cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface reactions in microelectronics process technology.

Current integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing consists of more than 800 process steps, nearly all of which involve reactions at surfaces that significantly impact device yield and performance. From initial surface preparation through film deposition, patterning, etching, residue removal, and metallization, an understanding of surface reactions and interactions is critical to the successful continuous scaling, yield, and reliability of electronic devices. In this review, some of the most important surface reactions that drive the development of microelectronic device fabrication are described. The reactions discussed do not constitute comprehensive coverage of this topic in IC manufacture but have been selected to demonstrate the importance of surface/interface reactions and interactions in the development of new materials, processing sequences, and process integration challenges. Specifically, the review focuses on surface reactions related to surface cleaning/preparation, semiconductor film growth, diele...
ISOLATED LEUKEMIA CUTIS AND CNS INVOLVEMENT IN COMBINATION WITH CYTOGENETIC FINDINGS OF TRISOMY 8-TWO CASE REPORTS

We describe two patients who showed a very similar, but atypical course of acute myelogenous leukemia. They demonstrated skin nodules, spinal fluid and CNS involvement whereas bone marrow and blood remained clear. Nonetheless both had cytogenetic findings of trisomy 8 in the marrow and were resistant to a combination of cytarabine, idarubicin, fludarabine, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor.
Analysis of encoding in 1+1-EA

This paper employs a Markov model to study the relative performance of binary and Gray coding in the 1+1-EA. The expected first passage time to optimality is used as the metric of comparison. The results indicate that while there is not much difference between the two for all possible functions, Gray coding does not necessarily improve performance for functions which have fewer local optima in the Gray representation than in binary. The relative performance is affected by changes in the algorithm parameter (mutation probability).
Pharmacokinetics and in vivo specificity of [LLC]dl-threo-methylphenidate for the presynaptic dopaminergic neuron

dl-threo-Methylphenidate (Ritalin) was labeled with carbon-11 (t1/2:20.4 minutes) in order to measure its pharmacokinetics, to evaluate it as a radiotracer for the presynaptic dopaminergic neuron, and to examine its sensitivity to the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Positron emission tomographic (PET) studies were carried out in the baboon to determine specificity for the presynaptic dopaminergic neuron and in humans to assess sensitivity to neuronal loss. Studies with [11C]dl-threo-methylphenidate ([11C]MP) in baboon demonstrated high regional uptake in the striatum. Peak uptake (0.04%/cc) occurred at 5-15 minutes post-injection. The half-time for clearance from peak uptake for [11C]MP was 60 minutes and the ratio between the radioactivity in the striatum and that in the cerebellum (ST/CB) ranged from 2.2 to 2.6 at 40 minutes. Repeated measures in the same baboon showed < or = 8% variability in the ST/CB ratio. Pretreatment with unlabeled methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg) or GBR12909 (1.5 mg/kg) 30 minutes prior to [11C]MP injection markedly reduced the striatal but not the cerebellar uptake of [11C]MP, demonstrating the saturable and specific binding of [11C]MP to a site on the dopamine transporter in the brain. In both cases, the ratio of striatum to cerebellum (ST/CB) after pretreatment was reduced by about 43%. The ratios of distribution volumes at the steady-state for the striatum to cerebellum (ST/CB) for these two separate studies in the same baboon were reduced by 37 and 38%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Five easy pieces : The obesity paradigm

See related article, pages 626–634 Efforts to eradicate cardiovascular disease (CVD) are progressing no faster than The Race for the Cure 1 is in breast cancer. In the case of CVD, although therapies for the ravages of atherosclerosis continue to improve, the prevalence of disease is more than keeping pace. Recently, the World Health Organization has predicted that today’s 17 million deaths worldwide attributable to heart disease and stroke will increase to more than 20 million by the year 2020, thus becoming the leading cause of death and disability in the world.2 Most commonly blamed factors for the increase in CVD are increases in insulin resistance and type II diabetes as a result of dietary changes and more sedentary lifestyles. Indeed, the pieces of the puzzle seem to be comprehensible. (1) Accompanying the changes in diet and lifestyle, the prevalence of obesity has exploded. (2) Innumerable studies have established that obesity predisposes to insulin resistance, a harbinger of type II diabetes. (3) Nearly all serum and histochemical markers of inflammation are increased in insulin resistance and diabetes. (4) Obesity also tips the balance between fibrinolysis and thrombosis toward the latter. (5) Obesity is, thus, a major risk factor for CVD and stroke. The data supporting this paradigm are intellectually compelling, and appear as unassailable as the Cadbury Fortress (the reputed site of King Arthur’s Camelot) and supported by the scientific community at the highest levels.3 So why question this paradigm? Because reports continue to appear that bring the theory into question, most recently the results from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Randomized Controlled Dietary Modification Trial.4 The WHI enrolled nearly 50 000 postmenopausal women, ages 50 to 79. The subjects were randomized into …
Behavioral Approaches to Individual Differences in Substance Abuse

The plethora of theories that attempt to account for substance abuse include a bewildering assortment drawn from a broad cross-section of the life sciences. Recently, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Lettieri, Sayers, and Pearson, 1980) reviewed 43 contemporary theories of drug abuse, representing nine different disciplines, including psychiatry, sociology, criminology, anthropology, biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, and psychology. Within psychology alone the theories were further subdivided into general, learning, social, and developmental psychology. Abbreviated titles such as life theme, family, neuropharmacological, bioanthropological, self-derrogation, incomplete mourning, existential, biological rhythm, ego/self, conditioning, and interactive framework theory were described as representative selections from contemporary perspectives. Although some of the theories involved concepts from more than one discipline, few of them would qualify as truly multidisciplinary in approach.
Abstract 11698: Myocardial Scar Imaging With Collagen-targeting Gold Nanoparticles

Background: In the setting of myocardial ischemia, recovery of myocardial function by revascularization procedures depends on the extent of coronary disease and myocardial scar burden. Currently, computed tomographic (CT) imaging offers superior evaluation of coronary lesions but lacks the capability to detect the transmural extent of myocardial scar. The objectives of this study are to determine if collagen-targeting gold nanotracers can effectively target myocardial scar and provide contrast for CT imaging. Methods: Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were coated with a collagen-homing peptide, collagen adhesin (CNA35). Myocardial scar was created in mice by occlusion/ reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Thirty days after the injury, un-gated CT imaging was performed with a GE Ultra flat panel CT scanner. The heart was harvested at 6h after AuNPs injection. Picrosirius Red and silver staining were performed to evaluate the extent of collagen deposition and retention of CNA35-AuNPs in the myocardium. Results: Over 6h, CNA35-AuNPs provided uniform and prolonged opacification of the vascular structures (100-150 HU). In mice with larger scar burden, focal contrast enhancement was detected in the myocardium, which was not apparent within that of control mice and mice with smaller scar burden. Picrosirius Red staining confirmed a range of sizes of myocardial scar formation, which correlated with the amount of silver enhancement - a surrogate marker of AuNPs retention. In control mice, there was no evidence of collagen deposition or silver enhancement within the myocardium. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of using CNA35 AuNPs for vascular imaging and specific collagen targeting in the myocardial scar. This combined use of a nanomaterial with higher attenuation than traditional CT contrast agents and specific targeting mechanism for myocardial scar burden may expand the applications of cardiovascular CT imaging.
Simultaneous transfer of noble metals and three-dimensional micro- and nanopatterns onto zein for fabrication of nanophotonic platforms

In this paper, we report a method to manufacture green nanophotonic sensors made of corn protein zein. The method is direct transfer of three-dimensional metallic (gold and silver) nanostructures onto biodegradable zein films. We have transferred both micro-scale and nano-scale structures with several geometries. Inverted and positive pyramid structures, with 2 μm by 2 μm square base, nanopores, and nanopillars with an approximately 250 nm diameter were successfully transferred onto zein along with 200- and 80-nm-thick gold layers onto pyramids and nanopillars/pores, respectively. Rhodamine 6G was used as a model molecule for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) measurements, and it was found that the inverted pyramid gold zein sensors had the highest enhancement factor, compared to the other zein sensors. The novel zein sensor platform we developed has the potential to serve as a biodegradable SERS platform for applications in agricultural, medical, and food analysis purposes.
The Epidemiologic and Economic Impact of Improving HIV Testing, Linkage, and Retention in Care in the United States

Background. Recent guidelines advocate early antiretroviral therapy (ART) to decrease human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) morbidity and prevent transmission, but suboptimal engagement in care may compromise impact. We sought to determine the economic and epidemiologic impact of incomplete engagement in HIV care in the United States. Methods. We constructed a dynamic transmission model of HIV among US adults (aged 15–65 years) and conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of improvements along the HIV care continuum. We evaluated enhanced HIV testing (annual for high-risk groups), increased 3-month linkage to care (to 90%), and improved retention (50% relative reduction in yearly disengagement and 50% increase in reengagement). Our primary outcomes were HIV incidence, mortality, costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Results. Despite early ART initiation, a projected 1.39 million (95% uncertainty range [UR], 0.91–2.2 million) new HIV infections will occur at a (discounted) cost of $256 billion ($199–298 billion) over 2 decades at existing levels of HIV care engagement. Enhanced testing with increased linkage has modest epidemiologic benefits and could reduce incident HIV infections by 21% (95% UR, 13%–26%) at a cost of $65 700 per QALY gained ($44 500–111 000). By contrast, comprehensive improvements that couples enhanced testing and linkage with improved retention would reduce HIV incidence by 54% (95% UR, 37%–68%) and mortality rate by 64% (46%–78%), at a cost-effectiveness ratio of $45 300 per QALY gained ($27 800–72 300). Conclusions. Failure to improve engagement in HIV care in the United States leads to excess infections, treatment costs, and deaths. Interventions that improve not just HIV screening but also retention in care are needed to optimize epidemiologic impact and cost-effectiveness.
The Current Revolution in Cryo-EM

Structural biology is the study of the molecular architecture of proteins and nucleic acids, which are the basis for all life forms. Structural biology came into its own as a field during the 1950s when the atomic structures of DNA (1) and several globular proteins (2) were solved. Knowledge of these structures alone is not enough to understand their functions, but it has become clear that a detailed mechanistic picture of function is not possible without structural information. Studying structure can reveal how molecules have evolved, and this type of insight would otherwise be lost by looking at only the molecule’s sequence.
Nuclear engineering

“Atomic power” depends upon the possibility of producing a chain reaction, analogous to that of burning, which will be self-sustaining. Only when the fission of uranium was discovered did nuclear energy become of engineering concern. This is the fourth in a series of articles developed by the AIEE nucleonics committee.
Upper limit for binding in the dilute magnetic alloys

The Anderson model Hamiltonian has been used to study the binding energy at finite temperature between a magnetic impurity and the conduction electrons. By employing the extended Hartree-Fock approximation to a cluster variational calculation we have derived a critical temperature which gives an upper limit for binding in such a system.
Differential Bone-Refuse Accumulation in Food-Preparation and Traffic Areas on an Early Ecuadorian House Floor

Ethnographic observations of floor formation in an occupied and an abandoned Achuar jea dwelling structure are combined with contemporary taphonomic studies of swept and trampled surfaces. These studies suggest that refuse accumulation and incorporation are markedly different in food-preparation areas with ash deposits around fixed hearth features when compared to regularly trampled traffic areas of domestic earthen house floors. These points are examined in the horizontal and vertical analysis of highly fragmented bone remains in an Early Formative domestic house floor at the site of Real Alto, in the coastal lowlands of southwestern Ecuador. The food-preparation area of the Structure 1 house floor contained high concentrations of bone specimens characterized by their large size (over 25 mm), broad surface area, low bulk density, and greater total weight, vertically distributed throughout the ash matrix. The traffic area contained bone specimens characterized by their small size (under 25 mm), narrow surface area, high bulk density, and lower total weight, distributed unevenly in vertical profile. The horizontal distribution of fish bone only partially followed the observed pattern, as a proportionately greater amount of large fish bone was located in the traffic area. This analysis demonstrates the potential utility of bone refuse as a sensitive and reliable taphonomic indicator for inferential arguments regarding house-floor deposition.
Neuropsychology and neurophysiology of schizophrenia

Distinctive profiles of neuropsychological impairment and neurophysiological abnormalities exist in schizophrenia.At the cognitive level, these impairments appear to involve various aspects of working, semantic, and secondary memory. Some of these deficits may be unresponsive to neuroleptic medicati
Immunization strategy for prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Women of childbearing age are a logical target for a vaccine aimed at prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. However, the impact of a CMV vaccine could likely be enhanced by considering the sources of maternal infection and characteristics of mothers of infected newborns. Contact with preschool-age children and sexual activity are important sources of CMV infection for young women. Approximately half of infants with congenital CMV infection in the U.S. are born to unmarried, adolescent mothers. To prevent CMV infection in those who are the sources of maternal infection as well as in young, unmarried mothers, universal immunization of toddlers and preteen children should be considered.
Udienze congressuali: ragionevoli e opportune

Dopo che si sparse la voce dell’abboccamento di Miss Cobb e Mrs Hart con Lyndon Johnson, nell’ufficio del vicepresidente iniziarono a fioccare moltissime lettere, che vennero smistate tra i giovani tirocinanti per essere evase. La maggior parte era di donne che facevano pressione affinche Johnson appoggiasse la causa di Jerrie e Janey. “Credo che l’intelligenza, il patriottismo, l’intraprendenza e la capacita creativa delle donne siano le risorse piu sprecate in questo Paese”, scrisse una donna [1]. Altre, ispirate dall’idea delle donne nello spazio, si offrirono volontarie per il lavoro in campo astronautico. “Sono una donna americana nera. Ho passato la quarantina. Sono in buona salute. Penso che ci sia un lavoro per me, nel programma. Per favore, datemi la possibilita di essere d’aiuto” [2]. Ovviamente, non tutte le lettere erano favorevoli. Una, firmata semplicemente “Uno scapolo”, lamentava il fatto che ormai si stava arrivando al punto che un uomo non poteva piu andare da nessuna parte senza ritrovarsi una donna tra i piedi [3].
Ischemic myocardial protection. Comparison of nonoxygenated crystalloid, oxygenated crystalloid, and oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegic solutions.

This study was designed to compare myocardial protection with a nonoxygenated crystalloid solution, an oxygenated crystalloid solution, and an oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegic solution. Postischemic ventricular performance was studied in three equal (N = 7) groups of dogs subjected to 120 minutes of global ischemia induced at an average myocardial temperature of 18.5° ± 1.4° C (range 17.0° to 21.0° C). Left ventricular global and regional function was evaluated by sonomicrometry and micromanometers before ischemia and at 45 and 60 minutes after ischemia. Stroke volume index, left ventricular pressure-minor external diameter loop area, percent shortening, first derivative of left ventricular pressure, mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, and the slope of the end-systolic pressure were used to evaluate myocardial contractility. In vitro oxygen content of the three cardioplegic solutions was measured at a mean injection temperature of 8.3° ± 0.6° C: 0.8 ± 0.1 vol% (nonoxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia), 3.2 ± 0.2 vol% (oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia), and 6.2 ± 0.2 vol% (oxygenated fluorocarbon cardioplegia). Recovery of global and regional function was significantly (p
Binding Preferences of Amino Acids for Gold Nanoparticles: A Molecular Simulation Study.

A better understanding of the binding preference of amino acids for gold nanoparticles of different diameters could aid in the design of peptides that bind specifically to nanoparticles of a given diameter. Here we identify the binding preference of 19 natural amino acids for three gold nanoparticles with diameters of 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 nm, and investigate the mechanisms that govern these preferences. We calculate potentials of mean force between 36 entities (19 amino acids and 17 side chains) and the three gold nanoparticles in explicit water using well-tempered metadynamics simulations. Comparing these potentials of mean force determines the amino acids’ nanoparticle binding preferences and if these preferences are controlled by the backbone, the side chain, or both. Twelve amino acids prefer to bind to the 4.0 nm gold nanoparticle, and seven prefer to bind to the 2.0 nm one. We also use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how water molecules near the nanoparticle influence the bindin...
Interdisciplinary Treatment for Upper Lip Support with Fixed Implant Supported Prosthesis Using a Sub Nasal Lip Lift

Increasing success with endosseous implants in edentulous patients has heightened the interest in using fixed prostheses in this patient population Despite this trend upper lip support has been a long standing challenge especially in patients with a thin elongated upper lip termed ldquo senile rdquo where the presence or absence of a flange compromises the esthetic and functional outcomes Although the conventional solution to reestablish elevation and support of the upper lip has been an anterior flange of a removable prosthesis fixed implant supported prostheses do not incorporate a flange for reasons of hygiene and maintenance In this case report a patient with atrophic maxillary edentulism and upper lip senility that sought fixed rehabilitation was identified Following pre surgical assessment of vertical facial proportions lip length and morphology and inter arch space a surgical upper lip length reduction was performed using the Subnasal Lip Lift SNLL technique months after the SNLL when the lip length stabilized the patient received fixed implant supported monolithic zirconia prosthesis without an anterior flange The desired amount of lip elevation and tooth display in the final prosthesis was achieved The lip length remained stable at the year follow up Subnasal scars were not evident by months abnormal lip dynamics were not observed and improved vermillion eversion was present
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of alkylamino biphenylamides as Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors.

Abstract Hsp90 is a promising therapeutic target for the development of anti-cancer agents due to its integral role in the stability and function of proteins associated with all ten hallmarks of cancer. Novobiocin, a coumarin antibiotic, was the first natural product identified that targeted the Hsp90 C-terminal domain and manifested anti-proliferative activity (SKBr3 IC50 ∼ 700 μM). Subsequent structural investigations on novobiocin led to analogues with significantly improved anti-proliferative activity against multiple cancer cell lines. In an effort to develop more efficacious and diverse analogues, it was recently found that the coumarin ring of novobiocin could be replaced with the biphenyl core without compromising activity. Based on these prior studies, a series of alkylamino biphenylamides was designed, synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity against two breast cancer cell lines. SAR studies demonstrated that the incorporation of an alkylamino side chain onto the biphenyl core improved anti-proliferative activity and resulted in compounds that exhibit sub-micromolar to mid-nanomolar activity through Hsp90 inhibition. Importantly, these studies indicate the presence of a hydrophilic region about the central core that can be exploited for the design of new inhibitors.
mda-7/IL-24 Mediates Cancer Cell–Specific Death via Regulation of miR-221 and the Beclin-1 Axis

Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/IL-24 (mda-7/IL-24) displays broad-spectrum anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo in preclinical animal models, and in a phase I/II clinical trial in patients with advanced cancers without harming normal cells or tissues. Here we demonstrate that mda-7/IL-24 regulates a specific subset of miRNAs, including cancer-associated miR-221. Either ectopic expression of mda-7/IL-24 or treatment with recombinant His-MDA-7 protein resulted in downregulation of miR-221 and upregulation of p27 and PUMA in a panel of cancer cells, culminating in cell death. Mda-7/IL-24-induced cancer cell death was dependent on reactive oxygen species induction and was rescued by overexpression of miR-221. Beclin-1 was identified as a new transcriptional target of miR-221, and mda-7/IL-24 regulated autophagy through a miR-221/beclin-1 feedback loop. In a human breast cancer xenograft model, miR-221-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 clones were more aggressive and resistant to mda-7/IL-24-mediated cell death than parental clones. This is the first demonstration that mda-7/IL-24 directly regulates miRNA expression in cancer cells and highlights the novelty of the mda-7/IL-24-miR-221-beclin-1 loop in mediating cancer cell-specific death. Cancer Res; 77(4); 949-59. ©2016 AACR.
Single Center Experience with Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: Rare instances of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been reported, constituting de novo cases. However, differentiating these cases from chronic myeloid leukemia presenting in blast phase (CML-BP) has proven difficult. Several clinical and pathologic criteria have been proposed to distinguish Ph+ AML from CML-BP, including absence of an antecedent hematologic disorder, lack of evidence of a chronic or accelerated phase of CML after induction therapy, infrequent splenomegaly and peripheral eosinophilia or basophilia, and bone marrow characteristics such as lower cellularity, basophilia, and myeloid:erythroid ratio. Methods: We searched the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center leukemia database to identify all pts that had been diagnosed with Ph+ AML by cytogenetic analysis, between 1980 and 2006. Clinical, laboratory, and hematopathologic data were reviewed in order to separate them into the following groups: Ph+ AML, CML-BP, acute biphenotypic leukemia, and indeterminate. The following scoring system was employed: 1 point (splenomegaly), 1 point (peripheral eosinophilia and/or basophilia), 1 point (bone marrow basophilia or additional copy of Ph+ chromosome or trisomy 8 or isochromosome17). Zero points was classified as Ph+ AML, 1 point as indeterminate, and 2–3 points as CML-BP. If there was evidence of an antecedent or post-remission chronic or accelerated phase, these cases were identified as CML-BP. Results: 31 patients (pts) were identified: 7 (23%) acute biphenotypic leukemia, 11 (35%) CML-BP, 9 (29%) Ph+ AML, and 4 (13%) indeterminate. Among the 9 pts with Ph+ AML the median age at diagnosis was 50 years (range, 35–76), initial white blood cell count 50 (range, 4–210), peripheral blast 64% (range, 0–96), and bone marrow blast 78% (range, 34–98). 7/9 (78%) pts had additional cytogenetic abnormalities apart from t(9;22)(q34;q11), most commonly deletion 7 (n=3). A variety of induction chemotherapy regimens were employed, including cytarabine based (n=6), gemtuzumab ozogamicin-based (n=2), anthracycline based (n=1), and with the addition of imatinib (n=1). 5/9 (56%) pts classified as Ph+ AML achieved a CR or CRp, 3 (33%) died during induction, and 1 (11%) was refractory. 3/5 pts that achieved remission relapsed, with a median CR duration of 35 weeks (range, 20–42) and median OS 58 weeks (range, 55–61). Stem cell transplant was employed in 2 pts, one refractory to induction therapy who died 34 weeks later and one transplanted in CR and alive at 56 weeks; this is also the only pt to be treated with imatinib, as part of induction therapy. The median overall survival for pts classified as Ph+ AML was 34 weeks (range, 2–64) and similar to that of pts reclassified as CML-BP, which was 64 weeks (range, 11–271) (p=0.15). Conclusion: Ph+ AML represents a rare entity that may be mistaken for de novo CML-BP. Herein, we propose a system to help with this differentiation. Clinical outcome is poor with conventional chemotherapy and combinations based on tyrosine kinase inhibitor-based therapy should be investigated.
Comprehensive evaluation of extracellular small RNA isolation methods from serum in high throughput sequencing

DNA and RNA fractions from whole blood, serum and plasma are increasingly popular analytes that are currently under investigation for their utility in the diagnosis and staging of disease. Small non-coding ribonucleic acids (sRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs) and their variant isoforms (isomiRs), and transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived small RNAs (tDRs) comprise a repertoire of molecules particularly promising in this regard. In this designed study, we compared the performance of various methods and kits for isolating circulating extracellular sRNAs (ex-sRNAs). ex-sRNAs from one healthy individual were isolated using five different isolation kits: Qiagen Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit, ThermoFisher Scientific Ambion TRIzol LS Reagent, Qiagen miRNEasy, QiaSymphony RNA extraction kit and the Exiqon MiRCURY RNA Isolation Kit. Each isolation method was repeated four times. A total of 20 small RNA sequencing (sRNAseq) libraries were constructed, sequenced and compared using a rigorous bioinformatics approach. The Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit had the greatest miRNA isolation variability, but had the lowest isolation variability for other RNA classes (isomiRs, tDRs, and other miscellaneous sRNAs (osRNA). However, the Circulating Nucleic Acid Kit consistently generated the fewest number of reads mapped to the genome, as compared to the best-performing method, Ambion TRIzol, which mapped 10% of the miRNAs, 7.2% of the tDRs and 23.1% of the osRNAs. The other methods performed intermediary, with QiaSymphony mapping 14% of the osRNAs, and miRNEasy mapping 4.6% of the tDRs and 2.9% of the miRNAs, achieving the second best kit performance rating overall. In summary, each isolation kit displayed different performance characteristics that could be construed as biased or advantageous, depending upon the downstream application and number of samples that require processing.
Global Justice in the Anthropocene

Scientists believe the world has entered a new geological epoch in which human economic activity is the primary driver of global environmental change. Known as the Anthropocene, this epoch is characterized by human domination and disruption of Earth system processes essential to the planet’s self-regulating capacity. The environmental problems of the Anthropocene are inextricably intertwined with patterns of trade, finance, investment, and production that have created an enormous and growing economic gap between and within affluent and poor countries. These divisions have often paralyzed international law-making, resulting in deadlocks in environmental treaty negotiations and agreements characterized by ambiguity, lack of ambition, and inadequate compliance and enforcement mechanisms. International environmental law is a field in crisis because the problems it currently confronts are deeply embedded in the existing economic order and cannot be adequately addressed by simply tinkering on the margins. As the planet’s ecosystems approach irreversible tipping points, it is essential to frame the ecological and economic crises of our time in the language of justice and morality. This chapter deploys the discourse of environmental justice to describe the challenges of the Anthropocene and to propose pathways toward a more just and sustainable economic order.
World Musical Instrument Collection, Department of Ethnomusicology, Herb Alpert School of Music, University of California, Los Angeles

The World Musical Instrument Collection (WMIC) is an outstanding collection of musical instruments from around the globe. Inaugurated in 1958, the collection–now numbering over 800 items–is one of ...
Postural control deficits in collegiate athletes following mild concussions within the first 48 hours

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of postural control deficits accompanying concussions in Division I collegiate athletes within 48 hours of injury. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting University Athletic Training Department & Biomechanics Laboratory. Participants Preseason baseline balance testing of 519 healthy Division I college athletes was performed with the BTrackS Balance Test (San Diego, CA). Of the baselined athletes, 26 (18–23 years; 14 females) experienced a concussion during the ensuing sport season. Post-injury balance testing was performed on these concussed athletes within 48 hours of injury. Additionally, 20 healthy young adults (19–25 years; 10 females) were baselined on 2 sessions 7 days apart. Outcome measures All testing consisted of three 20s trials of quiet unperturbed standing with eyes closed; feet shoulder width apart and hands on the hips. We calculated total centre of pressure (COP), COP antero-posterior (AP), and COP medio-lateral (ML) sway displacements. A principle component analysis was used to calculate the 99% confidence intervals (CI) of the COP area. Main results There were no preseason baseline differences in any of the balance measures between athletes and controls. However, postural displacement in all directions (AP, ML, and Total) increased significantly in athletes post-injury. Furthermore, ~80% of the increase in COP excursions was accounted for by a ~7 fold increase in the COP area post-injury. Conclusions Our findings are indicative of a decrease in postural control and multisensory integration post-concussion. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects and recovery from concussions in athletes. Competing interests One author (Goble) holds an equity stake in the parent company for the BTrackS Balance Plate. This conflict of interest was strictly managed by San Diego State University through a mitigation plan that limits his involvement in all primary aspects of data collection and analysis. All other authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
Hardware implementation of echo state networks using memristor double crossbar arrays

Neuromorphic computing systems are inspired by humans brains, where data are stored and processed at the same location. Contrary to von Neumann systems, neuromorphic computing systems offer excellent real-time processing for huge data sizes, at low costs and power consumption. Most of these systems rely on emerging new devices, such as memristors, to build crossbar arrays implementing different neural network topologies. The Echo State Network model is a special type of recurrent neural networks, which can correctly represent spatiotemporal dataset. In this paper, a new hardware implementation design for the Echo State Network model using memristor double crossbar arrays is proposed. Moreover, a detailed design procedure is proposed for designing and simulating the proposed architecture. The system has been evaluated using the ubiquitous Mackey-Glass dataset showing promising results, compared to the software implementation of the model. In addition, the system shows excellent immunity against memristor process variations.
Transplant artery thrombosis and outcomes

Post-transplantation allograft arterial thrombosis is a well-recognized complication associated with solid organ transplantation. Much of the literature is centered on liver and kidney transplantation, which will therefore serve as the principle basis for this review, with a brief discussion on pancreas transplantation and associated arterial complications. The number of solid organ transplants has been steadily increasing over the past decade in parallel with growing demand for organs and expansion of the transplantation criteria for both donors and recipients. This increase has been accompanied by a number of innovative medical advances and surgical techniques, as well as improved imaging that has allowed for thoughtful exploration of vascular anatomic variants and the possibilities for transplant with which they are associated. It has also been accompanied by a growing field of behavioral research, as potential recipients must weigh the risk of accepting certain organs based on perceived outcomes that may differ according to the quality of the underlying organ. Improvements in imaging technology have brought greater sensitivity to detecting arterial complications in post-operative surveillance examinations and have allowed for further development of tailored endovascular and surgical interventions for transplant-associated vascular complications. This review will focus on post-transplantation solid organ allograft artery thrombosis, including discussion of risk factors, diagnostic imaging, natural history, and therapeutic options.
Recent applications of electronic-nose technologies for the noninvasive early diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases

Conventional methods for diagnosing gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have involved analysis of headspace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the breath, urine, or fecal samples of patients. Most previous diagnostic testing methods have utilized purely metabolomic-type approaches to analyze VOCs with analytical instruments such as gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics, selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS), proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and field asymmetric ion mobility spectroscopy (FAIMS). These sophisticated and expensive methods usually involve the use of large immobile (non-portable) benchtop instruments, requiring extensive data manipulations and analyses along with advanced modeling procedures to achieve diagnostic interpretations of complex chemical data. Colonoscopies and biopsies are more invasive and discourage patient-participation in prophylactic GI-disease screenings. The more recent availability of portable electronic nose gas-sensing devices, developed with the aim of simplifying disease diagnoses by analysis of headspace VOC mixtures collectively using multi-sensor arrays, allow the production of disease-specific aroma signatures (VOC profiles) based on detection of precise complex mixtures of disease biomarker metabolites. Electronic-nose (e-nose) devices provide very fast results, are easy to operate, and are more readily applicable to clinical practice. This paper summarizes some very recent e-nose technologies being developed and tested for GI-disease diagnostic applications, including ones with dual-technology and multi-technology sensor arrays for both pattern recognition and identification of key-metabolite chemical species. In addition, novel portable electronic devices, developed with new operational mechanisms and sensor types, are described which offer possibilities of providing new means of diagnosing GI-tract diseases.
The ABC of PVS: problems of definition.

A prerequisite for any scientific discussion or study is a clear definition of the matter under consideration. With few topics is this both more pertinent and less heeded than with persistent vegetative state (PVS). The more one studies the literature on PVS, the less clear an entity it becomes. Multiple quasi-official definitions have been proposed, not all consistent with each other, and the literature is full of examples of “PVS” being formally defined in one way but used in other ways, even within the same article, resulting in invalid conclusions and inability to relate one study to another.
Optimal Spatiotemporal Management of Resources and Economic Activities Under Pollution Externalities

We propose a non-local spatial model for the study of the effects of pollution externalities on optimal resource management. The effects of the spatial variation and non-locality on the optimal state and the optimal policy are studied.
Autonomic Nervous System: Central Urogenital Control

Neural circuitry in the brain and spinal cord plays an essential role in the regulation of the urogenital organs. Central nervous control of these organs is complex, requiring the integration of autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) control of smooth muscle and glands with somatic control of striated muscle. Some urogenital functions (penile erection) are purely involuntary and mediated by reflex pathways in the spinal cord or brain stem; whereas others (micturition) are more complex, involving voluntary control by the cerebral cortex. Multiple neurotransmitters, including glutamic acid, dopamine, and serotonin, have been implicated in the central control of the urogenital organs.
Handling and Transporting Marine Fish

Sensitivity to handling for many species increases in the following order: Eggs Juveniles Adults Larvae
Joint Distributions: Discrete

The work in Part II was concerned mostly with one random variable. Actual experiments usually involve more than one outcome; an obvious case is the yield of a corn field which depends on (the random) rainfall, ground conditions, sunlight even though (the non–random) seed, fertilizer, irrigation might be used. Here we continue to explain some probabilistic concepts for multiple or joint random variables (random vectors) concentrating, in this lesson and the next, on the discrete case. Following that we shall treat a continuous case.
Impact of the Cancer Education Program on career paths of students.

Abstract A questionnaire sent to former University of North Carolina students who participated in the Cancer Education Program, a National Cancer Institute sponsored program designed to provide integrated educational opportunities in oncology for students in the health science schools, ascertained the career paths taken by students and elicited opinions regarding the impact of the program on those decisions. One hundred five surveys were returned. The opportunity to be involved in cancer research was the most common reason given for participation in the program (65 respondents). The opportunity to work with a specific faculty member (48) and improving academic credentials (44) were also important. Twenty‐three individuals changed their career goals after participation in this program, 20 decided to pursue cancer‐related careers, and 3 decided to avoid this field. One hundred three individuals were currently in health professions, 58 in academic, and 45 in community‐based practice. Twenty‐seven were not in...
A House Full of Females: Plural Marriage and Women’s Rights in Early Mormonism, by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017.

In A House Full of Females, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich argues that early Mormon women astutely used the organizational skills they learned while meeting together in the American wilderness and the poli...
A tribute to Jim Harrington (Conference Presentation)

Jim Harrington was a respected and loved member of our community. He attended all meetings since its inauguration. His passing away this year is a great loss. The conference committee members and friend will each present their personal interactions with jim.
Exploring Blue Space as a Tool for Promoting Good Fertilizer Practices among Florida Residential Fertilizer Users.

AbstractDifferences in attitudes, perceived behavioral control, social norms (i.e., influence of others), and intent to engage in good residential landscape fertilizer practices were examined among...
Pragmatic Health Assessment in Early Childhood: The PROMIS® of Developmentally Based Measurement for Pediatric Psychology.

Objective To illustrate the integration of developmental considerations into person-reported outcome (PRO) measurement development for application in early childhood pediatric psychology. Methods Combining the state-of-the-science Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) mixed-methods instrument development approach with considerations from developmental measurement science, we developed 12 PROMIS early childhood (PROMIS EC) parent report measures to evaluate common mental, social, and physical health outcomes for ages 1-5. Through this interdisciplinary effort, we identified key considerations for early childhood PROs that enable reliable and valid assessment within the real-world constraints of clinical care settings. Results Four key considerations are highlighted as key to this process: (a) Engage diverse content experts to identify meaningful and relevant constructs; (b) Balance salient features for early childhood with lifespan coherence of constructs; (c) Emphasize observable features across the typical/atypical spectrum; and (d) Ensure feasibility and relevancy for clinical and research application. Each consideration is discussed using exemplars from the PROMIS EC measurement development process. Conclusions PROMIS EC provides an illustration of how well-established PRO measures for youth can be adapted for younger children by incorporating developmental considerations. This process and resulting key considerations provide clinicians and researchers in the field of pediatric psychology with guidance for adapting PROs to early childhood, enabling critical continuity in domains of high salience to pediatric psychologists.
The Neurobiology of Decision Making in High-Risk Youth and the Law of Consent to Sex

Under certain circumstances, the law treats juvenile consent the same as it treats adult decisions, even though a growing body of scientific research demonstrates that children make decisions using less developed cognitive processes. This Article highlights the gaps and deficiencies of legal treatment of juvenile decisions in the context of sex with an adult, as well as integrates new scientific information regarding the decision making of minors in risky situations. Part I examines recent pediatric brain imaging findings during a risky decision-making task. Specifically, a new study demonstrates that brain scan results differed between juveniles at high risk for potentially harmful or criminal conduct and healthy children. These differences within juvenile populations support the notion that particular biological and environmental traits in children may further distinguish juvenile decision making from adult decision making. Part II explores the potential impact of these novel neurobiological findings on the legal treatment of juvenile “consent” to sexual activity. A discussion and summary of the juvenile sex crime statutes of all fifty states demonstrates how the law attributes legal capacity and ability to make legally binding decisions to even very young teenagers. Part II also highlights where state civil and criminal law treat juvenile “consent” inconsistently. Criminal and civil laws’ treatment of juvenile capacity, in the context of sexual activity with an adult, is not congruent with recent neurobiological discoveries regarding juvenile risk taking and decision making. Therefore, society should reconsider designations regarding legal capacity in light of novel neurobiological findings regarding decision making in juveniles.
Are Patent Trolls 'Opportunistic'?

A recent and widely received study by Lauren Cohen, Umit G. Gurun, and Scott Duke Kominers finds that non-practicing entities (NPEs) — pejoratively known as “patent trolls” — are “opportunistic” because they target defendants that (1) are cash-rich (particularly compared to practicing entity patentees), (2) operate in industries that “have nothing to do with the patent” in suit, (3) are staffed by small legal teams, and (4) are busy with numerous non-IP cases. Additionally, the authors conclude that defendants that lose in patent litigation with NPEs on average have marked declines in subsequent R & D expenditures, on the order of $200 million per year. On this basis, the authors suggest “the marginal policy response should be to more carefully limit the power of NPEs.” Here, I critique in detail the most recent, publicly available version of this study. I conclude that although the authors’ project is admirable in attempting to comprehensively examine the litigation behavior of NPEs, their dataset is incomplete and unrepresentative, their theoretical model is flawed, and their empirical models are unsound. As such, neither their findings nor policy prescriptions are justified.
Optimistic Dynamic Inconsistency

We model a decision maker who anticipates her preference to change in the future, and optimistically evaluates each menu according to the best choice that could possibly be made by her future self. We characterize this menu preference by axioms weak order, independence, semi-continuity, extremity and concavity. We prove the uniqueness of our representation and introduce comparative measures of optimism. We illustrate how our model connects optimism with the naive quasi-hyperbolic discounting model introduced by O’Donoghue and Rabin (1999, 2001). Our model generates novel predictions on decision makers’ procrastination behavior. In particular, we show that uncertainty about future payoffs can inhibit procrastination.
Leading for team creativity: Managing people and processes

Abstract Team creativity has been recognized as important to organizational success in a competitive economic market. Organizations face complex problems and frequently utilize teams to solve these problems because of the diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experience of team members. However, creative teams frequently encounter challenges and obstacles to effective problem solving. Leaders of creative teams play a critical part in facilitating team creative problem solving, team effectiveness, and creative outcomes. In this chapter, we review the literature on creative team leadership and discuss the vital role of creative team leaders in managing the creative problem-solving effort, managing team social processes, and as boundary spanners.