cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microstructural Modeling of Ferroelectric Materials: State of the Art, Challenges and Opportunities

In the last ten years of ongoing research in the modeling of polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramics a myriad of analytical and numerical implementations have emerged to predict and support the engineering of ferroelectrics in both its single-crystal and polycrystalline forms. Traditional atomistic approaches capture the intrinsic behaviors, and have led to great improvements in the chemistries of these systems. Similarly, macroscopic engineering approaches have focused on the development of phenomenological descriptions that capture the empirical static and time-independent behavior. At the interface of these two apparently divorced approaches, thermodynamic-based microstructural evolution descriptions inspired in phase field models have risen as the necessary link between the atomic and macroscopic levels. This new and emerging methodology starts from the predicted behaviors given by their atomic counter-parts, and resolves the effects of grain boundaries, and de-convolves the grain-grain mesoscopic interactions. Much of the future of ferroelectrics lies in the delivery of improved chemistries and microstructures, and on bridging the understanding currently existing atomistic and continuum descriptions. Overall, it is expected that current and emerging technological challenges will be the driving force to minimize ferroelectric fatigue and realize lead-free materials with performances close to currently existing (lead containing) ones. Moreover, it is expected that while an accurate understanding of the intrinsic properties of materials are key to define improved ferroelectric solids, it will be the detailed understanding of the extrinsic response of ferroelectric materials, in both bulk and thin film form, that will take these materials to reach the highest performances possible.
MRI and Intellectual Decline in Epilepsy

Two categories of cognitive impairment are described in epilepsy, static cognitive impairment and progressive cognitive decline. Static impairments are common in children and adults with epilepsy, especially in the acquired epilepsies. Cognitive decline is less well understood and controversial. Recurrent seizures might cause progressive decline in intellectual and cognitive abilities. A small number of investigators have serially evaluated cognition in epilepsy patients with a matched control population, and have suggested that some children with refractory epilepsy do experience progressive mental decline (Bourgeois et al., 1983; Rodin et al, 1986). Other factors influencing cognitive function include the age at onset of epilepsy, seizure type, seizure frequency, number of medications, drug levels, and socioeconomic status. The age at which seizures first appear may be particularly critical as shown in some animal models and human studies (seizures arising beyond a certain age may be far less harmful than if they had surfaced earlier) (Dikmen et al., 1977; Bourgeois et al, 1983). Holmes and colleagues (1990) demonstrated deleterious effects of seizures on memory, learning, behaviour, and activity levels in genetically epilepsy-prone rats.
Leader Development for Undergraduates: Do We Have a Direction?

This symposium strives to explore the challenges associated with leader development at the undergraduate level. Leader development in higher education suffers from the absence of an accepted pedago...
Design of asymmetrical total internal reflection optics with microstructures for lighting museum exhibits

A high-quality museum lighting system should demonstrate optimal color rendering and high light source efficiency. In addition, an adequate lighting management system is required for energy saving and visual comfort. However, symmetrical total internal reflection (TIR) lenses typically applied in lighting fixtures are inadequate for providing a comfortable lighting experience for museum visitors. This paper presents a new optical lens that forms a novel asymmetrical triangular light distribution for improving the vertical illuminance uniformity of museum exhibits. Moreover, the proposed lens can reduce the reflective glare caused by the glass covering exhibits. Monte Carlo ray tracing simulation techniques were used to develop various lens structures and numerous microstructures, which enabled changing the light distribution from a traditional symmetrical to an asymmetrical triangle. Finally, an asymmetrical TIR lens with a microstructure surface was constructed and applied to exhibit lighting. According to the ray tracing results obtained using Tracepro simulation software and DIALux lighting design software, the asymmetrical lens formed an asymmetrical triangular light distribution with an LED light source and enhanced the illuminance uniformity by 29 %, improving the light quality of museum exhibits. The preliminary simulation results revealed that the proposed lens structure effectively improved the LED lighting quality in the museum.
On the antigens of red blood corpuscles.

Experiments reported in a previous paper1 led to the view that specificity as manifested by precipitin reactions on serum proteins and agglutinin or lysin reactions on red cells is based on structures of two different sorts. While the differences are apparent in the case of heterogenetic lysins and isoagglutinins, the findings in agglutinins and lysins in general seem to indicate the existence in the antigens of substances other than proteins (but probably bound to them).As a matter of fact, the antigenic properties of blood cells have been ascribed to “lipoid” substances by several authors since the work of Bang and Forssman.2 It was difficult to accept this notion in view of the fact that extracts of erythrocytes made with organic solvents and supposed to contain the antigen have a feeble action as compared with the original material, and that the residues after such extractions are still active (Thiele and Embleton)We have studied the antigenic properties of the akoholic extracts of horse blood cells, ...
President-Cabinet Relations: A Pattern and a Case Study

A common generalization about the distribution of power in the American political system states that it is fragmented and decentralized. In accordance with this view, the making of public policy decisions can be explained largely in terms of the continuous interaction, competitive or cooperative, among many diverse semi-autonomous centers of power, some governmental, others non-governmental. Each power-holding unit—individual or group, private or public—is a discrete, describable entity existing within a plural political universe. It must be perceived and understood not in isolation but as one unit in a larger system of interrelated parts. Within such a network, multiple role-playing, group cross-pressures, and institutional rivalry must be considered normal. This paper is an attempt to apply the generally pluralistic viewpoint so expressed to a much neglected political institution, the President's Cabinet, and to the power relationships involving an individual Cabinet member.
PTSD and pregaming in college students: a risky practice for an at-risk group

ABSTRACTBackground: College students with trauma exposure and PTSD are at risk for problem drinking. This may include more specific hazardous drinking practices such as pregaming (drinking prior to a social event), which is linked to increased alcohol-related consequences. Objectives: The present study examined the association between pregaming and alcohol consequences and the role of trauma exposure and PTSD in predicting pregaming and alcohol-related consequences in a sample of college students using Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling (MSEM). We also assessed specific risk associated with PTSD relative to trauma exposure alone in relation to our outcomes. Methods: Participants were categorized into groups based on trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms via diagnostic interview: (1) No Trauma, those who had not experienced a Criterion A trauma; (2) Trauma Only, those who experienced a Criterion A trauma but did not currently have PTSD; and (3) PTSD, those with current full or partial PTSD related to a Cr...
Types of Geologie Disasters for Long Distance Transmission Pipelines as well as Prevention-control Measures and Prediction Techniques

This paper summarizes in detail the types of geologie disasters and the mechanism causing the disasters for domestic long distance transmission pipelines. It discusses the effect of geologie disaster on pipeline safety associated with practical examples, and points out respectively the different pro-tection measures according to disaster forming characteristics, evolvement and affected factors. At last, in order to prevent the loss caused by potential geologie disaster, the paper brings forward the method to predict the geologie disaster in combination with the characteristic of cooperative multi -subjects of pipeline safety management.
Research on Fund-chain Appraisal for Developing Enterprises

With the increasing development of young enterprises,fund-chain plays an important role in the accelerating investment activities.The business of an enterprise cannot be done without funds,whereas the effectiveness of an enterprise's operation lies in the fund-chain.However,due to the penetra-tion of money capital,fund-chain is thus of great significance in the growth of an enterprise.Once the fund-chain is broken,an enterprise will face bankruptcy.Therefore,a correct appraisal of fund-chain to-gether with a preventive countermeasure means quite differently to an enterprise.
Can a Patient's In-Hospital Length of Stay and Mortality Be Explained by Early-Risk Assessments?

Objective To assess whether a patient’s in-hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality can be explained by early objective and/or physicians’ subjective-risk assessments. Data Sources/Study Setting Analysis of a detailed dataset of 1,021 patients admitted to a large U.S. hospital between January and September 2014. Study Design We empirically test the explanatory power of objective and subjective early-risk assessments using various linear and logistic regression models. Principal Findings The objective measures of early warning can only weakly explain LOS and mortality. When controlled for various vital signs and demographics, objective signs lose their explanatory power. LOS and death are more associated with physicians’ early subjective risk assessments than the objective measures. Conclusions Explaining LOS and mortality require variables beyond patients’ initial medical risk measures. LOS and in-hospital mortality are more associated with the way in which the human element of healthcare service (e.g., physicians) perceives and reacts to the risks.
Metformin Targets Central Carbon Metabolism and Reveals Mitochondrial Requirements in Human Cancers.

Repurposing metformin for cancer therapy is attractive due to its safety profile, epidemiological evidence, and encouraging data from human clinical trials. Although it is known to systemically affect glucose metabolism in liver, muscle, gut, and other tissues, the molecular determinants that predict a patient response in cancer remain unknown. Here, we carry out an integrative metabolomics analysis of metformin action in ovarian cancer. Metformin accumulated in patient biopsies, and pathways involving nucleotide metabolism, redox, and energy status, all related to mitochondrial metabolism, were affected in treated tumors. Strikingly, a metabolic signature obtained from a patient with an exceptional clinical outcome mirrored that of a responsive animal tumor. Mechanistically, we demonstrate with stable isotope tracing that these metabolic signatures are due to an inability to adapt nutrient utilization in the mitochondria. This analysis provides new insights into mitochondrial metabolism and may lead to more precise indications of metformin in cancer.
Protocol for the purification of protected carbohydrates: toward coupling automated synthesis to alternate-pump recycling high-performance liquid chromatography

Given recent advances in automated oligosaccharide synthesis, analytical techniques that can be coupled to a synthetic framework are needed to not just identify but also purify to homogeneity protected carbohydrate compounds at levels of ≥99.5% purity. Herein, an alternate-pump recycling high-performance liquid chromatography (R-HPLC) method has been developed to allow purification of protected carbohydrates at levels of ≥99.5% purity.
Highly reconfigurable and error tolerant threshold logic gates based on nanoscale DG-MOSFETs

Fine grain reconfigurable logic architectures are essential for the design of compact and flexible digital blocks that can be re-programmed for different applications or adaptive systems [1]. Typically they are based on conventional Boolean logic implemented with CMOS floating-gate technology or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) which require dedicated ‘programming’ steps and complex gate stacks to select ‘active’ devices. As a more flexible and powerful alternative, however, we focus in this work on threshold logic gates (TLG) implemented using double-gate (DG) MOSFETs. The proposed TLG's can be programmed dynamically via secondary (back) gate [1,2] using the same bias conditions as the primary (front) gate. Moreover, they can realize universal threshold logic functions, which comprise Boolean operations as a subset. Therefore, we provide a unique and exciting reconfigurable gate design that can become alternatives to more established CMOS technologies, especially in the final phase of silicon scaling, when SOI-based multi-gate MOSFET device architecture is expected to make a big impact [3–5].
Inflammation and cancer prevention: Is there a link?

KN01 Long-term use of NSAIDs leads to a 40-50% reduction in risk for colorectal cancer. How do these “anti-inflammatory” drugs act to reduce cancer risk? NSAIDs effectively target inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by the cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2). Prostaglandins, such as PGE2, regulate the expression of several downstream effector genes, some of which regulate pro-inflammatory pathways. These bioactive lipids signal via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which in turn can transactivate growth factor receptors and regulate cell proliferation, migration, and cell survival. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to directly activate components of the canonical Wnt signaling system. Additionally, PGE2 can transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in colorectal carcinoma cells via a c-Src dependent mechanism that regulates cell proliferation and migration. We found that the pathway which regulates degradation of prostaglandins, namely 15-PGDH is also regulated by EGFR signaling. We investigated the mechanisms by which PGDH is down-regulated in cancer and showed that epidermal growth factor (EGF) represses PGDH expression in colorectal cancer cells. EGFR signaling induces Snail, which represses PGDH transcription. Induction of PGE2 catabolism through inhibition of EGFR signaling blocks cancer growth in vivo. In human colon cancers, elevated Snail expression correlates well with down-regulation of PGDH. These data indicate that PGDH may serve as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer and provide a possible COX-2-independent way to target PGE2 to inhibit cancer progression.
Post-storm sediment burial and herbivory of Vallisneria americana in the Hudson River estuary: mechanisms of loss and implications for restoration.

This article investigates the mechanics of loss of Hudson River Vallisneria americana after the high volume storms at the end of the 2011 growing season, when two severe weather events—Tropical Storm Irene and the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee—struck the Hudson River watershed. In 2012, the distribution of the most common species of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), Vallisneria americana (wild celery, water celery, or tape grass), in the Hudson River estuary declined by more than 90%, with no appreciable recovery in 2013 and 2014. Because of its important habitat value for aquatic life and for increasing dissolved oxygen, managers and scientists have begun discussing the reasons for the loss, as well as how to assist its recovery through assisted restoration efforts in the estuary. Supported by in situ and in vitro experiments, the article posits the hypothesis that sediment, washed into the river by the storm, buried overwintering tubers of the plant, thus reducing sprouting success. Sprouting was as low as 50% with sediment depth between 2 and 5 cm; sprouting did not occur with sediment depth greater than 10 cm. Field experiments found no support for the hypothesis that herbivory inhibited regrowth of the plant after the storm events. These results suggest that future assisted restoration of Vallisneria americana and SAV in general may require attention to system-specific factors.
Immune Reconstruction Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS) with Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) in Patients (pts) with Hematological Cancer (Hem-Ca): Clinical and Research Implications.

Abstract Background: Assessing IA outcome with conventional criteria is difficult particularly when clinical and radiological worsening coincides with neutrophil recovery. This worsening is assumed to be related to immune reconstitution (IRIS). Because it is not possible to distinguish between pts whose worsening is transient from those who have progressive IA, clinical and radiological deterioration usually prompts invasive diagnostic procedures and therapeutic modifications including investigational agents, surgery, others. Galactomannan (GM) is an Aspergillus-specific polysaccharide released during aspergillosis and detected by the serum GM test. This FDA-approved test is an accepted diagnostic marker for aspergillosis and preliminary data suggest a correlation between GM index (GMI) and outcome. Purpose: using GMI, to distinguish response from progressive IA among patients with IRIS. Patients and Methods: patients at risk for IA (11/03–2/06) underwent GMI screening during periods at risk. The clinical and laboratory findings of pts with ≥ 2 (+) GMI (optical density ≥ 0.5) were reviewed. Results: 30 pts had GMI (+) aspergillosis of the respiratory tract [myeloma 92%; median age: 59 years (27–75); 15 males]. Invasive aspergillosis developed following stem cell transplantation [autologous (11), allogeneic (1)], or conventional chemotherapy (18). 12 of 25 (48%) neutropenic pts ( Conclusion: These data establish the presence of IRIS among Hem-Ca pts with IA who suffer clinical and radiologic deterioration coinciding with neutrophil recovery. IRIS is common and occurs among both responders and non-responders. Declining GMI values implies IRIS with response and obviates the need for invasive procedures and / or therapy modification while persistent GMI elevation is indicative of IRIS with progressive infection. Serial GMI testing should be performed to guide management and evaluate pts prior to therapy with investigational antifungal agents.
Gonadotrophic and local control of the developing corpus luteum in rhesus monkeys

The actions of the mid-cycle gonadotrophin surge to convert the pre-ovulatory follicle into the corpus luteum are not well understood in primate species. In experiments titrating the surge duration required in macaque monkeys during artificial in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-related cycles, short ( or = 48 h sustained luteal development and function to produce luteal phases of approximately 13 days. Three approaches-immunocytochemistry of steroid receptors, binding of radiolabelled steroid, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of mRNA-indicate that progesterone receptor (PR), but not oestrogen receptor, is expressed in the macaque corpus luteum. Studies on cells collected before and after the gonadotrophin surge identified a novel action of LH to induce PR expression in luteinizing granulosa cells. Thus, the LH surge requirements vary between non-primate and primate species, as well as between peri-ovulatory events, and the LH surge may promote cellular recognition of paracrine and autocrine factors (e.g. progesterone) that become predominant in the developing corpus luteum.
Association of descending thoracic aortic plaque with brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities: The Framingham Heart Study.

Abstract Background and aims Aortic atherosclerosis is an aggregate marker of vascular risk factor exposure and has been associated with intracranial atherosclerosis and stroke. We hypothesized that atherosclerosis of the descending aorta (DAo) could be a risk marker for brain aging and injury. Methods We evaluated 1527 participants (mean age 59.9 years, 53.5% women) in the Framingham Offspring cohort who underwent both aortic and brain MRI. Participants were free of clinical stroke, dementia, or other neurological illness at the time of axial MRI of the thoracic and abdominal DAo and subsequent brain MRI. We related the prevalence and burden of aortic plaque to total cerebral brain volume (TCBV) and white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV). An additional analysis compared incidence of stroke or TIA in participants with and without DAo plaques. Results Presence of thoracic DAo plaque (8%) was associated with decreased TCBV in sex-pooled analysis (−0.77, SE 0.25, p = 0.002, equivalent to 4.5 years of aging) and with increased WMHV only in men (0.26, SE 0.12, p = 0.032, equivalent to 6.5 years aging). We observed similar associations of DAo plaque burden with TCBV and WMHV. There were 43 strokes and 11 TIAs in prospective follow-up (median 7 years). Presence of DAo plaque was not associated with subsequent stroke or TIA. Conclusions In this cross-sectional community-based study, we found DAo plaque is associated with accelerated brain aging. These data underscore the potential implications of incidentally identified subclinical aortic atherosclerosis and question whether targeted intervention in these high risk individuals can modulate cognitive decline.
Mapping the composition of chondritic meteorite Northwest Africa 3118 with micro-Raman spectroscopy

Meteorites provide precious clues about the formation of planets in the solar system. Here, an analytical method to study chondritic meteorites using low- and high-resolution micro-Raman spectrosco...
The utility of trough mycophenolic acid levels for the management of lupus nephritis

Background Monitoring of mycophenolic acid (MPA) levels may be useful for effective mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) dosing. However, whether commonly obtained trough levels are an acceptable method of surveillance remains debatable. We hypothesized that trough levels of MPA would be a poor predictor of area under the curve (AUC) for MPA. Methods A total of 51 patients with lupus nephritis who were on MMF 1500 mg twice a day and had a 4-h AUC done were included in this study. MPA levels were measured prior to (C0) and at 1 (C1), 2 (C2) and 4 (C4) h, followed by 1500 mg of MMF. The MPA AUC values were calculated using the linear trapezoidal rule. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the MPA trough and AUC. Differences in the MPA trough and AUC between different clinical and demographic categories were compared using t-tests. Results When grouped by tertiles there was significant overlap in MPA, AUC 0-4 and MPA trough in all tertiles. Although there was a statistically significant correlation between MPA trough levels and AUC, this association was weak and accounted for only 30% of the variability in MPA trough levels. This relationship might be even more unreliable in men than women. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with increased MPA trough levels and AUC at 0-4 h (AUC0-4). Conclusion Trough levels of MPA do not show a strong correlation with AUC. In clinical situations where MPA levels are essential to guide therapy, an AUC0-4 would be a better indicator of the adequacy of treatment.
p-CuO nanowire/n-ZnO nanosheet heterojunction-based near-UV sensor fabricated by electroplating and thermal oxidation process

Abstract Nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs) are widely used in the field of sensors. Different from the traditional single MOS based sensors, heterojunction-based sensors using two different MOS materials can take advantage of the charge separation effect at the heterojunction interface for an enhanced sensing mechanism. In this work, an in-situ synthesis method of p-CuO nanowire/n-ZnO nanosheet heterojunctions and its application for near-ultraviolet light detection was demonstrated. A rectifying behavior arising from the heterojunctions was observed in the I-V characterization. Under different illumination conditions, the photocurrent obeys a power law with a detection limit around 16.8 mW/mm2, validating the potential for near-UV sensing applications.
On The Modelling of Inelastic Interfaces in Fibrous Composites

The classical fiber pull-out problem has been formulated in one-dimension with a view to focus on the nonlinear interfacial response. The fiber and the cocentric matrix are assumed to behave elastically. The local interfacial bond-slip characteristic has been idealized to be elastic-linear softening. This greatly simplifies the otherwise implicit governing differential equation of the debonding process. Solutions to the fiber axial force and interfacial shear stress along the embedded length of the fiber have been obtained by applying appropriate boundary and continuity conditions. The stability of the debonding process has been investigated by varying the fundamental characteristics of the fiber-matrix interface, the fiber embedment length and the fiber diameter. The analytical model has been successfully used to predict many of the characteristics experimentally observed in fibrous composites that fail by fiber pull-out.
Utilization of chemical stability diagrams for improved understanding of electrochemical systems: evolution of solution chemistry towards equilibrium

Predicting the stability of chemical compounds as a function of solution chemistry is crucial towards understanding the electrochemical characteristics of materials in real-world applications. There are several commonly considered factors that affect the stability of a chemical compound, such as metal ion concentration, mixtures of ion concentrations, pH, buffering agents, complexation agents, and temperature. Chemical stability diagrams graphically describe the relative stabilities of chemical compounds, ions, and complexes of a single element as a function of bulk solution chemistry (pH and metal ion concentration) and also describe how solution chemistry changes upon the thermodynamically driven dissolution of a species into solution as the system progresses towards equilibrium. Herein, we set forth a framework for constructing chemical stability diagrams, as well as their application to Mg-based and Mg–Zn-based protective coatings and lightweight Mg–Li alloys. These systems are analyzed to demonstrate the effects of solution chemistry, alloy composition, and environmental conditions on the stability of chemical compounds pertinent to chemical protection. New expressions and procedures are developed for predicting the final thermodynamic equilibrium between dissolved metal ions, protons, hydroxyl ions and their oxides/hydroxides for metal-based aqueous systems, including those involving more than one element. The effect of initial solution chemistry, buffering agents, complexation agents, and binary alloy composition on the final equilibrium state of a dissolving system are described by mathematical expressions developed here. This work establishes a foundation for developing and using chemical stability diagrams for experimental design, data interpretation, and material development in corroding systems. Chemical stability diagrams can predict the final equilibrium conditions of corroding systems based on factors such as pH. A team led by John Scully at the University of Virginia in the U.S.A constructed diagrams to represent the chemical stability of metallic corrosion compounds as a function of pH and metal ion concentration. In magnesium-based alloy systems, the diagrams showed the metal with the harshest equilibrium requirement dictated the final pH. pH buffering ammonia and carbonate species also altered solution chemistry by requiring more metal ions to cause the same change in pH, while metal carbonate compounds seemed more stable at high pH, indicating preferential formation under atmospheric exposure. Utilising chemical stability diagrams in conjunction with other traditional phase diagrams may therefore improve understanding of corroding electrochemical systems.
The joy of text: word games in CS I

Word games, in which language plays a predominant role, can be as entertaining to program as to play. This paper explores the use of word games as a context in which to teach introductory programming in CS I, and describes the results of a pilot study to assess student attitudes towards word games.
High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on high-risk HPV negative patients: Why we still need the Pap test

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). Though screening Pap test (PT) has reduced cancer mortality by detecting precursor lesions, there is now a move toward replacing screening PT with hrHPV testing. The aims of this study were to determine hrHPV negative rate in high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) PT in high-risk patients and correlate with histopathology; and to review the hrHPV negative HSIL PT. METHOD LIS was searched (January 2015-June 2016) for HSIL PT results. Patient chart was reviewed for age, hrHPV co-testing result including genotyping (Aptima® ), and histopathology follow-up (f/u) which was compared between hrHPV-positive and hrHPV-negative groups. hrHPV-negative HSIL PT slides were re-evaluated for concordance with original interpretation. Student t test was used for data analysis. RESULTS There were 230 patients with HSIL PT who had hrHPV co-testing and 199/230 had histopathological f/u. Majority (210/230, 91.3%) were hrHPV positive, and 20 (8.7%) were hrHPV negative. HrHPV negative HSIL was significantly more common in older women (mean age 49.3 years) compared with hrHPV-positive HSIL (mean age 40.7 years) (P = .0015). The most frequently detected genotype was HPV16 (40%). F/u was CIN2/3 in 145/181 (80%) hrHPV-positive HSIL (includes nine squamous cell carcinoma) and 6/16 (37.5%) hrHPV-negative HSIL. CONCLUSION Although the risk of CIN2/3 and carcinoma was higher in hrHPV-positive patients, possibility of hrHPV-negative dysplastic lesions should be considered in older women as 6 of 16 (37.5%) of these women had CIN2/3 and/or carcinoma which would have been missed without the PT.
6.06 – Excitotoxicity☆

First proposed > 45 years ago, excitotoxicity has been implicated as a primary and secondary cause of cell death in both acute and chronic neuronal degeneration. Excitotoxicity is a pathophysiological mechanism in which excess excitation of the neuron via the transmitter glutamate leads to cell death through many distinct cell death cascades, all of which originate at ionotropic glutamate receptors. Although N-methyl-d-aspartate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors are crucial components of normal neuronal signaling, in excitotoxicity their actions are corrupted, and all excitotoxic paradigms share the mechanism of at least some overstimulation of these receptors. Initiating events may be diverse, triggered by both endogenous toxins produced through metabolic disease or anoxia, and exogenous agents. Excitotoxic insults or disorders result in activation of downstream pathways targeted toward neuronal necrosis or apoptosis. Pathways utilized include production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide production, and protease activation leading to neuronal dysfunction or death. Blockade of excitotoxicity both at the receptor level and at specific downstream sites remains a viable strategy for amelioration of many distinct neurological disorders.
Hypervalent iodine-based dynamic and self-healing network polymers

Linear polymers with multiple carboxylate pendant groups (copolymers of styrene and acrylic acid) participate in ligand-exchange reactions with (diacetoxyiodo)benzene and the reaction yields network polymers with (diacyloxy)iodoarene-type crosslinks. The unreacted carboxylate groups that are present in the polymers can participate in further ligand-exchange reactions with the hypervalent iodine(III) centers at the crosslinks, which makes the materials dynamic and self-healing. The application of strong shear force leads to gel disintegration but when the external force is removed, the gels are regenerated again, as proved by rheology studies. When exposed to UV light or heat (microwave irradiation), the gels are “set” (i.e., become permanent) due to the homolytic cleavage of the weak hypervalent I–O bonds present at the crosslinks, followed by irreversible radical coupling of adjacent polymer-bound C- and/or O-centered radicals.
Smartphones for rapid kits

Abstract This chapter is focused on application of smartphones to testing based on rapid kits. Currently, there are many tests that are designed for rapid screening either at point of care or at home. They are also very useful in resource limited setting, when full diagnostic capabilities are not within the reach, and quick screening is necessary to detect problems that might later require travel to remotely located hospitals and testing laboratories. In addition to that, for home use they provide such important benefits, as relatively low cost, confidentiality, and availability on-demand. The main reason to use smartphones in combination with rapid kits is to increase accuracy of the test. Although, in simple cases, such as pregnancy testing, the answer can be just “yes” or “no,” many other tests require much more detailed quantification that cannot be precisely addressed with simple visual assessment. Under those circumstances, smartphones can provide sensitive digital cameras and real-time image processing that can greatly increase accuracy. Many of the discussed technologies are only available as lab prototypes demonstrating the proof of concept, while others are already FDA approved and can be purchased and used.
A Survey of the Vocational Placement of Visually Handicapped Persons and Their Degree of Vision

□ To get an indication of the occupational areas in which visually handicapped clients are being placed, the range of visual acuity among those being placed, and the kinds of questions employers we...
Effects of Arytenoid Adduction Suture Position on Voice Production and Quality.

Objectives/hypothesis Arytenoid adduction (AA) is performed to treat unilateral vocal fold paralysis with a large posterior glottal gap. However, the voice effects of AA suture position remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate voice production and quality as a function of AA suture position on the thyroid ala in a neuromuscularly intact in vivo larynx. Study design Animal model. Methods Unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve and vagal paralysis were modeled in two canines. AA suture position was varied across five equidistant positions on the anterior inferior thyroid ala, from a paramedian position anteriorly to the oblique line posteriorly. Phonation was performed over 8 × 8 graded level combinations of recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve stimulation per suture position. The primary outcome was percent successful phonatory conditions. Secondary outcomes included fundamental frequency (F0), phonation onset pressure (PTP), cepstral peak prominence (CPP), and laryngeal posture. Results Anterior suture positions resulted in a greater percentage of successful phonatory conditions compared to posterior sutures. Suture position 2, located at the anterior inferior thyroid ala, resulted in the highest percentage of successful phonatory conditions, lowest PTP, and lower muscle activation levels to achieve higher CPP. Posterior sutures resulted in wider glottal gap and more effective F0 and vocal fold strain increase with cricothyroid muscle contraction, but with fewer successful phonatory conditions and higher PTP. Trends were consistent across both paralysis types. Conclusions AA suture placed in the anterior inferior thyroid ala resulted in the best acoustic, aerodynamic, and voice quality outcomes. This study provides scientific evidence for maintaining current clinical practice. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 131:846-852, 2021.
Relevance of Autophagy in Cancer Stem Cell and Therapeutic

Autophagy in cancer acts as a double-edged sword whose functional discrepancies precisely depend on cancerization, progression, and type. During stress, they promote cancer cell survival, induce carcinogenesis due to their accumulated genetic mutations or abnormal cell signaling, initiating fast replication capacity, promoting more aggressiveness, and resistant to programmed cell death. Consequently, the study has drawn focus on autophagy in cancer. However, convincing preclinical and clinical evidence on the cytoprotective in addition to the lethal roles of autophagy for cancer stem cells (CSCs) are missing. There are quite a lot of clinical trials ongoing to manipulate autophagy and in this manner decide the result of disease therapy. The clinical relevance of this work encompasses autophagy modifiers, such as rapamycin and chloroquine that control autophagy in anticancer therapy, since autophagy plays roles in both tumor suppression and promotion. Further detailed examination of autophagy in cancer is required to understand how an increased function of autophagy in the tumor microenvironment, stemness, migration and invasion, dormancy, and drug resistance could be tweaked for enhanced therapeutic benefit by eradicating minimal residual disease and preventing metastasis. Here, we recapitulate how autophagy modulates the therapeutic potential to exterminate CSCs.
Climate Variability and Child Nutrition: Findings from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract Climatic variability affects many underlying determinants of child malnutrition, including food availability, access, and utilization. Evidence of the effects of changing temperatures and precipitation on children’s nutritional status nonetheless remains limited. Research addressing this knowledge gap is merited given the short- and long-run consequences of malnutrition. We address this issue by estimating the effects of temperature and precipitation anomalies on the weight and wasting status of children ages 0–59 months across 18 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Linear regression models show that high temperatures and low precipitation are associated with reductions in child weight, and that high temperatures also lead to increased risk of wasting. We find little evidence of substantively meaningful differences in these effects across sub-populations of interest. Our results underscore the vulnerability of young children to climatic variability and its second-order economic and epidemiological effects. The study also highlights the corresponding need to design and assess interventions to effectively mitigate these impacts.
HAND1 and BARX1 Act as Transcriptional and Anatomic Determinants of Malignancy in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor.

Purpose: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) arises from interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) or their precursors, which are present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Although gastric GIST is commonly indolent and small intestine GIST more aggressive, a molecular understanding of disease behavior would inform therapy decisions in GIST. Although a core transcription factor (TF) network is conserved across GIST, accessory TFs HAND1 and BARX1 are expressed in a disease state-specific pattern. Here, we characterize two divergent transcriptional programs maintained by HAND1 and BARX1, and evaluate their association with clinical outcomes. Experimental Design: We evaluated RNA sequencing and TF chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing in GIST samples and cultured cells for transcriptional programs associated with HAND1 and BARX1. Multiplexed tissue-based cyclic immunofluorescence and IHC evaluated tissue- and cell-level expression of TFs and their association with clinical factors. Results: We show that HAND1 is expressed in aggressive GIST, modulating KIT and core TF expression and supporting proliferative cellular programs. In contrast, BARX1 is expressed in indolent and micro-GISTs. HAND1 and BARX1 expression were superior predictors of relapse-free survival, as compared with standard risk stratification, and they predict progression-free survival on imatinib. Reflecting the developmental origins of accessory TF programs, HAND1 was expressed solely in small intestine ICCs, whereas BARX1 expression was restricted to gastric ICCs. Conclusions: Our results define anatomic and transcriptional determinants of GIST and molecular origins of clinical phenotypes. Assessment of HAND1 and BARX1 expression in GIST may provide prognostic information and improve clinical decisions on the administration of adjuvant therapy.
Equity-Linked Annuity Pricing with Cliquet-Style Guarantees in Regime-Switching and Stochastic Volatility Models with Jumps

In this paper, we develop a novel and efficient transform-based method to price equity-linked annuities (ELAs), including equity-indexed annuities (EIAs) and cliquet-style payoff structures popular in the insurance market under a general class of stochastic volatility models with jumps. We utilize frame duality and density projection combined with a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) weak approximation scheme and spectral filtering. Contracts considered include EIAs with return guarantees of a cliquet style. Models considered include exponential Levy processes, regime-switching Levy processes, and stochastic volatility models with a general jump size distribution including Heston, Scott’s, Hull–White, Schobel–Zhu, and the 3/2 models. We also consider some recently proposed stochastic volatility models in the literature such as the -Hypergeometric model, and the 4/2 model. Our framework encompasses and extends the current literature on EIAs with highly efficient and accurate valuation methods. Numerical experiments confirm our findings.
A conceptual model to guide research on the activities and effects of innovation champions.

Background:The importance of having a champion to promote implementation efforts has been discussed in the literature for more than five decades. However, the empirical literature on champions rema...
Endoscopic Repair of the Proximal Hamstring

Background:Proximal hamstring injuries are increasingly common. While open repair with suture anchors placed in the ischial tuberosity has long been the gold standard technique for surgical managem...
Multi-omic approaches to acute kidney injury and repair

Abstract The kidney has a remarkable regenerative capacity. In response to ischemic or toxic injury, proximal tubule cells can proliferate to rebuild damaged tubules and restore kidney function. However, severe acute kidney injury (AKI) or recurrent AKI events can lead to maladaptive repair and disease progression from AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD). The application of single-cell technologies has identified injured proximal tubule cell states weeks after AKI, distinguished by a proinflammatory senescent molecular signature. Epigenetic studies have highlighted dynamic changes in the chromatin landscape of the kidney following AKI and have described key transcription factors linked to the AKI response. The integration of multi-omic technologies opens new possibilities to improve our understanding of AKI and the driving forces behind the AKI-to-CKD transition, with the ultimate goal of designing tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve AKI outcomes and prevent kidney disease progression.
The Thank You Study

This exploratory study of unsolicited thank you messages from e-mail digital reference users analyzed the information provided in these messages for user perspectives on digital reference success, outcomes, and quality elements in answers. Digital reference interactions receiving thank you messages were also compared with nonthanked interactions. Results indicated that librarians who used more words in answers were more likely to receive a thank you response from users and that many other factors, such as e-mail or Web form use or the librarians’ expressing thanks to the user, did not appear to impact the thank you rate.
Arachidonate-regulated Ca2+-selective (ARC) channel activity is modulated by phosphorylation and involves an A-kinase anchoring protein.

In many non-excitable cells, the predominant mode of agonist-activated Ca2+ entry switches from the arachidonic acid-regulated Ca2+ (ARC) channels at low agonist concentrations, to store-operated channels at high concentrations. Underlying this process is the inhibition of the ARC channels by a calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation, which inhibits the ability of arachidonic acid to activate the channels. Following such a dephosphorylation, we found that restoration of the sensitivity of the ARC channels to arachidonic acid, as well as to low concentrations of carbachol, was specifically dependent on protein kinase A (PKA) activity. Inhibition of protein kinase C, protein kinase G or calmodulin-activated kinase had no effect. This action of PKA was unaffected by prolonged intracellular dialysis, whilst disruption of the binding of PKA to A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) inhibited currents through ARC channels, and blocked the PKA-dependent effects. AKAP79, a protein which scaffolds both PKA and calcineurin, was shown to be present in the cells. These data illustrate the significance of PKA-dependent phosphorylation and calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation in the overall regulation of ARC channel activity, and indicate the key role of an AKAP, possibly AKAP79, in the spatial organization these processes.
Ureterolithotomy during cesarean section; a case report

Abstract The precise incidence of ureteral calculi complicating pregnancy cannot be stated. Probably, not infrequently, a pregnant woman develops renal colic and passes a calculus spontaneously, but the episode does not find it way into the obstetric literature. At all events, we can be sure that hospitalization for ureteral calculi during pregnancy is a rare occurrence. The case just reported points out the need for individualization of therapy. This has been stressed in the literature. 4, 5, 6 When the acute episode took place, the fetus was so premature that temporization was necessary to ensure a viable baby. We were able to prevent renal infection and stasis, maintain good renal function, and by-pass the mechanical obstruction through the institution of specific antibiotic drug therapy and the passage of ureteral catheters. When the period of fetal maturity was reached, and an attempt to induce labor failed, cesarean section was repeated and at the same time a ureterolithotomy performed. We have not encountered a similiar report in the literature.