cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit deletion and regulatory subunit deletion have opposite effects on insulin sensitivity in mice.

Studies ex vivo have shown that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity is necessary but not sufficient for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Unexpectedly, mice lacking either of the PI3K regulatory subunits p85 or p85 exhibit increased insulin sensitivity. The insulin hypersensitivity is particularly unexpected in p85 / p55 / p50 / mice, where a decrease in p110 and p110 catalytic subunits was observed in insulinsensitive tissues. These results raised the possibility that decreasing total PI3K available for stimulation by insulin might circumvent negative feedback loops that ultimately shut off insulin-dependent glucose uptake in vivo. Here we present results arguing against this explanation. We show that p110 / p110 / mice exhibit mild glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia in the fasted state. Unexpectedly, p110 / p110 / mice showed a 50% decrease in p85 expression in liver and muscle. Consistent with this in vivo observation, knockdown of p110 by RNA interference in mammalian cells resulted in loss of p85 proteins due to decreased protein stability. We propose that insulin sensitivity is regulated by a delicate balance between p85 and p110 subunits and that p85 subunits mediate a negative role in insulin signaling independent of their role as mediators of PI3K activation. Type 2 diabetes is a serious public health problem that is growing rapidly in the developed world. The disease is characterized by insulin resistance of the peripheral organs and hyperglycemia. Initially, patients compensate by secreting elevated insulin, but over the course of the disease, the pancreatic beta cells fail to produce compensating levels of insulin. Based on ex vivo experiments, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is required for insulin-induced glucose uptake into muscle and fat and inhibition of glucose production in the liver (10, 30, 35, 38). Polymorphism in the human PI3K regulatory isoform p85 gene has been associated with increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes (5). However, the consequences of the polymorphism on the expression level or function of p85 have not yet been analyzed. Many of the metabolic effects of insulin require activation of the PI3K downstream target Akt. While constitutively active Akt induces translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 to the plasma membrane in adipocytes, dominant negative Akt inhibits it (13). Consistent with this, targeted disruption of Akt2 in the mouse resulted in insulin resistance and severe diabetes, and RNA interference (RNAi) for Akt2 inhibited insulin-dependent glucose uptake in 3T3L1 cells (12, 19, 28). An inactivating mutation in human AKT2 has been associated with severe insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus, demonstrating a pivotal role of AKT signaling in glucose homeostasis in humans (20). Surprisingly, deletion of PI3K regulatory subunits in mice
Strabismus surgery complicated by “pulled in two syndrome” in a case of breast carcinoma metastatic to the medial rectus muscle

Abstract Metastatic carcinoma to the extraocular muscles is extremely rare; it is reported to occur from breast, lung, and gastric carcinoma as well as skin melanoma. 1–3 Overall, intraocular metastases occur much more frequently than orbital metastases. 4 The most common primary tumors causing orbital metastases are breast and lung carcinomas. 5 Strabismus due to orbital metastases from breast carcinoma usually results from fibrosis of the muscle, which often causes painful ophthalmoplegia and enophthalmos. 6,7 We report a case of presumed metastatic carcinoma to the medial rectus muscle causing restrictive strabismus in which surgery was complicated by the "pulled in two syndrome," or PITS.
High search performance, small document index: P2P search can have both

One primary goal in P2P networks is to provide high search performance for users to retrieve interested documents distributed over nodes. Document indexing is the key to search performance. However, it is challenging to guarantee high search performance with small document index. In this paper, we present iSearch which aims to build small document index to deliver high search performance on Gnutella-like P2P networks. The number of index terms per document is typically 4, which dramatically reduces associated cost in index storage and dissemination. iSearch explores two options to build index: top term-based indexing (TTI) and query-driven indexing (QDI). TTI bases selection of document index terms on term statistics, while QDI progressively refines document index by past queries. Our simulations show that that TTI and QDI improve search performance over random walk significantly. By dynamically adapting index based on past queries, QDI outperforms TTI greatly, by up to 2× recall improvement.
The state of health economics and pharmaceoconomics research in Russia: a systematic review

Objectives To investigate the state of health economic research in Russia available in the English language by describing the number and characteristics of the articles, and assessing the quality of these articles. Methods The study assessed the state of health economics and pharmacoeconomics research in Russia. We conducted a literature search to identify health economics articles pertaining to Russia. Each article in the final sample was scored by two reviewers independently using the data-collection form designed for the study. Key findings In total, 16 studies investigating a wide variety of diseases were included in the study. These articles were published in 15 different journals all based outside of Russia between 1994 and 2009. On average, each article was written by seven authors. Most first authors had medical/clinical training and resided in the USA (n = 8) at the time of publication of the study. Based on a scale of 1–10, with 10 indicating the highest quality, the mean quality score for all studies was 8.09 (SD = 1.29) and 25% of the articles were of fair quality (score 5–7). The quality of articles was statistically significantly related (P non-pharmaceuticals) and primary training of the first author (medical > non-medical). Conclusions The conduct of health economics and pharmacoeconomics research in Russia in the English language is limited and, on average, the published articles were of good quality. However, about one-quarter of published articles were of fair quality. More health economics research in English is warranted in Russia.
Creative Corporatism The Politics of High-Technology Competition in Nordic Europe

This article documents and explains the surprising capacity of several Continental European countries to adapt to rapid, innovation-based competition. Critics and proponents alike suggest that thes...
Blockade of acid sensing ion channels attenuates the exercise pressor reflex in cats.

Although thin fibre muscle afferents possess acid sensing ion channels (ASICs), their contribution to the exercise pressor reflex is not known. This lack of information is partly attributable to the fact that there is no known selective in vivo antagonist for ASICs. Although amiloride has been shown to antagonize ASICs, it also has been shown to antagonize voltage-gated sodium channels, thereby impairing impulse conduction in sensory nerves. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that lactic acid accumulation in exercising muscle acted on ASICs located on thin fibre muscle afferents to evoke the metabolic component of the exercise pressor reflex. To test this hypothesis, we determined in decerebrate cats if amiloride attenuated the pressor and cardioaccelerator responses to static contraction, to tendon stretch and to arterial injections of lactic acid and capsaicin. We found a dose of amiloride (0.5 μg kg−1; i.a.) that attenuated the pressor and cardioaccelerator responses to both contraction and lactic acid injection, but had no effect on the responses to stretch and capsaicin. A higher dose of amiloride (5 μg kg−1, i.a.) not only blocked the pressor and cardioaccelerator responses to lactic acid and contraction, but also attenuated the responses to stretch and to capsaicin, manoeuvers in which ASICs probably play no significant role. In addition, we found that the low dose of amiloride (0.5 μg kg−1) had no effect on the responses of muscle spindles to tendon stretch and to succinylcholine, whereas the high dose (5 μg kg−1) attenuated the responses to both. Our data suggest the low dose of amiloride used in our experiments selectively blocked ASICs, whereas the high dose blocked ASICs and impulse conduction in muscle afferents. We conclude that ASICs play a role in the metabolic component of the exercise pressor reflex.
Settling behavior of specific acrylic particles in Bis-GMA based reactive slurries

Sedimentation is a limiting factor for the shelf life of filled paints and adhesive resins, and requires consideration when optimizing a resin's formulation for an end application. Static settling experiments have been performed using a bis-GMA-based photocurable resin system by varying some characteristics of the filler particles (size and composition) and of the resin (viscosity and composition). The recorded batch settling curves, mudline height vs. time, displayed the standard sedimentation shape. In particular, the mudline movement rate was constant in the initial period of sedimentation. The variations of this constant mudline velocity as a function of the settling conditions has been compared to sedimentation model predictions. A close correspondence has been obtained between the data and a model describing the sedimentation behavior of non-aggregated rigid spheres at high concentration in the Stokes regime. In particular, the constant mudline velocity is proportional to the square of the particle ...
Analysis and Evaluation of a Method of Measuring the Complex Permittivity and Permeability Microwave Insulators

Theory and experimental results are presented to show the possibility of using a resonant post technique for characterizing dielectric and magnetic materials at microwave frequencies. Results of the temperature dependence of the relative dielectric constant of nonmagnetic materials with /spl epsilon//sub r/, varying from 4 to 60 are presented and also loss tangent measurements at room temperature. The complex permittivity and permeability of a number of garnet materials has also been measured with 4/spl pi//spl gamma/M/sub s/ / /spl omega/ varying from 0.25 to 0.8. The measured real part of the permeability is in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of Schlomann and the imaginary part of the permeability agrees with measurements by Green et al. on similar materials.
Multiple domains in Siz SUMO ligases contribute to substrate selectivity

Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two Siz/PIAS SUMO E3 ligases, Siz1 and Siz2/Nfi1, and one other known ligase, Mms21. Although ubiquitin ligases are highly substrate-specific, the degree to which SUMO ligases target distinct sets of substrates is unknown. Here we show that although Siz1 and Siz2 each have unique substrates in vivo, sumoylation of many substrates can be stimulated by either protein. Furthermore, in the absence of both Siz proteins, many of the same substrates are still sumoylated at low levels. Some of this residual sumoylation depends on MMS21. Siz1 targets its unique substrates through at least two distinct domains. Sumoylation of PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and the splicing factor Prp45 requires part of the N-terminal region of Siz1, the ;PINIT' domain, whereas sumoylation of the bud neck-associated septin proteins Cdc3, Cdc11 and Shs1/Sep7 requires the C-terminal domain of Siz1, which is also sufficient for cell cycle-dependent localization of Siz1 to the bud neck. Remarkably, the non-sumoylated septins Cdc10 and Cdc12 also undergo Siz1-dependent sumoylation if they are fused to the short PsiKXE SUMO attachment-site sequence. Collectively, these results suggest that local concentration of the E3, rather than a single direct interaction with the substrate polypeptide, is the major factor in substrate selectivity by Siz proteins.
Heavy alcohol consumption in individuals with HIV infection: Effects on neuropsychological performance

Higher rates of alcohol use have been reported in HIV+ individuals compared to the general population. Both heavy alcohol use and HIV infection are associated with increased risk of neuropsychological (NP) impairment. We examined effects of heavy active alcohol use and HIV on NP functioning in a large sample of community-residing HIV+ individuals and HIV− controls. The four main study groups included 72 HIV− light/non-drinkers, 70 HIV− heavy drinkers (>100 drinks per month), 70 HIV+ light/non-drinkers, and 56 HIV+ heavy drinkers. The heavy drinking group was further subdivided to assess effects of the heaviest levels of active alcohol use (>6 drinks per day) on NP functioning. A comprehensive NP battery was administered. Multivariate analysis of covariance was employed to examine the effect of HIV and alcohol on NP functioning after adjusting for group differences in age and estimated premorbid verbal intellectual functioning. The analyses identified main effects of heavy drinking and HIV on NP function, with greatest effects involving the contrast of HIV+ heavy drinkers and the HIV− light drinkers. Synergistic effects of heaviest current drinking and HIV infection were identified in analyses of motor and visuomotor speed. Supplementary analyses also revealed better NP function in the HIV+ group with antiretroviral treatment (ART) and lower level of viral burden, a finding that was consistent across levels of alcohol consumption. Finally, heavy alcohol use and executive functioning difficulties were associated with lower levels of self-reported medication adherence in the HIV+ group. The findings suggest that active heavy alcohol use and HIV infection have additive adverse effects on NP function, that they may show synergistic effects in circumstances of very heavy active alcohol use, and that heavy drinking and executive functioning may mediate health-related behaviors in HIV disease.
Further Resolution of the Rapid Radiation of Saxifragales (Angiosperms, Eudicots) Supported by Mixed-Model Bayesian Analysis

Recent phylogenetic analyses of Saxifragales, based on DNA sequences of five plastid and nuclear ribosomal genes under parsimony and likelihood criteria, failed to resolve the branching order of the major lineages of the clade. This lack of resolution was attributed to the rapid radiation of Saxifragales. However, simultaneous origin of the major lineages was rejected by both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, indicating that there is potential for resolving these relationships using additional analytical procedures and/or additional data. We reanalyzed the original data using a Bayesian approach, by implementing a Markov chain Monte Carlo process. Common-model and mixed-model analyses were con- ducted. Although Bayesian analyses did not fully resolve the phylogeny of Saxifragales, greater support was indicated for the relationships of Saxifragaceae, Crassulaceae, Haloragaceae, and Paeoniaceae. Relationships of ''lower hamamelid'' line- ages were inconsistently supported, including sister group relationships of Cercidiphyllum-Daphniphyllum and Altingiaiceae- Hamamelidaceae. Simultaneous origin of the major lineages was not supported. We compare parameter estimation in com- mon- and mixed-model Bayesian analyses and find striking differences that may affect the posterior probabilities of clades. Our application of Bayesian methods to discriminate simultaneous speciation from weak phylogenetic signal is a useful addition to the limited set of tools available for this purpose. We discuss important caveats for the interpretation of Bayesian posterior probabilities in this study, especially when a common model is assumed across data partitions.
Postmastectomy breast reconstruction: current techniques.

BackgroundThe techniques of breast reconstruction have evolved and matured over the past 25 years. Recent studies have proven the benefit of breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients.Methods...
Efficacy of Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Cryoballoon Ablation for Persistent Atrial FibrillationIntroduction Cryoballoon PVI has emerged as an alternative to radiofrequency PVI for the treatment of paroxysmal AF. The optimal strategy for patients with persistent AF is unclear as data are limited. Methods We analyzed a prospective registry of consecutive patients with persistent AF who underwent Cryoballoon PVI at a single center between 2011 and 2014. Patients were assessed for atrial arrhythmia recurrence after a 3-month blanking period at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postprocedure. Recurrence was based on typical symptoms, ECG, or event monitor evidence of AF. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate arrhythmia-free survival. Results Final analysis included 69 patients who underwent Cryoballoon PVI with a mean age 59.4 ± 8.1 years, 85.5% male, 53.6% HTN patients, CHA2DS2-VASC score 1.6 ± 1.2, and LA size 4.5 ± 0.6 cm. The single procedure atrial arrhythmia recurrence-free rate at 1-year postprocedure after a 3-month blanking period was 59% and 50% at a mean follow-up of 607 days. Of the recurrence-free group, 17% were taking previously ineffective antiarrhythmic medications. In comparing patients with persistent AF duration 1 year, there was a trend toward greater AF recurrence-free rates in the <1 year group (66% vs. 55%, P = 0.09). Conclusion Cryoballoon PVI appears to be an effective initial strategy in treating persistent AF, with an AF recurrence-free rate of 59% at 1 year.
Accurate and fast deformable medical image registration for brain tumor resection using image-guided neurosurgery

We present a parallel adaptive physics-based non-rigid registration framework for aligning pre-operative to intra-operative brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) of patients who have undergone a tumor resection. This framework extends our earlier work on the physics-based methods by using an adaptive, multi-material, parallel finite element biomechanical model to describe the physical deformations of the brain. Our registration technology incorporates fast image-to-mesh convertors for remeshing the brain model in real-time eliminating the poor-quality elements; various linear solvers to accurately estimate the volumetric deformations; efficient block-matching techniques to compensate for the missing/unrealistic matches induced by the tumor resection. Our evaluation is based on six clinical volume MRI data-sets including (i) isotropic and anisotropic image spacings, and (ii) partial and complete tumor resections. We compare our framework with four methods: a rigid and BSpline deformable registration implem...
Chronic lymphatic leukemia suggestive of multiple myeloma: Report of a case

Abstract A 58-year-old white man was referred for consultation concerning bilateral maxillary soft-tissue lesions. Unknown to previous therapists, the patient also was being treated for chronic lymphatic leukemia. Lateral head films, as well as periapical roentgenograms taken at this institution, were very suggestive of multiple myeloma. The biopsy report of the soft-tissue lesions was compatible with the diagnosis of chronic lymphatic leukemia. Following the patient's death, an autopsy revealed lymphosarcoma. This case illustrates the occasional intimate relationship between lymphocytic leukemia, lymphosarcoma, and simulated multiple myeloma. Roentgenographic findings may be very suggestive, but rarely are they pathognomonic.
“Naked” Mono- and Dianions of Corannulene with Lithium Counterions

Controlled reduction of corannulene (C20H10, 1) with lithium metal has been investigated in several O-donor solvent media (THF, DME, and diglyme). In contrast to the prior reduction studies performed in situ, the isolation of solid products of singly and doubly charged corannulene in the form of crystalline lithium salts has been accomplished. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of two products containing monoreduced corannulene, [Li(DME)3+][1–] (2) and [{Li(15-crown-5)+}2][1–]2 (3), revealed the presence of naked bowl-shaped monoanions. The corannulene dianions have been crystallized from two different media as corresponding salts, [{Li(DME)+}{Li(DME)1.5+}]2[12–]2 (4) and [Li(diglyme)2+]2[12–] (5), illustrating the effect of solvents on the alkali metal coordination environment and binding to the curved π-carbon surfaces. The adduct 4 has Li+ ions bound to the five- and six-membered rings of the doubly reduced corannulene convex face. In contrast to the above contact ion pair obtained from the D...
BaTiO3 Films by Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Techniques for Next Generation Packaging Applications

This work reports synthesis, characterization and integration of sub-micron thick nano-grained barium titanate films on organic Printed Wiring Boards (PWB). Barium titanate films were synthesized on titanium foils at 95∘C. SEM of films revealed 80 nm grains. The films were characterized using XRD, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. As-synthesized films exhibited high capacitance densities and dielectric loss. The films were treated with oxygen plasma to reduce entrapped hydroxyl groups and this resulted in improved dielectric properties. The plasma treated films exhibited a capacitance density of 1 μ F/cm2 and a dielectric loss of 0.06. The high frequency dielectric properties were extracted from s-parameter measurements on CPW structures on these films and were found to be stable up to 8 GHz.
Rigorous Kinetic Modeling and Optimization Study of a Modified Claus Unit for an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Power Plant with CO2 Capture

The modified Claus process is one of the most common technologies for sulfur recovery from acid gas streams. Important design criteria for the Claus unit, when part of an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant, are the ability to destroy ammonia completely and the ability to recover sulfur thoroughly from a relatively low purity acid gas stream without sacrificing flame stability. Because of these criteria, modifications to the conventional process are often required, resulting in a modified Claus process. For the studies discussed here, these modifications include the use of a 95% pure oxygen stream as the oxidant, a split flow configuration, and the preheating of the feeds with the intermediate pressure steam generated in the waste heat boiler (WHB). In the future, for IGCC plants with CO2 capture, the Claus unit must satisfy emission standards without sacrificing the plant efficiency in the face of typical disturbances of an IGCC plant, such as rapid change in the feed flow rates due...
Sc2(WO4)3 and Sc2(MoO4)3 and Their Solid Solutions: 45Sc, 17O, and 27Al MAS NMR Results at Ambient and High Temperature

The mobilities of trivalent ions are generally considered to be low in solid oxides and thus trivalent ionic conductors are rare. Sc2(WO4)3 and related compounds have been described as Sc3+ ionic conductors. However, there has not been conclusive experimental evidence whether Sc3+ is the major or the only mobile species. Here, we report 45Sc, 17O, and 27Al MAS NMR studies at ambient and high temperature of Sc2(WO4)3-type compounds including Sc2(WO4)3, Sc2(MoO4)3 (scandium tungstate and scandium molybdate), and their solid solutions, as well as aluminum-doped Sc2(WO4)3. 45Sc MAS NMR spectra at ambient temperature of the Sc2(WO4)3−Sc2(MoO4)3 binary are consistent with random mixing of W6+ and Mo6+ on tetrahedral sites. 17O spectra show that the details of the end-member short-range structure are preserved throughout this solid solution, indicating that lattice distortion is minimized by the close similarity of the radii of the hexavalent cations. Al3+ substitutes only into the octahedral sites. At high temp...
Parasitism and Axenic Growth of Dispira Cornuta

Host nutrition was shown to affect the degree of parasitism of Dispira cornuta on Cokeromyces recurvatus. Greatest parasitism occurred when the culture medium was low in glucose and high in nitrogen. Only slight axenic growth of D. cornuta occurred on beef liver, yeast extract, and certain other natural products. Host extract alone promoted very little axenic growth, but was needed in small quantities for axenic growth when an otherwise favorable medium was supplied. The role of host extract was not determined. Common water-soluble vitamins did not stimulate growth. D. cornuta did not utilize common carbon sources, such as glucose, ribose, sucrose, maltose, and starch. Good axenic growth occurred in the presence of glycerol and acetate, while pyruvate and dihydroxyacetone allowed fair growth. Many common sources of nitrogen were utilized in an acetate medium. The ability of D. corlnuta to grow axenically was dependent upon a favorable source of carbon and unidentified factors in host extract. Two of 4 additional isolates of D. cornuta were able to grow axenically on glycerol and acetate media, but the other 2 did not grow axenically on any of the media tested.
Histology of the Compound Eye of the Boll Weevil

A histological study of the compound eye of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, with a light microscope showed that each eye is composed of about 500 ommatidia 100–140 µ long, 27 µ in diameter at the lens, and 7 µ in diameter at the basement membrane. A single ommatidium consists of a hexagonal lens, a crystalline cone, 4 Semper cells, 2 primary pigment cells, 6 secondary pigment cells, 6 retinula cells which contribute to the formation of a central rhabdom that extends from the Semper cells to the basement membrane, and 2 basal pigment cells that surround the base of the retinula cells. The 6 axons, 1 from each of the 6 retinula cells, join and penetrate the basement membrane as a bundle. Each bundle of primary nerves converges with other bundles to form larger bundles that enter the optic ganglion.
Early tree regeneration is consistent with sustained yield in low-input boreal forest management in Alaska.

Abstract The boreal forest of Alaska has experienced a small area of forest cuttings, amounting to 7137 ha out of a total of 256,284 ha of timberland in the Fairbanks and Kantishna area of state forest land. Low product values and high costs for management have resulted in a low-input type management with heavy reliance on natural regeneration. Because of increasing demand for wood biomass energy which may reduce rotation ages, understanding post-harvest regeneration is crucial. Harvested areas must meet stocking standards within seven years under the state Forest Resources & Practices Act (FRPA). We evaluated whether state forest harvest units are adequately regenerated up to 40 years following harvest based on FRPA standards in terms of stem density and biomass accumulation. We measured density of all tree size classes, and DBH and height of tree species in 726 plots from 30 representative harvest units, distributed according to harvest and treatment types, harvest year, unit size, and the geographical location of harvests. The majority of regenerated tree stems came from natural regeneration, even on planted units (77%). White spruce (Picea glauca) natural regeneration appears to continue for a few decades (seed crops) following harvest. Stem density was below the standard in most units surveyed during the FRPA 7-year period, but far exceeded the standard when resampled in this study (average 16 years later), suggesting either seven years is too early to evaluate tree regeneration, or that a different standard is needed for early surveys. We found a major peak in white spruce stem density (45,000 ha−1) in units harvested in 1987 (an historically large spruce seed crop year), suggesting that where possible, foresters need to adjust management plans according to spruce mast years. Post-harvest and post-fire successional patterns are similar, involving rapid establishment and growth of hardwoods and slow growth of white spruce, but post-harvest white spruce recruitment appears to continue longer than post-fire. By 2014 all measured harvest units met FRPA standard under low-input management, but some issues of uniformity of regeneration may remain. Although regeneration density varied among species and by management practices, biomass accumulated steadily over time (60 t ha−1 after 40 years), largely composed of hardwoods, indicating that short-rotation forest management must utilize hardwoods. Our results are based on relatively small harvest units within a matrix of natural forest, and similar results might not occur in landscapes dominated by stands originated from more extensive and intensive management.
The Fixed-Point Property Under Induced Interval Maps of Continua

Let f : I → I be a continuous map of a compact interval I and let C(I) be hyperspace of all compact subintervals of I equipped with the Hausdorff metric. We study the fixed-point property of the subsets of C (I) with respect to any induced interval map ℱ : C (I) → C (I). In particular, we prove that any nonempty subcontinuum of C (I) possesses the fixed-point property.
Preparation and Research of Liquid Crystal Performance of Cholesteric Phase Liquid Crystal and Nematic Phase Liquid Copolymer

In this paper, nematic liquid crystal monomer 4-allyloxy-biphenyl-4-ethoxybenzonate(M1)and cholesteric phase liquid crystal monomer 4-(4-allyloxy-phenyl-propionyloxy)hydroxyl biphenyl)cholesteryladipate(M2) were synthesized,mesogenic monomers were grafted to linear polymethyl hydrogensiloxanes, So two kinds of SLCPs with different chemical structures and characters were synthesized.The products were characterized by FT-IR、DSC、TGA、POM and polarimete et al. The results show that,with the increase of M2 monomer,the specific rotation of polymer also increases; the clearing point of the liquid crystal and the melt temperature of the polymer increase with the decrease of the content of M2; POM show that P1 is a typical nematic liquid crystal;after M2 was added in the system, P2-P7 were typical cholesteric liquid crystal.
The Context Interpretation of Western Marxism Culture Critical Theory

It is a profound and comprehensive context outcome of the history and thoughts for the topic of Western Marxism cultural critical theory.Therefore,the thought logic of culture critical theory is can be revealed from the context,and we also have a subjective evaluation for it.Western Marxism are concerned the reformation and development of the western capitalism and expound the tactics of Cultural Revolution,culture leadership and culture critical theory.So it generates the significant influence for human society in 20 century.However,the limits of its theory are displayed in the history.
Sandwich consumption in relation to daily dietary intake and diet quality among US adults, 2003–2012

Abstract Objectives About one half of the US adult population consumed one or more sandwiches on any given day. Sandwich consumption may profoundly influence people's calorie intake and diet quality. However, few studies have investigated the nutritional impact of sandwich consumption at the national level. We examined sandwich consumption in relation to daily dietary intake and diet quality among US adults. Study design Retrospective data analysis. Methods Nationally representative sample consisting of 27,075 adults 18 years of age and above came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2012 waves. Sandwich consumption was identified based on the What We Eat in America Food Category and the NHANES diet combination code. First-difference estimator addressed confounding bias from time-invariant unobservables (e.g. eating habits, taste preferences) by using within-individual variations in sandwich consumption between two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Results During 2003–2012, approximately 53.2% of US adults consumed sandwiches on any given day. Among sandwich consumers, nearly a quarter of daily total calorie intake and about a third of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium intake came from sandwich consumption. Men, non-Hispanic whites, young and middle-aged adults, people with higher income, and overweight/obese adults were more likely to consume sandwiches. Among those who consumed sandwiches on either but not both of the two dietary recall days, in comparison to no sandwich consumption, sandwich consumption on a dietary recall day was associated with an increase in daily intake of total energy by 98.7 kcal, total fat 6.8 g, and sodium 267.9 mg ( P -value P -value P -value P -value P -value P -value P -value Conclusions Consumers should prudently evaluate the calorie/nutrient content of sandwich in order to make healthier dietary choices.
Armoring on Eroding Coasts Leads to Beach Narrowing and Loss on Oahu, Hawaii

Coastal armoring (defined as any structure designed to prevent shoreline retreat that interacts with wave run-up at some point of the year) has, historically, been a typical response to managing the problem of beach erosion on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. By limiting the ability of an eroding shoreline to migrate landward, coastal armoring on Oahu has contributed to narrowing and complete loss of many kilometers of beach. In this paper, changes in beach width are analyzed along all armored and unarmored beaches on the island using historical shoreline positions mapped from orthorectified aerial photographs from as early as the late 1920s. Over the period of study, average beach width decreased by 11%±4% and nearly all (95%) documented beach loss was fronting armored coasts. Among armored beach sections, 72% of beaches are degraded, which includes 43% narrowed (28% significantly) and 29% (8.6km) completely lost to erosion. Beaches fronting coastal armoring narrowed by −36%±5% or −0.10±0.03m/year, on average. In comparison, beach widths along unarmored coasts were relatively stable with slightly more than half (53%) of beaches experiencing any form of degradation. East and south Oahu have the highest proportion of armored coast (35% and 39%, respectively) and experienced the greatest percent of complete beach loss (14% and 12%, respectively). West and north coasts, with relatively little armoring (10% and 12% armored, respectively), experienced little complete beach loss (2% and 6%, respectively). However, beaches are still significantly narrowed compared to historical patterns on west and north coasts (61% and 70%, respectively). We find at these sites that cultivation of coastal vegetation may be a factor in beach narrowing on Oahu, along with beach erosion. Increased ‘flanking’ erosion (accelerated shoreline retreat adjacent to armored sections) is documented at several beaches, often requiring extension of armoring structures to protect abutting coastal properties, a process that leads to alongshore seawall proliferation.
Chapter 10 - Smart home scheduling and cybersecurity: fundamentals

Abstract The modern power system is undergoing a transformative shift from the classical electricity grid to a smart grid. There are four components in a smart grid, namely, smart power generation, smart transmission, smart distribution, and smart end use. Among them, the smart home technique controls the energy consumption of each end user, also known as customer, which potentially impacts the energy generation, transmission, and distribution. The smart home infrastructure features the automatic control of various interconnected modern home appliances. Together with the salient scheduling algorithms, it enables the customers to schedule the energy consumption, thus avoiding using electricity energy during the peak hours. This results in the reduction of electricity bill from the customer’s perspective and improved balance of the energy load from the utility’s perspective. The aforementioned process involves the usage of guideline pricing which estimates the future electricity price added by smart home controller. Despite its effectiveness, the smart home system is vulnerable to malicious cyberattacks. A hacker can manipulate the received guideline price and mislead the schedulers to make wrong decisions of energy scheduling. This can impact the bills of the customers and the peak energy usage of the power system. This chapter presents the state-of-the-art research on the smart home scheduling technique, explores the vulnerability of the smart home infrastructure, and describes the recent development of detection technologies against those cyberattacks.
Techniques for Internal Mammary Node Radiation

The clinical decision to include the internal mammary (IM) nodal chain into radiation treatment fields for breast cancer is complex, and the literature surrounding this decision is controversial and even conflicting [1–5]. However, with three high profile papers published in the past year supporting the use of IM radiation even in relatively low-risk women, there will likely be an increasing trend toward IM radiation in the coming years [6]. The primary reasons not to treat these nodes are that it can be technically challenging and may increase exposure to the heart, lung, and contralateral breast. Ultimately, the decision to treat the IM nodes for an individual patient balances the estimated clinical benefit based on the patient’s scenario with the potential additional toxicity that may be conferred by treating this nodal group. This chapter will focus on the various techniques that may be employed to treat the IM nodes, rather than the complex decision-making involved for an individual patient.
Three Squares: The Invention of the American Meal. By Abigail Carroll. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2013. Pp. xvii, 304. $27.99.)

In this lively and interesting book on the history of American meals, the author traces how breakfast, lunch, and dinner became the culinary scaffolding of daily life. She argues that meals are an ...
Tailoring Operations to the Patient Is Always Best

Article, see p 1209 In this issue of Circulation , Kirmani and colleagues1 report the early and late outcomes of >13 000 patients who underwent either on- or off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at a single institution from 2001 to 2015. They found that after propensity matching, these procedures resulted in similar long-term survival and freedom from all-cause mortality and coronary reintervention. However, off-pump surgery patients had shorter hospital stays and fewer perioperative complications, such as myocardial infarction. The authors are to be congratulated on their excellent observational study and clinical outcomes. During the study, overall hospital mortality after CABG was 2%, stroke <1%, and mediastinitis 0.2%. In addition, the prevalence of conversions from off- to on-pump CABG was only 1.6%. This compares favorably to the 3% prevalence reported in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database.2 These excellent clinical outcomes and few conversions are a testament to the fine skill and vast experience of the surgical teams involved in this study. However, before we conclude from this study that off-pump CABG is as good, if not better, than on-pump CABG, it is important to review the study’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as, others’ findings. This report is an observational study; despite propensity matching, it appears to have important confounders. Surgeons in the study preferred almost exclusively on- or off-pump CABG. The authors point out that, …
Relationship between Ion Dissociation, Melt Morphology, and Electrochemical Performance of Lithium and Magnesium Single-Ion Conducting Block Copolymers

Single-ion conducting block copolymers, such as poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly[(styrene-4-sulfonyltrifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide lithium] (PEO–P[(STFSI)Li]), represent an exciting new class of materials capable of improving the performance of solid-state batteries with metal anodes. In this work, we report on the synthesis and characterization of a matched set of lithiated (PEO–P[(STFSI)Li]) and magnesiated (PEO–P[(STFSI)2Mg]) single-ion conducting diblock copolymers. We measure the temperature dependence of ionic conductivity, and through analysis using the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher (VTF) relation, demonstrate that ion dissociation is significantly lower for all PEO–P[(STFSI)2Mg] samples when compared to their PEO–P[(STFSI)Li] counterparts. The VTF parameter characterizing the activation barrier to ion hopping was similar for both cations, but the VTF prefactor that reflects effective charge carrier concentration was higher in the lithiated samples by an order of magnitude. We study the melt morphology of the sin...
Pediatric Contact Dermatitis Registry Data on Contact Allergy in Children With Atopic Dermatitis.

Importance Atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) have a dynamic relationship not yet fully understood. Investigation has been limited thus far by a paucity of data on the overlap of these disorders in pediatric patients. Objective To use data from the Pediatric Contact Dermatitis Registry to elucidate the associations and sensitizations among patients with concomitant AD and ACD. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective case review examined 1142 patch test cases of children younger than 18 years, who were registered between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2015, by 84 health care providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) from across the United States. Data were gathered electronically from multidisciplinary providers within outpatient clinics throughout the United States on pediatric patients (ages 0-18 years). Exposures All participants were patch-tested to assess sensitizations to various allergens; history of AD was noted by the patch-testing providers. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were sensitization rates to various patch-tested allergens. Results A total of 1142 patients were evaluated: 189 boys (34.2%) and 363 girls (65.8%) in the AD group and 198 boys (36.1%) and 350 girls (63.9%) in the non-AD group (data on gender identification were missing for 17 patients). Compared with those without AD, patch-tested patients with AD were 1.3 years younger (10.5 vs 11.8 years; P P P = .008; and OR, 4.09; 95% CI, 2.70-6.20; P P Conclusions and Relevance Children with AD showed significant reaction patterns to allergens notable for their use in skin care preparations. This study adds to the current understanding of AD in ACD, and the continued need to investigate the interplay between these disease processes to optimize care for pediatric patients with these conditions.
Big Data Analyses in Health and Opportunities for Research in Radiology

This article reviews examples of big data analyses in health care with a focus on radiology. We review the defining characteristics of big data, the use of natural language processing, traditional and novel data sources, and large clinical data repositories available for research. This article aims to invoke novel research ideas through a combination of examples of analyses and domain knowledge.
Accuracy and radiation dose reduction of limited-range CT in the evaluation of acute appendicitis in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to determine the accuracy and radiation dose reduction of limited-range CT prescribed from the top of L2 to the top of the pubic symphysis in children with suspected acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed a retrospective study of 210 consecutive pediatric patients from December 11, 2012, through December 11, 2014, who underwent abdominopelvic CT for suspected acute appendicitis. Two radiologists independently reviewed the theoretic limited scans from the superior L2 vertebral body to the top of the pubic symphysis, to assess for visualization of the appendix, acute appendicitis, alternative diagnoses, and incidental findings. Separately, the same parameters were assessed on the full scan by the same two reviewers. Whole-body effective doses were determined for the full- and limited-range scans and were compared using the paired t test. RESULTS. The appendix or entire cecum was visualized on the limited scan in all cases, and no cases of acute appe...
A Narrative Analysis: Examining the Transition to Practice for the Full-Time Secondary School Athletic Trainer

Context: The transition to clinical practice is an important topic in athletic training because it is viewed as a stressful time that is accompanied by self-doubt. Mentorship and previous experien...
The role of vacuum assisted thrombectomy (AngioVac) in treating chronic venous thromboembolic disease. Systematic review and a single center's experience.

Abstract Background Beyond medical therapy, the role of endovascular approach for the management of chronic Venous Thromboembolic (VTE) disease is yet to be defined. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews or guidelines are available that provide information on how to manage this chronic condition. This paper represents the first systematic review of published reports on the use of vacuum-assisted thrombectomy (AngioVac) in treating chronic VTE disease. Methods A systematic review of published case-series, individual case-reports, and review articles in MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar was conducted. Keywords used for the search were: “vacuum assisted thrombectomy”, “AngioVac”, “thrombectomy”, and “chronic venous thrombosis”. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of chronic DVT (>28 days) and the use of vacuum-assisted thrombectomy device (AngioVac) with or without additional endovascular therapy. Our selection process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The literature search was conducted through June 2017. Results The initial search yielded 51 publications of which 18 reported the use of vacuum assisted thrombectomy (AngioVac) in treatment of venous thrombosis but only 7 reports (13 patients) met our inclusion criteria. Similarly, 5 patients representing our center's experience were included in the analysis. Patients’ demographics, admission diagnoses, risk factors, and procedural success were individually reported. Procedural success (both partial and complete resolution of thrombus burden) was achieved in 15 of the 18 cases (83%). Failure to re-canalize or significantly improve venous flow was seen in only 3 cases. No procedural mortality was reported. However, in-hospital and long-term mortality rates were not reported. Conclusion Vacuum-assisted thrombectomy using the AngioVac system is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical thrombectomy for chronic VTE management. The use of this device in iliocaval thrombosis appears to be safe and effective compared to other anatomical locations. Further outcome studies are needed to define long-term benefits of mechanical thrombectomy in treating chronic VTE diseases.
Cultivating Future Radiology Educators: Development and Implementation of a Clinician-Educator Track for Residents.

Effective and dedicated educators are critical to the preservation and advancement of the practice of radiology. The need for innovative and adaptable educators is increasingly being recognized, with several institutions granting academic promotions through clinician-educator tracks. The implementation of resident “clinician-educator tracks” or “teaching tracks” should better prepare residents aspiring to become academic radiologists focused on teaching. In this work, we describe our experience in the development and implementation of a clinician-educator track for diagnostic radiology residents at our institution.