cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trichormamides C and D, antiproliferative cyclic lipopeptides from the cultured freshwater cyanobacterium cf. Oscillatoria sp. UIC 10045.

Abstract Extract from the cultured freshwater cf. Oscillatoria sp. UIC 10045 showed antiproliferative activity against HT-29 cell line. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of two new cyclic lipopeptides, named trichormamides C (1) and D (2). The planar structures were determined by combined analyses of HRESIMS, Q-TOF ESIMS/MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of the amino acid residues were assigned by advanced Marfey’s analysis after partial and complete acid hydrolysis. Trichormamides C (1) is a cyclic undecapeptide and D (2) is a cyclic dodecapeptide, both containing a lipophilic β-aminodecanoic acid residue. Trichormamide C (1) displayed antiproliferative activities against HT-29 and MDA-MB-435 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 1.7 and 1.0 μM, respectively, as well as anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity with MIC value of 23.8 μg/mL (17.3 μM). Trichormamide D (2) was found to be less potent against both HT-29 and MDA-MB-435 cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 11.5 and 11.7 μM, respectively.
Technologies and challenges of fine-pitch backside via-last 3DIC TSV process integration and its electrical characteristics and system applications

Technologies of fine-pitch backside via last 3DIC through silicon via (TSV) process are developed to be applied to the mass production of 3DIC products. The detailed process development key points and challenges are disclosed. The electrical data are also analyzed to check the TSV process. Also, its application in real 3DIC system is demonstrated to show the benefits of system form factor and frame rate.
Treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an idiopathic postinfectious immune disease that leads to progressive motor weakness due to damage to the myelin sheath. Epidemiological studies have linked GBS to infections from Campylobacter jejuni, Cytomegalovirus, and other pathogens. The syndrome includes multiple subtypes, with the most common being ascending motor weakness. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange reduces the time for recovery to occur, although some remain disabled.
Structural basis for ubiquitin recognition by the human ESCRT-II EAP45 GLUE domain

The ESCRT-I and ESCRT-II complexes help sort ubiquitinated proteins into vesicles that accumulate within multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Crystallographic and biochemical analyses reveal that the GLUE domain of the human ESCRT-II EAP45 (also called VPS36) subunit is a split pleckstrin-homology domain that binds ubiquitin along one edge of the β-sandwich. The structure suggests how human ESCRT-II can couple recognition of ubiquitinated cargoes and endosomal phospholipids during MVB protein sorting.
A scenic overlook on the road to clinical tolerance.

Abstract The 5th Annual Winter Symposium of The American Society of Transplantation was held at Kohala Coast, Hawaii, HI, USA from 15–18 February 2001.
Late Pliocene onset of glaciation: ice-rafting and diatom stratigraphy of North Pacific DSDP cores

Abstract The revised diatom biostratigraphy for the North Pacific allows the timing of ice-rafting, as recorded in Deep Sea Drilling Project cores, to be determined. Significant ice-rafting began at the time of the Matuyama-Gauss reversal boundary, about 2.48 Ma. Other bio- and lithostratigraphic data from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans, and the Black Sea all indicate that northern hemispherical cooling and the accumulation of continental ice began at 2.4–2.5 Ma. We interpret all these data to indicate northern hemisphere ice-cap formation at that time. If so, the closing of the Isthmus of Panama, approximately 3.2 m.y. ago, was not the immediate cause of the Plio-Pleistocene glaciations.
How much did the expropriation of commercial farms matter to food insecurity in Zimbabwe?Rebuttal to Andersson

The root causes of Zimbabwes economic and food crisis continue to garner debate as demonstrated by Anderssons critique of my recent African Affairs article. Andersson argues that the origins of Zimbabwes food crisis come from long-term trends in the communal sector since this sector provides the majority of maize - the countrys staple crop - to the country. He disputes that the food crisis has much if anything to do with misguided government policies and land reforms; this he claims is a popular yet problematic explanation.2 In particular Andersson argues that food production has slowly declined over the past 30 years for two main reasons that I do not discuss: (1) communal farmers have increasingly moved to marginal lands that are subject to lower and more erratic rainfall; and (2) maize production has increasingly been shouldered by communal farmers as commercial farmers moved to other more profitable export crops. His Figure 1 attempts to buttress this claim with lines that show communal farmers production of maize slowly increasing as commercial production decreases over a period of 30 years. His argument is that this is a better explanation for Zimbabwes food insecurity in recent years since the communal sector provides 60 percent of maize production yet is not captured in GDP data. (excerpt)
Small-scale horizontal rain-rate variability observed by satellite

Abstract The horizontal distribution of rain rates within an area comparable to the pixel size of satellite microwave radiometers and the grid size of numerical weather prediction models has been studied over the global Tropics using three years of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite precipitation radar (PR) data. The global distribution of rain-rate standard deviation derived from the PR data suggests that the horizontal variability of rain rates is largely influenced by two factors: surface type (land or ocean) and latitudinal location (tropical or extratropical). Except for light stratiform rain, the land–ocean contrast seems to be the dominant feature for the differences in conditional probability density functions (PDFs) of rain rate. That is, oceanic rain-rate distribution is narrower when the rain rate is low, but becomes broader when the rain rate is high. For light stratiform rain, there is no clear difference among the rain-rate PDFs for rain events over land and ocean. The latitud...
Anisotropy of the Yellowstone hot spot wake, eastern Snake River Plain, Idaho

Over the last 10 million years, the Yellowstone hot spot has passed beneath the eastern Snake River Plain, both magmatically modifying the Snake River Plain crust and creating a wider, wake-like “tectonic parabola” of seismicity and uplift. Analysis of SKS arrivals to a line array of 55 mostly broadband stations, distribution across the tectonic parabola, reveals a nearly uniform orientation of anisotropy, with an average fast axis orientation of N64E. The back azimuth of null splitting events is parallel to the measured fast axis, suggesting that anisotropic material consists of a single layer. Splitting parameters are independent of backazimuth, suggesting that anisotropy is constant beneath each station. Thus station-averaged split parameters are representative of the anisotropy beneath the station. Station-averaged split times range from 0.6–1.5 s, and define a pronounced depression in split times centered about 80 km southeast of the axis of the Snake River Plain.
Aggressive cranial vault decompression for cranial hyperostosis: technical case report of two cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Camurati-Engelmann's disease, also known as progressive diaphysial dysplasia, is a disorder of the bone metabolism. Neurological manifestations of progressive diaphysial dysplasia include cranial nerve dysfunction, generalized weakness, cerebellar herniation, and increased intracranial pressure. In the past, surgical intervention has been of limited and temporary benefit. We present two patients with cranial hyperostosis secondary to Camurati-Engelmann's disease who were treated successfully with a single surgery involving a combination of multiple craniotomies for cranial vault decompression. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two patients presented with signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure secondary to Camurati-Engelmann's syndrome. Radiological workup revealed marked cranial hyperostosis. INTERVENTION: The patients underwent aggressive cranial vault decompression. Multiple craniotomies were performed, and the inner table was then drilled down until the bone was 1 cm thick. CONCLUSION: Effective surgical options are needed for clinically significant cranial hyperostosis. In an effort to further define operative management in these patients, we describe a single, aggressive surgical procedure that may be used for successful cranial decompression.
Selective mRNA translation during eIF2 phosphorylation induces expression of IBTKα

This study measured changes in global mRNA translation in response to ER stress. The analysis suggests that translation of a majority of gene transcripts is either repressed or resistant, whereas s...
Morphologic Heterogeneity in Left Ventricular Noncompaction Resulting in Accessory Left Ventricular Chambers

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is thought to be a rare type of cardiomyopathy likely because of the arrest of myocardial compaction during the fifth to eighth weeks of gestation. The early myocardium consists of deep trabeculations along the endocardium, made of a spongy meshwork of myocardial fibers, that compact to form the capillary network and myocardium of the mature heart, normally progressing from base to apex and from epicardium to myocardium. Many are of the opinion that LVNC is a result of failure to complete this process, though this has been disputed by others who report that LVNC sometimes presents in patients who have had prior normal echocardiograms that did not demonstrate LVNC.1 To date, the diagnostic criteria of LVNC is largely based on 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram. Typical echocardiographic findings include a 2-layered appearance of the myocardium with a thin outer layer representing the compact myocardium, and a thicker inner layer representing the noncompacted trabeculum, in continuity with the endocardial surface. Three sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed. Criteria proposed by Chin et al include: the compact layer to total myocardial thickness ratio is <0.5 in end-diastole in apical or parasternal short axis views. Criteria proposed by Jenni et al include: the ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardium in parasternal …
Elastic Behavior of an Orthotropic Composite

Laminates consist of layers of unidirectional composite materials or of composites reinforced with woven fabric. Usually the woven fabrics (Chapter 2) are made of unidirectional filaments interlaced at 90°, one in the warp direction and the other in the weft direction. These layers have three mutually orthogonal symmetry planes, and from the elastic viewpoint behave like an orthotropic material. The principal directions (1, 2) will be respectively taken in the warp and weft directions; these directions will be denoted L and T (Figure 10.1). The direction 3 orthogonal to the plane of the layer will be denoted T’.
Natural History of Adenocarcinoma-Large Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: Conclusions From Screening Programs in New York and Baltimore

A mathematical model of the progression kinetics of lung cancer was described and used to shed light on the natural history of adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma of lung from data collected in screening studies of male smokers by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. In both programs, estimates of the mean duration of early-stage adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma of lung ranged upward from 4 years, and estimates of the probability of detecting it in early-stage disease ranged downward from .16. The probabilities of curing early-stage disease through surgical treatment were found to be at most .52 and .13 in the New York and Baltimore studies, respectively. These estimates led to the conclusion that expected reduction in mortality from adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma of lung as due to annual x-ray screening from age 45 to 80 years is not greater than 18% in New York and 5% in Baltimore.
BRITISH POLICIES TOWARDS FEMALE CIRCUMCISION IN SUDAN Civilizing Women: British Crusades in Colonial Sudan . By Janice Boddy. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007. Pp. xxvii+402. $65 ( isbn 0-691-12304-7); $24.95, paperback ( isbn 0-691-12305-5).

Follow this and additional works at: http://repository.upenn.edu/nelc_papers Part of the African History Commons, African Languages and Societies Commons, European History Commons, History of Gender Commons, History of Science, Technology, and Medicine Commons, Near Eastern Languages and Societies Commons, Public History Commons, Social History Commons, Women's History Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons
Percutaneous in situ versus open arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint

We compared the results of percutaneous in situ arthrodesis with open arthrodesis of the distal interphalangeal joint with a headless compression screw. In the percutaneous in situ arthrodesis group (17 joints), the screw was inserted from the fingertip across the unprepared joint. In the open group (12 joints), flat cancellous surfaces were prepared before screw insertion. Solid fusion was found in 10/17 joints (59%) with percutaneous in situ arthrodesis and in 11/12 joints (92%) with open arthrodesis. Among the other seven joints with percutaneous in situ arthrodesis, six had fibrous union and were asymptomatic at a mean of 18 months, and one failed, requiring revision. One joint with open arthrodesis had fibrous union and was asymptomatic 12 months after surgery. We conclude that open arthrodesis is better than the percutaneous method, as a greater percentage achieve bone union. The open approach allows osteophyte removal and slightly better correction of angular deformity in the coronal plane.
Explicit reversible integrators for extended systems dynamics

Explicit reversible integrators, suitable for use in large-scale computer simulations, are derived for extended systems generating the canonical and isothermal-isobaric ensembles. The new methods are compared with the standard implicit (iterative) integrators on some illustrative example problems. In addition, modification of the proposed algorithms for multiple time step integration is outlined.
On the use of fluorescence probes for detecting reactive oxygen and nitrogen species associated with photodynamic therapy

Fluorescent probes are frequently employed for the detec- tion of different reactive oxygen and nitrogen species formed during the irradiation of photosensitized cells and tissues. Investigators often interpret the results in terms of information provided with the different probes without examining specificity or determinants of fluorogenic reactions. We examine five fluorescent probes in a cell-free system: reduced 2,7-dichlorofluorescein, dihydroethidine, dihydro- rhodamine, 3-p aminophenyl fluorescein APF, and 4,5-diaminofluorescein. Of these, only APF demonstrates a high degree of specificity for a single reactive species. There is a substantial influence of peroxidase activity on all fluorogenic interactions. The fluorescence of the photosensitizing agent also must be taken into account in evaluating results. © 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation En-
Surgically staged focal liver lesions: accuracy and reproducibility of dual-phase helical CT for detection and characterization.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of dual-phase helical computed tomography (CT) in enabling preoperative detection and characterization of surgically staged focal liver lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgically and histopathologically proven liver lesions were evaluated by three experienced CT readers. These lesions were present in 77 patients who underwent dual-phase helical CT. Images were interpreted separately by the three blinded reviewers. Each lesion was graded on a nine-point scale of confidence, with 1 being definitely benign, 9 being definitely malignant, and 5 being indeterminate. The χ2 test was used to determine if the distribution of lesion classifications was different between readers. RESULTS: There was a total of 237 lesions: 73 were benign and 164 were malignant. Sensitivity for lesion detection was 69%, 70%, and 71% for the three reviewers, respectively. Specificity was 91%, 86%, and 90%, and the area under the curve for the alternative-free response receiver operati...
Combined DCE‐MRI and single‐voxel 2D MRS for differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton (1H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provide structural and biochemical information, including vascular volume, vascular permeability and tissue metabolism. In this study, we performed analysis of the enhancement characteristic from DCE-MRI and the biochemical information provided by two-dimensional (2D) Localized Correlated Spectroscopy (L-COSY) MRS to determine the sensitivity and specificity of using DCE-MRI alone compared to the combination with 2D MRS. The metabolite ratios from the 2D MRS spectra were analyzed using multivariate statistical analyses to determine a method capable of automatic separation of the patient cohort into malignant and benign lesions. A total of 24 lesions were studied with 21 diagnosed accurately using the enhancement characteristics alone resulting in sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 73%, respectively. Analysis of the 2D MRS data demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) in 12 of 18 metabolite ratios analyzed for malignant compared to benign lesions. Previous research focused on utilizing the choline signal to noise ratio (SNR) as a marker for malignancy has been verified using 2D MRS in this study. Using Fisher's linear discriminant test using water (WAT)/olefinic fat diagonal (UFD), choline (CHO)/fat (FAT), CHO/UFD, and FAT/methyl fat (FMETD) as predictors the sensitivity and specificity increased to 92% and 100%, respectively. Using the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) statistical analysis the resulting sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 91%, respectively, with the most accurate predictor for differentiating malignant and benign determined to be FAT/FMETD. The cases within the study that presented a indeterminate diagnosis using DCE-MRI alone were able to be accurately diagnosed when the metabolic information from 2D MRS was incorporated. The results suggest improved breast cancer detection through the combination of morphological and enhancement information from DCE-MRI and metabolic information from 2D MRS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitive PCR-Based Quantitation of Cell-Free Circulating MicroRNAs

Cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) that circulate in the blood are promising surrogate biomarkers of disease and physiological processes. The ease of quantifying specific miRNA species using made-to-order approaches based on Taq-polymerase has led to numerous studies that have identified changes in the abundance of circulating cell-free miRNA species that correlate with pathology or other events. The growing interest in developing miRNAs as blood biomarkers necessitates the careful consideration of the unique properties of such body fluids that can make the reproducible and quantitative assessment of RNA abundance challenging. For example, enzymes involved in the amplification and analysis of RNA can be affected by blood components that copurify with miRNA. Thus, if miRNAs are to be effectively utilized as biomarkers, it is important to establish standardized protocols for blood collection and miRNA analysis to ensure accurate quantitation. Here we outline several considerations, including the type of collection tube used in sampling, the influence of added anticoagulants and stabilizers, sample processing, enrichment of vesicular and other miRNA species, RNA extraction approaches and enzyme selection, that affect quantitation of miRNA isolated from plasma and should be considered in order to achieve reproducible, sensitive and accurate quantitation.
Optimization of the operating point of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

The wall-plug efficiency of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser is investigated. The optimum current which produces a maximum wall-plug efficiency is derived when the mirror reflectivity is fixed and the series resistance and parasitic leakage current are taken as variable parameters. The results are compared with experimental data. The optimum reflectivity in terms of both output power and wall-plug efficiency is determined for both unstrained and strained quantum lasers with fixed supply current and series resistance as a parameter. Temperature is also considered as a variable.
4,4′-Di­iodo­bi­phenyl

4,4′-Di­iodo­bi­phenyl, C12H8I2, crystallizes as a homologous isomorph of the high-temperature form of p-di­iodo­benzene. The molecule is planar and lies on a center of symmetry. Each I atom is in contact with five others at distances between 4.0 and 4.5 A.
The Interplay Between Bicultural Blending and Dual Language Acquisition

Bilingual individuals acquire their two languages either simultaneously or sequentially, which relates to how these languages are stored and represented in the brain. Because language is used to transmit culture, bilinguals’ mode of dual language acquisition may also relate to different perceptions of the corresponding two cultures as blended and fused versus separate and compartmentalized. With a sample of English–Spanish bilingual Mexican Americans (N = 149), we found that compound bilinguals (simultaneous dual language acquisition) blended their two cultures to a greater extent than coordinate bilinguals (sequential dual language acquisition), and this finding remained even after controlling for generation status. Our study highlights the interplay of language and culture, particularly the importance of the process of cultural learning and language acquisition to the bicultural experience.
Dextrous telerobotics with force feedback — An overview part 2: control and implementation†

The control stategy for a dextrous masters is different from the general case of bilateral teleoperation since it models the human hand in much more detail. Such a model is discussed together with the selection of actuators used for force feedback control. Existing prototypes of dextrous masters with force feedback are then reviewed. These are the Servo Controlled Manipulator Device, the Portable Dextrous Force Feedback Master (P.D.M.F.F.), the Remote Handler, and the Advanced Multiple DOF Force Reflective Hand/Wrist Master.
High precision measurement of torsion fiber internal friction at cryogenic temperatures

Cryogenic torsion pendulums being developed for research in gravitational physics serve well for exceptionally accurate measurements of nonlinear and anelastic properties of torsion fibers at low temperature (77 K and 4.2 K) at low frequency (|0.01 Hz) in a pre-plastic regime of high shear strain (0.0001-0.003). The measurements use a torsion pendulum suspended by a thin fiber (typically|20 mm324 cm), oscillating with an amplitude of many revolutions. In a few oscillation cycles, oscillation amplitude and frequency may be 8 determined to better than one part in 10 , and harmonic deviations from simple harmonic motion (at 77 K) with fractional accuracy better 29 than 10 , enabling very accurate determination of the decrement, modulus defect, and hysteresis loop of the system as a function of oscillation amplitude. © 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.
Magnetic phase diagram of a spin-1 condensate in two dimensions with dipole interaction

Several new features arise in the ground-state phase diagram of a spin-1 condensate trapped in an optical trap when the magnetic-dipole interaction between the atoms is taken into account along with confinement and spin precession. The boundaries between the regions of ferromagnetic and polar phases move as the dipole strength is varied and the ferromagnetic phases can be modulated. The magnetization of the ferromagnetic phase perpendicular to the field becomes modulated as a helix winding around the magnetic field direction with a wavelength inversely proportional to the dipole strength. This modulation should be observable for current experimental parameters in $^{87}\text{R}\text{b}$. Hence the much-sought supersolid state with broken continuous translation invariance in one direction and broken global $U(1)$ invariance, occurs generically as a metastable state in this system as a result of dipole interaction. The ferromagnetic state parallel to the applied magnetic field becomes striped in a finite system at strong dipolar coupling.
The Use of Notched Beams to Establish a Multiaxial Stress-Fracture Criterion for Beryllium

Fracture of beryllium under biaxial states of stress has been studied in the past using thin-walled tubes loaded by combinations of axial load, torsion, and internal pressure. In the present investigation to obtain a triaxial state of stress, notched beams of beryllium with varying dimensions were tested in plane strain four-point bending. The conditions necessary to ensure plane strain are discussed in detail and plane strain finite element analyses are used to determine the stresses and strains at fracture in the notched specimens. Based on the test results a strain dependent, maximum tensile stress fracture criterion is proposed for parts without macroscopic cracks. In addition, the plane strain fracture toughness of beryllium is estimated from the notched bar tests using the RKR model.
Heteroskedasticity Autocorrelation Robust Inference in Time Series Regressions with Missing Data

In this paper we investigate the properties of heteroskedasticity autocorrelation (HAC) robust test statistics in stationary weakly dependent time series regression settings when observations are missing. We focus on statistics constructed using nonparametric kernel HAC estimators and we obtain fixed-b asymptotic results. We characterize the time series with missing observations as amplitude modulated series following Parzen (1963). For estimation and inference this amounts to plugging in zeros for missing observations. We also investigate an alternative approach where the missing observations are simply ignored. There are three main theoretical findings. First, when the missing process is random and satisfies strong mixing conditions, HAC robust t and Wald statistics computed from the amplitude modulated series follow the usual fixed-b limits as in Kiefer and Vogelsang (2005). Second, when the missing process is non-random, the fixed-b limits depend on the locations of missing observations but are otherwise pivotal. Third, when missing observations are ignored, we obtain the surprising result that fixed-b limits of the robust t and Wald statistics have the standard fixed-b limits whether the missing process is random or non-random. We discuss methods for obtaining fixed-b critical values with a focus on bootstrap methods. We find that the naive i.i.d. bootstrap is an effective and practical way to obtain the fixed-b critical values especially when the bootstrap conditions on the locations of the missing data.
The anvil effect in the spherical indentation testing of sheet metals

Abstract Spherical indentation hardness tests are widely used in manufacturing industry to obtain material property of the workpiece. For the indentation test on sheet metals, significant error can occur in measuring the penetration depth due to the anvil effect. This anvil effect is manifested with decreasing specimen thickness and increasing indentation depth. As micro/nano indentations are not suitable alternatives for measuring bulk material property, the present work critically reviews the experimental observations and studies the mechanism of anvil effect with numerical simulations. The results suggest that, when the thickness of the specimen is reduced, a change in deformation mode is experienced during the indentation process. A correction method for the anvil effect is proposed and an empirical equation is derived to determine the effective indentation depth. The experimental and numerical investigations have important implications for the interpretation of the anvil effect in indentation tests; and the developed method can be used to obtain accurate material property from a common hardness test without resorting to the use of instrumented indentation method.
Experiences with Water Wheel Unit Alignment

Attempt made to collect and correlate some of typical proven cases of misalignment experienced by American operating companies after original erection, to study causes of behavior, note methods used in correcting them and suggest method for checking misalignment condition.
Focal Cryotherapy and COLD Database

Heating beyond the upper thermal tolerance is the most common premise for many tissue ablative modalities (HIFU, interstitial laser). However, cryoablation uniquely takes advantage of a tissues’ inability to survive temperatures beyond the lower end of the thermal viability spectrum. Surpassing the thermal viability limits at one extreme or the other may have more significant biologic implications than just a difference in temperature. Tissue death at these two extremes involves a very different set of mechanisms and as such may illicit a very different response from the body, regionally and systemically, that could offer both therapeutic advantages and an alternate morbidity profile. This difference may ultimately provide a rationale for choosing one form of tissue ablation over another (cryoablation over HIFU, as an example). However, for now, much of the decision to work at one end or the other of the thermal viability spectrum is based upon equipment availability and the comfort level of the surgeon with the energy source. Even datum to suggest a difference in morbidity between energy sources when applied in a focally ablative manner to treat prostate cancer remains scarce. It thus behooves the surgeon interested in focally ablative techniques for prostate cancer to be familiar and competent in a variety of energy sources for tissue ablation.
Charge generation in organic photovoltaics: a review of theory and computation

Due to their amenability to highly scalable fabrication and steadily improving efficiencies, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) offer great potential as an alternative to carbon-based fuel sources. With recently reported power conversion efficiencies of 11–12%, OPVs are on the brink of economic viability. However, to push these technologies forward into widespread use, further optimizations of efficiency are needed. The process of exciton dissociation and charge separation at donor/acceptor interfaces is a major factor influencing the power conversion efficiency of these devices, with loss of useful energy occurring if the charges fail to separate. However, this process of exciton dissociation and separation at OPV heterojunctions is not fully understood, and experimental efforts to optimize these processes via trial and error are costly. Thus, theoretical modeling plays a key role in understanding and improving the rate of charge generation in OPVs. Here we review key theoretical approaches to modeling the process of exciton dissociation and charge separation and their contributions to the challenge of optimizing OPV technology.
Direct component in the /sup 12/C(/sup 7/Li,p)/sup 18/O reaction

For the $^{12}\mathrm{C}$($^{7}\mathrm{Li}$,p)$^{18}\mathrm{O}$ reaction previously observed deviations of cross sections from statistical ($2J+1$) dependence can be accounted for in a simple model of direct six-nucleon transfer.
Achilles Tendon Repair with an Absorbable Polymer-Carbon Fiber Composite

Twenty-seven patients were surgically treated for Achilles tendon rupture using a composite implant. The implant is ribbon-like in configuration and composed of filamentous carbon fiber coated with an absorbable polymer. When used to secure an Achilles repair, the implant acts as a scaffold for the regrowth of collagenous tissue. Rapid attachment of host tissue assures good, early repair strengths which allows for a more vigorous rehabilitation program. Fourteen patients have at least 9 months of follow-up (average follow-up, 14.4 months) and have been objectively and subjectively evaluated on a temporal basis for return of function. To date, complications have been minimal. Results have been very encouraging with 90% return of function at 18 months.
A population-based analysis of pneumococcal disease mortality in California, 1989-1998.

Objectives Pneumococcal disease is an important cause of vaccine-preventable mortality. It is important to understand the burden and distribution of mortality so that prevention efforts can be targeted appropriately. This study evaluated pneumococcal disease mortality and its demographic correlates in California from 1989 to 1998. Methods Deaths due to pneumococcal disease were identified from statewide vital records data using multiple cause-coded information. Denominator data were obtained from estimates from the California Department of Finance. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each age, gender, and racial/ethnic group. Results The age-adjusted pneumococcal disease mortality rate was 2.05 deaths per 100,000 population. Mortality was highest in elderly individuals (reaching 38.29 deaths per 100,000 population in individuals older than age 85). Age-adjusted mortality rates were elevated in the African American race/ethnicity group (2.96 deaths per 100,000 population) and males (2.67 deaths per 100,000 population). The majority of individuals who died of pneumococcal disease (78.9%) fell into at-risk groups indicated for vaccination. The majority of all pneumococcal deaths were caused by pneumococcal pneumonia. Mortality was seasonal, reaching a peak in the winter months. A decreasing trend in mortality was observed over the 10-year period examined. Conclusions Pneumococcal disease remains a significant cause of vaccine-preventable mortality in the California population. Greater efforts must be made to vaccinate at-risk individuals, especially those in demographic groups at highest risk of death.
Automating multi-throw multilateral surgical suturing with a mechanical needle guide and sequential convex optimization

For supervised automation of multi-throw suturing in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery, we present a novel mechanical needle guide and a framework for optimizing needle size, trajectory, and control parameters using sequential convex programming. The Suture Needle Angular Positioner (SNAP) results in a 3x error reduction in the needle pose estimate in comparison with the standard actuator. We evaluate the algorithm and SNAP on a da Vinci Research Kit using tissue phantoms and compare completion time with that of humans from the JIGSAWS dataset [5]. Initial results suggest that the dVRK can perform suturing at 30% of human speed while completing 86% suture throws attempted. Videos and data are available at: berkeleyautomation.github.io/amts
Short-term morbidity and mortality of implantation of automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

Over the 3-year period from Jan. 1, 1986, through Dec. 31, 1988, we have implanted 101 automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators into patients with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. There were 82 male patients and 19 female patients. The mean age was 58 years with a range of 25 to 82 years. The indication for implantation was ventricular fibrillation in 89 patients and recurrent ventricular tachycardia in 12 patients. Seventy-seven patients had a history of prior myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease, or both. Eighteen patients had nonischemic cardiomyopathy. One patient had a prolonged QT syndrome and five patients had no evidence of preexisting structural heart disease. The mean injection fraction was 37% ± 17%. Forty-one of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations were associated with procedures necessitating cardiopulmonary bypass. The hospital mortality rate was 4% and the morbidity rate was 15%. The only statistical difference between those patients who did and did not have postoperative complications was a history of a prior myocardial infarction (90% versus 54%, p
Same-Sex and Different-Sex Cohabiting Couple Relationship Stability

Relationship stability is a key indicator of well-being, but most U.S.-based research has been limited to different-sex couples. The 2008 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) provides an untapped data resource to analyze relationship stability of same-sex cohabiting, different-sex cohabiting, and different-sex married couples (n = 5,701). The advantages of the SIPP data include the recent, nationally representative, and longitudinal data collection; a large sample of same-sex cohabitors; respondent and partner socioeconomic characteristics; and identification of a state-level indicator of a policy stating that marriage is between one man and one woman (i.e., DOMA). We tested competing hypotheses about the stability of same-sex versus different-sex cohabiting couples that were guided by incomplete institutionalization, minority stress, relationship investments, and couple homogamy perspectives (predicting that same-sex couples would be less stable) as well as economic resources (predicting that same-sex couples would be more stable). In fact, neither expectation was supported: results indicated that same-sex cohabiting couples typically experience levels of stability that are similar to those of different-sex cohabiting couples. We also found evidence of contextual effects: living in a state with a constitutional ban against same-sex marriage was significantly associated with higher levels of instability for same- and different-sex cohabiting couples. The level of stability in both same-sex and different-sex cohabiting couples is not on par with that of different-sex married couples. The findings contribute to a growing literature on health and well-being of same-sex couples and provide a broader understanding of family life.
The Standardization of African American Language: Just do it!

In this chapter, I assume a visionary role, and invite the reader to join me in an imaginary journey from the status quo of American educational policy to a possible future in which African American language is seen by the average person as it is presently seen by linguists: as an instance of normal language. Imagine if you will, a futuristic scenario in which the idea of “Ebonics being taught in the schools” no longer generates the outrage that was frequently heard in the aftermath of the Oakland School Board resolution.
Predicting local field potentials with recurrent neural networks

We present a Recurrent Neural Network using LSTM (Long Short Term Memory) that is capable of modeling and predicting Local Field Potentials. We train and test the network on real data recorded from epilepsy patients. We construct networks that predict multi-channel LFPs for 1, 10, and 100 milliseconds forward in time. Our results show that prediction using LSTM outperforms regression when predicting 10 and 100 millisecond forward in time.
Distribution-centric 3-parameter thermodynamic models of partition gas chromatography.

If both parameters (the entropy, ΔS, and the enthalpy, ΔH) of the classic van’t Hoff model of dependence of distribution coefficients (K) of analytes on temperature (T) are treated as the temperature-independent constants then the accuracy of the model is known to be insufficient for the needed accuracy of retention time prediction. A more accurate 3-parameter Clarke-Glew model offers a way to treat ΔS and ΔH as functions, ΔS(T) and ΔH(T), of T. A known T‐centric construction of these functions is based on relating them to the reference values (ΔSref and ΔHref) corresponding to a predetermined reference temperature (Tref). Choosing a single Tref for all analytes in a complex sample or in a large database might lead to practically irrelevant values of ΔSref and ΔHref for those analytes that have too small or too large retention factors at Tref. Breaking all analytes in several subsets each with its own Tref leads to discontinuities in the analyte parameters. These problems are avoided in the K‐centric modeling where ΔS(T) and ΔS(T) and other analyte parameters are described in relation to their values corresponding to a predetermined reference distribution coefficient (KRef) − the same for all analytes. In this report, the mathematics of the K‐centric modeling are described and the properties of several types of K‐centric parameters are discussed. It has been shown that the earlier introduced characteristic parameters of the analyte-column interaction (the characteristic temperature, Tchar, and the characteristic thermal constant, θchar) are a special chromatographically convenient case of the K‐centric parameters. Transformations of T‐centric parameters into K‐centric ones and vice-versa as well as the transformations of one set of K‐centric parameters into another set and vice-versa are described.
Association of Body Mass Index With Infectious Complications in Free Tissue Transfer for Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery.

Importance Elevated body mass index (BMI) has been proposed as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing surgery. Conversely, an elevated BMI may confer a protective effect on perioperative morbidity. Objective To examine whether an elevated BMI is an independent risk factor for perioperative and postoperative infectious complications after free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstructive surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included patients undergoing major head and neck surgery requiring free tissue transfer at a tertiary care center. Data were collected for 415 patients treated from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcome of interest was postoperative infection and complications after head and neck surgery using free flaps. Covariates considered for adjustment in the statistical model included alcohol consumption (defined as >5 drinks per day [eg, 360 mL of beer, 150 mL of wine, or 45 mL of 80-proof spirits]), type 2 diabetes, prior radiotherapy, anesthesia time, hypothyroidism, smoking, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, antibiotic regimen received (defined as a standard regimen of a first- or second-generation cephalosporin with or without metronidazole hydrochloride vs an alternative antibiotic regimen for patients allergic to penicillin), and primary surgeon. A multiple logistic regression model was developed for the incidence of the infection end point as a function of elevated BMI (>30.0). Results Among the 415 patients included in this study (277 men [66.7%] and 138 women [33.2%]; mean [SD] age, 61.5 [13.9] years), type 2 diabetes and use of an alternative antibiotic regimen were found to be independently associated with increased infectious complications after free flap surgery of the head and neck, with estimated odds ratios of 2.78 (95% CI, 1.27-6.09) and 2.67 (95% CI, 1.14-6.25), respectively, in the multiple logistic regression model. However, a high BMI was not found to be statistically significant as an independent risk factor for postoperative infectious complication (estimated odds ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.48-2.92). Conclusions and Relevance Elevated BMI does not seem to play a role as an independent risk factor in postoperative complications in free tissue transfer in head and neck surgery.
Cobalt interconnect on same copper barrier process integration at the 7nm node

Cobalt and copper interconnects with identical barrier and CMP processes were formed on ultra-low k (ULK) dielectric films at the 7nm node. Divot-free Co and Cu interconnects are demonstrated using the same CMP process. Co-filled dual damascene interconnects show high line yields with similar via resistance values compared to Cu. Co line resistance measures three times higher resistance than Cu. The resistivity of Co and Cu lines is calculated by measuring line resistance and cross-sectional area by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Measured via resistance of the dual damascene Co-filled via is only 10% higher than the Cu-filled via control. Thus by scaling or even eliminating traditional Cu barriers in the via, Co can be a valid Cu replacement candidate for via fill.
Ligand-Selective Wnt Receptor Complexes in CNS Blood Vessels: RECK and GPR124 Plugged In

CNS angiogenesis and blood-brain barrier integrity are controlled by the canonical Wnt pathway. In this issue of Neuron, Cho et al. (2017) use advanced mouse genetics and biochemical experiments to unravel the ligand-specific association of membrane proteins GPR124 and RECK with Wnt receptor complexes.
Regional cerebral blood flow predictors of relapse and resilience in substance use recovery: A coordinate-based meta-analysis of human neuroimaging studies.

Abstract Background Predicting relapse vulnerability can inform level-of-care and personalized substance use treatment. Few reliable predictors of relapse risk have been identified from traditional clinical, psychosocial, and demographic variables. However, recent neuroimaging findings highlight the potential prognostic import of brain-based signals, indexing the degree to which neural systems have been perturbed by addiction. These proposed “neuromarkers” forecast the likelihood, severity, and timing of relapse but the reliability and generalizability of such effects remains to be established. Methods Activation likelihood estimation was used to conduct a preliminary quantitative, coordinate-based meta-analysis of the addiction neuroprediction literature; specifically, studies wherein baseline measures of regional cerebral blood flow were prospectively associated with substance use treatment outcomes. Consensus patterns of activation associated with relapse vulnerability (greater activation predicts poorer outcomes) versus resilience (greater activation predicts improved outcomes) were specifically investigated. Results Twenty-four eligible studies yielded 134 foci, representing 923 subjects. Consensus activation was identified in right putamen and claustrum (p Conclusions Right putamen activation has been associated with relapse vulnerability and resilience, while increased baseline rACC activation has been consistently associated with improved treatment outcomes. Methodological heterogeneity within the existing literature, however, limits firm conclusions and future work will be necessary to confirm and clarify these results.
The Binding of Antigen Presenting Cells to T Lymphocytes

Clonal selection theory predicted, and subsequent experiments have shown, that B and T lymphocytes express individualized receptors that recognize specific antigens. The receptors are heterodimers in which the amino terminal domains of each chain are highly variable and suitably diverse for antigen recognition.