cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutation of the BiP/GRP78 gene causes axon outgrowth and fasciculation defects in the thalamocortical connections of the mammalian forebrain

Proper development of axonal connections is essential for brain function. A forward genetic screen for mice with defects in thalamocortical development previously isolated a mutant called baffled. Here we describe the axonal defects of baffled in further detail and identify a point mutation in the Hspa5 gene, encoding the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP/GRP78. This hypomorphic mutation of BiP disrupts proper development of the thalamocortical axon projection and other forebrain axon tracts, as well as cortical lamination. In baffled mutant brains, a reduced number of thalamic axons innervate the cortex by the time of birth. Thalamocortical and corticothalamic axons are delayed, overfasciculated, and disorganized along their pathway through the ventral telencephalon. Furthermore, dissociated mutant neurons show reduced axon extension in vitro. Together, these findings demonstrate a sensitive requirement for the endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP/GRP78 during axon outgrowth and pathfinding in the developing mammalian brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:677–696, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Priodcals, Inc.
From Social Security to Health Security? Opinion and Rhetoric in U.S. Social Policy Making

Peffley, Mark, and Jon Hurwitz. 1992. "International Events and Foreign Policy Beliefs: Public Response to Changing Soviet-U.S. Relations." American Journal of Political Science 36:431-61. Russett, Bruce M. 1970. What Price Vigilance? The Burdens of National Defense. New Haven: Yale University Press. Russett, Bruce M., and Elizabeth C. Hanson. 1975. Interest and Ideology: The Foreign Policy Beliefs of American Businessmen. New York: W. H. Freeman. Ward, Michael D. 1984. "Differential Paths to Parity: A Study of the Contemporary Arms Race." American Political Science Review 78:297-317.
FKS Mutant Candida glabrata: Risk Factors and Outcomes in Patients With Candidemia

Background. Echinocandins are recommended for Candia glabrata candidemia. Mutations in the FKS1 and FKS2 genes are associated with echinocandin resistance. Few studies have assessed risk factors for FKS mutant isolates and outcomes in patients receiving micafungin treatment. Methods. Patients with C. glabrata bloodstream infection admitted to a large, tertiary care hospital between 2009 and 2012 were included in this study. For each isolate, FKS1 and FKS2 genes were sequenced to identify mutations. Risk factors for FKS mutations and treatment outcomes in patients receiving an echinocandin were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results. Seventy-two patients were included in the study of which 13 (18%) had an FKS mutant isolate. The only significant predictor for FKS mutations was prior echinocandin exposure (odds ratio [OR], 19.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.7–84.7; P ≤ .01). Treatment failure occurred in 17 (30%) of 57 patients who received an echinocandin and was more common in patients with FKS mutants (6 of 10; 60%) compared with non-FKS mutants (11 of 47; 23%). Underlying gastrointestinal disorder (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.1–20.9; P= .04) and prior echinocandin exposure (OR, 8.3; 95% CI, 1.7–40.4; P ≤ .01) were independent predictors of echinocandin treatment failure. Treatment response and echinocandin minimum inhibitory concentrations varied among specific FKS mutations. Conclusions. FKS mutations were identified in 18% of 72 patients with C. glabrata candidemia. Common risk factors for FKS mutant isolates included previous echinocandin exposure, which also influenced response rates.
Screening of Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Proposed Unbiased Discriminative Set of Questions Using Clinical Severity Scales

Background Identification of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) using questionnaires is critical from a clinical and research perspective. However, which questions to use and how well such questionnaires perform has thus far been fraught with substantial uncertainty. We aimed at delineating the usefulness of a set of questions for identifying pediatric SDB. Methods Random prospective sampling of urban 5- to 9-year-old children from the community and enriched for habitual snoring underwent overnight sleep study. Subjective indicators or questions were evaluated to further characterize and discriminate SDB. Results Of 1,133 subjects, 52.8% were habitual snorers. This sample was analyzed based on a clinical grouping (ie, established apnea-hypopnea index cutoffs). Several statistical steps were performed and indicated that complaints can be ranked according to a severity hierarchy: shake child to breathe, apnea during sleep, struggle breathing when asleep, and breathing concerns while asleep, followed by loudness of snoring and snoring while asleep. With a posteriori cutoff, a predictive score > 2.72 on the severity scale was found (ie, area under the curve, 0.79 ± 0.03; sensitivity, 59.03%; specificity, 82.85%; positive predictive value, 35.4; negative predictive value, 92.7), making this cutoff applicable for confirmatory purposes. Conclusions As a result, the set of six hierarchically arranged questions will aid the screening of children at high risk for SDB but cannot be used as the sole diagnostic approach.
Do Estimated Impacts on Earnings Depend on the Source of the Data Used to Measure Them? Evidence From Previous Social Experiments:

Background:Impact evaluations draw their data from two sources, namely, surveys conducted for the evaluation or administrative data collected for other purposes. Both types of data have been used i...
Calibration of DDS servo tracking error signals

A test apparatus is described which allows precise offtrack positioning of digital data storage (DDS) heads. This apparatus is used for calibration of tracking error signals (TESs). In addition, more detailed measurements were made of the writing and offtrack reading characteristics of DDS heads and a simple model was developed based on these measurements which successfully predicts TES vs. offtrack displacement. >
Toxicological Aspects of Topical Silver Pharmaceuticals

Silver is generally considered to present a relatively low toxic threat to humans because unintentional exposure to large doses of the noble metal is quite rare. However, as the intentional utilization of silver in pharmaceutical preparations and devices increases, subtle toxic effects of silver may be predictable and expected. The present review examines the scientific literature, primarily covering the past 10 years, dealing with reports describing various types of silver toxicity. These reports consist of both in vitro and in vivo data dealing with immunological, mesenchymal, neural, and parenchymal cell types. Particular emphasis is given to (1) the use of silver in topical antimicrobial preparations as toxicity relates to absorption through dermal wounds into the systemic circulation and possible effects on delayed wound healing, (2) possible local silver toxicity via iontophoretic devices, (3) current theories relating to the toxicological mechanism of action of silver.
Monoclonal antibodies to DNA modified with cis- or trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

Abstract Murine monoclonal antibodies that bind selectively to adducts formed on DNA by the antitumor drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II), cis-DDP, or to the chemotherapeutically inactive trans isomer trans-DDP were elicited by immunization with calf thymus DNA modified with either cis- or trans-DDP at ratios of bound platinum per nucleotide, (D/N)b, of 0.06-0.08. The binding of two monoclonal antibodies to cis-DDP-modified DNA was competitively inhibited (50% control) in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by 4-6 nM concentrations (600-900 fmol) of cis-DDP bound to DNA, (D/N)b = 0.031. Similar concentrations (4-6 nM) of cis-DDP-modified poly(dG).poly(dC) also inhibited antibody binding, whereas higher concentrations (17-36 nM) of cis-DDP-modified poly[d(AG)].poly[d(TC)] were required for inhibition. Adducts formed by cis-DDP on other synthetic DNA polymers did not inhibit antibody binding to cis-DDP-DNA. The biologically active compounds [Pt(en)Cl2], [Pt(dach)Cl2], and [Pt(NH3)2(cbdca)] (carboplatin) (where en is ethylenediamine, dach is 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, and cbdca is cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylate) all formed antibody-detectable adducts on DNA, whereas the inactive platinum complexes trans-DDP and [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl (dien, diethylenetriamine) did not. The monoclonal antibodies therefore recognize a bifunctional Pt-DNA adduct with cis stereochemistry in which platinum is coordinated by two adjacent guanines or, to a lesser degree, by adjacent adenine and guanine. A monoclonal antibody raised against trans-DDP-DNA was competitively inhibited in an ELISA by 40 nM trans-DDP bound to DNA, (D/N)b = 0.022. This antibody crossreacted with unmodified, denatured DNA. Its binding to trans-DDP-DNA was selectively inhibited by trans-DDP-modified poly[d(GT)].poly[d(CA)] (50% inhibition at 1 nM bound trans-DDP). The recognition of cis- or trans-DDP-modified DNAs by monoclonal antibodies thus parallels the known modes of DNA binding of these compounds and may correlate with their biological activities.
Dilution Curves of Simultaneously Administered 1131-Human Serum Albumin and Cr51-Labeled Erythrocytes in Patients with Various Types of Edema

Detailed indicator-dilution curves of simul taneously administered 1131-HSA and Cr51-RBC in six of eight edematous patients with congestive heart failure demonstrate that, as in normal patients, a significant quantity of 1 does not escape the intravascular space during the first several minutes post injection. It would seem, therefore, that cap illary permeability to albumin was not an im portant manifestation in these patients. De tailed indicator-dilution curves in five of six patients with edema not associated with con gestive heart failure differ from those derived from normal patients and from the edematous patients with congestive heart failure. These data do not exclude the possibility that capillary permeability to albumin might be a sig nificant concomitant of edema associated with chronic glomerulonephritis, disseminated lupus erythematosis, toxemia of pregnancy. car cinomatosis, and Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome.
Influence of water activity on the synthesis of triolein catalyzed by immobilized mucor miehei lipase

The influence of the thermodynamic activity of water (a(w))on the synthesis of triolein catalyzed by Mucor miehei lipase was investigated. Its effect on the equilibrium and on the rates of the different reactions present, esteification and mono- and diglyceride isomerization, was evaluated through measurements made in controlled water activity atmosphere. The apparent equilibrium constants were measured from the concentration of the different species as a function of the intial glycerol-to oleic-acid ratio using all the values at once with a multi-response nonlinear regression technique. Rate constants were determined from kinetic measurements and non-linear regression uning the variation of the concentration of all significant species in the system. Except for the synthesis of diolein from monoolein, which shows a maximum for a(w) approximately 0.5, the apparent rate constants of the various reactions are not significantly affected by the value of the water activity. The equilibrium is shifted to-ward the synthesis of triolein for low values of a(w), indicating that in the design of a process for triglyceride synthesis, using M. miehei lipase as a catalyst, the water activity can be lowered to extreme values to favor the synthesis, without any sacrifice on the productivity of the process. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sodium-Dependent Uptake of Iron-Transferrin in Rabbit Reticulocytes

The influence of Na+ on the transport of many solutes across biological membranes is of great interest. Na-dependent transport of sugars, amino acids and electrolytes is being investigated rather intensively. During this symposium, there has been discussion of the “Na-gradient hypothesis” and transport of non-electrolytes. This paper will discuss the Na+ dependent uptake of iron, bound to its carrier protein transferrin. Some of the characteristics of this system indicate that the sodium gradient is a factor in the transport of iron by the maturing red blood cell.
Cut-Loci and Cusp Singularities in Parametrized Families of Extremals

We analyze the simple cusp singularity arising in the flow of a parametrized family of extremals. The simple cusp point generates a region in the state space which is covered 3:1 with both locally minimizing and maximizing branches. The changes from the locally minimizing to the maximizing branch away from the simple cusp point occur at fold-loci and there trajectories lose strong local optimality. However, the two minimizing branches intersect and generate a cut-locus which limits the optimality of the close-by trajectories and eliminates these trajectories from optimality near the cusp point prior to the conjugate point. In the language of PDE, the simple cusp in the parametrized flow of extremals generates a shock in the corresponding solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation.
Physical Activity and Stress Reduction: A Review of Selected Literature

According to Lazarus (1977) stress management can be directed to three levels. First is the external environment which one prepares to master, confront, avoid or flee from by using formal strategies such as time management, assertiveness and decision making as well as informal, essential strategies such as vacations and scheduling ‘R & R’ activities to reduce the internal costs of daily living. The second level is that of changing perception. As Selye (1974) said, “it’s not what happens to a man that counts, it’s how he takes it.” Perception determines whether the stress response is triggered or not. The third level is that of changing the sress response itself. The resultant response management directly reduces the sequelae of the stress response. This level provides the last possible opportunity for intervention.
Comparative Analysis of the Jamming Avoidance Response in African and South American Wave-Type Electric Fishes

African wave-type electric fish, Gymnarchus, and South American wave-type electric fish, Eigenmannia, have evolved electrosensory and electromotor systems independently. Nevertheless, they exhibit a similar electrical behavior, the jamming avoidance response (JAR). When two individuals with slightly different frequencies of electric organ discharge (EOD) meet, they shift discharge frequencies away from each other to avoid mutual jamming of their electrolocation systems. These two genera of electric fishes perform this behavior using an identical set of complex computational rules. Reflecting their independent evolution, however, neuronal implementation of the computational steps appears to take different forms. One of the essential computational steps, phase comparison, is performed in the hindbrain in Gymnarchus and in the midbrain in Eigenmannia. The comparison of these two species in this paper revealed an example of how different brain structures perform functionally similar tasks in independently evo...
Child support wage withholding and father–child contact: parental bargaining and salience effects

Past research on child support finds that father–child contact increases as support payments increase. Enforcement policies such as wage withholding also may affect father–child contact even when the amount of support paid is not affected if they change bargaining power between parents or the salience of fathers’ child support obligations. I develop a model of the salience of child support obligations which predicts that introduction of automatic withholding will reduce contact between noncustodial parents and children independent of payment amount. I then examine whether paying child support via wage withholding affects fathers’ frequency of contact with their children and their provision of in-kind support using instrumental variables and bounded OLS techniques for selection on unobservables. Withholding appears to decrease father–child contact. Withholding effects do not occur when payments are made to government agencies or courts but are present when payments go directly to the mother, consistent with bargaining models. More frequent payment schedules are associated with more contact, consistent with salience effects.
An empirical examination of group emotional intelligence in public sector workgroups

Purpose – Despite increased calls for incorporating emotional intelligence (EI) in workgroups and teams, there exists a need to develop empirical instruments that can measure group-level emotional intelligence (GEI), and assess its efficacy in predicting outcomes such as performance and learning ability. This paper aims to empirically demonstrate how GEI affects the performance and learning ability of public sector workgroups in city governments. Design/methodology/approach – Using Ghuman’s (2011) proposed theoretical model of GEI as a two-component system, an empirical instrument is created that measures GEI at the group level of analysis. Regression analyses are performed for 44 workgroups in the public sector organizations, with group performance and group learning ability as the dependent variables. Results show a significant positive relationship between GEI and the outcomes of group performance and group learning ability. Findings – The findings demonstrate that a competent instrument has been devel...
Development and Application of a High-Throughput Screening Method to Evaluate Antifungal Activity against Trichophyton tonsurans

There exist relatively few drug classes on the market to treat dermatophyte infections. This investigation was designed to develop and validate high-throughput methodology for screening and confirmation of chemicals for activity against Trichophyton tonsurans. Growth characteristics were examined on two platforms (96- and 384-well) in three media at eight spore concentrations over a period of up to 120 h. Microspectrophotometry was used to automate plate reads. The 384-well platform was used to screen more than 7000 compounds from six chemical libraries. Z-scores for optical density relative to positive growth controls were used to flag compounds of interest and activity confirmed in separate assays. The final conditions selected for both screening and confirmation with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination were growth for 48 h at 32 °C in SabDex with 1 × 10(4) spores per reaction. Sensitivity and specificity averaged 99.2% (range, 95.2%-100%) and 99.8% (range, 99.1%-100%), respectively. MICs for known antifungals were similar to those reported by others using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute methods. Several novel compound classes were identified to have activity against T. tonsurans with potency comparable to known antifungals. A robust, reproducible assay is described that permits high-throughput screening in T. tonsurans.
The Contrast Between Discharge Coil and Voltage Transformer

Based on contrasting with the principle and characteristics of voltage transformer,this paper analyzed the resemblances and differences between voltage transformer and discharge coil for installation of high voltage shunt capacitors,and elaborated the main characteristics of discharge coil.Combining with the characteristics of discharge coil,some suggestions towards the selection and experiment research of discharge coil are put forward.
Application Research of BP Neural Network in Hydroelectricity Fusion Simulation System

A kind of learning algorithm and mean-error model identification method of BP neural network have been presented in this paper. Based on the simulation example of dynamotor cooling model, the method presented in this paper has been tested successfully on improving the simulation precision aspect. ;;;;
Aesthetic anatomy of the non-Caucasian nose.

Aesthetic rhinoplasty in the non-Caucasian patient is a challenging operation, even to the experienced rhinoplastic surgeon used to operating on Caucasians. Only by thoroughly understanding the anatomic differences between the Caucasian and non-Caucasian nose can the plastic surgeon effectively manipulate the various structures to obtain an aesthetically gratifying result. The major differences in the internal and external anatomy of the Caucasian versus the non- Caucasian nose are described.
Direct Computation of Increments

This chapter discusses the direct computations of increments. The main idea of differential calculus is that small changes (or increments) of smooth functions are approximately linear. Geometrically, this means that microscopic views of smooth graphs appear to be linear. This chapter presents the direct symbolic calculation of the increments of several basic functions to find the linear approximation directly. The direct computation of increments is harder than applying the differentiation rules. Differentiation rules are actually theorems that say a local linear approximation is given by the rules of calculus.
Health and Biological Functioning

Numerous studies suggest that religious involvement tends to favor healthy biological functioning across the life course. The primary aim of this chapter is to review and explain these patterns. Toward this end, we develop several biopsychosocial models of religious involvement and biological functioning. These models incorporate pathways related to social resources, psychological resources, healthy behaviors, and various biological processes. We conclude that additional research is needed to establish associations with understudied biological outcomes (e.g., epigenetics, infant mortality, and telomeres), individual mechanisms, more elaborate causal models, and sub-group variations. It is also important for future studies to thoroughly explore the “dark side” of religion and to formally test alternative explanations, including health selection, personality selection, and genetic selection. Research along these lines would provide a more comprehensive understanding of how and why religious involvement might contribute to biological functioning across the life course.
As the world becomes trauma–informed, work to do

The term trauma-informed is trending. Google searches for the term trauma-informed care have been measurable since at least 2004, with a noticeable uptick since 2011. Google trends also show a disp...
An FPGA prototype of dual link algorithm for MIMO interference network

This paper presents an FPGA-based prototype of the dual link algorithm that maximize the achievable weighted sum rate for MIMO interference network. The iterative algorithm is fast monotone convergent but it must be completed quickly through pilot signaling. Therefore we propose an FPGA-based implementation, targeting software defined radio (SDR) platforms, that is designed to rapidly process the received pilot signals, estimate local channel information, and compute the transmit signal covariance matrices. Compared to its implementation on a CPU, the FPGA implementation is 2 to 4 times faster using fixed-point or floating-point designs.
Some American Families at Dinner

Socialization theories in the past have stressed the role, at least in early childhood, of the mother. Only recently has there been much work on the role of fathers (Lamb, 1981), and research on siblings during the in fancy/early-childhood period is almost nonexistent (Cicirelli, 1975; Dunn & Kendrick, 1979). Although a growing number of studies bear witness to the recognition that other social objects play an important role in the early development of children, there are relatively few theoretical perspectives that can be used to anchor any empirical findings. Bronfenbrenner (1977) and Lewis (Lewis, 1982; Lewis & Feiring, 1978, 1979; Lewis, Feiring, & Weinraub, 1981; Lewis & Weinraub, 1976; Weinraub, Brooks, & Lewis, 1977) have begun to lay out a more theoretical perspective. In each of these views, the child’s place in the social network, rather than specific dyadic relationships, becomes the primary focus. Lewis (1982), in describing the social network of young children, has suggested that the role of any dyadic relationship cannot be fully appreciated without a broader perspective of placing that dyad into the larger framework of the child’slife. In particular, for example, when discussing the role of the father, it becomes obvious that part of the father’s role is his indirect influence, that is, those effects of the father’s behavior, values, and goals that are experienced by the child through the father’s behavior to others, who, in turn, act on the child (Lewis & Feiring, 1981).
Assays of cell viability: discrimination of cells dying by apoptosis

Publisher Summary Two distinct modes of cell death, apoptosis and necrosis, can be recognized based on differences in the morphological, biochemical, and molecular changes of the dying cell. This chapter discusses the assays of cell viability in light of their applicability to differentiate between these two mechanisms. It has been recognized during the past several decades that one of the major features discriminating dead from live cells is loss of the transport function and physical integrity of the plasma membrane. A plethora of assays of cell viability has been developed based on this phenomenon. There are several assays of cell viability based on the functional tests of cell organelles. Chromatin condensation is one of the early events of apoptosis. It has been observed that sensitivity of DNA in situ to denaturation is increased during chromatin condensation, for example, as during mitosis or in G 0 , and that chromatin condensation in apoptotic cells is also accompanied by increased DNA denaturability.
Agamben's Coming Philosophy

With the publication of his 2005 monograph, The Time That Remains: A Commentary on the Letter to the Romans, the Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben established himself, along with philosophers Ala...
MRI and Prediction of Pathologic Complete Response in the Breast and Axilla after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Background In the setting where determining extent of residual disease is key for surgical planning after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), we evaluate the reliability of MRI in predicting pathologic complete response (pCR) of the breast primary and axillary nodes after NAC. Study Design Patients who had MRI before and after NAC between June 2014 and August 2015 were identified in a prospective database after IRB approval. Post-NAC MRI of the breast and axillary nodes was correlated with residual disease on final pathology. Pathologic complete response was defined as absence of invasive and in situ disease. Results We analyzed 129 breast cancers. Median patient age was 50.8 years (range 27.2 to 80.6 years). Tumors were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 amplified in 52 of 129 (40%), estrogen receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative in 45 of 129 (35%), and triple negative in 32 of 129 (25%), with respective pCR rates of 50%, 9%, and 31%. Median tumor size pre- and post-NAC MRI were 4.1 cm and 1.45 cm, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging had a positive predictive value of 63.4% (26 of 41) and negative predictive value of 84.1% (74 of 88) for in-breast pCR. Axillary nodes were abnormal on pre-NAC MRI in 97 patients; 65 had biopsy-confirmed metastases. The nodes normalized on post-NAC MRI in 33 of 65 (51%); axillary pCR was present in 22 of 33 (67%). In 32 patients with proven nodal metastases and abnormal nodes on post-NAC MRI, 11 achieved axillary pCR. In 32 patients with normal nodes on pre- and post-NAC MRI, 6 (19%) had metastasis on final pathology. Conclusions Radiologic complete response by MRI does not predict pCR with adequate accuracy to replace pathologic evaluation of the breast tumor and axillary nodes.
Structural Insights into VLR Fine Specificity for Blood Group Carbohydrates.

Summary High-quality reagents to study and detect glycans with high specificity for research and clinical applications are severely lacking. Here, we structurally and functionally characterize several variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR)-based antibodies from lampreys immunized with O erythrocytes that specifically recognize the blood group H-trisaccharide type II antigen. Glycan microarray analysis and biophysical data reveal that these VLRs exhibit greater specificity for H-trisaccharide compared with the plant lectin UEA-1, which is widely used in blood typing. Among these antibodies, O13 exhibits superior specificity for H-trisaccharide, the basis for which is revealed by comparative analysis of high-resolution VLR:glycan crystal structures. Using a structure-guided approach, we designed an O13 mutant with further enhanced specificity for H-trisaccharide. These insights into glycan recognition by VLRs suggest that lampreys can produce highly specific glycan antibodies, and are a valuable resource for the production of next-generation glycan reagents for biological and biomedical research and as diagnostics and therapeutics.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: The Whole Truth.

OBJECTIVE. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive malignant breast disease traditionally described as a precursor lesion to invasive breast cancer. With screening mammography, DCIS now ac...
High-temperature effects on the light transmission through sapphire optical fiber

Single crystal sapphire optical fiber was tested at high temperatures (1500°C) to determine its suitability for optical instrumentation in high-temperature environments. Broadband light transmission (450-2300 nm) through sapphire fiber was measured as a function of temperature as a test of the fiber's ability to survive and operate in high-temperature environments. Upon heating sapphire fiber to 1400°C, large amounts of light attenuation were measured across the entire range of light wavelengths that were tested. SEM and TEM images of the heated sapphire fiber indicated that a layer had formed at the surface of the fiber, most likely due to a chemical change at high temperatures. The microscopy results suggest that the surface layer may be in the form of aluminum hydroxide. Subsequent tests of sapphire fiber in an inert atmosphere showed minimal light attenuation at high temperatures along with the elimination of any surface layers on the fiber, indicating that the air atmosphere is indeed responsible for the increased attenuation and surface layer formation at high temperatures.
Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry-A method to evaluate plasma-modified three-dimensional scaffold chemistry.

Biopolymers are used extensively in the manufacture of porous scaffolds for a variety of biological applications. The surfaces of these scaffolds are often modified to encourage specific interactions such as surface modification of scaffolds to prevent fouling or to promote a cell supportive environment for tissue engineering implants. However, few techniques can effectively characterize the uniformity of surface modifications in a porous scaffold. By filling the scaffold pores through polymer embedding, followed by analysis with imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), the distribution and composition of surface chemical species though complex porous scaffolds can be characterized. This method is demonstrated on poly(caprolactone) scaffolds modified with a low-fouling plasma-deposited coating from octafluoropropane via plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. A gradient distribution of CF+/CF3+ is observed for scaffolds plasma treated for 5 min, whereas a 20 min treatment results in more uniform distribution of the surface modification throughout the entire scaffold. The authors expect this approach to be widely applicable for ToF-SIMS analysis of scaffolds modified by multiple plasma processing techniques as well as alternative surface modification approaches.
Accurate measurement of the optical constants for modeling organic and organophosphorous liquid layers and drops

We present accurate measurements for the optical constants for a series of organic liquids, including organophosphorous compounds. Bulk liquids are rarely encountered in the environment, but more commonly are present as droplets of liquids or thin layers on various substrates. Providing reference spectra to account for the plethora of morphological conditions that may be encountered under different scenarios is a challenge. An alternative approach is to provide the complex optical constants, n and k, which can be used to model the optical phenomena in media and at interfaces, minimizing the need for a vast number of laboratory measurements. In this work, we present improved protocols for measuring the optical constants for a series of liquids that span from 7800 to 400 cm-1. The broad spectral range means that one needs to account for both strong and weak spectral features that are encountered, all of which can be useful for detection, depending on the scenario. To span this dynamic range, both long and short cells are required for accurate measurements. These protocols are presented along with experimental and modeling results for thin layers of silicone oil on aluminum.
Symptom Burden at the End of Life: Hospice Providers' Perceptions

To describe symptom prevalence, frequency, and severity among hospice patients, from the perspective of hospice providers, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 16 hospices participating in the Population-based Palliative Care Research Network (PoPCRN). Hospice staff estimated symptom presence, frequency, and severity, using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Among the 348 patients (median age 78 years, 55% female, 55% cancer diagnosis), the most common symptoms noted by hospice staff were lack of energy (83%), pain (76%), lack of appetite (63%), drowsiness (61%), difficulty concentrating (60%), and sadness (51%). When present, lack of energy was rated by hospice providers as both frequent (75% "frequently" or "almost constantly") and severe (46% "severe" or "very severe"). Symptoms varied by care setting and by diagnosis. Hospice staff often lacked sufficient information to rate potentially important symptoms, such as problems with sexual interest or activity (63%), change in self image (30%), and worrying (26%). This study identifies a significant burden of unrelieved symptoms among hospice patients, suggesting a need for more widespread institution of symptom management strategies with proven effectiveness and additional investigation into treatment of common symptoms for which few effective treatment strategies are known.
Specifying and prototyping: some thoughts on why they are successful

Two methods that have been successful in producing good software are 1) specifying and then implementing and 2) prototyping and then implementing. This paper identifies what the two methods have in common, namely that the implementation is the second time through carefully thinking about the problem. It proposes that perhaps this common aspect is more important to the successes of the methods than other aspects of the methods.
dLTE: Building a more WiFi-like Cellular Network: (Instead of the Other Way Around)

The radio interfaces and network architectures of WiFi and cellular systems are converging along many dimensions. While both systems are largely adopting the centralized architecture of traditional cellular deployments, this design comes with fundamental disadvantages that limit how these networks grow and develop. As a response, we present Distributed LTE (dLTE), an architecture offering the high radio performance of licensed and coordinated waveforms as well as the openness to organic expansion and growth of traditional WiFi. We challenge the assumption that good performance requires a centralized packet processing core, and propose hybrid approaches to coordination that prioritize system openness. We argue that dLTE is a particularly good fit for rural areas, where the LTE waveform is more appropriate than WiFi, yet it is uneconomical for centralized providers to deploy traditional cellular systems.
Nitric oxide is not just blowing in the wind.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Nitric Oxide 20 Years from the 1998 Nobel Prize. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.2/issuetoc.
Inhibition of the alternative complement pathway accelerates repair processes in the murine model of choroidal neovascularization.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the US. Polymorphisms in complement components are associated with increased AMD risk, and it has been hypothesized that an overactive complement system is partially responsible for AMD pathology. Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) has two phases, injury/angiogenesis and repair/fibrosis. Complement activation has been shown to be involved in the angiogenesis phase of murine CNV, but has not been investigated during repair. Anaphylatoxin (C3a and C5a) signaling in particular has been shown to be involved in both tissue injury and repair in other models. CNV was triggered by laser-induced photocoagulation in C57BL/6 J mice, and lesion sizes measured by optical coherence tomography. Alternative pathway (AP) activation or C3a-receptor (C3aR) and C5a-receptor (C5aR) engagement was inhibited during the repair phase only of CNV with the AP-inhibitor CR2-fH, a C3aR antagonist (N2-[(2,2-diphenylethoxy)acetyl]-l-arginine, TFA), or a C5a blocking antibody (CLS026), respectively. Repair after CNV was also investigated in C3aR/C5aR double knockout mice. CR2-fH treatment normalized anaphylatoxin levels in the eye and accelerated regression of CNV lesions. In contrast, blockade of anaphylatoxin-receptor signaling pharmacologically or genetically did not significantly alter the course of lesion repair. These results suggest that continued complement activation prevents fibrotic scar resolution, and emphasizes the importance of reducing anaphylatoxins to homeostatic levels. This duality of complement, playing a role in injury and repair, will need to be considered when selecting a complement inhibitory strategy for AMD.
Extended deterrence and assurance in an emerging technology environment

How do emerging technologies impact strategic stability in the international system? I focus on how one aspect of strategic stability, extended deterrence commitments inherent to alliances, may be ...
Chronic Pain Management in the Elderly

Chronic pain is extremely prevalent in older adults and is associated with significant morbidity, including limited mobility, social isolation, and depressed mood. Pain is defined by a biopsychosocial model highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, including multimodal medications, selected interventions, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and psychological treatments. In this narrative review, the authors highlight the use of these approaches in older adults with specific attention paid to considerations unique to aging, including alterations in drug metabolism, avoidance of polypharmacy, and physiologic changes predisposing to painful conditions.
Relationship between low vitamin D status and extra-skeletal diseases: a systematic review on effects of prophylaxis with vitamin D

Background and objective: A recent body of observational evidence has suggested that the low vitamin D status is related to various diseases, both skeletal and extra-skeletal muscle, including cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, diabetes, immune system diseases (allergies), generating a growing use of supplementation, and at high doses. We conducted this systematic review with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)statement, to summarize the scientific literature concerning the role of low-level vitamin D in the extra-skeletal outcomes and the effects of supplementation. Materials and methods: Articles from PubMed, MEDLINE,and Cochrane Library were searched. Finally, 18 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 11 documents of scientific societies/guidelines/editorials/books, and 19 interventions and observational studies (of which 5 randomized controlled trials) were included. Results: It has been found that, despite there is a large amount of observational cohort studies and anecdotal evidence of the benefits of vitamin D supplementation both on skeletal and extra-skeletal outcomes, more research is needed to verify the causality (and not only correlation) of low vitamin D status on extra-skeletal outcomes, considering that solid evidence from randomized controlled trials or other intervention studies are few, that the results of different randomized controlled trials cancel each other coming to opposite conclusions and that pervasive methodological defects make the evidence unreliable. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation for extra-skeletal outcomes does not seem justified, if not in clinically documented deficiencies or in specially designed clinical trials.
Luminescent solar concentrators performing under different light conditions

Abstract The use of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) is considered a promising option to impart energy harvesting capability to buildings with minimal alternation to the building structure. To fill the gap between fundamental research and practical application, this study investigated the performance (power conversion efficiency, ηLSC and power concentration ratio, C) of the LSCs of different sizes under different light conditions including simulated sunlight condition, outdoor sunny, overcast and raining conditions, and indoor condition employing four different types of light bulbs (i.e., incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and light-emitting diode). It was observed that the LSCs exhibited higher one-sun performance under outdoor sunny condition than under simulated sunlight. Under overcast and raining conditions, ηLSC decreased significantly with the increase of the device size. Under indoor incandescent and halogen light conditions, the LSCs exhibited low ηLSC due to the low percentage of the visible portion in the light spectrum. Surprisingly high ηLSC boosted by 50% compared to the outdoor sunny condition was obtained in the LSCs under fluorescent and LED light conditions. This research suggested very promising application of the LSCs in indoor light energy recycling, which has not been proposed before.
Show me the meaning! The contextual relevance of images influences the recall and understanding of multimedia RSVP paragraphs

ABSTRACTThis study examined whether images facilitate contextual grouping as effectively as words. College students (N = 102) read RSVP paragraphs with topics located at the beginning, middle, or e...
Five Common Pitfalls in Eye-Tracking Research.

Eye tracking has become an increasingly popular research methodology among language researchers to examine online cognitive processing of second-language (L2) speakers and bilinguals. As the scope ...
SARS-CoV2 Testing: The Limit of Detection Matters

Resolving the COVID-19 pandemic requires diagnostic testing to determine which individuals are infected and which are not. The current gold standard is to perform RT-PCR on nasopharyngeal samples. Best-in-class assays demonstrate a limit of detection (LoD) of ~100 copies of viral RNA per milliliter of transport media. However, LoDs of currently approved assays vary over 10,000-fold. Assays with higher LoDs will miss more infected patients, resulting in more false negatives. However, the false-negative rate for a given LoD remains unknown. Here we address this question using over 27,500 test results for patients from across our healthcare network tested using the Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 EUA. These results suggest that each 10-fold increase in LoD is expected to increase the false negative rate by 13%, missing an additional one in eight infected patients. The highest LoDs on the market will miss a majority of infected patients, with false negative rates as high as 70%. These results suggest that choice of assay has meaningful clinical and epidemiological consequences. The limit of detection matters.
Decreased biofilm formation by planktonic cells of Listeria monocytogenes in the presence of sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine if the adaptation at planktonic stage to subinhibitory concentrations (SIC) of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) could modulate the biofilm forming ability of five Listeria monocytogenes strains V7, Scott A, FSL-N1-227, FSL F6-154 and ATCC 19116 representing serotypes 1/2a, 4b and 4c. Biofilm formation by NaOCl nonadapted and adapted L. monocytogenes planktonic cells was measured in the presence or absence of SIC of NaOCl. The biofilm formation ability of NaOCl nonadapted and adapted L. monocyotgenes planktonic cells was reduced only in the presence of NaOCl (P
Editor's Comments:School Psychology Review:Celebrating 25 Years of Publication and Approaching the 21st Century

(1996). Editor's Comments: School Psychology Review: Celebrating 25 Years of Publication and Approaching the 21st Century. School Psychology Review: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 2-8.
Post-Quantum Cryptographic Hardware and Embedded Systems

When evaluating different cryptosystems, one primary metric is the cost to deploy the scheme in today’s software or hardware platforms. Given the option, hardware acceleration is typically preferred as optimizing a cryptosystem’s computations in logical gates leads to improvements in performance, power, and energy. Here, we survey the progress on acceleration of post-quantum key establishment cryptosystems in hardware. We examine the critical computations in the third round of NIST’s PQC standardization competition, how to efficiently speed these up in hardware, and the state-of-the-art results of these schemes.
Major Salivary Gland Cancer With Distant Metastasis Upon Presentation: Patterns, Outcomes, and Imaging Implications.

Objectives Given limited data availability on distant metastasis (DM) in major salivary gland (MSG) malignancy presentation, we aimed to evaluate the rate, histologic patterns, location, and predictors of DM at first MSG cancer presentation and suggest potential implications on diagnostic workup. Study design Retrospective cohort. Setting Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals. Methods We included patients in the National Cancer Database (2010-2016) with MSG malignancy. Site and rate of DM were stratified by histologic subtype. Factors predictive of DM at presentation were determined by multivariate regression analysis. Survival analyses were conducted via the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. Results Of 5776 patients with MSG carcinoma, 333 (5.8%) presented with DM. The most common DM site was the lung (57.1%), followed by bone (46.8%) and liver (19.5%). DM was most common in adenocarcinoma-not otherwise specified (15.1%, 132/874) and salivary duct carcinoma (10.4%, 30/288). High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma had the highest rate of lung metastases (81.6%, 31/38). Conversely, myoepithelial carcinoma had the highest rate of bone metastases (85.7%, 6/7). DM at presentation was independently associated with an increased mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.40-1.90). Conclusion We identified a DM rate of 5.8% in MSG malignancy at presentation. Overall 43% of patients presented without DM to the lung but with DM to the bones, liver, and/or brain. The most common metastatic sites differed by tumor histology. Staging with computed tomography neck and chest alone may fail to detect sites of DM; this work can be used for patient counseling in the clinical setting.