cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do we believe the tobacco industry lied to us? Association with smoking behavior in a military population

Despite the dangers of smoking, tobacco companies continue to impede tobacco control efforts through deceptive marketing practices. Media campaigns that expose these practices have been effective in advancing anti-industry attitudes and reducing smoking initiation among young people, yet the association between knowledge of industry practices and smoking cessation and relapse has not been studied. In a large military sample entering Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT), where tobacco use is prohibited, we investigated (i) the prevalence of agreement with a statement that tobacco companies have misled the public about the health consequences of smoking and (ii) the association of this acknowledgement with smoking status upon entry into BMT (N = 36 013). At baseline, 56.6% agreed that tobacco companies have been deceptive, and agreement was a strong predictor of smoking status [smokers less likely to agree, odds ratio (OR) = 0.39, P < 0.01]. At 12-month follow-up, we examined the association between industry perception at baseline and current smoking status (N = 20 672). Recruits who had been smoking upon entry into BMT and who had acknowledged industry deception were less likely to report current smoking (OR = 0.84, P = 0.01). These findings suggest that anti-industry attitudes may affect smoking relapse following cessation.
Geographical Differences in Subjective Well-Being Predict Extraordinary Altruism

Altruistic kidney donation is a form of extraordinary altruism, the antecedents of which are poorly understood. Although well-being is known to increase the incidence of prosocial behaviors and there is significant geographical variation in both well-being and altruistic kidney donation in the United States, it is unknown whether geographical variation in well-being predicts the prevalence of this form of extraordinary altruism. We calculated per capita rates of altruistic kidney donation across the United States and found that an index of subjective well-being predicted altruistic donation, even after we controlled for relevant sociodemographic variables. This relationship persisted at the state level and at the larger geographic regional level. Consistent with hypotheses about the relationship between objective and subjective well-being, results showed that subjective well-being mediated the relationship between increases in objective well-being metrics, such as income, and altruism. These results suggest that extraordinary altruism may be promoted by societal factors that increase subjective well-being.
Cationic lipid–DNA complexes for non-viral gene therapy: relating supramolecular structures to cellular pathways

Cationic liposomes (CLs) are used as nonviral vectors in worldwide human clinical trials of gene therapy. Among other advantages, lipid–DNA complexes have the ability to transfer very large genes into cells, but their efficiency is much lower than that of viruses. Recent studies combining structural and biological techniques are beginning to unravel the relationship between the distinctly structured CL–DNA complexes and their transfection efficiency. Most CL–DNA complexes form a multilayered structure with DNA sandwiched between the cationic lipids (lamellar complexes, LαC). On rare occasions, an inverted hexagonal structure (HIIC) is observed. An important recent insight is that the membrane charge density (σM) of the CL-vector is a universal parameter governing the transfection efficiency of LαC (but not HIIC) complexes. This has led to a new model of the cellular uptake of LαC complexes through activated fusion with endosomal membranes. Surface-functionalised complexes with poly(ethylene glycol)-lipids...
Learning Occupancy Prediction Models with Decision-Guidance Query Language

Occupancy prediction is a relatively new domain of research. It has gained momentum over the past decade. Varying approaches have been proposed to profile occupancy of buildings or space. Smart occupancy patterns, once predicted, can be effectively used in modeling energy management systems to achieve energy savings. While doing so, we also take into consideration the potential for occupant discomfort. In this paper, we propose DOPM - an occupancy prediction model built by using Decision Guidance Query Language (DGQL) framework that can optimize prediction rules governing occupancy patterns in a domain. Motive of DOPM is to perform two actions: a) Maximize energy saved in a location and b) limit inconvenience caused to its occupants in the process. This paper presents a generic DOPM model. A case study is developed for occupancy prediction on a university campus setting and the results of running the model will be presented.
The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine

The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine Michael Lewis New York, Norton, 2010, 264 pp., $27.95 hardcover ISBN 978-0-393-07223-5Michael Lewis's compelling book details the experiences of several i...
Fractures of the Posterior Wall of the Acetabulum

Only 30% of posterior-wall acetabular fractures involve a single large fragment. The majority are multifragmentary or have areas of impaction. Unsatisfactory clinical results occur in more than 80% of patients treated non-surgically. Operative management usually offers the best chance of preserving long-term joint function, but only if an anatomically reconstructed acetabulum can be achieved without complication. The keys to surgical success include maintaining the viability of the fracture fragments and the femoral head itself, using bone grafts and buttress plating to support elevated and comminuted fragments, and protecting the neurovascular structures at risk. Complications can include sciatic nerve injury (incidence, 3% to 18%), heterotopic ossification (7% to 20%), and osteonecrosis of the femoral head (5% to 8%). Despite the relative simplicity of this acetabular fracture, unsatisfactory outcomes after surgical repair of the posterior wall occur in at least 18% to 32% of cases, results that are worse than for most of the other more complex acetabular fracture patterns.
Genomic profile of Toll-like receptor pathways in traumatically brain-injured mice: effect of exogenous progesterone

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes acute inflammatory responses that result in an enduring cascade of secondary neuronal loss and behavioral impairments. It has been reported that progesterone (PROG) can inhibit the increase of some inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related factors induced by TBI. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in the induction and regulation of immune/inflammatory responses. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the genomic profiles of TLR-mediated pathways in traumatically injured brain and PROG’s effects on these genes. Methods: Bilateral cortical impact injury to the medial frontal cortex was induced in C57BL/6J mice. PROG was injected (i.p., 16 mg/kg body weight) at 1 and 6 h after surgery. Twenty-four hours post-surgery, mice were killed and peri-contusional brain tissue was harvested for genomic detection and protein measurement. RT-PCR arrays were used to measure the mRNA of 84 genes in TLR-mediated pathways. Western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm the protein expression of genes of interest. Results: We found that 2 TLRs (TLR1 and 2), 5 adaptor/interacting proteins (CD14, MD-1, HSPA1a, PGRP and Ticam2) and 13 target genes (Ccl2, Csf3, IL1a, IL1b, IL1r1, IL6, IL-10, TNFa, Tnfrsf1a, Cebpb, Clec4e, Ptgs2 and Cxcl10) were significantly up-regulated after injury. Administration of PROG significantly down-regulated three of the 13 increased target genes after TBI (Ccl-2, IL-1b and Cxcl-10), but did not inhibit the expression of any of the detected TLRs and adaptor/interacting proteins. Rather, PROG up-regulated the expression of one TLR (TLR9), 5 adaptor/ interacting proteins, 5 effectors and 10 downstream target genes. We confirmed that Ccl-2, Cxcl-10, TLR2 and TLR9 proteins were expressed in brain tissue, a finding consistent with our observations of mRNA expression. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that TBI can increase gene expression in TLR-mediated pathways. PROG does not down-regulate the increased TLRs or their adaptor proteins in traumatically injured brain. Reduction of the observed inflammatory cytokines by PROG does not appear to be the result of inhibiting TLRs or their adaptors in the acute stage of TBI.
Identification of new Gβγ interaction sites in adenylyl cyclase 2

Abstract The role of Gβγ in adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling is complicated due to its role as a conditional activator (AC2, AC4 and AC7) and an inhibitor (AC1, AC3 and AC8). AC2 is stimulated by Gαs and if Gβγ is present the stimulation is synergistic. The precise mechanism of this synergistic activation is still not known. In order to further elucidate the role of Gβγ in AC2 activation by Gαs, peptides derived from the C1 domains of AC2 were synthesized and the ability of the various peptides to regulate AC2 function was tested. Our results identify two new Gβγ-binding sites in the AC2 C1 domain, AC2 C1a 339–360 and AC2 C1b 578–602 that are involved with stimulation of AC2 by Gβγ. These two regions are different from the previously described QEHA motif in the C2 domain of AC2. Further, the recently discovered PFAHL motif was confirmed to bind and to be involved with stimulation of AC2 by Gβγ. These functional studies indicate that multiple regions of AC2 are involved in the interaction with Gβγ.
Anticholinergic Drug Abuse and Misuse

Abuse of the centrally acting anticholinergic agents is a phenomenon occasionally reported in the medical literature. Anticholinergics, most often used in psychiatry to treat antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms, are also used by some patients for their mood altering and psychedelic effects. The changes in sensorium can range from mild euphoria and increased sociability to hallucinations and toxic psychosis.
Strategic Timing of Ballot Initiatives in Direct Democracy

This paper considers whether ideological ballot initiatives are strategically placed on ballots by interest groups. The overarching hypothesis is that an ideological ballot initiative is more likely to be placed on the ballot during an election cycle in which an electorate is likely to turn out that is receptive to that ideology (e.g. primary elections in which one party is selecting amongst compelling candidates with broad followings and the other is universally expected to select the incumbent, or general elections during bad economic cycles when the party of the opposite ideology is in power). Several suggestive empirical and observational tests are conducted that tentatively support the hypothesis.
Time-Resolved Raman Spectroscopy of Polaron Pair Formation in Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Aggregates

The ultrafast formation of bound charge pairs, or polaron pairs (PPs), in mixed-order aggregates of poly(3-hexylthiophene) was investigated using femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS). Spectral dynamics in the carbon–carbon stretching region reveal a significant photoinduced depletion in steady-state features associated with lamellar-stacked, ordered polymer regions upon 500 nm photoexcitation; this is followed by the appearance of red-shifted features attributable to PPs that is delayed by a few hundred femtoseconds. PP features decay with concomitant recovery of the steady-state Raman depletion over a few picoseconds. The vibrational spectrum of the PP obtained exhibits a modest red shift (<15 cm–1) and lower Raman activity relative to steady-state features in the C═C stretching region but similar features in other regions. In total, this work demonstrates the potential of time-resolved Raman as a morphologically selective and structurally sensitive probe for tracking ultrafast charge separat...
Seizure outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

OBJECTIVE Patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) commonly present with seizure. Seizure outcomes in patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are poorly defined. A case series of patients with cerebral AVMs treated with SRS is presented to evaluate long-term seizure outcome. METHODS A retrospective review of the medical record was performed, identifying 204 consecutive patients with AVMs treated with SRS between January 1991 and June 2012. Clinical and radiographic data were evaluated. Seizure outcome was measured using the Engel Epilepsy Surgery Outcome Scale. Mean duration of follow-up was 37.1 months (SD 38.3 months) with a minimum follow-up period of 1 month. RESULTS Of the 204 patients with cerebral AVMs treated with SRS, 78 patients (38.2%) presented with seizures and 49 of those patients were treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Following SRS, 63 (80.8%) of the 78 patients who had had seizures prior to SRS were seizure-free at a mean follow-up time of 37.2 months (SD 41.3 months). Of the 49 patients who had been treated with AEDs, 17 were still taking AEDs at last follow-up. Of the 126 patients who did not present with seizures prior to treatment with SRS, only 5 patients (4.0%) had seizures in the post-SRS period. There was no significant correlation between post-SRS seizure status and patient demographic features, comorbidities, AVM characteristics, history of operative intervention, pre- or posttreatment hemorrhage, or radiographic degree of AVM resolution. CONCLUSIONS Stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of cerebral AVMs is effective at providing long-term control of seizures. A substantial number of patients who were treated with SRS were not only seizure free at their last follow-up, but had been successfully weaned from antiepileptic medications.
Mode tracking of hybrid system based on GARRs

For the characteristics of hybrid system which contained both motion law and mechanism evolution of continuous and discrete dynamic simultaneously,this paper presented a hybrid system's mode tracking method based on global analytical redundancy relations(GARRs).Bond graph model of the hybrid system was set up and converted to diagnosis hybrid bond graph(DHBG)model.According to the DHBG,GARRs and modechange signature matrix(MCSM)were derived.Using the mode change signature vector and change characteristics of the voltage and current when the switch turned on or turned off,the switching device which caused the modes change was fixed the position.Finally,this method was simulated and analyzed by Matlab software.The feasibility and validity of the new method of mode tracking of hybrid system based on the GARRs were verified.
The poor solubility of ureidopyrimidone can be used to form gels of low molecular weight N-alkyl urea oligomers in organic solvents

A synthesis strategy for low molecular weight organogelators using the ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) group is reported. The prepared gelators showed robust thermal reversible gelation abilities in various solvents, including dimethyl sulfoxide. The morphology of the dried gels was determined using scanning electron microscopy, revealing a macroscopic porous structure of the gels. Rheology was performed to determine storage (G′) and loss modulus (G″) confirming network gel structures.
Standing Musculoskeletal Surgery

Preoperative considerations covered in this article are selection of cases, restraint, and safety. The surgeon should consider that standing surgery may require more efficiency and experience than the same procedures performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Procedures included are neurectomy, tendon and ligament splitting, and transection and dorsal cortical osteostyxis.
Heuristics for p -class towers of imaginary quadratic fields

Cohen and Lenstra have given a heuristic which, for a fixed odd prime p, leads to many interesting predictions about the distribution of p-class groups of imaginary quadratic fields. We extend the Cohen-Lenstra heuristic to a non-abelian setting by considering, for each imaginary quadratic field K, the Galois group of the p-class tower of K, i.e. $${G}_K:=\mathrm {Gal}(K_\infty /K)$$ where $$K_\infty $$ is the maximal unramified p-extension of K. By class field theory, the maximal abelian quotient of $${G}_K$$ is isomorphic to the p-class group of K. For integers $$c\ge 1$$ , we give a heuristic of Cohen-Lenstra type for the maximal p-class c quotient of $${G}_K$$ and thereby give a conjectural formula for how frequently a given p-group of p-class c occurs in this manner. In particular, we predict that every finite Schur $$\sigma $$ -group occurs as $$G_K$$ for infinitely many fields K. We present numerical data in support of these conjectures.
Local Limit Cycles of Degenerate Foci in Cubic Systems

The problem of determining the stability of a weak focus in a quadratic or cubic system has been the focus of much research. Here we outline a simple but imperfect approach to the study of degenerate foci and use the method to give an example of a cubic system with four local limit cycles about a degenerate focus.
Identity and Vote Overreporting by Bureaucrats: Implications for Public Service Motivation:

Studies have argued that the higher levels of public service motivation (PSM) found in bureaucrats as compared with others lead to the positive civic and political behaviors seen in government employees. This study extends those findings to see if high PSM could have any negative effects on these same behaviors. Drawing from research on identity theory, it is hypothesized that a salient “public service identity” could contribute to bureaucrats being more apt than others to report that they have voted in elections when they actually had not. Logit models using data covering a span of almost 30 years in the United States find support for the hypothesis. This work suggests that viewing PSM through the lens of identity theory may have broad implications for the field of public administration.
High Glucose-Induced Hypomethylation Promotes Binding of Sp-1 to Myo-Inositol Oxygenase: Implication in the Pathobiology of Diabetic Tubulopathy.

The catabolic enzyme myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) is expressed in proximal tubules and up-regulated in the diabetic state. Previously, we reported its transcriptional and translation regulation by high glucose (HG), osmolytes, and fatty acids. However, its epigenetic regulation is unknown. Bisulfite sequencing revealed that both human and mouse MIOX promoters, enriched with CpG sites, are hypomethylated and unmethylated under HG ambience and hyperglycemic states associated with increased MIOX expression. Eletrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed increased binding of unmethylated oligos with nucleoproteins of cells maintained under HG. In addition, a strong binding of specificity protein (Sp)-1 transcription factor with MIOX promoter was observed under HG, especially with unmethylated Sp-1 oligo. Specificity of binding was established by supershift assays and treatment with the Sp-1 inhibitor mithramycin. Promoter analysis revealed an increase in luciferase activity under HG, which was reduced after mutation of the Sp-1–binding site. Sp1 siRNA treatment reduced mRNA and protein expression of Sp-1 and MIOX and generation of reactive oxygen species derived from NADPH oxidase (NOX)-4 and mitochondrial sources. In addition, there was reduced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α relevant in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Sp1 siRNA treatment reduced fibronectin expression, an extracellular matrix protein that is increased in diabetic nephropathy and tubulopathy. HG-induced MIOX expression was also reduced with the treatment of apelin-13, which deacetylates histones. Overall, these findings highlight the epigenetic regulation of MIOX in the pathogenesis of diabetic tubulopathy.
Integrated-Connected Eco-Driving System for PHEVs With Co-Optimization of Vehicle Dynamics and Powertrain Operations

In the past several decades, various types of technologies have been developed to improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions across different dimensions. For example, powertrain-related technologies improve fuel efficiency by optimizing the powertrain operations in response to different driving conditions (e.g., energy management system for plugin hybrid electric vehicles); another technology dimension lies in intelligent transportation systems (ITS), which improve vehicle fuel efficiency by optimizing the vehicle dynamics or speed under different traffic conditions (e.g., eco-speed harmonization and eco-approach and departure). However, very little effort has been made to investigate the combined benefit of integrating both powertrain and ITS technology dimensions together. In this paper, an integrated and connected eco-driving assistance system with co-optimization of vehicle dynamics and powertrain operations for PHEVs is proposed. To fully evaluate the performance of the proposed system at different vehicle automation levels, real-world driving data for different eco-driving technological stages were collected: uninformed manual driving, eco-driving with an in-vehicle advisory display, and an eco-driving system with automatic longitudinal control. The numerical analysis shows that the co-optimization is able to achieve on average 24% fuel savings for typical urban driving conditions.
P22 Visual utilisation during single limb balance in those with and without chronic ankle instability

Study Design Case-control. Objectives Determine if differences in visual utilisation during single-limb balance (SLB) are present between those with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). Background Impaired SLB is commonly exhibited by CAI patients and may be related to decreased utilisation of somatosensory information and the upregulation of visual information. However, visual modulation across eyes open and closed conditions has not been thoroughly investigated. Methods and Measures Seventy-four people with CAI (females=51; age:23.76±5.18, height:171.07±9.96 cm, weight:75.05±15.17 kg) were compared to 74 people without CAI (females=47; age:24.48±5.16, height:168.19±11.67 cm, weight:69.36±13.66 kg). Three 10 s trials of barefoot SLB were collected in eyes open and closed conditions using a forceplate. Centre of pressure data were analysed as velocity, range, time-to-boundary (TTB) mean-minima (MM), and TTB standard deviation (SD) for the anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. The Romberg Quotient (RQ) was calculated for each variable (eyes closed/eyes open) to assess the contribution of visual information during SLB. Increased reliance on visual information was associated with greater RQ for velocity and range and lower RQ for TTB variables. Mann-Whitney U tests examined group differences (p≤0.05). Results The CAI group exhibited a lower TTB-SD-ML RQ (CAI: 0.514±0.261, Healthy: 0.625±0.314; p=0.02). However, no differences were identified in the RQ for TTB-MM-ML (CAI: 0.434±0.105, Healthy: 0.468±0.141; p=0.26), TTB-MM-AP (CAI: 0.428±0.104, Healthy: 0.419±0.111; p=0.61), TTB-SD-AP (CAI: 0.436±0.132, Healthy: 0.435±0.159; p=0.62), velocity-ML (CAI: 2.331±0.474, Healthy: 2.307±0.520; p=0.78), velocity-AP (CAI: 2.387±0.557, Healthy: 2.522±0.721; p=0.47), range-ML (CAI: 1.895±0.429, Healthy: 1.971±0.394; p=0.11), or range-AP (CAI: 1.969±0.505, Healthy: 2.216±0.716; p=0.07). Conclusion The utilisation of visual information during SLB did not differ between groups for a majority of postural control variables based on the RQ. However, CAI patients did exhibit an increased reliance on vision for TTB-SD-ML which indicates these individuals may upregulate visual information to augment the number of strategies used to maintain frontal plane postural control.
Engineering the oxygen coordination in digital superlattices

The oxygen sublattice in complex oxides is typically composed of corner-shared polyhedra, with transition metals at their centers. The electronic and chemical properties of the oxide depend on the type and geometric arrangement of these polyhedra, which can be controlled through epitaxial synthesis. Here, we use oxide molecular beam epitaxy to create SrCoOx:SrTiO3 superlattices with tunable oxygen coordination environments and sublattice geometries. Using synchrotron X-ray scattering in combination with soft X-ray spectroscopy, we find that the chemical state of Co can be varied with the polyhedral arrangement, with higher Co oxidation states increasing the valence band maximum. This work demonstrates a new strategy for engineering unique electronic structures in the transition metal oxides using short-period superlattices.
Prophylactic Platelet Transfusions for Critically Ill Patients With Thrombocytopenia: A Single-Institution Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia is frequently encountered in critically ill patients, often resulting in prophylactic transfusion of platelets for the prevention of bleeding complications. However, the efficacy of this practice remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between prophylactic platelet transfusion and bleeding complications in critically ill patients. METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of adults admitted to surgical, medical, or combined medical-surgical intensive care units (ICUs) at a single academic institution between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years and a platelet count measured during ICU admission. Propensity-matched analyses were used to evaluate associations between prophylactic platelet transfusions and the outcomes of interest with a primary outcome of red blood cell transfusion in the ensuing 24 hours and secondary outcomes of ICU and hospital-free days and changes in sequential organ failure assessment scores. RESULTS A total of 40,693 patients were included in the investigation with 3227 (7.9%) receiving a platelet transfusion and 1065 (33.0%) for which platelet transfusion was prophylactic in nature. In propensity-matched analyses, 994 patients with prophylactic platelet transfusion were matched to those without a transfusion. Patients receiving prophylactic platelets had significantly higher red blood cell transfusion rates (odds ratio 7.5 [5.9-9.5]; P < .001), fewer ICU-free days (mean [standard deviation] 20.8 [9.1] vs 22.7 [8.3] days; P = .004), fewer hospital-free days (13.0 [9.7] vs 15.8 [9.4] days; P < .001), and less improvement in sequential organ failure assessment scores (mean decrease of 0.2 [3.6] vs 1.8 [3.3]; P < .001) in the subsequent 24 hours. These findings appeared robust, persisting in multiple predefined sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic administration of platelets in the critically ill was not associated with improved clinical outcomes, though residual confounding may exist. Further investigation of platelet transfusion strategies in this population is warranted.
Reasoning about Physical Solids and Processes

The development of solid modeling has been motivated primarily by its potential for supporting automated applications. Analytic applications have been addressed successfully, and algorithms are available for visualization, mass property calculation, static interference analysis, kinematic simulation of mechanisms, and simulation of manufacturing processes such as machining. Work on automatic meshing for Finite Element Analysis (FEA), simulation of semiconductor fabrication operations, and electronic packaging is progressing nicely.
Appeals From the International Trade Commission: What Standing Requirement?

The U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) is one of the world’s most influential intellectual property adjudicators. Based on its enabling statute, 19 U.S.C. § 1337 (“section 337”), the ITC may use its power to issue exclusion orders to bar importation of goods that infringe U.S. patents. Section 337 includes what appears to be an express standing requirement, which provides that “[a]ny person adversely affected by a final determination of the Commission . . . may appeal such determination” to the Federal Circuit. On its face, this language is broad, but it is unclear how this provision fits with the case or controversy requirement of Article III of the U.S. Constitution. This Article explores the question of whether a party has standing to appeal an ITC determination to include or omit certain patent claims in an exclusion order, a question that, until recently, had a straightforward answer: ITC complainants always have standing while ITC respondents usually have standing. As illustrated by recent, conflicting decisions, the Federal Circuit is struggling with the scope of ITC exclusion orders as well as questions about the standing doctrine in appeals from ITC determinations. At least for the time being, the Federal Circuit has suggested that the question of whether the ITC’s grant or denial of exclusion has an “immediate practical effect” on the appellant is central in determining whether that potential appellant has standing to appeal from the ITC to the Federal Circuit. Nevertheless, given the unsettled state of the law, these questions will likely be the subject of future litigation. This Article analyzes the recent case law and sets forth why the Federal Circuit should resist making the standing requirement in ITC appeals difficult to meet, both as a matter of law and public policy. © 2012 David E. Valencia. † Attorney, U.S. International Trade Commission. The views presented in this Article are the views of the author only. This Article does not represent the views of the International Trade Commission or anyone affiliated therewith. The author would like to thank his brother, Alejandro Valencia, for his time, effort, and thoughtful comments throughout the writing process. 1171_1200_VALENCIA_WEB_110612 (DO NOT DELETE) 11/6/2012 5:33 PM 1172 BERKELEY TECHNOLOGY LAW JOURNAL [Vol. 27:1171
THERMOELECTRIC TRANSPORT IN BISMUTH NANOWIRES: EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

The most commonly used refrigeration technology today is based on a vapor-compression cycle in which the working fluid is tetrafluoroethane (C2H2F4or R134a) or chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF2or R22). R134a was developed as a replacement for freon (R12), because freon destroys the protective ozone layer in the stratosphere. Unfortunately, R134a could contribute to global warming1. This has prompted an intense search for new refrigeration technologies. The principal advantages of Peltier coolers are their robustness and simplicity, their compactness, the ease with which they are controlled, and the fact that they can be reversed for use as heaters. Unfortunately, the low thermodynamic efficiency of existing devices makes them unsuitable for mid-sized and large air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. New developments in nanosciences have resulted in thermoelectric materials with a room temperature thermoelectric figure of merit of such magnitude that this problem may be overcome. Thermoelectric cooling may then be a competitive candidate for refrigeration systems that are free from green-house effect producing fluids.
“I neither omit aught, nor have I omitted aught”: Embodying a Sovereign—The Resident Ambassador in the Elizabethan Court, 1558-1560

“I neither omit aught, nor have I omitted aught”: Embodying a Sovereign—The Resident Ambassador in the Elizabethan Court, 1558-1560
Investigation of avalanche ruggedness of 650 V Schottky-barrier rectifiers

Abstract Avalanche breakdown of novel 650 V SiC Schottky-barrier rectifiers is investigated. The rectifier diode has low leakage current for the temperatures up to 300 °C. Thermal coefficient of avalanche breakdown increases with the temperature to around 0.009%/K at 200 °C. Near-uniform avalanche breakdown is verified using emission imaging, and maximum specific avalanche energy of 20.7 J/cm2 is achieved. The critical temperature for stability in unclamped inductive switching (UIS) is above 520 °C as estimated through thermal simulation. Long-term walkout of breakdown voltage at 176 °C is less than 0.02%.
Experimental Hot Test Results from a Compact Metamaterial Slow Wave Structure

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has been studying the design of a high power microwave (HPM) slow wave structure (SWS) to generate > 100 MW of power in L-band in a very compact size. 1The unit cell of the metamaterial SWS is based on two oppositely-oriented circular, broadsidecoupled split ring resonators (SRRs) and 14 rings were ultimately used. The SRRs provide negative permeability and inserting the structure in waveguide that is below cutoff for the frequency being generated provides negative permittivity, thus yielding a branch of the dispersion curve with negative slope. HFSS was used to calculate the dispersion relation and the double negative behavior was corroborated using a parameter extraction technique proposed by Tretyakov. 2In addition, a crudely manufactured structure was experimentally cold-tested and these results also agreed with the HFSS simulations and the results from the parameter extraction technique.
The Educator as Neurotic: A Rankean Analysis of Impotent Teachers in Film

Otto Rank argued that, in the modern individualistic and child-focused era, the transmission of collective beliefs is no longer valued and the figure of the educator becomes obsolete. This analysis illuminates the significance of a common theme in films, namely the teacher who, though serviced with the task of training children, is himself impotent or childless. The protagonists of Goodbye Mr. Chips (1939), The Browning Version (1951), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), and Waterland (1992) are variously portrayed as unable to produce their own offspring and trapped by an overly ruminative approach to life. Rank’s analysis suggests that the educator protagonists in these films are incarnations of the modern neurotic personality, whom he described as a “failed artist.” These impotent teachers also serve as symbols of the breakdown of cultural transmission in amnesic modernity.
Associations of Parental General Monitoring with Adolescent Weight-Related Behaviors and Weight Status.

Author(s): Kim, Kay W; Wallander, Jan L; Felt, John M; Elliott, Marc N; Schuster, Mark A | Abstract: ObjectiveThis study examined how parental general monitoring (PGM), which refers to parental awareness of adolescents' activities in various domains, is associated with adolescents' weight status and related behaviors and whether these relationships differ among racial/ethnic groups.MethodsData are from 4,088 Black, Latino, and White youth assessed in seventh grade (mean agen=n13.06). BMI percentile based on measured height and weight indicated weight status. PGM was assessed by adolescent report of parents' awareness of money spending, friends, and whereabouts. Adolescents reported both healthy and unhealthy dietary intake (DI), physical activity, and screen time over the past 7 days. Total sample and multigroup structural models were estimated.ResultsPGM was associated with lower weight status for the total sample, as well as being positively associated with healthy DI and physical activity and inversely associated with screen time across racial/ethnic groups. PGM was also inversely associated with unhealthy DI, except for in Black adolescents. There was an indirect effect from PGM to lower weight status via reduced screen time among Latino and White adolescents.ConclusionsPositive outcomes associated with PGM are extended to weight status and related behaviors. Efforts at improving weight status and related behaviors could benefit from addressing general parenting practices with their children.
RIPK3: Beyond Necroptosis.

In this issue of Immunity, Daniels et al. (2019) demonstrate that RIPK3 signaling limits Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the central nervous system independently of its function in necroptosis by promoting itaconate production in infected neurons, thereby revealing a neuron-specific mechanism of metabolite-mediated ZIKV control.
Combined effects of aminoethoxyvinylglycine and MAP on the fruit quality of kiwifruit during cold storage and shelf life

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effects of postharvest aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on quality traits and bioactive compounds of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa cv. ‘Hayward’) during cold storage and shelf life periods. In the study, treatments were selected as control, AVG (225 mg L−1 as dipping for 2 min), MAP and AVG + MAP. Kiwifruit were stored at 0 ± 0.5 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) for 180 days. Fruit were kept at 21 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5% for shelf life (5 d). MAP significantly delayed the weight loss during cold storage. In measurement of last cold storage and shelf life, MAP-treated fruit had higher firmness compared to the control and AVG, but had lower respiration rate. On 180th day of cold storage, MAP-treated fruit was higher than the control in terms of vitamin C content, whereas at the shelf life all treatments were higher values than control. In measurement of last cold storage and shelf life, the highest total phenolic was found in AVG treatment. Also all treatments significantly delayed the losses of the total flavonoid and antioxidant activity compared to the control. It was revealed that MAP could be used as an efficient tool for delaying the losses which occurred the fruit quality and bioactive components of kiwifruit during cold storage and shelf life.
Overseeing the External Audit Function: Evidence from Audit Committees’ Reported Activities

Although one of the most crucial responsibilities of audit committees is overseeing the audit process, we know very little about how audit committees fulfill this role and how their oversight impacts audit quality. Recently, in response to calls for more transparency, many firms have begun reporting their audit committees’ oversight activities. We create a composite measure that captures the extent of audit committees’ reported oversight over the external audit. We find that when firms’ audit committees report exerting strong oversight, they have higher audit quality as proxied by discretionary accruals, audit fees, the likelihood of meeting or beating earnings benchmarks, and restatements. We also find that the market reacts positively to reports indicating strong oversight, consistent with perceptions of higher audit quality. This study extends prior literature on audit committees by introducing a new comprehensive measure of audit committees’ reported oversight activities and sheds light on how these activities map into audit quality.
Successful tri-modality treatment of atypical carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma with more than 50 nodal metastases

Abstract Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA), an extremely aggressive malignant tumor, bears a significant potential for locoregional recurrence and distant metastases. Management of the disease usually involves definitive surgery with postoperative radiotherapy administered for identified nodal metastases. Two cases of CEPA with many (>50) cervical lymph node metastases and other histopathological features were managed by tri-modality treatment scheme. No evidence of disease occurred during follow-up of at least 2 years. These cases may eventually establish the value of surgery with adjuvant radiochemotherapy in patients with CEPA and supernumerary nodal metastases.
The synergistic effect of preoperative opioid use and many associated preoperative predictors of poor outcome in the trauma patient population

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate if preoperative opioid use is associated with other predictors of poor outcome and the effect of these factors on complications. We hypothesized that preoperative opioid use (POU) is associated with increased rates of postoperative complications. Design Retrospective case control study. Setting Academic level-1 trauma center. Patients/participants Patients with long bone, lower extremity fractures requiring operative fixation. Intervention N/A. Main outcome measures Postoperative hospital admissions, emergency room (ER) visits, and reoperations. Results 399 patients (opioid naive [ON] 80.2%, Age 38, 95% CI 35.9–39.6) were reviewed. Patients who had POU were older (P = 0.004), had higher BMI (P = 0.03), proportion of females (P Conclusions Our study demonstrates that many predictors of poor outcome frequently accompany POU. POU combined with many of these predictors synergistically increases the risk of complication. Outcomes-based payment models should reflect this expected rate of readmissions, ER visits and complications in this group. Patients with POU should be targeted with multi-disciplinary interventions aimed to modify these risk factors.
Creating a Program Within a Culture of Inclusion

Federal laws call for non-discrimination of persons with disabilities and require institutions to create thoughtful and informed processes to determine reasonable accommodations. The law, however, does not give guidance as to how an institution should create and implement disability inclusion processes; these processes include removing barriers in the admissions process, using language that communicates inclusion, and processing student requests for accommodations.
The clinical and physiological aspects of tuftsin deficiency syndromes exhibiting defective phagocytosis.

The tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) stimulates phagocytosis by blood neutrophilic granulocytes and tissue macrophages in a highly specific manner. Tuftsin is cleaved off the carrier γ-globulin molecule as the free active form by two enzymes. One of these is in the spleen and the other on the outer membrane of the phagocyte.
Rigorous Assessment of Social Validity: A Scoping Review of a 40-Year Conversation:

For the last 40 years, special education and applied behavior analysis researchers have discussed the notion of social validity, particularly those researchers who conduct single-case research. A s...
The Moderating Effect of Attentional Control on the Relationship Between COVID Stress and Generalized Anxiety Symptoms.

The recent global pandemic (i.e., COVID-19) has had a serious impact on psychological health, as the stress associated with the pandemic increases the likelihood of developing clinically significan...
Strategies for Strengthening Quality Improvement Projects in a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program.

BACKGROUND Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs must assure that attention to safe quality healthcare is threaded throughout the curriculum and prepare students to lead quality improvement (QI) initiatives in healthcare systems. OBJECTIVE This article illustrates the integration of implementation science, QI methods, process and evaluation tools, and faculty enrichment as strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program. METHODS A three-phased approach to implement strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program and to enhance faculty engagement was undertaken. A needs assessment drove the development of strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program. RESULTS Outcomes of implementing strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program showed rapid uptake of the concepts of QI process models into course content within the DNP curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Strategies consisted of assessment of courses for gaps in QI content, faculty enrichment sessions on implementation science, QI processes and models, QI metrics and data analytics, embedding new content in the DNP program courses and the use of a rigorous evaluation tool for QI projects. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING When provided with QI mentors and tools, DNP students are prepared to lead QI initiatives in healthcare systems to improve the safety and quality of healthcare.
A Study of the Impacts of the Panama Canal Expansion on the U.S. Northeast Ports and Strategy of the Port of Boston

When it is completed in 2016, the Panama Canal expansion will increase the trade volume and route from Asia to the United States as well as the competition amongst all U.S. ports, creating economic impacts in several areas. East Coast ports will be affected the most due to investments in harbor expansion projects and rise in cargo traffic and imports. The expansion will provide access for the Post-Panamax ships to the East Coast ports. These ships can increase cargo size from 5,000 up to 13,000 TEU’s (twenty-foot equivalent unit). It is estimated that 20-25% of import traffic will shift to the East Coast (Regional, 2013). Larger ships will be able to travel faster and carry heavier loads directly to the East Coast ports, thus eliminating the West Coast stop and reducing train transportation of cargo to the East Coast. In this study there will be a comparison of the economic impacts that the expansion of the Panama Canal creates between the Port of Boston and other major Northeast Ports, specially the Port of Baltimore, the Port of Norfolk and the Port of New York and New Jersey. This paper will evaluate the opportunities and strategies for the Port of Boston, utilizing business models of Strategy Canvas and Four Actions Framework in combination with the Port Choice Model.
Brachial Plexus , Posterior Exposure

From a posterior approach, the brachial plexus is anterior to the following muscle planes from superficial to deep: trapezius, rhomboids and levator scapulae, serratus posterior superior, scalenus posterior, and scalenus medius respectively. In this exposure, the subclavian artery is anterior to (deep to) the lower trunk.
How do duration, frequency, and intensity of exogenous CORT elevation affect immune outcomes of stress?

Abstract Stress is typically characterized as “acute” (lasting from minutes to hours) or “chronic” (lasting from days to months). These terms are of limited use as they are inconsistently used and only encompass one aspect of the stressor (duration). Short and long duration stress are generally thought to produce specific outcomes (e.g. acute stress enhances while chronic stress suppresses immune function). We propose that aspects of stress other than duration, such as frequency and intensity, are important in determining its outcome. We experimentally manipulated duration, frequency, and intensity of application of exogenous corticosterone, CORT, in Sceloporus undulatus (Eastern fence lizards) and measured the immune outcomes. Our findings reveal that immune outcomes of stress are not easily predicted from the average amount or duration of CORT elevation, but that intensity plays an important role. Although three of our treatments received the same average amount of CORT, they produced different effects on immune outcomes (hemagglutination). As predicted by the literature, short-duration exposure to low -dose CORT enhanced hemagglutination; however, short-duration exposure to high -dose CORT suppressed hemagglutination, suggesting that stressor intensity affects immune outcomes of stress. While both are traditionally termed “acute” based on duration, these treatments produced different immune outcomes. Long-duration (“chronic”) exposure to CORT did not produce the expected suppression of hemagglutination. Frequency of CORT application did not alter immune outcomes at low intensities. These results highlight the need to quantify more than just the duration of a stressor if we are to understand and manage the ecological consequences of stress. Specifically, we should consider stressor frequency and intensity, as well as duration, for a more complete characterization and understanding of stress.
Unbiased Ranking Evaluation on a Budget

We address the problem of assessing the quality of a ranking system (e.g., search engine, recommender system, review ranker) given a fixed budget for collecting expert judgments. In particular, we propose a method that selects which items to judge in order to optimize the accuracy of the quality estimate. Our method is not only efficient, but also provides estimates that are unbiased --- unlike common approaches that tend to underestimate performance or that have a bias against new systems that are evaluated re-using previous relevance scores.