreased from 10.7% to 7.0% for tissue expander and implant-based reconstruction, increased from 18.0% to 27.3% for autologous reconstruction, and decreased from 66.7% to 4.3% for free-flap reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS The use of postmastectomy breast reconstruction is steadily rising in the United States. Racial disparities persist, but progress has been made. Further efforts are needed to reduce racial disparities. Cancer 2018;124:2774-2784. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
TRANSMEMBRANE CONTROL AND CELL SURFACE RECOGNITION

Abstract: The transmembrane control of cell surface receptor mobility and the molecular mechanism of cell-cell adhesion have been studied to provide a background for examining the relationship between cellular events such as mitosis and differentiation as well as morphogenetic phenomena involving the cell surface. The experiments on receptor mobility suggest that the diffusion of many cell surface components in the plane of the membrane is controlled in part by a modulating assembly that includes microtubules and microfilaments. The analysis of adhesion among neural cells of the chick embryo depends upon an immunological assay for molecules associated with the initial formation of cell-cell bonds. The results suggest that adhesiveness is under a developmental control reflected by the presence of a 140,000 M.W. protein on the cell surface. Antibodies against this protein have been used to analyze the role of cell recognition in tissue formation.
Ultraviolet Radiation and HIV Infection: What Do We Know and Should Know?

Concern about a deleterious relationship between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and HIV infection was first raised by in vitro studies using cells bearing HIV promoter sequences (e.g., transfected HeLa cells) or cells infected with the virus (e.g., T cells) (Table 1) (1–5). In these experiments, specific light sources were shown to activate the HIV gene and/or promote viral replication. UVC was the most potent activator. UVB, sunlight, and PUVA were also capable of activating HIV, albeit to lesser degrees (1–5). By contrast, neither y-radiation nor UVA activated HIV (5).
The Supervenience Argument Generalizes

In his recent book, Jaegwon Kim argues thatpsychophysical supervenience withoutpsychophysical reduction renders mentalcausation `unintelligible'. He also claimsthat, contrary to popular opinion, his argumentagainst supervenient mental causation cannot begeneralized so as to threaten the causalefficacy of other `higher-level' properties:e.g., the properties of special sciences likebiology. In this paper, I argue that none ofthe considerations Kim advances are sufficientto keep the supervenience argument fromgeneralizing to all higher-level properties,and that Kim's position in fact entails thatonly the properties of fundamental physicalparticles are causally efficacious.
Next-generation therapy for follicular lymphoma.

In this issue of Blood , Morschhauser et al report the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide in combination with obinutuzumab and establish the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). 1 Rituximab in combination with lenalidomide (R 2 ) has favorable efficacy and toxicity in relapsed and untreated follicular lymphoma (FL) and is now entering the treatment landscape of FL. 2-4 Obinutuzumab, a glycoengineered type II anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), may be an attractive partner to lenalidomide that can exert immunomodulatory effects via natural killer (NK) and T cells for the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) FL. The question is whether the potentially enhanced ADCC activity of obinutuzumab will translate into enhanced synergism with lenalidomide and result in an improved next-generation R 2 .
The promise of ESCAT: a new system for evaluating cancer drug-target pairs.

The ESMO Scale for Clinical Actionability of molecular Targets (ESCAT) will be useful as a common language to harmonize discussions in precision oncology and could also guide policy and reimbursement decisions, but it is far from perfect. Herein, we highlight how ESCAT can be further improved to increase its utility in clinical and policy decisions.
Saddle pulmonary embolism and in-hospital mortality in patients with cancer

Saddle pulmonary embolism (PE) has been associated with an increased risk of 1 year mortality when compared to non-saddle PE among patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate the association between saddle PE and in-hospital outcomes among patients with comorbid cancer. The 2013 and 2014 United States National Inpatient Sample was used to identify adult patients hospitalized for acute PE. Only patients with an International Classification Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code indicating comorbid cancer were included. Identified admissions were stratified into the following 2 cohorts: saddle (defined as ICD-9-CM code = 415.13) and non-saddle PE. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the association between saddle PE and the odds of in-hospital mortality after adjustment for age ≥ 80 years and sex. A total of 10,660 admissions for acute PE in patients with comorbid cancer were identified. Of which, 4.5% (n = 475) had a saddle PE. Median age was 67 years (interquartile range = 58–76) and 48.9% were male. In-hospital mortality occurred in 6.1% of patients. Upon multivariable adjustment, the odds of in-hospital mortality were higher in saddle versus non-saddle PE (odds ratio = 1.51; 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.10). In this retrospective study of admissions for acute PE in patients with comorbid cancer, saddle PE was associated with a higher odds of in-hospital mortality.
Creating a Multidisciplinary Surgical Innovations Group at an Academic Medical Center to Stimulate Surgery Faculty Technology Development

As surgery has evolved, a number of academic institutions have provided resources in order to establish innovations programs for their faculty. The creation of an academic surgical innovations ecosystem at the University of California, San Francisco, began in the Department of Surgery 12 years ago, in 2006, led by forward-thinking surgeons including Dr. Michael Harrison, Dr. Marshall Stoller, Dr. Quan Duh, and Dr. Hanmin Lee. Since that time, the program has continued to evolve from pediatric surgical devices to encompass all medical devices across 86 faculty members (38 surgical faculty, comprising one-third of the department) and 19 departments and schools across the university, with 80 projects, cumulatively having raised over $30 million in outside funding. Projects are guided in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment consisting of surgical faculty, bioengineering faculty, surgical residents, business advisors, and engineers from conception through prototype with seed stage funding opportunities. Thereafter, the established pipeline of innovation provides resources to position the device or platform in order to achieve scalability, investment potential, and future commercialization – all with the intention to directly impact patient care. This chapter delineates the creation and evolution of the program, key steps in collaboration and establishing partnerships, and the story of successful innovations to date. In summary, the mission of UCSF Surgical Innovations is to accelerate the translation of pioneering medical devices to improve patient care by (1) Lowering the barriers for clinician-innovators by providing accessible infrastructure for device innovation, (2) Accelerating viable projects towards commercialization, and (3) Educating trainees in interdisciplinary collaboration and translation.
The Connectivity Fingerprint of the Fusiform Gyrus Captures the Risk of Developing Autism in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by benign tumors throughout the body; it is generally diagnosed early in life and has a high prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), making it uniquely valuable in studying the early development of autism, before neuropsychiatric symptoms become apparent. One well-documented deficit in ASD is an impairment in face processing. In this work, we assessed whether anatomical connectivity patterns of the fusiform gyrus, a central structure in face processing, capture the risk of developing autism early in life. We longitudinally imaged TSC patients at 1, 2, and 3 years of age with diffusion compartment imaging. We evaluated whether the anatomical connectivity fingerprint of the fusiform gyrus was associated with the risk of developing autism measured by the Autism Observation Scale for Infants (AOSI). Our findings suggest that the fusiform gyrus connectivity captures the risk of developing autism as early as 1 year of age and provides evidence that abnormal fusiform gyrus connectivity increases with age. Moreover, the identified connections that best capture the risk of developing autism involved the fusiform gyrus and limbic and paralimbic regions that were consistent with the ASD phenotype, involving an increased number of left-lateralized structures with increasing age.
FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID REGURGITATION OUTCOMES AFTER INTERVENTION

Functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is a maker increased mortality and is frequently associated with left-sided heart disease, RV failure and annulus dilation. However, FTR surgical interventions may not change patient outcomes. A single center, retrospective chart review of 32 patients who
Virtual product experience: The effects of interactivity, task, and product type on presence perceptions

This article presents a model of the effects of product types (hedonic versus utilitarian) and object interactivity on presence perceptions (i.e., perceptions of nonmediation in technology-mediated environments, Lombard & Ditton, 1997), as well as on subsequent beliefs about a product and web site. A laboratory experiment has been designed to test the hypothesized effects. The expected findings will have important implications for research and practice, as they will further the understanding of factors influencing presence perceptions and online buying behavior, and provide prescriptive insights for the design of business-to-consumer e-commerce systems.
Periodontal disease and incident dementia: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC).

Objective To test the hypothesis that periodontal disease would be associated with increased risk for dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by assessing dementia/MCI outcomes after a baseline periodontal examination. Methods Participants enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study with a clinical periodontal examination (or edentulous participants) at visit 4 (1996–1998; mean ± SD age 63 ± 6 years, 55% female, 21% black) and adjudicated dementia outcomes through 2016 were included (n = 8,275). A subgroup of 4,559 participants had adjudicated dementia and MCI assessments at visit 5 (2011–2013). Participants received a full-mouth periodontal examination and were classified into periodontal profile classes (PPCs) based on the severity and extent of gingival inflammation and attachment loss. MCI and dementia were determined via neurocognitive testing, neurological examination and history, informant interviews, and brain MRI in a subset. Cox proportional hazards models regressed incident dementia on PPCs. Relative risk regression models were used for the composite of MCI/dementia. Results The cumulative incidence and incidence density of dementia during follow-up (average 18.4 years) were 19% (n = 1,569) and 11.8 cases per 1,000 person-years. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for incident dementia among participants with severe PPC or edentulism (vs periodontal healthy) were 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.47) and 1.21 (95% CI 0.99–1.48), respectively. For the combined dementia/MCI outcome, adjusted risk ratios among participants with mild/intermediate PPC, severe PPC, or edentulism (vs periodontal healthy) were 1.22 (95% CI 1.00–1.48), 1.15 (95% CI 0.88–1.51), and 1.90 (95% CI 1.40–2.58). Results were stronger among younger (≤62 years) participants (p for interaction = 0.02). Conclusion Periodontal disease was modestly associated with incident MCI and dementia in a community-based cohort of black and white participants.
Beamforming-Constrained Swarm UAS Networking Routing

With the evolution of 5G cellular communication, beamforming is mature for the implementation on a large scale. The development of cellular networking provides a great opportunity for swarm UAS. Concurrently, the advantages of swarm UAS can provide immense improvement to the advance of industrial and residential implementations.However, the nature of the antenna array constrains beam-forming in a limited space which is rarely mentioned in networking routing researches. In this paper, regarding the constrained steering space, we proposed a novel algorithm,Optimized Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (OAODV),which aims to improve the capacity of beamforming on swarm UAS networking. With the adjustable searching space, OAODV can achieve better latency, overhead, and link generation than the conventional algorithms of Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR). Compared with AODV and OLSR, OAODV can reduce 35.07% and 68.93%of average overhead, and decrease 47.73% and 11.55%of average latency respectively. Further, we leverage Ant Colony Optimization(ACO) to enhance OAODV, and the ACO enabled OAODV can achieve better throughput and fewer hops with reduction of overhead. The proposed algorithms show the promising capacity to improve swarm UAS networking.
Liquid Chromatographic Separation Using a 2 μm i.d. Open Tubular Column at Elevated Temperature.

We have experimentally demonstrated the extraordinarily high resolving power of liquid chromatography (LC) using a narrow open tubular (OT) column. In this work, we show that we can further increas...
Transparency and Model Evolution in Stress Testing

Bank stress tests must be revisable in order to cope with new, emerging risks in the financial sector. Some of these revisions will likely involve model parameters, in addition to the macro-variable shocks that have been applied heretofore. The potential for such revisions would be handicapped by making the test models fully transparent to the public. This tension makes it inadvisable to share model parameters widely if the stress tests are to remain an informative component of the supervisory system for large banks.
Nanotechnology for pain management: Current and future therapeutic interventions

Abstract Pain is one of the most common medical conditions and affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Current pain treatments mainly rely on opioid analgesics and remain unsatisfactory. The life-threatening side effects and addictive properties of opioids demand new therapeutic approaches. Nanomedicine may be able to address these challenges as it allows for sensitive and targeted treatments without some of the burdens associated with current clinical pain therapies. This review discusses the physiology of pain, the current landscape of pain treatment, novel targets for pain treatment, and recent and ongoing efforts to effectively treat pain using nanotechnology-based approaches. We highlight advances in nanoparticle-based drug delivery to reduce side effects, gene therapy to tackle the source of pain, and nanomaterials-based scavenging to proactively mediate pain signaling.