cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the structural and energetic properties of deoxyribose by potential energy methods

We discuss the three fundamental issues of a computational approach in structure prediction by potential energy minimization, and analyze them for the nucleic acid component deoxyribose. Predicting the conformation of deoxyribose is important not only because of the molecule's central conformational role in the nucleotide backbone, but also because energetic and geometric discrepancies from experimental data have exposed some underlying uncertainties in potential energy calculations. The three fundamental issues examined here are: (i) choice of coordinate system to represent the molecular conformation; (ii) construction of the potential energy function; and (iii) choice of the minimization technique. For our study, we use the following combination. First, the molecular conformation is represented in cartesian coordinate space with the full set of degrees of freedom. This provides an opportunity for comparison with the pseudorotation approximation. Second, the potential energy function is constructed so that all the interactions other than the nonbonded terms are represented by polynomials of the coordinate variables. Third, two powerful Newton methods that are globally and quadratically convergent are implemented: Gill and Murray's Modified Newton method and a Truncated Newton method, specifically developed for potential energy minimization. These strategies have produced the two experimentally-observed structures of deoxyribose with geometric data (bond angles and dihedral angles) in very good agreement with experiment. More generally, the application of these modeling and minimization techniques to potential energy investigations is promising. The use of cartesian variables and polynomial representation of bond length, bond angle and torsional potentials promotes efficient second-derivative computation and, hence, application of Newton methods. The truncated Newton, in particular, is ideally suited for potential energy minimization not only because the storage and computational requirements of Newton methods are made manageable, but also because it contains an important algorithmic adaptive feature: the minimization search is diverted from regions where the function is nonconvex and is directed quickly toward physically interesting regions.
Reappearance of the Multiple Trait Semilethal Mutation (psp) in the Fowl

The multiple trait semilethal mutation previously described by McGibbon and Shackelford (1972) has reappeared among the F2 progeny of an outcross mating between two standard lines. The mutant phenotype is expressed by the simultaneous presence of syndactyly polydactyly, and ptilopody resulting from homozygosity for an autosomal recessive gene, psp. Less than 31% of the mutants hatched, with the rest dying during the last quarter of the incubation period. In this study no psp/psp chicks survived beyond 6 weeks of age.
Perceptions of Sustainability and Sustainable Living Among Non-Environmentally Motivated Individuals

Concerns among academics and practitioners regarding overconsumption of natural resources and consumer goods suggest the need to reduce consumption levels among the general public. To do so, sustainable living educators need to understand existing perceptions of different audiences concerning sustainability and related terminology. One such audience includes non-environmentally motivated individuals, who may be less receptive to traditional appeals toward sustainable behavior than more environmentally motivated individuals. This analysis explored two research questions regarding non-environmentally motivated individuals: (1) What are their existing perceptions and understandings of sustainability-related terms? (2) How might those perceptions influence their interest in participating in sustainable living educational programming? Findings suggest varying levels of understanding and a persistence of environmental connotations associated with those terms. Findings also demonstrate widespread appeal of three...
Hybrid MEMS resonators and oscillators

With quality factors (Q) often-exceeding 10,000, vibrating micromechanical resonators have emerged as leading candidates for on-chip versions of high-Q resonators used in wireless communications systems. However, as in the case for transistors, extending the frequency of MEMS resonators generally entails scaling of resonator dimensions. Unfortunately, smaller size often coincides with lower-power handling capability and increased motional impedance. In this paper we introduce novel transduction techniques which can improve the motional impedance of MEMS resonators by 1000× over traditional 'air-gap' transduced resonators, present latest results on narrow-bandwidth parametric filters for frequency-agile radio receivers, and discuss performance scaling of NEMS resonators to X-band frequencies.
Habitual Dietary Isoflavone Intake Is Associated with Decreased C-Reactive Protein Concentrations among Healthy Premenopausal Women

Isoflavones have been associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk, but existing research focused on very high isoflavone intakes, as seen in Asian populations, as well as on risk factor reductions primarily in postmenopausal women. We investigated whether habitual low isoflavone intake among premenopausal women was associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, a commonly used biomarker associated with prediction of cardiovascular disease risk in healthy women. Between 2005 and 2007, 259 healthy, regularly menstruating women were enrolled in the BioCycle Study, and followed for up to 2 menstrual cycles. CRP was measured in serum at up to 16 clinic visits, timed to phases of the women’s menstrual cycle. Diet was assessed up to 4 times per cycle by using 24-h recalls. Marginal structural models with inverse probability of exposure weights estimated the association between CRP and quartiles of isoflavone intake adjusted for age, race, BMI, cycle phase, total energy intake, total fiber, total whole grains, and phase-specific hormone concentrations including estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. Compared with the lowest quartile of total isoflavone intake, women in the highest quartile had, on average, 27% lower serum CRP concentrations (95% CI: –35, –21%). Our results suggest that dietary isoflavone intakes at levels characteristic of the U.S. population are associated with decreased serum CRP concentrations, a factor associated with beneficial effects on inflammation, and subsequently may have the potential to improve health status among young women.
Image quality improvements with time-of-flight positron emission tomography for molecular imaging

The renewed interest in time of flight (TOF) PET is being driven by the development of detector technology and the growth of new molecular imaging applications. In this study we performed Monte Carlo simulations to quantify image quality improvements as a function of timing resolution for imaging scenarios that mimic whole body and brain imaging. We implemented an iterative image reconstruction algorithm that incorporated time-of-flight information. Image quality, as measured through contrast and noise metrics, consistently improved with improved timing resolution. We simulated and compared a conventional PET scanner with a TOF-PET scanner with 200 ps timing resolution. For lesions embedded in 40 cm and 20 cm cylindrical objects, lesion contrast improved by a factor of 3.4 and 2.3, respectively. TOF-PET holds the potential for significantly improved imaging over conventional PET scanners of equivalent sensitivity.
On hostage taking (a psychoanalytic object).

AbstractHostage taking is a pervasive phenomenon in human relations, in groups, and in societies. It exists literally, figuratively, and psychologically, and hence is both a phenomenon in the mind and in the outside world. A case example illustrates how group members (including the leader) hold, or may seem to hold, others hostage by their words and actions. By conceptualizing and focusing on a series of interactions as a type of object relationship, that is, a complex idea worthy of attention, the group came to understand and experience hostage taking as a “psychoanalytic object.”
Frontotemporal dementia: diagnosis, deficits and management

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive neurologic syndrome with diverse clinical presentations and attendant underlying pathologies. Psychiatric prodrome, neuropsychiatric symptoms and language difficulties are common in FTD, but the diversity of presentation raises unique diagnostic challenges that can significantly impact patient care and counsel for caregivers regarding clinical status and prognosis. While neuropsychiatric symptom measures are helpful, more sensitive assessments delineating the specific behavioral and linguistic deficits accompanying FTD are needed. Comprehensive clinical assessment in combination with evaluation of language, socio-emotional functioning, cognition and neuroimaging aid in accurate and early diagnosis and treatment planning. In what follows, we review each of the FTD syndromes, highlight current research investigating the cognitive, behavioral and socio-emotional deficits observed with this disease, address common diagnostic challenges and summarize best practices associated with management of FTD.
Joint Arthroplasty: the climate has made it ripe for quality assessment, but how do we compare apples to apples?: Commentary on an article by Gary J. Hooper, FRACS, et al.: “The relationship between the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical rating and outcome following total hip and knee arthroplasty. an analysis of the New Zealand Joint Registry”.

Increasingly, efforts are being directed at measuring quality in the delivery of health care. Given the economic burden of providing health care in the U.S., high-volume procedures are being targeted for assessing the quality and benefits of the intervention. Hip and knee arthroplasty are procedures that are ripe for analysis. A common proxy for quality has been volume. However, true quality measures, unlike volume, are exceedingly difficult to measure because of numerous confounding factors. Therefore, risk adjustment becomes paramount so that valid comparisons can be made, thereby leading to accurate conclusions. However, in the rush to measure quality, risk adjustment frequently falls by the wayside. One major problem in performing risk adjustment has been a dearth of information regarding factors that independently predict outcome. This problem is especially true for hip and knee arthroplasty. For this reason, this article by …
Cancer in the Spotlight: Using Intravital Imaging in Cancer Research

Intravital imaging can provide unique insights into cancer biology and has been particularly useful for research into therapy responses, metastasis, and immune responses. Here, we discuss the protocols that we routinely use for intravital imaging of mammary tumors to follow drug responses and for imaging of lungs to study metastatic seeding. These methods include: (1) the skin-flap technique used to image mammary tumors in a single, long experiment; (2) the use of an implantable imaging window for long-term serial imaging of mammary glands; and (3) the use of a thoracic window for intravital imaging of lungs to study the processes involved in the metastatic spread to lungs. We discuss common technical issues encountered when using each of these methods and provide our solutions for overcoming them. Finally, we discuss some of the exciting, new techniques on the horizon for intravital imaging in cancer biology.
Preliminary Investigation of the Process Capabilities of Hydroforging

Hydroforging is a hybrid forming operation whereby a thick tube is formed to a desired geometry by combining forging and hydroforming principles. Through this process hollow structures with high strength-to-weight ratio can be produced for applications in power transmission systems and other structural components that demands high strength-to-weight ratio. In this process, a thick tube is deformed by pressurized fluid contained within the tube using a multi-purpose punch assembly, which is also used to feed tube material into the die cavity. Fluid pressure inside the thick tube is developed by volume change governed by the movement of the punch assembly. In contrast to the conventional tube hydroforming (THF), the hydroforging process presented in this study does not require external supply of pressurized fluid to the deforming tube. To investigate the capability of hydroforging process, an experimental setup was developed and used to hydroforge various geometries. These geometries included hollow flanged vessels, hexagonal flanged parts, and hollow bevel and spur gears.
Measurement of time-resolved Wigner Functions for Coherent Backscatter From a Turbid Medium

We observe the time-resolved Wigner function of enhanced backscatter from a random medium using a novel two-window technique. This technique enables us to directly verify the phase-conjugating properties of random medium.
Consumer preference elicitation of complex products using fuzzy support vector machine active learning

As technology advances, new products (e.g., digital cameras, computer tablets, etc.) have become increasingly more complex. Researchers often face considerable challenges in understanding consumers’ preferences for such products. This paper proposes an adaptive decompositional framework to elicit consumers’ preferences for complex products. The proposed method starts with collaborative-filtered initial part-worths, followed by an adaptive question selection process that uses a fuzzy support vector machine active learning algorithm to adaptively refine the individual-specific preference estimate after each question. Our empirical and synthetic studies suggest that the proposed method performs well for product categories equipped with as many as 70 to 100 attribute levels, which is typically considered prohibitive for decompositional preference elicitation methods. In addition, we demonstrate that the proposed method provides a natural remedy for a long-standing challenge in adaptive question design by gaug...
PHYLOGENY OF THE GENUS LENTINULA BASED ON RIBOSOMAL DNA RESTRICTION FRAGMENT LENGTH POLYMORPHISM ANALYSIS

RFLP data from PCR amplified regions of the rDNA repeat from Lentinula edodes, L. boryana, L. lateritia, and L. novaezelandiae, together with out-groups Clitocybula, Collybia and Pleurotus, were us...
Repulsive tip tilting as the dominant mechanism for hydrogen bond-like features in atomic force microscopy imaging

Experimental atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies have reported distinct features in regions with little electron density for various organic systems. These unexpected features have been proposed to be a direct visualization of intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Here, we apply a computational method using ab initio real-space pseudopotentials along with a scheme to account for tip tilting to simulate AFM images of the 8-hydroxyquinoline dimer and related systems to develop an understanding of the imaging mechanism for hydrogen bonds. We find that contrast for the observed “hydrogen bond” feature comes not from the electrostatic character of the bonds themselves but rather from repulsive tip tilting induced by neighboring electron-rich atoms.
The expanding biology of the C9orf72 nucleotide repeat expansion in neurodegenerative disease

A nucleotide repeat expansion (NRE) within the chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) gene was the first of this type of mutation to be linked to multiple neurological conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The pathogenic mechanisms through which the C9orf72 NRE contributes to these disorders include loss of C9orf72 function and gain-of-function mechanisms of C9orf72 driven by toxic RNA and protein species encoded by the NRE. These mechanisms have been linked to several cellular defects - including nucleocytoplasmic trafficking deficits and nuclear stress - that have been observed in both patients and animal models.
Study on establishment of standardized measuring method for blood lead

Objective:To establish standardized measuring method for blood lead.Methods:Tungsren-ship atomic absorption spectrophotometry(GFAAS) was used to measuring blood lead level.According to the standard and regulation for blood lead detection from NCCLS and bureau of health,following performances were evaluated:inprecision,inaccuracy,method checking line,quantitative checking line,reportable range,cross contamination etc.Results:The blood lead level was highly consistent with adsorption value,the coefficient r=0.999 9(t=103.06,P0.01);the inprecision,inaccuracy,methods test line and quantitative test line all meet the clinical need.The quantitative data could be provided when the blood lead level below 298 μg/L.Average cross contamination rates were 0.378%-0.394%.Experiment result fulfilled all demand for performance evaluation.Conclusions:Successfully establish measurement protocol with stable,repeatable and significant clinical development value.
Elimination of myeloma cells from bone marrow by using monoclonal antibodies and magnetic immunobeads

The efficacy of immunomagnetic beads to purge human myeloma cells from bone marrow ex vivo was evaluated. The optimal conditions for purging were studied first by using three myeloma cell lines: RPMI-8226, SKO-007, and SKMM-2. Myeloma cells labeled with the vital fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342 were admixed with normal bone marrow cells, and two monoclonal antibodies reactive with the myeloma cells (PCA-1 and BL-3) were added alone or in combination with the cells. Magnetic beads coated with goat antimouse immunoglobulin G were then added, and the tumor cells to which beads were attached were separated from the mixture with a magnet. The efficacy of tumor cell removal was dependent on the bead-to-tumor ratio; a ratio of more than 500 was optimal in the presence of excess normal marrow cells. The combination of monoclonal antibodies PCA-1 and BL-3 increased the tumor cell removal as compared with either antibody alone. Two cycles of treatment were more effective than one cycle was. Under optimal conditions, 2.3 to 4 logs of tumor cells could be removed from the mixture containing 10% myeloma cells without a significant loss of normal hematopoietic progenitors as measured by CFU-GM, CFU-GEM, and BFU-E. When the efficacy of this procedure was tested on fresh bone marrow from patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by using the combination of PCA-1, BL-3, and J-5, 1.6 to 2.5 logs of tumor cells could be removed by one cycle of treatment, even from marrows containing less than 10% myeloma cells. These observations support the use of monoclonal antibody combinations and immunobeads as a reliable and nontoxic method to eliminate contaminating myeloma cells ex vivo in preparation for autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with MM.
NO Disproportionation at a Mononuclear Site-Isolated Fe2+ Center in Fe2+-MOF-5

The weak-field ligand environments at the metal nodes of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) mimic the electronic environment of metalloenzyme active sites, but little is known about the reactivity of MOF nodes toward small molecules of biological relevance. Here, we report that the ferrous ions in Fe2+-exchanged MOF-5 disproportionate nitric oxide to produce nitrous oxide and a ferric nitrito complex. Although mechanistic studies of N–N bond forming transformations often invoke a hyponitrite species, as in nitric oxide reductase and NOx reduction catalysis, little is known about this intermediate in its monoanionic state. Together with the first report of N–N coupling between NO molecules in a MOF, we present evidence for a species that is consistent with a ferric hyponitrite radical, whose isolation is enabled by the spatial constraints of the MOF matrix.
Phenylketonuria and Other Disorders of Amino Acid Metabolism

In any young child with nonspecific findings of hyperirritability, nonfocal seizures, mental retardation, and acidosis, an inborn error of metabolism should be considered and blood and urine screened for amino acid excesses by paper chromatography. The biochemical basis for such disorders is elucidated.
A Genetic Algorithm-Based Level Set Curve Evolution for Prostate Segmentation on Pelvic CT and MRI Images

A novel genetic algorithm (GA) is presented here that performs level set curve evolution using texture and shape information to automatically segment the prostate on pelvic images in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging modalities. Here, the segmenting contour is represented as a level set function. The contours in a typical level set evolution are deformed by minimizing an energy function using the gradient descent method. In these methods, the computational complexity of computing derivatives increases as the number of terms (needed for curve evolution) in the energy function increase. In contrast, a genetic algorithm optimizes the level-set function without the need to compute derivatives, thereby making the introduction of new curve evolution terms straightforward. The GA developed here uses the texture of the prostate gland and its shape derived from manual segmentations to perform curve evolution. Using these highlevel features makes automatic segmentation possible.
The sustainable neighborhoods for happiness (SNfH) decision tool: Assessing neighborhood level sustainability and happiness

Abstract The relationship between sustainability and happiness is an intriguing and growing research area (Cloutier et al., 2013; Montgomery, 2013; Florida et al., 2013; Leyden et al., 2011). However, a review of primary literature and research indicates a missing gap in neighborhood level assessments of sustainability and happiness. The Sustainable Neighborhoods for Happiness Index (SNHI) was developed using city level data and studies (Cloutier et al., 2014), but was created with the intent of serving as a neighborhood measure. Within this paper, we detail the development of the Sustainable Neighborhoods for Happiness (SNfH) Decision Tool – a neighborhood level assessment tool, derived from the SNHI, to assist in decisions around future strategies for sustainable community development. While several sustainability decision tools exist, there is a need for those that are easily understood and accessible to neighborhood stakeholders (e.g., residents, community leaders, city employees). The SNfH Decision Tool was created with a user-friendly graphical front-end and embedded back-end calculations to inform users. The goal is to help neighborhood stakeholders identify the needs of their community to swiftly take action to alleviate issues and promote a sustainable and happy future.
A 6:1 bandwidth PUMA array at 7mm scale

A Planar Ultra-Wideband Modular Antenna (PUMA) array with 7mm element spacing is presented that operates over roughly 3.5GHz to 21GHz, validating the first PUMA with a 6:1 operational bandwidth. The design consists mainly of plated through vias on Rogers 5880LZ substrate with Rogers 3000-class materials integrated as a radome superstrate. The aperture is less than 0.5 wavelengths thick at the highest frequency of operation. Scan VSWR performance is good, with VSWR < 2.5 for 45-degree scans in all planes, VSWR < 3.8 for 60-degree scans in all planes and over all frequencies. An all-metal flared notch array of the same element spacing and footprint is presented for performance comparison. It is shown that the PUMA has significantly-better polarization patterns than legacy ultra-wideband flared notch arrays over all frequency and scan space. Measured results are presented.
Maternal and infant genetic variants, maternal periconceptional use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and risk of congenital heart defects in offspring: population based study

Objective To evaluate whether the association between maternal periconceptional use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and increased risk of congenital heart defects in offspring is modified by maternal or infant genetic variants in folate, homocysteine, or transsulfuration pathways. Design Population based study. DNA from mothers, fathers, and infants was genotyped with an Illumina GoldenGate custom single nucleotide polymorphism panel. A hybrid design based on a log linear model was used to calculate relative risks and Bayesian false discovery probabilities (BFDP) to identify polymorphisms associated with congenital heart defects modified by SSRI use. Data sources Data from the US National Birth Defects Prevention Study on 1180 liveborn infants with congenital heart defects and 1644 controls, born 1997-2008. Main outcome measures Cases included infants with selected congenital heart defects and control infants had no major defects. SSRI use was obtained from telephone interviews with mothers. Results For women who reported taking SSRIs periconceptionally, maternal SHMT1 (rs9909104) GG and AG genotypes were associated with a 5.9 and 2.4 increased risk of select congenital heart defects in offspring, respectively, versus the AA genotype (BFDP=0.69). Compared with the AA genotype, BHMT (rs492842 and rs542852) GG and AG genotypes were associated with twice the risk of congenital heart defects (BFDP=0.74 and 0.79, respectively). MGST1 (rs2075237) CC and AC genotypes were associated with an increased risk compared with the GG genotype (8.0 and 2.8, respectively; BFDP=0.79). Single nucleotide polymorphism in infant genes in the folate (MTHFS rs12438477), homocysteine (TRDMT1 rs6602178 and GNMT rs11752813) and transsulfuration (GSTP1 rs7941395 and MGST1 rs7294985) pathways were also associated with an increased risk of congenital heart defects. Conclusions Common maternal or infant genetic variants in folate, homocysteine, or transsulfuration pathways are associated with an increased risk of certain congenital heart defects among children of women taking SSRIs during cardiogenesis.
19. Randomized Controlled Trial of a Neurosteroid Intervention in Schizophrenia

Abstract Background: Neurosteroids are endogenous molecules synthesized de novo in brain, adrenals, and other tissues. They demonstrate pleiotropic actions that are highly relevant to the neurobiology of schizophrenia. Clozapine markedly elevates neurosteroids in rodent hippocampus, potentially contributing to its superior therapeutic efficacy. Clinical evidence from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in Singapore suggests that pregnenolone significantly enhances functional capacity (as demonstrated by improvements in the UPSA Total Score and UPSA Communication Subscale Score) and that neurosteroid changes posttreatment predict therapeutic response (Marx et al 2014; Psychopharmacology). We thus conducted an RCT investigating adjunctive pregnenolone in schizophrenia. Methods: After a 2-week placebo lead-in, 88 participants with schizophrenia were randomized to pregnenolone (n = 42) or placebo (n = 46) for 8 weeks. Neurosteroids were quantified at baseline and posttreatment by mass spectrometry. Functional end points included the UPSA Total Score and UPSA Communication Subscale. Cognitive end points included the MCCB Composite Score and MCCB Subscales. Modified intent-to-treat analyses were conducted. Results: Participants randomized to the pregnenolone group did not outperform placebo on the UPSA Total Score or MCCB Composite Score. However, the pregnenolone group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the UPSA Communication Subscale compared to participants randomized to placebo (P = .034), replicating prior RCT findings from Singapore. Elevations in pregnenolone post-treatment also predicted improvements in UPSA Total Score (r = .373; P = .039), again replicating prior efforts. In addition, the pregnenolone group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the MCCB Verbal Learning Subscale compared to placebo (P = .023). Pregnenolone did not outperform placebo in the BACS Composite Score, SANS Total Score, or PANSS Total Score. Pregnenolone was well tolerated. Conclusion: Treatment with pregnenolone appears to improve functional capacity in a US population with schizophrenia, as assessed by the UPSA Communication Subscale and also supported by a significant positive correlation between pregnenolone changes and UPSA Total Score improvements—thus replicating findings from a prior RCT conducted in Singapore. Pregnenolone may also improve verbal memory. Given the positive correlation between pregnenolone increases posttreatment and UPSA Total Score improvements, it is possible that higher doses of pregnenolone may be clinically efficacious, and that neurosteroid quantification has biomarker potential for the predication of therapeutic response. Additional dose-finding investigations will be required to test these hypotheses. A pregnenolone decanoate formulation is currently in preclinical development.
Recognizing Unfamiliar Gestures for Human-Robot Interaction Through Zero-Shot Learning

Human communication is highly multimodal, including speech, gesture, gaze, facial expressions, and body language. Robots serving as human teammates must act on such multimodal communicative inputs from humans, even when the message may not be clear from any single modality. In this paper, we explore a method for achieving increased understanding of complex, situated communications by leveraging coordinated natural language, gesture, and context. These three problems have largely been treated separately, but unified consideration of them can yield gains in comprehension [1, 12].
Abstract 2382: Self-rated Health is an Independent Predictor of Incident Stroke: The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study

Objective: Self assessments of health contain important information on factors that influence outcomes that are not routinely captured in traditional risk factors. Few data are available on whether they are associated with incident stroke independent of traditional risk factors. Methods: We evaluated the association between self-rated health and incident stroke using data from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a national, population-based cohort study of 30,239 African-American and white adults aged ≥ 45 years. Framingham stroke risk factors (current smoking, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and left ventricular hypertrophy) and self-rated health were collected during a baseline examination. Participants reported self-rated health on a single question “In general, how would you rate your health?” with response options of excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. Similar to previous studies, excellent and very good self-rated health was grouped for analysis. Results: Of 24,708 REGARDS study participants without a history of stroke at baseline and included in this analysis, 534 had an incident stroke over a median of 5.1 years of follow-up. Compared to participants reporting excellent/very good health, the unadjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for incident stroke associated with good, fair and poor health were 1.41 (1.17 - 1.70), 1.98 (1.56 - 2.51), and 3.21 (2.21 - 4.67), respectively (p-trend Conclusion: Self-rated health is an independent predictor of incident stroke even after adjusting for traditional stroke risk factors.
Integrated Sociology Program Assessment: Inclusion of a Senior Portfolio Graduation Requirement.

This article presents information about the planning, implementation, and findings of an assessmentbased student portfolio designed by the faculty of a sociology program at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, a midsized public regional liberal arts institution. First, we briefly present the rationale for implementing a portfolio system and the thought process by which our particular portfolio assessment tool was created. Then, we explain our findings using the portfolio assessment system and how these findings were used to modify and strengthen the program as well as serve as a basis for long-term planning for the program.
Modern Pathologic Diagnosis of Renal Oncocytoma

Oncocytoma is a well-defined benign renal tumor, with classic gross and histologic features, including a tan or mahogany-colored mass with central scar, microscopic nested architecture, bland cytology, and round, regular nuclei with prominent central nucleoli. As a result of variations in this classic appearance, difficulty in standardizing diagnostic criteria, and entities that mimic oncocytoma, such as eosinophilic variant chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinoma, pathologic diagnosis remains a challenge. This review addresses the current state of pathologic diagnosis of oncocytoma, with emphasis on modern diagnostic markers, areas of controversy, and emerging techniques for less invasive diagnosis, including renal mass biopsy and advanced imaging.
The Need for Conceptual Models of Technology in Training and Development: How Immersive Does Training Need to Be?

Morelli, Potosky, Arthur, and Tippins (2017) articulate a strong need for industrial and organizational (I-O) psychologists to develop a more theory-based understanding of the role of technology in employee selection and assessment. We agree with their concerns but argue that this issue should include examination of how technology impacts training also. Researchers have noted that training is increasingly important for firms, and technology-enhanced training can improve learning and transfer (Ford & Meyer, 2013). However, the arguments that the authors make about the need for a theory-driven approach for examining the impact of technology on selection applies to training outcomes as well. Although considerable evidence exists that workplace training is effective and that technology can impact the success of training, there has been less theory-driven research exploring how technology can enhance or detract from training success. Researchers have already identified several variables related to technology that promote learning, but one variable that remains consistently unexplored in the organizational literature is immersion. This research is particularly important given how increasingly accessible immersive technology, such as virtual reality (VR), is becoming. Thus, we argue that as virtual training environments become more widely available, the variable of “immersion” in training environments is a particularly important one that warrants additional research.
Zelfmanagement: samenspel tussen patiënt en zorgverlener

Een patiente met chronische ulcera aan haar rechtervoet komt voor een second opinion bij het Voetenteam van VUmc Amsterdam met de vraag of amputatie van haar voet nog kan worden voorkomen. Uit de zeer complexe voorgeschiedenis blijkt een groot aantal factoren een rol te spelen in het niet genezen van de wonden. Om patiente een kans te geven haar voet te behouden, wordt een periode van intensieve multidisciplinaire behandeling voorgesteld. Gedurende het proces wordt duidelijk dat gebrek aan zelfmanagement een belangrijke reden is voor de stagnerende wondgenezing. Zijn wij voldoende toegerust om zelfmanagement bij complexe patienten te ondersteunen?
Profiling Potential Plagiarizers: A Mastery Learning Instructional Technique to Enhance Competency.

Despite university policies and classroom procedures designed to deter student plagiarism, upper-division students seemed to be violating the rules in growing numbers. Recent research suggested tha...
Silicon Electroplating for Low Cost Solar Cells and Thin Film Transistors

Silicon electroplating offers a low-cost method for the production of high-performance low-cost silicon solar cells that can be used in small portables and large-scale applications, like the grid. Silicon remains the semiconductor of choice because silicon has the best combination of efficiency, cost, durability, and availability. Silicon photovoltaic (PV) devices are likely to dominate the market for a long time. Silicon solar cells have reasonable efficiency (up to 15%), cost (as low as $2/peak watt), and excellent reliability (losing less than 1% power output per year over 25 years), and since silica is abundant, silicon depletion is not a worry. Although silicon is the best photovoltaic option and has the largest market share, it is still too costly to provide the majority of grid power. Cost remains a major barrier to further market penetration, because current thin film semiconducting silicon preparation uses high-temperature (750–1,000°C) deposition processes, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which require high levels of electrical power and energy and convert only 10% of the silane feed to useful silicon. Clearly silicon PV manufacturers need to increase efficiency and lower wastes and cost. Silicon electrodeposition offers an effective alternative to CVD for making silicon devices with substantially reduced processing costs so that solar photovoltaics can be cost competitive with the typical cost for installing new electrical power generators in the grid. Using silicon electrodeposition as the silicon processing in the manufacture of a variety of semiconductor applications is reviewed. A practical way of electroplating silicon from silicon salts dissolved in ionic liquids is discussed with early results and prospects.
Identifying patients with genetic predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract Germline syndromes in myeloid leukemias are being discovered increasingly in patients, and their identification is essential for proper medical management to yield positive health outcomes for patients and their families. There needs to be a greater appreciation of germline predisposition driving the development of hematologic malignancies within the field of myeloid malignancies. Characterization of the influence of germline mutations on the development of myeloid malignancies is ongoing by utilization of next generation sequencing data and prognostic panels. Here, we propose modifications to the utilization and analysis of genetic results, specifically to have a high index of clinical suspicion for germline predisposition, to use assays that are comprehensive for detection of these variants, and a few caveats to interpreting sequencing data. Presented are the benefits and shortcomings of prognostic panels and clinical examples of the utilization of the prognostic panel used within the Department of Pathology at The University of Chicago. The examples demonstrate that panels performed for prognostication on DNA derived from malignant cells are able to identify patients with germline syndromes, but they can lack coverage for genes that confer inherited susceptibility. Furthermore, the panels are often not designed to find duplication and deletion mutations, which calls for a need to improve assay design and bioinformatic approaches to interpret such variants using these data.
Simulation of Microscale Chemical Separation Processes Using the Lattice-Boltzmann Method

Fluid flow in the micron to hundred micron size range promises to be qualitatively different from fluid flow in large geometries and offers many opportunities for creating and exploiting novel flow configurations that can be used in chemical reactors and separations processes. The most significant difference between flow in conventional macrosized systems and flow at micron length scales is the increase in the relative importance of surface forces, particularly surface tension, as the dimensions of the flow configuration shrink. Surface tension forces between the fluid and the walls and at the interface between immiscible fluids are ordinarily negligable on length scales of a centimeter or so but can dominate the behavior of liquid in a 100 micron channel. The ability to include these effects in simulations of flow in microscale devices is critically important to support the design and testing of micro-chemical components and systems, but conventional fluid dynamics simulations are incapable of modeling the multiphase systems anticipated in many microtechnology applications. A promising new method for simulating fluid flow that can easily be adapted to multiphase flows is the lattice Boltzmann algorithm[1, 2]. One major advantage of the lattice Boltzmann method over other fluid dynamics simulation techniques is the ability to incorporate surface interaction terms directly into the equations of motion[3, 4]. This makes it possible to simulate multiphase-multicomponent systems in a straightforward way, without the introduction of complicated front-tracking techniques.
Zora’s Bookshelf in The Quest of the Silver Fleece by W. E. B. Du bois

AbstractW. E. B. Du Bois frequently wrote lists of books that he recommended others to read. One of the most intriguing of these lists occurs in his 1911 novel The Quest of the Silver Fleece. As th...
The Society of Black Academic Surgeons CV benchmarking initiative: Early career trends of academic surgical leaders.

Abstract Background Surgeons from under-represented backgrounds are less likely to receive academic tenure and obtain leadership positions. Our objective was to query the curriculum vitaes (CVs) of SBAS leadership to develop a benchmarking tool to promote and guide careers in academic surgery. Methods CVs from academic leaders were reviewed for academic productivity at early career stages—the first 5-and 10-years. Variables queried: peer-reviewed publications, grant funding, surgical societal involvement, invited lectureships and visiting professorships. Results Of 20 CVs, 41 leadership positions including 13 SBAS Presidents were identified. At 5- and 10-years, respectively, the academic productivity increased: 20.6 and 52.3 publications; 4.7 and 9.7 grants; 18 and 42.6 lectures/professorships. Conclusion The CV benchmarking tool may be a useful framework for aspiring academic surgeons to track their progress relative to successful SBAS members. Creative strategies like these, paired with faculty mentorship and sponsorship are necessary to improve the ethnic diversity in academic surgery.
Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Enlarging Dissecting Anterior Spinal Artery Aneurysm.

Background Aneurysms of the anterior spinal artery are extremely rare. Unlike intracranial saccular aneurysms, they do not occur at branch points, are typically pseudoaneurysms, and rupture secondary to a dissection. They typically present with subarachnoid hemorrhage and demonstrate clinical and radiographic improvement over time without treatment. Methods We present here the first case to date of a ruptured anterior spinal artery aneurysm with clinical and radiographic progression treated with Onyx embolization. Our patient was unique in the presentation with acute onset of spinal cord injury American Spinal Injury Association B and an extensive thoracolumbar subdural hematoma. Results An emergent skip-level laminectomy and subdural decompression were performed with no improvement in examination. This was followed by progressive radiographic enlargement of the aneurysm, treated successfully with Onyx embolization. Conclusions We analyze this case and review the literature on thoracic anterior spinal artery and artery of Adamkiewicz aneurysms.
The New Methods for Calculating Voltage Sag Energy in Three-phase System

Voltage sag energy is an interesting single-event characteristic of voltage sag, to show the performance of sensitive equipment under voltage sag. According to the definition of voltage sag energy index, which proposed in IEEE Std. 1564-2014, the standard calculation method of voltage sag energy has not been available. This paper proposes six voltage sag energy calculation methods, with and without consideration of the two transition segments. It is considered three situations of calculation step size, including the sag duration, half-cycle step size and sampling point step size, which called full-process method, half-cycle method and sampling point method, respectively. The six methods are verified by 189 sets of measured voltage sag. The case studies verify the accuracy of the proposed methods, one of the methods is recommended as standard method.
Newborn dried blood spots for serological surveys of COVID-19

Abstract There is an urgent need for inexpensive, population-wide surveillance testing for COVID-19. We tested newborn dried blood spots (DBS) anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies for all infants born at Yale from March-May 2020, and found that newborn DBS serologies reflect maternal and population-wide infection rates during the study period. This suggests a role for DBS in COVID-19 surveillance in areas where viral testing is limited.
Some Recent Throttling Investigations

In recent years increased interest has been shown in the steady state throttling of gases. Both isothermal and adiabatic coefficients have been measured or computed for a wide range of gases and gas mixtures. The present paper reports upon a survey of the modern technical literature in this field.
A Cueing Procedure to Control Impulsivity in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

This study tested the efficacy of a cueing procedure for improving the impulse regulation of four boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during social skills training. Impulse regulation was defined as raising hands before speaking. Effects on collateral behaviors (i.e., talking out of turn) were also assessed. A reversal design was used. Behavioral data collected by independent observers suggested that all subjects demonstrated positive changes in impulse regulation (i.e., an increase in the frequency with which subjects raised their hand before speaking). Likewise, the treatment effects appeared to have produced positive effects on a behavior not directly targeted for intervention (i.e., talk outs). In general, behavioral changes were considered to be socially valid and the treatment agents viewed the cueing procedure verypositively.
A perspective on wrong level, wrong side, and wrong site spine surgery.

Background Four of the most common "errors" in spine surgery include: operating on the wrong patient, doing the wrong procedure, performing wrong-level surgery (WLS), and/or performing wrong-sided surgery (WSS). Although preoperative verification protocols (i.e. Universal Protocol, routine Time-Outs, and using the 3 R's (i.e. right patient, right procedure, right level/side)) have largely limited the first two "errors," WLS and WSS still occur with an unacceptably high frequency. Methods In 20 studies, we identified the predominant factors contributing to WLS/WSS; unusual/anatomical anomalies/variants (i.e. sacralized lumbar vertebrae. lumbarized sacral vertebra, Klippel-Feil vertebrae, block vertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, obesity/morbid obesity), inadequate/poor interpretation of X-rays/fluoroscopic intraoperative images, and failure to follow different verification protocols. Results "Human error" was another major risk factor contributing to the failure to operate at the correct level/side (WLS/WSS). Factors comprising "human error" included; surgeon/staff fatigue, rushing, emergency circumstances, lack of communication, hierarchical behavior in the operating room, and failure to "speak up". Conclusion Utilizing the Universal Protocol, routine Time Outs, and the 3 R's largelly avoid operating on the wrong spine patient, and performing the wrong procedure. However, these guidelines have not yet sufficiently reduced the frequently of WLS and WSS. Greater recognition of the potential pitfalls contributing to WLS/WSS as reviewed in this perspective should better equip spine surgeons to avert/limit such "errors" in the future.