cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One-Hour Radioimmunoassay of Serum Drug Concentrations, as Exemplified by Digoxin and Gentamicin

Double-antibody radioimmunoassays in which tritium is used for labeling have been adapted for emergency determinations of serum drug concentrations. In the cases of digoxin and gentamicin, the first and second antibody incubations may be carried on simultaneously, minimizing incubation times (10 and 27 min, respectively). Counting the bound radioactivity in solubilized immunospecific precipitates decreases variability in the composition of the phase counted and markedly decreases problems of quenching and chemiluminescence. Logitlog transformation of the sigmoidal standard curve results in a straight line, which can be described by its slope and intercept and which remains constant if assay conditions and critical reagents are held constant. Because the slope and intercept of the standard curve are characteristic of a given assay system, it is possible to calculate the theoretical standard curve for a specific assay system by using the means of previously observed slopes and intercepts. Thus, a separate standard curve need not be prepared for each subsequent assay run. Total time required for drug determinations is now less than 1 h. When unknown samples were measured by both the conventional radioimmunoassay method and the new rapid radioimmunoassay method, the values correlated well ( r = 0.99) for both digoxin and gentamicin.
Liquid filling in a corner with a fibrous wall—An application to two-phase flow in PEM fuel cell gas channels

Abstract The Concus–Finn condition has been established as a useful criterion to determine the rise height of a body of liquid bounded by a container in which two sides create a vertex. In the work presented here, the same principles are applied in the microscopic region of the contact line at the vertex created by the intersection of the gas channel (GC) wall and the fibrous gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Recent efforts on water management issues in fuel cells have provided valuable insight into the water emergence and two-phase flow in gas channels. One of the main areas of focus is the accumulation of water in the reactant gas channels. Several works have focused on transport through the GDL or the growth of a droplet in an open area without taking into account the channel wall interactions. This issue is addressed in this work at a fundamental level by investigating droplet formation and accumulation in a corner. This work utilizes an experimental approach that visualizes the dynamics of water at the intersection of two interfaces of varying surface energies and surface topographies. It has been determined that the local microscopic contact angle is a critical parameter when determining the behavior of a growing droplet as it interacts with the channel wall and the values were found to exceed the measured contact angles for the surfaces due to the severely strained interface of the droplet over the fibrous matrix. Also, the Concus–Finn condition can be successfully used to determine the conditions of the droplet in the corner, based on the local microscopic contact angle, which can then be used to determine optimal angle to promote water management. For typical fuel cell materials, this angle has been determined to be less than about 52° to avoid filling of the corner with water.
Solubilization and molecular weight estimation of prolactin receptors from Rana catesbeiana tadpole liver and tail fin.

Membrane receptors from Rana catesbeiana tadpole tissues and female Sprague-Dawley rat livers were solubilized, and their molecular weights were determined by disc gel electrophoresis in 0.1% Triton χ-100 polyacrylamide gels of various acrylamide concentrations (4–8%). Electrophoresis of membrane proteins solubilized in 1.0% Triton χ100 resulted in a single major band at all gel concentrations that demonstrated specific PRL-binding activity. A second peak of radioactivity, corresonding to unbound labeled PRL, was distinct from the PRL-binding activity at all gel concentrations. Solubilization with the nonionic detergent did not alter the PRL-binding molecule, as indicated by identical mobilities of the PRL-bound receptor complex from membranes incubated with PRL before solubilization and of receptors incubated with PRL after solubilization at all gel concentrations studied. The ability of the PRL receptor to specifically bind to PRL was also preserved in Triton χ100 extracts of membranes. Radius and molec...
The dentogingival epithelial surface area revisited

Recent studies implicating periodontitis as a cause of systemic diseases have reported that the surface area of periodontal pockets exposed to bacterial biofilm ranges from 50 cm 2 to 200 cm 2 . Since the root surface area of the typical human dentition (excluding 3rd molars) is 75 cm 2 , these estimates appear too large. The goal of this study was to relate linear periodontal probing measurements to the dentogingival surface area (DGES). The DGES comprises both the sulcular and junctional epithelium, present in health, as well as any intervening pocket epithelium present in periodontitis. Formulas to estimate the DGES from clinical measures were derived from a meta-analysis of root surface areas, published values of root length, and a study that related the percent remaining root surface area to the percent remaining root length. These formulas were applied to a survey of the adult US population, the Veterans Affairs (VA) Dental Longitudinal Study, and a population of individuals visiting a periodontist. Individuals without periodontitis had a typical DGES of 5 cm 2 . Among individuals with periodontitis, the mean DGES in the three samples ranged from 8 cm 2 (ranging from 1 cm 2 to 29 cm 2 ) to 20 cm 2 (ranging from 2 cm 2 to 44 cm 2 ). It was concluded that the mean DGES among individuals with periodontitis ranges from 8 cm 2 to 20 cm 2 , considerably smaller than the range of 50 cm 2 to 200 cm 2 currently assumed.
The absolute configuration of trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane

Abstract By application of the newly discovered fact that 1° alkyl chlorides with γ-hydrogen form cyclopropanes on treatment with sodium metal, (−)-trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane has been prepared from (+)-1-chloro-2-methylbutane. Rigorous assignment of configuration to the isomeric cis- and trans-dimethylcyclopropanes is thereby achieved. The absolute configuration, (1R : 2R) trans-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, can be assigned to the (−) enantiomer by several lines of argument and agrees with that calculated by Fitts.
Effect of solvent evaporation rate on the crystalline state of electrospun Nylon 6

Abstract The role of solvent evaporation on the crystalline state of electrospun Nylon 6 fibers was examined by electrospinning into a closed chamber filled with different concentrations of solvent vapor. It was found that the thermodynamically stable α form became increasingly dominant in Nylon 6 fibers electrospun out of both 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) and formic acid as the vapor phase solvent concentration increased. It is believed that the formation of the metastable γ form is due in part to the fast solvent evaporation kinetics associated with the electrospinning process. By varying the vapor phase concentration and thus the rate of solvent evaporation during electrospinning, we were able to vary the resulting crystal structure of the electrospun Nylon 6, as shown by XRD, Raman and FTIR.
Stochastic ordering of fading channels

This paper introduces stochastic ordering of the instantaneous SNRs of fading channels as a tool to relate and compare the average performance of communication systems over different channels by harnessing the relation between completely monotone (c.m.) functions and the stochastic Laplace transform (LT) order. Toward this goal, instantaneous error rates of M-QAM and M-PSK modulations are shown to be c.m. functions of the instantaneous SNR, while the instantaneous capacity is seen to have a completely monotonic derivative (c.m.d.). Further, examples of commonly used parametric fading distributions which exhibit a monotonicity in the parameter with respect to the LT order are developed.
Histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases in B- and T-cell development, physiology and malignancy

The development of B and T cells from hematopoietic precursors and the regulation of the functions of these immune cells are complex processes that involve highly regulated signaling pathways and transcriptional control. The signaling pathways and gene expression patterns that give rise to these developmental processes are coordinated, in part, by two opposing classes of broad-based enzymatic regulators: histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HATs and HDACs can modulate gene transcription by altering histone acetylation to modify chromatin structure, and by regulating the activity of non-histone substrates, including an array of immune-cell transcription factors. In addition to their role in normal B and T cells, dysregulation of HAT and HDAC activity is associated with a variety of B- and T-cell malignancies. In this review, we describe the roles of HATs and HDACs in normal B- and T-cell physiology, describe mutations and dysregulation of HATs and HDACs that are implicated lymphoma and leukemia, and discuss HAT and HDAC inhibitors that have been explored as treatment options for leukemias and lymphomas.
End of Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit

One in five Americans die in or directly following an ICU stay. Predicting who will survive the ICU is difficult and those who do survive struggle with post-ICU physical and psychological symptoms and functional and cognitive impairments. All patients, regardless of prognosis, benefit from a multidisciplinary, patient- and family-centered approach to care aimed at assessing and treating multiple sources of suffering. Research highlights potential areas for improvement in EOL care in the ICU. Measures of quality ICU palliative care and models for integrating palliative care into the ICU are reviewed. Skillful clinician communication is necessary to facilitate shared decision-making, provide care that is concordant with patients’ values, and support patients facing serious life threatening illness and their families. Decision making and best practices for forgoing life sustaining treatment in the ICU are reviewed.
The Values of the Earth Charter in Education for Sustainable Development

As never before in history, common destiny beckons us to seek a new beginning…. This requires a change of mind and heart. It requires a new sense of global interdependence and universal responsibility. We must imaginatively develop and apply the vision of a sustainable way of life locally, nationally, regionally, and globally. Our cultural diversity is a precious heritage and different cultures will find their own distinctive ways to realize the vision. We must deepen and expand the global dialogue that generated the Earth Charter, for we have much to learn from the ongoing collaborative search for truth and wisdom ( The Earth Charter , The Way Forward). Such advancement of high-minded values, such changes of mind and heart, and such senses of interdependence and responsibility across culture can only be achieved through education. Realising culturally rooted visions of sustainability and searching for cross-cultural collaboration is, inherently, a process of education. The Earth Charter Initiative has said from the beginning that the Earth Charter is an educational resource of significant value. The art and science of teaching about, from, with, and for the Earth Charter offers a promising pedagogy for exploring such shared values and global ethics. Many of the problems we face are ethical problems. Therefore, the solutions must be solutions to which ethics point.
The D programming language

The D Programming Language (http://dlang.org) was developed by Walter Bright and Andrei Alexandrescu. Water Bright wrote the first C++ to native machine code compiler. The D programming Language is somewhat like C++, but with modern programming language features. Unlike Java and C#, D is intended to be implemented with a compiler that generates native machine code. Currently, there are 3 major compilers for the D Programming Language.
Will Medicare Advantage Payment Reforms Impact Plan Rebates and Enrollment

Objectives To assess the relationship between Medicare Advantage plan rebates and enrollment and simulate the effects of Affordable Care Act payment reforms.
An Oil Strike in Hell! Contemporary Legends About the Civil Justice System

Contemporary discourse about the civil justice system is laced with a set of resilient legends that are often mistaken for the products of systematic social inquiry. Many of these legends are connected with the "jaundiced view" that derides the civil justice system as unfair and mischievous. The prominence of the jaundiced view and the persistence of these legal legends are supported by a deficient knowledge base in conjunction with cognitive biases, media distortions, professional and political opportunism, interacting with the inherent indeterminacy of the legal system, and general ambivalence about the expansion of remedy.
Spectroscopic and Computational Analysis of Dystrophin Regulation of Actin Dynamics

Dystrophin is a filamentous muscle protein that links the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix, dampening the laterally transduced force of sarcomere shortening and lengthening and thus limiting the mechanical stress reaching the sarcolemma membrane. Dystrophin's homologue, utrophin, fulfills a similar role in developing muscle but is ultimately replaced by dystrophin. Previous spectroscopic measurements on full-length dystrophin and utrophin showed that each significantly restrict the amplitude of actin filament rotational dynamics upon binding, but utrophin restricts this motion to a much greater extent. We hypothesize that part of this functional difference between homologous proteins stems from distinct structural binding modes and dynamics in the first actin-binding domain (ABD1). Using double electron-electron resonance (DEER) and time-resolved FRET, we characterized the closed-to-open structural transition of dystrophin's ABD1 and compared it to the previously studied utrophin. Dystrophin exhibits more disorder and a greater propensity to be in a closed (compact) state. To understand and complement these spectroscopic findings, we tested the thermal stability of dystrophin's ABD1 and examined possible driving forces for ABD1 closure with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We found that dystrophin is only marginally stable, consistent with the structural disorder measured spectroscopically. In MD simulations, the ABD1 crystal structure relaxed to a closed compact structural state and thus protected several hydrophobic residues. This suggests that location of hydrophobic residues is an important dictator of dystrophin's open-closed structural equilibrium. Together these results indicate that dystrophin's ABD1 forms an unstable complex upon binding to F-actin, due to energetically unfavorable exposure of hydrophobic surfaces within ABD1. These features may contribute to the reduced overall restriction of actin dynamics in comparison to utrophin. Funding to DDT (NIH grant AR63007).
An Analysis of NBA's Competitive Advantage and Factors of Success Based on Porter's Five-Force Model

Industrial competitiveness is the core for industrial vigor.The five-force model brought forward by Porter is the strategic and competitive model for keeping and upgrading industrial competitiveness.On the basis of it,the author of the thesis has analyzed systematically the special competitive circumstance structure of NBA's industry of competitions from the strategic angle:the threat of new entrants,the bargaining power of suppliers,the bargaining power of buyers,the threat of substitutes and the current fierce competition among rivals in the union,so as to offer some guidance in improving the industrial competitiveness for professional sports events.Meanwhile,the three success factors of NBA clubs (teams) have been studied,which include building-up of brand name,size of home market and effectively targeting the casual fans.
Sin Is In: An Alternative to Socially Responsible Investing?

This article examines the return characteristics of a portfolio of U.S. “vice stocks”—firms that manufacture and sell socially irresponsible products such as alcohol, tobacco, gaming services, and national defense. The author constructs a portfolio comprising the daily returns of 41 vice stocks from May 1995–May 2015 and computes the riskadjusted returns by using the Carhart four-factor model and Sortino ratio. Full-period results show a positive and significant alpha for the entire portfolio and positive, yet insignificant, alphas for each vice industry. Down market results show a negative, yet insignificant, alpha for the entire portfolio. Bull market results show a significant alpha for the entire portfolio, as well for the alcohol and defenseindustry securities.
The Cytogenetics Laboratory in Pediatrics

How the cytogenetics laboratory uses the buccal smear and chromosome analysis to establish a specific diagnosis, when possible, and to supply information to be used in genetic counselling.
Potentially Missed Diagnosis of Ischemic Stroke in the Emergency Department in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Stroke Study.

OBJECTIVE Missed diagnoses of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the ED may result in lost opportunities to treat AIS. Our objectives were to describe the rate and clinical characteristics of missed AIS in the ED, to determine clinical predictors of missed AIS, and to report tissue plasminogen (tPA) eligibility among those with missed strokes. METHODS Among a population of 1.3 million in a five-county region of southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky, cases of AIS that presented to 16 EDs during 2010 were identified using ICD-9 codes followed by physician verification of cases. Missed ED diagnoses were physician-verified strokes that did not receive a diagnosis indicative of stroke in the ED. Bivariate analyses were used to compare clinical characteristics between patients with and without an ED diagnosis of AIS. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of missed AIS diagnoses. Alternative diagnoses given to those with missed AIS were codified. Eligibility for tPA was reported between those with and without a missed stroke diagnosis. RESULTS Of 2,027 AIS cases, 14.0% (n = 283) were missed in the ED. Race, sex, and stroke subtypes were similar between those with missed AIS diagnoses and those identified in the ED. Hospital length of stay was longer in those with a missed diagnosis (5 days vs. 3 days, p < 0.0001). Younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.89 to 0.98) and decreased level of consciousness (LOC) (aOR = 3.58, 95% CI = 2.63 to 4.87) were associated with higher odds of missed AIS. Altered mental status was the most common diagnosis among those with missed AIS. Only 1.1% of those with a missed stroke diagnosis were eligible for tPA. CONCLUSION In a large population-based sample of AIS cases, one in seven cases were not diagnosed as AIS in the ED, but the impact on acute treatment rates is likely small. Missed diagnosis was more common among those with decreased LOC, suggesting the need for improved diagnostic approaches in these patients.
Combining Flight Procedures Training with Mental Flexibility Training

Flightcrew decision-making is contingent upon past experiences that create a set of action patterns or scripts. However, implementing the correct script or switching from one script to another may be difficult if one does not have the mental flexibility to adapt these scripts to changing situations. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects that augmenting procedural training with mental flexibility training can have on decision-making performance. The results, although preliminary, suggest that having more than one script, regardless of mental flexibility, does indeed improve decision-making performance.
Catheter Ablation for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Time to Focus More on Trigger Ablation?

It is clear that the global burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) and its associated economic footprint in terms of healthcare utilization is rising exponentially.1 Cumulative evidence suggests that catheter ablation is superior to antiarrhythmic drugs in the management of paroxysmal and persistent AF in terms of improved quality of life, AF-free survival, and AF burden.2 It is hoped that catheter ablation may ultimately provide a long-lasting cure, at least in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF). Despite this desire, the published literature on long-term outcomes, 3 to 6 years after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) have reported only a modest single procedural efficacy of ≈50% in the absence of antiarrhythmic drugs.3,4 In this context, the report by Gokoglan et al5 provides a timely opportunity for a discussion on the progress of catheter ablation of PAF. Uniquely, this is the first study of its kind that reports more than a decade of follow-up of 513 patients with drug-refractory PAF who underwent catheter ablation between 2000 and 2002 (time period chosen to allow 12-year follow-up). The authors report a single-procedure success rate of 58.7% at 12 years and a multiprocedure success rate of 86.9% after a mean of 1.4±0.6 procedures per patient. Of the patients with AF recurrence, approximately three quarters (156 patients) had a repeat procedure. The majority (118 patients or 76% of the reablation cohort) underwent 2 ablation procedures (including the index ablation), 32 (20.1%) patients underwent 3 procedures, and 6 (3.8%) patients required 4 ablation procedures. During the second procedure, the mechanism of AF recurrence was attributed to PV reconnection in 31% and non-PV triggers in the remaining 69% of patients. In patients in whom non-PV triggers were successfully identified, the majority were identified in the coronary sinus (59% of all non-PV triggers), crista terminalis …
From loquacious to reticent: understanding patient health information communication to guide consumer health IT design

Background and significance. It is increasingly recognized that some patients self-manage in the context of social networks rather than alone. Consumer health information technology (IT) designed to support socially embedded self-management must be responsive to patients’ everyday communication practices. There is an opportunity to improve consumer health IT design by explicating how patients currently leverage social media to support health information communication. Objective. The objective of this study was to determine types of health information communication patterns that typify Facebook users with chronic health conditions to guide consumer health IT design. Materials and methods. Seven hundred participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited through a commercial survey access panel. Cluster analysis was used to identify distinct approaches to health information communication both on and off Facebook. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods were used to identify demographic and behavioral differences among profiles. Secondary analysis of qualitative interviews ( n = 25) and analysis of open-ended survey questions were conducted to understand participant rationales for each profile. Results. Our analysis yielded 7 distinct health information communication profiles. Five of 7 profiles had consistent patterns both on and off Facebook, while the remaining 2 demonstrated distinct practices, with no health information communication on Facebook but some off Facebook. One profile was distinct from all others in both health information communication practices and demographic composition. Rationales for following specific health information communication practices were categorized under 6 themes: altruism, instrumental support, social support, privacy and stigma, convenience, and Facebook knowledge. Conclusion. Facebook has been widely adopted for health information communication; This study demonstrates that Facebook has been widely adopted for health information communication. It also shows that the ways in which patients communicate health information on and off Facebook are diverse.
Rate variation during molecular evolution: creationism and the cytochrome c molecular clock

Molecular clocks based upon amino acid sequences in proteins have played a major role in the clarification of evolutionary phylogenies. Creationist criticisms of these methods sometimes rely upon data that might initially seem to be paradoxical. For example, human cytochrome c differs from that of an alligator by 13 amino acids but differs by 14 amino acids from a much more closely related primate, Otolemur garnettii. The apparent anomaly is resolved by taking into consideration the variable substitution rate of cytochrome c, particularly among primates. This paper traces some of the history of extensive research into the topic of rate heterogeneity in cytochrome c including data from cytochrome c pseudogenes.
Assessing the effects of subject motion on T2 relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) cerebral oxygenation measurements using volume navigators

Purpose Subject motion may cause errors in estimates of blood T2 when using the T2-relaxation under spin tagging (TRUST) technique on noncompliant subjects like neonates. By incorporating 3D volume navigators (vNavs) into the TRUST pulse sequence, independent measurements of motion during scanning permit evaluation of these errors. Methods The effects of integrated vNavs on TRUST-based T2 estimates were evaluated using simulations and in vivo subject data. Two subjects were scanned with the TRUST+vNav sequence during prescribed movements. Mean motion scores were derived from vNavs and TRUST images, along with a metric of exponential fit quality. Regression analysis was performed between T2 estimates and mean motion scores. Also, motion scores were determined from independent neonatal scans. Results vNavs negligibly affected venous blood T2 estimates and better detected subject motion than fit quality metrics. Regression analysis showed that T2 is biased upward by 4.1 ms per 1 mm of mean motion score. During neonatal scans, mean motion scores of 0.6 to 2.0 mm were detected. Conclusion Motion during TRUST causes an overestimate of T2, which suggests a cautious approach when comparing TRUST-based cerebral oxygenation measurements of noncompliant subjects. Magn Reson Med 78:2283–2289, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Toward a Conversation Analytic Framework for Tracking Interactional Competence Development from School to Work

In this chapter, I approach the questions about competence, competence development and school-to-work transition from an ethnomethodological and conversation analytic perspective. The ethnomethodological conceptualization of social interaction as the public site where competencies are achieved enables an investigation of changes in competencies. I outline the methodological procedure for longitudinal conversation analysis of competence continuity and modification in school-to-work transition and discuss this approach’s advantages and challenges. I illustrate the analytical procedure and methodological issues with an empirical analysis of a pharmacy student learning to counsel patients in classroom role-plays and at actual pharmacies in the USA.
Novel human neuronal tau model exhibiting neurofibrillary tangles and transcellular propagation

Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and progressive supranuclear palsy, which are associated with the pathological aggregation of tau protein into neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Studies have characterized tau as a "prion-like" protein given its ability to form distinct, stable amyloid conformations capable of transcellular and multigenerational propagation in clonal fashion. It has been proposed that progression of tauopathy could be due to the prion-like propagation of tau, suggesting the possibility that end-stage pathologies, like NFT formation, may require an instigating event such as tau seeding. To investigate this, we applied a novel human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) system we have developed to serve as a human neuronal model. We introduced the tau repeat domain (tau-RD) with P301L and V337M (tau-RD-LM) mutations into hiPSC-derived neurons and observed expression of tau-RD at levels similar to total tau in postmortem AD brains. Tau aggregation occurred without the addition of recombinant tau fibrils. The conditioned media from tau-RD cultures contained tau-RD seeds, which were capable of inducing aggregate formation in homotypic mode in non-transduced recipient neuronal cultures. The resultant NFTs were thioflavin-positive, silver stain-positive, and assumed fibrillary appearance on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with immunogold, which revealed paired helical filament 1 (PHF1)-positive NFTs, representing possible recruitment of endogenous tau in the aggregates. Functionally, expression of tau-RD caused neurotoxicity that manifested as axon retraction, synaptic density reduction, and enlargement of lysosomes. The results of our hiPSC study were reinforced by the observation that Tau-RD-LM is excreted in exosomes, which mediated the transfer of human tau to wild-type mouse neurons in vivo. Our hiPSC human neuronal system provides a model for further studies of tau aggregation and pathology as well as a means to study transcellular propagation and related neurodegenerative mechanisms.
Case report: Left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy and RASopathies

The following is a case report of 6 patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) and/or a related RASsopathy that also have evidence of left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC). Noonan syndrome,a type of RASopathy, is an autosomal dominant disorder that is typically associated with congenital heart defects and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. There have been minimal reports of Noonan syndrome or other RASopathy and the association of LVNC. This report promulgates 6 nonrelated cases of Noonan syndrome or unspecified RASopathy and LVNC.
Essence, necessity, and definition

What is it for something to be essential to an item? For some time, it was standard to think that the concept of necessity alone can provide an answer: for something to be essential to an item is for it to be strictly implied by the existence of that item. We now tend to think that this view fails because its analysans is insufficient for its analysandum. In response, some argue that we can supplement the analysis in terms of necessity with a further condition. In this paper I argue that this view is untenable in its current form. I then provide a glimmer of hope to those who think that essence is at least partially analyzable in terms of necessity.
Noninvasive Internal Body Temperature Tracking With Near-Field Microwave Radiometry

This paper presents a study of near-field radiometry for internal temperature measurements of the human body. The radiometer has a Dicke architecture and operates in the 1.4-GHz quiet band for centimeter penetration into tissues with minimized radio frequency interference (RFI). The total blackbody power from a tissue stack is received by a probe placed on the skin, designed to receive a high percentage of the total power from a buried tissue layer. Temperature retrieval for subsurface tissue layers is performed using near-field weighting functions obtained from full-wave simulations. The calibrated radiometer is demonstrated to track the temperature of a phantom muscle tissue layer under phantom fat and skin layers within a fraction of a degree. It is shown that RFI can be reduced through the use of a second probe and adaptive processing. Measurements on the human cheek show good agreement with independent thermocouple measurements inside the mouth.
Enhanced Water Retention Maintains Energy Dissipation in Dehydrated Metal-Coordinate Polymer Networks: Another Role for Fe-Catechol Cross-Links?

The change from wet and soft to dry and hard is a viscoelastic to solid material transition widely displayed in nature, in particular in materials rich in metal-coordinate cross-linking. How metal-coordinate cross-link dynamics contribute to macromolecular material mechanics upon solidification by dehydration remains an open question. Using mussel-inspired Fe-catechol cross-linked polymer hydrogels, we address this question. In addition to a nearly 2-fold increase in stiffness, we find that the presence of Fe-catechol coordination bonds in a dehydrated polymer gel also provides the bulk network with a significantly increased energy dissipation with over three times higher loss factor. We present evidence to suggest that small amounts (∼4 wt %) of locally bound water maintain the dynamic nature of Fe-catechol coordinate cross-links in a dehydrated polymer network. The dehydration-induced polymer material mechanics presented here may provide deeper insights on the biological utilization of metal-coordinate ...
Conceptual design of closed Brayton cycle for coal-fired power generation

The objectives to be realized in developing a closed cycle gas turbine are (1) to exploit high temperature gas turbine technology while maintaining a working fluid which is free from combustion gas contamination, (2) to achieve compact turbo-equipment designs through pressurization of the working fluid, and (3) to obtain relatively simple cycle configurations. The technical/economic performance of a specific closed cycle gas turbine system was evaluated through the development of a conceptual plant and system design. This energy conversion system is designed for electric utility service and to utilize coal directly in an environmentally acceptable manner.
A new exodus? Explaining Jewish migration from Europe after the Cold War

Why are European Jews migrating to Israel in significant numbers? Israeli leaders and popular press reports suggest that incidents of antisemitism have reached such high levels across Europe, even ...
An analysis of factors associated with increased fluoroscopy time or the need for complex techniques at IVC filter retrieval.

To evaluate factors associated with increased fluoroscopy time or the need for complex techniques at IVC filter retrieval. This is a single-institution retrospective cohort study of 187 consecutive patients who underwent IVC filter retrieval. An analysis was performed on associations of patient factors with increased fluoroscopy time and/or the need for complex retrieval techniques. A complex retrieval was defined as one requiring more than standard sheath and snare technique. Access vein during filter placement was not associated with filter tilt at placement or removal (p = 0.61 and 0.48). Neither the direction of the hook nor its relationship to the tilt was associated with the need for complex retrieval or increased retrieval fluoroscopy time (p = 0.25, 0.23, p = 0.18, 0.23). Tilt angle at placement correlated with hook apposition at time of removal (p = 0.01). Hook apposition was associated with complex retrieval and increased fluoroscopy time (p < 0.01). Larger tilt angle at placement was not associated with complex retrieval (p = 0.22), but a larger angle at removal was (p < 0.01). Longer dwell time correlated with the need for complex retrieval (p = 0.02). Filter type, sex, and age were not associated with complex retrievals (p = 0.58, p = 0.90, p = 0.99). Contrary to previous hypotheses and studies, access vein for filter placement did not affect filter tilting, and direction of filter hook–tilt relationship did not affect retrieval fluoroscopy time or the need for complex retrieval techniques. Increased filter placement angle was associated with a larger angle at removal and hook–wall apposition, both of which were associated with complex retrievals. • Filter hook orientation did not correlate with retrieval complexity. • Filter insertion vein did not correlate with filter tilt. • Filter tilt and hook apposition to the caval wall at the time of retrieval correlated with retrieval procedure complexity.
A Programming Course Using Video Game Design with Platform Projects

Video game principles are used in virtual reality scenarios and military training applications. Video games are an alternate approach that colleges should consider for programming courses. This paper will offer a flexible course design and features several code examples and platform applications to assist in the course design.
Fungal colonization patterns of wood exposed out of soil contact in Western Oregon

Abstract Wood is among the most decay-resistant cellulosic materials; however, all organics eventually succumb to decay. Understanding the degradation process is important when considering how products perform, but this knowledge can also be useful when determining how climates affect the organisms involved and the rates at which degradation occurs. Above ground wood decay tends to occur more slowly than decay in direct soil contact and is more dependent on climatic differences and wood species chemistries. While above ground wood deterioration is a subject of interest, most research has concentrated on the effects of the organisms on the wood. There are surprisingly few comprehensive studies of the fungi involved in the process and most have been performed under aggressive tropical conditions. Fungal colonization of red alder and Douglas-fir samples exposed above ground was evaluated over a 24-month period. Red alder is highly susceptible to fungal attack while Douglas-fir is moderately resistant. As such, they presented two differing selective media for fungal colonization. Red alder was more heavily colonized than Douglas-fir, reflecting the differing susceptibility of the two wood species to degradation. A similar number of Ascomycete and Basidiomycete species were isolated (11 vs 8 species, respectively), but Basidiomycetes were more frequently isolated. These results were similar to those found under more tropical conditions. The results illustrate the wide range of species that colonize wood exposed above ground.
Longitudinal Analysis of "Window Shade" Tympanoplasty Outcomes for Anterior Marginal Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

Objectives Although many techniques have been proposed for the repair of tympanic membrane perforations, few address the unique challenges presented by anterior marginal perforations. In these circumstances, traditional underlay and overlay techniques are often complicated by issues including blunting of the anterior tympanomeatal angle, graft lateralization, delayed healing, and reduced graft take rates. The "window shade" tympanoplasty technique described in this paper incorporates several aspects of the underlay and overlay techniques to address these issues. Study design and setting A retrospective chart review was conducted at an academic medical center, of all patients who underwent window shade tympanoplasty from 1994 to 2016 by a single surgeon. Patients A total of 412 patients aged 6 to 76 years old were included in the study. Patients who had undergone concomitant ossicular chain reconstruction were excluded from the hearing outcome portion of the analysis. Main outcome measures Any patients observed to have residual postoperative perforations within the first 6 months after surgery were considered to have graft failure. Complications such as otorrhea, serous otitis media, epithelial pearls, and post-auricular infection were tabulated. Air-bone gap closure was also assessed. Results Postoperative outcomes of 412 patients were assessed including graft take rate, complication rates, and air-bone gap closure. The graft take success rate was 94.2%. Overall complication rate was 4.6%. 82.6% of patients achieved air-bone gap closure within 10 dB. Conclusions The results of this study further reinforce the success of the window shade technique in repairing anterior marginal tympanic membrane perforations.
Cyclic Function of the Mammalian Ovary

The maturation and release of eggs from the mammalian ovary occur at regular and predictable intervals that are species-specific. This cyclicity of the ovary has been the subject of intensive interdisciplinary investigation in the past several decades. At base, the ovarian cycle is a product of the interaction of a number of components of the neuroendocrine system. Tonic secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary is stimulated by the tonic release of luteinizing-hormone-releas-ing hormone (LH-RH) from the ventromedial arcuate region of the hypothalamus (Figure 1). In addition to this tonic component, there is a complex of trophic hormones (LH, FSH, and prolactin) released in large quantities from the pituitary on a regular, periodic basis in most mammals; this rhythmic component is dependent on the integrity of the preoptic-suprachiasmatic area of the hypothalamus. The tonic release of gonadotropins stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles and secretion of ovarian steroid hormones, notably estradiol. The cyclic release of gonadotropins results in ovulation and the secretion of more ovarian steroid hormones, notably progesterone. These ovarian steroids act both alone and in synergy in complex positive and negative feedback relationships to ensure the periodic release of gonadotropins.
Labor Market Conditions and Discrimination: Is There a Link?

This paper's goal is to determine whether the degree of labor market tightness affects the frequency of discrimination charges. State-level panel data on enforcement and litigation actions from the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, along with disaggregated labor market statistics, allow us to assess the effects of labor market conditions on discrimination based on race or ethnicity, and how these effects vary across states and over time. Our findings have implications for how macroeconomic policies might be used to promote equal opportunity in the labor market.
Proton irradiation and characterization of additively manufactured 304L stainless steels

Abstract Irradiations were performed with 1.5 MeV protons to 0.6 dpa at 40–150 °C on additively manufactured (AM) 304L stainless steel and the changes in microstructure and mechanical behavior after irradiation were compared to wrought 304L stainless steel. All microstructural and hardness results after irradiation suggest the samples evolve toward a similar state, despite significant differences in the unirradiated microstructures and hardness values. A TEM and nanoindentation-based investigation of before and after proton irradiation at 40–150 °C is presented. Results are interpreted in terms of initial dislocation content, dislocation structures, and microstructural and chemical homogeneity.
Sequential fluoroscopic rollover images reliably identify "in-out-in" posterosuperior screws during percutaneous fixation of femoral neck fractures.

Percutaneous screws placed into the posterosuperior femoral neck are frequently extraosseous or “in–out–in” (IOI). These IOI screws are not readily identifiable on anteroposterior (AP) and lateral fluoroscopic images. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of surgeons to identify IOI guide pins using sequential fluoroscopic rollover images. A 3.2-mm guide pin was placed into the posterosuperior quadrant of eleven synthetic femur models. Five samples were “all-in” (AI), and six were IOI. Sequential fluoroscopic rollover images were obtained starting with an AP image, then images at 10-degree rollover intervals ending with a direct lateral image. Images were reviewed in a blinded fashion by five attending orthopedic trauma surgeons and 20 resident surgeons to determine whether guide pins were AI or IOI. Accuracy, interobserver reliability, sensitivity, and specificity were assessed. The overall accuracy of responses was 86% with no difference between attending trauma surgeons and residents (p = 0.5). The sensitivity and specificity for an IOI guide pin were 98.0% and 71.2%, respectively. Interobserver reliability among surgeons was good (κ = 0.703). The use of the sequential fluoroscopic rollover images after placement of the posterosuperior guide pin into the femoral neck was highly sensitive for detecting an IOI position. The 40-degree rollover image was the best view to evaluate the proximity of the guide pin to the posterior cortex.
Use of actigraphy and sleep diaries to assess sleep and academic performance in pharmacy students

Abstract Introduction Sleep parameters have been shown to correlate with academic performance. Current studies assessing sleep in doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students rely on self-reported sleep parameters and academic performance. The objectives of this study were to describe and compare sleep parameters in pharmacy students using actigraphy and sleep diaries and to assess the correlation of sleep parameters with academic performance. Methods This prospective cohort study with convenience sampling assessed sleep parameters in pharmacy students. Thirty-five students completing the second year of a PharmD program participated in the study. Participants wore actigraph watches and maintained sleep diaries for seven consecutive days during the spring and fall semesters, while classes were in session, except for one week prior to exams and the week of exams. Academic performance was tracked during fall and spring semesters. Results Actigraphy and sleep diaries showed significant differences in sleep latency (SL), actual sleep time (AST), wake bouts, and sleep efficiency (SE). Actigraphy results indicated that the participants fell asleep faster (SL), slept a shorter duration (AST), had more wake bouts, and lower SE than results reported in the sleep diaries. SE and SL from the sleep diaries positively correlated with the fall semester pharmaceutical sciences course and overall spring semester academic performance. Actigraphy recorded AST correlated with performance in both semesters' clinical sciences courses. Conclusions The results of actigraphy differed from the sleep diaries. More studies are needed to assess differences in detection of sleep parameters using sleep diaries and actigraphs.
Childhood Cancer-Related Posttraumatic Stress and Resilience Have Distinct Effects on Volume of the Amygdala and Hippocampus

Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are extremely common among childhood cancer survivors (CCS). However, there are individual differences, which may relate to variability in resilience. Previous studies show differential effects of early adversity on the amygdala and hippocampus—brain regions that mediate the stress response and are implicated in the development and/or maintenance of PTSS. Although many children are diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses each year, neurobiological correlates of psychological outcomes following medically related adversity remain unclear. This study tests the impact of childhood cancer, cancer-related PTSS, and resilience on amygdala and hippocampal volumes. Amygdala and hippocampal volumes were measured in 24 CCS (11 females, ages 5–17) and 24 age-, sex-, and IQ-matched controls. Cancer-related PTSS and trait resilience were assessed. We also assessed exposure to non-cancer adversities (e.g., bullying) and the parent’s cancer-related PTSS. Non-cancer adversities, resilience, and volume of the amygdala and hippocampus were similar between groups. Within CCS, higher cancer-related PTSS was associated with larger right amygdala volumes. More resilient CCS showed larger volumes of the left hippocampus relative to less resilient CCS. Higher parental PTSS was associated with higher PTSS in their child, and CCS reporting more non-cancer adversities showed higher PTSS. However, non-cancer adversities and parent PTSS were not related to regional volumes among CCS. We found distinct effects of resilience and PTSS on amygdala and hippocampal volumes in CCS. Altered development of stress response neural circuitry may be an important neurobiological substrate for understanding psychological outcomes in CCS.