cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Both cyclin A delta 60 and B delta 97 are stable and arrest cells in M-phase, but only cyclin B delta 97 turns on cyclin destruction.

Abstract Previous work has established that destruction of cyclin B is necessary for exit from mitosis and entry into the next interphase. Sea urchin cyclin B lacking an N-terminal domain is stable, permanently activates cdc2 kinase, resulting in mitotic arrest, and permanently activates the destruction pathway acting on full length cyclin B. Here we have compared the properties of clam cyclins A and B lacking related N-terminal domains. Both cyclin A delta 60 and B delta 97 bind to cdc2 kinase, keep it hyperactivated and block the completion of mitosis. By adding purified delta cyclin proteins to a cell-free system at different cell cycle times, we find that when the cell-free system reaches the cyclin destruction point in the presence of either A delta 60 or B delta 97, the cyclin destruction pathway acting on full length cyclins fails to be turned off. However, the two cyclins differ dramatically in their ability to turn on cyclin destruction. When added to emetine-arrested interphase lysates devoid of endogenous cyclins, only cyclin B delta 97 activates the cyclin destruction system; cyclin A delta 60 does not. This functional difference between the two cyclin types, the first to be described, provides strong support for the idea that the two cyclins have different roles in the cell cycle and suggests that one specialized role of the cyclin B-cdc2 complex is to activate the cyclin destruction pathway and drive cells into interphase of the next cell cycle.
Fundamentals of magnet-actuated droplet manipulation on an open hydrophobic surface

We systematically investigate droplet movement, coalescence, and splitting on an open hydrophobic surface. These processes are actuated by magnetic beads internalized in an oil-coated aqueous droplet using an external magnet. Results are organized into an ‘operating diagram’ that describes regions of droplet stable motion, breakage, and release from the magnet. The results are explained theoretically with a simple model that balances magnetic, friction, and capillary-induced drag forces and includes the effects of particle type, droplet size, surrounding oil layer, surface tension, and viscosity. Finally, we discuss the implications of the results for the design of magnet-actuated droplet systems for applications such as nucleic acid purification, immunoassay and drug delivery.
Kinetics of visual pigment regeneration in excised mouse eyes and in mice with a targeted disruption of the gene encoding interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein or arrestin.

Photoisomerization of 11-cis-retinal to all-trans-retinal and reduction to all-trans-retinol occur in photoreceptor outer segments whereas enzymatic esterification of all-trans-retinol, isomerization to 11-cis-retinol, and oxidation to 11-cis-retinal occur in adjacent cells. The processes are linked into a visual cycle by intercellular diffusion of retinoids. Knowledge of the mechanistic aspects of the visual cycle is very limited. In this study, we utilize chemical analysis of visual cycle retinoids to assess physiological roles for components inferred from in vitro experiments and to understand why excised mouse eyes fail to regenerate their bleached visual pigment. Flash illumination of excised mouse eyes or eyecups, in which regeneration of rhodopsin does not occur, produced a block in the visual cycle after all-trans-retinal formation; constant illumination of eyecups produced a block in the cycle after all-trans-retinol formation; and constant illumination of whole excised eyes resulted in a block o...
Role of Plasma Membrane Lipid Microdomains in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Filament Formation

The fusion protein (F) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the envelope glycoprotein responsible for the characteristic cytopathology of syncytium formation. RSV has been shown to bud from selective areas of the plasma membrane as pleomorphic virions, including both filamentous and round particles. With immunofluorescent microscopy, we demonstrated evidence of RSV filaments incorporating the fusion protein F and colocalizing with a lipid microdomain-specific fluorescent dye, 1,1-dihexadecyl-3,3,3,3-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate. Western blot analysis of Triton X-100 cold-extracted membrane fractions confirmed the presence of RSV proteins within the lipid microdomains. RSV proteins also colocalized with cellular proteins associated with lipid microdomains, caveolin-1, and CD44, as well as with RhoA, a small GTPase. ADP-ribosylation of RhoA by Clostridium botulinum exotoxin inactivated RhoA signaling and resulted in the absence of RSV-induced syncytia despite no significant change in viral titer. We demonstrated an overall decrease in both the number and length of the viral filaments and a shift in the localization of F to nonlipid microdomain regions of the membrane in the presence of C3 toxin. This suggests that the selective incorporation of RSV proteins into lipid microdomains during virus assembly may lead to critical interactions of F with cellular proteins, resulting in microvillus projections necessary for the formation of filamentous virus particles and syncytium formation. Thus, manipulation of membrane lipid microdomains may lead to alterations in the production of viral filaments and RSV pathogenesis and provide a new pharmacologic target for RSV therapy.
Congenital malformation of the heart in one of identical twins.

Abstract 1. 1. A case of congenital heart disease occurring in only one of identical twins has been presented. 2. 2. The literature has been reviewed and the etiology of congenital heart disease has been briefly discussed.
Neuroplasticity: an appreciation from synapse to system.

Abstract Gillick BT, Zirpel L. Neuroplasticity: an appreciation from synapse to system. Objective To integrate our functional knowledge in neurorehabilitation with a greater understanding of commonly held theories and current research in neuroplasticity. Design Literature review. Setting Not applicable. Participants Animal and human research. Interventions Interventions specific to application in humans: constraint-induced movement therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation. Main Outcome Measures Cortical excitability, blood oxygen level–dependent signal, and functional outcomes. Results There is increasing evidence elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of plasticity of the nervous system including growth, modification, degradation, and even death of neurons. Some of these mechanisms directly correlate with therapy-induced behavioral changes, and all provide an understanding of the response of the nervous system to altered inputs. The understanding of neural correlates of behavior can then form the foundation for more productive, comprehensive interventions. Conclusions The focus of recent research surrounds translational projects aimed at enhancing clinical outcomes. Knowledge of mechanisms underlying this adaptability is the foundation for our treatments, diagnoses, and prognoses. The increasing understanding of the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity can guide, direct, and focus the practice of current and future therapies to greater efficacy and better functional outcomes in clinical rehabilitation.
A Fond Farewell to the Foxglove? The Decline in the Use of Digitalis

Since William Withering's report on the foxglove in 1785, digitalis, in 1 form or another, has remained a mainstay in the treatment of congestive heart failure and as a means of rate control in atrial fibrillation. Recently, with the introduction of potent diuretics and other agents for the treatment of these conditions, there has been a deemphasis on the role of digitalis despite its therapeutic value. Continued evidence of the frequent usefulness of digitalis in both conditions suggests that this venerable drug should remain within the therapeutic armamentarium of cardiologists and other physicians.
Mutational analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans CED-4

Much of our knowledge concerning the genetics that regulate cell death has come from the studies of cell death during the development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Of the 14 genes identified as components of nematode cell death pathways, two genes, ced-3 and ced-4, are required to promote cell death and a third, ced-9, blocks cell death. Recent studies show CED-4 to be an activator of CED-3 and CED-9 to be an inhibitor of CED-4. Two published sequence alignments suggest that CED-4 contains a death effector domain (DED), a protein sequence motif present in other death signaling proteins like Fadd and Flice; one study suggests a DED sequence similarity near the N-terminus while the other found sequence similarity near the C-terminus of CED-4. Using mutational analysis we have tested the functional significance of the conserved residues found within the putative DEDs of CED-4. Mutations in two conserved residues within the putative N-terminal DED of CED-4 affected its function, while mutations in the conserved residues within the putative C-terminal DED had no effect on CED-4 function. Our results do not support the presence of a DED in the C-terminus of CED-4 and suggest a potential role for the N-terminus in CED-4 function, possibly as a DED or as a CARD (caspase recruitment domain). We also found that CED-9 associated with all the CED-4 mutants and inhibited the activity of all the active-CED-4 mutants.
High-resolution thermal denaturation of DNA. I. Theoretical and practical considerations for the resolution of thermal subtransitions.

The fidelity achieved in first derivative profiles of DNA thermal denaturation is shown to depend on a number of factors including the thermal increment of data gathering, the precision of absorbance readings, and the manner in which data are smoothed prior to calculating the derivative of hyperchromicity. The closeness with which thermal denaturation data can be fitted by a cubic polynomial is carefully considered, and a derivation is presented for the estimated error in calculated values of the derivative of hyperchromicity with respect to temperature. After reviewing both theoretical and experimental evidence for the expected minimum width of a thermal transition in DNA, we conclude that thermal increments of 0.05°C or less are required for an adequate representation of transitions in naturally occurring DNA's. Data gathered under conditions meeting the requirements suggested here for quantitative recording of thermal denaturation profiles (Vizard and Ansevin, submitted for publication) show that virtually all of the high-resolution thermal denaturation profile of a simple, naturally occuring DNA may consist of small subtransitions, which we call thermalites. The finding of substransitions is consistent with current theories of DNA melting. A particularly well-resolved thermalite of λ bacteriophage DNA has a breadth of only 0.30°C (2σ width), and thus is narrower than previously reported thermal transitions for DNA. For this thermalite, the combination of width, shape, and position in the profile suggests that the substransitions observed in accurately recorded DNA thermal denaturation profiles are not described satisfactorily by existing theories. Knowledge of the requirements for the quantitative recording of thermal denaturation profiles should greatly favor the usefulness of denaturation experiments for physical genomic analysis.
The extremely narrow-caliber esophagus is a treatment-resistant subphenotype of eosinophilic esophagitis

Background and Aims Some patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) have an extremely narrow esophagus, but the characteristics of this group have not been extensively described. We aimed to characterize the narrow-caliber phenotype of EoE, determine associated risk factors, and identify differences in treatment response in this subgroup of patients. Methods This retrospective cohort study from 2001 to 2014 included subjects with a new diagnosis of EoE per consensus guidelines. Demographic, endoscopic, histologic, and treatment response data were extracted from medical records. An extremely narrow-caliber esophagus was defined when a neonatal endoscope was required to traverse the esophagus due to the inability to pass an adult endoscope. Patients with and without an extremely narrow-caliber esophagus were compared. Multivariable logistical regression was performed to assess treatment outcomes. Results Of 513 patients with EoE, 46 (9%) had an extremely narrow-caliber esophagus. These patients were older (33 vs 22 years; P P P P P P Conclusion The extremely narrow-caliber esophagus is a more treatment-resistant subphenotype of EoE and is characterized by longer symptom duration and the need for multiple dilations. Recognition of an extremely narrow-caliber esophagus at diagnosis of EoE can provide important prognostic information.
Structure Sensitivity of Reactions on Metal Oxide Surfaces

Abstract Examples of dramatic structural effects on the surface reactivity of metal oxides have recently begun to emerge from surface science studies. We consider here archetypal reactions on the polar surfaces of zinc oxide. The (0001)-Zn polar surface abstracts protons from a variety of acidic reactants ranging from carboxylic acids to alcohols to alkynes. This surface also oxidizes aldehydes and esters via nucleophilic attack to form carboxylates. The (0001)-O polar surface is inert toward these reactants. However, when an aromatic function is present in the adsorbate, both polar surfaces are active for its decomposition, although XPS and TPD results suggest that the point of attack may differ. This knowledge of the structural requirements for surface reactions may be used as a guide for the rational design and synthesis of new materials with specific functions for catalyst and sensor applications.
Coherent fifth-order visible-infrared spectroscopies: ultrafast nonequilibrium vibrational dynamics in solution.

Obtaining a detailed description of photochemical reactions in solution requires measuring time-evolving structural dynamics of transient chemical species on ultrafast time scales. Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopies are sensitive probes of molecular structure and dynamics in solution. In this work, we develop doubly resonant fifth-order nonlinear visible–infrared spectroscopies to probe nonequilibrium vibrational dynamics among coupled high-frequency vibrations during an ultrafast charge transfer process using a heterodyne detection scheme. The method enables the simultaneous collection of third- and fifth-order signals, which respectively measure vibrational dynamics occurring on electronic ground and excited states on a femtosecond time scale. Our data collection and analysis strategy allows transient dispersed vibrational echo (t-DVE) and dispersed pump–probe (t-DPP) spectra to be extracted as a function of electronic and vibrational population periods with high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N > 25). ...
A community of communities? Emerging dynamics in the community media paradigm

Recent years have seen numerous attempts by community broadcasters around the world to reinvent their practices in an effort to remain relevant and financially sustainable in the digital age. One p...
Judgments Under Uncertainty and Time Pressure: Modeling and Analysis of Operators' Judgments of Customers' Creditworthiness

Judgments about uncertain environments have been studied extensively in a variety of settings. The judgments of operators regarding customers' creditworthiness when they wish to purchase items that extend their credit lines over their limits are of particular interest. The lens model and its extension provide a framework to identify an environmental state based on relevant cues. An analysis of the performance of operators' judgments in a financial institution by use of the lens method is presented in this paper. The results of the analysis show that there are differences in the judgment policies of operators in many areas including the methods for using information, the consistency in implementing judgment policies, among other. These differences are very critical elements in an institution's relationship with its customers. Finally, an on-going experiment to support and train operators in the making of consistent and valid judgments by the use of cognitive feedback is discussed.
Release of Ascospores and ASCI from the Perithecia of Ophioceras Dolichostomum

(1978). Release of Ascospores and ASCI from the Perithecia of Ophioceras Dolichostomum. Mycologia: Vol. 70, No. 4, pp. 895-898.
Systems thinking capacity: implications and challenges for complex system governance development

This paper explores systems thinking in relationship to complex system governance (CSG) development. The capacity to engage in systems thinking is considered to be a cornerstone to advancing CSG. Our current exploration is focused on three primary objectives. First, an introduction is provided to place systems thinking within the larger context of CSG development. The concept of systems thinking capacity is advanced as an enabler for CSG development effectiveness. Second, we articulate the foundations of systems thinking by presenting multiple viewpoints of systems thinking and synthesise a set of common themes, explore distinctions between 'hard' and 'soft' systems thinking, and provide a set of characteristics that define a range of individual capacity to engage in systems thinking. Third, we explore the contributions that systems thinking make to CSG development. Emphasis is placed on identification of developmental areas that enhance practitioner capabilities for engaging CSG. The paper concludes by examining the challenges for deployment of systems thinking as a critical element of CSG development. This examination identifies considerations for practitioners deploying systems thinking in support of CSG development.
[Comparison of hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation with laryngeal mask airway CTrach™ and laryngoscope under general anesthesia].

OBJECTIVE To compare the hemodynamic responses to orotracheal intubation with Laryngeal Mask Airway CTrach™ and Laryngoscope under general anesthesia. METHODS 60 adult patients, scheduled for the elective gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia requiring the orotracheal intubation, were randomly allocated to either the CTrach (C) group or the Laryngoscope (D) group. After a standard intravenous anesthetic induction, the orotracheal intubation was performed. Noninvasive blood pressures and heart rates were recorded before (the baseline values) and after anesthesia induction(the postinduction values), at intubation and every minute for the first 3 minutes after intubation. RESULTS The mean intubation time was longer in the C group than in the D group. The tracheal intubations caused significant increases in blood pressures and heart rates in the two groups compared to their postinduction values. In the D group, HR at intubation and after intubation were significantly higher Compared to the baseline values. In the C group, BP and HR at intubation and after intubation were not significantly different from the baseline values. BP and HR at intubation and after intubation were significantly higher in the D group than in the C group. CONCLUSION The CTrach had advantage of attenuating the hemodynamic responses to the orotracheal intubation compared to the laryngoscope.
Legal issues in emergency psychiatry.

When the special needs and often aberrant, disruptive, hostile behavior of the emergency patient are introduced into the already difficult setting of the emergency department, unusual burdens and obligations are placed upon the hospital and its health care practitioners. The legal implications of this situation are numerous, and this article discusses the primary events in treatment of such patients in the emergency department that may have legal consequences.
Excessive antidiuretic hormone secretion after radical cystectomy.

AbstractPerioperative plasma antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) levels were determined in 8 patients undergoing radical cystectomy. Marked elevations of antidiuretic hormone were noted immediately postoperatively in all patients and these levels persisted for 48 hours. Plasma antidiuretic hormone was elevated beyond the physiological levels needed for maintenance of intravascular volume and osmolarity. Excessive antidiuretic hormone secretion is common after radical cystectomy and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of postoperative oliguria in these patients.
Maximiscin Induces DNA Damage, Activates DNA Damage Response Pathways, and Has Selective Cytotoxic Activity against a Subtype of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancers are highly aggressive, and patients with these types of tumors have poor long-term survival. These breast cancers do not express estrogen or progesterone receptors and do not have gene amplification of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; therefore, they do not respond to available targeted therapies. The lack of targeted therapies for triple-negative breast cancers stems from their heterogeneous nature and lack of a clear definition of driver defects. Studies have recently identified triple-negative breast cancer molecular subtypes based on gene expression profiling and representative cell lines, allowing for the identification of subtype-specific drug leads and molecular targets. We previously reported the identification of a new fungal metabolite named maximiscin (1) identified through a crowdsourcing program. New results show that 1 has selective cytotoxic efficacy against basal-like 1 MDA-MB-468 cells compared to cell lines modeling other triple-negative breast cancer molecular subtypes. This compound also exhibited antitumor efficacy in a xenograft mouse model. The mechanisms of action of 1 in MDA-MB-468 cells were investigated to identify potential molecular targets and affected pathways. Compound 1 caused accumulation of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, suggesting induction of DNA damage. Indeed, treatment with 1 caused DNA double-strand breaks with concomitant activation of the DNA damage response pathways, indicated by phosphorylation of p53, Chk1, and Chk2. Collectively, these results suggest basal-like triple-negative breast cancer may be inherently sensitive to DNA-damaging agents relative to other triple-negative breast cancer subtypes. These results also demonstrate the potential of our citizen crowdsourcing program to identify new lead molecules for treating the subtypes of triple-negative breast cancer.
The surgical transfer of immature and mature Fasciola hepatica into the biliary system of the goat.

A technique for implanting immature and mature Fasciola hepatica aseptically into the gall bladder of the goat is described. When immature flukes (15–18 days old) obtained from infected mice were transferred into the gall bladders of goats, they migrated into the bile ducts, grew normally and laid eggs within 5 weeks of transfer. Fifty-three per cent of 574 transferred immature flukes reached maturity in 7 goats. Adult flukes transferred from the bile ducts of infected goats into the gall bladders of normal animals continued to lay eggs and one fluke migrated into the bile ducts. Extensive biliary hyperplasia was found in the liver.
Exotic meson challenges rules

If we had to name a modern-day Mendeleev, his name would surely be Murray Gell-Mann. In the 1960s, faced with a bewilderingarray of particles called hadrons that had been turning up in high-energy experiments around the world, Gell-Mann proposed that the particles were combinations of a few fundamental entities called quarks. This idea brought order into the hadronic chaos, a feat for which Gell-Man was awarded the 1969 Nobel Prize for Physics.
DaTscan quantitative analysis

1772 Objectives To develop and validate a semi-automated quantitative analysis program for DaTscan images to be used as an adjunct to visual assessment for differentiating between Parkinson9s disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET). Methods A semi-automated quantitative analysis program was developed that places manually drawn regions of interest (ROI) over the left and right putamen, left and right caudate, the entire striatum (putamen and caudate), as well as background on a composite transverse slice of attenuation-corrected SPECT images. The program calculates the binding uptake index for the striatum (SBI), putamen (PBI), and caudate (CBI), as well as putamen to caudate ratio (P/C) and striatum asymmetry index (SAI). The program was applied to 13 DaTscan patient SPECT/CT studies that were also independently assessed visually by two trained radiologists who ranked the images based on the level of uptake: 0-normal, 1-reduced uptake in one putamen, 2-reduced uptake bilaterally in the putamina, and 3-reduced uptake in the caudate. The intra- and inter-operator variability were also examined. Results There was good linear correlation (overall r=0.7) between the concordant classification of the distribution and uptake by visual assessment and that calculated by the program indices SBI, PBI, and CBI as well as P/C ratio. SAI was useful in determining uni- vs. bi-lateral reduction in uptake. Mean values and standard deviations were established for the various stages of uptake, though the patient sample was relatively small. Inter-operator variation was 2% and intra-operator 5% respectively, both of which were not found to be statistically significant based on student paired t-test (P>0.05). Conclusions A semi-automated quantitative analysis program for DaTscan images was developed that provides calculated indices reflecting the relative uptake in the striatum. This program can be a useful adjunct tool to visual assessment in classifying the levels of relative uptake in DaTscan images and in differentiating between PD and ET.
Assessment of Visualization Interfaces for Assisting the Development of Multi-level Cognitive Maps

People often become disoriented and frustrated when navigating complex, multi-level buildings. We argue that the principle reason underlying these challenges is insufficient access to the requisite information needed for developing an accurate mental representation, called a multi-level cognitive map. We postulate that increasing access to global landmarks i.e., those visible from multiple locations/floors of a building will aid spatial integration between floors and the development of these representations. This prediction was investigated in three experiments, using either direct perception or Augmented Reality AR visualizations. Results of Experiment 1 demonstrated that increasing visual access to a global landmark promoted multi-level cognitive map development, supporting our hypothesis. Experiment 2 revealed no reliable performance benefits of using two minimalist icon-based and wire-frame visualization techniques. Experiment 3, using a third X-ray visualization, showed reliably better performance for not only a no-visualization control but also the gold standard of direct window access. These results demonstrate that improving information access through principled visualizations benefit multi-level cognitive map development.
Rituximab-Mediated Inhibition of the PI3K-Akt Survival Signaling Pathway in B-NHL Cell Lines Leading to Downregulation of Bclxl Expression and Chemosensitization.

Rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody) has been used in the treatment of B-NHL. We have reported in vitro that rituximab treatment signals B-NHL cell lines Ramos and Daudi and inhibits both the ERK 1/2 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways leading to selective inhibition of Bclxl expression and sensitization to drug-induced apoptosis. The inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway by rituximab was shown to be due, in part, to the induction of the Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein (RKIP) (Jazirehi, et al., 2005 Cancer Research 65:264–276). The PI3K-Akt signaling pathway is a key regulator of cell survival and aberrant activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway has been implicated in both drug resistance and resistance to apoptosis-inducing stimuli. Akt can promote cell survival by indirectly activating the proximal transcription factor NF-κB through the phosphorylation of I-kappa B kinase (I-κB) (Ozes et. al. Nature401:82–85, 1999). This study investigated whether NF-κB inhibition by rituximab and downregulation of Bclxl expression was also the result of rituximab-mediated inhibition of the PI3K-Akt pathway. Ramos and Daudi B-NHL cell lines were treated with rituximab (20 ug/ml) and cell lysates were prepared and both Akt and phospho-Akt (p-Akt) expression were examined by western blot. The findings demonstrate that both cell lines show constitutively activated p-Akt and treatment with rituximab significantly inhibited p-Akt but not Akt. Time kinetics analysis demonstrated that inhibition of p-Akt was first detected at 3–6 hours following rituximab treatment and inhibition was maintained up to 24 hours. Concomitantlly, a similar time kinetics revealed inhibition of NF-κB activity as assessed by EMSA. Since the inhibition of NF-kB activity resulted in significant downregulation of Bclxl expression, we also examined the role of the Akt pathway in the regulation of Bclxl expression. Tumor cells were treated with the Akt inhibitor LY294002 and analysis of cell lysates showed significant downregulation of Bclxl expression. Rituximab was previously shown to sensitize B-NHL cells to drug-induced apoptosis via inhibition of NF-κB activity and Bclxl expression. We examined if inhibition of the Akt pathway also chemosensitized the cells. Treatment of Ramos cells with the Akt inhibitor LY294002 significantly sensitized the cells to CDDP-induced apoptosis and synergy was achieved. Altogether, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, that rituximab inhibits the Akt pathway and that this pathway is involved in the regulation of tumor- cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. This study also proposes that the Akt pathway is a potential targeting pathway for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of rituximab and drug-resistant B-NHL.
Mechanistic Insight into the Attachment of Fullerene Derivatives on Crystal Faces of Methylammonium Lead Iodide Based Perovskites

Recent studies suggest that electron transport layers (ETLs) comprising [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), employed in planar perovskite solar cells, reduce hysteresis by passivating the deep trap states, thereby underscoring the importance of interfacial structures. To gain physical insights into the PCBM–perovskite interfaces during solution processing, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of PCBMs solvated in chlorobenzene near (110) and (100) perovskite surfaces. Our results indicate strong orientational preferences of deposited PCBMs with the strongest associations between the carbonyl oxygen atom of PCBM and the terminating Pb and H atoms of (110) and (100) faces of perovskite, respectively. The phenyl moiety shows weak associations with the (100) perovskite surface enabling two-pronged anchoring that might facilitate charge transfer. In-plane ordering of PCBMs on perovskite surfaces indicates that a more densely packed monolayer is formed on the (110) surface compared to that...
Teaching Patient Handoffs to Medical Students in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Simulation Curriculum and Assessment Tool

Abstract Introduction Patient handoffs, the communications required for the safe transfer of patient care, are known to be a common source of medical errors. Simulation exercises are effective tech...
An Empirical Examination of Access to Chapter 7 Relief by Pro Se Debtors

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA) represents the most significant overhaul of federal bankruptcy law since the Bankruptcy Code’s enactment in 1978. The legislation expanded the grounds on which a debtor’s Chapter 7 case may be dismissed. Moreover, it increased the administrative requirements imposed upon debtors who file for bankruptcy (e.g., increased financial disclosures), which in turn has had the effect of increasing the direct costs of filing for bankruptcy (e.g., filing fees and attorneys’ fees). With this increased complexity in accessing Chapter 7 relief, the question arises whether BAPCPA has had a disproportionate impact on pro se debtors. This Article seeks to provide preliminary insight into answering the question by examining dismissal rates in Chapter 7 cases filed by consumer debtors in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington from 2003 through 2007. It is hypothesized that (1) dismissal rates for pro se debtors will be statistically significantly higher than for represented debtors and (2) dismissal rates for post-BAPCPA pro se debtors will be statistically significantly higher than for pre-BAPCPA pro se debtors. Analyses of the data support both hypotheses. This Article concludes that, if pro se debtors who would otherwise be eligible for Chapter 7 relief cannot access that relief due to lack of representation, serious access-to-justice concerns arise that must be addressed by the courts and Congress.
The Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus as Transnational Advocacy Network

This chapter examines the evolution, structure, and policy preferences of the Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) and its impact on the processes of global Internet governance. The IGC was founded in March 2003, early in the WSIS processes. This chapter explores the degree to which the IGC has evolved out of its WSIS origins, and examines its policy preferences and how they are aligned with the Dynamic Coalition structure of the IGF. The chapter also explores how IGF has developed a high level of policy legitimacy, and discusses its close integration with GigaNet, which plays the role of an epistemic community for the IGC. This chapter also looks at the internal struggles of the IGC, some of which have led to defections from key civil society activists into new bodies like the Best Bits Coalition.
Correctional recreation and the self-esteem of prison inmates

Institutions of incarceration have always had some type of recreational program but the outcomes of these types of programs have not been well documented. Historically, they have been time fillers to keep inmates busy, and have been used as an element of social control. In this study, we examined the outcomes of a correctional recreational program, especially its impact upon prisoners’ ( N = 177) self-esteem. It was found that inmates use recreation as a coping mechanism for their incarceration because is the only time during the day in which they can freely express their personality and, thus, have some type of activity for positive development.
Measuring non-administration of ordered medications in the pediatric inpatient setting.

Abstract Objective Medication compliance in inpatient settings shows some significant gaps for adult patients. In pediatric settings prescribing and other administration errors have been studied but missed doses have not been specifically studied in the pediatric inpatient setting. We intended to apply health information technology and data processing methods to study the medication compliance for pediatric patients at our institution. Study design We collected medication ordering, dispensing, and administration data spanning 42 months (7/1/2010 through 12/31/2013) for pediatric inpatients admitted to a major tertiary pediatric hospital. We analyzed the orders for which either the corresponding administration record was missing or the records indicated non-administration. Results There were only 596 medication orders without corresponding administration records, accounting for less than 0.05% of 1.6 Million orders for 56,000 patients. There were 40,999 orders with corresponding administration records indicating non-administration (or less than 3% of all orders). Overall order compliance of the nursing staff was 97.35%, with another 2.6% of orders having a documented reason for non-administration The top two medication classes comprising the missed and non-administered orders were “Alimentary tract and metabolism drugs” and “Nervous system drugs”. Conclusion Measurement of medication compliance is an important quality measure of patient safety and quality of care. Our study found a small proportion of non-administered medication orders and discovered corresponding reasons illustrating how health information technology can help to measure the quality of the medication process from ordering and dispensing to administration at a major healthcare institution.
Teacher Candidates Learn to Enact Curriculum in a Partnership-Sponsored Literacy Enrichment Program for Youth

ABSTRACTThis article reports on a multiyear formative experiment of a summer enrichment program that served as literacy enrichment for middle-school students, a field experience for preservice teac...
Stereoelectroencephalography-Guided Laser Ablations in Patients With Neocortical Pharmacoresistant Focal Epilepsy: Concept and Operative Technique.

Background Laser ablation surgery has had encouraging results in the treatment of multiple intracranial diseases including primary and metastatic brain tumors, radiation necrosis, and epilepsy. The use of the stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) method in combination with laser thermocoagulation therapy with the goal of modulating epileptic networks in patients with neocortical nonlesional phamacoresistant epilepsy has not been previously described. Objective To describe the novel methodological and conceptual aspects related to SEEG-guided laser ablations in patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative pharmacoresistant neocortical focal epilepsy. Methods Guided by previous SEEG intracranial data, a laser ablation probe was inserted by using a robotic guidance device in a 17-yr-old medically refractory epilepsy patient with difficult to localize seizures and nonlesional MRI. The laser applicator position was confirmed by MRI, targeting the left mesial rostral superior frontal gyrus. The ablation was performed under multiplanar digital imaging views and real-time thermal imaging and treatment estimates in each plane. A postablation MRI (contrasted T1 sequence) confirmed the ablation's location and size. Results The entire procedure was achieved in approximately 100 min. The actual ablation was performed in less than 3 min. Approximately, additional 30 min preoperatively were used for positioning and robot registration. Precise placement of laser application (in comparison with preplanned trajectories) was achieved using the robotic guidance and confirmed by the intraoperative magnetic resonance images. No complications were reported. The patient has been seizure-free since surgery. The follow-up period is 20 mo. Two additional patients, treated with similar methodology, are also described. Conclusion The preliminary experience with the described method shows the feasibility of a unique combination of the SEEG methodology with laser thermocoagulation in patients with neocortical MRI-negative pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy.
Precise Two-step Growth of 940-nm VCSEL on a GaAsP-capped DBR Wafer

We report a 2-step growth for 940-nm VCSELs on DBRs capped by a novel protective GaAsP layer, desorbed during the secondary growth including laser region to yield precise high quality VCSELs with sub-mA threshold.
Abstract 19531: Effect of Mainstream Cigarette Smoke and Its Constituents on Immune Cells

Smoking induces/exacerbates cardiopulmonary diseases possibly via impaired immune function. Yet, little is known about what constituent(s) of mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) affects immune functio...
Persistent Sodium Current Mediates the Steep Voltage Dependence of Spatial Coding in Hippocampal Pyramidal Neurons

Summary The mammalian hippocampus forms a cognitive map using neurons that fire according to an animal’s position (“place cells”) and many other behavioral and cognitive variables. The responses of these neurons are shaped by their presynaptic inputs and the nature of their postsynaptic integration. In CA1 pyramidal neurons, spatial responses in vivo exhibit a strikingly supralinear dependence on baseline membrane potential. The biophysical mechanisms underlying this nonlinear cellular computation are unknown. Here, through a combination of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches, we show that persistent sodium current mediates the strong membrane potential dependence of place cell activity. This current operates at membrane potentials below the action potential threshold and over seconds-long timescales, mediating a powerful and rapidly reversible amplification of synaptic responses, which drives place cell firing. Thus, we identify a biophysical mechanism that shapes the coding properties of neurons composing the hippocampal cognitive map.
Acute effect of water on blood pressure

Water drinking elicits a large, acute, pressor response in patients with autonomic failure who experience severe orthostatic hypotension. This essentially cost-free intervention has been successfully employed therapeutically in these patients to attenuate orthostatic and postprandial hypotension. In orthostatic intolerance patients, water drinking blunts the orthostatic tachycardia but has only a modest effect on blood pressure. Water drinking also has effects on blood pressure and heart rate in normal subjects, although the actions are more subtle. The cardiovascular effects seem to be in part mediated through sympathetic activation. The exact mechanism that causes the sympathetic activation is not known.
Buddhism and Positive Psychology

Buddhism is increasingly shown to have positive effects for health and well-being. Robust research supports the claim that by practicing Buddhism one feels better. But just how does Buddhist practice work, and why? To begin to answer these questions this chapter reports recent findings in the fields of neurobiology, clinical psychology, and anthropology, and points to three especially promising domains of psychological processes: attention to the present (what is often called “mindfulness”), decreased attachments to the self (or changes in self-construal), and the cultivation of calm emotion. After summarizing research from neurobiology and clinical psychology in each domain the chapter turns to an ethnographic case study of Buddhism in a small community in Thailand in order to show how these domains are connected to a range of other ideas in practice. In doing so the chapter shows how Buddhism and its positive effects may best be understood within, rather than extracted from, its historical and cultural context.
Nucleation and growth interaction in clouds and its effects on climate

Publisher Summary A central problem for the linkage of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) change, droplet generation, and cloud albedo variation is the evaluation of maximum supersaturation in clouds. Twomey's formula, though less erroneous than that of Fukuta–Xu, is unable to deal with the diffusion–kinetic process, and the beta function involved in the former also causes some inconvenience in practical use. Fukuta–Xu analytic Maxwellian formula, which includes parameters of cloud base condition, is simple and convenient in practical use, although contains larger errors as judged by the model's output. Therefore, a correction factor of the diffusion-kinetic effect has been worked out for the latter in comparison with the model output. The cloud model generates maximum supersaturation change, cloud droplet concentration, and cloud albedo variation, and demonstrates the effect of condensation coefficient on droplet number concentration and cloud albedo change caused by air pollution.
Comparison of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Efficacy in Ischemic Versus Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) differ in histopathology and prognosis. Although transendocardial delivery of mesenchymal stem cells is safe and provides c...
Does the Δ ( 3 , 3 ) resonance factorize?

Evidence is presented showing that there are nonresonant coherent backgrounds interfering with $\ensuremath{\Delta}(3, 3)$ resonance production in both $\ensuremath{\pi}N$ elastic scattering and photoproduction. The background in each case is predominantly given by the Born term projected into the resonant channel. Interplay between background and direct resonance production results in the observed shifts in the resonant-cross-section peaks.
Decision Tree Based Classification of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Using Geometry Quantification Measures

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an asymptomatic aortic disease with a survival rate of 20% after rupture. It is a vascular degenerative condition different from occlusive arterial diseases. The size of the aneurysm is the most important determining factor in its clinical management. However, other measures of the AAA geometry that are currently not used clinically may also influence its rupture risk. With this in mind, the objectives of this work are to develop an algorithm to calculate the AAA wall thickness and abdominal aortic diameter at planes orthogonal to the vessel centerline, and to quantify the effect of geometric indices derived from this algorithm on the overall classification accuracy of AAA based on whether they were electively or emergently repaired. Such quantification was performed based on a retrospective review of existing medical records of 150 AAA patients (75 electively repaired and 75 emergently repaired). Using an algorithm implemented within the MATLAB computing environment, 10 diameter- and wall thickness-related indices had a significant difference in their means when calculated relative to the AAA centerline compared to calculating them relative to the medial axis. Of these 10 indices, nine were wall thickness-related while the remaining one was the maximum diameter (Dmax). Dmax calculated with respect to the medial axis is over-estimated for both electively and emergently repaired AAA compared to its counterpart with respect to the centerline. C5.0 decision trees, a machine learning classification algorithm implemented in the R environment, were used to construct a statistical classifier. The decision trees were built by splitting the data into 70% for training and 30% for testing, and the properties of the classifier were estimated based on 1000 random combinations of the 70/30 data split. The ensuing model had average and maximum classification accuracies of 81.0 and 95.6%, respectively, and revealed that the three most significant indices in classifying AAA are, in order of importance: AAA centerline length, L2-norm of the Gaussian curvature, and AAA wall surface area. Therefore, we infer that the aforementioned three geometric indices could be used in a clinical setting to assess the risk of AAA rupture by means of a decision tree classifier. This work provides support for calculating cross-sectional diameters and wall thicknesses relative to the AAA centerline and using size and surface curvature based indices in classification studies of AAA.
Integrated Photonics Architectures for Residue Number System Computations

Residue number system (RNS) can represent large numbers as sets of relatively smaller prime numbers. Architectures for such systems can be inherently parallel, as arithmetic operations on large numbers can then be performed on elements of those sets individually. As RNS arithmetic is based on modulo operations, an RNS computational unit is usually constructed as a network of switches that are controlled to perform a specific computation, giving rise to the processing in network (PIN) paradigm. In this work, we explore using integrated photonics switches to build different high-speed architectures of RNS computational units based on multistage interconnection networks. The inherent parallelism of RNS, as well as very low energy of integrated phontonics are two primary reasons for the promise of this direction. We study the trade-offs between the area and the control complexity of five different architectures. We show that our newly proposed architecture, which is based on arbitrary size Benes (AS-Benes) networks, saves up to 90% of the area and is up to 16 times faster than the other architectures.