cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical risk in patients with metabolic syndrome: Focus on lipids and hypertension

The metabolic syndrome describes a clustering of risk factors that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Abdominal obesity is a key component of the metabolic syndrome, increasing the incidence of insulin resistance, vascular inflammation, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Adipose tissue (now recognized as an endocrine organ) and its hormonal products appear to play a significant role in signaling organs throughout the body in the regulation of fat and glucose metabolism. These mechanisms are clearly involved in the development of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and may also lead to increased surgical risks. The components of the syndrome that are most likely to affect surgical patients are obesity, hypertension, and disorders of glucose metabolism. This article focuses on each of these risk factors, the effects on surgical patients, and strategies to improve outcomes in the perioperative period.
Surface erosion of TiC coatings under 4He+ and D+ ion irradiation

Abstract The surface damage and erosion of chemically vapor-deposited TiC coatings irradiated by 20, 40 and 60 keV D + and 4 He + were studied for as-deposited and polished surfaces. Scanning electron micrographs of irradiated TiC reveal surface damage and erosion due to blistering and surface exfoliation. The erosion yield increases with increasing ion energy for both D + and He + irradiations, and it is generally larger for D + than for He + irradiations at a given energy. The erosion yield is larger for polished than for as-deposited surfaces for both D + and He + irradiations. The relationship between the blister diameter and the skin thickness agrees well with a relationship derived from a gas pressure model but disagrees with a relationship derived from a model of integrated lateral stresses as a prime mechanism for blister formation.
Discussion of Paper "Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete Containing High-Alkali Cement and Granite Aggregate" by Z. Owsiak

The original paper discusses the occurrence of the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and the formation of secondary ettringite in concrete prisms under certain storage conditions. The discusser responds with his own observations that ASR and delayed ettringite formation are found in field concretes and in steam-cured laboratory concretes. The discusser concludes that ASR preceded secondary ettringite formation and this accounts for the large amount of ettringite in the samples seen by the original author.
Molecular Orbital Description of the Bonding and Reactivity of the Platinum η3-Propargyl Complex [(η3-CH2CCPh)Pt(PPh3)2]+

The recently prepared η3-propargyl complex [(η3-CH2CCPh)Pt(PPh3)2]+ (1) exhibits unusual regioselectivity in reactions involving nucleophilic addition to the propargyl ligand. Fenske−Hall approximate molecular orbital calculations and density functional calculations have been carried out to study the structure, bonding, and reactivity of 1. The calculations suggest that the principal bonding interaction between Pt and the propargyl ligand occurs through the terminal carbon atoms of the ligand, despite the observed short Pt−central carbon distance. Optimized geometries for model complexes calculated by density functional methods agree well with the reported crystal structure of 1. The observed nucleophilic addition to the central carbon of the propargyl ligand is suggested to occur through a charge-controlled mechanism, assisted by the presentation of a low-lying acceptor orbital on the central carbon along the reaction path.
p53-dependent gene repression through p21 is mediated by recruitment of E2F4 repression complexes

The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a major sensor of cellular stresses, and upon stabilization, activates or represses many genes that control cell fate decisions. While the mechanism of p53-mediated transactivation is well established, several mechanisms have been proposed for p53-mediated repression. Here, we demonstrate that the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 is both necessary and sufficient for the downregulation of known p53-repression targets, including survivin, CDC25C, and CDC25B in response to p53 induction. These same targets are similarly repressed in response to p16 overexpression, implicating the involvement of the shared downstream retinoblastoma (RB)-E2F pathway. We further show that in response to either p53 or p21 induction, E2F4 complexes are specifically recruited onto the promoters of these p53-repression targets. Moreover, abrogation of E2F4 recruitment via the inactivation of RB pocket proteins, but not by RB loss of function alone, prevents the repression of these genes. Finally, our results indicate that E2F4 promoter occupancy is globally associated with p53-repression targets, but not with p53 activation targets, implicating E2F4 complexes as effectors of p21-dependent p53-mediated repression.
A TAP Reactor Investigation of C6 Reforming on Nonacidic and Acidic Supported Metal Catalysts

The reforming of C6 hydrocarbons on Pt/Mg(Al)O, Pt/K-L, Pd/Mg(Al)O, and Pt-Re/Al2O3 (sulfided and unsulfided forms) has been investigated using the temporal analysis of products (TAP) reactor. Pulse experiments with several different pure C6 feeds were performed in a continuous flow of H2 at a pressure of 1 bar and temperatures between 400 and 510°C. Under these conditions the reaction network for all of the catalysts appeared to occur by a monofunctional metal pathway: methylpentane → methylcyclopentane → n-hexane → benzene. Evidence of partially dehydrogenated linear C6 molecules as intermediates between n-hexane and benzene was also obtained. Turnover frequencies and benzene selectivities for the Pt/Mg(Al)O and the Pt/KL catalysts were comparable. For the Pd/Mg(Al)O catalyst the selectivity to benzene was higher and the turnover frequency was lower. Because the TAP technique reflects only the activity of truly active catalytic sites, the turnover frequencies from this study (10-12 sec−1 at 425°C on Pt) are higher than generally reported in the literature. Previous investigations of the Pt-Re/Al2O3 catalyst under industrial conditions have shown that the bifunctional mechanism was dominant. The monofunctional mechanism found here implies the existence of two dehydrocyclization pathways on these catalysts: a monofunctional metal pathway favored at low pressures, and a bifunctional pathway which is dominant at higher pressures.
Dexamethasone fails to suppress beta-endorphin plasma concentrations in humans and rhesus monkeys

In humans and rhesus monkeys, dexamethasone decreased concentrations of plasma cortisol but did not alter circulating beta-endorphin immunoreactivity. Contrary to current theory suggesting that pituitary beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotropic hormone are controlled by identical regulatory mechanisms for synthesis and release, our evidence suggests that in higher primates the established glucocorticoid feedback mechanism for the adrenocorticotropic hormone-cortisol system does not regulate beta-endorphin secretion in the same way.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Relationship with Skeletal Integrity

Health burden related to osteoporotic fractures in an aging female population far exceeds that imposed by other chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Bone mineral density assessment and clinical risk factors provide independent insights into fracture risk in individuals. A finite list of clinical risk factors are identified as prognostic of fracture risk, namely among aging women, including low body mass, compromised reproductive physiology (e.g., prolonged periods of amenorrhea and early menopause), parental and personal histories of fracture, and alcohol and tobacco use. Pelvic organ prolapse is a common gynecologic entity and a contributor to age-related morbidities. The purpose of this review is to communicate data identifying pelvic organ prolapse as another clinical risk factor for fracture risk in postmenopausal women and to increase the caregiver's vigilance in anticipating and instituting preventive care strategies to a population (i.e., postmenopausal women with clinically appreciable pelvic organ prolapse) that may be at an enhanced lifetime risk for skeletal fractures.
Autoradiographic Evidence of [3H]SCH 23390 Binding Site; in Human Prefrontal Cortex (Brodmann's Area 9)

: The distribution of dopamine D-1 receptors has been determined in human prefrontal cortex (Brodmann's area 9) by an in vitro light microscopic autoradiographic method. Dopamine D-l receptors were localized by using [3H]SCH 23390 as a ligand. Our results indicated that [3H]-SCH 23390 binding to slide-mounted tissue sections of human brain is specific, saturable, and of high affinity. Lamina Va contained the highest density of D-l receptors, with a Bmax value of 11.2 × 1.3 fmol/mg tissue. The KD values for [3H]SCH 23390 in all laminae ranged from 2.6 to 3.2 nM. Competition studies performed with [3H]SCH 23390 indicated a pharmacologic profile consistent with labeling of the D-l receptor.
A Folk Theorem for One-Shot Bertrand Games

We show that bounded monopoly profits are essential for the uniqueness of the Bertrand paradox (zero profit) outcome. Otherwise, a folk theorem obtains for one-shot homogeneous product Bertrand games: any positive (but finite) payoff vector can be achieved in a symmetric mixed-strategy Nash equilibrium.
Interferometry of actuated microcantilevers to determine material properties and test structure nonidealities in MEMS

By integrating interferometric deflection data from electrostatically actuated microcantilevers with a numerical finite difference model, we have developed a step-by-step procedure to determine values of Young's modulus while simultaneously quantifying nonidealities. The central concept in the methodology is that nonidealities affect the long-range deflections of the beams, which can be determined to near nanometer accuracy. Beam take-off angle, curvature and support post compliance are systematically determined. Young's modulus is then the only unknown parameter, and is directly found. We find an average value of Young's modulus for polycrystalline silicon of 164.3 GPa and a standard deviation of 3.2 GPa (/spl plusmn/2%), reflecting data from three different support post designs. Systematic errors were assessed and may alter the average value by /spl plusmn/5%. An independent estimate from grain orientation measurements yielded 163.4-164.4 GPa (the Voigt and Reuss bounds), in agreement with the step-by-step procedure. Other features of the test procedure include that it is rapid, nondestructive, verifiable and requires only a small area on the test chip.
Fifty years of undergraduate scientific field research in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) Costa Rica program

Fifty years of undergraduate scientific field research in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) Costa Rica program Christopher Vaughan1,2, Judith Magnan1 and Michael B. McCoy11. Associated Colleges of the Midwest, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica; acmcostarica@acm.edu2. Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin; cvaughan@wisc.edu Christopher Vaughan1,2, Judith Magnan1 and Michael B. McCoy1Associated Colleges of the Midwest, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica; acmcostarica@acm.eduDepartment of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin; cvaughan@wisc.edu
Metaanalysis and labor inhibition therapy.

m l l D n o a d m m e The approach to women with suspected preterm labor has changed little over the last 40 years, and a key element to that approach continues to be the inhibition of contractions. This focus on contraction inhibition has led to the development of agents affecting myometrial contractility. Ritodrine, a beta-adrenergic agonist that gained Food and Drug Administration approval in 1980, was the first agent developed specifically for treating episodes of preterm labor. Agents targeting other mechanisms of myometrial contractility have subsequently been introduced for the treatment of preterm labor including prostaglandin inhibitors, oxytocin antagonists, nitric oxide donors and calcium channel blockers. These agents have been compared with placebo (the gold standard) and with each other. The placebo-controlled studies are few in number and generally suffer from small sample size when considering the selected outcome of interest. The ethical concerns in performing placebo controlled studies in the setting of preterm labor, in contemporary obstetric practices, has led to the comparative effectiveness approach wherein 1 agent of interest (drug A) is compared with another agent that has been shown to be superior to placebo in the treatment of preterm labor (drug B). If drugs A and B are comparable in the outcome of interest (for example, duration of pregnancy maintenance or frequency of side effects), the conclusion implied is that drug A is therefore also superior to placebo. This approach poses considerable risk of judging a treatment effective when it is not. In many comparative studies, effectiveness during the treatment of acute preterm labor is confounded because the trial is not based on an intent-to-treat study design, and other treatments may be used once the primary treatment fails. This leads to potential bias because the decision to deem a treatment as a failure is subjective. This is best illustrated when considering beta adrenergic agents (the most commonly used comparator) in which there is a wide variation on what symptoms constitute failed therapy. Drug discontinuation rates because of side effects
Adaptive frame selection for improved face recognition in low-resolution videos

Performing face detection and identification in low-resolution videos (e.g., surveillance videos) is a challenging task. The task entails extracting an unknown face image from the video and comparing it against identities in the gallery database. To facilitate biometric recognition in such videos, fusion techniques may be used to consolidate the facial information of an individual, available across successive low-resolution frames. For example, super-resolution schemes can be used to improve the spatial resolution of facial objects contained in these videos (image-level fusion). However, the output of the super-resolution routine can be significantly affected by large changes in facial pose in the constituent frames. To mitigate this concern, an adaptive frame selection technique is developed in this work. The proposed technique automatically disregards frames that can cause severe artifacts in the super-resolved output, by examining the optical flow matrices pertaining to successive frames. Experimental results demonstrate an improvement in the identification performance when the proposed technique is used to automatically select the input frames necessary for super-resolution. In addition, improvements in output image quality and computation time are observed. The paper also compares image-level fusion against score-level fusion where the low-resolution frames are first spatially interpolated and the simple sum rule is used to consolidate the match scores corresponding to the interpolated frames. On comparing the two fusion methods, it is observed that score-level fusion outperforms image-level fusion.
Change of enzyme properties caused by cross‐linking treatment of human erythrocytes

Aragon et al [4] reported that rat erythrocytes can be cross-linked and permeabilized without significant inactivation or alterations of several enzymes in the glycolytic pathway. If this is the case, in situ kinetic analysis of the red cell enzymes in normal human red cells and abnormal red cells associated with hemolytic problems could be performed. However, we found that the treatment of human red cells with several bifunctional cross-linking reagents under various conditions always caused a certain extent of inactivation and a change in kinetic properties of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Thus, the cross-linking and permeabilization method, as it stands, is not satisfactory for in situ kinetic analysis of red cell enzymes.
Racial Disparities in Mortality Among Middle-Aged and Older Men: Does Marriage Matter?

Based on longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, this study assesses the importance of marital status in explaining racial disparities in all-cause mortality during an 18-year follow-up among White and African American men aged 51 to 61 years in 1992. Being married was associated with significant advantages in household income, health behaviors, and self-rated health. These advantages associated with marriage at baseline also got translated into better survival chance for married men during the 1992-2010 follow-up. Both marital selection and marital protection were relevant in explaining the mortality advantages associated with marriage. After adjusting for the effect of selected variables on premarital socioeconomic status and health, about 28% of the mortality gap between White and African American men in the Health and Retirement Study can be explained by the relatively low rates of marriage among African American men. Addressing the historically low rates of marriage among African Amer...
Evacuation of Health Care Facilities: A New Twist to a Classic Model

Disasters and their potential for damage are increasing in the United States and worldwide. Government officials warn that disasters will be occurring at an increasing rate and will worsen in the future. As these risks increase, the likelihood of evacuation of a health care facility grows. We know much about the role of hospitals in evacuation, yet little about how the decision to evacuate a facility is initially made. This study compares two models from studies related to the evacuation process: Vogt's adaptation of Quarantelli's classic model examining organizational ability to cope, and McGlown's model from variables considered critical to health care executives in the decision to evacuate a health care facility. This study contributes to the literature on evacuation behavior of health care organizations by examining the variables perceived by decision makers as critical in their decision to evacuate their facility compared to variables identified in the literature. These findings may form the first constructive step toward the development of an empirically based decision framework for health facility evacuation.
Channel surfing and spatial retreats: defenses against wireless denial of service

Wireless networks are built upon a shared medium that makes it easy for adversaries to launch denial of service (DoS) attacks. One form of denial of service is targeted at preventing sources from communicating. These attacks can be easily accomplished by an adversary by either bypassing MAC-layer protocols, or emitting a radio signal targeted at jamming a particular channel. In this paper we present two strategies that may be employed by wireless devices to evade a MAC/PHY-layer jamming-style wireless denial of service attack. The first strategy, channel surfing, is a form of spectral evasion that involves legitimate wireless devices changing the channel that they are operating on. The second strategy, spatial retreats, is a form of spatial evasion whereby legitimate mobile devices move away from the locality of the DoS emitter. We study both of these strategies for three broad wireless communication scenarios: two-party radio communication, an infrastructured wireless network, and an ad hoc wireless network. We evaluate several of our proposed strategies and protocols through ns-2 simulations and experiments on the Berkeley mote platform.
Microstructure and Ionic Conductivity of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Thin Films Deposited on MgO

A number of reports have suggested that nanometric thin films of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) deposited on MgO can support high ionic conductivity, but the results remain controversial and difficult to repeat. In this work, sub-100-nm-thick YSZ films have been deposited on single-crystal MgO substrates with different crystallographic orientations and sourced from different companies. The growth of YSZ on MgO (100) was found to be unstable: both (111)-oriented films with polycrystalline structure and (100)-oriented films with cube-on-cube epitaxy were observed despite seemingly identical deposition conditions. On MgO (110) and MgO (111) substrates, the growth of YSZ was more stable with high degrees of texture in the (110) and (111) film directions, respectively. Ionic conductivities of the films were measured with impedance spectroscopy, and conductivity values were consistently near or slightly below that of a YSZ single crystal.
MSR: Mining for scientific results?

MSR has established an impressive presence in the intellectual landscape of software engineering in its seven short years. Insights accumulate as methods continue to mature. Results of practical significance attract increasing numbers of papers and attendees each year. Yet I will argue that MSR is insufficiently ambitious. The community should be seeking enduring scientific results as well as immediate impact. I will argue that progress in three directions will help move MSR toward this possible future. First, while “black box” prediction models can be quite useful, the community should be driving toward development of a body of theory that sheds light on the underlying phenomena. Second, the community should not be content just to analyze data that happens to exist, but should tackle the problem of defining the data that would be scientifically useful, and follow up by designing and deploying environments that automatically collect it. Finally, the community should push beyond software artifacts, recognizing that many forms of technical design and production work share fundamental characteristics. We should seek to join forces with other research communities that are analyzing behavioral traces in areas such as social networking, blogs, and online communities. As successful as MSR has been, it has only scratched the surface of its potential to forge a science of socio-technical behavior.
Marked Differences in Quantity of Infectious Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Detected in Persons with Controlled Plasma Viremia by a Simple Enhanced Culture Method

Culture of autologous CD4 lymphocytes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared favorably with two other methods for the measurement of cell-associated human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). For subjects with undetectable HIV-1 RNA levels in plasma, there was a 10,000-fold range of cell-associated virus detected. This method provides a simple and reproducible means for monitoring cell-associated HIV-1.
Electronic Properties of NaCdF 3 : A First-Principles Prediction

Based on first-principles total energy calculations, we predict that ${\mathrm{NaCdF}}_{3}$ could be formed in a ferroelectric crystal structure. Using a symmetry guided search with structure optimization, we found two ferroelectric structures, nearly degenerate in energy, competing for the ground state: a rhombohedral structure with space group $R3c$ and an orthorhombic structure with space group ${\mathrm{Pna}2}_{1}.$ The energies of both structures are $\ensuremath{\approx}60\mathrm{meV}$ lower than the sum of those of the constituents, NaF and ${\mathrm{CdF}}_{2},$ implying chemical stability.
The Ideology of Negro Physicians: A Test of Mobility and Status Crystallization Theory

Mobility and status crystallization theory are both based on the assumption that status discrepancies create strains and difficulties for the individual and lead to various forms of compensatory behavior. Despite the obvious similarity between these two concepts, virtually no attempt has been made to disentangle their independent effects in empirical research. Furthermore, mobility and status crystallization theory appear at certain points to be incompatible, since they lead to contradictory statements about the ideology of Negro physicians. In the present study multivariate analysis was used to compare the effects of mobility and status inconsistency on the political and economic views of Negro and white physicians practicing in New York City. The crystallization model provides a much better fit for the data than does mobility, and it appears to be a more promising concept.
A conserved histidine-aspartate pair is required for exovinyl reduction of biliverdin by a cyanobacterial phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase

Phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase is a member of the ferredoxin-dependent bilin reductase family and catalyzes two vinyl reductions of biliverdin IX to produce phycocyanobilin, the pigment precursor of both phytochrome and phycobiliprotein chromophores in cyanobacteria. Atypically for ferredoxin-dependent enzymes, phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase mediates direct electron transfers from reduced ferredoxin to its tetrapyrrole substrate without metal ion or organic cofactors. We previously showed that bound bilin radical intermediates could be detected by low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance and absorption spectroscopies (Tu, S., Gunn, A., Toney, M. D., Britt, R. D., and Lagarias, J. C. (2004) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 8682– 8693). On the basis of these studies, a mechanism involving sequential electroncoupled proton transfers to protonated bilin substrates buried within the phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase protein scaffold was proposed. The present investigation was undertaken to identify catalytic residues in phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase from the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC7120 through site-specific chemical modification and mutagenesis of candidate proton-donating residues. These studies identified conserved histidine and aspartate residues essential for the catalytic activity of phycocyanobilin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase. Spectroscopic evidence for the formation of stable enzyme-bound biliverdin radicals for the H85Q and D102N mutants support their role as a “coupled” proton
Equalizer performance in a magnetic recording channel with asymmetric response

The performance of linear and decision-feedback equalization and maximum-likelihood sequence estimation techniques is evaluated for a digital magnetic recording channel having an asymmetric pulse response. In particular, the authors evaluate the performance of linear and decision-feedback equalizers which shape the signal step response at the output of the equalizer into responses of the form (1+D)/sup n/, where n is a nonnegative integer. Alternatively, partial responses of length L that minimize the mean-square-error at the output of a linear equalizer are derived and their performance is compared to the (1+D)/sup n/ equalizers. Comparisons were made with the performance of equalizers in a magnetic recording channel having a symmetric pulse response. >
Tacrolimus monotherapy in adult cardiac transplant recipients: intermediate-term results

Abstract Background: Tacrolimus (FK506) is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits T-cell activation and proliferation. To date, all published trials have used tacrolimus and steroids in combination with either azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. Previous experience with pediatric cardiac transplant patients at our institution suggested that use of tacrolimus alone provides an adequate level of immunosuppression and that withdrawal of steroids is readily achieved in most recipients. Methods Between January 1, 1996, and July 7, 1999, we performed 77 adult cardiac transplants. Forty-three of these patients received tacrolimus and prednisone as primary immunosuppression, without azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil. Thirty-two of the 43 patients started on tacrolimus have been weaned off steroids and are maintained on monotherapy. These latter patients form the basis of this report. Results The mean time for achieving monotherapy was 246 ± 127 days (range, 106 to 730). Grade ≥ 2 rejection occurred at 0.40 episodes per patient in the first 90 days (a combination of Grades 2 and 3A/3B rejections). The freedom from treated rejection (includes all 3A/3B and Grade 2 rejection in the first 90 days) was 69% at 90 days and 52% at 1 year. One patient (of 32) had documented cytomegalovirus infection (gastritis) diagnosed at 8 months post-transplant. We observed 1 case of transplant vasculopathy and 1 case of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder during the follow-up period. Conclusions Our results show that use of tacrolimus alone after steroid weaning provides effective immunosuppression with low incidence of rejection, cytomegalovirus infection, transplant arteriopathy, or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.
The Accuracies of Smoothed Sea Surface Height Fields Constructed from Tandem Satellite Altimeter Datasets

Abstract A technique previously developed for assessing the effects of sampling errors on sea surface height (SSH) fields constructed from satellite altimeter data is extended to include measurement errors, thus providing estimates of the total mean-squared error of the SSH fields. The measurement error contribution becomes an important consideration with the greater sampling density of a coordinated tandem satellite mission. Mean-squared errors are calculated for a variety of tandem altimeter sampling patterns. The resolution capability of each sampling pattern is assessed from a subjectively chosen but consistent set of criteria for the mean value and the spatial and temporal inhomogeneity of the root-mean-squared errors computed over a representative large collection of estimation times and locations. For a mean mapping error threshold tolerance criterion of 25% of the signal standard deviation, the filter cutoff wavelength and period defining the resolution capability of SSH fields constructed from a ...
Pattern formation and developmental mechanisms. The cell biological basis of inductive signaling.

A central issue in developmental biology is how a complex organism arises from a single cell. In both plant and animal development, this occurs by a combination of intrinsic information within cells as well as signals transmitted between cells that result in proper patterning of the embryo. Because of the central role of cell communication, intercellular signaling and signal transduction is an important consideration for understanding development as well as the interplay of signaling and transcription. The transcriptional state of the cell depends upon its prior history and the signals it receives. In turn, the signals produced by a cell and its ability to respond to signals are programmed to a large extent by its transcriptional state. The particular wiring of these signals→transcription→signals circuits determines how cells communicate to specify their fates in particular patterns.
The determinants of global bank lending: Evidence from bilateral cross-country data☆

This paper finds that factors determined outside of a country, at the quarterly frequency and especially after 2008, are more closely related to the global bank loans it receives. These loans are generally more stable when global banks face more competition and have a higher presence in the recipient country. We obtain our results by using bilateral lending data from 15 countries and a unique methodology to identify and compare the independent effects of external and internal factors. We identify theoretical mechanisms that can explain our empirical findings and draw more detailed inferences for competition and global bank presence by solving a simple model of global banking.
Mechanisms of LiCoO2 Cathode Degradation by Reaction with HF and Protection by Thin Oxide Coatings

Reactions of HF with uncoated and Al and Zn oxide-coated surfaces of LiCoO2 cathodes were studied using density functional theory. Cathode degradation caused by reaction of HF with the hydroxylated (1014) LiCoO2 surface is dominated by formation of H2O and a LiF precipitate via a barrierless reaction that is exothermic by 1.53 eV. We present a detailed mechanism where HF reacts at the alumina coating to create a partially fluorinated alumina surface rather than forming AlF3 and H2O and thus alumina films reduce cathode degradation by scavenging HF and avoiding H2O formation. In contrast, we find that HF etches monolayer zinc oxide coatings, which thus fail to prevent capacity fading. However, thicker zinc oxide films mitigate capacity loss by reacting with HF to form a partially fluorinated zinc oxide surface. Metal oxide coatings that react with HF to form hydroxyl groups over H2O, like the alumina monolayer, will significantly reduce cathode degradation.
Ultrashort Channel Length Black Phosphorus Field-Effect Transistors

This paper reports high-performance top-gated black phosphorus (BP) field-effect transistors with channel lengths down to 20 nm fabricated using a facile angle evaporation process. By controlling the evaporation angle, the channel length of the transistors can be reproducibly controlled to be anywhere between 20 and 70 nm. The as-fabricated 20 nm top-gated BP transistors exhibit respectable on-state current (174 μA/μm) and transconductance (70 μS/μm) at a VDS of 0.1 V. Due to the use of two-dimensional BP as the channel material, the transistors exhibit relatively small short channel effects, preserving a decent on–off current ratio of 102 even at an extremely small channel length of 20 nm. Additionally, unlike the unencapsulated BP devices, which are known to be chemically unstable in ambient conditions, the top-gated BP transistors passivated by the Al2O3 gate dielectric layer remain stable without noticeable degradation in device performance after being stored in ambient conditions for more than 1 week...
Designing and Teaching the Legal Writing Curriculum: A Selected Bibliography

This article, the last in a trilogy of annotated bibliographies on legal writing, law school pedagogy, and legal writing pedagogy, classifies useful pedagogical sources for legal writing professors.The bibliography tracks the order of material taught in a standard first-year legal writing class and contains relatively short sources. The list progresses from foundational topics, including an introduction to law and legal writing, case reading and briefing, statutory analysis, and legal analysis, to the fundamentals of legal research, legal citation, and legal writing style. The bibliography then enumerates useful sources for specific types of legal documents, notably legal memoranda and legal briefs, and techniques for revising these documents. Articles describing oral arguments and ethical considerations are briefly mentioned before the bibliography details sources for designing legal writing assignments. Resources offering general advice and advice particular to legal research exercises, legal memoranda, and legal briefs complete the article, which should assist rookie legal writing professors tasked with creating their first lesson plans and their more experienced peers hoping to refine pre-existing lesson plans. Additionally, legal writing students can consult many of the listed sources as supplements to assigned readings.
Free Radical Scavenging by Myocardial Fatty Acid Binding Protein

Recent investigations have indicated the presence of a fatty acid binding protein (FABP) in mammalian heart. This protein binds free fatty acids and their esters with high affinity, however, its physiological role remains unknown. Since FABP constitutes a significant amount of cystolic protein, it is likely that it would be a target for free radical attack. To test this hypothesis, FABP was examined for scavenging against free radicals such as the superoxide anion (O2-), hydroxyl radical (OH.) and hypochlorite radical (OCl.) which may be present in an ischemic reperfused heart. Our results suggest that FABP scavenges O2-, OH. and OCl. as indicated by the FABP inhibition of O2- -dependent reduction of cytochrome c, OH.-dependent hydroxybenzoic acid formation and OCl.-mediated chemiluminescence response. FABP was found to be a more potent scavenger of these free radicals compared to bovine serum albumin. Furthermore, FABP was more effective in scavenging OH. than O2-, and inhibited OH. mediated lipid peroxidation process. These results indicate that FABP can scavenge free radicals which may be present in an ischemic/reperfused heart and, thus, may play a significant physiological role in the heart during ischemia and reperfusion.
Site Substitution of Ti in NaAlH4 and Na3AlH6

The hydrogen release and uptake kinetics of sodium alanate, NaAlH4, are greatly improved after doping with small amounts of transition metals, such as Ti. However, after 15 years of active research, an atomic-level understanding of the effect of Ti on the reaction rate is still lacking. One theory suggests that Ti atoms may be incorporated in bulk crystals of NaAlH4 where they exist as charged impurities, increasing the Fermi level, decreasing the formation energies of native charged defects, and therefore aiding in mass transport via bulk diffusion. Using first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, we examine the local structure, charge states, and energetics of substitutional Ti impurities in both NaAlH4 and its decomposition product, Na3AlH6. In contrast to previous studies which considered only simple metal substitutions, we study a much broader class of possible substitutions by varying the number of hydrogen ions bound to Ti and charge states of the resulting aggregate defects. Th...
From brain imaging to intervention: Disruptions of emotional reactivity in unipolar depression

Depressed individuals often engage in prolonged, elaborative negative thinking. This pattern is hypothesized to result from increased and uninhibited feedback between brain structures responsible for recognizing emotional features of information. This article reviews a variety of behavioral, physiological, and neuroimaging data supporting this formulation. Data suggest that depression is characterized by increased and sustained behavioral, peripheral physiological, and limbic reactivity to emotional information, as well as decreased prefrontal control, which has been implicated in inhibiting limbic regions. Neuroimaging data increasingly supports the notion that these phenomena are related: amygdala and prefrontal activity vary inversely, and this connectivity is decreased in depression. To the extent that these mechanisms are important for maintaining depression, addressing them in treatment could be useful. Thus initial efforts are reviewed examining how basic science regarding disruptions in emotional reactivity in depression can be translated to the clinic. In particular, a novel "neurobehavioral" intervention that targets brain mechanisms underlying disruptions of emotional reactivity in unipolar depression via "cognitive control training" is described.
Needs assessment for electrosurgery training of residents and faculty in obstetrics and gynecology.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Effective application of electrosurgical techniques requires knowledge of energy sources and electric circuits to produce desired tissue effects. A lack of electrosurgery knowledge may negatively affect patient outcomes and safety. Our objective was to survey obstetrics-gynecology trainees and faculty to assess their basic knowledge of electrosurgery concepts as a needs assessment for formal electrosurgery training. METHODS We performed an observational study with a sample of convenience at 2 academic hospitals (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Mount Auburn Hospital). Grand rounds dedicated to electrosurgery teaching were conducted at each department of obstetrics and gynecology, where a short electrosurgery multiple-choice examination was administered to attendees. RESULTS The face validity of the test content was obtained from a gynecologic electrosurgery specialist. Forty-four individuals completed the examination. Test scores were analyzed by level of training to investigate whether scores positively correlated with more advanced career stages. The median test score was 45.5% among all participants (interquartile range, 36.4%-54.5%). Senior residents scored the highest (median score, 54.5%), followed by attendings (median score, 45.5%), junior residents and fellows (median score in both groups, 36.4%), and medical students (median score, 27.3%). CONCLUSION Although surgeons have used electrosurgery for nearly a century, it remains poorly understood by most obstetrician-gynecologists. Senior residents, attendings, junior residents, and medical students all show a general deficiency in electrosurgery comprehension. This study suggests that there is a need for formal electrosurgery training. A standardized electrosurgery curriculum with a workshop component demonstrating clinically useful concepts essential for safe surgical practice is advised.
So You, My Children, Can Have a Better Life: A Cambodian American Perspective on the Phenomenology of Intergenerational Communication about Trauma

ABSTRACTWe address this question: How do Cambodian American young adults come to know about their family’s experiences of trauma? Using a social constructivist critical ideological approach, we developed a phenomenological model describing intergenerational communication about trauma (IGCT) in Cambodian American families. We found IGCT to be an interactional process in which younger and older generations each played a role. IGCT was influenced by the availability of multiple sources of information and opportunities for learning, interpersonal connectedness between the generations, emotional distress tolerance, and having motivation to empathically learn and share. When these factors were abundant, direct interactive IGCT was more likely. When wanting, the IGCT was more disrupted and incoherent, filled with emotionally charged silence and lead to negative attributions. IGCT was a dynamic process that could change over time to accommodate developmental change. Limitations of the findings, clinical implicati...
Physical and Numerical Modeling of Large Headwater Ratios for a 15° Labyrinth Spillway

AbstractCurrent hydraulic design/analysis literature for labyrinth weirs is limited to headwater ratio (total upstream head/height of weir) values less than 1.0. This study utilized physical and numerical models to expand the current hydraulic performance theory of headwater ratios up to 2.0 for labyrinth weirs. The physical and numerical data provide practical design guidance for high headwater ratios and indicate that the empirical discharge coefficient design curves developed by Crookston may be acceptable for headwater ratios up to 2.0 or more. This was accomplished by evaluating the effects of higher upstream heads for a labyrinth weir with a 15° sidewall angle. Physical modeling was conducted in a rectangular flume under controlled laboratory conditions using two geometrically similar labyrinth models. A total of 120 data points were collected over a range of upstream heads. In addition, a numerical model of one of the physical model geometries was conducted using commercially available computationa...
Intermittent leukapheresis: an adjunct to low-dose chemotherapy for Sézary syndrome.

Eleven patients with Sezary syndrome were treated with intermittent leukapheresis in addition to low-dose chlorambucil and prednisone. The results were as good as or better than those with chemotherapy alone. We believe the combined program with continuous leukapheresis to be optimal therapy but note that intermittent treatment offers some benefit for patients.
Patient perceptions of a decision support tool to assist with young women’s contraceptive choice

Abstract Objective Contraceptive decision support tools (DSTs) have been suggested as a way to provide patient-centered contraceptive care, but little is known about the role they play in women’s decision-making. The aim of this study is to understand patients’ perceptions of the value of a contraceptive DST. Methods We conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with unmarried women aged 18–29 from an integrated health care system who viewed the DST. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify common themes in the participants’ experience. Results Four themes were identified: Informative; Narrowing down options; Tool vs. doctor; and Preparation for a clinical visit. In general, participants felt the tool was valuable because it provided them relevant information and facilitated their decision-making process by narrowing down contraceptive options. Participants felt the tool could prepare them for a visit with their health care provider by helping them identify questions for their provider, but also saw distinctions between the DST and what their provider could offer. Conclusion Contraceptive DSTs are valuable to their users when they include information on contraceptive attributes women deem important and allow for user-driven tailoring. Practice implications Contraceptive DSTs may address patient informational needs and can serve as a complement to provider counseling.
Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Sepsis in an Immunocompetent Patient Isolated from Routine Blood Culture

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) includes Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare . Disseminated MAC characteristically involves multiple nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow, and blood, and is an opportunistic infection almost uniquely associated with patients with advanced AIDS with CD4 lymphocyte count 100,000 copies/mL. In HIV negative patients without immunosuppression, …
Mechanisms for three-centre energy pooling in lanthanide doped crystals

The migration of excitation energy within dielectric crystals doped with lanthanide ions is a rich area for the study of mechanisms involving both conventional pairwise resonance energy transfer and more complex many-body effects. Within the framework of molecular quantum electrodynamics, we present a delineation of systems undergoing simultaneous transfer from two pre-excited donor ions to a single ground-state acceptor, termed three-centre energy pooling. Calculations lead to the identification of two competing mechanisms of transfer co-existing in each system-one cooperative pathway where the excitation is transferred directly to the acceptor from both donors, alongside an accretive mechanism where the excitation energy of one donor is accrued by a second, with net transfer to the acceptor ensuing.
Probability or Non-probability Samples: Testing Univariate Estimates vs Multivariate Relations

In spite of the extensive use of non-representative, particularly student samples, in textile and apparel research, no empirical evidence can be found distinguishing univariate and multivariate relationships, which might be important to evaluate the validity of non-probability samples. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to empirically explore the validity (or lack of thereof) of non-representative sample for univariate and multivariate relationships using data gathered from two samples, a probability sample and a non-probability one.
Role of adiabaticity in controlling alkali-metal fine-structure mixing induced by rare gases

The collision cross sections for alkali-metal--rare-gas spin orbit mixing between the ${n}^{2}{P}_{3/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{n}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels trend strongly with the Massey parameter, or adiabaticity of the collisions. The strength of the interaction, as characterized by the ${C}_{6}$ dispersion coefficient, is a secondary influence on the rates. An analytic expression for the probability of energy transfer in alkali-metal--rare-gas collisions is derived using time-dependent perturbation theory. The model agrees well with a broad literature survey of the observed temperature-dependent cross sections. A simple interaction potential successfully organizes the alkali-metal--rare-gas database. The rates become very large for high-lying states, as the collisions are quite sudden and the radius of the valence electron is large. In contrast, the highly adiabatic cesium ${6}^{2}P$ mixing rates are six to eight orders of magnitude smaller. The mixing rate for the Rb-He diode pumped alkali laser system varies from $0.20--1.53\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}11}\mathrm{cm}{}^{3}/\mathrm{at}.\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$ for $T=279--893\phantom{\rule{0.222222em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$.