cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of hysterectomy on sexual arousal in women with a history of benign uterine fibroids.

Research indicates hysterectomy surgery may adversely affect the pelvic autonomic nerves and autonomic mechanisms are integral to the sexual arousal response in women. This study explored the possibility that women who undergo hysterectomy may experience an impaired vasocongestive response to erotic stimulation. Thirty-two women with a history of benign uterine fibroids who had (n = 15) or had not (n = 17) undergone hysterectomy participated in two experimental sessions in which self-report and physiological (vaginal pulse amplitude; VPA) sexual responses were recorded during an erotic film presentation. In one of the sessions, the women exercised on a treadmill for 20 min prior to viewing the erotic films as a means inducing autonomic arousal. Exercise significantly increased VPA but not subjective sexual responses in both groups of women. VPA responses were marginally higher among the fibroid than hysterectomy group in the no-exercise condition. The hypothesis that physiological sexual arousal may be impaired with hysterectomy surgery was only partially supported.
SOLUTION-FOCUSED FAMILY THERAPY WITH ETHNIC MINORITY CLIENTS

This article describes a solution-focused approach to working with ethnic minority families. Solution-focused therapy is a brief, time-limited approach with an emphasis on strengths and resources rather than pathology and deficits (Berg, 1994; de Shazer, 1988; O'Hanlon & Weiner-Davis, 1989). Assumptions of the model will be delineated and illustrated with case examples from African-American and Mexican-American families who have been referred for child behavior problems.
Effects of Epistasis and Pleiotropy on Fitness Landscapes

The factors that influence genetic architecture shape the structure of the fitness landscape, and therefore play a large role in the evolutionary dynamics. Here the NK model is used to investigate how epistasis and pleiotropy—key components of genetic architecture—affect the structure of the fitness landscape, and how they affect the ability of evolving populations to adapt despite the difficulty of crossing valleys present in rugged landscapes. Populations are seen to make use of epistatic interactions and pleiotropy to attain higher fitness, and are not inhibited by the fact that valleys have to be crossed to reach peaks of higher fitness.
The existence of a quantum phase transition in a Hubbard model on a quasi-one-dimentional two-leg ladder

A canonical transformation of a new type is offered as the mean for studying properties of a system of strongly correlated electrons. As an example of the utility of the transformation, it is used to demonstrate the existence of a quantum phase transition in a Hubbard-like model on a quasi-one- dimensional two-leg ladder.
Taking Our Oath Seriously: Compassion for Patients.

Compassion for vulnerable patients is essential to the art of medicine, which has not advanced with the science of medicine.
An intraoperative technique to reduce superficial surgical site infections in circular stapler-constructed laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been established as one of the most effective treatments for morbid obesity. Surgical site infections are the most common complication after LRYGB surgery. Objective To compare the superficial surgical site infections (sSSI) rate before and after the implementation of our intraoperative technique. Setting Academic medical center. Methods Our intraoperative technique relies on sterile coverage of the circular stapler, sterile specimen-bag retrieval of the gastrojejunostomy enteric remnant, and port site Penrose drainage. We analyzed our sSSI outcomes before and after implementation of our technique in all LRYGBs performed by a single surgeon from 2009 to 2015. We took into account patient age; sex; baseline body mass index (BMI); smoking status; and co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. χ2 and multivariate analysis were performed. Results We performed 486 LRYGBs in 2009–2015. The cohort before implementation of our technique (group 1) included 164 patients (33.7%) and the cohort after implementation (group 2) included 322 patients (66.3%). Both groups were similar in age, sex, smoking status, and rates of diabetes and hyperlipidemia but differed in BMI, operative time, and prevalence of hypertension. Hypertension was not a confounder for sSSI (P = .35). The sSSI rate was 9.15% for group 1 and 3.42% for group 2 (P = .0079). Controlling for BMI and operative time, multivariate analysis revealed a significant reduction in sSSI (odds ratio 2.98 [95% CI 1.33–6.69]) with our technique. Conclusions We describe a reproducible intraoperative technique that significantly reduces sSSI in LRYGB procedures. Our technique has the potential of hastening postoperative recovery.
Adsorption of Staphylococcal Bacteriophage by Milk Proteins

Propagation of homologous bacteriophage in a culture of Staphylococcus aureus (1:1 ratio of phage to bacteria) in Trypticase Soy Broth (TSB) and in skim milk indicated more activity of phage in TSB. Early lysis of bacteria in skim milk followed by a pronounced rise in bacterial population suggested that staphylococcal phages were being inactivated by milk. Titration of phages from skim milk, whey, and TSB indicated about 90% adsorption of phages by acid- and heat-precipitable proteins of skim milk, whereas numbers recovered from whey were quite comparable to those recovered from TSB. Reducing the pH from 6.5 to 4.0 increased the percentage of phages recoverable from skim milk from 10 to 56%. Apparently, the changes in electrical charges on the casein micelles at this low pH were responsible for release of many phages from their complex with casein.
Chronic Pain Management in Cancer Survivors

The problem of pain in cancer survivors is attracting increased attention. Although comprehensive information about the prevalence of persistent pain in the cancer survivor population is currently lacking, it is known to depend on the type of cancer, comorbid conditions, and the initial pain management. Epidemiologic studies generally categorize pain in patients with cancer as either pain directly caused by the neoplastic process or related phenomena, pain occurring as a complication of anticancer treatment, or pain unrelated to the neoplastic process, caused by debility or concurrent disorders. This article focuses on pain syndromes in cancer survivors and the safe use of opioid therapy in this population when its ongoing use is part of the pain management plan. The use of physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, which are all extremely important aspects of pain management in the cancer survivor, are briefly mentioned.
Zig-zag twins and helical phase transformations.

We demonstrate the large bending deformation induced by an array of permanent magnets (applied field ∼0.02 T) designed to minimize poles in the bent state of the crystal. Planar cantilevers of NiMnGa (5M modulated martensite) ferromagnetic shape memory alloy deform into an arched shape according to theory, with a zig-zag microstructure that complies with the kinematic and magnetic compatibility between adjacent twin variants. A general theory of bent and twisted states is given, applicable to both twinning and austenite/martensite transformations. Some of these configurations achieve order-of-magnitude amplification of rotation and axial strain. We investigate also atomistic analogues of these bent and twisted configurations with perfect interfaces between phases. These mechanisms of large deformation, induced by small magnetic fields or temperature changes, have potential application to the development of new actuation technologies for micro-robotic systems.
Reduced levels of genital tract immune biomarkers in postmenopausal women: implications for HIV acquisition

Background Rates of HIV infections are increasing in older adults. Although it is known that the HIV/AIDS epidemics affects women disproportionately, little is known regarding immune functions in the genital tract of postmenopausal women, as relevant to HIV susceptibility. Objective The objective of the study was to compare levels of female reproductive tract immune mediators that are important for HIV-associated immune responses as well as intrinsic anti-HIV activity in the cervical vaginal lavages collected from HIV-negative pre- and postmenopausal women. Study Design Cervical vaginal lavage from 20 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal women were assayed for interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin, human β-defensin-2, and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-HIV activity of cervical-vaginal lavage was measured using TZM-bl indicator cells against HIV-1 IIIB and BaL. Whereas each postmenopausal woman provided only 1 sample, each premenopausal woman provided 3 samples, during proliferative, ovulatory, and secretory stages, based on menstrual dates. Results We observed significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, MIP-3α, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin, and human β-defensin-2 in cervical vaginal lavage from postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection was observed for both pre- and postmenopausal women, but cervical vaginal lavage from postmenopausal women showed significantly higher inhibition against HIV-1 BaL after adjusting for total protein concentration, genital pH, and reproductive tract infections. No change in mediators or HIV inhibition was observed through the stages of menstrual cycle. In addition, we observed that postmenopausal women with reproductive tract infections had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and significantly lower levels of interleukin-8, which were not observed in premenopausal women. Conclusion Our findings suggest that female reproductive tract immune microenvironment is distinct in HIV-negative postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of HIV acquisition/transmission in this population.
Does the Amount of Screw Fixation Utilized for the Condylar Component of the TMJ Concepts Total Temporomandibular Joint Reconstruction Predispose to Hardware Loss or Postoperative Complications

Purpose To determine whether the number of screws used to fixate a TMJ Concepts total joint prosthesis correlates with loss of hardware fixation or postoperative complications. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction with the TMJ Concepts custom prosthesis at the Mayo Clinic from 2005 to 2015 was undertaken. The primary predictor variable was the percentage of screw fixation used in the condylar component. The primary outcome variable was loss of hardware fixation. Secondary outcome variables included postoperative wound infection, removal of hardware, and return to the operating room. Covariates abstracted included patient demographics, comorbidity indices, preoperative occlusion, contralateral TMJ reconstruction, performing surgeon, duration of procedure and anesthesia, intraoperative fluid administration, concomitant surgical procedures, perioperative antibiotics, prior TMJ surgeries, prior Proplast Teflon implantation, prior head and neck radiation, use of heterotopic ossification radiation protocol, and use of the 2 most superior screw holes in the condylar component. Results The study sample was composed of 45 patients representing 64 TMJ Concepts reconstructions. Mean age was 49.1 years (standard deviation, 13.4 yr; range, 19 to 85 yr). The female distribution was 86%. There were 15 simultaneous bilateral reconstructions, 26 unilateral reconstructions, and 4 staged bilateral reconstructions. Eighteen reconstructions (28%) were placed using 100% of the available screw holes in the condylar component. Forty-six reconstructions (72%) were placed using fewer than 100% of the available screw holes in the condylar component (range of screw fixation, 56 to 89%). The minimum number of screws used to fixate the condylar component was 5, which was observed in 9 reconstructions (14%). There was no postoperative loss of hardware fixation in any reconstruction under study. Six reconstructions showed a postoperative complication defined by the secondary outcomes. Univariable or multivariable modeling was precluded for the primary and secondary outcomes owing to the low frequency of observed complications. Conclusion Fixating the condylar component of the TMJ Concepts total joint prosthesis using fewer than 100% of the available screw holes does not predispose the reconstruction to hardware loss, particularly if greater than 50% screw fixation can be achieved or a minimum of 5 screws are used.
Social Difference Codes and Social Connections: 1999 Presidential Address to the Pacific Sociological Association, April 16, 1999, Portland, Oregon:

Social difference codes are widely shared cultural beliefs that define the socially significant distinctions on the basis of which a society is structured and inequality is organized (e.g., race, gender, occupation). They provide cultural schemas for enacting social relations on the basis of a given difference by indicating the attributes by which people may be categorized according to the distinction and the traits and behaviors that can be expected as a result. To encourage systematic theories about the reciprocal relations between the patterns of social bonds among people and the social difference codes that prevail in society, this paper suggests basic observations. Evidence indicates that the formation of ties through interaction fosters the development and use of shared difference codes. The formation of ties concomitantly creates difference, difference itself is social connection, and the formation of a difference connection is reciprocally related to the development of resource inequalities. Mutua...
Potential Metabolic Activation of a Representative C2-Alkylated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon 6-Ethylchrysene Associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Human Hepatoma (HepG2) Cells

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is the major human health hazard associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. C2-Chrysenes are representative PAHs present in crude oil and could contaminate the food chain. We describe the metabolism of a C2-chrysene regioisomer, 6-ethylchrysene (6-EC), in human HepG2 cells. The structures of the metabolites were identified by HPLC-UV-fluorescence detection and LC-MS/MS. 6-EC-tetraol isomers were identified as signature metabolites of the diol-epoxide pathway. O-Monomethyl-O-monosulfonated-6-EC-catechol, its monohydroxy products, and N-acetyl-l-cysteine(NAC)-6-EC-ortho-quinone were discovered as signature metabolites of the ortho-quinone pathway. Potential dual metabolic activation of 6-EC involving the formation of bis-electrophiles, i.e., a mono-diol-epoxide and a mono-ortho-quinone within the same structure, bis-diol-epoxides, and bis-ortho-quinones was observed as well. The identification of 6-EC-tetraol, O-monomethyl-O-monosulfonated-6-EC-catec...
Decoupled three-phase power flow calculation for distribution network with DGs

A method of decoupled three-phase power flow calculation is proposed for distribution network with DGs. The three-phase load models,sequence parameter models of distribution network and the gridconnection models of different DG types are built based on the sequence component method. Based on the structure of distribution network,the three-sequence decoupling-compensation models of unsymmetrical line and the path-loop analysis method,an effective method of improved power flow calculation in sequence network is proposed for the unbalanced three-phase distribution network. The grid-connection interfaces for different DG types are classified into PQ,PQ(V),PV and PI node types,the corresponding DG models suitable for the power flow algorithms of unbalanced three-phase distribution network are built,and their iterative calculation models are derived. Case analysis verifies the effectiveness,versatility and convergence of the proposed algorithm,showing its better performance in DG node handling and DG reactive power boundary treatment.
Climate-Specific Passive Building Standards

Passive design principles (super insulation, airtight envelopes, elimination of thermal bridges, etc.) - pioneered in North America in the 70s and 80s and refined in Europe in the 90s have proven to be universally effective to significantly reduce heating and cooling loads. However, a single, rigid performance metric developed in Germany has led to limited uptake of passive building principles in many regions of the United States. It has also, in many cases, promoted some design decisions that had negative effects on economic feasibility and thermal comfort. This study's main objective is to validate (in a theoretical sense) verifiable, climate-specific passive standards and space conditioning criteria that retain ambitious, environmentally-necessary energy reduction targets and are economically feasible, such standards provide designers an ambitious but achievable performance target on the path to zero.
Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Amino-Terminal Pro-Brain-Type Natriuretic Peptide Discharge Thresholds for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Systematic Review.

Background Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) requiring hospitalization is associated with high postdischarge mortality and readmission rates. Purpose To examine the association between achieving predischarge natriuretic peptide (NP) thresholds and mortality and readmission rates in adults hospitalized for ADHF. Data sources Multiple databases from 1947 to October 2016 (English-language studies only). Study selection Trials and observational studies that compared mortality and readmission outcomes between patients with ADHF achieving a specific predischarge NP goal and those not achieving the goal. Data extraction Two investigators independently extracted study characteristics and assessed study risk of bias. One author graded the overall strength of evidence, with review by a second author. Data synthesis One randomized trial, 3 quasi-experimental studies, and 40 observational studies were identified. The most commonly used thresholds were a brain-type NP (BNP) level of 250 pg/mL or less or an amino-terminal pro-brain-type NP (NT-proBNP) decrease of at least 30%. Achievement of absolute BNP thresholds reduced postdischarge all-cause mortality (7 of 8 studies) and the composite outcome of mortality and readmission (12 of 14 studies). Achievement of percentage-change BNP thresholds reduced the composite outcome (5 of 6 studies), and achievement of percentage-change NT-proBNP thresholds reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (2 of 4 studies) and the composite outcome (9 of 9 studies). All findings were low-strength. The randomized trial, assessed as having high risk of bias, suggested that a predischarge decrease in NT-proBNP level was associated with lower risk for the composite outcome. Two quasi-experimental studies and 5 observational studies had low risk of bias. Low-risk-of-bias studies had outcome estimates similar in magnitude and direction to estimates from high-risk-of-bias studies. Limitation Most studies failed to adjust for critical confounders and had inadequate definition or assessment of exposures and outcomes. Conclusion Low-strength evidence suggests an association between achieving NP predischarge thresholds and reduced ADHF mortality and readmission. Primary funding source None.
Wound Disruption after Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery is a Predictor of Subsequent Development of Wound Infection.

Background Despite advances in endovascular surgery, lower extremity arterial bypass (LEB) remains the gold standard treatment for severe, symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease. With recent changes in health care, there has been an increasing emphasis on reducing the hospital length of stay (LOS). The purpose of this study was to identify the postoperative complications, which occur after discharge from hospital and to find risk factors for developing such complications. Methods The 2013 lower extremity revascularization–targeted American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database and generalized 2013 general and vascular surgery ACS-NSQIP Participant Use File were used for this study. Patient, diagnosis, and procedure characteristics of patients undergoing LEB were assessed. Postoperative complications were identified and their relationship to the median discharge date. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the risk factors associated with developing these complications. A prediction model was then created to accurately predict the risk of developing such complications. Results A total of 2,646 patients (65% male and 35% female) were identified in the NSQIP database that underwent LEB during the year 2013. Median LOS was 6 days. Most common significant complications after hospital discharge were wound infection/complication (13.7%, mean days from operation [MDAO] = 15 days), wound disruption/dehiscence (1.6%, MDAO = 15 days), and organ space surgical site infections (0.6%, MDAO = 16 days). Multivariable analysis showed the following factors associated with wound infection: wound disruption/dehiscence (odds ratio [OR]: 16, confidence interval [CI]: 7.09–36.07, P P P P = 0.010), body mass index ≥40 vs. P P 300 min vs. 0–170 min (OR: 1.98, CI: 1.32–2.96, P = 0.008), prior ipsilateral percutaneous intervention involving currently treated segment vs. prior ipsilateral bypass involving currently treated segment (OR: 1.98, CI: 1.30–3.01, P = 0.004), history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 1.73, CI: 1.21–2.48, P = 0.003) and total LOS ≥28 vs. P = 0.014). The risk prediction model for developing wound infection was developed. Conclusions Wound infection is the most common complication after LEB. Most of these complications occur after discharge from hospital. Patients with risk factors for developing wound infections should be followed and closely monitored after discharge from the hospital.
Comparison of the Binding of [3H] Tryptamine in Rat Brain with that of Two Ligands for Monoamine Oxidase, [3H]MPTP and [3H]Pargyline

[3H]Tryptamine labels high affinity (2–3 nM) binding sites in rat brain and other tissues with a unique pharmacological profile (Cascio and Kellar, 1983). Other than tryptamine itself, compounds exhibiting high affinity for this site include β-carbolines (including harmaline and related drugs) and phenethylamines (Cascio and Kellar, 1982, 1983; Bruning and Rommelspacher, 1984; Wood et al, 1984) and kynuramines and related compounds (Charlton et al., 1985). 5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) has only modest affinity for these sites. In vitro autoradiography studies revealed that [3H]tryptamine binding sites are widely distributed throughout the brain, with highest levels in forebrain and limbic areas, including cortex, caudate putamen, hippocampus, olfactory tubercle, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and interpeduncular nucleus (Perry, 1986; Altar et al., 1986; Kaulen et al., 1986; McCormack et al., 1986). Autoradiography also revealed very dense binding of [3H]tryptamine in the choroid plexus.
Effects of Medicare Coverage for the Chronically Ill on Health Insurance, Utilization, and Mortality

I study the effect of the 1973 expansion of Medicare coverage to individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on insurance coverage, health care utilization, and mortality. Between the ESRD expansion and a simultaneous expansion of Medicare coverage to long-term Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients, insurance coverage increased by 4.4 to 8.3 percentage points and the bulk of the increase in insurance coverage was due to an increase in Medicare coverage. The expansion was also associated with an increase in physician visits and a seven log point reduction in mortality from kidney disease, which I replicate in cross-country comparisons. Lastly, I provide evidence for two mechanisms that affected mortality: 1) an increase in access to and use of treatment, which is plausibly driven by changes in insurance coverage; and 2) an increase, by 1975, in entry of dialysis clinics in areas with a greater burden of kidney disease in 1971. Based on changes in the ages at which people died form kidney disease and all other causes, the ESRD program cost between $29000 and $245000 per life year saved, which includes a range of welfare improving values.
A Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Development in Two Astyanax Cavefish Populations

Organisms that are isolated into extreme environments often evolve extreme phenotypes. However, global patterns of dynamic gene expression changes that accompany dramatic environmental changes remain largely unknown. The blind Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, has evolved a number of severe cave-associated phenotypes including loss of vision and pigmentation, craniofacial bone fusions, increased fat storage, reduced sleep, and amplified nonvisual sensory systems. Interestingly, surface-dwelling forms have repeatedly entered different caves throughout Mexico, providing a natural set of "replicate" instances of cave isolation. These surrogate "ancestral" surface-dwelling forms persist in nearby rivers, enabling direct comparisons to the "derived" cave-dwelling form. We evaluated changes associated with subterranean isolation by measuring differential gene expression in two geographically distinct cave-dwelling populations (Pachon and Tinaja). To understand the impact of these expression changes on development, we performed RNA-sequencing across four critical stages during which troglomorphic traits first appear in cavefish embryos. Gene ontology (GO) studies revealed similar functional profiles evolved in both independent cave lineages. However, enrichment studies indicated that similar GO profiles were occasionally mediated by different genes. Certain "master" regulators, such as Otx2 and Mitf, appear to be important loci for cave adaptation, as remarkably similar patterns of expression were identified in both independent cave lineages. This work reveals that adaptation to an extreme environment, in two distinct cavefish lineages, evolves through a combination of unique and shared gene expression patterns. Shared expression profiles reflect common environmental pressures, while unique expression likely reflects the fact that similar adaptive traits evolve through diverse genetic mechanisms.
Quality and Efficiency of the Clinical Decision-Making Process: Information Overload and Emphasis Framing

The healthcare industry has invested heavily in electronic health records and other clinical information systems in order to improve caregivers’ access to information and ability to share information with other care providers. It has been shown that these systems can readily induce in their users a state of information overload, where the volume and complexity of information overwhelms the user, leading to lower decision speed and quality. This research introduces and tests a cognitive technique called “emphasis framing” as an operational tactic to help mitigate the effects of information overload, thereby improving the quality and timeliness of clinical decision-making. Emphasis framing is the highlighting or stressing of some aspect or component of the information being exchanged in order to make it more easily processed, or more likely to be processed, by the recipient. We conducted a controlled laboratory experiment with emergency department physicians experiencing information overload to measure the effect of emphasis framing on two operational performance metrics: (1) the quality of the physician's clinical evaluation, and (2) the efficiency (timeliness) of the physician's clinical decision-making. Our findings show that the emphasis frame helped mitigate the effects of information overload and increased the quality of clinical decision-making. Contrary to expectations, however, we found decision-making took longer with the emphasis frame, reinforcing the need to consider the impacts of quality/speed trade-offs. Implications for theory and practice are discussed. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
UNAIDS: Finding its Place in Congested Waters

In this chapter, we discuss how the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) came to define its role and place in a changing donor landscape, including new leadership at the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programmme, and the launch of several new initiatives in the global AIDS arena, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United States government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Advancements in prevention and treatment have influenced the global response, and UNAIDS has continued to adjust its goals accordingly. In a sea of global AIDS actors, UNAIDS has asserted strong strategic leadership in the areas of advocacy and monitoring and evaluation with the ambitious goal of ending AIDS as a public health problem by 2030.
TOF-SIMS analysis for surface contaminant on dielectric anti-reflective coating

Time-of-flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry is a well-known surface analysis technique for surface trace level contaminants due to the strength of ultra-high surface sensitivity. However, the mass spectral interpretation for useful information from thousands of elemental and molecular ions is complicated. In this paper, a simpler but effective way for the case study analysis of surface contaminant on DARC by TOF-SIMS is shown.
Target and uniformity controls of WLP in SSL/LED manufacturing

Advanced process controls (APC) have been ubiquitously applied to the manufacturing processes of semiconductor devices for over two decades by now. Reports on its successful applications to the makings of light-emitting diodes (LED) in the solid-state lighting (SSL) industry however are comparatively less well documented in the literature [1-4]. The concluding remark in [1], ‘…APC is not yet reality … on the right track ….’ precisely summarizes the current state and difficulties of actual practices in reality.
The Impact of Transactional and Relational Corporate Political Strategies on Charitable Donations

This paper examines the impact of transactional and relational corporate political strategies on corporate social responsibility. Using a nationwide longitudinal survey dataset of Chinese entrepren...
Structural basis for the regulation of β-glucuronidase expression by human gut Enterobacteriaceae

The gut microbiota harbor diverse β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes that liberate glucuronic acid (GlcA) sugars from small-molecule conjugates and complex carbohydrates. However, only the Enterobacteriaceae family of human gut-associated Proteobacteria maintain a GUS operon under the transcriptional control of a glucuronide repressor, GusR. Despite its potential importance in Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Shigella, and Yersinia opportunistic pathogens, the structure of GusR has not been examined. Here, we explore the molecular basis for GusR-mediated regulation of GUS expression in response to small-molecule glucuronides. Presented are 2.1-A-resolution crystal structures of GusRs from Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in complexes with a glucuronide ligand. The GusR-specific DNA operator site in the regulatory region of the E. coli GUS operon is identified, and structure-guided GusR mutants pinpoint the residues essential for DNA binding and glucuronide recognition. Interestingly, the endobiotic estradiol-17-glucuronide and the xenobiotic indomethacin-acyl-glucuronide are found to exhibit markedly differential binding to these GusR orthologs. Using structure-guided mutations, we are able to transfer E. coli GusR’s preferential DNA and glucuronide binding affinity to S. enterica GusR. Structures of putative GusR orthologs from GUS-encoding Firmicutes species also reveal functionally unique features of the Enterobacteriaceae GusRs. Finally, dominant-negative GusR variants are validated in cell-based studies. These data provide a molecular framework toward understanding the control of glucuronide utilization by opportunistic pathogens in the human gut.
. . . And health care for all: immigrants in the shadow of the promise of universal health care.

President Obama’s ambitious universal health care plan aims to provide affordable and accessible health care for all. The plan to cover the estimated 46.5 million uninsured, however, ignores the over thirty million non-citizens living in the United States. If the United States passes universal health care coverage, Congress should repeal the prohibitions of the Welfare Reform Act, extend Medicaid coverage to non-citizens, and allow non-citizens to purchase employer-based insurance coverage. President Obama’s plan follows the lead of state universal health care legislation by retaining private, employer-sponsored insurance coverage and expanding the eligibility requirements of the Medicaid program. This strategy will not aid uninsured immigrants or overburdened states and hospitals, though, because current law excludes most non-citizens from nonemergency health care services.
Urinary Tract Malignancies of Infancy and Young Childhood

The function of the urinary tract is to filter the blood of impurities, produce and eliminate urine from the body, and maintain electrolyte homeostasis. The urinary tract consists of two kidneys that lie retroperitoneally in the abdomen, each drained by a ureter that empties into the bladder that collects and stores urine before expelling urine through the urethra. Disorders of the development of the urinary tract, such as anatomic renal anomalies or posterior urethral valves or faulty implantation of the ureters to the bladder, are relatively much more common than malignancies of the urinary tract; however, cancers of the urinary system do sometimes present in infancy and may arise from any urinary tract structure. In this review, we will describe various malignancies that involve the urinary tract of infants, consider them in the greater context of childhood malignancies, discuss various genetic syndromes that predispose to such cancers, and outline some of the challenges of treating infants and very young children with anticancer therapy.
Covalent Radical Pairs as Spin Qubits: Influence of Rapid Electron Motion between Two Equivalent Sites on Spin Coherence

Ultrafast photodriven electron transfer reactions starting from an excited singlet state in an organic donor–acceptor molecule generate a radical pair (RP) in which the two spins are initially entangled and, in principle, can serve as coupled spin qubits in quantum information science (QIS) applications, provided that spin coherence lifetimes in these RPs are long. Here we investigate the effects of electron transfer between two equivalent sites comprising the reduced acceptor of the RP. A covalent electron donor–acceptor molecule (D–C–A24+) including a p-methoxyaniline donor (D), a 4-aminonaphthalene-1,8-imide chromophoric primary acceptor (C), and a m-xylene bridged cyclophane having two equivalent phenyl-extended viologens (A24+) as a secondary acceptor was synthesized along with the analogous molecule having one phenyl-extended viologen acceptor and a second, more difficult to reduce 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl-extended viologen in a very similar cyclophane structure (D–C–A4+). Photoexcitation of C within eac...
Social constructions of racial images in introductory criminal justice and criminology textbooks: a content analysis

Visual images in introductory textbooks play an important role in constructing the concept of race for students entering the field of criminal justice/criminology. Prior studies on race depictions ...
FastTopK: A Fast Top-K Trajectory Similarity Query Processing Algorithm for GPUs

With the increasing prevalence of location sensor devices like GPS, it has been possible to collect large datasets of a special type of spatio-temporal data called trajectory data. A trajectory is a discrete sequence of positions that a moving object occupies in space as time passes. Such large datasets enable researchers to study the behavior of the objects describing these movements by issuing spatial queries. Among the queries that can be issued are top-K trajectory similarity queries, which retrieve the K most similar trajectories to a given query trajectory. This query has applications in many areas, such as urban planning, ecology and social networking; however, this query is computationally expensive. In this work, we introduce a new parallel top-K trajectory similarity query technique for GPUs, FastTopK, to deal with these challenges. Our experiments on two large real-life datasets showed that FastTopK produces on average 107.96X smaller candidate result sets, and 3.36X faster query execution times than the existing state-of-the-art technique, TKSimGPU.
Population Pharmacokinetic Assessment of Vancomycin Dosing in the Large Pediatric Patient.

The most appropriate vancomycin dosing strategy in pediatric patients weighing ≥70 kg (weight based versus non-weight based) to achieve an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of ≥400 mg·liter/h and a trough concentration of <20 mg/liter is not known. Population pharmacokinetic analysis determined that dosing of vancomycin should be weight based using fat-free mass, with appropriate adjustment for kidney dysfunction.
Draft Genome Sequence of Clinical Isolate Alcaligenaceae sp. Strain 429.

ABSTRACT Here, we present the 3.53-Mb genome for Alcaligenaceae sp. strain 429, isolated from a patient with unknown etiology. While the 16S rRNA gene most closely resembles Paenalcaligenes species, average amino acid identity (AAI) analysis did not meet the threshold to classify our strain as a species of this family.
Conservation implications of sex‐specific landscape suitability for a large generalist carnivore

AIM: Terrestrial mammal distribution models typically do not differentiate between sexes when making spatial predictions, which could have important conservation implications. As male carnivores are usually more risk tolerant and travel longer distances, male potential range should be larger and include more human‐modified areas than female range. To evaluate if differences between females and males could influence their conservation planning, we quantified sex‐specific suitable range for a recolonizing population of American black bears (Ursus americanus). LOCATION: We applied this method in Missouri, USA. METHODS: We collected telemetry data from 57 females and 43 male bears from 2010 to 2018. We used three machine‐learning methods (generalized boosted regression, random forest and maximum entropy) to develop sex‐specific distribution models, which were combined into a weighted average ensemble model and converted into a binary (presence/absence) model using an optimized threshold. We used 80% of individuals for each sex as training data, and 20% as evaluation data. RESULTS: All models had high predictive performance; the greatest uncertainty in model predictions corresponded with the periphery of the distributions, whereas there was high agreement in the core distribution. Male suitable range was 66% larger than female range, and males were predicted to occur in more human‐modified areas and more likely to be present in developed land and agriculture. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Distribution models based on data from both sexes, or that is male‐biased, could overestimate the female (i.e., reproductive) range and potentially misrepresent the biologically relevant species distribution. This bias can potentially lead to misguided decisions and suboptimal use of resources. By improving models when sex‐specific data are available, we can better focus resources in areas where there is reproductive potential, leading to more accurate assessments of species' conservation status and better identifying areas vital for species persistence.
Effects of Food Restriction and Pre-Training Length on Delay Discounting in Male Wistar Rats

Impulsivity is often measured using delay discounting, a task in which individuals must select between smaller, sooner and larger, later reinforcers. The magnitude effect is the tendency for individuals to discount larger delayed reinforcers less steeply than smaller ones. In terms of food restriction, the magnitude effect predicts that restricted subjects should behave less impulsively, because restriction may increase food reinforcer value and therefore increase subjects’ propensity to select larger, later reinforcers. However, previous research examining the effects of reinforcer restriction has not demonstrated this. In the present research, 12 male Wistar rats were exposed to a delay discounting procedure under both free-feeding and food restriction conditions. Subjects selected more larger, later reinforcers when restricted to ~85% of their free-feeding weights, which is consistent with the magnitude effect. In addition, we systematically examined the effects of shortening the second training phase of a common delay discounting procedure (i.e., Evenden & Ryan, 1996, 1999), during which responses produced the immediate delivery of either one or five reinforcers. The number of sessions in the second training phase did not affect discounting once delays were imposed, indicating that future researchers may shorten this training phase without affecting impulsive responding.
Estradiol and Women’s Health: Considering the Role of Estradiol as a Marker in Behavioral Medicine

The sex hormone estradiol, as measured through saliva, represents a non-invasive and cost-effective approach to understanding the influence of hormonal factors on physical and psychological well-being among women. Estradiol levels dramatically change at hormonal transitions, such as puberty, menopause, and postpartum. It is at these transitions where women are at increased risk for psychological and somatic distress. Salivary estradiol also has implications for decision-making and has been broadly associated with engagement in health-compromising behaviors which can influence women's ability to cope with and manage chronic health conditions. This review summarizes the evidence for salivary estradiol as a marker of physical and psychological health, and discusses practical information regarding saliva collection and assay. The overall intent is to expand and clarify knowledge of the relation between changes in salivary estradiol and women's health as well as to provide a means of integrating salivary estradiol into future behavioral medicine research.
The messiness of co-produced research with gatekeepers of resettled refugee communities

Co-production of knowledge is identified by researchers and policy-makers as central to the advancement of scientific endeavors to address societal challenges, and as a process of empowerment which...
Ventral Decompression for Chiari Malformations

Ventral brain stem compression (VBSC), though rare, can be associated with Chiari malformation, type I (CMI). When present, VBSC can add to the morbidity of CMI, with increased incidence of cranial neuropathies, brain stem dysfunction, long tract signs, and myelopathy. VBSC is readily diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging techniques, and several measurements have been proposed to inform treatment. Treatment options range from conservative management in the asymptomatic patient to complex surgical interventions for symptomatic patients that harbor occipitocervical instability. Surgical techniques include posterior fossa decompression, occipitocervical fusion, and ventral decompression using microscopic transoral or endoscopic transnasal approaches.
Catalytic asymmetric addition of an amine N–H bond across internal alkenes

Hydroamination of alkenes, the addition of the N-H bond of an amine across an alkene, is a fundamental, yet challenging, organic transformation that creates an alkylamine from two abundant chemical feedstocks, alkenes and amines, with full atom economy1-3. The reaction is particularly important because amines, especially chiral amines, are prevalent substructures in a wide range of natural products and drugs. Although extensive efforts have been dedicated to developing catalysts for hydroamination, the vast majority of alkenes that undergo intermolecular hydroamination have been limited to conjugated, strained, or terminal alkenes2-4; only a few examples occur by the direct addition of the N-H bond of amines across unactivated internal alkenes5-7, including photocatalytic hydroamination8,9, and no asymmetric intermolecular additions to such alkenes are known. In fact, current examples of direct, enantioselective intermolecular hydroamination of any type of unactivated alkene lacking a directing group occur with only moderate enantioselectivity10-13. Here we report a cationic iridium system that catalyses intermolecular hydroamination of a range of unactivated, internal alkenes, including those in both acyclic and cyclic alkenes, to afford chiral amines with high enantioselectivity. The catalyst contains a phosphine ligand bearing trimethylsilyl-substituted aryl groups and a triflimide counteranion, and the reaction design includes 2-amino-6-methylpyridine as the amine to enhance the rates of multiple steps within the catalytic cycle while serving as an ammonia surrogate. These design principles point the way to the addition of N-H bonds of other reagents, as well as O-H and C-H bonds, across unactivated internal alkenes to streamline the synthesis of functional molecules from basic feedstocks.
Associations Between Prenatal Food Insecurity and Prematurity, Pediatric Health Care Utilization, and Postnatal Social Needs

Abstract Objective Childhood food insecurity endangers child development and health outcomes. Food insecurity will grow increasingly common in the economic wake of the coronavirus pandemic and prenatal care represents an early, clinical opportunity to identify families at risk. However, longitudinal relationships between clinically-identified prenatal food insecurity and prematurity, pediatric health care utilization, and postnatal social needs have not been described. Methods We examined longitudinal data from mother-child dyads who received prenatal and pediatric care and social needs screening at a large academically-affiliated safety net medical center between October 2018 and July 2019. Associations among household food insecurity and premature birth, pediatric inpatient and outpatient utilization, missed immunizations, and postnatal social needs were estimated using adjusted regression. Results Among the 268 mothers, those who experienced prenatal household food insecurity had 3 times higher odds of having a child born prematurely (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–8.9, P = .05) and had children with higher inpatient hospitalizations (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.6, P = .04) and missed immunizations (IRR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.3, P = .03) in the first 6 months of the child's life. These mothers also had higher odds of having any social needs in the pediatric setting (odds ratio 3.4; 95% CI 1.5–8.0, P = .004). Conclusions Prenatal household food insecurity was linked to future adverse perinatal and pediatric outcomes in low-income mother-child dyads. Food insecurity identifies children at social and medical risk, providing an early clinical opportunity to intervene.