cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association between CYP2C9 genetic variants and anticoagulation-related outcomes during warfarin therapy.

ContextWarfarin is a commonly used anticoagulant that requires careful clinical management to balance the risks of overanticoagulation and bleeding with those of underanticoagulation and clotting. The principal enzyme involved in warfarin metabolism is CYP2C9, and 2 relatively common variant forms with reduced activity have been identified, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3. Patients with these genetic variants have been shown to require lower maintenance doses of warfarin, but a direct association between CYP2C9 genotype and anticoagulation status or bleeding risk has not been established.ObjectiveTo determine if CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variants are associated with overanticoagulation and bleeding events during warfarin therapy.Design and SettingRetrospective cohort study conducted at 2 anticoagulation clinics based in Seattle, Wash.ParticipantsTwo hundred patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy for various indications during April 3, 1990, to May 31, 2001. Only patients with a complete history of warfarin exposure were included.Main Outcome MeasuresAnticoagulation status, measured by time to therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR), rate of above-range INRs, and time to stable warfarin dosing; and time to serious or life-threatening bleeding events.ResultsAmong 185 patients with analyzable data, 58 (31.4%) had at least 1 variant CYP2C9 allele and 127 (68.6%) had the wild-type (*1/*1) genotype. Mean maintenance dose varied significantly among the 6 genotype groups (*1/*1 [n = 127], *1/*2 [n = 28], *1/*3 [n = 18], *2/*2 [n = 4], *2/*3 [n = 3], *3/*3 [n = 5]) (by Kruskall-Wallis test, χ25 = 37.348; P<.001). Compared with patients with the wild-type genotype, patients with at least 1 variant allele had an increased risk of above-range INRs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.90). The variant group also required more time to achieve stable dosing (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.94), with a median difference of 95 days (P = .004). In addition, although numbers were small for some genotypes, representing potentially unstable estimates, patients with a variant genotype had a significantly increased risk of a serious or life-threatening bleeding event (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.18-4.86).ConclusionsThe results of our study suggest that the CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of overanticoagulation and of bleeding events among patients in a warfarin anticoagulation clinic setting, although small numbers in some cases would suggest the need for caution in interpretation. Screening for CYP2C9 variants may allow clinicians to develop dosing protocols and surveillance techniques to reduce the risk of adverse drug reactions in patients receiving warfarin.
Darvocet-N® 100 (Lilly)

Propoxyphene is a mild analgesic. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic. Its intrinsic activity for mediating these effects is approximately that of aspirin. It is thus an effective alternative to aspirin, but, unlike aspirin, acetaminophen has only weak anti-inflammatory activity.
Performance analysis of carrier sense multiple access with collision detection

Abstract Packet broadcasting in computer communication is attractive in that it combines the advantages of both packet-switching and broadcast communication. All stations share a common channel which is multi-accessed in some random fashion. Among the various random access schemes known, carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) has been shown to be highly efficient for environmen with relatively short propagation delay. Packet broadcasting (and in particular CSMA) has been successfully applied to coaxial cables thus providing an efficient means for communication in local environments. In addition, in such environments the possibility of detecting collisions on the coaxial cable enhances the performance of CSMA by aborting conflicting transmissions, thus giving rise to the carrier sense multiple access schemes with collision detection (CSMA-CD). In this paper we extend an analysis of CSMA to accommodate collision detection. The analysis provides the throughput-delay performance of CSMA-CD and its dependence on such key system parameters as the average retransmission delay and the collision recovery time.
Duluth : Word Sense Induction Applied to Web Page Clustering

The Duluth systems that participated in task 11 of SemEval‐2013 carried out word sense induction (WSI) in order to cluster Web search results. They relied on an approach that represented Web snippets using second‐order co‐ occurrences. These systems were all implemented using SenseClusters, a freely available open source software package.
Methods to estimate aspects of physical activity and sedentary behavior from high-frequency wrist accelerometer measurements.

This investigation developed models to estimate aspects of physical activity and sedentary behavior from three-axis high-frequency wrist-worn accelerometer data. The models were developed and tested on 20 participants ( n = 10 males, n = 10 females, mean age = 24.1, mean body mass index = 23.9), who wore an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer on their dominant wrist and an ActiGraph GT3X on the hip while performing a variety of scripted activities. Energy expenditure was concurrently measured by a portable indirect calorimetry system. Those calibration data were then used to develop and assess both machine-learning and simpler models with fewer unknown parameters (linear regression and decision trees) to estimate metabolic equivalent scores (METs) and to classify activity intensity, sedentary time, and locomotion time. The wrist models, applied to 15-s windows, estimated METs [random forest: root mean squared error (rSME) = 1.21 METs, hip: rMSE = 1.67 METs] and activity intensity (random forest: 75% correct, hip: 60% correct) better than a previously developed model that used counts per minute measured at the hip. In a separate set of comparisons, the simpler decision trees classified activity intensity (random forest: 75% correct, tree: 74% correct), sedentary time (random forest: 96% correct, decision tree: 97% correct), and locomotion time (random forest: 99% correct, decision tree: 96% correct) nearly as well or better than the machine-learning approaches. Preliminary investigation of the models' performance on two free-living people suggests that they may work well outside of controlled conditions.
Correlation of thrombus formation on 7 T MRI with histology in a rat carotid artery side wall aneurysm model

Background/purpose Various aneurysm animal models have been utilized to study the histological reaction post coil embolization. Our aim was to evaluate the imaging findings at day 14 of a rat external carotid artery side wall aneurysm treated with coil embolization using a gradient echo sequence on 7 T MRI and to correlate this with the histological findings. Materials and methods Male Sprague Drawley rats were utilized to create a sidewall external carotid artery blind pouch aneurysm. A 5 mm segment of hydrocoil or bare platinum coil was inserted into the created aneurysm. Five sham operated rats were used as controls. The arterial construct was harvested on day 14. The block of tissue was evaluated with histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Prior to sacrifice, the animal underwent 7 T MRI. Statistical analysis was then performed to assess the correlation of signal abnormality with intra-aneurysmal thrombus formation on histology. Results 10 rats were used for the experiment. Five rats had implantation of hydrocoils and five of bare platinum coils. There was a statistically significant linear correlation between the intra-aneurysmal thrombus on histology and gradient echo 7 T MRI sequences. There was no correlation demonstrated in the hydrocoil implanted group. No thrombus or abnormal signal was seen in the sham group. Conclusions In our experiment, thrombus formation in aneurysms treated with bare platinum coils is well correlated with the presence of abnormal signal on 7 T MRI at 14 days. No correlation was appreciated in the hydrocoil implanted group due to the presence of intra-aneurysmal reactive tissue instead of thrombus.
Optimal pinging frequencies in the search for an immobile beacon

ABSTRACTWe consider a search for an immobile object that can only be detected if the searcher is within a given range of the object during one of a finite number of instantaneous detection opportunities; i.e., “pings.” More specifically, motivated by naval searches for battery-powered flight data recorders of missing aircraft, we consider the trade-off between the frequency of pings for an underwater locator beacon and the duration of the search. First, assuming that the search speed is known, we formulate a mathematical model to determine the pinging period that maximizes the probability that the searcher detects the beacon before it stops pinging. Next, we consider generalizations to discrete search speed distributions under a uniform beacon location distribution. Lastly, we present a case study based on the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that suggests that the industry-standard beacon pinging period—roughly 1 second between pings—is too short.
280 DOSE-DEPENDENT EFFECTS OF TIN MESOPORPHYRIN ON HEME OXYGENASE ACTIVITY INHIBITION IN NEWBORN MICE.

Tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), a synthetic heme analog, potently inhibits heme oxygenase (HO), the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of bilirubin, and thus is being studied for use in the chemoprevention of jaundice. We have previously shown that 30 μM SnMP is orally absorbed by adult mice and results in significant inhibition of HO activity in liver, spleen, and brain. Because we are interested in the use of these compounds for treating neonatal jaundice, we determined the efficacy of various doses of SnMP on inhibiting HO enzyme activity in newborn mice. SnMP at doses of 30, 7.5, 3.75, or 1 μM or vehicle was administered by direct gastric injection to 1-week-old HO-1-luc transgenic mice and then monitored for 7 d. After 3 h, 24 h, and 7 d following treatment with SnMP, mice were sacrificed and liver, spleen, and brain harvested. Tissues were sonicated in 9 parts phosphate buffer and then incubated in the dark for 15 min at 37°C with 50 μM methemalbumin and 1.5 mM NADPH in septum-sealed vials. Blank reactions contained no NADPH. Vial headspace CO was quantitated by gas chromatography. HO activity left (% of control) in tissues at 3 h, 24 h, and 7 d after SnMP treatment is as follows: (p ≤ .05 in bold compared to control levels): We found that SnMP significantly inhibited liver HO activity at all doses and times. Spleen HO activity was inhibited at 30, 7.5, and 3.75 μM SnMP for all times. Brain HO activity was inhibited by 30 μM SnMP for all times, and only after 3 h of treatment at doses of 7.5 and 3.75 μM. Furthermore, no inhibition in spleen and brain HO activity was observed at 1 μM SnMP. We therefore conclude that SnMP is not only orally absorbed by the neonatal mouse, but also affects tissue HO activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Use of SnMP doses ≤ 7.5 μM is effective in long-term inhibition of liver and spleen HO activity without affecting brain HO activity. This work was study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants #HL68703 and HD58013.
The reaction oftrans-decahydroquinoline with molecular oxygen

Dem phenolischen Oxydationsprodukt, das beim Durchleiten von Sauerstoff durch geschmolzenestrans-Dekahydrochinolin entsteht, wird auf Grund der Analyse und spektrophotometrischen Daten die Konstitution III eines 3-Oxy-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydrochinolins beigelegt. Seine Entstehung erfolgt wahrscheinlich uber das gleichfalls gebildete 5, 6, 7, 8-Tetrahydrochinolin.
Mechanobiological Control of Cell Fate for Applications in Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine

The burgeoning field of regenerative medicine has witnessed impressive advances over the past 25–30 years, enabling engineered tissue constructs to be translated into human patients. However, despite fundamental advances in biomaterials and stem cell biology, the goal of generating tissues at clinically relevant scale that function equivalently to the native tissues they are intended to replace remains unmet. The field of mechanobiology has similarly advanced at a rapid pace over the past three decades, leading to the emergence of an increasingly detailed network of molecular players involved in the transduction of mechanical forces and the recognition of mechanical cues may be equally as important as (or perhaps more than) biochemical cues in the determination of cellular phenotype. Exploiting mechanobiology for applications in regenerative medicine represents an exciting opportunity and an enormous challenge. There is no greater clinical need than for cardiovascular tissues, which are amongst the most widely studied in terms of mechanobiology. Furthermore, there is substantial evidence correlating alterations in tissue mechanics with the onset of cardiovascular pathologies. Therefore, the focus of this chapter is on the relationships between mechanical forces and cells of the cardiovascular system (including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and cardiac myocytes), with an emphasis on translating fundamental mechanobiology insights into the control of cell fate for regenerative applications.
Surgical Treatment of Vestibular Schwannoma: Does Age Matter?

Objective For older patients (>65 years) who undergo surgical treatment of vestibular schwannoma (VS), the reported rates of facial nerve preservation, hearing preservation, and complications are inconsistent. Many surgeons believe that older patients have worse outcomes than their younger counterparts and advise against surgical treatment. We analyzed a consecutive series of patients with VS treated with surgery to determine whether age was a factor in outcome. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated for VS at our institution from January 1, 2000, to July 1, 2012. We examined how sex, age (≥65 years and Results Two-hundred forty-three patients underwent resection of VS, including 23 patients ≥65 years (mean 68 ± 4 years) and 220 patients P = 0.03) and were more likely to have a CCI ≥2 (52.2% vs. 18.2%, P ≤ 0.00, preoperative facial numbness (34.8% vs. 10.1%, P = 0.03), and dizziness (78.3% vs. 49.3%, P = 0.03). There were no significant differences after surgery in facial nerve outcome, hearing preservation outcome, or general surgical complications between the 2 cohorts. Conclusions With no difference in surgical complications, facial nerve outcome, or hearing preservation rates between older and younger patients in our series, age alone may not be an absolute contraindication to surgical management of VS.
Overview of the Novel and Improved Pulmonary Ventilation-Perfusion Imaging Applications in the Era of SPECT/CT.

OBJECTIVE. In this article, we describe the concepts of ventilation-perfusion planar, SPECT, and SPECT/CT and outline the advantages of integrated ventilation-perfusion SPECT/CT over planar imaging. We present an overview of the traditional and new applications of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. CONCLUSION. SPECT/CT has improved the diagnostic accuracy of ventilation-perfusion imaging and opened the door for a new spectrum of applications.
A NEURAL NETWORK ARCHITECTURE FOR FAST ON-LINE SUPERVISED LEARNING AND PATTERN RECOGNITION

This chapter describes new neural network architecture called ARTMAP that autonomously learns to classify arbitrarily ordered vectors into recognition categories based on predictive success. This supervised learning system is built up from a pair of adaptive resonance theory modules (ART a and ART b ) that are capable of self-organizing stable recognition categories in response to arbitrary sequences of input patterns. During training, the ART a module receives a stream {a (p) } of input patterns, and ART b receives a stream {b (p) } of input patterns, where b (p) is the correct prediction given a (p) . These ART modules are linked by an associative learning network and an internal controller that ensures autonomous system operation in real time. During test trials, the remaining patterns are presented without b (p) and their predictions at ART b are compared with b (p) . Tested on a benchmark machine learning database in both on-line and off-line simulations, the ARTMAP system learns orders of magnitude more quickly, efficiently, and accurately than alternative algorithms and achieves 100% accuracy after training on less than half the input patterns in the database. It achieves these properties by using an internal controller that conjointly maximizes predictive generalization and minimizes predictive error by linking predictive success to category size on a trial-by-trial basis, using only local operations.
Moving on or digging deeper: Regulatory mode and interpersonal conflict resolution.

Conflict resolution, in its most basic sense, requires movement and change between opposing motivational states. Although scholars and practitioners have long acknowledged this point, research has yet to investigate whether individual differences in the motivation for movement from state-to-state influence conflict resolution processes. Regulatory Mode Theory (RMT) describes this fundamental motivation as locomotion. RMT simultaneously describes an orthogonal motivational emphasis on assessment, a tendency for critical evaluation and comparison. We argue that this tendency, in the absence of a stronger motivation for locomotion, can obstruct peoples’ propensity to reconcile. Five studies, using diverse measures and methods, found that the predominance of an individual’s locomotion over assessment facilitates interpersonal conflict resolution. The first two studies present participants with hypothetical conflict scenarios to examine how chronic (Study 1) and experimentally induced (Study 2) individual differences in locomotion predominance influence the motivation to reconcile. The next two studies investigate this relation by way of participants’ own conflict experiences, both through essay recall of previous conflict events (Study 3) and verbal narratives of ongoing conflict issues (Study 4). We then explore this association in the context of real-world conflict discussions between roommates (Study 5). Lastly, we examine results across these studies meta-analytically (Study 6). Overall, locomotion and assessment can inform lay theories of individual variation in the motivation to “move on” or “dig deeper” in conflict situations. We conclude by emphasizing the importance of using RMT to go beyond instrumental approaches to conflict resolution to understand fundamental individual motivations underlying its occurrence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
Trypsin as an Agent

Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme found in the lumen of the small intestine and widely expressed in other tissues. Trypsin activates the protease-activated receptors PAR2 …
Phase Formations in Co/Si, Co/Ge, and Co/Si1−xGex by Solid Phase Reactions

Phase formations in Co thin films (200A in thickness) reacting with atomically clean Si(100), Ge(100), and Si0.80Ge0.20 epitaxial layer (800A in thickness on Si(100) substrates) in UHV have been investigated. For the Co/Si system, it is found that CoSi (FeSi structure) is formed at 375°C through a very disordered CoSi phase, and the final CoSi2 phase is formed at 575°C. On the other hand, the CosGe7 phase was identified for the Co/Ge samples annealed at 300°C and 450°C and the final CoGe2 phase is formed at 600°C. For the Co/Si0.8Ge0.20 samples annealed from 400°C to 600°C, Co(Si1-yGey) phases with y-0.10 were detected, and for annealing at 700°C, only the CoSi2 phase was formed. These results indicate a preferential CoSi reaction when annealing the Co/SiGe structure. It was also found that the sheet resistance of the reacted thin films depend strongly on annealing temperature.
Photopolymerizable Zwitterionic Polymer Patterns Control Cell Adhesion and Guide Neural Growth.

Developing materials that reduce or eliminate fibrosis encapsulation of neural prosthetic implants could significantly enhance implant fidelity by improving the tissue/electrode array interface. Here, we report on the photografting and patterning of two zwitterionic materials, sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) and carboxybetaine methacrylate (CBMA), for controlling the adhesion and directionality of cells relevant to neural prosthetics. CBMA and SBMA polymers were photopolymerized and grafted on glass surfaces then characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle, and protein adsorption. Micropatterned surfaces were fabricated with alternating zwitterionic and uncoated bands. Fibroblasts, cells prevalent in fibrotic tissue, almost exclusively migrate and grow on uncoated bands with little to no cells present on zwitterionic bands, especially for CBMA-coated surfaces. Astrocytes and Schwann cells showed similarly low levels of cell adhesion and morphology changes when cultured on zwitt...
Armed Forces, Police and Crime-fighting in Latin America

Over the past two decades, the armed forces have increasingly been asked to take an active role in the fight against the rampant crime in Latin America. Since the militaries in this region are not always trained to conduct themselves with restraint, the possibility of excesses and human rights violations is always latent. Despite that prospect, there is a high level of public support for military counter-crime interventions throughout the region. The key argument in this article is that when the Latin American public supports military interventions to combat crime, it makes a comparative judgment call about the relative efficacy of military vs. police conduct in domestic security roles. Latin American citizens have very low confidence in the capacity of the police to fight crime effectively and to respect human rights. They place more trust in the armed forces as an institution capable of performing effectively and in accordance with human rights standards and the rule of law. This study develops these arguments in greater detail and then turns to recent Americas Barometer surveys that clearly show that Latin American citizens place more trust in the armed forces than the police as an institution capable of effectively and humanely fighting criminal violence.
On the Role of Switching Costs and Decision Reversibility in Information Technology Adoption and Investment

Managerial decisions on the adoption of innovative technologies by a firm are made under conditions of uncertainty and must account for network externalities that imply the benefit of a technology is received not only from its intrinsic payoff, but also from the size of the network of other adopters. The theoretical model presented in this study demonstrates that for firms evaluating information technology investment with network effects key determinants of the technology selection pattern are adoption reversibility and switching costs. If switching costs are sufficiently high to make technology adoption irreversible then safer established technologies have an advantage as choosing a riskier untested technology opens the firm to the risk of being stranded without a network of followers. With lower switching costs, the technology adoption decision is reversible which provides an advantage to riskier untested technologies. A discussion of empirical evidence on adoption patterns in information technology provides application for the theoretical model.
An Integral Equation Theory for the Widom–Rowlinson Mixture

The Widom–Rowlinson mixture is a two-component fluid in which like species do not interact and unlike species interact via a hard-core repulsion. As the density is increased, this fluid phase separates. Standard integral equation approaches, such as the Percus–Yevick or hypernetted chain, or thermodynamically self-consistent hybirds of these two, make very inaccurate predictions for the location of this critical point in the three-dimensional model. In this article we suggest a family of new approximations for this model that rely on incorporating terms in the density expansion of the direct correlation function into the closure approximation. We show that the simplest of these closures is significantly more accurate than previous theories for the structure and thermodynamics of the fluid.
Medication Use in Women and Men With Sudden Unexpected Death

Background: In Wake County, NC, sudden unexpected death accounts for 10% to 15% of all natural deaths in individuals 18 to 64 years old. Medications such as aspirin, angiotensin-converting enzyme i...
Bag2 Is a Component of a Cytosolic Extraction Machinery That Promotes Membrane Penetration of a Nonenveloped Virus.

During entry, the nonenveloped polyomavirus (PyV) simian virus 40 (SV40) traffics from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it penetrates the ER membrane to reach the cytosol; the virus is then transported into the nucleus to cause infection. Although a coherent understanding of SV40's host entry is emerging, how the virus is ejected from the ER into the cytosol remains mysterious. Our previous analyses revealed that the cytosolic Hsc70-SGTA-Hsp105 complex binds to SV40 and extracts it from the ER into the cytosol. We now report that the nucleotide exchange factor (NEF) Bag2 stimulates SV40 release from Hsc70, thereby enabling successful virus arrival at the cytosol, which leads to infection. Hsp105, another NEF of Hsc70, displays a function overlapping that of Bag2, underscoring the importance of this release reaction. Our findings identify a new component of an extraction machinery essential during membrane penetration of a nonenveloped virus and provide further mechanistic insights into this process. IMPORTANCE How a nonenveloped virus penetrates a biological membrane to cause infection is a mystery. For the nonenveloped polyomavirus SV40, transport across the ER membrane to reach the cytosol is an essential virus infection step. Here, we identify a novel component of a cytosolic Hsc70-dependent chaperone complex called Bag2 that extracts SV40 from the ER into the cytosol. Bag2 does this by triggering SV40 release from Hsc70, thus ensuring that the virus reaches the cytosol en route for productive infection.
The Differential Effects of Actual and Perceived Polarization

Recent work on the nature of mass polarization has revealed that individuals perceive more polarization than actually exists, meaning they assume that out-party members are farther from them on the liberal-conservative continuum than they actually are according to measures of their personal preferences. But what are the consequences of this biased perception, and how do they differ from the consequences of actual polarization? In this paper, we use American National Election Studies data to estimate actual and perceived polarization at the individual level from 1972–2012. We find that the two types of polarization, while related themselves, are differentially related to other attitudinal and behavioral outcomes of normative interest. Namely, we find that perceived polarization is more strongly related to negative affective evaluations of out-parties and out-party candidates, voting, participation, trust, and efficacy than is actual polarization, which shares much weaker relationships with these constructs.
Overview of Electrolyte and Fluid Transport Across the Conjunctiva

The conjunctiva lines the inner surface of the eyelids (the palpebral conjunctiva) and the scleral surface of the globe (the bulbar conjunctiva). It contains a surface epithelium and a substantia propria. The connective tissue of the latter harbors immune cells and is highly vascular. The established major functions of the conjunctiva are to provide mucus for the tear film and to protect the ocular surface from pathogens, both as a physical barrier and as a source of inflammatory cells. Recent work has characterized the active transport properties of the conjunctival epithelium. The epithelium is capable of transporting fluid as a consequence of a sufficiently high water permeability bestowed by endogenous water channels (aquaporins) and transepithelial solute movement due to active transport mechanisms. This article includes a synopsis of the current understanding of the electrolyte and fluid transport across the conjunctiva.
From Rai stones to Blockchains: The transformation of payments

Abstract Computer technology has dramatically changed the marketplace, including the way we make payments. Electronic access to funds expands liquidity and the relationships within payment networks allow strangers to build bridges of trust, increasing trade and human interaction. But electronic payment channels have also presented new challenges in security and privacy, including new forms of criminal behavior and tax avoidance for governments to address. This essay outlines some of the legal, social, and technological implications from this transformation of payments and assesses future challenges in the electronic payments frontier.
Regulation of Gonadotrophin and Prolactin Secretion by Hypothalamic Neurohumoral Factors

The secretion of gonadotrophins and prolactin by the adenohypo-physis is influenced by a variety of environmental and hormonal factors. There are many examples of neurally mediated environmental influences. Exposure of rats to constant lighting results in the development of constant vaginal oestrus associated with a blockade of cyclic ovulation. Lactation, presumably operating via the stimulus of nursing, augments prolactin release and inhibits secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) (McCann and Ramirez, 1964; Everett, 1964).
Butterfly Wings: Nature’s Fluttering Kaleidoscope

The butterfly amazes people not just for its beautiful, kaleidoscope-like appearance but also its potential for mimicry, which is evident in its high adaptability in various kinds of environments. Each butterfly has a particular wing structure and corresponding living habit. Although their iridescent colors attract the most attention, other characteristics like their anti-wetting property and heat dissipation due to their special surface structure are also interesting and inspiring. On the micro-scale, we see that the wings of butterflies are not as smooth as they seem; SEM observations show that the wing surface is covered by a large number of quadrate scales that overlap each other and are orderly arranged along the radial outward (RO) direction. Once magnified to the nano-scale level, research revealed that each scale consisted of ridging stripes that could be further split into multiple layers separated by air (Zheng et al.. Soft Matter 3:178–182, 2007). The iridescent effect observed in many species of butterflies is the product of the periodical multi-layers of their scales, which give rise to multiple internal reflection, refraction, and interference events (Herring, Comp Biochem Physiol A Physiol 109(3):513–546, 1994). Like lotus and rice leaves, butterfly wings are superhydrophobic, which enable them to keep their wings clean and dry (Zheng et al., Soft Matter 3:178–182, 2007). Butterfly wing replication has been explored by the scientific community in order to reproduce these outstanding properties. Dai et al. proposed a procedural texture generation approach using traits of iteration behavior to achieve the surface texture of butterfly wings (Dai et al., Visual Comput 11(4):177–187, 1995). SiO2 inverse structure replicas using butterfly wings as templates in a sol-gel process have been attempted as well (Xu et al., Nano Res 4(8):737–745, 2011). Finally, Kang et al. used a molding lithography technique to fabricate a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) replica of the multi-layered scales on the upper surface of a Morpho butterfly (Kang et al., Curr Appl Phys 10(2):625–630, 2010).
Analytical Techniques for the Study of Teratogenic Mechanisms

The main reason for studying teratogenic mechanisms is the presumption that if they were better understood, improved therapy and prevention of birth defects might result. More knowledge might also lead to an understanding of interspecies differences and to development of better methods for testing potential teratogens than are now available.
Estimating Plant Centers Using A Deep Binary Classifier

Phenotyping is the process of estimating the physical and chemical properties of a plant. Traditional phenotyping is labor intensive and time consuming. These measurements can be obtained faster by collecting aerial images with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and analyzing them using modern image analysis technologies. We propose a method to estimate plant centers by classifying each pixel as a plant center or not a plant center. We then label the center of each cluster as the plant location. We studied the performance of our method on two datasets. We achieved 84% precision and 90% recall on one dataset consisting of early stage plants and 62% precision and 77% recall on another dataset consisting of later stage plants.
Electrophilic substitution of organosilicon compounds

Quantitative electrophilic allylation of 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-chloropentane (TMP-Cl) a molecule which closely mimics the tert-chlorine termini of\(\mathop - \limits^t Cl - PIB - \mathop - \limits^t Cl\) by allyltrimethylsilane (AllylSiMe3) has been accomplished and the product 4,4,6,6-tetramethyl-1-heptene (TMP-allyl), a new organic compound, has been characterized by1H NMR spectroscopy. The synthesis was carried out by the use of Et2AlCl or TiCl4 using CH2Cl2 or CH3Cl or CH2Cl2-C6H14 solvent systems in the range from −70 to 0°C. The allylation efficiency sequence of the Lewis acids studied was: Et2AlCl > TiCl4 > SnCl4 ≫ BCl3. Varying the temperature from −70° to 20°C moderately affected the conversions with lower temperatures being preferable. A dramatic solvent effect was observed: While in the presence of 30% CH2Cl2 both allylation efficiency and rate were very high, in hexanes allylation was strongly retarded. Vinyltrimethylsilane (VinylSiMe3), a potential vinylating agent, was inactive under the same conditions.
A Dual Approach for the Management of Complex Craniovertebral Junction Abnormalities: Endoscopic Endonasal Odontoidectomy and Posterior Decompression with Fusion.

Background Ventral brainstem compression secondary to complex craniovertebral junction abnormality is an infrequent cause of neurologic deterioration in pediatric patients. However, in cases of symptomatic, irreducible ventral compression, 360° decompression of the brainstem supported by posterior stabilization may provide the best opportunity for improvement in symptoms. More recently, the endoscopic endonasal corridor has been proposed as an alternative method of odontoidectomy associated with less morbidity. We report the largest single case series of pediatric patients using this dual-intervention surgical technique. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent posterior occipitocervical decompression and instrumentation followed by endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy performed to relieve neurologic impingement involving the ventral brainstem and craniocervical junction. Methods Between January 2011 and February 2017, 7 patients underwent posterior instrumented fusion followed by endonasal endoscopic odontoidectomy at our unit. Standardized clinical and radiological parameters were assessed before and after surgery. A univariate analysis was performed to assess clinical and radiologic improvement after surgery. Results A total of 14 operations were performed on 7 pediatric patients. One patient had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 1 patient had a Chiari 1 malformation, and the remaining 5 patients had Chiari 1.5 malformations. Average extubation day was postoperative day 0.9. Average day of initiation of postoperative feeds was postoperative day 1.0. Conclusions The combined endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy and posterior decompression and fusion for complex craniovertebral compression is a safe and effective procedure that appears to be well tolerated in the pediatric population.
Jews in Poland and Russia: A Short History

A very readable and comprehensive overview that examines the realities of Jewish life while setting them in their political, economic, and social contexts.
Simultaneous estimation of battery electric vehicle adoption with endogenous willingness to pay

Abstract To alleviate climate change and health issues caused by the transportation sector, a number of countries and sub-national regions have enacted policies to promote adoption of plug-in vehicles, including policies encouraging the battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption. Despite the potential benefits of BEVs to both society and consumers, barriers such as high purchase price and limited driving range impede the widespread adoption of BEVs, as evidenced by the small market share of BEVs at present. There is a need to better understand the process in which people make vehicle decisions, and more importantly the value they are willing to pay for purchasing a vehicle. This study employs a bivariate model, wherein a binary probit model of BEV adoption is simultaneously estimated with a log-linear regression of willingness to pay (WTP). The model accounts for the endogeneity of WTP to the equation of BEV adoption and also captures the cross-equation error correlation between the two model components. The estimation results using the 2016 California Vehicle Survey determines the associated influence of factors such as socio-economic characteristics, residential energy sources and prices, and travel behavior, as well as two sets of attitudinal/preferential factors including importance of vehicle attributes and BEV concern factors. The sensitivity analysis of the results reveals that BEV owners are more inclined towards adding another BEV to their households than those with other fuel types and it can be inferred that consumers’ familiarity with the benefits and costs of BEVs may lead to its higher adoption rates.
High Carrier Mobility in HgTe Quantum Dot Solids ImprovesMid-IR Photodetectors

Improved mid-infrared photoconductors based on colloidal HgTe quantum dots are realized using a hybrid ligand exchange and polar phase transfer. The doping can also be controlled n and p by adjusti...
Stromal Markers of Breast Cancer Progression: A Review of Recent Findings

Breast cancer research has long focused on breast epithelium in cancer development. This traditional view is being challenged by more recent work which suggests that stromal components such as fibroblasts, immune cells, endothelial cells, and others may play a central role in cancer development. The purpose of this review is to investigate the elements of the breast stroma and their interaction with the epithelium in creating the necessary pro-tumorigenic environment. Several studies have revealed that breast cancer stroma differs significantly from normal breast stroma, with altered cellular and molecular factors that may serve as potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer treatment. Studies of the complex interactions within the cancer ecosystem have revealed tumor-associated stromal changes that promote cell growth and invasiveness. They also reveal specific targets for novel strategies to inhibit inflammation, immunosuppression, angiogenesis, and distant invasion.
Sport and the Quest for Unity: How the Logic of Consensus Undermines Democratic Culture:

In response to the political protest of National Football League (NFL) player Colin Kaepernick and subsequent controversial comments from President Donald Trump, New England Patriots owner Robert K...
Surface properties and interactions of transition metal oxide nanoparticles: A perspective on sustainability

Lithium intercalation compounds represent a class of technologically relevant nanoparticles that have revolutionized energy storage, namely, in their practical application as cathode materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries. An important class of such materials is the lithium metal oxides with the form LiMO2, where M represents Fe, Mn, Co, or Ni. The demand for these materials has led to a rapid increase in production volume in the last decade; however, there is very little infrastructure in place for disposal of these materials after use and very little is known about their transformations under environmental conditions. In this perspective, the authors highlight recent work investigating the surface properties of these materials to gain a fundamental molecular-level understanding of the transformations of complex metal oxides in experimental and computational studies.
Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation in Left Atrium of Living Swine

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the western world. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently conducted to treat AF. However, current PVI procedures for lesion formation are guided only with indirect information, which may lead to non-transmural lesions, and contribute to the high recurrence of AF. Therefore, direct lesion quality feedback may potentially improve PVI efficacy. To study the real-time direct guidance capability of polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PSOCT), a custom-designed integrated PSOCT-RFA catheter was prototyped and tested in RFA procedures in the left atria of living swine.
Effects of healthy behavioral capability and psychological resilience on breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparas

Objective To analyze the relationship between healthy behavioral capability, psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparas. Methods Totally 140 primiparas who delivered in Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University from September 2018 to March 2019 were selected by convenient sampling and investigated with the Demographic Information Questionnaire, Self-rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale (SRAHP) , The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) . The relationship between healthy behavioral capability, psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparas was then analyzed based on the data. Totally 140 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 137 valid questionnaires were collected, accounting for an effective recovery rate of 97.86%. Results The total SRAHP score of the 137 primiparas was (68.25±13.85) , whose total average score of the different items of this scale was (2.43±0.92) . The total CD-RISC score of the 137 primiparas was (57.41±13.82) , whose total average score of the different items of this scale was (2.30±1.22) . The total BSES-SF score of the 137 primiparas was (48.83±10.87) , whose total average score of the different items of this scale was (3.87±1.26) . Pearson correlation analysis showed that there were positive correlations between the dimensions of healthy behavioral capability, the dimensions of psychological resilience and the scores of breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparas (P<0.01) . Healthy behavioral capability showed a mediating effect between psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy in primiparas, accounting for 37.19% of the total effect. Conclusions There is a positive correlation between breastfeeding self-efficacy and the level of healthy behavioral capability and psychological resilience, and the level of healthy behavioral capability plays a mediating role between psychological resilience and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Therefore, enhancing psychological resilience and the level of healthy behavior can significantly improve the self-efficacy of breastfeeding, which has a significant effect on the breastfeeding rate of primiparas. Key words: Resilience, psychological; Breast feeding; Primipara; Health behavioral capability; Self-efficacy
The Lateral Breast Flap Sling: A Novel Technique for the Revision of Autologous Breast Reconstructions.

Introduction A wide breast footprint is a common complaint expressed by breast reconstruction patients following abdominally-based autologous breast reconstruction. Our aim is to describe the lateral autologous breast sling, a novel technique, which modifies the lateral flap inset to address this common patient complaint. Methods A review of consecutive women who underwent the lateral autologous breast flap sling procedure over a four-year period was completed. Patient demographics, oncologic treatment, operative interventions, surgical indications, and complications were evaluated. Results Fourteen patients underwent 21 lateral autologous breast flap sling procedures with a mean follow-up of 18 months. Eleven patients underwent delayed breast reconstruction while three were completed immediately, including one patient who had concurrent unilateral mastectomy, free tissue transfer, and a lateral breast sling procedure. Revision surgery was sought for breast asymmetry, excessive lateral breast tissue, and poor superior pole volume. Simultaneous revision procedures were performed in 12 patients and included fat grafting, abdominal donor site revision, contralateral breast reduction, and V to Y advancement of the lateral breast/ chest soft tissues. Reconstruction was complete in 10 patients, with an average duration of 13.5 months and four reconstructive procedures. There were no major perioperative complications. Three patients developed fat necrosis following lipofilling and two of these patients required drainage and/or excision of fat necrosis. Conclusions The lateral autologous breast flap sling technique adds to the armamentarium for narrowing the wide breast and improving the lateral breast curve. It may be performed in combination with other revision procedures. The use of this technique is associated with a low complication rate and does not significantly increase the total number of reconstructive procedures or duration of reconstruction. This technique may be useful during initial free tissue transfer.
Comparative Incentive Systems

The term ‘incentive’ (from Latin incentivum ‘something that sets the tune’) is a tangible and/or intangible reward that motivates people and creates favorable environmental conditions to maximize performance to achieve specific goals in organization or competition and/or society.
Novel brain gene-expression patterns are associated with a novel predaceous behaviour in tadpoles.

Novel behaviours can spur evolutionary change and sometimes even precede morphological innovation, but the evolutionary and developmental contexts for their origins can be elusive. One proposed mec...