cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cycloaddition-Promoted Self-Assembly of a Polymer into Well-Defined β Sheets and Hierarchical Nanofibrils

Whereas biopolymers, such as proteins, are ubiquitous for well-defined secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures,[1] it remains a fundamental challenge to design synthetic polymers that can fold into predictable high structures. One major research thrust in our laboratory is aimed at programming weak forces into polymers to guide their assembly into well-defined molecular and nano-structures.[2] Previously we reported biomimetic multi-domain polymers following modular design of titin.[3] In this study, our attention was drawn to β-sheet polymers. Despite significant progress has been made in the area of designing discrete short peptidomimetic oligomers with β-sheet structures,[4] it remains largely illusive to materials chemists to design synthetic high polymers that can fold into well-defined β-sheets and hierarchical nanostructures. β-Sheet is not only a basic secondary structure in proteins, but also an important structural motif in many fibril biomaterials such as amyloids[5] and silks.[6] Their hierarchical nanostructures and excellent mechanical properties have inspired biomemetic material designs.[7] Despite a number of peptide-related systems were reported to form β-sheet based fibrils, most of them are short peptides[8] or peptide-polymer conjugates.[9] The self-assembly in these systems usually proceeds intermolecularly, forming relatively weak structures. Genetically engineered polypeptides via recombinant DNA technology were reported to form β-sheets and various nanostructures,[10] however, the efficiency and versatility are limited by the biosynthetic pathway. Both for fundamental interest and for advanced materials designs, it is highly desirable to develop efficient synthesis to access well-defined covalently bonded β-sheet polymers. Herein we describe a new strategy of constructing covalent synthetic polymers that fold into well-defined β-sheets and further assemble into hierarchical nanofibrils (Fig. 1).
A full bridge ZCS PWM converter for high voltage and high power applications

This paper presents the detailed analysis of a full bridge zero current switched (FB-ZCS) PWM converter that is suitable for high-voltage and high-power DC applications. It exhibits excellent ability to incorporate parasitic parameters, zero current turn-off characteristics for all active switches and ZVS operation for all diodes on the high voltage side. Based on the features of high-voltage power supplies, the converter utilizes parasitic components, particularly for the high-voltage transformer, and employs fixed frequency phase-shift control to implement soft-switching commutations. Steady state analysis of the converter is presented and major features of the converter are discussed. Finally, a small signal model based on the averaging method is created and the simulated results for typical traveling wave tube (TWT) load are given.
Regular variation and generalized domains of attraction in Rk

Abstract William Feller used regular variation to give an elegant description of domains of attraction in R 1. In this paper we extend Feller's results to the case of generalized domains of attraction in R k.
Is Fidaxomicin worth the cost? An economic analysis

Clostridium difficile is a nosocomial infection that causes substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs [1–3]. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) causes a wide range of clinical disease and is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitalized patients, particularly affecting elderly and frail patients [2, 3]. Treatment of CDI is challenging [2, 4, 5], even though several treatment strategies exist. Recurrences are of primary concern and add an additional complication to treatment of CDI [6]. In May 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved fidaxomicin, a new macrocyclic antibiotic, for the treatment of CDI [7]. Clinical studies have shown this drug to be just as efficacious as vancomycin in the clinical treatment of CDI [8, 9]. It has a similar cure rate but results in a lower incidence of recurrence when used in the treatment of the non–North American pulsed field type 1 and polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027 (NAP1/BI/027) strain [8, 9]. The NAP1/BI/027 strain is quite widespread and has been implicated in outbreaks worldwide; it accounts for approximately 50% of isolates and is prevalent in North America, having been identified in 40 states, several provinces in Canada, and throughout Europe [10–12]. The NAP1/BI/027 strain has increased production of toxins A and B, production of binary toxin, and fluoroquinolone resistance [2]. Although this strain is thought to cause more severe episodes of CDI, as opposed to nonsevere disease, debate remains as some studies show that severity is not different by strain [2, 10, 13]. Recurrent CDI is a difficult and increasingly common challenge associated with CDI management; up to 25% of patients have a recurrence and this rate may increase with the number of CDI episodes a patient experiences [4, 14]. Costs of CDI also increase with the number of CDI episodes [15–18]. The cost per episode to treat recurrent CDI is an estimated $4948, but varies on the basis of management (ie, inpatient vs outpatient treatment) [19, 20]. Thus, although comparative effectiveness studies have been performed on various C. difficile treatments, finding no antimicrobial agent to be superior for the initial cure of nonsevere CDI, treatment with fidaxomicin does result in fewer recurrences in non-NAP1/BI/027 strains [21]. This begs the question of whether the use of fidaxomicin might be a cost-effective treatment for CDI despite its higher drug costs when compared to metronidazole and, to a lesser extent, oral vancomycin. The cost-effectiveness of fidaxomicin for the treatment of CDI remains undetermined. In this study, we constructed a decision analytic simulation model to evaluate the economic value of fidaxomicin for the treatment of CDI (either first episode or first recurrence), comparing the cost-effectiveness of CDI treatment in these 3 cases: (1) no use of fidaxomicin, (2) only use of fidaxomicin, and (3) fidaxomicin use based on strain typing results. Our hope is that clinicians, policy makers, and third-party payers would be able to use the results of this model to determine the best treatment strategy and reimbursement rates.
A Domain Decomposition Approach to POD

The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is a popular approach for building reduced-order models for nonlinear distributed parameter systems. The approach is based on developing a reduced basis by post-processing one, and often multiple, high fidelity simulations of a nonlinear partial differential equation. The computational overhead required to perform just one simulation may involve the need to distribute the data and the use of parallel computing architectures. For these problems, the size of the discretization and the number of simulations may preclude `typical' POD algorithms that are based on accessing all of the information on a single processor. In this paper, we present an algorithm for extracting the dominant POD basis from distributed time history data with low communication overhead. A singular value decomposition of a (spatial) subdomain time history is calculated locally on the resident processor followed by the exchange of a small number of dominant (local) right singular vectors with other processors. Numerical experiments demonstrate that an iterated application of this step works well for two complex fluid flow simulations, taking advantage of relatively homogeneous frequency content of subdomain time histories.
Self-assembled magnetic nanostructures: Epitaxial Ni nanodots on TiN/Si (001) surface

Systems containing single domain magnetic particles are of great interest in view of their possible applications in ultrahigh-density data storage and magnetoelectronic devices. The focus of this work is plan-view STEM Z-contrast imaging study of the self-assembly growth of magnetic nickel nanostructures by domain matching epitaxy under Volmer–Weber (V–W) mode. The growth was carried out using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique with epitaxial titanium nitride film as the template, which was in turn grown on silicon (001) substrate via domain matching epitaxy. Our results show that the base of nickel islands is rectangular with the two principal edges parallel to two orthogonal 〈110〉 directions, which is [110] and [ $$\bar{1}10$$ ] for [001] oriented growth. The size distribution of the islands is relatively narrow, comparable to that obtained from self-assembled islands grown under Stranski–Krastanow (S–K) mode. A certain degree of self-organization was also found in the lateral distribution of islands: island chains were observed along the directions close to 〈011〉, which are also the edge directions. The interaction between neighboring islands through the island edge-induced strain field is believed to be responsible for the size uniformity and the lateral ordering.
Expanding the use of patient reports about patient-centered care.

In an informative article on the assessment of patient care experiences, Zimlichman, Rozenblum, and Millenson describe the evolving use of surveys that elicit patient reports about medical care experiences in Israel, a trend that parallels developments in the U.S. This commentary summarizes some of experiences in the U.S. that might inform the development of more consistent and extensive strategies for assessing and promoting patient-centered care in Israel. More comprehensive patient experience surveys, the results of which would be publicly available, as Zimlichman and colleagues advocate, would facilitate quality improvements, especially if users are provided with support for the use and interpretation of the data. Developing more efficient survey methods will facilitate the broader use of such surveys, although it is important to use methods that yield results that are as representative of the target population as possible and to account for survey mode effects when data are reported. Although the surveys need to be appropriate for the Israeli context, the use of standard questions used in other countries would facilitate comparisons that could help to identify best practices that can be adopted in different settings. Those who work on assessing patient-centered care in the U.S. look forward to learning from the work of their Israeli colleagues. This is a commentary on http://www.ijhpr.org/content/2/1/35/ .
Joint position and velocity derived from muscle spindle output: a neural network approach

The results obtained when a mathematical model of a two-muscle hinge joint is combined with a muscle spindle model are presented. Passive joint motion is imposed on the joint model, causing muscle stretch. The stretch is used to determine the muscle spindle firing rates, which are subsequently used as training data for a neural network. A neural net has been trained to recognize joint position and velocity from muscle spindle output for a variety of conditions. >
The Albian-Cenomanian boundary in northern California

There is no internationally agreed-upon stratotype for the Albian-Cenomanian (Lower Cretaceous–Upper Cretaceous) boundary. Type sections in France for the Albian and Cenomanian Stages are inadequate for this purpose. The proposed boundary stratotype sections in North Africa and Texas that were discussed in Copenhagen at the 1983 Third International Symposium on the Cretaceous System (Birkelund et al., 1984) are inadequately documented, facies restricted, or both. The widespread occurrence of the ammonites Stoliczkaia and Mortoniceras in the upper Albian and of Mantelliceras in the Cenomanian classically bracket the boundary and must be used until the boundary is formally defined. Recent work in North Africa (Robaszynski et al., 1993) promises an Albian-Cenomanian boundary definition based on lineages within these taxa. The ammonite-based Albian-Cenomanian boundary in northern California is between the last occurrence of the typically Albian genera Mortoniceras and Stoliczkaia and the entry of mantelliceratine juveniles (probably Graysonites) associated with Mariella. Pseudouhligella japonicum , heretofore regarded as a Cenomanian indicator in Japan, Alaska, and California, occurs in California in upper Albian and lower Cenomanian faunas. The boundary sequence in California is best exposed along Dry Creek in northern Tehama County, where an angular relationship within the Budden Canyon Formation, resulting from channel cutting on deep-sea fans, separates upper Albian ammonite-bearing rocks of the Chickabally Member from Lower Cenomanian ammonite-bearing rocks of the Bald Hills Member. Although angular relationships and coarse-grained strata of the lower Bald Hills Member are present in the boundary interval, no known ammonite zone is missing. These relationships are interpreted to mean that relatively continuous sedimentation occurred during the Albian–Cenomanian transition and reflect rapid uplift and erosion of a sedimentary, volcanic, and plutonic terrane to the north and east and, perhaps, accompanied by rapid sea-level changes. Collation of the ammonite biostratigraphy herein with previously established foraminiferal and radiolarian biostratigraphies for the Dry Creek sequence suggests that it is a prime Pacific-rim reference section for faunas in the Albian-Cenomanian boundary interval and that previous correlation of the uppermost Chickabally Member with the Cenomanian is incorrect, as Albian and Cenomanian stages are currently understood. This affects correlation and changes the dating of some units in California in the Franciscan Complex from Cenomanian to Albian.
Laboratory and Field Evaluation of Exotic Parasitoids of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Biotype ''B'') (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas

Abstract We evaluated a total of 38 exotic and 2 native parasitoid populations of the sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius) (Biotype “B”) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) (=silverleaf whitefly,Bemisia argentifoliiBellows and Perring), using laboratory and field experiments. Numbers ofB. tabaciparasitized were counted in sleeve cages on cantaloupe melons (Cucumis meloL. cv “Perlita”), cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL. cv “Delta Pine 51”), and broccoli (Brassica oleraceaL. cv “Patriot”). Highest attack rates were found forEncarsianr.pergandiella(Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) (Brazil) andEretmocerus mundusMercet (Spain) on melons;Eretmocerussp. (Pakistan) on cotton; andEretmocerus mundus(Spain) on broccoli. In the laboratory, these three exotic parasitoids attacked significantly greater numbers of hosts than the native species ofEncarsia pergandiellaHoward andEretmocerus tejanusRose and Zolnerowich. Selected exotic parasitoids were evaluated in the field using sleeve cages on melons, cotton, and kale (Brassica oleraceaL. cv “Siberian kale”).Eretmocerusspp. from Spain and India performed well in all crop types.Encarsianr.pergandiella(Brazil) performed well on melons, but not on kale or cotton. Selected exotic parasitoids were released at various sites throughout Hidalgo County in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Of 29 populations released in the field, eleven were later recovered. TwoEretmocerusspecies (Spain and Pakistan) were commonly recovered throughout the evaluation period. This information will be used to prioritize the parasitoid cultures for mass rearing and release in biocontrol-based IPM programs againstB. tabaci.
On the Evaporation Duct for Inhomogeneous Conditions in Coastal Regions

Abstract Evaporation ducts are ubiquitous phenomena over the oceans, and they are responsible for much of the over-the-horizon propagation occurring with millimeter and microwave radars. The height of the evaporation duct depends on meteorological parameters, most notably air and water temperature and relative humidity. In most cases, models that predict the height of the evaporation duct are based on Monin–Obukhov similarity (MOS) theory, and uncertainties in model predictions are often attributed to the simplifying assumptions behind MOS theory. In this paper, an extension to MOS theory is introduced that accommodates spatial variability of meteorological parameters in coastal regions. It is found that for even weakly varying meteorological conditions there are substantial differences in duct heights predicted when spatially varying conditions are invoked versus spatially homogeneous conditions.
Copper-catalyzed [18F]fluorination of unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts

156 Objectives In an initial report we described the rapid and efficient fluorination of unsymmetrical diaryliodonium salts under mild conditions in the presence of a copper salt (Sanford et al. Org. Lett. 2013, 15, 5134). A key facet of this initial work was the ability of the copper catalyzed process to demonstrate exquisite selectivity for the more sterically accessible aryl group. The reaction was also readily amenable to fluorination of electron-rich aryl groups. The aim of this project is to translate the copper-catalyzed fluorination of diaryliodonium salts to radiofluorination reactions using nucleophilic [18F]fluoride. Methods A wide range of reaction conditions have been evaluated to optimize the reaction for use with K[18F], including choice of copper catalyst and reaction temperature, time, solvent and stoichiometry. Additional experiments have been undertaken to determine substrate scope, the effect of different catalysts on the reaction outcome, and to demonstrate proof-of-concept through fluorination of clinically relevant targets. Results A range of fluorine-18 labeled arenes have been synthesized from the corresponding diaryliodonium salts. The methodology was tolerant of electron rich arenes, demonstrated through the reproducible synthesis of [18F]4-fluoroanisole in >70% radiochemical yield. Conclusions The copper-catalyzed fluorination of diaryliodonium salts has been adapted for radiofluorination reactions using nucleophilic [18F]fluoride. Radiochemical yields are excellent, and the methodology enables ready fluorination of electron rich arenes. Research Support Financial support of this work by NIBIB (T32EB005172-02) and NIGMS (1RO1 GM073836) is gratefully acknowledged.
The effect of etidronate on late development of heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury

Forty patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and heterotopic ossification (HO) were treated with etidronate and followed after therapy to determine the effects of long-term medication on heterotopic bone formation. Eighteen patients had tetraplegia and 22 had paraplegia. Early diagnosis of HO (positive bone scintigraphy and negative radiographic findings of HO) was established by 3-phase bone scintigraphy using 99m technetium-labeled methylene diphosphonate. All patients underwent treatment with etidronate, first with intravenous administration of 300 mg/day for 3 days followed by an oral administration of 20 mg/kg/day for 6 months. Eleven patients (27.5%) developed radiographic evidence of HO from 1.5 to 6 years after therapy. A low degree of HO was found in these patients; 8 had grade I and 3 had grade II ectopic ossification (Brooker's scale). The analysis of data showed that 2 different types of ectopic bone may form in the later stages after SCI. In 5% of patients, HO was found in the same anatomical site initially and finally, suggesting a "rebound" in mineralization of bone matrix not prevented by the administration of etidronate. The other type of HO was found in the majority of patients (95%) where the localization of HO showed different involvement of joints than initially, indicating de novo appearance of HO following SCI. The data suggest that etidronate given for a prolonged period in higher doses has, in addition to an inhibitory effect on crystal formation, a cellular effect on bone-forming cells.
PREMATURE SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE OF THE MEMBRANES.

Abstract In a review of 1,788 births associated with premature spontaneous rupture of the membranes a significant finding was the increase in perinatal mortality with even a small increase in the latent period. The death risk doubled after 24 hours and doubled again after the second 24 hours of the latent period. This finding suggests the desirability of oxytocic induction of labor to insure birth within 24 hours of admission whenever the fetus is judged to be of reasonable size. With cases of intrauterine infection, early delivery is probably indicated regardless of the stage of gestation.
Explicit Solvent Model for Quantum Monte Carlo

We present an explicit solvent model for quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) based on a hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics approach. An effective coupling Hamiltonian that combines QMC and a molecu...
Synthesis and Thermal Stability of Bis(8-hydroxy-quinoline)-Schiff Base Coordination Polymers.

This report describes the synthesis of a new bis-bifunctional derivative of 8-hydroxy-quinoline, its reaction with a number of divalent, first-row transition metals to form coordination polymers, and a thermogravimetric study of the thermal stability of the polymers. The ligand, 5,5'-[methylenebis(p-phenylenenitrilomethylidyne)]di-8-quinolinol was prepared in a condensation reaction between 5-formyl-8-hydroxyquinoline and 4,4'-methylenedianiline and subsequently treated with the acetate salts of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). The metal coordinated in the backbone of the polymer is shown to be an important factor in governing the thermal stability when the samples are heated in vacuum.
The Ownership of Patent Right of the Post Invention and the Principle of Contract Priority

This paper states the definition of the principle of contract priority, studies the significance of protecting the personal benefits of those post inventors, and points out the ways to apply the principle.
Transduction of Hematopoietic Cells by Foamy Virus Vectors

Foamy viruses are retroviruses of the spumavirus family that are often isolated from primary cultures of primate cells. We previously constructed vectors based on human foamy virus (HFV) and found that they were able to transduce a wide variety of vertebrate cells by integration of the vector genome. Here we show that several types of hematopoietic cells are efficiently transduced by an HFV vector that encodes alkaline phosphatase (AP). These cell types include transformed cell lines and primary hematopoietic progenitors from mice, baboons, and humans. The transduction rates of HFV vectors compare favorably with those obtained by murine leukemia virus vectors, which suggests that HFV vectors may be effective in the treatment of hematologic diseases by gene therapy.
Inverted Papilloma of the Renal Pelvis

AbstractA case of an apparently benign urothelial tumor of the renal pelvis is reported. Morphologically, the lesion resembles an inverted papilloma. An article summarizing the findings in 28 of these tumors occurring in the bladder is quoted.
Acute Migratory Arthritis: A Diverse Differential

(1994). Acute Migratory Arthritis: A Diverse Differential. Hospital Practice: Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 121-130.
Class Identification Efficacy in Piecewise GMM with Unknown Turning Points

ABSTRACTPiecewise GMM with unknown turning points is a new procedure to investigate heterogeneous subpopulations' growth trajectories consisting of distinct developmental phases. Unlike the conventional PGMM, which relies on theory or experiment design to specify turning points a priori, the new procedure allows for an optimal location of turning points based on data. The advantage of the procedure has gained increasing attention in educational and behavioral research, but a major challenging issue, class enumeration performance of the model, has not yet been investigated. The current simulation study compared the performance of PGMMs with unknown turning points in identifying the correct number of latent classes under both Bayesian and ML/EM estimation methods.
Dynamic glucocorticoid-dependent regulation of Sgk1 expression in oligodendrocytes of adult male rat brain by acute stress and time of day.

Recent studies support plasticity in adult brain white matter structure and myelination in response to various experiential factors. One possible contributor to this plasticity may be activity-dependent modulation of serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (Sgk1) expression in oligodendrocytes. We examined whether Sgk1 expression in adult rat brain white matter is increased by acute stress-induced elevations in endogenous corticosterone and whether it fluctuates with diurnal variations in corticosterone. We observed rapid increases (within 30 min) in Sgk1 mRNA in the corpus callosum in response to acute stress, as well as large increases at the beginning of the rat’s active period (the time of peak corticosterone secretion). These increases were absent in adrenalectomized rats. Corticosterone treatment of adrenalectomized rats also rapidly increased corpus callosum Sgk1 mRNA. The majority of Sgk1 mRNA in corpus callosum was co-localized with myelin basic protein mRNA, suggesting that mature oligodendrocytes respond dynamically to acute stress and circadian rhythms. The regulation of Sgk1 expression by acute stress and time of day was selective for white matter, with limited alteration of Sgk1 expression by these factors in hippocampus and somatosensory cortex. These results indicate a unique sensitivity of oligodendrocyte Sgk1 expression to activity-dependent fluctuations in corticosterone hormone secretion, and raises the prospect that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation or glucocorticoid pharmacotherapy may compromise the normal activity-dependent interactions between oligodendrocytes and neurons.
Evolution Via Epr-Entanglement Algorithm

By quantifying EPR-generated accumulations of entangled proton qubits populating duplex microsatellite base pairs, observed as G-C → G '-C ' , G-C → *G-C* and A-T → *A-*T , the potential to exhibit expansion or contraction over evolutionary times can be qualitatively specified. Bold italic s identify base pair superpositions of entangled proton qubits. Metastable hydrogen bonding amino (−NH 2 ) protons encounter quantum uncertainty limits, Δx Δp x ≥ ћ/2, which generate EPR arrangements, keto-amino ―(entanglement)→ enol−imine , yielding reduced energy entangled proton qubits shared between two indistinguishable sets of electron lone-pairs belonging to enol oxygen and imine nitrogen on opposite strands. When measured by Grover’s-type quantum processors, δt ≤ 10 –13 s, microsatellites whose entangled proton qubits generate a preponderance of initiation codons ─ UUG, CUG, AUG, GUG ─ participate in the expansion mode of DNA synthesis, but if more stop codons ─ UAA, UGA, UAG ─ were introduced and/or the particular sequence consisted exclusively of A‑T, such microsatellites would generally decrease in relative abundance over evolutionary times. This model is tested by evaluating the twenty‑two most abundant microsatellites common to human and rat. From this list, predictions by “measurements of” entangled proton qubit states identify two ordered sets – eleven exhibiting expansion and eleven exhibiting contraction – of microsatellites, consistent with observation. These analyses imply Grover’s-type enzyme-processor measurements of EPR-generated entangled proton “qubit pairs” can simulate microsatellite evolution, and further, identify entangled proton “qubit pairs” as the smallest “measurable” genetic informational unit, specifying available quantum information as particular evolution instructions. Classical pathways cannot simulate microsatellite evolution observables.
Age‐related inequalities in health and healthcare: the life stages approach

How should healthcare systems prepare to care for growing numbers and proportions of older people? Older people generally suffer worse health than younger people do. Should societies take steps to reduce age-related health inequalities? Some express concern that doing so would increase age-related inequalities in healthcare. This paper addresses this debate by (1) presenting an argument in support of three principles for distributing scarce resources between age groups; (2) framing these principles of age group justice in terms of life stages; and (3) indicating policy implications that merit further attention in light of rapidly aging societies.
Ethnic heterogeneity and prostate cancer mortality in Hispanic/Latino men: a population-based study.

// Felix M. Chinea 1, 2 , Vivek N. Patel 1, 2 , Deukwoo Kwon 2 , Narottam Lamichhane 1, 2 , Chris Lopez 1, 2 , Sanoj Punnen 2, 3 , Erin N. Kobetz 2, 4 , Matthew C. Abramowitz 1, 2 and Alan Pollack 1, 2 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA 2 Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA 3 Department of Urology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA 4 Division of Population Health and Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA Correspondence to: Alan Pollack, email: apollack@med.miami.edu Keywords: prostate cancer, cancer specific mortality, Hispanic/Latino, health disparities, minority health Received: January 17, 2017 Accepted: June 03, 2017 Published: July 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Few studies focus on prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes in Hispanic/Latino men. Our study explores whether Hispanic/Latino subgroups demonstrate significantly different prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) relative to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) and Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) men. Methods: We extracted a population-based cohort of men diagnosed with local-regional PCa from 2000-2013 (n= 486,865). PCSM was measured in racial/ethnic groups: NHW (n=352,886), NHB (n= 70,983), Hispanic/Latino (n= 40,462), and Asian American/Pacific Islander (n= 22,534). PCSM was also measured in Hispanic/Latino subgroups: Mexican (n= 8,077), Puerto Rican (n= 1,284), South or Central American (n= 3,021), Cuban (n= 788), and Dominican (n= 300). We conducted univariable and multivariable analyses (MVA) to compare risk for PCSM. Results: Compared to NHW men, results showed worse outcomes for NHB men with similar outcomes for Hispanic/Latino men. In MVA with NHW men as a reference, NHB (HR= 1.15, p <0.001) men had significantly worse PCSM and Hispanic/Latino (HR= 1.02, p = 0.534) men did not show a significant difference. In a second MVA, Puerto Rican (HR= 1.71, p <0.001) and Mexican (HR= 1.21, p = 0.008) men had significantly higher PCSM. With NHB men as a reference, the MVA showed Puerto Rican (HR= 1.50, p = 0.006) men with higher PCSM and Mexican (HR= 1.08, p = 0.307) men with no significant difference. Conclusions: Our findings indicate previously unknown disparities in PCSM for Puerto Rican and Mexican American men.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Antiviral Agents

The hepatitis B virus is currently treated either with a single nucleos(t)ide analog or a finite course of pegylated interferon alfa. These therapies have a low potential for drug interactions but are not devoid of interactions. The treatment of hepatitis C virus has rapidly evolved in recent years. Combinations of agents including inhibitors of the nonstructural (NS) viral protein NS5B polymerase, NS5A, and/or NS3 protease with or without the purine nucleoside analog ribavirin achieve cure rates of at least 90% in most patient populations. The NS3 and NS5A inhibitors participate in a number of important drug interactions, while ribavirin and the NS5B inhibitor, sofosbuvir, have a low potential for interactions. This chapter reviews the pharmacokinetic properties and drug interaction potential of agents used in the treatment of hepatitis B and C viruses, as well as pharmacologic considerations on the use of these therapies in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
Verified Compilation for Shared-Memory C

We present a new architecture for specifying and proving optimizing compilers in the presence of shared-memory interactions such as buffer-based system calls, shared-memory concurrency, and separate compilation. The architecture, which is implemented in the context of CompCert, includes a novel interaction-oriented model for C-like languages, and a new proof technique, called logical simulation relations, for compositionally proving compiler correctness with respect to this interaction model. We apply our techniques to CompCert's primary memory-reorganizing compilation phase, Cminorgen. Our results are formalized in Coq, building on the recently released CompCert 2.0.
Prevention of egg transmission and heterogeneity among isolates of Mycoplasma meleagridis

v INTRODUCTION 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 4 History 4 Nomenclature 4 Characteristics 5 Identification 7 Distribution 8 Transmission 10 Pathogenicity 12 Serology 16 Control 18 Review of the Techniques Used for Comparative Study of Mycoplasma Strains 20 MATERIALS AND METHODS 25 Source of Mycoplasma Species 25 Propagation of the Organisms and Antigen Production 25 Media 25 Antigen prodution 30 Hyperimmune Sera 32 Eggs and Poults 32 Source of eggs 32 Hatching and raising of poults 33 Antibiotic Treatment of Experimentally Infected Eggs 33 Antibiotic Treatment of Naturally Infected Eggs 34 Pathogenicity Studies 35 Pathogenicity for turkey embryos 35 Pathogenicity for chicken embryos 36 Determination of Heat Lability 36 Determination of Antibiotic Sensitivity in vitro 37 Effect of Storage on Survival of M. meleagridis 37 Hemagglutinating Activity 38
Management of Subterranean Fauna in Karst

Ensuring the appropriate quantity and quality of energy flow from the surface to the subterranean environment is a universal challenge of managing subterranean fauna in karst. This chapter covers four major issues central to an understanding of the energy connections between the surface and the subsurface ecosystems. The first issue is that there needs to be a greater focus on species that are not restricted to subterranean habitats because some of these species act as major vectors of energy into subsurface ecosystems. The second issue is that a greater understanding of the paths of allochthonous energy into the subterranean ecosystem is necessary to ensure the long-term health of the subterranean fauna. Percolating water delivered from the epikarst appears to be more important than organic matter transported by sinking streams in supporting the biofilm that serves as the base of the aquatic food web. Energy transported by active movement of organisms from the surface is essential in supporting the terrestrial food web and possibly some aquatic species as well. The importance of many potential sources of energy, such as the organic matter left on the riparian zones of subterranean streams, has not been studied. The third issue is that management practices need to focus on factors that threaten the energy flow from the surface to the subsurface because, unlike many other threats to subterranean ecosystems, disruptions of such paths of energy are usually not overt and easily recognizable. The fourth issue is that the metabolic adaptation of many subterranean species to the underground environment may increase their resilience to disruptions of energy flow from the surface. Thus, management practices that recognize threats to such energy paths may allow for a higher probability of successful interventions leading to restoration of the health of subterranean ecosystems.
Effect of Fillers on Ultrasonic Welding of Polypropylene

The objective of this work was to study the differences in the ultrasonic welding of polypropylene compounds involving different fillers. The fillers studied were talc, calcium carbonate, mica, and glass fibers. The welding results of interest were weld strength and weld flash. Various welder parameters were varied to find the effect the process had on specimens molded from each filled compound. These welder parameters were weld time, weld force, trigger force, and amplitude. The results indicate that weld time has the greatest effect on the weld strength of each of the filled compounds. Unfilled polypropylene had the highest weld strength at welding conditions involving high welder parameter values. For each given filler, weld flash was highest at the highest loadings of filler.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Abstract 308: CTRP9 Regulates the Fate of Implanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Mobilizes Their Protective Effects Against Ischemic Heart Injury via Multiple Novel Signaling Pathways

Cell therapy remains the most promising approach against ischemic heart failure. However, the poor survival of engrafted stem cells in the ischemic environment limits their therapeutic efficacy for cardiac repair post-MI. CTRP9 is a novel pro-survival cardiokine with significantly downregulated expression after MI. Here, we tested a hypothesis that CTRP9 might be a cardiokine required for a healthy microenvironment promoting stem cell survival and cardioprotection. Mice were subjected to MI and treated with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs, intramyocardial transplantation), CTRP9, or their combination. Administration of ADSCs alone failed to exert significant cardioprotection. However, administration of ADSCs in addition to CTRP9 further enhanced the cardioprotective effect of CTRP9 (P
Dependability Integration in Cloud-hosted Telecommunication Services

Future networks should be based on Telco clouds to handle the growing traffic. Thanks to Telco Clouds, network functions can be deployed, accessed and run like any information technology application hosted in cloud computing. However, network functions need to fulfill carrier grade characteristics consisting of strict requirements in dependability (e.g., five nines availability, some milliseconds of outage). In traditional telecommunication networks, these features are guaranteed by proprietary hardware that hosts network functions. In Telco cloud context, there is an emergency need to adapt cloud environments in order to guarantee carrier-class behaviour. The aim of this paper is to guarantee dependability in the telecommunication services hosted in cloud environments according to the rates fixed by ETSI for three service availability levels. In this regard, we propose the Dependability Broker Architecture in Telco Clouds; which is a broker architecture based on a Software Defined Network controller that operates on Network Function Virtualization environments. DBA-Telco takes into consideration the different availability levels defined for telecommunication services. It also dimensions the bottlenecks of the virtualized mobile core EPC-IMS based on the expectations of 5G networks. This architecture achieves the carrier grade requirements in the virtualized mobile core network EPC-IMS.
Gold-Silver Alloy Nanodisk Array for Smartphone Colorimetric Biosensing

Plasmonic hybridization in a gold-silver alloy nanodisks array results in a pair of high and low energy LSPR modes. This high energy mode is applied for colorimetric detection of sub-nM and sub-monolayer biotin-streptavidin surface binding using a smartphone camera.
Strongly coupled N =4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills plasma on the Coulomb branch. II. Transport coefficients and hard probe parameters

We study $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory on the Coulomb branch (cSYM) by using its Type IIB supergravity dual. We compute the transport coefficients and hard probe parameters of $\mathcal{N}=4$ cSYM at finite temperature $T$. We use the rotating black 3-brane solution of Type IIB supergravity with a single nonzero rotation parameter ${r}_{0}$ after analytically continuing ${r}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{-}i{r}_{0}$, and in an ensemble where the Hawking temperature $T$ and a scalar condensate $⟨\mathcal{O}⟩\ensuremath{\sim}{r}_{0}^{4}$ are held fixed. We find that the bulk viscosity to entropy density ratio of the large black hole branch decreases with temperature and has a maxima around the critical temperature ${T}_{c}$, while, for the small black hole branch, it increases with temperature. The other transport coefficients and parameters of hard probes, such as the conductivity, jet quenching parameter, drag force, and momentum diffusion coefficients of the large black hole branch increase with temperature and asymptote to their conformal value, while, for the small black hole branch, they decrease with temperature.
Does Size Matter: Evaluating the Difference between Right and Left Internal Mammary Veins in Free Flap Breast Reconstruction

Background Venous congestion in breast free flap reconstruction continues to be a major reason for flap compromise requiring reoperative exploration and possible flap failure. We aim to investigate whether size of the internal mammary vein (IMV) (1) varies between the left and right sides, (2) changes with certain patient demographics or preoperative factors, and (3) correlates with postoperative complications. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study examining all patients undergoing free flap breast reconstruction from September 2005 to March 2016 using internal mammary recipient veins. Venous coupler size was used as a surrogate measure of IMV diameter. Preoperative patient characteristics and factors were collected. Postoperative outcomes assessed included thrombosis, flap loss, fat necrosis, and mastectomy flap necrosis. Multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate if preoperative factors affected IMV diameter and to determine if coupler size and flap side were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Results We examined 372 patients with a total of 561 flaps. One hundred eighty-nine patients received bilateral flaps with the IMV as a recipient. The right IMV (n = 286, average = 2.97 mm, standard deviation [SD] = 0.41) was significantly larger than the left (n = 275, average = 2.89, SD = 0.35, p = 0.008). Preoperative factors and postoperative complications were not statistically different between the left and right cohorts. The multivariable linear regression model with coupler size as the dependent variable found older age trended toward a larger coupler size but this was not significant (p = 0.05). In multilinear regression analysis, the postoperative outcomes did not have significant covariates. Conclusion We found that IMV size significantly differs between the right and the left sides. However, incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different between the left and right sides, and the multivariate analyses did not identify flap side as an independent risk factor for adverse outcomes. Prospective studies evaluating actual IMV diameter and associated complications may potentially elucidate clinical significance.
Triple Arthrodesis for Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity:

Originally described as a means to address fixed deformities or uncontrolled movement of the hindfoot observed in paralytic foot deformities, triple arthrodesis has evolved into a powerful procedur...
Emotional silence: Are emotive expressions of 3D animated female characters designed to fit stereotypes

Abstract In this paper, we present a methodology to conduct content analyses on character depiction in 3D animated children's movies. Using this methodology, we analyzed the depictions and emotive expressions of female characters by conducting a content analysis in two popular contemporary 3D animations. We studied the design of feminine coded appearance and movement using simplified drawings. Based on this study, we observe that female characters and their emotive expressions are still designed to fit stereotypes in contemporary 3D animated children's movies. Our findings are the following: 1. The percentage of female characters in contemporary 3D animated children's movies is the same as the percentage of females in human society; 2. On the other hand, those female characters did not demonstrate human diversity; and 3. Moreover, the expressions did not demonstrate the diversity of human emotions in terms of how female characters visually express their emotions.
Pressure-Dependent Thermal Characterization of Biporous Copper Structures

With the advance of modern semiconductor technology, the power density of electronic devices continuously increases. The performance of electronic devices is now governed by heat dissipation from the heat source to the heat sink, which requires new efficient thermal management solutions. Thermal interface materials (TIMs), placed between heat source and heat sink, are designed to form a conduction pathway by providing a low thermal resistance conduit and by eliminating the air gaps between two contact surfaces. However, most TIMs commercially available show limited performances as they are either thermally conductive but stiff (e.g., metals) or mechanically ductile with high thermal resistance (e.g., polymers), which motivates the search for new materials for the use in TIMs. In this article, we suggest a new type of metal/polymer composite-based TIMs with the aim of developing thermally conductive and mechanically compliant materials at a low cost. Metal/polymer composite-based TIMs are fabricated by using a hydrogen bubble-templated electrodeposition method that forms microscale cavities and nanoscale nanofeatures on copper substrate, called the biporous copper (BPCu). The BPCu is then sintered to enhance the structural strength and is infiltrated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to increase its structural flexibility and durability against mechanical or thermal stresses. We measure the pressure-dependent thermal resistances of TIMs by assuming 1-D thermal conduction. The average effective thermal conductivities are 19.4 and 18.3 W/m K of 60% and 80% PDMS filling ratio samples, respectively. In addition, enhancements in mechanical strength of BPCu/PDMS TIMs are confirmed through the smaller structural deformation.
Anomalous, Multistage Liquid Water Diffusion and Ionomer Swelling Kinetics in Nafion and Nafion Nanocomposites

The advent of commercially viable vanadium redox flow batteries has generated interest in improving upon existing membrane materials utilized in this grid-scale energy storage technology. Elucidating structure–transport relationships in perfluorosulfonated ionomer nanocomposites is of particular importance for the development of next-generation membranes, as there is a limited understanding of how nanoparticles alter transport in these membranes. In the present study, we attempt to resolve the impact of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) on liquid water transport in Nafion–SiNP membranes. Specifically, liquid water sorption and ionomer swelling kinetics in a series of Nafion–SiNP membranes were evaluated using time-resolved attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Anomalous, multistage water uptake and swelling kinetics were observed for both Nafion and Nafion–SiNP membranes at all SiNP loadings. The first stage of the kinetic data was regressed to a diffusion–relaxation model, as w...
Joseph v. Brady: synthesis reunites what analysis has divided.

Joseph V. Brady (1922–2011) created behavior-analytic neuroscience and the analytic framework for understanding how the external and internal neurobiological environments and mechanisms interact. Brady's approach offered synthesis as well as analysis. He embraced Findley's approach to constructing multioperant behavioral repertoires that found their way into designing environments for astronauts as well as studying drug effects on human social behavior in microenvironments. Brady created translational neurobehavioral science before such a concept existed. One of his most lasting contributions was developing a framework for ethical decision making to protect the rights of the people who participate in scientific research.