cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Dose Loss and Diffusion for B11 and BF2 Implants

We have studied dose loss for B11 and BF2 implants with energies ranging from 10 keV to 1keV for B11 and 45 keV to 2keV for BF2. We found that B11 implants during a 1050C-10s RTA anneal segregate mainly to the bulk of the oxide. High dose BF2 implants on the other hand, show significantly larger amounts of dose loss after stripping the oxide, due to a pile-up of boron at the Si/SiO2 interface. In order to simulate B11 diffusion we have introduced a simple average cluster size model to simulate Boron-Interstitial-Cluster (BIC) evolution. For BF2 implants, we have simulated the effect of F by reducing the damage and we have used interface traps to account for the dose loss observed experimentally. Using these models, we have been able to fit the SIMS profiles across the whole matrix of implant conditions for both B11 and BF2 implants.
Cancer Chemotherapy and Antioxidants

Does the administration of antioxidants during cancer chemotherapy affect antineoplastic efficacy or the development of side effects? Although the majority of preclinical studies involving the use of in vitro systems and animal models support the contention that certain antioxidants are of benefit, few clinical studies have been done (1,2). Factors to consider in the design of studies to answer the question posed above include the properties of the individual antioxidants, the mechanism of action of the antineoplastic agents, and the mechanism whereby antineoplastic agents cause their side effects. Additionally, the impact of chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress upon antineoplastic efficacy and the role that reactive oxygen species (ROS) 3 may play in drug-induced apoptosis need to be elucidated. All antioxidants cannot be viewed as equal when evaluating their potential impact on cancer chemotherapy, and an individual antioxidant cannot be anticipated to have the same impact on the activity of all cancer chemotherapeutic agents. Small molecular weight antioxidant molecules are effective reducing agents but some, including glutathione (GSH), Nacetyl cysteine (NAC), and alpha-lipoic acid, also are strong nucleophiles because they possess a sulfhydryl group. While all antioxidants are capable of detoxifying free radicals, those that possess strong nucleophilic properties can bind and inactivate the electrophilic intermediates of antineoplastic agents that act via nucleophilic substitution reactions, i.e., platinum-coordination complexes and most alkylating agents. Competition between nucleophilic antioxidants and the nucleophilic cellular targets of these anticancer agents can reduce the efficacy of the therapy. Selenium also can be considered a nucleophilic antioxidant. Although inorganic selenium does not function as an antioxidant, it is incorporated into selenoproteins (as selenocysteine or selenomethionine) and other selenium compounds such as methylselenol. Because selenium possesses properties similar to sulfur, selenoproteins and organoselenols have nucleophilic properties. Additionally, selenium induces the synthesis of the cysteine-rich metallothioneins, which can bind to electrophilic intermediates of platinum-coordination complexes and alkylating agents, and elevated levels of methallothioneins are associated with resistance to these antineoplastic agents (3). If generation of ROS by a cancer chemotherapeutic agent or a free radical intermediate of the drug plays a role in its cytotoxicity, antioxidants may interfere with the drug’s antineoplastic activity. However, if the reactive species are responsible only for the drug’s adverse effects, antioxidants may actually reduce the severity of such effects without interfering with the drug’s antineoplastic activity. Thus, it is important to distinguish between a drug’s ability to induce oxidative stress in biological systems and the role, if any, that ROS or free radical intermediates play in the mechanism of action of the drug.
Circuit modeling of nonlinear lossy frequency dependent thin-film magnetic inductors

Thin-film magnetic inductors are useful for integrated power delivery solutions for microprocessors and mobile devices. In many of these applications, the inductor dimensions have to be optimized simultaneously with the other circuit components and thus, accurate circuit models are required. Hence, we present an accurate physics-based circuit model that can capture the frequency dependency, losses and the nonlinear behavior of thin-film magnetic inductors both for the uncoupled and coupled configurations. The model is based on the magnetic circuit description of the inductors with additional elements to model the frequency dependency within the magnetic material. The model is verified using vector network analyzer measurements of direct current biased inductors.
Holistic geoarchaeology in the Penobscot Valley, Maine, USA: context, scale, and interpretation

A holistic landscape approach to cultural resource analysis of a set of archaeological sites in the central Penobscot Valley led to inferences regarding the Holocene physical and biological environmental context. Targeted environmental studies include (1) examination of forest and wetland changes through time and (2) lake-level studies as a key to paleohydrology. These studies were combined with broad-scale geomorphic investigations and detailed stratigraphic analyses, and studies of archaeological sites and their artifact assemblages. Together, these studies provide a picture of dramatic changes to the physical and vegetational landscape. These included reestablishment of a major river following deglaciation, evolution of extensive lakes to uplands and peatlands, and a shifting mosaic of open and closed forest composed of a variety of hardwood and softwood species. Inferences based on buried soils exposed in archaeological excavations supported climatic interpretations based on vegetation and paleohydrology. As a result, this work allowed evaluation of (1) site formation and preservation processes and (2) occupational patterns. Site formation and preservation of Early Holocene sites can be linked to sedimentation by hydraulic damming upstream of rapids at the mouths of tributary streams. Shifting human land use reflected by changes in occupation patterns appears to correspond to changes in forest composition as well as wetland and stream evolution through time.
What Is Clinical Utility and Why Should We Care

Office of Clinical Pharmacology, Office of Translational Sciences, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. Correspondence: L Lesko (lawrence.lesko@fda.hhs.gov), I Zineh (Issam.Zineh@fda.hhs.gov), or S-M Huang (ShiewMei.Huang@fda.hhs.gov)doi:10.1038/clpt.2010.229
Centrilobular necrosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: association with acute cellular rejection and impact on outcome.

Several studies have linked centrilobular necrosis (CN) to acute cellular rejection (ACR) following liver transplantation. However, it may be difficult to establish the diagnosis of ACR when the classic portal features are absent. The aim of the present study was to identify specific features that would help to recognize ACR in biopsies with CN. One hundred and forty liver biopsies with CN were identified from 97 patients who underwent liver transplantation. The following histopathologic features were assessed: CN, steatosis, lobular inflammation, cholestasis, endothelialitis, and fibrosis. CN was graded semiquantitatively. A number of clinical and biochemical parameters were also recorded. Biopsies with CN were assessed for the presence or absence of ACR and divided into two groups accordingly. The associations of the biochemical, pathologic, and clinical features with ACR were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model. The outcomes of patients with and without rejection were compared using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Seventy-four biopsies (52.9%) showed evidence of ACR, and 52 patients (53.6%) had evidence of ACR at the first biopsy with CN. The multivariate analysis showed the presence of cholestasis, lobular inflammation, the ALT level, and time since liver transplantation to be independent predictors of the presence of ACR in biopsies with CN. Patients with ACR on their first biopsy with CN were significantly more likely to experience graft loss compared with patients without ACR. In conclusion, the presence of cholestasis and lobular inflammation on biopsies with CN appeared helpful in predicting its association with ACR. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:480–487.)
Cardiovascular Drug Therapy

Cardiovascular agents are utilized when myocardial and/or circulatory dysfunction persists despite optimization of volume status. They have potent activity on the biochemical and neurochemical pathways that maintain and regulate vascular tone. Although these drugs may have multiple dose dependent effects, they are often categorized by their primary cardiovascular activity. Terms used to describe the primary cardiovascular effect of these drugs include: Inotrope: Improves myocardial contractility and stroke volume Pressor: Increases systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure Chronotrope: Increases heart rate Lusitrope: Improves diastolic relaxation and decreases end diastolic pressure Vasodilator: Decreases systemic vascular resistance and afterload Inodilator: Improves myocardial contractility while decreasing afterload
Chromatin conformation of the H19 epigenetic mark

Genomic imprinting in mammals is an epigenetic process that results in differential expression of the two parental alleles. The tightly linked murine H19 and Igf2 genes are reciprocally imprinted: H19 is expressed from the maternal chromosome while Igf2 is expressed from the paternal chromosome. A single regulatory region in the 5' flank of the H19 gene has been implicated in silencing both genes. On the paternal chromosome, this region is heavily methylated at CpG residues, leading to repression of the H19 gene. The mechanism by which the same region in an unmethylated state on the maternal chromosome silences Igf2 is less well understood. We have probed the chromatin structure of the region by assessing its sensitivity to nuclease digestion. Two regions of nuclease hypersensitivity that are specific to the maternal chromosome were identified. These coincide with the region that is most heavily methylated on the paternal chromosome. As is the case with paternal methylation, hypersensitivity is present in all tissues surveyed, irrespective of H19 expression. We suggest that the chromatin structure of the maternal 5' flank of the H19 gene may represent an epigenetic mark involved in the silencing of Igf2.
The anisotropic structure of the upper mantle in the Pacific

SUMMARY Anisotropic inversions of surface wave data show that the variations in vertical shear velocity, pv, and anisotropy of the oceanic upper mantle in the Pacific are much smoother and more systematic functions of the age of the seafloor than has been reported in previous studies. The data used in this analysis are the pure-path results of previous studies on the lateral distribution of fundamental-mode Love and Rayleigh wave phase velocities (Nishimura & Forsyth 1985, 1988). The pure-path models include parameters which describe the variations with age, azimuthal anisotropy and residual depth anomalies. The calculated velocity models of the upper mantle are constrained to vary smoothly with depth and to represent the minimum deviation from an isotropic starting model. Inversions were performed using the method of Tarantola & Valette (1982). The two best resolved parameters of the computed transversely isotropic model are the shear wave velocity terms, fiv and 5. The results indicate that pv above 200 km progressively increases as a function of the age of the seafloor with the pattern qualitatively mimicking isotherms of theoretical thermal cooling models. If one selects the depth to the maximum negative gradient in shear velocity as being the best available indicator of lithospheric thickness, then the thickness increases from about 15-35 km beneath 0-4 Myr old seafloor to 70-110km in the oldest seafloor. The magnitude of the shear wave anisotropy term, 5, rapidly increases in the first 20 Myr until some apparent constant value is reached in the older regions. A more realistic upper mantle structure is calculated using a priori information on the correlation between changes in shear and compressional wave velocities and the expected nature of the anisotropy. The general results are the same as the previous inversion without a priori constraints. Finally, the effect of attenuation is included, the primary result being an overall increase in 6". The maximum change occurs at around 150 km depth, which reduces the velocity contrast between the lithosphere and asthenosphere. It is therefore more difficult to make a distinction between the plate and low-velocity zone when the effect of attenuation is included. An estimate of the azimuthal anisotropic structure is obtained by inverting for the Rayleigh wave cos 2v coefficients using derivatives calculated by the method of Montagner & Nataf (1986). The reference frame used to constrain the azimuthal effect is that of fossil seafloor spreading direction. The results indicate that in regions of the Pacific less than 80 Myr in age, there is significant anisotropy down to 200 km depth. In regions older than 80 Myr, azimuthal anisotropy is confined to the upper SO km. The transverse and azimuthal anisotropy structures can be explained by an oceanic upper mantle containing olivine with different orientations.
Assessment of multiplicative utility functions via holistic judgments

Abstract This paper presents a decomposition procedure for assessing multiplicative multiattribute utility functions which relies solely on a few holistic assessments of utilities. Consistent with the procedures of Keeney and Raiffa, the procedure exploits the basic preference attitudes of the decision maker to identify the form of the utility function. The procedure differs in that it uses a familiar response mode, holistic assessment of profiles, to determine the scaling constants and univariate utility functions comprising the multiplicative utility function. Analyses of synthetic respondents are presented which support the efficacy of the procedure. Finally, it is argued that the proposed procedure has equal claim on the “major advantages”: namely, explicitly defining evaluation criteria, communication about value conflicts, and facilitating sensitivity analyses of value trade-offs—advantages commonly associated with decomposition methods. The procedure's likely advantage is ultimate ease of administration in specific circumstances.
Designing Virtual Customer Environments for New Product Development: Toward a Theory

Virtual customer communities enable firms to establish distributed innovation models that involve varied customer roles in new product development. In this article I use a multitheoretic lens to examine the design of such virtual customer environments, focusing on four underlying theoretical themes (interaction pattern, knowledge creation, customer motivation, and virtual customer community-new product development team integration) and deriving their implications for virtual customer environment design. I offer propositions that relate specific virtual customer environment design elements to successful customer value creation, and thereby to new product development success.
Sympathetic activity during passive heat stress in healthy aged humans

Key points Cardiovascular adjustments to heat stress are attenuated in healthy aged individuals, which could contribute to their greater prevalence of heat-related illnesses and deaths during heat waves. The attenuated cardiovascular adjustments in the aged could be due to lower increases in sympathetic nerve activity during heat stress. We examined muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and plasma catecholamine concentrations in healthy young and aged individuals during whole-body passive heat stress. The main finding of this study is that increases in MSNA and plasma catecholamine concentrations did not differ between young and aged healthy individuals during passive heating. Furthermore, the increase in these variables did not differ when a cold pressor test and lower body negative pressure were superimposed upon heating. These findings suggest that attenuated cardiovascular adjustments to heat stress in healthy aged individuals are unlikely to be related to attenuated increases in sympathetic activity. Abstract Cardiovascular adjustments during heat stress are generally attenuated in healthy aged humans, which could be due to lower increases in sympathetic activity compared to the young. We compared muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) between 11 young (Y: 28 ± 4 years) and 10 aged (A: 70 ± 5 years) subjects prior to and during passive heating. Furthermore, MSNA responses were compared when a cold pressor test (CPT) and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) were superimposed upon heating. Baseline MSNA burst frequency (Y: 15 ± 4 vs. A: 31 ± 3 bursts min−1, P ≤ 0.01) and burst incidence (Y: 26 ± 8 vs. A: 50 ± 7 bursts (100 cardiac cycles (CC))−1, P ≤ 0.01) were greater in the aged. Heat stress increased core temperature to a similar extent in both groups (Y: +1.2 ± 0.1 vs. A: +1.2 ± 0.0°C, P = 0.99). Absolute levels of MSNA remained greater in the aged during heat stress (burst frequency: Y: 47 ± 6 vs. A: 63 ± 11 bursts min−1, P ≤ 0.01; burst incidence: Y: 48 ± 8 vs. A: 67 ± 9 bursts (100 CC)−1, P ≤ 0.01); however, the increase in both variables was similar between groups (both P ≥ 0.1). The CPT and LBNP further increased MSNA burst frequency and burst incidence, although the magnitude of increase was similar between groups (both P ≥ 0.07). These results suggest that increases in sympathetic activity during heat stress are not attenuated in healthy aged humans.
The Rise of Strongly Radioactive Plumes

Abstract The presence of radioactive gases in a plume, such as could occur in the event of a nuclear reactor accident, leads to the addition of buoyancy to the plume at an approximately linear rate. Buoyancy might also be added to plumes by chemical reactions, radiation, or latent heat exchange. The resulting plume rise is calculated by a model similar to that used to calculate the rise of ordinary plumes. The case of a radioactive plume is examined in some detail. For the slow leakage of radioactive gases assumed to occur under postulated reactor accident conditions, plume rise due to radioactivity can be neglected. For more rapid leakage rates or for larger reactors, plume radioactivity leads to significant rises.
Synchronous uterine adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma: A rare case report causing a clinical conundrum

Introduction Synchronous gynecologic primary cancers are uncommon. When present, the most frequent malignancies consist of endometrial and ovarian carcinomas. Here we report an exceedingly rare case of concurrent uterine adenocarcinoma and leiomyosarcoma.
Clinical and pharmacokinetic studies of minoxidil, a new antihypertensive agent.

1. Minoxidil is a direct-acting vasodilator which has been used in combination with propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide to lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. 2. The therapeutic efficacy of minoxidil was compared with that of hydrallazine used in the same combination in eleven patients refractory to standard antihypertensive therapy. 3. The recumbent blood pressure of these patients on propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide alone averaged 191/128 mmHg and decreased to 142/92 mmHg during addition of minoxidil and only to 168/108 mmHg during hydrallazine treatment. 4. In addition to its greater efficacy, minoxidil exhibited a prolonged duration of action and there was no evidence of diminished response during treatment for as long as 2 years. 5. The paucity of side effects and the powerful activity of minoxidil in combination with the other drugs suggests that this agent may be of great value in the chronic therapy of hypertension.
Effects of third cerebral ventricular injections of cyclic guanosine nucleotides on body temperature of cats.

SummaryThird cerebral ventricular administration of dibutyryl cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP caused changes in body temperature similar to those after dibutyryl cyclic AMP; namely delayed hyperthermic responses preceded less consistently by tachypnea and hypothermia. These results do not support a regulatory role in thermoregulation provided by a balance between opposing actions of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.
Thinking through the Body: Essays in Somaesthetics

This essay collection by Richard Shusterman, the “originator of the field” of somaesthetics (back cover), is wide-ranging, its subject matter being interdisciplinary, intercultural, and comparative...
Turning the lens on ourselves: MSR in higher education

MSR scholars have spent much energy studying businesses, non-profits, health care, and even religious organizations. At the same time, they have spent little energy examining the institutions of hi...
Advances in Health Literacy Research—and Meditations on a Tool Shed

We are pleased to present our seventh special issue on health literacy for the Journal of Health Communication. As with prior issues, this special issue seeks to advance our understanding of health...
TH-CD-202-04: Evaluation of Virtual Non-Contrast Images From a Novel Split-Filter Dual-Energy CT Technique

Purpose: To compare the ability of two dual-energy CT techniques, a novel split-filter single-source technique of superior temporal resolution against an established sequential-scan technique, to remove iodine contrast from images with minimal impact on CT number accuracy. Methods: A phantom containing 8 tissue substitute materials and vials of varying iodine concentrations (1.7–20.1 mg I /mL) was imaged using a Siemens Edge CT scanner. Dual-energy virtual non-contrast (VNC) images were generated using the novel split-filter technique, in which a 120kVp spectrum is filtered by tin and gold to create high- and low-energy spectra with < 1 second temporal separation between the acquisition of low- and high-energy data. Additionally, VNC images were generated with the sequential-scan technique (80 and 140kVp) for comparison. CT number accuracy was evaluated for all materials at 15, 25, and 35mGy CTDIvol. Results: The spectral separation was greater for the sequential-scan technique than the split-filter technique with dual-energy ratios of 2.18 and 1.26, respectively. Both techniques successfully removed iodine contrast, resulting in mean CT numbers within 60HU of 0HU (split-filter) and 40HU of 0HU (sequential-scan) for all iodine concentrations. Additionally, for iodine vials of varying diameter (2–20 mm) with the same concentration (9.9 mg I /mL), the system accurately detected iodine for all sizes investigated. Both dual-energy techniques resulted in reduced CT numbers for bone materials (by >400HU for the densest bone). Increasing the imaging dose did not improve the CT number accuracy for bone in VNC images. Conclusion: VNC images from the split-filter technique successfully removed iodine contrast. These results demonstrate a potential for improving dose calculation accuracy and reducing patient imaging dose, while achieving superior temporal resolution in comparison sequential scans. For both techniques, inaccuracies in CT numbers for bone materials necessitate consideration for radiation therapy treatment planning.
General approaches for determining the savings potential of optimal control for cooling in commercial buildings having both energy and demand charges

This article presents a general approach for determining maximum monthly energy cost savings associated with optimal supervisory control for cooling in commercial buildings in the presence of utility rates that include both demand and time-of-use energy charges. The resulting tool has a month-long time horizon because of the nature of demand changes and is only useful for benchmarking the performance of simpler and shorter-term demand response and optimal control approaches. Attempts to solve this optimization problem using a centralized formulation failed and, therefore, the benchmarking problem was formulated as a dynamic optimization problem within a multi-agent control framework so that the monthly optimization problem is segmented into several sub-problems where each sub-problem involves system optimization for a shorter period of time, for example, a 1-day period. The daily-scale optimization involves determination of trajectories of zone set-point temperatures that minimize an integral cost functio...
Mapping for investability: Remaking land and maps in Lesotho

Abstract Maps are instrumental in the commodification of land and its exchange in markets. The critical cartography literature emphasizes the “power of maps” to (re)define property relations through their descriptive and prescriptive attributes. But how do maps work to achieve these outcomes? This paper examines the notion of maps as “inscription devices” that turn land into a commodity that can be bought and sold by investors. It is based on the analysis of a land reform project in the Southern African country of Lesotho. In contrast to the prescriptive notion of maps as inscription devices we argue that cadastral maps are better understood as processual. Maps are only powerful in concert with contingent social forces in changing political and economic contexts. We use the example of cadastral mapping and land sales in a peri-urban village in Lesotho to make the case for a more dynamic notion of maps and mapping in understanding the work they do in making land investable.
Abstract 1672: Photodynamic therapy using photosensitizer and light emitting diodes (LEDs) demonstrates oncolytic activity against prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) affects over 2 million Americans and its treatment options include surgery, anti-hormonal drugs for androgen sensitive tumors, and radiotherapy. However, patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy develop resistance leading to development of castration resistant or androgen independent PCa. It is clear there is an urgent need to find an effective treatment strategy to manage aggressive PCa. An alternative treatment is the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves the activation of a photosensitizer by a defined wavelength of light in the presence of oxygen, generating transient concentrations of reactive oxygen species. We hypothesize that PDT via a photosensitizer (pheophorbide) in combination with light emitting diodes (LEDs) [670 nm] will demonstrate oncolytic activity against PCa cells, thus suggesting an alternative, less toxic cancer treatment. To test our hypothesis, we used C4-2 and DU-145 PCa cell lines as an in vitro model in this study. To explore the anti-cancer effects of PDT on PCa, cell viability assay and wound healing assay were performed. Western blotting was employed to identify the signaling molecules modulated by PDT. Our cell viability assay results demonstrated significant oncolytic activity against PCa cell lines using PDT with pheophorbide as a photosensitizer combined with 670 nm LEDs in as little as an 88 second pulse with increased lytic activity correlating with elevated energy intensities. We also observed variability in cell line PDT susceptibility; wherein, C4-2 cells were more susceptible than DU-145 PCa cells. The wound healing assay results with pheophorbide and 670 nm LEDs demonstrated significant inhibition of migration abilities of both C4-2 and DU-145 PCa cells. These findings implicate the anti-metastatic activity of PDT on PCa. Further, our mechanistic analysis showed activation of BiP/GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, in C4-2 as well as DU-145 PCa cells. This suggests that the anti-cancer activity of PDT with pheophorbide and 670 nm LEDs is via ER stress. In conclusion, our results show PDT using pheophorbide and 670 nm LEDs as a promising therapeutic strategy for PCa. Citation Format: Taher Gheewala, Troy Skwor, Gnanasekar Munirathinam. Photodynamic therapy using photosensitizer and light emitting diodes (LEDs) demonstrates oncolytic activity against prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1672.
Reclaiming the public university in Wisconsin

This commentary discusses the shift to austerity in the University of Wisconsin System, in the context of Wisconsin’s urban, public doctoral research university in the city of Milwaukee. Critical discourses based on “the Wisconsin Idea” insist upon the necessity for both academic freedom and public support to higher education.
Chronic early life lead (Pb2+) exposure alters presynaptic vesicle pools in hippocampal synapses.

Background Lead (Pb2+) exposure has been shown to impair presynaptic neurotransmitter release in both in vivo and in vitro model systems. The mechanism by which Pb2+ impairs neurotransmitter release has not been fully elucidated. In previous work, we have shown that Pb2+ exposure inhibits vesicular release and reduces the number of fast-releasing sites in cultured hippocampal neurons. We have also shown that Pb2+ exposure inhibits vesicular release and alters the distribution of presynaptic vesicles in Shaffer Collateral – CA1 synapses of rodents chronically exposed to Pb2+ during development.
Boranephosphonate DNA-Mediated Metallization of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), when dispersed in DMSO with boranephosphonate DNA (bpDNA), were efficiently metalized with silver, gold, and palladium nanoparticles (NPs). This was possible by first adsorbing boranephosphonate DNA onto the surface of SWNTs and then bathing with silver, gold, and palladium metal salts, which form the corresponding nanoparticles by reduction of their respective ions without addition of any external reducing agent. Reduction of a redox dye, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP), by Pd nanoparticle conjugates (PdNP/bpDNA/SWNT) disclosed the efficient electron transfer properties of these metallized SWNTs. These PdNP/bpDNA/SWNT conjugates were also successfully used to catalyze Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions. Boranephosphonate DNA-mediated metallization of SWNTs therefore provides a new method for fabricating well-defined SWNT-based nanostructures. This discovery should reveal unexpected applications in various research areas ranging from nanoelectronic devices to n...
The role of thymectomy in the treatment of juvenile myasthenia gravis: a systematic review.

The role of thymectomy in the treatment of juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) is poorly defined. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of thymectomy on survival, disease severity, and peri-operative complications for patients with JMG. A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (1/1/2000–3/1/2016) identified all English language, human studies of thymectomy for JMG. The population was patients with JMG age ≤18 years who underwent thymectomy (comparator group was unexposed to thymectomy). Outcomes included survival, disease severity, and post-operative complications. Data extraction was performed by independent reviewers. Sixteen retrospective studies included 1131 participants with JMG and 488 (43%) underwent thymectomy. Post-operative improvement in JMG severity occurred for 77% (n = 376/488). Comparisons of thymectomy to non-operative management were mixed. Post-operative complications were poorly recorded. Power to compare surgical approaches was limited. Outcomes specific to antibodies, surgical pathology findings, severity of JMG, and timing of thymectomy were sparse. Existing data regarding thymectomy for JMG are limited and entirely retrospective. The majority of patients who underwent thymectomy had improvement in disease severity and post-operative complications were rare. Prospective, multicenter study of thymectomy for JMG is warranted.
The effect of an interprofessional simulation-based education program on perceptions and stereotypes of nursing and medical students: A quasi-experimental study.

Abstract Background Interprofessional education is intended to train practitioners to collaboratively address challenges in healthcare delivery, and interprofessional simulation-based education (IPSE) provides realistic, contextual learning experiences in which roles, responsibilities, and professional identity can be learned, developed, and assessed. Reducing negative stereotypes within interprofessional relationships is a prime target for IPSE. Objectives We sought to understand whether perceptions of interprofessional education and provider stereotypes change among nursing and medical students after participating in IPSE. We also sought to determine whether changes differed based on the student's discipline. Design This was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study. Setting The study took place at a large mid-Atlantic public university with a comprehensive health science campus. Participants 147 senior Bachelors of Science in Nursing students and 163 fourth-year medical students participated. Methods Students were grouped into interprofessional teams for a two-week period and participated in three two-hour simulations focused on collaboration around acutely ill patients. At the beginning of the first session, they completed a pretest survey with demographic items and measures of their perceptions of interprofessional clinical education, stereotypes about doctors, and stereotypes about nurses. They completed a posttest with the same measures after the third session. Results 251 students completed both the pretest and posttest surveys. On all three measures, students showed an overall increase in scores after the IPSE experience. In comparing the change by student discipline, medical students showed little change from pretest to posttest on stereotypes of doctors, while nursing students had a significant increase in positive perceptions about doctors. No differences were noted between disciplines on changes in stereotypes of nurses. Conclusions This study demonstrated that a short series of IPSE experiences resulted in improved perceptions of interprofessional practice and changes in stereotypical views of each profession even when the experience was not directly designed to address these issues. Differences observed between nursing and medical students should be explored further.
Watching the Evolution of the American Family? Amazon's Transparent, Ecological Systems Theory, and the Changing Dynamics of Public Opinion.

Using Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) ecological systems theory as an organizing framework, the research closely examines the text of the Amazon Studios hit show Transparent and, by extension, the evolutio...
Articular Cartilage Restoration in the Multiple Ligament Injured Knee

Articular cartilage injuries are frequently encountered in the setting of a multiligament injured knee. Despite the typically higher energy mechanism, chondral injury patterns seem to be similar to isolated anterior cruciate ligament injured knees. Current treatment management of the multiligament knee typically includes surgical intervention to include repair and reconstruction within 3 weeks of injury. Since we still do not have an understanding as to the natural history of most chondral lesions, it can be impossible to determine which lesions will cause persistent symptoms and which will remain asymptomatic, even without treatment. No studies have evaluated concomitant multiligament surgery and articular cartilage restoration procedures. In ours and in others experience, only a small subset of these lesions may cause persistent symptoms directly attributable to the defect. However, this subset may benefit from articular resurfacing procedures in a secondary setting. We offer acute and secondary treatment considerations that stress minimizing morbidity in a highly traumatized joint. Unfortunately, the development of progressive degenerative changes is often ubiquitous with time. This degenerative course is felt to be multifactorial and not primarily attributable to the acute chondral injury. Many patients may ultimately require arthroplasty procedures to address advanced posttraumatic arthritis.
Pediatric malignancies: synopsis of current imaging techniques.

The imaging evaluation of malignancies is directed towards the assessment of size, location and characterization of the neoplasm. Imaging children necessitates additional attention to the dose of radiation, given the radiosensitivity and the expected longevity of children. This chapter will present some of the latest technologies used to image pediatric malignancies, as well as methods to evaluate the most common pediatric neoplasms.
Seeing Patterns: Models, Visual Evidence and Pictorial Communication in the Work of Barbara McClintock

Barbara McClintock won the Nobel Prize in 1983 for her discovery of mobile genetic elements. Her Nobel work began in 1944, and by 1950 McClintock began presenting her work on "controlling elements." McClintock performed her studies through the use of controlled breeding experiments with known mutant stocks, and read the action of controlling elements (transposons) in visible patterns of pigment and starch distribution. She taught close colleagues to "read" the patterns in her maize kernels, "seeing" pigment and starch genes turning on and off. McClintock illustrated her talks and papers on controlling elements or transposons with photographs of the spotted and streaked maize kernels which were both her evidence and the key to her explanations. Transposon action could be read in the patterns by the initiated, but those without step by step instruction by McClintock or experience in maize often found her presentations confusing. The photographs she displayed became both McClintock's means of communication, and a barrier to successful presentation of her results. The photographs also had a second and more subtle effect. As images of patterns arrived at through growth and development of the kernel, they highlight what McClintock believed to be the developmental consequences of transposition, which in McClintock's view was her central contribution, over the mechanism of transposition, for which she was eventually recognized by others. Scientific activities are extremely visual, both at the sites of investigation and in communication through drawings, photographs, and movies. Those visual messages deserve greater scrutiny by historians of science.
MSC Therapy of Inborn Errors

Mesenchymal stromal cells are ideally suited as cell therapy for inborn errors. While there are several potential mechanisms of therapeutic activity, in all studies yet, MSCs seem to exert their effects through the release of soluble mediators. This vast secretome, together with the capacity to modulate gene expression of the MSC therapeutic product through optimal selection of tissue source and ex vivo expansion protocols, suggests the potential to develop broadly applicable therapy for a wide array of disorders. However, the clinical experience to date is limited, most likely due to our unrealized historic view that MSCs were stem cells that could regenerate tissue. A pilot study in children with metachromatic leukodystrophy showed that MSCs may be able to increase nerve conduction velocity, suggesting that the cells may be stimulating remyelination of peripheral nerves. In osteogenesis imperfecta, MSCs unambiguously stimulate growth of the children who exhibit the characteristic severe growth deficiency. As our understanding of the fundamental biology of MSCs continues to improve, enthusiasm to assess MSCs in patients with inborn errors is also growing. The coming decade promises a swell of clinical trials and likely important breakthroughs.
What Comes Next: Expansion of the Pena-Rodriguez Racial Bias Exception to the No-Impeachment Rule

In the recent case of Pena-Rodriguez v. Colorado, the Supreme Court announced a constitutional exception to the juror no-impeachment rule--a traditional evidentiary rule barring jurors from testifying about what occurred during jury deliberations in an effort to impeach the verdict. Under this exception, where a juror makes a clear statement evincing that he or she convicted a criminal defendant on the basis of racial stereotypes or animus, the trial court may consider evidence of such juror statements. While the Court framed its decision as a necessary means of protecting the Sixth Amendment right to a fair and impartial trial, the Court discussed at length the need to rid the jury system of racial bias and prejudice, seemingly placing the case within a long line of cases intended to eliminate the impact of racism in the criminal justice system. As such, the Court limited its holding, and the newly created exception, strictly to instances of racial bias. While the Supreme Court limited the Pena-Rodriguez exception to instances of only racial bias, judges and commentators alike have questioned whether such a limitation is possible in practice. Justice Alito noted as much in his dissent, arguing that there is no principled basis for limiting this exception to race. This Note explores this question: will, and should, the Pena-Rodriguez exception remain limited to race. First, this Note analyzes the jurisdictions in which a bias exception had already existed before Pena-Rodriguez to determine whether these exceptions have expanded beyond race to date. Next, this Note examines the related doctrinal area of voir dire peremptory strikes to determine whether the expansion of a race-only Batson exception to other types of prejudice can shed light on Pena-Rodriguez’s potential evolution. Finally, using the states’ experience with these exceptions and the Court’s own past experience under Batson, this Note demonstrates that the narrow exception created by Pena-Rodriguez is likely to, and should, expand beyond race, and suggests that, in addition to procedural barriers, incorporation of Fourteenth Amendment principles can ensure the no-impeachment rule continues to serve its purpose as a safeguard of the jury system.
New Module with Isolated Half Bridge or Isolated Full Bridge for Modular Medium voltage converter

This paper proposes a standard module of "Isolated Half Bridge (IHB)" or "Isolated Full Bridge (IFB)" and its application in MVDC/MVAC system by using modular structure. The fundamental and 2nd harmonic current ripple can be eliminated through connecting the DC links of three phase on the same level. Energy density and system efficiency can be largely improved since the capacitor size is reduced. In addition, energy storage devices can be integrated in the proposed topology and thus make it feasible for smart grid and marine applications. Detailed simulation results of comparison between proposed topology and traditional MMC have been presented. Moreover, medium voltage drive starting from zero frequency is also simulated. Modular DC/DC converters with energy storage are discussed as well.
Effective interventions for depressive symptoms among caregivers of people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundCaring for a family member with dementia puts caregivers at risk for depressive symptoms. Yet, interventions with promising effects on caregiver depressive symptoms are not well documente...
Annexin A1 attenuates neuroinflammation through FPR2/p38/COX‐2 pathway after intracerebral hemorrhage in male mice

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the deadliest stroke subtype and neuroinflammation is a critical component of the pathogenesis following ICH. Annexin A1-FPR2 signaling has been shown to play a protective role in animal stroke models. This study aimed to assess whether Annexin A1 attenuated neuroinflammation and brain edema after ICH and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Male CD-1 mice were subjected to collagenase-induced ICH. Annexin A1 was administered at 0.5 hr after ICH. Brain water content measurement, short-term and long-term neurobehavioral tests, Western blot and immnunofluorescence were performed. Results showed that Annexin A1 effectively attenuated brain edema, improved short-term neurological function and ameliorated microglia activation after ICH. Annexin A1 also improved memory function at 28 days after ICH. However, these beneficial effects were abolished with the administration of FPR2 antagonist Boc-2. Furthermore, AnxA1/FPR2 signaling may confer protective effects via inhibiting p38-associated inflammatory cascade. Our study demonstrated that Annexin A1/FPR2/p38 signaling pathway played an important role in attenuating neuroinflammation after ICH and that Annexin A1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for ICH patients.
Interprofessional Procedure Training for Medicine and Nursing Students.

Introduction Recognizing the need for interprofessional education for trainees, the University of Kansas Schools of Nursing (SON) and Medicine (SOM) created interprofessional procedure workshops to...
Transdisciplinary Approaches for the Dissemination of the SWITCH School Wellness Initiative Through a Distributed 4-H/Extension Network

Schools provide an ideal setting for promoting healthy lifestyles in youth, but it has proven difficult to promote the adoption and implementation of evidence-based programming by school leaders. The SWITCH® (School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health) intervention is a capacity-building process designed to help school leaders learn how to plan, implement, and sustain school wellness programs on their own. The present study evaluates the transdisciplinary approaches used in establishing an integrated research-practice partnership with the state-wide 4-H/Extension network to support broader dissemination. The study used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the degree of engagement and motivation of 4-H leaders (N = 30) for providing ancillary support for local school wellness programming. Engagement from 4-H Staff was logged over a year-long period through tracking completion of training and ongoing engagement with aspects of SWITCH. They completed checkpoint surveys and an interview to provide perceptions of supporting school implementation of SWITCH programming. Data were analysed through Pearson bivariate correlations and constant comparative analysis. County-level 4-H staff demonstrated high engagement in SWITCH by attending training sessions and hosting structured checkpoint sessions with schools. Interview data revealed that 4-H Staff valued connections with schools and emphasized that training on SWITCH was consistent with their existing roles related to youth programming. The results demonstrate the value of the sequential capacity-building process used to train 4-H Staff to facilitate school wellness programming. The transdisciplinary approaches built transferable skills and fostered relationships that directly support the broader goals of 4-H.