cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ovarian steroid cell tumors,not otherwise specified:a case report and literature review

Purpose To study the clinical, pathological characteristics and the criterions for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, therapy of the ovarian steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified. Methods A case of ovarian steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified was studied with the HE sections and immunohistochemistry examination, respectively, with review of the related literatue. Results The neoplasms were usually well circumscribed and were solid, often have a lobulated appearance. The neoplasm mainly have two types of cells, one type was polygonal cell with cytoplasm that was usually granular and eosinophilic, the other type with valcuolated cytoplasm. The malignant behavior of the tumor was likely related with the diameter, haemorrhage, necrosis, nuclear atypia and mitotic count. These neoplasms were usually immunoreactive to alpha-inhibin, calretinin, Melan-A. Also in the differential diagnosis were oxyphilic variants of a number of other ovarian tumors, e.g. struma ovarii, primary or secondary malignant melanoma and some sertoli cell tumor in which the cell distended by intracytoplasmic lipid were dominant. The therapy depended on the behavior of the tumor. Conclusions Ovarian steroid cell tumors is the commonest type of the ovarian steroid cell tumors. Immunohistochemistry can be help in diagnosis.
Effect of Selective Foliar Insecticides on Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae), 2014

Amblyseius swirskii is a generalist predator, widely known for its biocontrol potential against multiple pests (mites, thrips, and whiteflies) of nursery and greenhouse crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate susceptibility of A. swirskii to conventional insecticides known to be effective against various greenhouse pests. The trial was conducted on an ornamental pepper cultivar “Masquerade” at U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, Florida to identify A. swirskii- compatible pesticides. Pepper plants were grown from seed in Fafard Pro-Mix (Canadian Formula; Conrad Fafard, Inc., Agawam, MA 01001-2907) medium in seedling trays and transplanted in 10.1 cm-diameter plastic pots when seedlings were ∼5-wk old. Plants …
Which Febrile Children With Sickle Cell Disease Need a Chest X-Ray?

Objective Controversy exists regarding which febrile children with sickle cell disease (SCD) should receive a chest x-ray (CXR). Our goal is to provide data informing the decision of which febrile children with SCD presenting to the emergency department (ED) require a CXR to evaluate for acute chest syndrome (ACS). Methods Retrospective chart review of children ages 3 months to 21 years with SCD presenting to the ED at one of two academic children's hospitals with fever ≥38.5°C between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012. Demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and laboratory results were abstracted. The primary outcome was the presence of ACS. Binary recursive partitioning was performed to determine predictive factors for a diagnosis of ACS. Results A total of 185 (10%) of 1,837 febrile ED visits met ACS criteria. The current National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) consensus criteria for obtaining a CXR (shortness of breath, tachypnea, cough, or rales) identified 158 (85%) of ACS cases, while avoiding 825 CXRs. Obtaining a CXR in children with NHLBI criteria or chest pain and in children without those symptoms but with a white blood cell (WBC) count ≥18.75 × 109/L or a history of ACS identified 181 (98%), while avoiding 430 CXRs. Conclusion Children with SCD presenting to the ED with fever and shortness of breath, tachypnea, cough, rales, or chest pain should receive a CXR due to high ACS rates. A higher WBC count or history of ACS in a child without one of those symptoms may suggest the need for a CXR. Prospective validation of these criteria is needed.
On a cost allocation problem arising from a star-star capacitated concentrator location problem

We analyze a cost allocation problem associated with the Star-Star Capacitated Concentrator Location (SSCCL) problem. The problem is formulated as a cost cooperative game in characteristic function form to be referred to as the SSCCL game. The characterization and computation of game theoretic solution concepts associated with this game are investigated. We show that, in general, the core of this cooperative game may be empty. However, we provide a polynomial representation of the core of the SSCCL game. In case of nonemptiness of the core we provide an efficient method to find the nucleolus. For the case when the core is empty, we propose the least weighted e-core as a concept for fair cost allocation for the SSCCL problem and give its polynomial characterization. Moreover, certain 'central' point of the least weighted e-core is also efficiently characterized.
High-frequency continuous-wave electroporation of Jurkat human lymphoma cells

Electroporation of Jurkat human lymphoma cells were investigated under 10-MHz continuous waves and benchmarked against that at 100 kHz. Both cell poration and cell death were monitored in real time by fluorescence microscopy and found to occur at approximately three times higher voltages at 10 MHz than that at 100 kHz. This difference in voltage could not be completely accounted for by order-of-magnitude estimate of cytoplasm resistance and membrane capacitance. Better modeling and simulation of the cell structure and property are required to accurately predict the frequency dependence of electroporation.
Analysis of Centrality in Sublinear Preferential Attachment Trees via the Crump-Mode-Jagers Branching Process

We investigate centrality and root-inference properties in a class of growing random graphs known as sublinear preferential attachment trees. We show that a continuous time branching processes called the Crump-Mode-Jagers (CMJ) branching process is well-suited to analyze such random trees, and prove that almost surely, a unique terminal tree centroid emerges, having the property that it becomes more central than any other fixed vertex in the limit of the random growth process. Our result generalizes and extends previous work establishing persistent centrality in uniform and linear preferential attachment trees. We also show that centrality may be utilized to generate a finite-sized $1-\epsilon$ confidence set for the root node, for any $\epsilon > 0$ , in a certain subclass of sublinear preferential attachment trees.
Veblen on Interpreting Veblen

Was Veblen a radical social critic? Was he an evolutionary scientist? Or was the gist of his argument, in some sense, a reflection of both? In order to shed light on these questions, the paper focuses on an important exchange between Veblen and one of his critics, John Cummings. It is argued that, unlike the theories of classical apologists and radical critics before him, Veblen’s theory was not intended as a theory of just desserts.
Facile, Water-Based, Direct-Deposit Fabrication of Hybrid Silicon Assemblies for Scalable and High-Performance Li-ion Battery Anodes

Abstract This study employs water-based electrospinning to directly deposit silicon nanocomposite anode on the copper current collector. This process creates layers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers filled with silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), while eliminating conventional slurry steps such as sonication, grinding, ball milling and doctor blading or slot and reverse roll coating. This facile direct deposition approach utilizes water and thus is free of toxic-solvent. Half cells fabricated with these directly deposited nanofibers exhibited an outstanding initial discharge capacity of 4,200 mAh g −1 at 0.18 Ag −1 , which is attributed to the synergic effects of well dispersed Si NPs and CNTs. Composite silicon nanofibers also showed an excellent capacity retention of 93% over 300 cycles at 2.5 Ag −1 . Furthermore, these nanocomposites have a great performance at fast charge/discharge rates (1193, 945 and 650 mAh g −1 at 5, 7.5 and 12.5 Ag −1 , respectively), due to incorporation of highly conductive CNTs in the nanocomposite matrix. Full cells with LiCoO 2 cathode and directly deposited silicon anodes showed no capacity fading when subjected to a cutoff value of 1200 mAh g −1 anode .These results demonstrate that direct deposition via water-based electrospinning can be an attractive route to the production of high-performance silicon anodes.
Benefits and Harms of Intensive Blood Pressure Treatment in Adults Aged 60 Years or Older: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Recent guidelines recommend a systolic blood pressure (SBP) goal of less than 150 mm Hg for adults aged 60 years or older, but the balance of benefits and harms is unclear in light of newer evidence. Purpose To systematically review the effects of more versus less intensive BP control in older adults. Data Sources Multiple databases through January 2015 and MEDLINE to September 2016. Study Selection 21 randomized, controlled trials comparing BP targets or treatment intensity, and 3 observational studies that assessed harms. Data Extraction Two investigators extracted data, assessed study quality, and graded the evidence using published criteria. Data Synthesis Nine trials provided high-strength evidence that BP control to less than 150/90 mm Hg reduces mortality (relative risk [RR], 0.90 [95% CI, 0.83 to 0.98]), cardiac events (RR, 0.77 [CI, 0.68 to 0.89]), and stroke (RR, 0.74 [CI, 0.65 to 0.84]). Six trials yielded low- to moderate-strength evidence that lower targets (≤140/85 mm Hg) are associated with marginally significant decreases in cardiac events (RR, 0.82 [CI, 0.64 to 1.00]) and stroke (RR, 0.79 [CI, 0.59 to 0.99]) and nonsignificantly fewer deaths (RR, 0.86 [CI, 0.69 to 1.06]). Low- to moderate-strength evidence showed that lower BP targets do not increase falls or cognitive impairment. Limitation Data relevant to frail elderly adults and the effect of multimorbidity are limited. Conclusion Treatment to at least current guideline standards for BP (<150/90 mm Hg) substantially improves health outcomes in older adults. There is less consistent evidence, largely from 1 trial targeting SBP less than 120 mm Hg, that lower BP targets are beneficial for high-risk patients. Lower BP targets did not increase falls or cognitive decline but are associated with hypotension, syncope, and greater medication burden. Primary Funding Source U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative. (PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015017677).
An Online Appendix to 'The Conversion of Money Lines into Win Probabilities: Reconciliations and Simplifications'

This online appendix accompanies the paper “The Conversion of Money Lines into Win Probabilities: Reconciliations and Simplifications” by the same authors.Full paper available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2658335
The biological degradation of acetaldehyde in coastal seawater

Abstract To assess how fast acetaldehyde can be removed in seawater, acetaldehyde loss was measured in filtered and unfiltered seawater collected from Pacific Ocean waters at a coastal site in Orange County, California, USA between January and June 2014. Samples were injected with fully deuterated acetaldehyde, and concentrations measured periodically by purge and trap isotope dilution GC/MS. For unfiltered seawater, measured first-order rate constants ranged from 3.3 × 10− 4 min− 1 to 5.4 × 10− 3 min− 1, with an average of 2.0 ± 0.1 × 10− 3 min− 1. This suggests an acetaldehyde turnover in these waters ranging from 185 min to ~ 3000 min with an average of 500 min. Loss rate constants measured in seawater filtered through 0.2 μm filters (attributed to chemical degradation) were negligible relative to those for unfiltered seawater (attributed to abiotic or biotic particles). First order rate constants in filtered seawater were on average 4 ± 2% of those measured in unfiltered seawater. Unfiltered rate constants increased during regional rainfall events and were positively correlated with aerobic bacterial counts. The correlation was stronger in the wetter first half of the experiment (R2 = 0.873 vs. 0.685). Correlations with bacteria levels and activation/deactivation experiments suggest that the loss in unfiltered seawater samples is driven by biotic particles rather than abiotic particles. Acetaldehyde degradation rate constants are higher than acetone degradation rate constants measured previously at the same site. Comparison with estimated photochemical production rates suggests that these waters are a source of acetaldehyde to the atmosphere.
Depletion of MHC class II invariant chain peptide or γ–δ T-cells ameliorates experimental preeclampsia

Excessive innate immune system activation and inflammation during pregnancy can lead to organ injury and dysfunction and preeclampsia (PE); however, the molecular mechanisms involved are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that Toll-like receptor (TLR) activation induces major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II invariant chain peptide (CLIP) expression on immune cells, makes them pro-inflammatory, and are necessary to cause PE-like features in mice. Treatment with VG1177, a competitive antagonist peptide for CLIP in the groove of MHC class II, was able to both prevent and treat PE-like features in mice. We then determined that γ–δ T cells are critical for the development of PE-like features in mice since γ–δ T-cell knockout mice, like CLIP deficient mice, are resistant to developing PE-like features. Placentas from women with PE exhibit significantly increased levels of γ–δ T cells. These preclinical data demonstrate that CLIP expression and activated γ–δ T cells are responsible for the development of immunologic PE-like features and that temporarily antagonizing CLIP and/or γ–δ T cells may be a therapeutic strategy for PE.
Transgenerational Trauma and Resilience: Improving Mental Health Counseling for Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

As disasters increase worldwide, there is greater need for effective and expedient disaster mental health response. The purpose of this paper is to present the etiology of transgenerational trauma to advance mental health counselors' understanding of the complex issues associated with trauma and disaster. The authors have woven literature from the field of trauma counseling with their own clinical experiences during deployment in post-Katrina New Orleans. The authors assert that mental health counselors can enhance clinical practice by using transgenerational trauma assessment and interventions as well as historical and contextual knowledge. A case example and recommendations are provided to demonstrate how to incorporate transgenerational trauma and resilience into clinical practice when working with disaster survivors.
The Case for Peripheral Aesthetics: Fredric Jameson, the World-System and Cultures of Emancipation

Since its 1986 publication, Fredric Jameson’s essay “Third-World Literature in the Era of Multinational Capitalism” (TWL) has been widely perceived as the master theorist’s colossal misstep; postcolonial scholars, following the Indian Marxist Aijaz Ahmad, have criticized TWL as a singular intervention that exemplifies metropolitan parochialism about third-world peripheries. Breaking with such consensus, this essay offers a postcolonial–materialist defence of the essay’s two central, conceptual categories: national allegory and third-world/peripheral aesthetics. I demonstrate that their theoretical basis lies in the differential calibration of modernism, and the public–private ratio, in the peripheries of the capitalist world-system. These abstractions are in fact engendered by the unevenly universalizing tendencies of capital itself. The first part of the essay illustrates how a reconsideration of TWL is vital to current theories of world literature, which borrow much and often without acknowledgement fro...
Osteosarcoma studies at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital from 1968 through 1990

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital opened its doors in 1962. By 1968, stage-related treatment protocols for osteosarcoma were established. This paper will be limited to our investigations of the relatively new agent ifosfamide, adjuvant chemotherapy protocols, and the treatment of metastatic disease revealed at diagnosis.
The Passionate Mother and the Contest for Authority: “The Idiots” and “Amy Foster”

Joseph Conrad’s early, Brittany-inspired tales “The Idiots” and “Amy Foster” ironically invoke a kind of Lombrosian “maternal passion,” memorably portraying anxieties about of the inheritance of familial traits and highlighting the fearful regression of the female protagonist as she lashes out against her spouse. These tales share a common preoccupation with the shortcomings of conventional parental roles, the potential for atavism in individuals under stress, and the inescapable influence of genetic inheritance. In its own way, each story chronicles the way in which a mother brutally usurps her husband’s presumed authority in the household, preventing him from shaping what inheritance he will proffer. Conrad’s ambivalent portrayal of maternal authority and women’s degeneration renders the mothers darkly triumphant in rebellion, an unexpected departure from the role of the submissive wife.
Correction to: Evaluating representational systems in artificial intelligence

In the original publication, the first paragraph of introduction section was published incorrectly. The corrected text was given in this correction.
Assessment of the ‘Gasaway’ source of resistance to eastern filbert blight in New Jersey

Abstract The disease eastern filbert blight (EFB), caused by Anisogramma anomala, severely limits hazelnut (Corylus avellana) production in North America. In the 1970s, ‘Gasaway’, a late-flowering pollenizer, was found to be resistant to EFB in the Pacific northwestern U.S., and to transmit its resistance in a predictable Mendelian pattern. Its subsequent use in breeding at Oregon State University led to the release of a number of EFB-resistant cultivars, including Jefferson, Yamhill, Dorris, Wepster, and McDonald, which are now being widely planted across the Willamette Valley of Oregon. However, some cultivars carrying the ‘Gasaway’ R-gene develop EFB in New Jersey. Thus, the utility of this resistance source for breeding plants adapted to the eastern U.S has not been fully evaluated. In this study, we examined the EFB response of seedlings from 31 different full-sib progenies expected to segregate for the ‘Gasaway’ R-gene. Trees were exposed to the disease over at least 5 years and evaluated on a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = resistant, 5 = highly susceptible). In general, we found the number of seedlings free of EFB (class 0) to be less than expected based on prior work in Oregon, but resistant individuals were identified in each progeny, indicating the presence of heritable resistance. When disease response classes 0, 1, and 2 were combined (resistant through highly tolerant) and considered as “resistant”, the expected ratio of resistant to susceptible trees was recovered, signifying that the single dominant allele alone continues to provide a predictable level of at least tolerance. Modifying genes/factors appear to play a role in the final disease response of the individual seedling. It is thus hypothesized that some cultivars selected as resistant in Oregon that develop cankers in New Jersey may lack the necessary modifying genetic factors for full protection in the east. Until these modifying genes are elucidated, long-term field evaluation remains necessary to identify selections that carry the ‘Gasaway’ R-gene and express a high level of resistance to EFB in the eastern U.S.
Assembly and annotation of a draft genome sequence for Glycine latifolia, a perennial wild relative of soybean.

Glycine latifolia (Benth.) Newell & Hymowitz (2n = 40), one of the 27 wild perennial relatives of soybean, possesses genetic diversity and agronomically favorable traits that are lacking in soybean. Here, we report the 939-Mb draft genome assembly of G. latifolia (PI 559298) using exclusively linked-reads sequenced from a single Chromium library. We organized scaffolds into 20 chromosome-scale pseudomolecules utilizing two genetic maps and the Glycine max (L.) Merr. genome sequence. High copy numbers of putative 91-bp centromere-specific tandem repeats were observed in consecutive blocks within predicted pericentromeric regions on several pseudomolecules. No 92-bp putative centromeric repeats, which are abundant in G. max, were detected in G. latifolia or Glycine tomentella. Annotation of the assembled genome and subsequent filtering yielded a high confidence gene set of 54 475 protein-coding loci. In comparative analysis with five legume species, genes related to defense responses were significantly overrepresented in Glycine-specific orthologous gene families. A total of 304 putative nucleotide-binding site (NBS)-leucine-rich-repeat (LRR) genes were identified in this genome assembly. Different from other legume species, we observed a scarcity of TIR-NBS-LRR genes in G. latifolia. The G. latifolia genome was also predicted to contain genes encoding 367 LRR-receptor-like kinases, a family of proteins involved in basal defense responses and responses to abiotic stress. The genome sequence and annotation of G. latifolia provides a valuable source of alternative alleles and novel genes to facilitate soybean improvement. This study also highlights the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the application of Chromium linked-reads in diploid plant genome de novo assembly.
Monsanto Lecture: The Complicated Business of State Supreme Court Elections: An Empirical Perspective

Proponents of judicial elections and related campaign activities emphasize existing First Amendment jurisprudence as well as similarities linking publicly elected state judges and other publicly-elected state officials. Opponents focus on judicial campaign contributions’ corrosive effects, including their potential to unduly influence judicial outcomes. Using a comprehensive data set of 2,345 business-related cases decided by state supreme courts across all fifty states between 2010–12, judicial election critics, including Professor Joanna Shepherd, emphasize the potential for bias and find that campaign contributions from business sources to state supreme court judicial candidates corresponded with candidates’ pro-business votes as justices. While Shepherd’s main findings generally replicate, additional (and alternative) analyses introduce new findings that raise complicating wrinkles for Shepherd’s strong normative claims. Findings from this study illustrate that efforts to influence judicial outcomes are not the exclusive domain of business interests. That is, judicial campaign contributions from non- (and anti-) business interests increase the probability of justices’ votes favoring non-business interests. As a result, critiques of judicial elections cannot properly rely exclusively on the influence of business interests. Moreover, that both business and non-business interests can successfully influence judicial outcomes through campaign contributions point in different (and possibly conflicting) normative directions. On the one hand, even if one agrees that the judicial branch qualitatively differs from the political and executive branches in terms of assessing campaign contributions’ proper role, that the potential to influence judicial outcomes is available to any interest group (willing to invest campaign contributions) complicates popular critiques of judicial elections. On the other hand, the same empirical findings also plausibly strengthen critiques of judicial elections, especially for those who view the judicial domain differently than other political domains.
Glutathione: A key role in skeletal muscle metabolism

Glutathione (GSH) is a low-molecular-weight thiol that is redox active and mostly present in mM concentrations in mammalian cells. High activity of GSH-dependent enzymes and remarkable GSH synthesizing ability of the skeletal muscle suggest that this tissue is a significant component of the complex inter-organ GSH homoeostasis. The hypothesis that skeletal muscle is a major player in whole body GSH metabolism has also been strongly supported by studies on hepatectomized rats. In addition to the above-mentioned functions of GSH, a role of this thiol in the regulation of muscle contraction has been proposed. Myoblast GSH status has also been shown to markedly regulate the inducible activation of the redox sensitive transcription factor NF-кB. Skeletal muscle GSH levels vary depending on the metabolic profile of the tissue. In healthy human skeletal muscle fibers, the level of reduced glutathione is higher in aerobic type I fibers than in anaerobic type II fibers. Another major determinant of skeletal muscle GSH status is the state of physical activity of the tissue. Endurance and sprint training enhances, whereas immobilization down-regulates, the skeletal muscle GSH level. Factors such as the central role of GSH in the antioxidant network, lowering of skeletal muscle GSH during exercise, and certain pathophysiological conditions have generated considerable interest in the search for effective pro-GSH nutritional supplements. Among the supplements that have been tested for their ability to serve as pro-GSH agents, α-lipoate and is N-acetyl-L-cysteine hold promise for human use.
Role of gut peptide in diabetes remission after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery results in the resolution of type 2 diabetes in ∼60% of cases. Pre-surgery beta-cell function, with the large and sustained weight loss resulting from the surgery, are the main predictors of diabetes remission. However, enteric mechanisms, independent of weight loss, have been identified as important players. They include, among others, changes in intestinal metabolism, the gut hormones, the bile acids and the microbiome. The enhanced release of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) contribute to the improvement of the incretin effect on insulin secretion during meals. GLP-1 and other gut peptides such as peptide YY and oxyntomodulin, may also contribute to the increased satiety and the decreased reward power of food observed after bypass, both contributing to decreased food intake and sustained weight loss. Although enteric factors are key for the full recovery of beta cell function during meals, the recovery of beta cell function in response to an IV glucose stimulus is more modest in magnitude, even in individual in diabetes remission. This may explain, in part, the long-term diabetes relapse in some patients. With the improvement of gut-mediated improved insulin secretion, RYGB results in large increase in insulin sensitivity and clearance, both contributors to improved glucose metabolism.
Promoting uncertainty to support preservice teachers’ reasoning about the tangent relationship

Including opportunities for students to experience uncertainty in solving mathematical tasks can prompt learners to resolve the uncertainty, leading to mathematical understanding. In this article, we examine how preservice secondary mathematics teachers’ thinking about a trigonometric relationship was impacted by a series of tasks that prompted uncertainty. Using dynamic geometry software, we asked preservice teachers to compare angle measures of lines on a coordinate grid to their slope values, beginning by investigating lines whose angle measures were in a near-linear relationship to their slopes. After encountering and resolving the uncertainty of the exact relationship between the values, preservice teachers connected what they learned to the tangent relationship and demonstrated new ways of thinking that entail quantitative and covariational reasoning about this trigonometric relationship. We argue that strategically using uncertainty can be an effective way of promoting preservice teachers’ reasoning about the tangent relationship.
Chondrotoxic Effects of Local Anesthetics on Human Knee Articular Cartilage: A Systematic Review

Objective To review the current literature on the effects of intraarticular local anesthetics on human knee articular cartilage. Literature survey PubMed; MEDLINE; SCOPUS; PEDro; CINAHL databases (1/1990-06/1/2018) were searched for local anesthetic effects on human knee articular cartilage. Methodology Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with outcome measures assessing chondrocyte viability, morphology, and histology. A systematic review was performed using PRISMA guidelines. Synthesis Seven studies were identified evaluating lidocaine, with five of them demonstrating statistically significant chondrotoxic effects. Fourteen studies examined bupivacaine, with all but one study demonstrating a chondrotoxic effect. Eight studies examined ropivacaine and found a dose-dependent chondrotoxicity starting at 0.75%. Two studies evaluated levobupivacaine showing chondrotoxicity, with one study showing it to be more chondrotoxic than bupivacaine. One study looked at mepivacaine and showed it to have more chondrotoxicity than ropivacaine. When studied the chondrotoxicity was found to be both dose and time dependent. Also, the addition of corticosteroids appeared to worsen the chondrotoxic effects. Conclusions Lidocaine, bupivacaine, ropivacaine, levobupivacaine, and mepivacaine were reported to have dose- and time-dependent deleterious effects on chondrocytes that appeared to be made worse by the coadministration of corticosteroids. Ropivacaine at concentrations of 0.5% or less was found to be the least chondrotoxic anesthetic. Level of evidence I.
Silicon Nitride Barrier Layers Mitigate Minority-Carrier Lifetime Degradation in Silicon Wafers During Simulated MBE Growth of III–V Layers

We observe a degradation of the minority-carrier lifetime in silicon substrates after a temperature cycle in a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) chamber that is representative of the growth of III–V materials. This decrease in the lifetime is from milliseconds to microseconds, and in some cases into the sub-microsecond range. The degradation appears to be caused by thermally activated diffusion of metals from the back side of the substrate, occurring at temperatures above 500 °C. This impacts the ability to achieve high-performance monolithic III–V/Si multi-junction solar cells, since the epitaxial growth usually requires high-temperature steps (over 700 °C) for surface de-oxidation or surface reconstruction and temperatures of 400–600 °C during the epitaxial growth. We show that, through phosphorous diffusion gettering, the lifetimes of degraded wafers can be recovered to the millisecond range. Further, we demonstrate that a silicon nitride coating functions both as a diffusion barrier and as an interfacial gettering or hydrogenation agent, enabling high minority-carrier lifetimes directly out of the MBE chamber. This approach allows for the silicon minority-carrier lifetime to be maintained in the millisecond range without the need for post-growth recovery, providing a path to achieve high-efficiency III–V/Si solar cells.
Upgrade to the SHARP EUV mask microscope

Author(s): Benk, M; Chao, W; Miyakawa, R; Goldberg, K; Naulleau, P | Abstract: The Sharp High-NA Actinic Reticle review Project (SHARP) is a synchrotron-based, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) microscope dedicated to photomask research. A potential upgrade to the SHARP microscope is presented. The upgrade includes changing the light path in the instrument from its current off-Axis configuration to an on-Axis configuration. This change allows for an increased working distance of 2.5 mm or more. A central obscuration, added to the zoneplate aperture, blocks stray light from reaching the central part of the image, thus improving the image contrast. The imaging performance of the two configurations is evaluated by means of ray tracing.
Safety and feasibility of performing peroral endoscopic myotomy as an outpatient procedure with same-day discharge

Background and Aims Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a promising treatment option for achalasia and other foregut dysmotility disorders. However, much of the current postprocedural care, such as mandatory admission and routine esophagrams, has been adapted from current surgical practices and may not in fact be necessary. Here, we describe our algorithm and outcomes for same-day discharge. Methods Outcomes of 103 consecutive patients who underwent POEM for achalasia and other foregut dysmotility disorders from January 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed. Patients were discharged on the same day without esophagrams following a predetermined algorithm based on procedural adverse events and postprocedural pain. Patients were closely monitored after discharge for adverse events at 24 and 48 hours and then routinely in the office setting. Results Of the 103 POEMs, 101 were completed successfully. A total of 62.4% of patients were discharged safely on the same day, 29.7% were admitted for mild pain, and 7.9% were admitted for observation for other reasons. Overall, there were no serious adverse events at any time point. Univariate analysis identified duration of disease greater than 3 years, longer length of procedure (50.9 vs 68.5 min, P Conclusions Although same-day discharge and foregoing routine esophagram have been suggested by many, this routine has not been systematically implemented. This series suggests that an algorithm for same-day discharge based on postprocedure chest pain and procedural complexity is both safe and feasible.
Aldosterone impairs coronary adenosine-mediated vasodilation via reduced functional expression of Ca2+-activated K+ channels.

Increased plasma aldosterone levels are associated with worsened cardiac outcomes in diverse patient groups by unclear mechanisms. We identified that, in male mice, elevated aldosterone impairs cor...
A Three Dimensional Unit Cell Model for the Analysis of Thermal Residual Stresses in Polymer Composites Reinforced with Wavy Carbon Nanotubes

This paper presents a numerical approach to predict the thermal residual stresses in polymer nanocomposites reinforced with a periodic array of wavy carbon nanotubes. A three dimensional unit cell model is established to accurately account for the waviness of the nanotube. Periodic boundary conditions are determined for the unit cell with a pair of curved surfaces. Appropriate methods to evaluate the macroscopic stresses and strains are also determined for the unit cell model in which the interior pores of the nanotubes are explicitly included. It is demonstrated that the macroscopic behavior of the nanocomposites is orthotropic due to the symmetries manifested. By employing material properties of the two constituents, the thermal residual stresses and strains induced by high temperature curing and cooling-down are predicted for an epoxy/wavy-nanotube composite. It is also demonstrated that the curing process tends to increase the waviness of the nanotube and the waviness has a significant influence on the distribution of the microscopic residual stresses.
Perioperative Complications Stratified by Body Mass Index for the Direct Anterior Approach to Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Previous studies have addressed the increased risk of perioperative complications in the obese and morbidly obese populations undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Over the last 15 years, the direct anterior approach has increased in popularity. The purpose of this study is to compare the 90-day perioperative complication rate of total hip arthroplasty performed through the direct anterior approach stratified by body mass index (BMI). Methods Perioperative complications both intraoperative and up to 90 days postoperative were identified in a case series of 1808 primary total hip arthroplasties performed through a direct anterior approach. The patients were stratified according to BMI. Demographics of age, side, sex, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score were recorded. Medical and surgical complications including National Surgical Quality Improvement Program complications, length of stay, reoperation rate, readmission rate, and length of operation were recorded. Bivariate analysis and analysis of variance were performed. Results Morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40) demonstrated increased American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, increased surgical times with statistically significant increase in number of patients with surgical complications, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program complications, deep infection, and wound breakdown. Grading the severity of complications also demonstrated the morbidly obese had a higher risk of experiencing more severe complications. Underweight patients (BMI Conclusion In stratifying patients undergoing the direct anterior approach for total hip arthroplasty by BMI, a greater rate of surgical complications both in number and in severity occurs with the morbidly obese undergoing total hip arthroplasty through a direct anterior approach.
Updates in the Treatment of Breakthrough Mold Infections

Patients on antifungal therapy who develop breakthrough mold infections pose significant treatment challenges for clinicians. Treatment of these infections demands a multimodal approach, including a thorough patient assessment, immune restoration, and evaluation for nonadherence and drug–drug interactions. However, limited clinical trial data are available to guide therapeutic decision-making. Organisms associated with breakthrough mold infection have historically included Aspergillus species and the Mucorales; however, rare and resistant molds are increasing in prevalence. Treatment failure and mortality rates remain high with breakthrough infection, irrespective of the selected treatment. Therapeutic drug monitoring, dose optimization, and combination antifungal therapy have been increasingly used to treat refractory cases. Switch therapy and combination antifungal therapy represent the major treatment strategies for breakthrough mold infection. Herein, preclinical and clinical data are reviewed supporting the merits of each approach. Additionally, recommendations for therapeutic drug monitoring are provided.
Normative Constraints on the Recourse to War

The foremost war-initiation norm in an international normative order stipulates when it is legitimate to resort to war. Permissive legitimacy norms give national leaders flexibility when employing armed force, allowing innumerable shades of offensive and defensive action. Restrictive legitimacy norms confine military action to self-defense, although what constitutes self-defense remains a matter of debate. This chapter traces changes since the Congress of Vienna in what have been considered legitimate justifications for resorting to war.
Free-Text Documentation of Dementia Symptoms in Home Healthcare: A Natural Language Processing Study.

Background:Little is known about symptom documentation related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) by home healthcare (HHC) clinicians.Objective:This study: (1) developed a natural ...
Acute Effects of Match-Play on Neuromuscular and Subjective Recovery and Stress State in Division I Collegiate Female Soccer Players.

ABSTRACT Ishida, A, Bazyler, CD, Sayers, AL, Mizuguchi, S, and Gentles, JA. Acute effects of match-play on neuromuscular and subjective recovery and stress state in Division I collegiate female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 976-982, 2021-The purpose of this study was to investigate acute effects of match-play on neuromuscular performance and subjective recovery and stress state and the relationship between training load (TL) and changes in neuromuscular performance in female soccer players. Twelve National Collegiate Athlete Association Division I players participated (20.7 ± 2.3 years; 64.4 ± 7.2 kg; 164.5 ± 6.0 cm) and completed countermovement jump (CMJ) at 0 kg (CMJ0) and 20 kg (CMJ20) and the Short Recovery Stress Scale (SRSS) at 3 hours pre-match (Pre), 12 hours post-match (Post12), and 38 hours post-match (Post38). Countermovement jump variables included body mass, jump height (JH), modified reactive strength index (RSI), peak force (PF), relative PF, eccentric impulse, concentric impulse (CI), peak power (PP), relative PP (RPP), eccentric average PP, and concentric average power (CAP). The SRSS consists of 4 Stress Scales (SSs) and 4 Recovery Scales (RSs). Training loads included total distance, total PlayerLoad, high-speed running, and session ratings of perceived exertion. Significant moderate to large decreases were observed from Pre to Post12 in JH, RSI, CI, PP, RPP, and CAP in CMJ0 and CMJ20 (p < 0.05, effect size [ES] = 0.63-1.35). Significant changes were observed from Pre to Post12 in all RSs (p < 0.05, ES = 0.65-0.79) and 3 SSs (p < 0.05, ES = 0.71-0.77). Significant correlations were observed between CMJ20 PP from Pre to Post12 and all TLs (p < 0.05, r = -0.58 to -0.68). CMJ0 and CMJ20 JH and PP may indicate acute neuromuscular changes after match-play. The magnitude of CMJ20 PP decrements from Pre to Post12 may be affected by soccer match-play volumes.
Chemical linguistics: Reading the modified proteome.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Lin et al. (2021) develop a tri-functional amino acid probe for the discovery and characterization of protein domains that sense or "read" protein post-translational modifications, a chemical tool that can facilitate our understanding of how signaling networks act at the molecular level.
MCNP modelling of radiation effects of the Dragonfly mission's RTG on Titan II: Atmospheric ionization effects

Abstract The Dragonfly mission to Titan represents the first use of a large-scale radioisotope power source in that environment; as such little is known of its potential effects on the surface or near-surface atmosphere. These effects represent backgrounds it will be necessary to subtract from the spacecraft's instrumentation data. Repurposing a Monte Carlo code model of the generator built for previous neutronic investigations with the addition of electron detectors allows for the determination of the degree to which the radiation fields from the generator may ionize the surrounding atmosphere and generate interference with the lander's conductivity measurements. Results showed good agreement with experimental data undertaken at the Idaho National Laboratory using the F-2 generator flown on the Perseverance Mars rover, and showed that the interference with readings taken in the daytime on Titan when atmospheric conductivity is expected to be low may be substantial.
Inhibition of BKCa channels protects neonatal hearts against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury

BKCa channels are large-conductance calcium and voltage-activated potassium channels that are heterogeneously expressed in a wide array of cells. Activation of BKCa channels present in mitochondria of adult ventricular cardiomyocytes is implicated in cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. However, the BKCa channels activity has never been detected in the plasma membrane of adult ventricular cardiomyocytes. In this study, we report the presence of the BKCa channel in the plasma membrane and mitochondria of neonatal murine and rodent cardiomyocytes which protects the heart on inhibition but not activation. Furthermore, K+ currents measured in neonatal cardiomyocyte (NCM) was sensitive to iberiotoxin (IbTx), suggesting the presence of BKCa channels in the plasma membrane. Neonatal hearts subjected to IR when post-conditioned with NS1619 during reoxygenation increased the myocardial infarction whereas IbTx reduced the infarct size. In agreement, isolated NCM also presented increased apoptosis on treatment with NS1619 during hypoxia and reoxygenation, whereas IbTx reduced TUNEL positive cells. In NCMs, activation of BKCa channels increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species post HR injury. Electrophysiological characterization of NCMs indicated that NS1619 increased the beat period, field, and action potential duration, and decreased the conduction velocity and spike amplitude. In contrast, IbTx had no impact on the electrophysiological properties of NCMs. Taken together, our data established that inhibition of plasma membrane BKCa channels in the NCM protects neonatal heart/cardiomyocytes from IR injury. Furthermore, the functional disparity observed towards the cardioprotective activity of BKCa channels in adults compared to neonatal heart could be attributed to their differential localization.
Robust test generation and coverage for hybrid systems

Testing is an important tool for validation of the system design and its implementation. Model-based test generation allows to systematically ascertain whether the system meets its design requirements, particularly the safety and correctness requirements of the system. In this paper, we develop a framework for generating tests from hybrid systems' models. The core idea of the framework is to develop a notion of robust test, where one nominal test can be guaranteed to yield the same qualitative behavior with any other test that is close to it. Our approach offers three distinct advantages. 1) It allows for computing and formally quantifying the robustness of some properties, 2) it establishes a method to quantify the test coverage for every test case, and 3) the procedure is parallelizable and therefore, very scalable. We demonstrate our framework by generating tests for a navigation benchmark application.
Beam design for a ping-pong-sampled linear receive array

Aliasing of far-field plane-wave information is avoided using only half the conventional Nyquist sample rate when sample timing is staggered on adjacent elements of a linear antenna array. The receive version of the array is examined here. The required upsampling beamformer structure is presented, and examples illustrate the pattern-design process.
CD154 Plays a Central Role in Regulating Dendritic Cell Activation During Infections That Induce Th1 or Th2 Responses

We compared splenic DC activation during infection with either the Th2 response-inducing parasite Schistosoma mansoni or with the Th1 response-inducing parasite Toxoplasma gondii. CD8alpha(+) DC from schistosome-infected mice exhibited a 2- to 3-fold increase in the expression of MHC class II, CD80, and CD40 (but not CD86) compared with DC from uninfected control animals, while CD8alpha(-) DC exhibited a 2- to 3-fold increase in the expression of MHC class II and CD80 and no alteration, compared with DC from uninfected mice, in the expression of CD86 or CD40. Intracellular staining revealed that DC did not produce IL-12 during infection with S. mansoni. In contrast, infection with T. gondii resulted in a more pronounced increase in the expression of activation-associated molecules (MHC class II, CD80, CD86, and CD40) on both CD8alpha(-) and CD8alpha(+) splenic DC and promoted elevated IL-12 production by DC. Analysis of MHC class I and of additional costimulatory molecules (ICOSL, ICAM-1, OX40L, 4-1BBL, and B7-DC) revealed a generally similar pattern, with greater indication of activation in T. gondii-infected mice compared with S. mansoni-infected animals. Strikingly, the activation of DC observed during infection with either parasite was not apparent in DC from infected CD154(-/-) mice, indicating that CD40/CD154 interactions are essential for maintaining DC activation during infection regardless of whether the outcome is a Th1 or a Th2 response. However, the ability of this activation pathway to induce IL-12 production by DC is restrained in S. mansoni-infected, but not T. gondii-infected, mice by Ag-responsive CD11c(-) cells.
XLIV. On some points in the chemistry of acid-manufacture

(1872). XLIV. On some points in the chemistry of acid-manufacture. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 44, No. 294, pp. 370-381.