cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The internal dynamics and small signal analysis of BARITT diodes

Abstract A “two-carrier” computer simulation showing the transient response of BARITT diodes to an applied current step is presented. The internal dynamics of the diode in terms of the time evolution of the electric field, electron and hole densities as well as both conduction and displacement currents are discussed. The dynamics of the solution reveals the formation of a low field region at the injecting contact, a result which is not obtainable from “one-carrier” models of BARITT diodes. A small signal analysis is performed on the steady state solution and demonstrates an increased differential negative resistance (DNR) for increased device length at a given doping, and an increased DNR coupled with a wider frequency bandwidth for a decrease in carrier lifetime at the injecting junction.
Bias in the Estimator of Kendall's Rank Correlation When Extreme Pairs are Removed from a Sample

Abstract This article obtains the average effect on the estimator of Kendall's rank correlation coefficient when extreme pairs are removed from a sample. Formulas, which are functions of Sterling numbers of the second kind, are derived for this bias. The exact bias, and an approximation, are tabulated for n = 3(1) 19.
Intake of added sugars is not associated with weight measures in children 6 to 18 years: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2003-2006.

Abstract Studies examining an association between consumption of added sugars (AS) and weight measures in children are inconclusive. This study examined the association between intake of AS and 5 measures of weight or adiposity using a nationally recent representative sample of children. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2003–2006 24-hour recall data from children 6 to 18 years (n = 3136) were used. United States Department of Agriculture's definition of AS and MyPyramid Equivalents Database were used to estimate daily intake. Multiple linear regression and squared partial correlation coefficients were used to estimate the strength of association between weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI Z scores, waist circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds as dependent variables with AS as the independent variable. Covariates were age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty income ratio, total energy intake (kJ), and physical activity. Mean intake of AS was 23 ± 0.55 teaspoons (tsp) (21 tsp for 6-11 years and 25 tsp for 12-18 years) accounting for 17% of total energy intake for both groups. The percent variance explained in BMI Z scores was 3.9% in children 6 to 11 years, with AS contributing only 0.03%. In children 12 to 18 years, the percent variance explained in the BMI Z scores was 6.5% with 0.18% coming from AS. No significant associations were observed between intake of AS and weight or adiposity measures. Consumption of AS did not contribute significantly to BMI Z scores in children 6 to 18 years. Longitudinal studies using more robust and precise measures of dietary intake are needed to further investigate the role of AS and weight in children.
Images of England through Popular Music: Class, Youth and Rock ‘n’ Roll, 1955–1976

In Images of England through Popular Music, Keith Gildart convincingly argues that popular music generally, and rock music specifically, operated as a significant cultural phenomenon and crucial to...
“Shrink Wrapping” Lectures: Teaching Cell and Molecular Biology within the Context of Human Pathologies

Students are most motivated and learn best when they are immersed in an environment that causes them to realize why they should learn. Perhaps nowhere is this truer than when teaching the biological sciences to engineers. Transitioning from a traditionally mathematics-based to a traditionally knowledge-based pedagogical style can challenge student learning and engagement. To address this, human pathologies were used as a problem-based context for teaching knowledge-based cell biological mechanisms. Lectures were divided into four modules. First, a disease was presented from clinical, economic, and etiological standpoints. Second, fundamental concepts of cell and molecular biology were taught that were directly relevant to that disease. Finally, we discussed the cellular and molecular basis of the disease based on these fundamental concepts, together with current clinical approaches to the disease. The basic science is thus presented within a “shrink wrap” of disease application. Evaluation of this contextual technique suggests that it is very useful in improving undergraduate student focus and motivation, and offers many advantages to the instructor as well.
Bicarbonate efflux via GABAA receptors depolarizes membrane potential and inhibits two‐pore domain potassium channels of astrocytes in rat hippocampal slices

Increasing evidence indicates the functional expression of ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA(A) -R) in astrocytes. However, it remains controversial in regard to the intracellular Cl(-) concentration ([Cl(-) ](i) ) and the functional role of anion-selective GABA(A) -R in astrocytes. In gramicidin perforated-patch recordings from rat hippocampal CA1 astrocytes, GABA and GABA(A) -R-specific agonist THIP depolarized astrocyte membrane potential (V(m) ), and the THIP-induced currents reversed at the voltages between -75.3 and -78.3 mV, corresponding to a [Cl(-) ](i) of 3.1-3.9 mM that favored a passive distribution of Cl(-) anions across astrocyte membrane. Further analysis showed that GABA(A) -R-induced V(m) depolarization was ascribed to HCO(3) (-) efflux, while a passively distributed Cl(-) mediated no net flux or influx of Cl(-) that leads to an unchanged or hyperpolarized V(m) . In addition to a rapidly activated GABA(A) -R current component, GABA and THIP also induced a delayed inward current (DIC) in 63% of astrocytes. The DIC became manifest after agonist withdrawal and enhanced in amplitude with increasing agonist application duration or concentrations. Astrocytic two-pore domain K(+) channels (K2Ps), especially TWIK-1, appeared to underlie the DIC, because (1) acidic intracellular pH, as a result of HCO(3) (-) efflux, inhibited TWIK-1, (2) the DIC remained in the Cs(+) recording solutions that inhibited conventional K(+) channels, and (3) the DIC was completely inhibited by 1 mM quinine but not by blockers for other cation/anion channels. Altogether, HCO(3) (-) efflux through activated GABA(A) -R depolarizes astrocyte V(m) and induces a delayed inhibition of K2Ps K(+) channels via intracellular acidification.
The Adenovirus E1A Repression Domain Disrupts the Interaction between the TATA Binding Protein and the TATA Box in a Manner Reversible by TFIIB

The human adenovirus E1A 243 amino acid oncoprotein possesses a transcription repression function that appears to be linked with its ability to induce cell cycle progression and to inhibit cell differentiation. The molecular mechanism of E1A repression has been poorly understood. Recently, we reported that the TATA binding protein (TBP) is a cellular target of E1A repression. Here we demonstrate that the interaction between TBP and the E1A repression domain is direct and specific. The TBP binding domain within E1A 243R maps to E1A N-terminal residues approximately 1 to 35 and is distinct from the TBP binding domain within conserved region 3 unique to the E1A 289R transactivator. An E1A protein fragment consisting of only the E1A N-terminal 80 amino acids (E1A 1-80) and containing the E1A repression function was found to block the interaction between TBP and the TATA box element as shown by gel mobility and DNase protection analysis. Interestingly, a preformed TBP-TATA box promoter complex can be dissociated by E1A 1-80. Further, TFIIB can prevent E1A disruption of TBP-TATA box interaction. TFIIB, like TBP, can overcome E1A repression of transcription in vitro. The ability of the E1A repression domain to block TBP interaction with the TATA box and the ability of TFIIB to reverse E1A disruption of the TBP-TATA box complex implies a mechanism for E1A repression distinct from those of known cellular repressors that target TBP.
Toxicity of Organosilicone Adjuvants and Selected Pesticides to the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) and Its Parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Abstract The acute toxicity of the adjuvants Silwet L-77 and Kinetic, alone and in combination with petroleum oil and copper hydroxide, to the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama was evaluated in screenhouse bioassays. In addition, the acute and residual toxicity of Silwet L-77 and Kinetic, alone and in combination with petroleum oil, copper hydroxide, imidacloprid, and abamectin, to the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. In screenhouse trials, Silwet L-77 (0.05%) was more insecticidal than Kinetic (0.05%) and increased the toxicity of both petroleum oil and copper hydroxide to D. citri. Petroleum oil at reduced rates (0.5 and 1%) in combination with Silwet L-77 or Kinetic was less effective in reducing D. citri populations than petroleum oil at 2% in combination with these adjuvants. Petroleum oil at 2% plus Silwet L-77 was the most toxic combination to D. citri eggs, young (first- and second- instars) and mature nymphs (third- to fifth-instars...
Comparison of immunoaffinity column recovery patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans on columns generated with different monoclonal antibody clones and polyclonal antibodies

Evaluation of immunoaffinity columns (IACs) for dioxin serum sample clean-up requires a determination of the recovery of various dioxin congeners. We compared the IAC performance of different monoclonal and polyclonal anti-dioxin antibodies, measuring the recovery of congeners of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs). In addition, we measured the recovery of congeners of the structurally related polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). The polyclonal antibody based IACs evaluated had lower recovery for highly chlorinated dioxin congeners, but were more specific toward 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The resemblance of the hapten to 2,3,7,8-TCDD appeared to play a clear role, but chlorines in the 2-, 3- and 7-positions of the hapten were essential. Recovery of 2,3,7,8-TCDD from the IAC showed some relation to the affinity for the antibody measured by either the Ka from accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) or with 50% inhibition of color activity (IC50) determined from an ELISA analysis. The IACs prepared from four monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) derived from a common hapten showed differences in their retention patterns of PCDDs/PCDFs. Comparison of IC50 from ELISA with recovery from the IACs indicated that a minimum IC50 of 100 ppb was required for satisfactory recovery from the IAC, but the correlation was poor, indicating other factors were involved. Mab DD3 showed the broadest spectrum of the Mabs and showed satisfactory recoveries of all of the dioxin congeners, except OCDD. In addition, DD3 showed good recovery toward 2,3,4,8-TCDF, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF but has poor recovery when PCDFs have a chlorine substitution in the 1-position. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Public health nurses tailor interventions for families at risk.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To use structured clinical data from public health nurse (PHN) documentation to describe client risk, to describe family home visiting interventions, including tailoring, and to assess the associations between client risk and intervention tailoring. Design and Sample: Retrospective cohort design. A cohort of 486 family home visiting clients who received at least 3 visits from PHNs in a local Midwest public health agency (2000–2005). Measures: Omaha System variables documenting assessments, interventions, and outcomes. A risk index was created to identify low- and high-risk clients. Descriptive and inferential methods were used to describe interventions, and to assess intervention tailoring between groups. Intervention: Routine PHN family home visiting practice. Results: The risk index meaningfully discriminated between groups. PHNs provided more visits and interventions to clients in the high-risk group, with variations in problem, category, and target by group, demonstrating that PHNs tailored interventions to address specific client needs. Conclusions: Standardized terminologies and structured clinical data are useful tools to support PHN practice, and may be useful to advance health care quality research, program evaluation, policy development, and population health outcomes.
Cognitive engine implementation for wireless multicarrier transceivers

This paper presents a genetic-algorithm driven, cognitive radio decision engine that determines the optimal radio transmission parameters for single and multicarrier systems. Determining the appropriate radio parameters, given a dynamic wireless channel environment is the primary feature of cognitive radios for wireless communication systems. Genetic algorithms (GAs) are designed to select the optimal transmission parameters by scoring a subset of parameters and evolving them until the optimal value is reached for a given goal. Although there have been implementations of GA-based single carrier cognitive radio engines, the performance of these algorithms has not been thoroughly analyzed nor have the fitness functions employed by the algorithms been explored in detail. Multicarrier systems are common in today's communication environment, thus cognitive techniques that account for only single-carrier systems neglect the practical issues of multiple carriers. A set of accurate single carrier and multicarrier fitness functions for our GA implementation that completely control the evolution of the algorithm have been derived. The performance analysis results illustrate the trade-offs between the convergence time of the GA and the size of the GA search space. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics analysis in post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders

Little is known about the biology of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). The objective of this study was to determine the molecular alterations that occur at the protein level in patients with PTLDs. Six tumor samples from adult patients with PTLD and four benign lymph nodes were studied using protein microrarray technique. Proteins that were dysregulated included proteins in the PI3K/mTOR, NFkB and HSP90 pathways. Inhibitors of these proteins induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in EBV+ve and –ve cell lines. These results provide insight into pathways that are dysregulated in PTLD and can be targeted in future clinical trials.
Roles of K+ and Cl- Channels in cAMP-induced pulmonary vasodilation

Increase in intracellular adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) is a common pathway for many clinically used drugs to cause pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation. Activity of sarcolemmal K+ and Cl(-)-channels is an important determinant of membrane potential (Em), which, in turn, plays a critical role in regulating pulmonary vascular tone. Whether K+ and Cl- channels were involved in cAMP-induced PA relaxation was tested using isolated rat PA rings. Raising extracellular K+ concentration from 20 to 142.7 mM increased the K(+)-evoked contraction, but significantly decreased the relaxation induced by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin (FSK, 2.5 microM), suggesting that FSK-induced PA relaxation depended on transmembrane K+ gradient. Indeed, the FSK-induced relaxation was inhibited by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 10 mM), a voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channel blocker. Neither the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel blocker, charybdotoxin, nor the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker, glibenclamide, had this effect. Furthermore, reducing extracellular Cl- concentration from 142.7 to 50 mM significantly decreased the FSK-induced relaxation in PA rings precontracted with 142.7 mM K+ (Ek approximately 0 mV), but negligibly affected the evoked contraction. This indicates that transmembrane Cl- gradient also regulates FSK-induced PA relaxation. Indeed, the Cl- channel blocker, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB, 10 microM), significantly inhibited the FSK-induced relaxation in PA rings preconstricted by 142.7 mM K+. In summary, the data suggest that the cAMP-induced PA relaxation is attributable, at least partly, to both activation of the 4-AP-sensitive Kv channels and stimulation of the NPPB-sensitive Cl- channels.
Measuring coupling and cohesion of software modules: an information-theory approach

Coupling of a subsystem characterizes its interdependence with other subsystems. A subsystem's cohesion, on the other hand, characterizes its internal interdependencies. When used in conjunction with other attributes, measurements of a subsystem's coupling and cohesion can contribute to software quality models. An abstraction of a software system can be represented by a graph, and a module (subsystem) by a subgraph. Software design graphs depict components and their relationships. E.B. Allen and T.M. Khoshgoftaar (1999) proposed information theory-based measures of coupling and cohesion of a modular system. This paper proposes related information theory-based measures of coupling and cohesion of a module. These measures have the properties of module-level coupling and cohesion defined by Briand, Morasca and Basili (1997, 1999) . We define cohesion of a module in terms of intra-module coupling, normalized to between zero and one. We illustrate the measures with example graphs and an empirical analysis of the call graph of a moderate-sized C program, the Nethack computer game. Preliminary analysis showed that the information-theory approach has finer discrimination than counting.
Novel beam-steering techniques for wireless communications

Several low-cost beam steering techniques have been developed without the use of conventional ferrite or solid-state phase shifters. These methods are: a microstrip patch antenna array fed by a dielectric image line controlled by a reflector plate; a multi-microstrip line fed Vivaldi antenna array controlled by piezoelectric transducers; and a movable grating film fed by dielectric image line. The measurement results agree very well with the predictions. These new techniques have many advantages including low cost, broad bandwidth, low loss, wide scan angle, and simplicity.
The Direction of Geography LibGuides

This study compares Geography LibGuides from forty different U.S. institutions spread across thirty states. It has equal shares of National Research Council (NRC) top-rated schools and randomly chosen schools and includes doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and certificate and nondegree programs. Information on the most common databases, books, journals, geospatial data and map sources, Web sites, and media recommended by these LibGuides is presented. On the whole, the smaller, primarily undergraduate schools tended to feature more resources than the larger, top NRC-rated schools with graduate programs. They were also more likely to link to individual books and Web sites, and to include pages dedicated to subtopics such as physical geography and human geography.
Do Independent Directors Monitor Financial Reporting? Evidence from Accounting Misstatements Following Stock Exchange Listing Requirements

A wave of accounting failures at the beginning of the century motivated the national stock exchanges to require firms to maintain a majority independent board of directors. Approximately 24% of firms were not already in compliance with the new listing requirements and so were forced to change. We investigate the causal effect of this forced increase in board independence (outside directors) on the probability of an accounting misstatement. Existing empirical studies find a negative relation between board independence and the probability of a misstatement (Beasley 1996, Dechow et al. 1996), but recent theory suggests that independent directors might be less effective monitors (Adams and Ferreira 2007, Harris and Raviv 2008). Using an instrumental variables design, we find that the forced increase in board independence increased the probability of misstatements. The findings suggest that the listing requirements had the opposite of their intended effect.
Superplasticity in Al2O3ZrO2Al2TiO5 ceramics

In order for ceramics to exhibit superplasticity, it has been shown that a stable grain size less than 1 {mu}m must be present and that like metals, grain growth either prior to or during deformation can result in a loss of superplasticity, e.g. an increase in grain size from 0.4 to 3 {mu}m resulted in a 5 fold increase in the flow stress of yttria stabilized zirconia during compression testing at 1,450 C. The primary use of superplastic ceramics is in the net shape forging of parts, where the closed die forging operation will result in a fully dense ceramic part with little, if any, machining. Since up to 80% of the cost of ceramic parts is attributable to machining cost it is of benefit to develop ceramics that are superplastic and resistant to grain growth. Grain growth in ceramics at high temperature occurs as a result of grain boundary migration where like grain boundaries are in contact, i.e. all grain boundaries in a single phase material such as zirconia. The addition of a second phase, e.g. alumina, has been shown to increase the extent of superplasticity and reduce the flow stress by reducing grain growth during deformation by reducingmore » the number of like grain boundaries in contact. It is the authors` hypothesis that with the addition of a third, mutually insoluble phase, in this instance aluminum titanate, the number of like grain boundaries can be significantly reduced. The material will be more resistant to grain growth and maintain its superplastic behavior to higher strains than either the single or two phase ceramic alloys investigated to date.« less
New Pain Management Options for the Surgical Patient on Methadone and Buprenorphine

Perioperative management of patients receiving opioid addiction therapy presents a unique challenge for the anesthesiologist. The goal of pain management in this patient population is to effectively manage postoperative pain, to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, and to reduce the cost of health care. Multimodal analgesics, including nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous acetaminophen, gabapentanoid agents, and low-dose ketamine infusions, have been used to improve postoperative pain and to reduce postoperative opioid use. Patients on long-term opioid management therapy with methadone and buprenorphine require special considerations. Recommendations and options for treating postoperative pain in patients on methadone and buprenorphine are outlined below. Other postoperative pain management options include patient-controlled analgesia, intravenous, and transdermal, in addition to neuraxial and regional anesthesia techniques. Special patient populations include the parturient on long-term opioid therapy. Recommendations for use of opioids in these patients during labor and delivery and in the postpartum period are discussed.
Optical Fano resonances in a nonconcentric nanoshell

The interaction of light with a metal nanoshell with an off-center core generates multipoles of all orders. We show here that the matrix elements used to compute the multipole expansion coefficients can be derived analytically and, with this result, we can show explicitly how the dipole and quadrupole terms in the expansion are coupled and give rise to a Fano resonance. We also show that the off-center core significantly increases the electric field enhancement at the shell surface compared to the concentric case, which can be exploited for surface-enhanced sensing. The multipole solutions are confirmed with finite-element calculations.
Tissue Storage in Cadmium Treated Pigs

SummaryFeeding cadmium oxide-containing food for 3 days at concentrations of 68 mg and 91 mg per lb of food results in cadmium retention in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. The increase is significant when compared to controls but is very low when compared to cadmium levels others have reported by inhalation or feeding. Humans with no known exposure to cadmium have higher cadmium levels in the kidneys than pigs fed cadmium as described above.
Multichannel potential model of πN scattering in theI=1/2,J=1/2+ state

A multichannel-potential model, which incorporates some relativistic kinematics, correct threshold behaviors, space-time symmetries and coupling to channels containing unstable particles is developed. The model is a generalization of the separable-potential model of Yamaguchi. It is applied to πN scattering in theI=1/2,J=1/2+ state. The πN and σN (where σ is an unstableI=0,J=0+ two-pion state) channels are taken into account. The parameters of the model are adjusted to give 1) a nucleon bound state at the physical nucleon mass, 2) a zero in the πN amplitude at a pion laboratory kinetic energy of 150 MeV, 3) the πN Roper resonance at a pion laboratory kinetic energy of 600 MeV and 4) the experimental inelasticity parameter. We then find theN coupling constant\(g\frac{2}{\pi }\) /4π=15.2 and the πNI=1/2,J=1/2+ scattering lengtha11=−0.06 in units of the cube of the pion Compton wavelength, in fair agreement with the experimental values\(g\frac{2}{\pi }\) /4π=15.1±0.006 anda11=−0.101±0.007, respectively. The πN coupling constant\(g\frac{2}{\pi }\) /4π was found to be ∼7 in comparison with estimates of ∼ 4÷5 from the analysis of nucleon-nucleon scattering.
Understanding the Role of Defect Sites in Glucan Hydrolysis on Surfaces

Though unfunctionalized mesoporous carbon consisting of weakly Bronsted acidic OH-defect sites depolymerizes cellulose under mild conditions, the nature of the active site and how this affects hydrolysis kinetics—the rate-limiting step of this process—has remained a puzzle. Here, in this manuscript, we quantify the effect of surface OH-defect site density during hydrolysis catalysis on the rate of reaction. Our comparative approach relies on synthesis and characterization of grafted poly(1→4-β-glucan) (β-glu) strands on alumina. Grafted β-glu strands on alumina have a 9-fold higher hydrolysis rate per glucan relative to the highest rate measured for β-glu strands on silica. This amounts to a hydrolysis rate per grafted center on alumina that is 2.7-fold more active than on silica. These data are supported by the lower measured activation energy for hydrolysis of grafted β-glu strands on alumina being 70 kJ/mol relative to 87 kJ/mol on silica. The observed linear increase of hydrolysis rate with increasing...
Chymotrypsin in cancer.

SummaryParenteral injections of chymo-trypsin had no effect on the course of 101 cases of neoplastic disease in man.
High-Resolution Optical Microscopy Of BaXSr1-xTio3 Films

The ferroelectric polarization of thin films of BaxSr1-xTiO3 is imaged using confocal scanning optical microscopy (CSOM). The thin films are grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on SrTiO3 substrates. Ferroelectric domain structure is imaged by applying a small ac electric field across interdigitated electrodes, and measuring induced reflectivity changes in the film, which are directly related to the polarization. Domain re-orientation is observed by acquiring CSOM images as a function of the dc electric field. Local hysteresis loops are obtained by sweeping the dc electric field at fixed positions on the sample. Micrometer-sized regions exhibit both ferroelectric and paraelectric response, indicating that thermal broadening of the phase transition is largely due to inhomogeneities in the thin films.
BMET-24CRANIOTOMY FOR TUMOR RESECTION IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE BRAIN METASTASES: CHARACTERISTIC OF THE DOMINANT METASTATIC LESION

In the surgical management of multiple brain metastases, resection of the dominant lesion occurs in the setting of neurological compromise. There is a paucity of data characterizing the dominant lesion. This study aims to quantitatively and qualitatively describe a "dominant" metastatic lesion and assess symptomatic improvement following resection. All adult patients with multiple brain metastases (2 or more) from 2007 to 2013 who underwent craniotomy for tumor resection for were identified. Outcomes of interest were perioperative complications and change/resolution of symptomology at discharge. Characteristics associated with symptom resolution were assessed via chi-squared test. A total of 38 patients were included in the study. 36.8% were male and mean age was 59.0 years. Of the 38 dominant tumors resected, 94.7% enhanced, 50.0% were hemorrhagic, and 28.9% had cystic components. The mean largest diameter of the dominant lesion was 39.5 mm and mean volume was 202873.2 mm3. The next largest lesion had a mean diameter of 13.2 mm (range 3 mm to 31 mm) and volume of 11496.9 mm3. The dominant metastatic lesion proved to be at least 299.2% larger in mean largest linear dimension and 1764.6%% larger by volume compared to the next largest metastatic lesion. 65.9% of patients achieved gross total resection and 68.4% of patients had at least partial resolution of symptoms. Resection of the dominant lesions with greater than 3 times the diameter or greater than 15 times the volume than the next largest lesion had significantly higher rates of symptom relief compared to smaller dominant lesions (80.0% vs. 46.2%, p = 0.033). In patients with cerebellar lesions, symptom improvement occurred 100.0% of the time. Craniotomy for resection of dominant metastatic tumors is effective for symptomatic relief, especially for dominant lesions 3 times the diameter or 15 times the volume of the next largest lesion.
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Formulations in Cardiovascular Disease: Dietary Supplements are Not Substitutes for Prescription Products

Omega-3 fatty acid products are available as prescription formulations (icosapent ethyl, omega-3-acid ethyl esters, omega-3-acid ethyl esters A, omega-3-carboxylic acids) and dietary supplements (predominantly fish oils). Most dietary supplements and all but one prescription formulation contain mixtures of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Products containing both EPA and DHA may raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). In clinical trials, the EPA-only prescription product, icosapent ethyl, did not raise LDL-C compared with placebo. To correct a common misconception, it is important to note that omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements are not US FDA–approved over-the-counter drugs and are not required to demonstrate safety and efficacy prior to marketing. Conversely, prescription products are supported by extensive clinical safety and efficacy investigations required for FDA approval and have active and ongoing safety monitoring programs. While omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements may have a place in the supplementation of diet, they generally contain lower levels of EPA and DHA than prescription products and are not approved or intended to treat disease. Perhaps due to the lack of regulation of dietary supplements, EPA and DHA levels may vary widely within and between brands, and products may also contain unwanted cholesterol or fats or potentially harmful components, including toxins and oxidized fatty acids. Accordingly, omega-3 fatty acid dietary supplements should not be substituted for prescription products. Similarly, prescription products containing DHA and EPA should not be substituted for the EPA-only prescription product, as DHA may raise LDL-C and thereby complicate the management of patients with dyslipidemia.
Theoretical approximate solution for projectile normally penetrating into rock

To get a more precise calculation formula of local effect of projectile penetrating into rock,cavity expansion theory and elastoplasticity-continuous media theory were used to establish analytical model for projectile normally penetrating into rock,and to get the theoretical approximate solution of the penetration depth.It was revealed that the scale effect was related not only to the diameter of the projectile,but also to the material strength,the effective surface energy and the number of cracks.The solution overcame some application limitations of the traditional method.By actual checking computations,the result is very close to the experimental data and the result of Yong formula,and it can be used to calculate the actual protection project.
Geographies of Risk, the Regulatory State, and the Ethic of Care

We examine the role of the regulatory state in the inequitable distribution of social advantages and disadvantages. To illustrate this, we examine the spatial distribution of exposures to air toxics from noxious land uses (commonly referred to as the environmental justice problem) and inquire into the nature of state action that would allow such inequity. Findings from our inquiry lead us to focus more closely on the administrative functions of the state, especially its role as a regulatory body. A case study focusing on health risks from incompatible land uses illustrates how spatial inequities result from the formally neutral rule-making actions of regulatory agencies and their particular organizational cultures. We describe the ethical basis of the regulatory state in terms of its formal, juridical, deontological underpinnings. In contrast to this stands the alternative ethical concept of care, which is inherently relational, contextual, and preferentially attentive to the needs of the vulnerable. We a...
Life after go-live. Part 1: 'So good it's bad' information management.

EMRs enable medical practices to manage information in ways that would be difficult or impossible with paper medical records. This holds immense promise to improve quality of care and prevent medical errors. However, since EMRs frequently produce new information that has to be dealt with, they can increase work for clinical personnel. This column will explore some examples of this phenomenon from the author’s experience managing a comprehensive EMR in an ambulatory care environment.
Thermal alteration of soil organic matter properties: a systematic study to infer response of Sierra Nevada climosequence soils to forest fires

Abstract. Fire is a common ecosystem perturbation that affects many soil properties. As global fire regimes continue to change with climate change, we investigated thermal alteration of soils' physical and chemical properties after they are exposed to a range of temperatures that are expected during prescribed and wildland fires. For this study, we used topsoils collected from a climosequence transect along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada that spans from 210 to 2865 m a.s.l. All the soils we studied were formed on a granitic parent material and had significant differences in soil organic matter (SOM) concentration and mineralogy owing to the effects of climate on soil development. Topsoils (0–5 cm depth) from the Sierra Nevada climosequence were heated in a muffle furnace at six set temperatures that cover the range of major fire intensity classes (150, 250, 350, 450, 550 and 650 °C). We determined the effects of heating temperature on soil aggregate strength, aggregate size distribution, specific surface area (SSA), mineralogy, pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) concentrations. With increasing temperature, we found significant reduction of total C, N and CEC. Aggregate strength also decreased with further implications for loss of C protected inside aggregates. Soil pH and SSA increased with temperature. Most of the statistically significant changes (p
Finding Optimists and Pessimists on Twitter

Optimism is linked to various personality factors as well as both psychological and physical health, but how does it relate to the way a person tweets? We analyze the online activity of a set of Twitter users in order to determine how well machine learning algorithms can detect a person’s outlook on life by reading their tweets. A sample of tweets from each user is manually annotated in order to establish ground truth labels, and classifiers are trained to distinguish between optimistic and pessimistic users. Our results suggest that the words in people’s tweets provide ample evidence to identify them as optimists, pessimists, or somewhere in between. Additionally, several applications of these trained models are explored.
Cryopreserved oocyte versus fresh oocyte assisted reproductive technology cycles, United States, 2013

Objective To compare characteristics, explore predictors, and compare assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle, transfer, and pregnancy outcomes of autologous and donor cryopreserved oocyte cycles with fresh oocyte cycles. Design Retrospective cohort study from the National ART Surveillance System. Setting Fertility treatment centers. Patient(s) Fresh embryo cycles initiated in 2013 utilizing embryos created with fresh and cryopreserved, autologous and donor oocytes. Intervention(s) Cryopreservation of oocytes versus fresh. Main Outcomes Measure(s) Cancellation, implantation, pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates per cycle, transfer, and/or pregnancy. Result(s) There was no evidence of differences in cancellation, implantation, pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth rates between autologous fresh and cryopreserved oocyte cycles. Donor cryopreserved oocyte cycles had a decreased risk of cancellation before transfer (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–0.96) as well as decreased likelihood of pregnancy (aRR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.95) and live birth (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80–0.95); however, there was no evidence of differences in implantation, pregnancy, or live birth rates when cycles were restricted to those proceeding to transfer. Donor cryopreserved oocyte cycles proceeding to pregnancy had a decreased risk of miscarriage (aRR 0.75, 95% CI 0.58–0.97) and higher live birth rate (aRR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09) with the transfer of one embryo, but higher miscarriage rate (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07–1.54) and lower live birth rate (aRR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92–0.99) with the transfer of two or more. Conclusion(s) There was no evidence of differences in ART outcomes between autologous fresh and cryopreserved oocyte cycles. There was evidence of differences in per-cycle and per-pregnancy outcomes between donor cryopreserved and fresh oocyte cycles, but not in per-transfer outcomes.
Vasopressin and Water Metabolism

The antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin, is known to play a major role in the complex homeostatic system by which man and other mammals regulate salt and water balance. Efforts to define its function in normal as well as abnormal states of water metabolism have long been hampered by the lack of a suitable assay method. Recently, several laboratories have succeeded in developing radioimmunoassay techniques that permit vasopressin to be measured easily and accurately at physiological concentrations in small volumes of plasma or other body fluids. These methodological advances have stimulated a new investigative interest in the hormone that is the source of an increasing volume of information about its physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. These findings have clarified some long-standing controversies about vasopressin function and are beginning to provide a much more detailed and comprehensive picture of how the various parts of the system act and interact to regulate water balance in health and disease. There have also been a few surprises that reveal some previously unrecognized effects of vasopressin function and challenge conventional views about the importance of certain others.
Disruption of Photochemical Co2 Metabolism during Foliar Purification of Formaldehyde in Epipremnum Aureum

It has been well established that Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos) has the capability to rid the air of various toxins, including carbon monoxide, benzene, and formaldehyde. However, while various studies have looked into the threshold of toxins Pothos can remove, the metabolic pathway and products of the detoxification process, as well as its effects on the overall metabolic health and stability of the purifying species, remain unknown. In this study, an isolated Pothos leaf underwent 24-hour exposure periods during which formaldehyde solution (5.43M) was introduced at a constant rate (evaporated at atmospheric pressure) into the isolation chamber. Mass spectroscopy analysis revealed atmospheric CO2 levels to fall into a negatively-correlated phase pattern with formaldehyde vapour concentration, in contrast to control fluctuations within atmospheric O2 and N2 levels. Results implicate a C1 metabolic pathway as Pothos’ primary purification mechanism for formaldehyde, in addition to partial oxidation of the end product (i.e. formate) into CO2.
Antivascular effect induced by photo-mediated ultrasound

We developed a novel localized antivascular method, namely photo-mediated ultrasound therapy (PUT), by applying synchronized laser and ultrasound pulses. PUT relies on high optical contrast among biological tissues. Taking advantage of the high optical absorption of hemoglobin, PUT can selectively target microvessels without causing unwanted damages to the surrounding tissue. Moreover, PUT working at different optical wavelengths can selectively treat veins or arteries by utilizing the contrast in the optical spectra between deoxy- and oxy-hemoglobin. Through our experiments, we demonstrated that cavitation might have played a key role in PUT. The addition of a laser pulse to an existing ultrasound field can significantly improve the likelihood of inertial cavitation, which can induce microvessel damage through its mechanical effect. In comparison with conventional laser therapies, such as photothermolysis and photocoagulation, the laser energy level needed in PUT is significantly lower. When a nanosecond laser was used, our in vivo experiments showed that the needed laser fluence was in the range of 4 to 40 mJ/cm2.
Multiple Myeloma and the immune microenvironment.

One of the great advances in the field of cancer therapy in recent years is the emergence of immune therapies. Immune therapies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, have shown promising results in pre-clinical models and clinical trials of solid tumors, such as melanoma, breast cancer and lung cancer. Therapeutic strategies targeting the immune microenvironment have also been applied to hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma (MM), a plasma cell neoplasia characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells mainly in the bone marrow (BM). MM is associated with both cellular and humoral immune deficiencies, indicating that the evolution of the disease from a precursor state (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering MM (sMM)) is associated with an immunosuppressive milieu that fosters immune escape and tumor growth. Despite significant advances in treatment, MM is mostly an incurable disease. Therefore, it is vital to develop novel therapeutic agents that not only target the MM clone itself but also the MM immune microenvironment. However, the complexity of the BM microenvironment and heterogeneity of tumor cell clones make it a difficult task for developing appropriate immune therapies of MM. In this article, we review the current knowledge of the interaction between malignant plasma cells and the bone marrow immune microenvironment during disease progression.
Nrl knockdown by AAV-delivered CRISPR/Cas9 prevents retinal degeneration in mice

In retinitis pigmentosa, loss of cone photoreceptors leads to blindness, and preservation of cone function is a major therapeutic goal. However, cone loss is thought to occur as a secondary event resulting from degeneration of rod photoreceptors. Here we report a genome editing approach in which adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 delivery to postmitotic photoreceptors is used to target the Nrl gene, encoding for Neural retina-specific leucine zipper protein, a rod fate determinant during photoreceptor development. Following Nrl disruption, rods gain partial features of cones and present with improved survival in the presence of mutations in rod-specific genes, consequently preventing secondary cone degeneration. In three different mouse models of retinal degeneration, the treatment substantially improves rod survival and preserves cone function. Our data suggest that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated NRL disruption in rods may be a promising treatment option for patients with retinitis pigmentosa.
Nano- and Mesoscale Ion and Water Transport in Perfluorosulfonic-Acid Membranes

Author(s): Crothers, AR; Radke, CJ; Weber, AZ | Abstract: Water and aqueous cations transport along multiple length scales in perfiuorosulfonic-acid membranes. Molecular interactions in hydrophilic domains dictate nanoscale resistances while the connectivity of domains controls mesoscale transport. The developed multiscale models probes the synergy of these length scales. Concentrated solution theory and electrokinetics are used to predict transport in the aqueous domains as a function of hydration. A resistor network upscales the nanoscale properties to predict effective membrane ion and water transport and their coupling. The nature of macroscopic and nanoscale properties differs drastically because the mesoscale network mediates transport. Moreover, the effective tortuosity and connectivity is not the same for water and ion transport. The methodology and findings highlight improvement opportunities for membrane performance.
Impact of weight stigma on physiological and psychological health outcomes for overweight and obese adults: A systematic review.

Aim To summarize the associations between weight stigma and physiological and psychological health for individuals who are overweight or obese. Background Weight stigma can be defined as individuals experiencing verbal or physical abuse secondary to being overweight or obese. Weight stigma has negative consequences for both physiological and psychological health. Design A quantitative systematic review. Data sources PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and MEDLINE from 1 January 2008 - 30 July 2016. Review methods A systematic review was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines, the PRISMA statement guidelines and the quality assessment from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Inclusion criteria consisted of quantitative studies that examined the associations between weight stigma and physiological and psychological health outcomes in adults who were overweight or obese. Exclusion criteria consisted of qualitative studies, literature reviews, expert opinions, editorials and reports on weight stigma without health outcomes or with behavioural outcomes and intervention studies that reduced weight stigma. A quality appraisal of the selected studies was conducted. Results A total of 33 studies met the eligibility criteria. Weight stigma was positively associated with obesity, diabetes risk, cortisol level, oxidative stress level, C-reactive protein level, eating disturbances, depression, anxiety, body image dissatisfaction and negatively associated with self-esteem among overweight and obese adults. Conclusion Weight stigma is associated with adverse physiological and psychological outcomes. This conclusion highlights the need to increase public and professional awareness about the issue of weight stigma and the importance of the further development of assessment and prevention strategies of weight stigma.